Skillins! Garden Talks, February is Here!!

Brunswick 442-8111 Cumberland 829-5619 Falmouth 781-3860

1-800-339-8111 1-800-348-8498 1-800-244-3860

www.skillins.com

Skillin's! Garden Talks, February is Here!!

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Hello again,

Well now, I have read and re read my opening comments of our last few Garden Talks messages to you and the theme has been Snow! I have chuckled at the snow, marveled at the snow, praised the snow and today like many of you in Skillin's Country I have spent much time moving it (again) with a shovel.

My back is not aching as much as it usually does after dealing with the snow. Thankfully, the snow is light in weight and that helps. But I will say that I a few weeks back I purchased (at Skillin's) a Back Saver Snow Shovel (you know the one with the crooked handle--but a crooked handle beats a crooked back!) and my back does indeed feel much better. Not perfect (those days are over!) but much better!

We have not ONE but TWO terrific gardening classes this coming Saturday, February 5. They are Indoor Gardening (where we focus on growing edibles this time of year!) and also a "perennial favorite": Landscape Design Principles. Details are in the Mark Your Calendar section just below. The Falmouth classes are sold out for this Saturday but we do have openings in Brunswick and Cumberland where some great topics and awesome instructors will be waiting for you!

Let us show you how to "do it right". Going to Skillin's classes will save you valuable time and help you get great results!

Garden Talks

How about a sure sign of Spring? This Tuesday, February 1 our Spring Bonds went on sale! 2011 is the 21st year of selling our pre-season SPRING BONDS. When you purchase a $50 bond you pay only $37.50!!! This 25% off coupon can be used anytime after April 1 for almost all regularly priced items. Supplies are limited so buy your SPRING BONDS before they run out! Purchase your bonds at any Skillin's location OR www.skillins.com now!

Something new: Any customer that comes into a Skillin's location to buy Spring Bonds in the month of February will receive 25% off any regulary priced items purchased in the same visit! What a way to save on plants, pots, flowers or a gift! (We are sorry we cannot extend this same offer to customers who shop online or order over the phone).

Buy Your Skillin's Spring Bond Starting Feb 1! Skillin's Spring Bonds--the Original and Still the Best!!

Time for some early February Garden Tips:

*February is a great month to take geranium cuttings and root them so they can grow on to be spry new geraniums for the upcoming year. This is a fun project!

Fresh Geranium Cuttings

*The days are indeed getting longer. Since the darker days of late fall I have not fed my houseplants as I have been giving them time to rest. Those days are over and brighter days are here! Now is the time to give your houseplants a boost!

*Later on this month will be a great time to prune forsythia, flowering cherry or other flowering branches (look for bud swelling outdoors for better results) and then to bring them indoors for some fantastic flowering.

More info about these tips can be found by clicking Early February Garden Tips for Skillin's Country at our Skillin's Garden Log!

Skillin's Garden Log

We just gave out some good gardening advice but would you like more detailed info about more garden topics? Well, the Skillin's Garden Log found at www.skillins.com is the PERFECT SOLUTION.

Several times per week, a number of Skillin's contributors post gardening updates, stories and photos. At the Skillin's Garden Log, you can learn and laugh often all in the same post. Check out the Skillin's Garden Log at your convenience; it is found at the front page of www.skillins.com or click on the icon below:

Visit our Skillin's Garden Log!!

Mark Your Calendar!

Our FREE classes will be held Saturdays at all three locations (unless otherwise stated) at 10 AM . Space is limited

so reserve today for the classes of your choice! Just give us a call at any of the above numbers or drop us a note at skillins@maine.rr.com. (Just let us know the date, time and store location!)

Class participants receive a special Skillin's 10% discount coupon for use on the weekend of your class.

Here are some of our upcoming classes:

FEBRUARY

5th-Indoor Gardening (10 AM Brunswick and Cumberland, 2 PM Falmouth)

Let us show you how to garden indoors and to raise edibles! Herbs, micro greens and other fresh edibles can be grown just great in YOUR home. What a healthy and productive pursuit! Free
Note: This class is sold out in Falmouth but we do have openings in Brunswick and Cumberland.

5th-Landscape Design Principles (10 AM Falmouth, 2 PM Brunswick and Cumberland)

Join Chad (5th generation) Skillin as he discusses landscape design principles. Chad is Skillin's Landscape Designer and has great experience with landscaping and practical landscape designs. Let Chad educate you on some good solid landscape design practices as well as giving you some informal help with your yard design. This is also a great opportunity to schedule time with Chad to visit your yard and create an effective plan for your yard. We will have top notch guest instruction for our Cumberland class. Free

Note: This class is sold out in Falmouth but we do have openings in Brunswick and Cumberland.

14th-Valentine's Day at Skillin's! We are Maine's Favorite Florist. For generations we have carried the message of love to so many. Make the call-we will deliver. Or come in and see us-we will give you the "can't miss" message to take home!

19th -Windowsill Gardening (10 AM)

The sun is getting warmer and the days longer. We have the containers and the color. Let us show you how easy it is to bring it all to your home or apartment! We will also show you how to grow some great herbs to spice up your life!

Free

The Bright and Perky Cineraria--Great for Windowsill Gardening!

Our exciting February classes have been set. Check out the entire series!

SKILLIN'S CUSTOMERS WHO ATTEND 6 OUT OF OUR 8 CLASSES IN THIS SERIES RECEIVE A $50 SKILLIN'S GIFT CERTIFICATE!

Did You Know?

Every Tuesday is Mature Gardener's Day at Skillin's! Those customers who qualify will receive 10% off all regularly priced items. (Sale items do not usually apply and very few other restrictions may apply).

Every Friday brings Flower Power Happy Hour where we offer fresh cut flower stems and bunches at 30% off their regular prices. The Happy Hour lasts from Noon until we close!! Every Friday!

Buy a Plant and a Pot from Skillin's and we will Repot the Plant for Free. "Free On the Spot Repot" when you buy a Plant and a Pot here at Skillin's!

Hey you Flower Arranging fans! We have a great DIY Floral series available for viewing! We show and tell about wedding flowers yet even if your interest is not wedding flowers specifically but flower arranging techniques in general, this video is for you! What a way to see these great floral "how-tos" from the comfort of your own home!

We are selling "advance" tickets for the Annual Chili and Chowder Challenge to be held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland on February 13 from 12:30 to 3 PM. Advance prices at Skillin's are just $17.50 ($20 at the door) and you can then taste the BEST Chili and Chowder this area has to offer. I was able to go to the Challenge just a couple of years back and I was blown away by all the great offerings. Proceeds from the Festival go to benefit Altrusa International of Portland ME . This group provides literacy services to schools and other organizations, scholarships to college students and people re-entering the work force and many other service programs of the Greater Portland Community! With such a diverse population that Skillin's Country now has and with the economic challenges facing so many of us, the folks at Altrusa are doing some great work!

Spread the word: Have your friends and family sign up for our gardening updates at www.skillins.com!

Let us know at skillins@maine.rr.com if you have any gardening questions! We love to help our friends and customers!

*We also"tweet" all types of quick Skillin's news and announcements. Chances are when something goes on sale, or we get excited about a particular plant or flower, we "tweet" about it first! Also we send out frequent short and sweet audios and videos right here from Skillin's--and pictures of our colorful flowering plants as well! We send out Twitter "tweets" all the time so check out www.twitter.com/skillins often!

*Want More Skillin's News, Features and Pics of Plants? Check out Skillin's Facebook Page! We would "love it" if you "like us" and become a Skillin's fan at Facebook!

Thanks for being a friend and customer!

Mike Skillin