Skillins! February Garden Tips and More Classes!!

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! February Garden Tips and More Classes!!

In This Issue

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Hello again,

It is good to be back in touch with you after a busy Valentine's weekend and Monday. Thanks to all of you who have stopped in to visit lately. Our greenhouses are bright and warm and full of colorful plants for you to check out. And "new gardening stuff" is coming through the door daily now! We love it if you buy a plant or a pot or some soil but frankly we just love to see you on these winter days. We have plenty of free parking and plenty of the Spring feel here--so come see us!

This Cineraria and So Much More in our Greenhouses

We have an awesome class this Saturday, February 19 called Windowsill Gardening.

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!AND we will discuss how to grow fresh vegetables in your home this winter and early Spring.

Available class times are 10 AM in Brunswick and Cumberland. Our 10 AM class time is full in Falmouth but we do have a second class at 2 PM in Falmouth with plenty of room available!!

You can reserve a space by calling any of the above numbers OR by contacting us at skillins@maine.rr.com (just specify the store and time!).

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

It is getting near time for us to pull out our tuberous begonias from storage and pot them in fresh soil and peat pots and put them in a sunny window. I like to use peat pots because in late May when I transplant my begonias into large tubs for the summer season, I merely "plop" the plants-peat pot and all-into the large tubs with fresh soil. It is not too early to get the begonias going; they are slow starters and will not put on a lot of growth for a while. If you have stored any begonias, get them going! (Make sure they are still nice and firm).

Tuberous begonias are beautiful and we have the bulbs NOW!

If you would like to try tuberous begonias, they are easy to grow and their colors are stunning. We have a beautiful selection available right now here at Skillin's. In the summer I have several large tubs of begonias on my back and front porch. They get only filtered or part time sun in the summer and that is just what begonias like then!

Don't forget to pot your begonias and any other plants with Bar Harbor Blend all natural potting soil by Coast of Maine Organics (sold right here at Skillin's). Bar Harbor Blend (click here for more info about Bar Harbor Blend! ) is simply the BEST potting soil I have ever used and it is perfect for projects like potting Tuberous Begonias!

It is that time of year when so many customers are streaming into our stores eager to buy seeds and seed starting supplies. It IS a fine time to start perennial seeds and any seeds you may have for woody plants. For you vegetable lovers, celery seeds can be started indoors now and transplanted toward the end of May. In about a week you can also start artichokes! Onions and leeks can be started now as well! For easy indoor growing we also have seeds for sprouts and some smaller or leafier lettuce that can be grown in a well lit spot! As we get closer to Spring, we will keep you supplied with charts for seed starting times for annuals and vegetables.

Our good gardening friend Paul Tukey has been generous with seasonal gardening advice and here is some advice for late February:

Begin
pruning apple, pear and other fruit trees as weather allows. On mild days, you may begin spraying dormant oil.

Force twigs of quince, fruit trees, dogwood or forsythia for indoor bloom. Force twigs of birch and horse chestnut which, even without any flowering, provides a foretaste of spring.

Root geranium cuttings for use later in the season. Click HERE at our Skillin's Garden Log for more details about rooting geranium cuttings.

Cut back house plants such as lantanas, hibiscus and geranium in preparation for repotting next month. Also, I have not been feeding my houseplants this winter until about a week ago. I do think it is okay to give them a fertilizer break during the low light days BUT as we can see the quality of light is improving by the day here in Skillin's Country so feed away!

For more great local gardening tips check out A Garden in Maine. Skillin's friend and associate David K is a Portland ME gardener with great respect for gardening tradition but also an intelligent eye towards new and fun!

Questions about any gardening topics? Email us at skillins@maine.rr.com or contact us at any of the above phone numbers! Or stop by and see us!!

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!!

Recently at the Skillin's Garden Log we have had many good happenings...

*Our full schedule of Spring 2011 classes has JUST been published! This will be the best set of Skillin's Classes EVER so check it out!

*KCB is back with Why Wait for Someday?--a great post about gardening and life.

*Earlier this month we covered in detail some good February garden tips!

*Spring is coming fast to Skillin's Country and check out some great new perennial plants we will have for you at Skillin's 2011 Perennial Additions "A-E"!

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 and events:

FEBRUARY

1-Spring Bonds Are 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!

Skillin's Spring Bonds!--The Original and Still the Best!!

Purchase your bonds at any Skillin's location OR www.skillins.com. Something new: Any customers that come 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).

26th-The Edible Landscape (10 AM Falmouth, 2 PM Brunswick & Cumberland)

A good landscape makes perfect sense-and what is more sensible and useful than an edible landscape! Let us show you how to grow berries that are blue and red, cherries that are sweet and apples and pears that can't be beat! Bring a bib; you will be drooling over the possibilities! Free

26th-The Garden Journal (9 AM Cumberland, Noon Falmouth, 3 PM Brunswick)

Gardening seasons are behind us and more lie just ahead. Learn some neat ways to record what we have done and what we have dreamed; Let's plan on what we will do and on what we want to see! Join celebrity writer and gardener KCB of Skillin's Garden Log fame and let's learn together about how to be impulsively organized. It's time! Free

Hot off the Press!!!:

We have an incredible series of Spring Classes for you starting in March. Click HERE to see the entire listing at our Skillin's Garden Log! This series of classes will be the best EVER!

Many people are asking! Here are our Spring Open House Dates:

*Falmouth: March 18, 19 and 20

*Brunswick and Cumberland: March 26 and 27

You will soon be getting your Special Invitation and More details soon!

The Portland Flower Show, "Enchanged Earth" runs from March 10 through March 13 at the Portland Company Complex. Skillin's will be there! And we have tickets available NOW at Skillin's!

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!

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