Skillins! We Believe!!

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! We Believe!!

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Garden Talks

Skillin's Garden Log

Mark Your Calendar!

Hello again,

Welcome to another edition of Garden Talks Online by Skillin's Greenhouses! We have been "online" since 1999 and "on the ground" in Skillin's Country since 1885. We work every day to keep your trust and realize that in 2011 your time is very precious.

The title of this current edition of Garden Talks Online is called "We Believe". Let me tell you what I mean by this. Every Spring in Skillin's Country is different; each Spring is unique in the details. Occasional Springs start very early (remembering 2010). Other Springs almost never start (oh definitely 2005). But in every Spring there is a point in time; there is a day even when our customers and yes even our staff KNOW that Spring is here to stay. There is a point when we know that the forward momentum is here. There is a point when we Believe. I cannot tell you the exact day that happened in 2011 but after having worked a little in my own gardens over the last few days and after talking with many customers over this past weekend I can tell that you we BELIEVE! Spring is here--we have a great selection of trees and shrubs, soon our perennials will be available and then annuals with more and more plants to be ready soon!

Tim Bate of Skillin's Nursery wants you to know that Fruit Trees are on sale through this weekend (April 17) for 20% off. Fruit trees are a sustaining and definitive part of any outdoor landscape. In other words, it is NEAT to grow some of your own fruit! Like vegetables nothing tastes better than the snap of your own grown apples. And so many varieties can be grown well in Skillin's Country. Apples, pears and peaches galore! Skillin's Fruit Trees: Pretty and Productive and Now On Sale! Click HERE to see what else is ON SALE at Skillin's!

Skillin's Fruit Trees: Pretty, Productive and On Sale!

We have two awesome classes this weekend and here they are!

April 16 The Pursuit of the Rose! (10 am only)

The layers of petals, the bright yet tender colors, the unmatched fragrance; ahh! the pursuit of the rose. We know it can be done; let us show you how it will be done! Free (Class sold out in Falmouth, spots available in Brunswick and Cumberland)

April 16 Creating Theme Gardens and Outdoor Rooms! (2 PM only)

Fragrance--oh my! Moonlit flowers--sigh! Butterflies fluttering from colorful petal to petal! You know you want this and more so don't "settle!"; Wow! Let us show you how! Free (This class is being held in Cumberland and Falmouth only; we apologize to anyone who signed up for Brunswick for this class).

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

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!).

One last note: Catch Chad Skillin tonight (Wed April 13) on "207" at 7 PM. "207" can be found on WCSH Channel 6 at 7 PM. Chad will be talking about some very topical Spring gardening subjects!

Garden Talks

In last week's Garden Talks Online Email, we talked about lawns. Lawns are an essential part of your landscape and contribute directly to our health. Grass contributes to the air we breathe by cleaning out impurities in the air and contributing clean oxygen to the air. Paul Parent of the Paul Parent Garden Club in his most recent email writes "Did you know that just 625 square feet of grass-- a bit over 30' by 20'--supplies all the oxygen that a person needs each day? The average home lawn is 5000 sq. ft., producing enough oxygen for eight people each day. When talking about trees, it would take two 100-foot tall trees to do the same thing for eight people. And you thought it was just grass to mow!

Did you know that when the temperature of asphalt or concrete is 100 degrees or more, your lawn will be a pleasant 75 degrees? The grass works like an air conditioner around your home to help keep it cooler. "

Check out this article in our Skillin's Garden Log titled Lawn Care Program from Skillin's! and let us show you how to maintain a good lawn for your home and family!

Our 2011 nursery and perennial catalogs are now ONLINE! Check them out!

One of my favorite features about the catalogs are our listings of plants for certain areas and uses. One of these listings is a schedule of trees, shrubs and vines that are excellent at attracting birds to your yard. These plants are attractive to birds because of the fruit they offer or because of the excellent cover (hiding spots) they offer birds from other predatory birds or creatures. All of these plants grow well in Skillin's Country. Please check with us for questions about growing needs or availability. This list and other lists about other special areas like wet location or dry location, seashore, and native plants can be found starting at p. 32 of the catalog.

Also in our catalogs this season are some great Do It Yourself Designs! These designs have been done by Chad Skillin, our landscape designer. They feature plants that will grow well in a Sun situation. Chad has drawn up 3 different scenarios for a sunny spot. Check out page 34 of our catalog (go to HERE to see our 2011 Nursery and Perennial catalogs online!) We also have Shade designs by Chad available at each of our Skillin's locations.

If you are interested in more detailed landscape designs or site visits to your own home and garden, give Chad a call at 781-3860 or email him at caskillin@maine.rr.com! Read more about Chad; his experiences and what he can do for your yard HERE.

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 gardening methods!

We Believe it is Time to Plant Pansies!

Skillin's Garden Log

Would you like to get timely garden talks and tips from Skillin's MORE OFTEN? 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:

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

*It is time for April (Mid April) Garden Talks. Find some timely and truthful gardening tips for the times!

*We bring some great Tips for Growing Tomatoes from Seed.

*It is always good to know What's On Sale at Skillin's!

*Tim Bate writes a terrific, timely post that presents a bevy of practical pointers about growing your own tasty vegetables: Kitchen Garden Basics!

*Let's talk about Perennial Gardening Basics!

The following articles from our Garden Log Archives give very timeless, timely and quick tips for THIS gardening season in Skillin's Country:

* Our grass can easily AND safely be greener! Lawn Care Program from Skillin's!

*Paul Parent writes about Spring Care of Perennials and Fruit Tree Care.

*We are talking and writing much about vegetable gardening these days. Check out this simple and well written Easy Steps to Building a Vegetable Garden.

Mark Your Calendar!

Our FREE classes will be held Saturdays at all three locations (unless otherwise stated) at 10 AM and 2 PM. 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 our upcoming classes:

April 23 Container Gardening (10 am only)

There is more than one way to garden. Whether you live in a condo, apartment, or want to use small spaces, gardening in containers provides a creative use of limited space. Let us show you how to grow season long flowers in creative ways. Free

(10 AM sold out in Falmouth; we do have spots available in Brunswick and Cumberland)

April 23 Container Edibles (2 PM only)

More and more of us want to grow some of our own food as naturally and conveniently as we can! Let us show you how-this will be a great way to learn some new tricks with vegetables and herbs that can be grown indoors AND out! Free

(This class sold out in Falmouth at 2 PM 4/23; 4/23 spots available in Brunswick and Cumberland--we are holding a special second class in Falmouth on Tuesday 4/26 at 10 AM)

April 30 Vegetable Gardening (10 AM Special Time)

Let us show you how to safely and smartly grow your own food. Gardening, especially vegetable gardening can be so rewarding and a fun and healthy activity too for family and friends! Free (10 AM sold out in Falmouth)

April 30 Vine Time (2 PM Special Time)

Spring means the time is fine to talk about the vine. And vertical is in! And what great varieties can be grown! Onward and upward we say to the kiwi! Honeysuckle reach for the sky! Here is clematis! There goes Dutchman's Pipe-it's really smoking! Free

June 11 The New Wave: Grasses!! (10 AM Special Time)

You bet your Grass we're having a class! Grasses set apart any landscape (they give any landscape a natural look of class) and they grow well in Maine. Let us be your guide through the plumes and blooms, the heights and textures and the sights. Want some class? Check out grass! Free

The best way to find out about Skillin's Classes and Events is by being a Skillin's Email List member so encourage friends and family to sign up for our Email List at www.skillins.com!

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!

Thanks for being a friend of Skillin's! Contact us anytime with any questions!

Mike Skillin

Skillin's Greenhouses

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