No Excuses

       Doesn't it seem like there is always a reason to put off outdoor improvements? It is too wet, too dry, too hot, too cold, etc. Have you been telling yourself all year how nice it would be to finish, start, or start and finish that project you've been itching to get done? Now is not the time for excuses! Not only is this the perfect season for planting, but the weather has been just right for spending time outdoors. So, don't let anything stand in your way... this is the prime time planting season.

Sandi

  

Flower Bulb Basket Make-N-Take

Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 pm

       JoAnne will lead this workshop in making a Layered Spring Flowering Bulb Bushel Basket. Your basket can sleep outdoors through winter. Come spring it will be a colorful spring flower garden that you can place anywhere. $25.00 supply fee. Please call 636-239-6729 to sign up.

First Saturday Kids

Saturday, October 4

       Bring the kids anytime between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm to play in the garden and enjoy a FREE activity - Plant bulbs now for spring flowers!

Cooking Class - Oktoberfest  

(The best and the WURST)

Saturday, October 11 at 11:00 am

       Join Leigh Sweet with Tasteful Affair Catering as she demonstrates making grilled sausages in beer and onions, kraut mit apfe (red cabbage w/apples), potatoes and onions, plus gurken salat (cucumber salad). Samples and recipes of featured foods will be available. $5.00 class fee. Space is limited. Please contact Leigh at 314-488-4184 or tastefulaffair@gmail.com to sign up.

Enter on our Facebook Page for a chance to win 1 of 3 $50.00 Hillermann Gift Cards!

       To Enter: Comment with the words "Fall Garden" on the Giveaway post on our Facebook page (You need to go to our page on Facebook and comment on the original post for us to be able to see and enter your name). Share the post from our page and receive one more entry in the contest (share the post as public so we will be able to see your shared post to enter your name a second time). (Two entries possible per person). One winner per week will be chosen and announced on Tuesdays of October 7, October 14 and October 21, 2014 on Facebook and our e-newsletter. Now, Comment and Share!

Benefits of
Planting Trees

       Most often, we plant trees to provide shade and beauty for our landscapes. These are great benefits, but trees also provide other less obvious benefits.

* Trees are often planted as living memorials or reminders of loved ones or to commemorate events in our lives.

* Even though you may own the trees on your property, your neighbors benefit from them as well. Through careful planning, trees can be an asset to your entire community.

* Tree-lined streets have a "traffic calming" effect. Traffic moves more slowly and safely.

* Trees can be placed to screen unwanted views or noise from busy highways.

* Trees improve our air quality by filtering harmful dust and pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide from the air we breathe.

* Trees give off oxygen that we need to breathe.

* Well-placed trees can reduce your cooling costs in the summer by shading the south and west sides of your home. If deciduous trees are used they will allow the sun to pass through in the winter.

* Evergreen trees on the north side of your home and shrubs around the foundation of your home can act as a windbreaker to reduce the cooling effect of winter winds.

* The value of a well landscaped home with mature, healthy trees can be as much as 10% higher than a home with no or little landscaping.

       Most of our houseplants are from tropical or desert areas where cold weather is rare, and they thrive in summer conditions outdoors. However, when night temperatures drop below 50 degrees, it is time to bring tropical plants indoors to avoid stress. Many gardeners slowly readjust their houseplants to indoor conditions by bringing them in at night and moving them back outside during the day similar to hardening them off in spring. A week of this routine helps plants prepare for the changes in humidity, air circulation, and temperature. Some of us, however, have less time to devote to the gradual adjustment. 

Click here for more.

Is Your Garden for the Birds? 

       One of the best things about the yard and gardens is enjoying the birds that are frequent visitors. Attracting birds is easy if you provide basic necessities including food, water, shelter and nesting places.

       Birds need a diversity of trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, so that they can hide from predators and seek shelter from weather. These same trees and shrubs provide nesting spots for birds that make open nests, such as robins, cardinals and finches. Other birds appreciate birdhouses.  

Click here for more.

Why Dig Twice?

       When digging a hole for your bulbs, why not use the same hole to plant your Fall Pansies, Mums, or Ornamental Cabbage? Plant these on top of your bulbs - in beds and/or containers. When the frost has killed off those plants or as the bulbs start to emerge in spring, trim the faded plantings back, do not pull them out as this could damage the bulbs. Your spring flower bulb garden will replace the faded fall plantings! 

       Hen-bit and Chickweed are weeds that start sprouting sometime from late August through October. Here are two types of weeds that look similar, but both hen-bit and chickweed will start sprouting after the heat of the Summer has past. They can start in a small area in your landscape and you might overlook them. However, after a couple of days, they could be sprouting everywhere in your yard.

       These weeds will grow until the first frost, but the winter weather will not kill them. They will stay dormant and not grow much through winter, then in early spring, as soon as the weather starts to warm, they will take off again. At this time, they will be coming up everywhere twice the size of what they are now and be much harder to eradicate. If they have not yet started sprouting, you can do a pre-emergent application to help keep them from sprouting. If they have sprouted, mist them with a weed killer that includes these weeds on the label.

       We can help you with tips on weed control for your yard and landscape in our garden center. We can also do your weed control and other landscape maintenance for you. Stop by or call us at 636-239-6729.

  
Above: Sprouting Hen-bit plant and mature plants with blooms

   
Above: Sprouting Chickweed plant and mature plants spreading

Pottery Class

       We will start our 6 week pottery course on Saturday, October 4th from 10:30 am - Noon, and run for six consecutive weeks. Cost is $225 and includes all materials. You are welcome to use the studio outside of class time for practice or to work on projects. Think of how many unique, handmade Christmas gifts you can make! If you sign up with a friend, you each save $25! Space is limited - so sign up now!

To sign up: call Carol at (636)221-5593 or Noreen at (636)584-3169.  

Or send us a email to: potshopathillermann@gmail.com

See us at the Washington  

Family Music & Heritage Festival

       Come see our booth at the Heritage Festival at the Washington Park Fair Grounds on October 4th from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Come and watch the Raku demonstration and pick up some early Christmas gifts.

Click here for more information on the Washington Heritage Festival.

Featured Adoptable Pet 

       Hello- My name is Taco. I am a Cocker and King Charles Cavalier Spaniel mixed breed boy about 3 1/2 years old. I had a home, but my owners were moving to a place that doesn't allow pets. They brought me here so that I could find some new people to love! I am house trained, microchipped and neutered. Although I am a little shy, I love to cuddle, and I'm very smart! I know how to sit and lie down, and I will be quick at learning new things from you! Because of my breed, I would probably be better in a home without very small children. If you are looking for a friend for life, I could be the one for you! I'm waiting to start our adventures together! Love, Taco