Brenda's Blog

Spring is here at last, well in the Garden Center anyway.  Now is planting time for many herbs and vegetables that we all love.  We have sold out of garlic already but more is on the way.  Do you know the difference between soft stem and hard stem garlic? We have potatoes, onions, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli and many more plants that can be planted now. On the way this week are shallots and more Elephant Garlic.

We also have an endless selection of seeds both bulk and packaged.  I have personally selected the varieties of flowers and vines on from our package suppliers.  Many hard to find herbs and flower varieties are available because of that attention to detail.  On the way are bare root asparagus, rhubarb, calla lillies, caladiums, and peonies. 

In your outdoor spaces, remember that we have an exceptional outdoor pottery selection with the plants needed to make your spaces spectacular.  Our Proven Winner selections will be outstanding this year--and don't forget that we can plant your pots for you. 

Why not go ahead and get your seeds early so that when that sun does pop out, and the rain stops for a little while, you can throw on your old garden gloves and get outside and dig in the dirt!

Winter is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year here in Tennessee.  When the leaves fall from the branches, the forms of the trees are uncovered to reveal their breathtaking beauty.  Let Nature dust a little snow on them and WOW! This is also the season when things calm down especially after the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  Just sitting with a cup of hot tea, cocoa, or coffee in front of a warm fire while the wind howls outside brings its own calming effect. 

Sometimes though, we long for the sunshine and smell of dirt that we get from digging in our garden during the other Seasons.  We can bring a little of that garden feeling inside with the beauty of winter plants.  Rosemary plants are one of the most fragrant that you can bring inside during the winter and their scent is vibrant enough to fill a room when you touch it.  They are a little temperamental inside, but remember even watering is a must.  Amaryllis are very elegant and are extremely easy to force bloom, while Paperwhites are very fragrant.  You can also force indoors tulips and hyacinths for enjoyment and fragrance during the winter.

Don't forget to get outside and cut branches to bring inside.  Evergreens such as Nandina, Holly, Boxwood, Magnolia and others will brighten up a dull space and add fragrance as well.  In addition, remember that bare branches placed in water in a pretty vase will last a long time and may produce light foliage buds or flowers.

What are budget friendly ways to create a warm and inviting harvest look for my Thanksgiving event?  The best way to rein in your budget while creating a warm welcome for your Thanksgiving guests is to "Bring the Outside Inside".  Here are some items that work well with this harvest look and fall time of the year that you may have in your own yard: Nests, pine cones, colored fall leaves, Berries, Acorns, feathers, anything wooden like baskets, trays, old nail kegs, natural harvest items like corn, pumpkins, apples, butternut squash, potatoes, pine straw, branches, burlap, and sunflowers.

How do I begin to create a beautiful look for my table? Start with your physical table. 

1. If you have a beautiful wood table or even a scarred old table-don't cover it up.  Instead of place-mats, why not use table runners width-wise across the table?

2. Add your china, napkins, flatware and glassware.  Setting your table the day before allows you extra time for concentrating on food prep, or relaxing with a cup of coffee or tea.

3.  How do I create that special feeling for my guests? When most people think of Thanksgiving they also think of abundance.

Take several small baskets and fill with various "gatherings" like pine cones, pods, leaves, etc.  Get out on a beautiful autumn day and explore your property or head to the woods, lake shore, or park for items to "find".  Place these on your table leaving room for other items.

Next, place branches, leaves, cones, etc in between the baskets.  You can also use Indian Corn, pumpkins, gourds, etc. for your Harvest Theme.

Add in small candles (non-scented) in tiny clay pots or other holders.  Place fresh flowers like sunflowers in small vases filled with water tucked into your design.

If you would like to make an all natural wreath of dried materials, start by collecting various types of botanicals.  If you need to dry them, tie them in small bundles, tie with rubber bands, and hang somewhere not too hot or humid like a garage or garden shed.  Try to collect your materials over the summer and fall so you will have a nice amount from which to select. Some good flowers to dry are grasses like Miscanthus, yarrow, rye, cattails, oregano, celosia (cock's comb), lavender or any of the everlastings. Have fun and experiment.

This process is messy so choose a space that is easily cleaned.  Start by assembling your dried materials into small bundles about 4 to 6 inches in length tied together.  One of the easiest methods is to take a pre-made vine wreath to use as your base.  Start on one end and using continuous heavy string, start placing and tying your bundles onto the wreath.  Make the wreath as full as you wish as you tie the flowers in place keeping in mind the amount of material you have on hand. Also, be aware of the colors of your flowers and distribute accordingly.  Tie off the ends of the string when you are finished.  Allow the wreath to hang for several days to fully dry.

You can also embellish the finished wreath with vines of bittersweet that will give added dimension to the overall design.  Finish the design off with a fabulous ribbon.  There are many ribbons on the market today that are made of silk or burlap that are weather resistant.  However, remember that direct sunlight and elements of weather will deteriorate your design.

Remember, your local florist will have ribbons, vine wreaths, fall leaves, and bittersweet--shop locally.

My tomato plants are huge and dark green, but I don't get any tomatoes.  What is the problem?

When healthy, vigorous tomato plants won't flower, the problem is usually too much nitrogen.  This is usually caused by a chemical fertilizer with a high first number like 15-15-15.  If you have applied this type of fertilizer, all you can do is wait until the plant uses it up or rain washes it out of the soil.  Then you can replant in a different area or in a container for tomatoes this year.  Using a fertilizer specially formulated for fruiting or blooming is the best way to ensure you have a nice crop.  There are many commercial fertilizers on the market so select one with a high second number, or one just for tomatoes.  Remember too, that tomatoes need lots of sun.  Too much shade will also cause under productivity in your tomato plants.

If you love tomatoes, nothing beats a fresh home grown, red ripe, sliced tomato.  Even if you have a very small space, you can easily grow tomatoes in a container.  Be sure to fertilize with a specific water soluble fertilizer and stake with a tomato cage or other support.

How do I preserve my tomatoes for later use? Wash and pat dry.  Quarter directly into freezer zip loc bags.  Pop into the freezer (remember to lay flat).  Use in soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, etc. 

In today's busy, busy, world the home gardener who is looking for easy maintenance, low care plants seem to be overlooking Bulbs.  What could be more beautiful than the nodding lily of the valley like flower blooming in Moss' garden now called the Giant Snowflake? We planted these bulbs more than a decade ago and each spring they emerge faithfully providing us with not only lovely early spring blooms, but also exquisite cut flowers for weddings and spring arrangements.  And this flower is just one of the many minor bulbs that are overlooked. Other bulbs that are hardy and easy to grow include calla lillies, scilla, muscari, allium, fritillaria and many others. 

There are bulbs planted in the fall to bloom in the Spring and bulbs planted in the Spring to bloom in the Summer.

Are there bulbs that can be planted now for Summer Bloom since I missed planting the Fall bulbs?

Yes, there are many bulbs that can be planted now that will bloom this summer.  Included in this category are: Dahlias, Cannas, Oriental Lillies, Galtonia, Lily of the Valley, Crinum, and Surprise Lillies.

Should I feed my Spring flowering bulbs now?

Assuming you bought quality bulbs, your first season of bloom is assured.  For the seasons thereafter, when the leaves appear sprinkle some compost, cow manure, or water once with Fertilome Root and Bloom at half strength around the base of the plant.

Can I cut off the leaves when my blooms fade?

No. No. No. Next year's flower strength resides inside the green leaves.  Wait until the leaves yellow then remove.

When can I dig up and move my Daffodils?

The ideal time is eight weeks after flowering if you must move them in the spring.  The Fall is usually the best time to move or transplant.

Moss' Greenhouse and Nursery has what you need to beautify your garden. From annuals and perennials to shrubs and trees, Moss’s has a wide variety from which to choose.