Planting Responsibly

Have you ever wondered what's going on in your bed's soil? Is the soil a happy place or does it need some tender loving care? Are the worms enjoying life and spreading their joy or are they squirming away as fast as possible? 

Soil conditions are often, unfortunately, overlooked when preparing to plant. Sun exposure and moisture are important items to consider but to give your plant some longevity, it needs a comfortable home. To make sure your soil is an appropriate habitat for certain plants you will need to find out some info.

In no particular ranking order, you should find out your soil's levels of pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). 

--pH levels will show you how well plants can utilize the nutrients available in the soil you would like to plant. Some plants like more acidic while some like more basic. Matching what the plant prefers to what the soil is will make your plant smile!

--Nitrogen levels relate to leaf growth and green leaves. Too little nitrogen and your leaves will be light green but too much nitrogen and you will have to much foliage and delayed flowering.

--Phosphorous levels relate to the perseverance of the plant. A deficiency in phosphorous will lead to stunted growth and seed sterility. A good amount of phosphorous will help with disease resistance.

--Potassium makes our plants strong. It helps to add color and flavor to fruit while enhancing the stem strength and cold hardiness.

You're probably wondering how one can go about measuring all of these (if not, please play along). Well, look no further than in Gateway's store! We have a ready to go test kit from Luster Leaf. The Rapitest Soil Test Kit will tell you everything you need to know about your soil. Once you get this info, you're ready to plant responsibly!

Pond Superheros to the Rescue

   

     Oh the joys of having a water garden! Algae, faulty pumps, odd sized hoses & fittings, and sick fish are just a few of the headaches that can accompany the ownership of a water garden. We all know there is a good amount of problem solving and grunt work that is involved in installing and maintaining a pond. Once that work is done, however, the joy a beautiful pond can bring is boundless.
     

   
     To overcome those trials and tribulations and achieve that aquatic happiness, we have a couple of pond superheros that are coming to your rescue! Sandy and Tiffany will be giving advice and answering questions about your water gardening needs and desires during this Sunday's workshop. These legendary experts will help you become the hero of your own pond. This FREE workshop will run from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Reservations are requested so we can make the proper seating arrangements so please stop in and tell us or give us a call at (302) 239-2727.

     It will be a beautiful weekend so come in and enjoy a seat by our pond. With the serene sound of our waterfall in the background, you will have a relaxing Sunday afternoon learning all you need to know about getting your ponds ready!

'Angel Face' Rose

      If you've visited our Facebook today you will see that our roses have arrived! The wait is over and we are fully stocked. The tables and shelves are full of many beautiful varieties waiting to burst out in bloom. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight one in particular that we like named 'Angel Face.'

     'Angel Face' is one of the floribunda group from Weeks Roses and it's a beaut! This pretty plant will boast ruffled lavender blossoms and emit a strong perfume smelling like sweet citrus...yum. It's going to be a bit weary of heights and remain low and bushy. 'Angel Face' is a persistent variety as it nearly continually produces blooms. It won't be large and in charge since it's supposed to be a medium sized rose but it will get a decent petal count totaling around twenty five to thirty. Patience is a virtue with these guys since they like to get established before they continually produce blooms.

     'Angel Face' is just one of many varieties of roses we have in stock. Whether you're looking for something from the floribundas, grandifloras, hybrid teas, climbers, knock outs, etc. we bet you that we have it or can find it for you! Come in and enjoy the selection!

Step by Step Planters

Container planting tips

Color is on the top of our minds as the weather continues to warm up and the grey days of winter fade away.  Whether you are planting your containers with cool weather annuals or planning for the warm weather annuals that are beginning to arrive at Gateway, here are a few tips to ensure beautiful, colorful containers.

First - select plants that require similar light and watering needs for each container.  Sun loving annuals need at least 6 hours of sunshine for maximum results.  Combining plants with similar needs will increase the success of a full, colorful container.

 Second - consider the growth habit of the plants.  Follow the thriller, spiller, filler philosophy - have a plant that is a focal point (generally the one that grows the tallest); add lower height plants and then a couple of plants that will trail (or spill) over the side of the container.

 Third - make sure the container drains well, add a good quality potting soil (such as Gardner's Gold) and mix in an appropriate amount of slow-release fertilizer based on the size of the container.

Fourth - position your plants in the container before removing them from the pots to make sure you are satisfied with the arrangement; once you settle on an arrangement that pleases you, remove plants from their pots, put them in the soil and top off soil around the plants as needed. 

 Water thoroughly, place your containers for maximum enjoyment and sit down with your favorite beverage to admire!

Good Things Come In Small Packages

     

     It's not the size of the landscape but what you do with it that matters. Large landscapes can be a joy because of the opportunity to spread your creativity far and wide. A themed bed here and there would satisfy any gardener's palate. However, if you're working with limited space or simply don't have the time to take on a large landscape design, we have some ideas for you to fill small spaces effectively and beautifully. 

    

     If you're an urban gardener or just looking to scale down, come to our "Small but Mighty" workshop this Sunday, April 21 at 12:00 p.m. Doris Quinn will be dishing out some advice on how to get big taste from a small space. She will be focusing on how to grow vegetables and herbs in small areas. Bring your questions and your notepad. You don't want to miss this so call us at (302) 239-2727 or stop in to reserve a spot!

PJM

   

     This time of year, we are itching to get some color in our landscapes. Some of the stuff we have planted seems to be either waiting to bloom or going out of style for the season. Do not worry, your color woes can be fixed! If you are looking for a shrub that is big, bright, and blooming, we have just the plant for you!

     Our PJM rhododendrons are bursting with large lavender-pink flowers as you can see by the photos. This plant is blooming now and will do so each spring. It is a great idea for a barrier hedge and would love to hang out in a sunny to partially shady spot. It will grow up to be about six feet tall and six feet wide filling in a space quite nicely. The PJM prefers to be planted with love in moist, acidic, well drained soil. As usual, it's a good idea to mulch around it so it is easier for the roots to stay cool and moist. It only needs to be fed once a year with some fertilizer and should get a hair cut by way of pruners after it is done flowering.

     They look great out here at Gateway. We have two different sizes so come on in and check them out!

Edible Gardening Workshop

   Grocery store prices for produce are absurd. It should not cost so much to be healthy and eat the way nature intended! The majority of us are not farmers and do not have access to large plots of land that can provide bountiful produce for consumption. We are forced to work with spaces in backyards and manage small plots of land. You would be surprised at how much you can get out of your space. We have provided an opportunity for you to learn how to get those fruitful returns!

     On Sunday, April 14, we will be holding an edible gardening workshop here at Gateway. It will be held in our edibles greenhouse  from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Michele Wales from the Delaware Nature Society's Coverdale Farm will help you get started growing your own food. This is a hands on workshop that lets you take what you make!

    It should be a beautiful weekend and please let us know if

you're planning on stopping by so we can properly prepare. You can stop in and tell us or give us a call at (302) 239-2727. Have a great day!

Quiet Company

    Gardening can be a lonely task sometimes. Whether we're digging, watering, weeding, or mulching, we can be left to our own devices to handle the tasks at hand. We see the tasks as challenges and do everything in our power to overcome the sometimes tough situations. Going  at it alone can be a bit troublesome for us so some company could be welcome. But now we're left with some choices, a gardening partner that could be noisy and distract you from your thoughts or a silent presence that rids the loneliness but keeps us at peace. Enter statuary. 

    It may be a bit odd to consider statues as company but think about them as a piece to reflect on. They may inspire you or simply add a little beauty to your garden. There are many different kinds of pieces that could inhabit your garden to enhance your gardening experience. We have animals, faeries, angels, saints, elves, gnomes, etc. Whatever your interests, we're sure you will find something suitable. So, next time you're out there gardening, think about what a statue could do to your garden.

Garden Coaches

    Gardening is like a sport. You need to train physically and mentally to prepare for the enduring work ahead. Careful planning and practice can lead to fruitful results. All of the factors that go into creating a garden can be daunting. Whether it's deciding what would look nice, what would grow well in your conditions, or how to care for the plant material, it can all be a little intimidating. What you need is is what any great athlete needs, direction. Behind every great player is a great coach and look no further because we have some of the greatest garden coaches around!

    Our garden coach program has grown in popularity over the past few years. It is a service we provide to customers who need help planning a new garden or improving an existing one. This isn't done through emailed pictures and texts. It is a one on one personalized garden consultation that can be geared to fit any gardening skill level. We send one of our coaches out to you for a one hour session to tour your landscape and talk about what can be done to make your gardening world happy. When your session is through, you can schedule a time to meet with the coach at the garden center to have some personal plant shopping where the coach can pinpoint what plants they may have discussed during the session. We will do everything in our power to get you all set up to garden with the best of them!

    So start growing with your garden coach and become a member of the Gateway team! Call us at (302) 239-2727 or stop in to set up an appointment.

    

Lawns with Larry

   

As things are getting started in your gardens this season, don't forget about your lawn! Sometimes we focus so much on our planted material that we put off tending to our lawns. The lawn is so important to a balanced landscape but it can be tricky staying on top of its demands. Whether you have questions about how & when to fertilize, when to mow, or even when the right time of day to water is, we have a special guest speaker coming in to Gateway to answer all of your questions and solve all of your problems!

     Larry Iorii from Down to Earth Lawn Services will reveal the secrets to growing a healthy lawn. He has decades of experience and we refer his services to anyone looking for some quality work done to their lawn. It is this Sunday (April 7th) at 12:00 p.m. The event will be held in our edibles greenhouse towards the back of Gateway's property. The workshop is FREE! Reservations are requested so please give us a call at (302) 239-2727 if you're stopping by to participate so we can prepare seating arrangements. We hope to see you then!

Photogenic Forsythia

This plant is a classic. These early blooming yellow beauties can be best seen by you Delawareans on Kirk Road in Wilmington. The golf course can barely be seen through the thick yellow flowers. They line the road so nicely and as you drive by, you're swallowed up by all of those yellow petals. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight a variety we currently have that seems to be pretty popular!


It is a Forsythia x intermedia 'Mindor' and its trademarked name is Show Off. It is a Proven Winners plant that holds true to its name. It likes to soak up full sun and if the conditions are right, would love to start showing off in early spring. It could grow up to six feet tall and out to three feet wide. It is stiffer than most and seems to hold strong in the wind. These guys will give you flowers from the ground up and are easy to maintain!

Fear Not Forgetful Waterers!

     Let's face it. We all could use a little help when it comes to caring for our plants. Some assistance is always welcome when it comes to plant care. We are either too busy and the thought doesn't cross our mind or we may see a wilting plant but the Law & Order episode that is  rerunning for the 10th time is more important at the moment. Not everyone can have an assistant to handle all of their watering needs so some of us are left to face this daunting task alone. 

     Water schedules are always nice. We follow a schedule here at Gateway that shifts with the weather but we are always aware of what will dry up first and what can withstand a little drought. So getting familiar with your plant material could be your first step to watering success. Find out what is the first thing to dry out and make sure to check that. That should be a good indicator of where the rest of your plants stand. We also have our routines of watering. First thing in the morning we make rounds and see what needs some H20. Usually it's the small annuals getting their first hit of the day. The larger material can usually hold off. Once you get a feel for what plants need watering when, you will find yourself fitting that routine in to your daily schedule. Having a routine helps reduce the moments of memory loss or the lackadaisical ones.

     One way to help solve your watering woes is to pick plants that can go without drinking for a while. For example, the Kalanchoe 'Thyrsiflora fantastic' is an extremely easy succulent to care for. It has a unique look as you can see but the various colors could compliment many things in your room. This particular plant would love to sit in your house and hang out without being too needy! So, if you're a forgetful waterer or a delinquent one, maybe this is the plant for you. Also, FYI, it is 20% off along with all of our other houseplants at Gateway!