Spring into Action

We are just about there! Tomorrow is opening day for Gateway. I will be there at 10:00 a.m....will you? I'm excited to see all of you starting tomorrow. It's time to get into the Spring mentality. I don't care what the weather is doing, I won't let it dictate my attitude. I'm staying optimistic and I'm putting myself  in a "Spring will come soon" mindset. To get into that state of mind, I try to immerse myself  in planning for the spring and summer seasons. What sales to promote, what events to hold, what layouts will look the best, etc. are all things I ponder this time of year. By thinking about this stuff now, not only am I more prepared for the future but, for a brief moment, it's all of a sudden May and I'm unloading a truckload of products or socializing outside among the plants during one of our events. Thinking about these things motivates me through these cold months. What motivates you? The first foliage to appear? The first blooms? The first day you can wear a t-shirt outside without anyone calling you crazy? Let me know in the comments below!

For the next product I'd like to highlight this week, I'll do a brief overview of something that is newish this year...

Corn gluten is a widely popular organic way to prevent weeds from growing. Although it won't kill existing weeds, it is a great product for the proactive gardener looking to prevent weeds from popping up. The corn gluten prevents any roots it touches from growing. If roots don't grow then neither does the "ugly" top. You can use it around established plants but if you're sowing any flowers or veggies, avoid that area because the corn gluten will prevent germination. Early Spring is the best time to apply as it is a prevention product and you need to get it down before weed seeds start to spit out their roots.


Now, you're probably saying to yourself, "Well, corn gluten has been around forever! What is this guy talking about it being newish?" Well, hence the word I made up, "newish." The -ish is a big part of it. Although corn gluten has been around for a while in granular form, the liquid application version is fairly new. It does the same job as the granular except it is delivered via a hose end sprayer which, to some, is easier because it is going down wet instead of having to water in the granular version.


We will have both kinds this season so you can take your pick! Make sure to get here early for it though. This is not something you want to wait too long to pick up and put down!

Hanging Around

Less than a week away from opening day! The forecast shows that it will be a chilly weekend but we will still open up the store so you can shop from all the fantastic gifts and growing supplies we have. I know you will love the new layout of the store and that you will find it incredibly easy to find exactly what you need. Speaking of things you need...check this out.

We saw this product at a show in Cleveland, Ohio last year and made sure to order some to sell this season. It is a space saving way to grow just about anything indoors. The main idea for this product is to plant herbs and hang it near a kitchen window or in a  sun room to have fresh herbs to harvest for those delicious dinners you make. It would also be ideal for some small trailing houseplants. The colors are tan, brown, black, green, red, and grey. It is a sturdy product and would be a great addition to your kitchen or sun room! 

Welcome Back!

Hi Friends,

Now that we seem to be thawing out a bit here in Delaware, I think it's time to start up this crazy blog thing for year 2! Let's face it, it has been a tough couple months. Cold, snowy, icy, and just plain old boring. On days like today during this time of year, I feel even more motivated for spring to come. Once I get a taste of the sunshine and warmth though, I'm hooked, so hopefully there will be a warming trend starting today. It may be cold and snowy but that hasn't stopped us from being extremely busy making sure the garden center is fully functional and stocked full of new stuff. I planned on starting back to the blog on Monday with a countdown to opening day on March 1st. However, with a day like today, while the spring juices are initially surfacing, I figured today was the day to start off highlighting some new products that will be at Gateway this year. I will continue to post about new products as the time counts down to March 1st! Then, I will start the mixture of posts including, but not limited to, product highlights, plants, garden techniques, horticulture news, and whatever may pop into my head...scary, I know.

First up is...

This is definitely one of my favorites for this year. Fox Farm is a company from California who shares similar values with Gateway. I pulled this quote straight from their website because I couldn't sum it up any better than this:

"We want to make a difference in how we treat the Earth and each other. Our soil mixes, soil conditioners, and fertilizers are specially formulated to replenish the soil, lift the human spirit, and beautify the Earth, naturally. Bring Your Plants to Life!"

What a great statement! By using Fox Farm's premium organic fertilizers, you will contribute to making the Earth a healthier and safer place. There will be plenty of options to choose from to fit your needs. From their all-purpose 5-5-5 fertilizer to their 0-5-0 bat guano, you will be sure to find exactly what your organic garden needs. This is high quality stuff so prepare to be amazed! Also, maybe more importantly to some, the packaging is very cool. Take a look at the pictures below, then use the link to check out their website for more details.

 

Link: http://foxfarmfertilizer.com/