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Easter Egg Hunt

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:32:38 GMT

Join us on April 4th at 11 am at Logan’s Garden Hut in Fuquay for a family-friendly easter egg hunt. Adults will be able to participate with 10 golden eggs.

March in the Garden: Early Blooms, Fresh Starts, and Spring Prep

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:42:31 GMT

Step into the garden in early spring and you’ll notice it’s a bit like opening the first page of a favorite book. At first, everything seems quiet, but if you pause and look around, you’ll spot all sorts of little surprises waiting to be discovered.

On a cool March morning in Fuquay-Varina , you can feel the garden stretching and waking up. The sun feels gentle, the air still holds a bit of winter’s chill, but everywhere you look, spring is starting to show itself.

At the edge of the garden, Primrose greet you with cheerful faces in yellow, purple, and pink. Just a few steps away, daffodils dance in the breeze, their golden blooms quietly letting you know that winter is almost over.

Over by the walkway, a Hellebore is putting on a show of its own. Often called the “Lenten Rose,” it blooms when many other plants are still waking up, with nodding flowers in soft whites, deep purples, and dusty pinks.

And don’t forget the trees. Magnolia buds are just starting to open, their blossoms almost too lovely for a chilly morning. Camellias nearby are still holding on, sharing a final burst of color before spring takes the stage.

March in the garden isn’t only about noticing what’s new—it’s also a time to roll up your sleeves and get ready for what’s next.

Maybe you step outside with a warm cup of coffee and take a slow walk around the yard. Winter might have left behind a few fallen branches, some old leaves, and stems ready to be cleared away. A little cleanup helps the garden breathe again—gently raking the beds, pulling out last year’s annuals, and tidying up the paths.

Next, it’s time for a bit of pruning. Early spring is perfect for trimming back ornamental grasses and giving summer-blooming shrubs a little tidy-up.

If you have Crape Myrtle , now’s a good moment to give it a gentle trim before new growth appears.

The soil is waking up, too. March is a wonderful time to add a little compost or fresh mulch around your trees and shrubs. Mulch helps the ground hold onto moisture, keeps the temperature just right, and makes it harder for weeds to settle in.

Now for the fun part: planting. Cool-season favorites like Pansy , Viola , and Snapdragon love the gentle weather of early spring and add a splash of color to pots and garden beds right away.

Even if the garden isn’t bursting with blooms just yet, you can feel the promise in the air. Buds are swelling, bees are starting to buzz, and every day brings a little more light.

March is a gentle reminder that gardening isn’t only about the big show of spring. It’s about the quiet work that comes first—the clearing, the pruning, the planting, and the patience that makes it all possible.

Before you know it, gardens all around Fuquay-Varina will be bursting with life—and it all begins with these small, hopeful signs of spring.

Stop by Logan’s Garden Hut for all your early-spring flowers and gardening needs.

Fall Garden Checklist: Prepping Your Plants for Winter

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 21:24:43 GMT

Preparing Your Garden for Spring

Preparing your garden in fall protects plants from freeze damage, reduces disease pressure, and sets the stage for vigorous growth in spring. Use this structured checklist to winterize beds, borders, containers, and lawns.

1) Take Inventory & Plan

Map your garden beds and note perennials, shrubs, annuals, bulbs, and edibles.
Identify tender plants (USDA Zones 7 and below) and areas with poor drainage or wind exposure.
Check first frost dates and average lows for your ZIP code to set deadlines.

2) Clean Up with Purpose

Remove spent annuals and diseased foliage. Bag and trash diseased material; do not compost.
Leave 6–8 inches of healthy perennial stems to catch mulch and support beneficial insects.
Cut back aggressive self-seeders to prevent spring weed pressure.

3) Divide & Transplant Perennials

Divide clumping perennials (daylily, hosta, Siberian iris, asters) 4–6 weeks before hard freeze.
Replant divisions at original depth; water in and mulch. Label varieties for spring tracking.
Move poorly performing plants to locations with appropriate sun and soil.

4) Protect Soil Health

Top-dress beds with 1–2 inches of finished compost to feed soil biology.
Add 2–3 inches of organic mulch (shredded leaves, bark, or straw) after a light frost.
Avoid piling mulch against crowns or trunks; maintain a 2–3 inch gap.

5) Water Deeply Before Ground Freezes

Provide 1 inch of water per week until the soil freezes, especially for evergreens and new plantings.
Water early in the day to reduce foliar disease and allow excess to drain.

6) Feed Selectively

Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizers to perennials late in fall; it can force tender growth.
For lawns, use a slow-release fall fertilizer or winterizer per label directions.
Incorporate rock phosphate or bone meal when planting spring-blooming bulbs.

7) Plant Spring Bulbs

Plant tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus 6–8 weeks before the ground freezes.
Depth guideline: 2–3 times the bulb’s height; pointy end up, firm soil contact.
Add wire mesh or bulb cages to deter squirrels in high-pressure areas.

8) Protect Tender and Young Plants

Wrap young tree trunks with tree guards to prevent sunscald and animal damage.
Mound 4–6 inches of mulch around marginal perennials and graft unions (e.g., hybrid tea roses).
Use frost cloths or burlap windbreaks for exposed evergreens and containers.

9) Overwinter Containers

Move pots of hardy perennials to a sheltered area; cluster and insulate with leaves or straw.
For non-hardy containers, bring plants indoors or treat them as annuals and compost soil.
Use pot feet to prevent waterlogging and freeze–thaw cracking.

10) Prune Strategically

Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood anytime.
Delay major pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (lilac, forsythia) until after they bloom.
Prune roses to 12–18 inches only in very windy areas to prevent rocking.

11) Lawn Care Essentials

Mow cool-season lawns to 2.5–3 inches for the final cuts.
Rake or mulch fallen leaves; a thin layer can be mulched in place to add organic matter.
Aerate compacted areas and overseed bare patches 4–6 weeks before frost.

12) Vegetable Beds & Herbs

Harvest remaining produce; pull spent plants and discard diseased material.
Sow cover crops (winter rye, crimson clover) to suppress weeds and improve soil.
Uproot tender herbs like basil; pot up rosemary, parsley, and chives to grow indoors.

13) Irrigation & Tools

Drain hoses and irrigation lines; store hoses coiled and off the ground.
Shut off outdoor water at the source and insulate exposed spigots.
Clean, sharpen, and oil tools; sanitize pruners with 70% alcohol.

14) Wildlife & Beneficial Insects

Leave seed heads on coneflower, rudbeckia, and ornamental grasses for birds.
Create leaf piles in out-of-the-way areas to shelter overwintering pollinators.
Avoid broad pesticide applications; spot-treat only when necessary.

15) Safety & Timing

Work on dry days to prevent soil compaction.
Use proper lifting techniques when moving divisions or heavy pots.
Schedule tasks by priority: disease removal, watering, bulbs, mulching, then pruning.

Regional Adjustments

Cold climates (Zones 3–5): Start earlier, prioritize deep watering and thicker mulch.
Mild climates (Zones 8–10): Focus on weed suppression, winter vegetables, and irrigation maintenance.
Wet climates: Improve drainage; consider raised beds and avoid working saturated soil.

Final Check Before First Hard Freeze

Bulbs planted and labeled
Mulch applied with clear crown space
Hoses drained and spigots insulated
Tools cleaned and stored
Young trees protected
Containers secured or moved

Visit Our Garden Center today to get started

A comprehensive fall routine protects plant roots, improves soil structure, and reduces spring workload. Use this checklist to sequence your tasks and document what works in your garden. For best results, align timing with your local frost dates and hardiness zone.

Stay consistent, record outcomes, and refine your process each year for healthier, more resilient beds and borders.

If you're in need of any materials or tools, feel free to visit Logan's Garden Hut in Fuquay-Varina, NC. At our garden center, we carry all types of products, from organic seeds and compost to garden tools and more. Whether you have a small or large garden, our local greenhouse has everything you need to be successful!

Preparing Your Garden for Spring Planting

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:01:04 GMT

Preparing Your Garden for Spring

Spring is just around the corner, and for home gardeners, it’s the most exciting time of the year! Preparing your garden ahead of the season is essential to ensure your plants thrive. A well-prepped garden leads to healthier plants and higher yields, giving you a beautiful and productive outdoor space all through the warmer months. Visiting your local garden center for advice, quality tools, and popular plant varieties can help make this season a success. Today, we'll guide you step-by-step on how to prepare your garden for spring planting like a pro.

Clean Up and Assess Your Garden

The first step is to clear out your garden space. Remove any leftover debris, such as fallen leaves, weeds, and dead plant material, from the winter months. This cleanup prevents pests and diseases from carrying over into the new season. Turn your attention to existing garden beds, raised planters, and containers to identify areas of improvement. Look for things like compacted soil or damaged fencing and make note of replacements or repairs that may be needed before planting begins.

Test and Enrich Your Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful garden. Before planting, it’s a good idea to test your soil's pH and nutrient levels using a soil testing kit. The results will tell you whether your garden soil needs amendments like compost, organic fertilizers, or lime to adjust its pH. Loosen the soil with a garden fork or tiller to improve aeration and allow roots to be established more easily. Adding compost or well-aged manure from a garden center at this stage will not only enrich the soil but also improve its texture for optimal plant growth.

Choose Plants That Thrive in Spring

When it comes to spring planting, choosing the right plants is key to ensuring a flourishing garden. Some of the most popular choices for spring include leafy greens like lettuce, kale, and spinach, as well as root vegetables such as carrots and radishes. Depending on your region, early flowering perennials and cold-hardy annuals like violas and pansies can add vibrant colors to your outdoor spaces. For home gardeners who prefer a more curated setup, visiting a local garden center is an excellent way to get plants that have already been tested for your climate zone.

Plan Your Layout and Start Planting

Good planning prevents overcrowding and helps ensure every plant gets the space, sunlight, and nutrients it needs to thrive. Rotate your crops if you’ve been gardening for a while, as this minimizes the risk of soil nutrient depletion and pest buildup. For new gardeners, consider grouping plants with similar water and sunlight needs together to make garden care more efficient. Once your layout is ready, get planting! Ensure seeds and seedlings are planted at the correct depth and spacing, as specified on the seed packaging or plant label. If you need assistance on how or where to plant, local garden center staff can help you learn more about different plants and the spaces where they thrive.

Maintain and Protect

Spring weather can be unpredictable, with sudden frosts or heavy rains. Protect young seedlings with row covers or cloches if needed. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and tackle any issues early using organic or natural remedies. Water your plants consistently, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

Visit Our Garden Center Today

At Logan's Garden Hut, we are here to support you every step of the way in creating your dream garden. Conveniently located in Fuquay-Varina, NC, our garden center offers everything you need to prepare for a successful growing season. We provide a wide selection of locally grown shrubs and perennials, organic seeds, compost, and high-quality gardening tools. Whether you're a new or experienced gardener, our garden center is sure to meet all your gardening needs.

We’re proud to offer professional advice and personalized recommendations to help you make the most of your gardening experience. Whether you're starting fresh or building on an existing garden, we are your trusted partner. Visit Logan's Garden Hut today and discover why our garden center is the perfect destination for everything gardening. We serve those in throughout Fuquay-Varina, NC; Lillington, NC; Clayton, NC; Garner, NC; Holly Springs, NC; Apex, NC; Willow Springs, NC; Angier, NC; and beyond!

January Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 11:21:10 GMT

January Garden Tips

Start winter pruning of fruit trees at the end of January through February, and remember to spray with a dormant oil and follow up with lime sulfur.

Horticultural oil (dormant oil) will take care of insects and their eggs on shrubs and trees. Check hollies, camellias and gardenias in particular.

Watch for warming trends and Ambrosia Beetles showing up. Look for our product with permethrin to treat.

Check out our fragrant Flowering Apricots and Daphne.

Begin fertilizing with Plant-tone and Holly-tone at the end of January through February. Make fertilizer applications to all your trees and shrubs for best results.

More Winter Gardening Tips

Winter is a great time to look at the bones of the garden. Make plans for adding evergreens, winter interest plants or structure to your landscape.

It’s time to begin planning your vegetable garden. Have you done your soil test yet? We have free boxes for mailing to the State Soil Lab. We have organic compost available. EXCELLENT for veggie gardens.

Let us know what seeds you are looking for. So much to choose from. We have seed starter soil & kits.

Clean bird feeders and houses, and put out suet feeders. We have Coles bird food and suet. It’s the Best! All bags are vacuum sealed keeping the seed fresh and the birds returning to your feeders for more. We have Droll Yankee feeders and locally-made houses and feeders. Try some birding plants, such as deciduous hollies, dogwoods, wax myrtles, burning bush, and others to provide food and shelter for our feathered friends. Learn how to attract bluebirds and their friends to your garden.

See our February gardening calendar .

February Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 11:17:43 GMT

February Garden Tips

February is Here! We love the Seasons, and in NC we have 4 that are awesome!

It’s Plant-tone and Holly-tone time. Make fertilizer applications this month to all your trees and shrubs for best results.

Get your veggie garden growing! We have seeds coming in from Botanical Interests (organic) and Weeks Seed Co (local) as well as potatoes. February is a great time to plant cool season veggies from the Cabbage family (kale, broccoli, mustard, bok choi, collards, etc.) and root crops like the ones mentioned plus carrots, potatoes and beets. Remember to pick up our organic compost or our other organic soils to amend your garden with. We also have seed starter soil. We have 2 sizes of seed starter kits.

Camellias are arriving with lots of blooms and colors. Hellebores too!

Other February Gardening To Dos:

Cut back ornamental grasses and liriope.

Fertilize fescue lawns with a light application. Keep an eye on the forecast and fertilize just before expected rainfall.

Apply a pre-emergent herbicide such as Dimension, around mid-month to keep weeds like crabgrass under control.

Feed the birds! Cole’s Bird Seed and Cole’s Hot Sauces are high in protein and great for your birds. Provide fresh water sources too.

It’s a great time to divide overgrown houseplants!

See more on our March garden tips page.

March Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 11:14:50 GMT

March Garden Tips

Getting the garden and landscape ready for Spring success

Fertilize trees, shrubs and perennials with Holly-tone and Plant-tone.
Pick up our Mole & Vole Repellent. 90% of our customers have great success. Learn how to tell the difference between a mole and a vole here .
Stop weeds before they start! We recommend Dimension by Hi-Yield or organic corn gluten. Applying weed pre-emergent now will prevent crabgrass & broadleaf weeds in all types of lawns for 6-8 weeks. Ask our staff about application rates and timing. We also have organic corn gluten as a pre-emergent for veggie gardens and other areas of your garden.
Now’s the time to fertilize fescue lawns. Ferti-lome Classic Lawn Food now has slow release nitrogen, allowing it to slowly feed your lawn for up to 2 months with just one application!
Looking for organic and nature friendly options for your lawn? We carry corn gluten from St. Gabriel Laboratories, which is a weed pre-emergent. Hand pulling is good exercise and probably your best bet for organic post-emergent weed control.
New sweet and tender green growth is emerging on all our plants and for critters like deer and rabbits providing an all-you-can-eat buffet! Luckily we have a great selection of imustgarden natural animal repellents that work great. All imustgarden products are made with natural ingredients right here in North Carolina!
Because we have been early with warm weather, now is the time to be active with spraying for ambrosia beetle. Once they attack, it’s too late. Use Eight Insect Control or permethrin on your trees less than 5 years old, such as dogwoods, ornamental cherries, redbuds, styrax, Halesia, Japanese maples, and other soft wooded ornamental trees.

Keeping things clean in the garden not only looks better, but helps discourage pests and diseases

Continue clean up work in the garden. Make this a once a week practice. Pick up spent blooms from camellias and clean or remove old debris from last year. Clean up any broken or damaged limbs and branches.
Remember the Four D’s rule of thumb for pruning: you can prune damaged, dead, dying, or diseased wood anytime.
Keep feeding the birds. Our Cole’s Bird Seed Blends are in good supply! If you’re having trouble with squirrels, we have squirrel-proof feeders and Cole’s Hot Meats to keep them from eating your seed.
We have seed potatoes, onion sets and lots of cool season veggies!

Plan for Spring!

We have plants from local growers with great varieties to meet your needs and help you be successful with gardening. Lots of local and USA-made , quality products too.

See our planting guide for tips on planting trees and shrubs .

Happy Spring!

See our April tips here…

April Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 11:11:01 GMT

April Garden Tips

Proper soil preparation is THE most important step

If you have clay soils, Kickin’ Chicken (organic blend of composted chicken manure and composted cow manure), planting mix, soil enhancer and permatil to improve drainage and aeration.

If you have sandy soils, Daddy Pete’s raised garden mix and Mushroom Compost will enrich the soil with nutrients and keep moisture right where roots need it.

If you have containers or raised beds–Daddy Pete’s Raised Garden Mix is great.

Maximize and Fertilize

We use organic fertilizers such as Espoma Holly-tone, Plant-tone, Tomato-tone, Palm-tone, Rose-tone, Tree-tone, and Organic Lawn Food all containing Bio-tone! As always, the Espoma “Tone” line is all organic.

Espoma *Bio-tone Plus* adds beneficial microbes to your soil that actually help plants use nutrients better along with adding organic fertilizer to the root zone. Give your plants the best start you can and get the blue bag!

Combine Bio-tone with Tomato-tone for your best tomato yield ever! Avoid blossom end rot & calcium deficiency.

Since many plants have special needs we suggest you consult with our staff for more specific planting instructions. We’d love to help.

Time to get Fresh: Grow Your Food!

It’s Fun and Rewarding! Tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, melons, and more can be started from seed or transplants. Ask about our certified organic compost in bulk. Perfect for vegetable gardens.

We have lots of heirloom and organic seed for your pickings. Over 100 to pick from!

Pest Scouting, Watch for:

Eastern tent caterpillars are active now. If they are in desirable trees on your property that you can reach with a broom handle or stick, just disturb and remove the webbing of the nest. The caterpillars typically feed during daytime hours, so they are apt to be in the nest in the early morning or late in the day at dusk. You can use B.t. or Fertilome Spinosad (please follow label directions and don’t use any chemicals if it’s windy!).
Aphids love all the new tender sweet growth coming out now. They are easy to see, small green or light brown insects covering new buds and leaves just munching and sucking away! Keep a bottle of “ready to use” Safer Soap (organic) or other insecticide for easy access to spray those little buggers.
As the weather warms up more, keep watch for other problems. Weekly scouting can help you identify a problem early when its easier to treat.

How Can We Help?

You can always bring samples (in a sealed bag or container please) of anything you have a concern about by the store for our staff to help you.

See May gardening tips…

May Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 11:04:25 GMT

May Garden Tips

Spring is finally here to stay with lots of color, fragrances, textures, and Wow factor

Happy May Month! It’s a wonderful time in the nursery. We have a great Japanese Maple collection in many sizes and price ranges. Ornamental trees and shrubs for your landscape garden! Colorful shrubs, both with foliage or flowers, such as hydrangeas, abelia, roses, edibles, gardenias, conifers, Encore Azaleas, and more.

In the Nursery – Foliage, Roses & Color

Check out the rose

Perennials are fantastic whether for sun or shade. These are the plants that come back, year after year. Sun perennials are looking posh such as salvia, dianthus, gauras, euphorbia, verbena, and we have many shade perennials too including lots of new hostas.

Our colorful Annuals feature hanging baskets, combo baskets, create your own bedding flats, container plants, and other summer heat wave annuals.

Perfect time to plant the vegetable & herb garden!

Cold weather is gone. Our “last frost date” is usually around mid-April, so you have a green light for planting after that time.

Veggies are still plentiful in the garden center and it’s the perfect time to grow your own food. We have an awesome collection of organic herbs and veggies! Lemongrass, citronella geraniums, culinary herbs, lots of peppers, tomatoes and such.
Herbs are looking fantastic and we have a great selection for all your cooking needs. Grow your own organic herbs to spice up your summer cookouts!
We have Bio-tone, Tomato-tone, calcium nitrate, and other fertilizers for your growing needs (ALL Espoma products).
We offer excellent Espoma potting soils, container mixes, organics and compost; make for great success all summer long. Also check out our organic bagged soil for veggie gardens in containers. We have Daddy Pete’s local organic line and our bulk organic soil, available by the bag!
You will find organic remedies for all your gardening needs, be it vermin, domestic or other garden pests. The cooler, wet weather we usually experience in late April can cause powdery mildew, so start treating!

Spring Arrivals in the Store

We have new pottery in lots of colors and sizes, garden art for in the landscape and to hang on a fence or wall! Great selection of standard & garden sized flags, for your yard decor.

Cute linen towels, wooden cutting boards, wall art, benches, and gifts, windchimes, lots of colorful bistros, plus three lines of pocketbooks. Mother’s Day goodies too!

Other hot items include bird feeders and houses, very cool hummingbird feeders, benches, and arbors and trellises.

Happy gardening and Plant On!

See June tips…

June Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 11:00:58 GMT

June Garden Tips

Eat Fresh!

Tomato-tone your maters and other veggies.

Fresh organic veggie ideas: Eat “zoodles” – zuke spiraled noodles! Share your summer recipes on facebook … We will!

Pro Tip:

Water veggies, container plants and newly planted trees & shrubs in the EARLY morning (6 – 8am) for best results. Remember to try and keep the water off the foliage and water at the root/base of the plant.

Pests, Diseases, Weeds, and Pruning

As the weather becomes more hot and humid, you are more likely to see pests and fungus infect your plants. Keep a watch for:

Japanese Beetles – unfortunately it’s that time of year again when the beetles come out. We can help you with this so stop by and talk with our staff.
Powdery Mildew and Black Spot – Crepe Myrtles, Hydrangeas, Hawthorne, Zinnias, Verbena and especially Roses are all susceptible to one or both of these fungal diseases.
Let us help you with organic remedies.

These are just a few common problems you might encounter in the yard. If you have a problem you can’t identify or are not sure how to handle, please stop by with a photo or a sealed sample and let our staff Horticulturists help you.
Take care of vegetable gardens, be sure to hoe the garden regularly to keep the weeds under control and keep the veggies picked. Once you have dug potatoes, picked all the sugar snaps, lettuce, cabbage, and other cool season crops, we have more veggies to plant in those spots. We have gallon tomatoes and peppers.
Prune your spring blooming shrubs (if needed) by June 15th to avoid cutting off next years buds. Examples are Azaleas, Camellias, Forsythia, and Bridal Wreath Spirea.
Nelsa uses “I Must Garden” for rabbit and deer control on veggies. If needed, Nelsa uses pyrethrins for organic pest control on veggies and Spinosad for potato beettles. These can harm pollinators so please follow label directions.

Happy Summer Solstice June 21st! Enjoy the longest day of the year!

See more tips… July.

July Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:57:33 GMT

July Garden Tips

Prevent blossom end rot… apply calcium or Tomato-tone.

Try our Bon-Neem oil or Eight Insect Control on Japanese beetles!

PRO TIP: Hydrate your veggie garden in the morning for best absorption and to minimize disease.

The heat lovers are blooming in the nursery. Lantana, Black-eyed Susans, joe Pye Weed, Coneflowers of all colors, Butterfly Bushes, Coreopsis, Perennial Hibiscus, Hydrangeas, and more! All these great plants attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard.

I Must Garden for deer, rabbits and squirrels. IMG Repels those 4 legged creatures to grow that garden!

We have what makes Hummers Happy! Feeders, nectar mix, ant guards, feeder brushes, hooks and brackets, and of course flowering plants.

Remember to keep your bird baths fresh, clean and filled to help the wildlife on these hot summer days.

See more tips for August…

August Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:54:48 GMT

August Garden Tips

Pruning

It’s time to finish pruning shrubs, no later than middle of September, so the new growth can harden off before winter.

Note: don’t prune spring-flowering plants now!

Remove spent flowers and tired foliage on perennials so they will flush out and bloom again. Also prune seed heads on crepe myrtles. Deadhead annuals to keep them blooming. If your perennials are coneflowers or the like, leave seed heads for the finches to enjoy.

Fall Planting

Cool season veggies are coming in the 3rd & 4th week of August. We have organic seeds for cool season veggies too!

Fall items are starting to arrive. We are looking forward to fall planting season and have more beautiful plants scheduled to arrive in September and October!

Critter Control

Deer, rabbits and critters are on the move. We have great “I Must Garden” products to repel unwanted critters from your plants.

See September gardening tips…

September Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:50:59 GMT

SEPTEMBER GARDEN TIPS

Fall is the BEST time to plant in our area!

Fall is the BEST time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. The shorter days and cooler nights make for perfect planting of trees and shrubs. Planting in Fall allows greater root establishment because the ground is still warm and roots will take off. See our planting guide for trees and shrubs.

When planting new plants, soil preparation is the most important step to ensure success. We recommend using organic compost and Bio-tone.

More gardening to-dos:

It’s a great time to revitalize your plants by fertilizing with Espoma Organic fertilizers. We have Bio-tone, Plant-tone, Holly-tone, and others with added micro-nutrients & beneficial bacteria to bring your soil back to life.
Deadhead tired perennials.
Finish pruning before mid-September on evergreens that might need tidying up.
For those doing fall renovations to lawns, check out the NCSU turf files site for detailed info, including the publication “ Carolina Lawns “.
Feed the birds. As the weather starts to cool off, be sure to have plenty of seed and suet for your feathered friends.
Get your fall vegetable garden transplants and seed in. Most of your root and leaf crops can be planted in a fall garden like lettuce, collards, cabbage, kale, broccoli, and more!
Control deer, rabbits, and voles. Keep these hungry guys from decimating your plants with Imustgarden natural animal repellents. A great local product that works on repelling rabbits, deer, squirrels, and even cats and dogs, plus it’s all organic and smells good!

New Plants Arriving!

Veggies and seed are in for fall and winter harvest. Fresh organic herbs too!
Mums are a sure sign of Fall along with container plants. We have lots arriving weekly.
Check out our Grasses: Muhly, lots of Pennisetums and Maiden Miscanthus grasses.
We have lots of new and interesting fall blooming perennials and NATIVES too!
Fantastic selection of maples and conifers.
Violas and pansies coming soon!

Need gardening advice?

Our staff is always happy to help you find gardening solutions.

For more fall planting tips, see our October list of gardening activities.

October Garden Tips

proadAccountId-1002414 — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:42:38 GMT

OCTOBER GARDEN TIPS

Fall is the BEST time to plant trees and shrubs and we sure have a great selection!

Fall planting allows your trees, shrubs and perennials to establish a good root system during more moderate temperatures. That translates to less stress for the plants and less work for you! Work in our compost for clay or sandy soils, and add some Espoma Bio-tone. Learn the proper way to plant trees and shrubs .

We love supporting our local growers

The Hut’s Bloomers & Plumers!

Want fall blooms? Try Fall-blooming Camellias, Encore Azaleas and Butterfly Bushes.

Great fall foliage: Nandina, Kaleidoscope Abelia and many Loropetalums of all sizes to fit your landscape.

Get your plume on with our ornamental grasses!

Great selection of conifers too.

New load of specimen Japanese Maples.

We have some beautiful woody plants for your landscape! Come see what’s new.

Pansies & violas are plentiful around the “Hut”. Re-vamp your summered-out containers with mums, pansies and 2-1/2″, 4″ and quart Perennials or bring your containers to us and we’ll do the work! Remember to add blood meal to improve winter hardiness. Try the bullet-proof ornamental cabbages (the colder it gets, the more colorful they get!) & kale! Snapdragons are here too!

Botanical seed for cool season planting.

We have great selections of cool season starter plants , broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, and more!

Lots of pumpkins for Fall harvest & Halloween, plus Fall garden flags and decor.

See our November gardening calendar for more tips.

November Garden Tips

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:35:54 GMT

November Garden Tips

With the extended late summer it seems we had, now is the perfect time to plant. The ground is warm, nights are cool, days are shorter, makes for perfect root growth.

Keep leaves raked up. They make great compost! ( click here for composting tips)

Cut back most perennials towards the end of the month and reapply mulch. Remove leaves with spots after leaf drop to prevent overwintering disease.

We have stunning Fall to Winter blooming Camellias ready to plant. We are loaded with beautiful fall camellias in many colors that have lots of buds & blooms. Encore azaleas, edgeworthia, and lots of pretties. Check out dogwoods for beautiful color; hydrangeas and daphnes are still flowering.

Pansies, Violas, and Panolas are still arriving weekly along with other companion plants, including snap dragons, cabbage, kale and chard for winter beds and containers. Remember blood meal for pansies.

Keep newly installed plants watered!

Pick up I MUST GARDEN for those pesky deer & squirrels. Try dipping bulbs into the Squirrel repellent and then recycle the remaining product for later use. It’s genius!

Once the weather is consistently cold, plant spring flowering bulbs like tulips in containers; crocus, daffodils, and hyacinths in containers or in the ground.

We have a full line of bird products for bluebirds, cardinals, finches, and other feathered friends. Plus, squirrel ejecting feeders! Check out our Cole’s & Mr. Bird’s holiday bird seed items.

Our Christmas & Holiday shop is open during November and December. Stop by for inspiration!

Attracting Bluebirds to Your Garden

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:27:58 GMT

ATTRACTING BLUEBIRDS TO YOUR GARDEN

Get The Blues!
Warning: Attracting Bluebirds is addictive

From Carol Stein’s Gardeners Forum

Attracting birds is simple! Provide food, shelter & water.

Bluebirds begin to look for nests in January, so be sure your bird houses are cleaned & ready.

Carol Stein suggests these plants to provide summer food for blues: Russian Olive, white or red mulberry, flowering crabapple, blueberries, black cherry, serviceberry, viburnums, and of course, dogwoods. Plants that provide winter food include: American holly, Virginia Creeper, High-bush cranberry, dogwoods, Cotoneaster, Sumac, Pyracantha, Spicebush, Inkberry holly, and Bittersweet.

For more info on plants, visit Landscape Plants for Bluebirds (recommended by the NC Bluebird Society)

Nesting Schedule

January:
Clean out old nests
Set up new boxes

February:
Bluebirds begin looking for mates and nesting sites

March-April:
Nest site selection and nest building

April-May:
Egg laying and raising the babies & teaching them to fly

June-July:
2nd cycle of eggs and raising young

August:
3rd cycle of eggs and raising young

For more info on nesting, visit the North Carolina Bluebird Society .

Monitoring Nesting Boxes

Monitor boxes once a week during spring and summer.

Make noise as you approach the box and tap on its side. Adults will likely leave the nest and the babies will huddle down.

If the female stays in the nest, close the box and return later.

Stand to the side of the box away from the entrance hole and open the box slowly and carefully.

Be prepared for insects or snakes.

Record the number of eggs or nestlings and the date.

Do NOT open boxes once the babies are 14 days old as this could cause premature fledging.

A few days after all the young have fledged, remove old nest so the parent birds can build again.

We carry birdhouses, nesting cups, feeders, seed, suet and other yummies, and birdbaths.

Composting

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:21:22 GMT

COMPOSTING

Compost Is Not A Dirty Word

From Carol Stein’s Gardeners Forum

Special Vermiculture (Worm Farming) info from Jack Holland, Carol’s Dad

Requirements for Compost Bins or Piles

AERATION – Microbes need oxygen. Mix compost piles once or twice a month to aerate. A well-mixed pile reaches 150 degrees F at the core, helping to destroy weed seeds and pathogens.

MOISTURE – Water compost periodically to keep damp.

FERTILIZER – Microbes require nitrogen. Leaves decompose faster when mixed with grass clippings (higher in nitrogen). Poultry litter, manure, or blood meal are organic sources of nitrogen.

LIME – Not necessary for decomposition of most yard wastes in an aerated compost pile. If large quantities of pine needles, pine bark or vegetable and fruit waste are composted, additional lime reduces acidity.

PARTICLE SIZE – Smaller particles mean quicker decomposition. Shred large batches of leaves by running the lawn mower over them (here’s where a bagger attachment comes in handy).

LOCATION – Place piles or bins near the place the compost will be used. Do not locate near a well or on a slope that drains to surface water. Keep a good distance from tree roots. Protect from drying winds and provide partial sunlight.

Materials to Compost

From the Yard & Garden

• Leaves
• Grass clippings
• Nonwoody plant parts
• Ground up branches/twigs

From the Kitchen
• Vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells (no whole eggs)
• Non-citrus fruit scraps

Other
• Straw
• Sawdust
• Wood ashes
• Crushed clam or oyster shell
• Bone meal
• B&W Newspaper (abt. 10% of volume)
• Livestock manure (horse, rabbit, poultry, cow)

Materials to Avoid

Feces
Meat & Bones
Grease
Whole eggs
Dairy products
Citrus fruit rinds
Weeds or grass with a lot of seeds
Corn cobs, stalks and/or husks
Palm fronds
Hard nut shells
Coal ashes
Plant material treated with herbicides

Easy Composter:

30 to 40-gallon plastic yard waste bag.

Fill with alternating layers of plant waste, kitchen scraps, fertilizer and lime.

Per Bag:

1 Tablespoon 10-10-10 fertilizer

1 Cup lime

After the bag is full, add 1 quart of water and close tightly.

Set aside for 6 to 12 months.

Because oxygen is limited, the rate of decomposition is slower than aerated bins.

See Vermiculture (Worm Farming)

for another way to compost, inside or outside!

Planting Trees & Shrubs

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:18:16 GMT

PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS

We want you to enjoy your newly purchased trees and shrubs. Follow these recommended practices for best success.

Site selection: Be sure to select a location that has the right light and water requirements for the plant you have chosen. Also be sure you are allowing enough room for the mature size of the plant.
Digging the hole: The hole size should be twice as wide as the original pot the plant came in and about one and a half times as deep. This ensures that the soil is properly loosened in all directions so the roots can grow more easily. Gently massaging the root ball of the plant before planting it will also aid in the process.
Soil preparation: This is the most important step! It is so crucial to the plants growth and mistakes are hard to remedy once the tree or shrub is planted. You should mix organic compost with the original soil from the hole at a ratio of 1:1 (one part original soil to one part compost.) The compost will increase the nutrient content and water holding capability of your soil. NEVER use potting soil or peat moss.

In more compacted clay soils, you should also add Organic Soil Conditioner to the mix to improve aeration and drainage. Use a 1:1:1 ratio of original soil to compost to soil conditioner. Lastly, you should add Bio-Tone Plus with beneficial microbes and organic fertilizer in it. The soil is “alive” with beneficial bacteria and microbes that actually help plants feed. Their levels get diminished by things like synthetic fertilizer use and earth moving that takes place from new construction. It is so important to encourage these microbes by using organic soil amendments and fertilizers.

4. Placing the plant in the hole: As mentioned above, you should gently massage the root ball before placing it in the hole to get the roots out of the “pot” pattern they are growing in. Back fill the hole partially with the mix you prepared above, about 1/3 to 1/2 the way full. Place the tree or shrub into the hole. The top of the root ball should be even with the ground; if it is too low, remove the plant and add more soil underneath until it is level.

Once level, continue to fill the hole around the root ball with the rest of the soil mix. Gently tamp the soil around the root ball as you go to ensure that there are no large air pockets left in the soil. Once the hole is filled, water the plant immediately to help settle the dirt and cover the top with about a 1/2″ of mulch. When you are finished, there shouldn’t be any soil or mulch directly touching the stem or trunk of the plant; that could lead to rotting.

5. After care: For the first year after it’s planted, you should monitor your tree or shrub closely. The amount of water you need to give it can depend on the type of plant it is and the time of year that it is being planted.

Remember that these are generalized instructions that apply in most cases. Feel free to consult our staff any time to get more specific planting and care instructions for plants you purchase from us.

Vermiculture (Worm Farming)

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:13:19 GMT

VERMICULTURE (WORM FARMING)

Vermiculture (Worm Farming) info by Jack Holland, Carol’s Dad
From Carol Stein’s Gardeners Forum on Composting

Materials:

Worm bin: plastic bin with tight lid for indoors. Wooden boxes are better for outdoors. Size is determined by the amount of food waste generated in your household.

General rule = 1 square foot of surface area for each pound of garbage per week.

example: a 2′ x 3′ box is suitable for 4 to 6 people (6 lbs. of garbage per week).

Drill holes in the bin to provide oxygen.

Bedding: shredded newspaper, composted animal manure, shredded leaves; or any combination. Add 2 cups of soil for roughage. Crushed eggshells add calcium for the worms & lowers acidity in the compost. Worms will eat the bedding, so add more periodically.

Water: keep the bedding moist by adding 3 pints of water per each pound of bedding. Initially add 1 to 2 gallons of water for 4 to 6 pounds of bedding. If bedding dries out, spritz with a plant mister to moisten.

Worms: Eisenia foetida is the scientific name for “red wiggler” worms. Use only red wigglers. Bait shops carry them as fishing worms. One pound of worms will eat 4 pounds of food scraps per week.

Food Scraps: feed worms organic waste from the kitchen. Vegetable & fruit scraps, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, coffee filters. Cut scraps into small pieces and cover them completely with the bedding to discourage fruit flies and mold.

Temperature: ideal temperature for a worm bin is 55o to 77o F. Worms will tolerate between 50o and 84o degrees F.

Location

Indoors: garage, kitchen, mud room, laundry room, basement.

Outdoors: Shady spot in summer. Shelter from cold in winter by putting hay bales around the bin for insulation. Or move bin into the garage.

Be sure to allow for good air circulation around the bin and protect from flooding — worms can drown!

For more info, visit Worms Can Recycle Your Garbage .

Vole or Mole

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 10:09:34 GMT

VOLE OR MOLE

More on Voles

By: Debra Stringer, Horticulturist

Are your plants leaning or falling over because roots are being gnawed? Or are they mysteriously disappearing? If so, you may have voles. The pine vole, (Microtus pinetorum) is becoming a bigger problem in the home landscape as increased development reduces their natural habitat and they become more adapted to our backyard.

Pine voles are reddish brown and small, about two to four inches long, with a short tail, blunt face, and tiny eyes and ears. Pine voles feed mainly on roots and tubers of plants. They spend much of their time under leaf litter or in underground burrows or tunnels no deeper than a foot. They don’t hibernate and even though we rarely see them they are active day and night. Their lifespan averages anywhere from two to sixteen months. A pair of voles can have up to six litters a year averaging two to four young per litter. Gestation period is about 21 days and female voles mature in 35 or 40 days and as nature will dictate, the cycle continues. Pine voles have monogamous mating systems and family units tend to maintain territories as small as 1000 square feet and remain there for their entire short life. They have admirable family values but we still begrudge the little varmints.

Vole populations tend to explode, peak and crash every three to five years or so. Their populations in urban and backyard areas are much smaller than those in orchards, pastures, and meadows. Voles do use mole tunnels and therefore place the blame for missing bulbs and chewed roots on moles. Moles are closely related to shrews and they dine specifically on grubs and soil insects. Moles don’t intentionally harm plants although their tunnels may dislodge roots and cause those plants to dry out more quickly. Visible signs of mole activity include raised tunnels that you can actually see and tamp back down with your foot. Visible signs of vole activity include quarter size holes and a spongy feeling when stepping in specific areas of suspected vole activity. Reduction in natural vole habitat also reduces habitat for the their natural predators. In our area many native creatures including fox, bobcat, weasels, pine and black snakes (both nonpoisonous), owls, hawks, and kestrels prey on voles. These predators depend on rodents as a food source and possess sensory abilities for locating their meals. Predators alone do not control vole populations but do contribute to the cause especially when they have their own young to feed. In an article written by author and Professor Andrew Derrington we learn:

“It turns out that the kestrel uses ultra-violet light to find his lunch. In this case it is the humble vole, which has the misfortune to be incontinent, leaving a trail of urine behind it as it goes about its daily business. The poor vole’s urine contains chemicals that reflect ultra violet light, enabling the kestrel not only to track down individual voles, but also to tell at a glance whether there are many voles in the neighborhood.”

The extent of plant loss or damage in relationship to vole populations should be considered when choosing which way to approach the problem. Safe and non-toxic methods like exclusion (installation of underground physical barriers) have proven to be effective because voles aren’t fond of getting cut or injured.

Exclusion methods generally do not involve chemicals and are safe to use in the presence of humans, pets, and wildlife. Coarse particles like expanded slate have proven to be effective barriers. Hardware cloth (less than a ¼ inch mesh) can be used also but may eventually restrict root growth.

Deep tilling in high vole traffic areas (watch out for roots) and eliminating or reducing leaf litter, mulch, and other ground cover hiding places to expose voles to predators are safe vole control practices.

When food sources and protection from predators are reduced, vole breeding and population decreases.

If you take the time to evaluate the problem and research your options you are more likely to save not only your plants, but also your sanity, and even some money. Whatever approach you take to protect your plants from voles or any pest remember that every action has a reaction and try to see the big picture including any long-term effects from the measures taken. We work hard to create and maintain the landscapes that surround us. We invest so much in it because we enjoy it. Voles can turn it into a war zone. (I am visualizing Bill Murray in Caddy Shack). Don’t let those little varmints spoil your gardening pleasures. The more you know about your so-called enemy the more successful you will be. There are methods for protecting our plants that are safe and effective. I wonder if the person who said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” was a gardener?

For information on an easy to use, permanent, safe, non-toxic vole barrier that also enhances root growth: PermaTill

Volebloc is available at The Garden Hut.

Thanks to Debbie “Permatill” Stringer for sharing this information with us.

6cc152e2

Easter Egg Hunt

March in the Garden: Early Blooms, Fresh Starts, and Spring Prep

Fall Garden Checklist: Prepping Your Plants for Winter

Preparing Your Garden for Spring

Visit Our Garden Center today to get started

Preparing Your Garden for Spring Planting

Preparing Your Garden for Spring

Visit Our Garden Center Today

January Garden Tips

January Garden Tips ﻿

More Winter Gardening Tips

February Garden Tips

February Garden Tips

Other February Gardening To Dos:

March Garden Tips

March Garden Tips

Getting the garden and landscape ready for Spring success

Keeping things clean in the garden not only looks better, but helps discourage pests and diseases

Plan for Spring! ﻿

April Garden Tips

April Garden Tips ﻿

Proper soil preparation is THE most important step

Maximize and Fertilize

Time to get Fresh: Grow Your Food!

Pest Scouting, Watch for:

How Can We Help?

May Garden Tips

May Garden Tips

Spring is finally here to stay with lots of color, fragrances, textures, and Wow factor ﻿

In the Nursery – Foliage, Roses & Color

Perfect time to plant the vegetable & herb garden!

Spring Arrivals in the Store

June Garden Tips

June Garden Tips ﻿

Eat Fresh!

Pro Tip:

Pests, Diseases, Weeds, and Pruning

July Garden Tips

July Garden Tips

August Garden Tips

August Garden Tips

Pruning

Fall Planting

Critter Control

September Garden Tips

SEPTEMBER GARDEN TIPS

Fall is the BEST time to plant in our area!

More gardening to-dos:

New Plants Arriving!

Need gardening advice?

October Garden Tips

OCTOBER GARDEN TIPS

Fall is the BEST time to plant trees and shrubs and we sure have a great selection!

We love supporting our local growers

November Garden Tips

November Garden Tips

Attracting Bluebirds to Your Garden

ATTRACTING BLUEBIRDS TO YOUR GARDEN

Get The Blues! Warning: Attracting Bluebirds is addictive ﻿

Nesting Schedule

Monitoring Nesting Boxes

Composting

COMPOSTING ﻿

Compost Is Not A Dirty Word

Requirements for Compost Bins or Piles

Materials to Compost

Materials to Avoid

Easy Composter:

See Vermiculture (Worm Farming)

Planting Trees & Shrubs

PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS ﻿

Vermiculture (Worm Farming)

VERMICULTURE (WORM FARMING)

Materials:

Location

Vole or Mole

VOLE OR MOLE

More on Voles

January Garden Tips

Plan for Spring!

April Garden Tips

Spring is finally here to stay with lots of color, fragrances, textures, and Wow factor

June Garden Tips

Get The Blues!
Warning: Attracting Bluebirds is addictive

COMPOSTING

PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS