Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Socializing

 

We love pictures and we love sharing. 

 
     We are utilizing Facebook and Twitter every day to share images and information with our friends.  It is a social world and keeping connected to the public through social media is an important part of our strategy.

     Each morning, we post a new picture on Facebook that was taken around our store in recent days.  It is amazing how many different flowers we can find, either in our nursery, greenhouse or from the Flower Basket.  If you are not already doing so, follow us on Facebook by clicking here.
 
     On Twitter, we are also posting daily pictures (usually different than Facebook) are we are also sharing gardening info through re-tweets.  If you are not already doing so, follow us on Twitter by clicking here.
 
     We hope you have a great summer and we hope you enjoy all of our socializing and sharing on Facebook and Twitter.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

It's For The Birds

Backyard Bird-Feeding is one of the most popular and most enjoyable activities this time of year.  These pictures were taken less than 1 week after hanging our first feeder.  Here are a few tips and ideas to help you get started or to help you improve your existing feeding areas.

  • Black-Oil Sunflower seed in a tubular feeder is the best place to start.  This has been proven to attract a number of different varieties in the shortest amount of time.  Mix in a little striped sunflower with the black-oil and you will be very happy with the results.
  • Place your feeder in an location easily visible from your living area.  Your will want to watch your bird in action so location is the key.
  • Placing your feeder near a small tree or large shrub will increase bird activity.  They often fly away from the feeder, land on a branch and peck at the seed.  The closer the branch, the better the view.

  • Add a variety of different feeders with a variety of different foods.  Nyjer seed, striped sunflower, peanut halves, cracked corn and suet are great additions.
  • Keep your feeders separated as much as possible to allow feeding for all birds in case an aggressive,  dominating bird arrives to one of your feeders.
  • Place your feeders far enough away from your house to avoid window collisions.
  • Keep your feeders filled.  You don't want to give your birds a reason to head across town to feed at my house.

  • Watch for small animals such as squirrels and raccoons.  These pests can empty your feeders quickly and drive the birds away.  There are repellents on the market that can be used to keep the bird feed to birds only and send the animals away.  Cats can also be a problem and should be kept out of the feeding area if at all possible.
  • Clean your feeder regularly to keep your feathered friends healthy and safe.
  • Add a source of water for your birds to drink and bathe.
  • Enjoy.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

30 Years of Open Houses

Everyone is welcome to join us for our 30th Annual Holiday Open House, Sunday, November 25th from 11am to 4pm.  There many things going on today, including sale prices, refreshments, door prizes and of course, Santa Claus.  Don't miss out!
It is hard to believe, this is our 30th Annual Holiday Open House.  This annual tradition has been a huge event for us, kicking off the holiday season.  Santa has been here each of those 30 years thrilling the children (and adults!) with free pictures and free gifts.  We see a lot of familiar faces during open house and we know there are several loyal customers who have been to all thirty!
One of our most popular promotions today are poinsettias.  They are big and beautiful and healty and they are on sale!  We have many different sizes and a wide variety of colors.  Check these beauties out!
In The Flower Basket, today is the day to get your artificial or fresh cut holiday floral arrangements.  All of these beautiful arrangements are on sale during Open House.
The ledgenday Santa Claus has joined us for Open House for the past 30 years.  We are on our second generation of visitors, with many people bringing their children after sitting on the jolly man's lap as a child themselves.  Free gifts and free pictures for all!
Everyone wants a fresh pine wresth for their door during the holidays and we have got you covered.  Fresh and artificial wreaths and holiday bows are included in our Open House sale.  Save 20% and we will even put it all together for you.  What a deal!!
Please join us today for our 30th Annual Holiday Open House.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Chain Saw Safety Info

With the extensive tree damage caused by the recent storm, we thought it would be a great time to share some chain saw safety information.  In the past couple weeks, homeowners have turned into arborists and lumberjacks at a record pace, pulling out saws that have not been used in years or buying new machines with little training.  If you are not planning on using a chain saw, please pass this information on to a friend, family member or neighbor.  You could easily save them a trip to the hospital.
Here are some of our suggestions to help keep everyone safe.
  • Make sure your saw is running properly and the chain is sharp.  A dull saw or a saw that quits working in mid-cut is very dangerous.
  • Wear safety equipment.  Gloves, protective chaps, boots, hearing protection, eye protection and a hard hat are all highly recommended for increasing safety.
  • Be aware of kickback.  When the tip of the bar makes contact with wood first, the chain can "kickback" toward the operator.  Make sure to keep the bar tip clear. 
  • Always give yourself an escape route.  Know where you will go if something goes wrong like a falling branch or a falling tree.
  • Watch for falling branches.  Look up.  There are a lot of broken branches still in the trees that can fall as you are clearing what is already on the ground.
  • Never "drop start" a chainsaw.  This is one of the leading causes of leg injuries.  To safely start a chain saw, place it on the ground, put your foot in the rear handle, hold the top handle tightly and pull the starter cord. 
  • Always use the chain brake feature.  This feature was designed to ensure the chain only spins when you are ready to cut and will automatically engage in a kickback situation.  Never remove this safety feature.
  • Check the tension of the chain.  Make sure it is snug.  A loose, dangling chain can come off the bar groove and cause injury.
  • Hold the saw tightly with both hands.  Never use a chainsaw one-handed.
  • Leave the climbing for a professional.  No real explaination needed.  You fall out of a tree with a running chain saw in your hands, bad things happen.
  • Cut with a buddy, do not work alone.  In the event something bad happens, a buddy can help or go get help if needed.  If you are alone.......
  • Rest.  Tired chain saw operators are injured more often that those who are rested and feeling fresh.
  • Beer and Blades do not mix.  Wait until you are done working and the saw is cleaned up and put away before enjoying that cold, Bud Lite.
Thanks for visiting and be safe.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Beaten and Broken Bradford

Our area's Bradford Pears were no match for Superstorm Sandy's epic snowfall.

The Bradford in Bloom
          Most people will agree, the Bradford Pear tree is stunning in the spring.  Filled with white blooms, the Bradford is one of the most beautiful and most heavily planted ornamental trees today.  It's thick, dark green foliage and fast growth habit are also reasons for it's popularity.  Hundreds of Bradford Pears have been planted in Garrett County over the past 30 years, and most were heavily damaged or completely destroyed as a result of the recent "Superstorm Sandy".

A Mangled Pear
1 of 50 spared major damage
Garrett County Courthouse
          The heavy, wet snow that began falling on October 30th proved to be deadly for these ornamental beauties.  The fact that most Pears still held their leaves was the biggest factor in the amount of damage that occurred.  The wet snow stuck to the foliage like stucco, and the weight was too much for the branches to bear.  What remained after the storm was a mangled, deformed mess.  Even the rare few that were not destroyed sustained heavy damage.  Most people in town have driven by the courthouse and can see first hand the amount of destruction.  The only bright spot here is the opened up view of our county courthouse which was virtually hidden by the Pears prior to the storm.

The Harvey Tree
          The good news is, the trees that were damaged, even severly so, can be drastically trimmed and saved.  The root systems on these trees are very strong and are capable of producing leaves again next spring.  So go ahead and trim away.  You may not like what you see when you are done, but after you tree flushes out with new growth in the spring, you will be amazed.  When you drive down Broadford Road next summer, make sure you check out the Harvey tree.  It looks a little like a Charlie Brown tree today, but it is already on it's way back.


Saturday, November 10, 2012

When You Need It Most

Our new blog will offer important information when you need it most.  Whether you are planting in the garden, raising perennials, in need of chain saw repair of need information about sending flowers to a loved one, you will find it here.  This blog is in the developmental phase and we hope it gets bigger and better fast.  Thanks for visiting and check back soon.