30 Mar 2009
Martins Landscape Service and Garden Center
Rt. 287 Middlebury Center, PA (570) 376-4411 or 376-2745 Martin’s Newsletter, Spring Edition, 2009
Check out our newly updated Website!
We’ve updated our website for 2009! Go online to see the updated:
- Photo Gallery (New Landscape Projects)
- In stock Beachcomber Hot Tub inventory
- Free Resource Section
- Calendar of Events
- Back issues of our Seasonal Newsletter
Also, we at Martin’s Garden Center would like to invite you to visit our new BLOG. We wish to extend our experience, skill and knowledge to you through a more relaxed avenue. Check it out often for updates on new shipments of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. Be the first to know when they arrive.
Our New BLOG Address:
martinslandscapeservice.blogspot.com
Check the website or blog often for our Specials!
“The gardening year officially begins on January 1 and ends on December 31.” - Marie Huston
Our Pennsylvania Pride™ Plants Carry a 3-Year Guarantee
Tips for Spring Maintenance
March:
ü Prune trees and shrubs.
ü Fertilize woody plants.
ü Fertilize houseplants.
ü Remove debris from the lawn.
ü Prepare garden for planting.
ü Start seeds indoors.
ü Watch for blooms of early spring bulbs.
April:
ü Plant a tree for Arbor Day.
ü Plant bare-root stock.
ü Follow home orchard spray schedule.
ü Tend to houseplants as needed.
ü Seed bare spots in lawn.
ü Apply herbicide & fertilizer to lawns.
ü Plant cool-season vegetables and flowers.
ü Plant/transplant asparagus, rhubarb, small fruits.
ü Re-edge bed lines & apply mulch.
ü Prune trees and shrubs.
May:
ü Thin fruits from fruit trees.
ü Prune early flowering trees & shrubs once flowers fade.
ü Apply herbicide & fertilizer if not done earlier.
ü Allow foliage of spring flowering bulbs to remain.
ü Beginning of May-harden off transplants before planting outdoors.
ü End of May-Plant frost-tender plants.
ü Harvest asparagus and rhubarb.
ü Re-edge remaining bed lines and apply mulch.
ü Prune trees and shrubs.
For more details about spring maintenance, visit our website at www.martinsgardencenter.com. Feel free to utilize our new blog or email if you have any questions.
Make the most of your best investment!
A home is probably the largest investment most people will make in their lifetime. Your home's landscaping should be seen as an investment that will not only give you personal enjoyment, but will increase the overall value of your home.
A Clemson University study found that landscaping can result in more than a 100% return on your investment and raise the value of your property by an average of 11.3%. A variety of other studies have revealed that landscaping can increase the value of residential and commercial properties from five to as much as 20%.
The Landscape America website states that there are eight landscaping factors affecting property values. All of the items listed below are a basic list of areas that can have a positive effect on increased property values. Landscape-america.com also notes that all the discussion on property values assumes that installations have been made in a competent and professional manner. Improper installations or poor construction can negatively affect the property value and in some cases become a liability.
Landscaping features that have a positive effect on property values:
- Greenery (plants, trees, shrubs)
- Walkways
- Outdoor kitchen areas
- Patios and decks
- Outdoor fireplaces
- Barbecue/fire pits
- Arches
- Backyard retreats and gazebos
Let the Design and Installation team at Martin’s help you to make the most of your investment with a landscape design that is tailored to your home and personal needs.
Martin’s Landscape Service
TOP quality products with excellent service from design to installation.
THE PROFESSIONAL difference having experience, skill & knowledge you need for beautiful landscape designs(570)376-4411 or 376-2745.
CALL NOW and make plans for spring and summer of 2009.
COLOR FOR ALL SEASONS
SPRING!
We are dedicating a section in each newsletter to color.
OUR PICK: Crabapples
Crabapples are really an all-season tree. They have outstanding spring flowers which is why they top our list for ‘Color For All Seasons – Spring’. Crabapples require full sun and tolerate various soil conditions. Though it does well in most soils, its attractiveness will increase if soil contains organic matter. Also prune young trees to develop good branch structure. Remove suckers and water sprouts. They have fair resistance to scab and fire blight, a good resistance to mildew and a strong resistance to rust.
DONALD WHMAN CRABAPPLE: (Malus ‘Donald Wyman’)
Outstanding features:
White flowers in spring, abundant, red, persistent fruit in fall.
Exceptionally clean foliage throughout the growing season.
Description:
Height – 15-20’
Width – 20-25’
Hardiness – Zone 4
PINK SPIRE CRABAPPLE: (Malus ‘Pink Spire’)
Outstanding features:
Dense upright branching gives Pink Spire a symmetrical oval form which ideal as screening or border planting. One of the earliest to flower and the pink blooms are longer lasting than most. It is covered with single pink flowers with red-purple foliage in spring which turns to green-bronze in summer then copper in fall.
Description:
Height – 15-20’
Width – 8-12’
Hardiness – Zone 4
PRAIRIEFIRE CRABAPPLE: (Malus ‘Prairiefire’)
Outstanding features:
New leaves emerge purple and turn reddish green as they mature. The flowers are a reddish pink color followed by a glossy dark red fruit. The fruit is 3/8” to ½” in diameter and are persistent to stay on the tree. The bark is dark reddish-brown and very attractive in winter.
Description:
Height – 15-20’
Width – 15-20’
Hardiness – Zone 4
OTHER NOTABLE PLANTS FOR SPRING COLOR:
TREE:
Cleveland Select Pear: (Pyrus calleryana ‘Cleveland Select’)
Eastern Red: (Cercis Canadensis)
Dogwoods: (Cornus spp.)
Weeping Cherry: (Prunus x ‘Snow Fountain’ and Prunus
subhirtella ‘Pendula’)
SHRUB:
PJM Rhododendron: (Rhododendron ( ‘PJM’)
Bronx Forsythia: (Forsythia ‘Bronxensis’)
Lilac: (Syringa spp.)
Weigela: (Weigela florida)
Deutzia: (Deutzia gracilis)
PERENNIAL:
Bleeding Heart: (Dicentra spectabilis)
Columbine: (Aquilegia spp.)
Iris: (Iris spp.)
Coral Bells: (Heuchera spp.)
Peony: (Paeonia spp.)
Visit Martin’s Garden Center for the ‘COLORS OF SPRING”
Celebrate With Martins!
Easter
April 12
Plant lasting memories this Easter. Gift certificates are available and fit perfectly in a basket. Nothing says spring like flowers.
Earth Day
April 22
We promote Earth Day every day at Martin’s Garden Center. We want to share the love of plants with you.
Administrative Professional’s Day
April 22
Give a lasting gift to the person that makes your day easier in countless ways.
Arbor Day
April 24
Martin’s Garden Center will donate a percentage of every tree and shrub sold to the National Arbor Day Foundation. Plant a tree – trees are for tomorrow.
Mother’s Day
May 10
A tree will make her feel special.
STRENGTH, BEAUTY, STABILITY
Qualities of a Mother –Qualities of a tree
Armed Forces Day
May 16
We respect our men & women who serve now or have served our country.
Remember and honor your loved one in the armed forces. Any tree with a yellow ribbon will be 25% off.
Memorial Day
May 25
Fresh annuals, perennials, and herbs. Cemetery urns will be available.
Father’s Day
June 21
Remember Dad with a tree from Martin’s Garden Center. 25% off fruit trees.
Come in for the vacation in your own backyard.
Plan Ahead/Plant Now
It is finally spring and everyone is extremely eager to “dig in” and plant, plant and plant some more. To be asked to plan ahead for fall and winter must seem almost impossible. However, that’s exactly what we’re suggesting.
Various blossoms can be dried and used in arrangements that could last well into winter. You can savor the beauty of the season beyond the time of color and new beginnings, but it takes a few minutes of planning and planting now.
THE FIRST STEP is to decide which blossoms you’d like to preserve. Various choices are perfect; it is simply a matter of taste.
THE SECOND STEP is to create a cutting garden for easy maintenance and control of blooming material. Treat the preparation as you would for any healthy bed with compost, slow-acting fertilizer in the spring and over 1 inch mulch. Some gardeners will actually treat the planting like a vegetable garden to achieve easy access and efficiently use the space.
THE THIRD STEP is to boost productivity. Fertilize growing plants periodically, cut blooms frequently and deadhead regularly. For more details and the best choices that can be found at MARTIN’S GARDEN CENTER, visit our website or email us.
THE TOOL SHED
- A Simple Solution for Sap: Since spring is the time for branch removal, planting or transplanting of evergreens, sap can be a problem. To remove such sticky substance, rub hands with olive oil, wipe with a paper towel and then wash thoroughly.
- Drive moles from your yard by dumping kitty litter at the entrance to mole tunnels and along its runs. This should help eliminate the culprit which caused the problems during the winter months.
- Many are extremely ready to see/smell/enjoy flowers not only outside but inside as well. Fill a vase with this recipe and bouquets will stay fresher longer.
Cut flower preservative recipe:
2 cups lemon-lime carbonated beverage
½ teaspoon chlorine bleach
2 cups warm water
We have a representative available to speak at your next function. Topics vary to suit your needs. Call and ask for Pat. 570-376-4411or 376-2745
REMINDER FROM DALE Treat for leaf fungus now. Speak to one of our representatives for the best preventative maintenance that’s right for you.
Penn State University cooperative Extension
The Right Tree Handbook – University of Minnesota
Woody Plant Manual – Michael Dirr
OUR NEW BLOG: martinslandscapeservice.blogspot.com
Commit yourself to quality-
Martin’s Landscape Service and
Garden Center
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