The BackYard Nursery

More Indoor Plants tips: We all have heard to lave water in the saucer that the plant pot rest in, the water will be drawn up into the plant. WRONG !!! The water will first - evaporate and SECOND only be drawn int the lower 1/4 to 1/3 of the pots soil. Fungus & disease will flourish in these conditions, the roots are in the middle 1/2 of the pot & will not get to the moisture , will not grow & the plant will not flourish. SOLUTION !!! Place some small smooth rocks/pebbles in the saucer then place the pot on these. Use a Moisture meter to help with watering needs

Indoor plant tips: Buy an inexpensive Moisture meter. It is a metal probe with a meter indicating DRY - MOIST - WET. Don't trust your eye or your finger. These don't tell you if the roots have enough moisture & meter will & they are less than $8.00 bucks.

The Fall Frost is around the corner. If you have plants & citrus tees on the patio & will bring them inside for the winter here are some suggestions:Spray every week with a "Horticultural Oil " or Neem oil. Spray the underside of the leave as well. Remember to read & follow the product directions. If you see bugs during the winter, just take you plant outside on a warmer afternoon & BLAST with the water hose.

While there has been a break from the rain I was in the nursery checking on the babies.The rain gauge had 2.75 inches since last night. The Japanese Maples have started to bud, Peonies & Hostas have a few beginning to push up. Heuchera are doing well & so are most of the evergreens. Gardenia,Angels Trumpet, Rose of Sharon & assorted perennials are still not perking up, hope a couple of weeks of warmer temps will get them going & growing. Some Hydrangeas are starting to show leaves,but It appears we lost well over 1,000 to the cold. On a Good Note: All of the "Mother" Hydrangeas in large containers are showing new leaves, we will be able to propagate in late spring. Hope the cold doesn't reduce Hydrangea Blooms. Will keep you updated when the First Sale can be scheduled.

In Dec I reported the passing of my most cherished nursery assistant, Cordi. She was with me when I started this adventure & was instramental in keeping weeds pulled& supervising the placement of the plants. The BackYard Nursery is establishing a fund to help injured or ill animal & there owners get care & treatment when they may not be able to afford the treatment. The BackYard Nursery has teamed with Cordi's Doctor, Taffy Rhyne, DMV in Carrolton ,Ga. and the ALL PETS & PAWS animal hospital to assist those in need. The Nursery will contribute $ 1.00 for each of the $ 4.97 Plants that are sold. Plants selling for more will contribute more$$$$. The FUND is Called " Cordi's Paws Care ".

The nursery will be open as soon as we know which of our babies made it through the winter. Remember, The BackYard Nursery does not use greenhouses, so if our plants are ready for you in the spring you have confidence they will make in your landscape next winter. A tour of the nursery only shows a few Hydrangeas,Viburnum's starting to sprout. The soil temps must warm up to start breaking dormancy.Plants in containers take longer to warm up than any in the ground. We'll post an update & progress each week.

When you start seeds indoors be certain to use a quality seed starter mix, have plenty of light, sunlight or artificial...12 -18 hrs a day if possible. If you use grow lights ,place them very close to the containers, if the light is 2-3 feet away the plants will grow leggy & skinny, not full. If indoors also add a small fan nearby to help circulate the air...in effect create some wind, that will help the top of the soil to dry out & help prevent "Damping Off". When seedlings get several weeks old & then suddenly wilt over. They have rotted at the base of the stem at the soil line.

Get those veggie seeds started so you can save some $$$, get an early start & extend the harvest season. How do I extend the season?...Start seeds now, but not the entire package! Just 1-2 of those 6 cell containers, then in 7-10 days start one or two more. In this way the plants will set fruit several weeks apart & extend your harvest.