MARCH GARDENING TIPS

February 27, 2023 Karen Logan

Lilac illustration by karen blackerby logan

March Gardening Tips

Vineyard Gardens Landscaping is available to help with your gardening needs!

*******************************************************************

PRUNE

Its a good idea to sterilize the pruning shears with a 10% bleach solution to avoid passing diseases from cut to cut
Good time to prune fruit trees, raspberries and grape
Grapes should be pruned now before the weather warms up as they will “bleed sap” if done during warmer weather
Fruit trees should be pruned now to maintain healthy branch structure and to reduce the total number of fruits per branch. If a branch has too many fruits they will tend to be small and often fall off. If allowed to reach maturity the branch could break from too much weight.
It’s easier to see the branch structure before the plant leafs out. Remove damaged or crossing branches, and especially for fruit trees waterspouts which are small branches growing straight up through the tree.
Prune any trees damaged by winter storms
Prune PG Hydrangeas but Not macrophyllas
Prune Crape myrtles and any late season blooming plants, like hypericum, caryopteris

SPRAY

One spray to prevent Peach leaf Curl (Sulfur or Copper based fungicides). Peaches should be sprayed with a lime sulfur solution which is organic and highly efficient at stopping peach leaf curl, a very common disease that weakens the tree.

GARDEN CLEANUP

If you haven’t cleaned up your garden beds definitely do it now

DESIGN

Plan and design your plantings and garden beds

TOP DRESS

Add a 1-2 inch layer of compost, rich in organic matter, over the top of your garden beds. Plants will come up right through it. The organic matter in compost is already broken down. The nutrients will slowly leach down with the spring rains and be available to be up taken by roots when plants are ready to grow. Do not use mulch as a top dressing as the larger bark chunks rob the soil of nitrogen in the breakdown process. If you are going to mulch on top of the top dressing of organic matter, spread some fertilizer under the mulch to supply nutrients for decomposition. For new beds or vegetable gardens waiting to be planted you can add more than 1-2 inches of organic matter on top, or the organic matter can be rototilled in, mixing it a few inches into the soil.

Top dressing bulb areas and lightly fertilize bulb areas before they come up any further
Top dress your veggie garden
Its still a bit early to fertilize as the plants aren't actively taking up nutrients and with a lot of rain the fertilizer could leach or run off instead of being used by the plants.

SEEDLINGS

Start cool weather seedlings indoors to be planted out by the end of March or beginning of April
Later in the month start your warm weather seedlings indoors. These will get planted out in May
There is still time to order flower and vegetable seeds
Do not work wet soil in vegetable gardens as that leads to compaction the last thing you want to happen to your soil

color%252Bblock-gray.jpg — *PLANT OF THE YEAR 2023*

color%252525252Bblock-gray.jpg — ***THIS WEEK GARDEN TIPS***

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES FOR FALL COLOR

September 7, 2022 Karen Logan

GRASSES FOR FALL COLOR

30% OFF

Ornamental Grasses have been very popular for decades. They serve many purposes from adding backdrops, texture or a natural feeling to a landscape and are often used in restoration projects. Most of them fare best in full hot sun, are drought tolerant and do not need rich soil. Typically, there is no maintenance once established.

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES WE CARRY:

For years we have carried many cultivars of miscanthus, panicum & Pennisetum

*****************************************

MISCANTHUS

Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden Grass): Miscanthus sinensis is the genus and species. Cosmopolitan, Morning light, Gracillimus, Adagio and Purpurescens are all cultivars of Miscanthus sinensis. We have a wonderful selection of Miscanthus. It is a low maintenance, deer resistant, ornamental grass commonly planted in groups along a border, for privacy screening, along edges of beds and are excellent for container planting. It has silvery-green foliage that turns golden-bronze in autumn and has spectacular plumes in late summer. The plumes on the Miscanthus dry beautifully for winter bouquets or effect in the late fall, early winter landscape. Late winter, with snow and rain pounding, it starts to fall apart. Maiden Grass thrives in full sun and may get 6 feet wide with a 10 foot spread.
- Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' : Dense clusters of slender, green and white blades. Reddish tint on blades throughout winter. Great texture for beds and borders.
- Miscanthus sinensis 'Cosmopolitan' : Wide green and white strap like leaves with showy feathery plumes. In bloom, Cosmopolitan can get 8-10ft tall when it’s happy. It is upright and the foliage may appear a little pendulous when it’s in bloom because the plumes are so straight and tall. Full sun to light shade. Highly salt tolerant and prefers moist to well drained soils.
- Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' : Beautiful, wide cream and green striped foliage. Grows to 5ft by mid-September with red-tinted blooms. Best in full sun. Great as a screen, backdrop or border plant.
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’: Upright structure with all green, narrow, finer foliage. When in bloom reaches 6 -8ft tall.
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’: A dwarf maiden grass that reaches 3 - 4ft tall.
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurescens’: Turns flaming red in late fall and is really the only one to have good fall color.

*****************************************

PANICUM

Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass): Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. A clump-forming, warm season grass which typically grows 3' -6' tall. Bright green leaves occur up and down the stem, turning bright yellow in fall. Flowers in mid-summer with finely-textured, pink-tinged, branched panicles. The seed plumes stay through winter and are a good food source for birds.
- Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine' (Switchgrass)
  One of the tallest varieties. Large rose colored seed panicles envelop the upright bluish foliage. Seed panicles turn golden shades in fall. Ideal wildlife habitat providing shelter and food for songbirds.
- Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' (Red Switchgrass)
  Upright foliage becomes red tinted during the growing season, culminating in a dazzling red-leaved show in fall. Drought tolerant and easy to maintain.
- Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' (Blue Switchgrass)
  Upright habit with metallic blue foliage. Pink-tinted, airy blooms appear in July, highlighting the color of its blue leaves. Great planted in masses.

*****************************************

PENNISETUM

Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass): A beautiful addition to your garden with its cascading foliage and nonstop drama. Pennisetum has finely textured foliage and an elegant form. Flowers in late summer, with showy white, pink, copper or black, bottle brush shaped spikes. In autumn the leaves turn orange-bronze. The leaves and flower spikes sway in the breeze adding movement to the landscape. The plumes make fabulous cut flowers. Fountain grass is easily grown in most soils and does best in full sun.
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
  Features deep green leaves in summer changing to golden yellow in fall and fading to beige in late fall. Showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bristly, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump in late summer. Form 2-3' tall and wide compact clumps .
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry'
  Black fountain grass. 'Moudry' provides excellent texture, color and contrast to borders, foundations and open areas. It is most noted for its distinctive black flower spikes. Grows 2-3' tall and wide. The plumes are great cut flowers.

Pennisetum Moudry: Black fountain grass blooms in late summer.

*****************************************

We ALSO carry a variety of cultivars and species in addition to our long standing grasses:

Calamagrostis acutiflora (Feather Reed Grass): For years we only carried Karl Foerster, now we carry a variety of Feather Reed Grasses
- Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
- 'Overdam' Feather Reed Grass
- Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean Feather Reed Grass): Another very beautiful species of Feather Reed Grass
Phalaris arundinacea (Ribbon grass)
- We especially like the cultivar Strawberries and Cream for its pink tones on the foliage.
Carex: This is actually a sedge and not a grass but grasses, sedges and rushes have always been grouped together and we will continue this tradition. We carry several cultivars of Carex.
- Carex ‘Ice Dance” (Japanese Sedge): Chuck’s favorite
- Carex plantaginea: Andrew loves this cultivar
- Carex comans ‘Bronze’: Chris loves this cultivar with its reddish hues in fall.
- Carex buchananii 'Red Rooster': Chris also loves Red Rooster which is tall and upright.
Chasmanthium latifolius (Northern Sea Oats): Has the prettiest seed pod.
Hackonechloa grasses: They will take some shade and appear weeping with their pendulous habit.
- Hackonechloa macra (Hakone Grass): Green tones
- Hackonechloa macra ‘All Gold’: Yellow tones
- Hackonechloa macra ‘Aureola’: Variegated.
Schitzachyrium scoparium (Little Blue Stem Grass): Honored with the perennial plant of the year award for 2022. ‘The Blues’ is a popular old cultivar and there are many new cultivars. All of them remain true to Little Bluestem’s legacy of drought tolerance, low maintenance and natural beauty. We see Little Bluestem as one of the hottest grasses in the trade. It brings high ecological value and a fresh look to modern landscapes. Many years ago Schitzachyrium was grouped together with Andropogon. It was determined to be different enough to make it its own genus.
- Schitzachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’
- Schitzachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’
- Schitzachyrium scoparium ‘Blue Heaven’
Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem): We carry several Andropogon.
- Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’: A dark foliage cultivar called Blackhawks is a favorite.
Sporobolis heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed): A native grass often used in restoration projects.
Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass): Sesleria is a European native often used in America as a ground cover. Sesleria autumnalis received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.
Festuca glauca and Helictotrichon sempervirens: We carry these grasses for their glaucous foliage. They are great along the border or in containers and like all grasses are low maintenance and drought tolerant once established.
Ophiopogons
- Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (Black Mondo) A black grass
- Ophiopogon japonicus (Dwarf Mondo Grass) A dwarf version
Bouteloua gracilis: Our newest grass. A prairie native with unusual seed heads.

*****************************************

Carex Red Rooster in ornamental planters

*****************************************

We also carry a few ornamental grasses that will not overwinter In our zone 7 island.

Muhlenbergia capillaris touts to be Hardy to zone 5 but it will not overwinter for us. The pink plumes in the late afternoon are the prettiest thing you’ll ever see. We keep on trying it because it should be hardy!
Pennisetum Rubrum & Pennisetum Fireworks: Both have wonderful foliage color and are fabulous as ‘thrillers’ in pots.
Pennisetum Purple Majesty & Pennisetum Prince: We highlight these in the fall because they have a great fall effect with dark foliage and large plumes. However, they will not survive the island winters.

*****************************************

perennial plant of the year

**Schitzachyrium scoparium**

SPRING FLOWERING SHRUBS

April 30, 2022 Karen Logan

Spring Flowering Shrubs

LILACS

We have a great selection of lilacs starting to bloom now! .

Canadian Lilac, Syringa vulgaris Pocahontas: The species of the purple lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is said to be the most fragrant (but they are really all fragrant). Extend the lilac season with this extremely hardy, early blooming variety. Deep maroon-purple buds open in early May to fragrant, deep violet blooms 7 to 10 days before common lilac varieties bloom. Reaches 10 ft. tall and wide.
Korean Lilac, Syringa patula Miss Kim: Try a Miss Kim Lilac if you need one that stays a little smaller. This upright, compact lilac blooms later than others, extending the season with deep purple buds that reveal clusters of highly fragrant, lavender-blue flowers. Foliage is burgundy-tinged in fall. Reaches 6 to 8 ft. tall and wide
Charles Joly, Syringa vulgaris: This is a great choice if you want a larger lilac,10-12ft tall. Gorgeous, deep wine red, double flower clusters are highly fragrant. Blooms mid-season, typically in mid-May. A lovely spring accent, screen or border specimen.
Sensation, Syringa vulgaris: A bicolor purple and white flowering lilac. A mid-season bloomer that typically flowers in mid-May. Branches are erect and open with rich green foliage. Use to create a beautiful spring flowering hedge, screen, or accent.
Dwarf Korean Lilac, Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’: This is another species of lilac that we carry which stays much smaller. This one has smaller leaves and smaller purple blooms that are also fragrant. Blooms profusely in midseason, typically mid-May, and first flowers at an early age. Use in shrub borders with an evergreen background or plant in groups to form a low hedge.
We also carry white French Lilacs

Plant your lilacs in full sun, well drained, rich soil and you will have fresh lilac bouquets every spring!

Honeysuckle

SHRUBS

One of my favorite spring flowering shrubs is the fragrant honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima. It is extremely fragrant, long blooming and comes back bigger and better year after year. This early bloomer fills my whole yard with perfume every spring. It does best in full sun but will do fine in partial shade.

VINES

This year we have 3 varieties of fragrant honeysuckle vines.

Mandarin, Lonicera x 'Mandarin': “Delightful, tubular, mandarin orange flowers with pale orange interiors on this vigorous vine with a twining habit that will quickly cloak shade arbors, old trees, and woven wire fences. Drape over walls or let it sprawl across the rooftop for cottage garden charm.” (monrovia)
Major Wheeler, Lonicera sempervirens: “Blazing red and gold blooms appear all summer long, and into fall. Stems are often red to purple turning greenish brown with age. A vigorous, fast growing vine, perfect for covering a fence post, arbor or trellis. This excellent selection thrives in high humidity and is mildew-free.” (monrovia)
Goldflame, Lonicera x heckrottii: “An excellent vine to use as a cover for trellis, arbor and fencing. Also works well when pruned to form a dense shrub-like shape. Purple to deep pink buds open to sweetly fragrant, golden yellow, tubular flowers throughout summer.” (monrovia)

Hummingbirds love them!

Rhododendrons

This year our spring flowering shrubs include the usual evergreen rhododendrons, as well as deciduous azaleas which are in the rhododendron family. They are shallow rooted plants that grow as an understory in the woodlands, like in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They are also found in various parts of Asia, like China and Nepal. They grow in high elevations because they like it cool.

Rhododendron cawtabiense, also called cawtaba rhododendrons:

Roseum Elegans: Medium sized broadleaf evergreen shrub that reaches 9-12’ tall and wide. Beautiful rose-lilac colored flowers. Best along a woodland border.
Grandiflorum Catawba: (Native)The Catawba evergreen rhody reaches 6-8’ ft tall & wide and has lilac-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is beautiful planted in a grouping, as an informal hedge or a mixed or woodland border. They are in bud now!
Chinoides Rhododendrons: A smaller rhody that gets to about 4’ with white bell shaped flowers. Outstanding for use as an informal hedge or foundation plant.
Cunningham’s White: A smaller rhody that gets to about 4’. It’s a perfect middle-of-the-border flowering shrub. A natural under oaks and older coniferous trees. Also perfect in the woodland understory and in wild gardens.

*********************

Rhododendron maximum : (Native) A large broadleaf evergreen reaching up to 15ft by 12ft wide. They prefer to grow in cool, moist spots with well drained soil, part shade to full shade. They have dense, large leathery leaves with rose-purplish to pink to white blooms. They are in bud now!

*********************

Hybrids developed by Weston Nurseries.

PJM: A durable rhody that tolerates heat as well as cold. An excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, or containers. PJM’s are smaller leafed rhodies with bright laveder purple blooms, developed at Weston Nurseries. They are blooming now!
Olga Mezzit: A compact smaller leaf evergreen, developed at Weston Nurseries. More heat and sun tolerant than other varieties. An excellent choice for borders, mass planting, or containers. They are blooming now!

*********************

Many of the deciduous azaleas are native, including viscosum and its hybrids.

Rhododendron viscosum: (Native) Native to Martha’s Vineyard! Gorgeous and fragrant.

They need to be watered often when newly planted!
Rhododendrons benefit from an application of mulch to keep moisture in the soil for their shallow roots.

BROADLEAF EVERGREENS

April 25, 2022 Karen Logan

Azalea illustration by karen blackerby logan

Broadleaf evergreens have year round interest!

Often in spring we think we need flowers and color but evergreens are just as important to the landscape! Evergreens are often the bones of the garden. They are an integral part of winter, spring, summer and fall. Broadleaf evergreens are the trees and shrubs for all seasons because they have wonderful year round interest!

The Benefits of Broadleaf Evergreens

They provide year round interest
Great for privacy screening
Drought resistant, once established
Provides habitats for birds and other small animals
Pollinator friendly!
Great for Martha’s Vineyards climate zone 7A (hardier than zone 7A).

Most broadleaf evergreens have a spectacular display of spring blooms!

Luckily they don't typically bloom all at the same time! Pieris japonica and Skimmia are the first to bloom, followed by the rhododendrons then azaleas.

***************************************

BROADLEAF EVERGREENS OF THE WEEK

__________________________________________________

AZALEAS

This year our spring flowering shrubs include the usual evergreen rhododendrons and azaleas. Azaleas are in the rhododendron family. Azaleas are a genus with many species. There are both evergreen and deciduous varieties available. ‘Most’ deciduous azaleas bloom after the evergreen azaleas. They will bloom on old wood before the plant has leafed out for the year.

Some deciduous, fragrant azaleas that we have available this year are:

Azalea viscosum, native swamp azalea: These bloom a little later and often bloom before the foliage emerges, making them extra showy. The fragrant blooms will perfume your entire property. They get 8-10ft tall and 6-8ft wide.
My Mary: A new yellow, fragrant, deciduous, spring blooming azalea that attracts pollinators and butterflies. It grows 4-5ft tall. (from Fern Brook)
Rhododendron prunifolium: Another azalea that we are carrying new this year. (from Fern Brook). Prunifolium is a species azalea (not a hybrid). It is a native wild azalea and is rare and hard to find. It is the first time we have ever had it!

There are some deciduous Weston hybrids with viscosum that stay smaller. If an 8ft shrub is too big for your spot try one of these :

Lemon Drop: A yellow blooming fragrant deciduous azalea
Innocence: A white blooming fragrant deciduous azalea

To see these deciduous azaleas in their full splendor they will be blooming in a few weeks at the Polly Hill Arboretum!

***************************************

BUXUS (BOXWOOD)

This year we will have a great selection of Buxus, an evergreen deer resistant shrub. We have Green Beauty, Green Mountain and Wintergreen Boxwood. We also carry a variegated boxwood, as well as a selection of dwarf boxwoods, including one we propagate from the Polly Hill Arboretum. They do best in some afternoon shade and are a great back drop for deciduous plantings. Buxus typically bloom in May. “Even though the flowers are insignificant, Boxwood is on the RHS 'Plants for Pollinators' list, highlighting plants that produce large amounts of nectar and/or pollen. It is a great choice for encouraging beneficial insect wildlife into your garden!” (Plants | Candide)

Buxus that we have available:

Buxus sempervirens: A new variety we are carrying this year is Buxus sempervirens Dee Runk. This variety has an elegant columnar habit with a soft and lush foliage of ovate, lustrous leaves. Its deep green foliage has shown good resistance to boxwood blight.
Buxus microphylla var. japonica 'Winter Gem' : “An excellent evergreen shrub for small hedges. Among the hardiest of the small-leaved boxwoods, the rich green foliage can acquire a golden bronze hue in cold winter zones, but is one of the first to become green again in spring. Makes a wonderful addition to formal gardens, providing year-round interest.” (monrovia)

***************************************

HOLLIES

We love hollies at Vineyard Gardens! Chuck Wiley, co-owner of Vineyard Gardens, grew up near a nursery in NJ, called Fernbrook, that grow beautiful American hollies, Ilex opaca. American hollies are more deer resistant than other hollies. They need a male and a female tree nearby for berry production.

American holly, Ilex opaca

“The stout, stiff branches of this pyramidal evergreen bear dark green, non-glossy, spine-tipped leaves. Bright red berries occur on the female plants. Many varieties are grown for ornament, shade, and hedges. You must have both a male and female plant to have berries, The male must be the same holly species as the female and bloom at the same time. This is a slow-growing tree (but slower growing is stronger). Berries are attractive and a good winter food source for birds.” (Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center) The height of American holly grows up to 25ft. They can be pruned to be kept smaller.

Ilex opaca ‘Jersey Knight’: A male cultivar that is considered to be a good pollinator. typically grows to 7-8’ tall and spreads to 3-4’ wide over the first 10 years.
Ilex opaca ‘Jersey Princess’
Ilex opaca ‘Portia Orton’
Ilex opaca ‘Satyr Hill’

Japanese holly, Ilex crenata

“A dense, multi-branched, evergreen shrub with a rounded form that typically matures to 5-10’ tall and as wide. It is native to forests, thickets and mountain slopes in Japan, Korea, China and eastern Russia.. It has glossy, spineless, evergreen, deep green leaves which are attractive all year, white flowers which bloom in late spring (May-June), and black rounded berries which mature in fall on pollinated female plants.” (missouri botanical garden)

Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’

Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’
Ilex Crenata ‘Soft touch’
Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’
Ilex crenata ‘Green Lustre’

Japanese holly, Ilex crenata ‘Green Lustre’

Blue holly, Ilex x meserveae

“Bushy evergreen hybrids are (a) average height to 6-7’ tall, (b) glossy blue green leaves with prominent spiny margins, (c) purple stems, (d) greenish-white flowers in small clusters in May, (e) showy bright red berries on female plants in fall, often persisting until spring, and (f) excellent winter hardiness to USDA Zone 5.” (missouri botanical garden)

Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Maid’
Ilex x meserveae Castle Spire’

other hybrids

Ilex x aquipernyi ‘Dragon Slayer’
Ilex x Oak leaf
Ilex x Koehneana
Ilex x Nellie R Stevens
Ilex x Winter Bounty

Inkberry, Ilex glabra

“A mound-shaped, colony-forming shrub 6-12 ft. tall and wide. Lance-shaped, sparingly-toothed, glossy, leathery foliage varies in color from dark- to light-green both in summer and fall. Inconspicuous flowers are followed by black berries which persist well into winter. This species differs from all other evergreen hollies by lacking spines on the leaves, only having teeth toward the tip of the leaves.” (Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’

Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’

Winterberry, Ilex verticillata

“The leaves of Common winterberry are not shaped with sharp teeth like other hollies and are not evergreen. The purplish green foliage turns black, in fact, with the first frost. The inconspicuous flowers, however, are followed by dense clusters of bright red berries that remain on the branches throughout winter. Winterberry is a globular, upright, medium-sized shrub, typically 6-10 ft. tall. Extremely showy in late fall and early winter when covered with their bright red fruit, these shrubs are either male or female--a trait typical of the holly family. Birds are readily attracted to them.” (Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Ilex verticillata Southern Gentleman
Ilex verticillata Winter Gold
Ilex verticillata Winter Red
Ilex verticillata Little Goblin Guy
Ilex verticillata Little Goblin Red

SMALL FRUITS & FRUIT TREES

April 13, 2022 Karen Logan

Blueberry Bush illustration by karen blackerby logan

SMALL FRUITS & FRUIT TREES

Spring is the best time to prune your fruit trees, grapes, raspberries and blackberries! It is also the best time to plant small fruits and fruit trees!

************************************

CHECK OUT OUR PAST BLOG: Bare Root Strawberries & Growing Early Spring Edibles

IN STOCK AT VINEYARD GARDENS:

Bare root strawberries just came in
Strawberries
Raspberries & golden raspberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Fruit trees (many kinds)

************************************

STRAWBERRIES

Spring is the season to plant strawberries. There is a small window of time to plant them, especially bare root ones. Strawberries can be grown in garden beds, containers or hanging baskets. Strawberry flowers attract honeybees and butterflies who pollinate the flowers and ensure fruiting success. This year we are carrying 4 potted varieties, 3 bare root varieties plus the alpine strawberries Fragaria vesca.

Our bare root strawberries just came in yesterday! The bare root varieties are Sure Crop, Cardinal and Ozark Beauty. Sure Crop and Cardinal are June bearing and Ozark Beauty variety is an Everbearing.
Planting Bare Root Strawberries
- Bare root strawberries come in bundles of 15.
- Gently pull them apart, pulling on the foliage to separate them
- Then plant them into rich well drained soil and watch them grow
The 3” potted strawberries we have are the June bearing Honeoye variety and for the everbearing strawberries we have the All Star, Ft. Laramie and Quinalt varieties. Honeoye bears heavy yields of large fruit with a rich color.
Growing Strawberries
- Provide well drained soil with medium moisture. Amend beds in spring and fall with quality Coast of Maine Lobster Compost or Fafard Premium Compost (we carry both!).
- Strawberries are heavy feeders- feed with organic fertilizer from spring to mid summer.
- Mulch beds to retain moisture, keep down the weeds and to create a nice clean place for the strawberry fruits to lay on.
- Thin beds every few years, favoring the strongest runners.

************************************

BLUEBERRIES

We have a wonderful selection of early, mid season and late variety Blueberries. Now is the time to get them in the ground!

This year, for the first time ever, we brought in some bare root blueberries. We have 2 cultivars available bare root, Jersey and Northland.
For blueberries, we recommend planting an early bearing variety, a mid season variety and a late season variety to extend your blueberry picking season.
Blueberries must be planted in early spring!!

************************************

GRAPES, PEACHES & FRUIT TREES

GRAPES: Grapes should be pruned as soon as possible on cool days. If pruned much later they will “bleed” sap, much like a maple tree when its tapped for making maple syrup. Pruning for grapes and most fruit trees involves limiting the number of fruits produced as the tree or vine will try to make many more fruits than the tree has the energy to fully mature. Often excess fruits will fall off and the ones remaining may be smaller than on a tree properly pruned. This is also the best time to plant grapes!

PEACHES: One of the most important sprays for peaches is a lime sulfur mixture to prevent peach leaf curl, a very common disease of peaches. As the name describes, the leaves turn red, bumpy, curl up and then most of the leaves fall off weakening the tree just when it needs the most energy to produce fruit. This is an organic spray and should be done before the leaves begin to emerge.
FRUIT TREES: We carry apple, pear, cherry, peach and plum trees .Spring is the great time to plant them!
- Pruning apple trees: When you are done pruning an apple tree there is usually more on the ground then left on the tree.

get inspired

our instagram & facebook feeds

EAT LOCAL, GROW IT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

March 20, 2022 Karen Logan

Strawberry illustration by karen blackerby logan

GROWING EARLY SPRING EDIBLES

STRAWBERRIES

TIPS FOR PLANTING STRAWBERRIES

The most economical way for planting strawberries is bare root. They are only available early and must be planted in the ground right away.
Prepare your strawberry garden area by tilling or turning over the soil.
Add organic matter, such as cow manure, compost or the Fafard Complete Planting Mix.
Turn that into the soil.
Plant out the strawberry plants. Straight rows would be typical but you can be creative and turn it into an herb garden with a strawberry patch.

This year we are carrying 4 cultivars of strawberries
We like the June bearing over the Everbearing. The June bearing have bigger berries, although a shorter season.
Honeoye is our favorite, but all of them are good.
Fort Laramie
All Star
Quinalt
We also grow the fraise de bois or wild strawberries, find them under Fragaria vesca, its proper Genus and species name.
These are my choice for an herb garden. They also do well in containers. They bloom with beautiful little white flowers (in the rose family) .The pot with multiple openings is called a strawberry jar. I love when we carry these!
******************************

BERRIES

We have a great selection of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries. The early spring selection is best!

All these should be planted very soon!

******************************

ASPARAGUS

Now available bare root in bundles of 10. We have Jersey Knight and Purple Passion.

******************************

GREENS & COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

Grow your own Greens

Salad material, lettuce, spinach, endive, mignonette

The lettuces and the cilantro, in particular, can be done by direct seeding in Mid April.

Start the other herbs and cool weather veggies inside first and then plant out as seedlings.

WE GROW ALL THESE IN PACKS FROM SEED . WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF SEEDS & WILL HAVE A GREAT VARIETY OF PACK SELECTIONS!

COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

Brassicas (like broccoli), Cauliflower, Cabbage, Kale, Swiss Chard, Mustards, Collards

******************************

Vineyard Gardens Herb House and Herb Garden

HERBS

NOW IS THE TIME TO PLANT SOME HERBS! COME CHECK OUT OUR HERB HOUSE & HERB GARDEN!

ANNUAL HERBS: Cilantro, Parsley, Dill, Chervil, Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena and Rosemary
PERENNIAL HERBS: Thyme. Sage, Mint, Tarragon, Savory and Lemon Balm

TIMING IS KEY IN GARDENING! DON’T WAIT TO GET STARTED!

MARCH GARDENING TIPS

March 8, 2022 Karen Logan

March Gardening Tips

Vineyard Gardens Landscaping is available to help with your gardening needs!

*******************************************************************

PRUNE

Its a good idea to sterilize the pruning shears with a 10% bleach solution to avoid passing diseases from cut to cut
Good time to prune fruit trees, raspberries and grape
Grapes should be pruned now before the weather warms up as they will “bleed sap” if done during warmer weather
Fruit trees should be pruned now to maintain healthy branch structure and to reduce the total number of fruits per branch. If a branch has too many fruits they will tend to be small and often fall off. If allowed to reach maturity the branch could break from too much weight.
It’s easier to see the branch structure before the plant leafs out. Remove damaged or crossing branches, and especially for fruit trees waterspouts which are small branches growing straight up through the tree.
Prune any trees damaged by winter storms
Prune PG Hydrangeas but Not macrophyllas
Prune Crape myrtles and any late season blooming plants, like hypericum, caryopteris

SPRAY

One spray to prevent Peach leaf Curl (Sulfur or Copper based fungicides). Peaches should be sprayed with a lime sulfur solution which is organic and highly efficient at stopping peach leaf curl, a very common disease that weakens the tree.

GARDEN CLEANUP

If you haven’t cleaned up your garden beds definitely do it now

DESIGN

Plan and design your plantings and garden beds

TOP DRESS

Top dressing bulb areas and lightly fertilize bulb areas before they come up any further
Top dress your veggie garden
Its still a bit early to fertilize as the plants aren't actively taking up nutrients and with a lot of rain the fertilizer could leach or run off instead of being used by the plants.

SEEDLINGS

Start cool weather seedlings indoors to be planted out by the end of March or beginning of April
Later in the month start your warm weather seedlings indoors. These will get planted out in May
There is still time to order flower and vegetable seeds
Do not work wet soil in vegetable gardens as that leads to compaction the last thing you want to happen to your soil

THIS FALL THINK SPRING!

November 8, 2021 Karen Logan

FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO PLANT SPRING BULBS!

IN THE TIME OF ISOLATION

April 2, 2020 Karen Logan

Written by Keith Kurman

We will still be taking care of our gardens, getting ready for the growing season, a great thing to be doing while 'staying home'. "We must all cultivate our gardens." Photo credit: Keith Kurman

Welcome to shut-down

This COVID-19 quarantine is such a strange phenomenon, something I never really thought would happen in our lifetimes. It all seemed to happen so quickly, though it’s been rolling out over several months, kinda like a car crash, seemingly unfolding slowly, methodically and as if predetermined however over in a matter of seconds. Then there is the aftermath that IS long and arduous, where everything you hadn’t considered has to be dealt with systematically, periodically interrupted by flashbacks and questions as to how we got here and those things that will never be the same.

What do we do now? Here at Vineyard Gardens we are trying to stay calm and carry on.

Over in Landscape Division, just now in our busiest time of the year, we are forced to shut-down, pulling our trucks off jobs sites and laying off newly hired workers. This will be going on at this point for an undermined period of time. Going forward, all our landscape clients will need to understand that schedules are interrupted and when we are able to be back on the roads we will be scrambling to catch up. Please be patient.

At the Nursery/Garden Center we’re a bit “tail over tea kettle” because in nursery growing production “time waits for no one!” There is a very narrow window of time in which plants need to be ready to plant out. One thing we pride ourselves on is Island-Grown! We start most of our dazzling array of plants from seeds, plugs and divisions, to do so planning and timing are everything. Despite this unforeseen ‘cease and desist’ order ALL of our 15 greenhouses are FULL of young plants itching to get in the ground! We’ve had to quickly adapt to the new time frames and modified demand. We will be working to be sure that when the lock-down is over we will have plants ready to go for all your gardening needs.

At home, Nasturtiums are an easy plant to grow from seed and it's delicious and nutritious! Photo credit: Keith Kurman

You won't be seeing this familiar sight around for a while. Photo credit: Keith Kurman

Don't these look delicious! Mustard Greens, Tat-Soi, Red and Leafy Green Lettuces and Frisée we'll be making lots of these this year, ready to go salad garden. Photo credit: Keith Kurman — Don't these look delicious! Mustard Greens, Tat-Soi, Red and Leafy Green Lettuces and **Frisée** we'll be making lots of these this year, ready to go salad garden. Photo credit: Keith Kurman

Luckily sound minds have prevailed and the Garden Center has set-up an on-line ordering and pick-up system that allows customers to place orders for materials and swing by to pick them up. You can find the order form here.

One amazing thing that may come of this is that government officials will come to realize that local nurseries must be classed as “essential services”! Yes,under the circumstances, with this shut down, which may continue for some time, our food delivery chain may be interrupted. We may be forced to “grow our own” where heretofore this was a quaint aphorism now becomes a question of necessity. To do that home farmers will need supplies and materials that can only be gotten at your local nursery. This would include in many cases, compost, tools, fertilizers, pest controls and not in the least, plants and seeds!

We will be following up with posts addressing the questions we will be needing to address as we are forced to shift our priorities and adopt new approaches to thinking and our way of life.

One thing is made clear, gardening may be essential to meeting our survival needs but it is also a living metaphor for our essential natures and our connection to our fragile and generous home, Earth. Gardening is one of the things we can do that completes us and infects no one.

Tools and fertilizers are some of the 'essential services' that your local nurseries provide. Write a letter to the town concil and let them know, thanks! Photo credit: Keith Kurman

Wildflowers are sprouting up all over the place, it's okay during the 'shut down' to walk in the woods, look up, look down, look all around... life is happening. Trillium grandiflorum and Mertensia virginica. Photo credit: Keith Kurman

THIS WEEK'S GARDENING TIPS and VINEYARD GARDENS TO GO SERVICE

March 26, 2020 Karen Logan

I hope this message finds you healthy and doing well in these crazy times. Here are some thoughts when you're stuck at home. I couldn't think of a better time to get outside and do a little gardening.

First off, rake the leaves off of the lawn, perennial beds. In areas that have bulbs in them use a gentle blower or rake them very carefully to not damage the flowers or leaves.
Once that's done apply a slow release fertilizer to the beds.but wait until April 15th to fertilize lawns.
Fruit trees and grapes should be pruned now. Also prune later flowering shrubs such as PG hydrangeas , Vitex , Crepe Myrtles, Caryopteris , Hypericum, . Do not prune spring flowering shrubs now as you will be removing their flower buds. Also do NOT prune Nikko Blue, Endless Summer or any of the mop head Hydrangeas, as they will fail to flower if pruned too heavily.
This is the best time to prune broken branches in trees and shrubs as you can see the damage best before they leaf out.
This is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs as the spring rain will almost always take care of any watering needs till summer.

VINEYARD GARDENS IS OFFERING A TO GO SERVICE

Cape Cod Landscape Association declares Garden Centers an essential business. In light of that, we are offering a TO GO service to our customers. Vineyard Gardens is a resource on Martha’s Vineyard for all things gardening!

The utmost importance is to keep our employees and our customers safe, while providing the products we all need. Mother natures clock is still turning and some tasks have a short window to be applied. We have implemented a plan of action to keep our customers and our employees safe while still providing the essentials for gardening! This is a PICK UP SERVICE, not delivery, unless set up on the work order at time of payment. All payments placed through the TO GO service will be taken over the phone with a Visa or Mastercard.

For all TO GO orders we recommend you email MV@vineyardgardens.net. Please provide:

Name
Telephone number
Products you would like to order

Once the email has been received we will call you about the availability of the products and to take payment over the phone. We will honor our weekly discount program! We are accepting Mastercard & Visa. A work order will be processed at the time of payment. Please expect up to 24 hours for pick up. Depending on the size of the order, the products may be available to pick up the same day of sale. A receipt of purchase will be provided with the products at the time of pick up.
Please understand that for the safety of our employees we will not be accepting returns.

A GARDENING REMINDER

January 27, 2020 Karen Logan

We bring all of our containerized evergreens into an unheated greenhouse for the winter, a little added protection from potentially harsh winter weather.

With most everything you do there is a procedure, a bit of repetition that makes doing it again, easier and easier. Having a schedule for your gardening plans keeps your garden happy, healthy, & abundant. Often I refer back to checklists. Specifically having a checklist for each new season, keeps your gardening mistakes from snowballing. Missing one gardening procedure can cause you to fall behind on your next garden chore, and your next, creating a huge list that you have to pick away at to see just where you went wrong. That's all learning is, figuring out where you went wrong and fixing it. Everyone starts somewhere and keeping track of what you do year to year is the first step in learning whats working and whats falling through the cracks.

Gardening and landscaping are on mother natures clock. A lot of gardening chores depend on weather as well as a particular time of year that they are best practiced.

pruning (tree & shrub work)
planting, mulching
watering (irrigation)
liming, seeding (lawn maintenance)
Snow removal, salting (winter maintenance)
Tool repair

Vineyard Gardens nursery & Landscape is an excellent resource on island for any gardening questions or tasks.

Winter is a great time to clean and sharpen tools.

We like to top dress our garden beds with compost when they are cut back in the early winter. If you haven’t yet, this might be a good time, before bulbs start to emerge in another month or so.

VG Landscape can plow your driveway and deliver cord-wood as needed.

Today on the vineyard the weather is mild. We haven't seen much snow but most trees, shrubs and perennials are dormant. In the land of 7A the tropical plants have been pulled inside and most other annuals have been composted. We still have many other chores to do on our gardening checklist, spring is just around the corner! There's a few weeks in winter that you should dedicate to cleaning up your garden bed of leaves, twigs, passed blooms, dead plant materials, as well as cleaning out your gardening shed of old fertilizer and soil. Start with sharpening your favored tools, have them ready for spring pruning! (contact Jeremiah Brown at Vineyard Gardens Landscape office if tool repair is on your checklist!) It’s important to know when the right time to prune is. Spring blooming plants should be pruned after they have bloomed, to ensure you haven't cut off any new flower buds of the year. Once these plants are done blooming, they will take all their nutrients and put it toward setting new buds for the following spring. Summer blooming plants can be pruned and shaped in early spring because they often bloom on the new years growth. Every plant can be different so its important to learn about whats planted in your garden. Does your plant flower on new or old wood? Answering this question is a great start to figuring out when you should prune!

Winter is the best time to prune most deciduous trees and shrubs, removing dead wood and reducing their size. A couple of exceptions being Lilacs, Hydrangea and Macrophylla that hold their flower buds at the tips of branches.

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ needs to be cut back before they start to awaken in spring, now is a good time to do it if you haven’t already.

Often the best time for new plantings should happen in fall because the temperatures are cooler, less bugs, and plants aren't stressing in summer droughts. More rain, means less watering for us! Plants need time to mature their roots before hard frosts hit. If you have planted in late fall, and are afraid your plants roots are still tender, try laying down mulch. Apply at least 3 inches after the ground begins to freeze. Never apply mulch too close to the trunk or stems of your plant. Straw, finely chopped leaves, or shredded bark will make a good substitute for mulch if your local garden center has closed for the season. The hardy zone map is based on the average annual temperatures in a specific area across the globe, and knowing the hardy zone of whats planted in your garden can help you decide if the extra work is needed. Evergreens that are hardy to zone 7a should stand up just fine to our hard frosts. If anything, keep an eye on the amount of rain we are getting. Evergreens are more susceptible to winter burn and death if they didn't receive enough water before the ground freezes. On warm days, when the temperatures are fluctuating, you may need to water. Frigid temperatures are not the only thing fatal to young trees & shrubs. Protect plants from deer and other animals this winter too. Wrap them loosely with burlap from the bottom to the top of the plant. Remove burlap when the plant shows signs of any new growth.

Some plants we just can’t be without despite not being winter hardy, so we bring them into a cool but heated greenhouse for the winter. The fragrance of citrus blossom makes it all worth it!

Some plants just can’t be kept down by a little cold weather! Some of the first to emerge are the Heleborus. There are many different varieties with colors ranging from deep plum-black to ivory-green. Hardy and shade tolerant they always surprise th… — Some plants just can’t be kept down by a little cold weather! Some of the first to emerge are the Heleborus. There are many different varieties with colors ranging from deep plum-black to ivory-green. Hardy and shade tolerant they always surprise the vigilant gardener.

On warm days through late winter little surprises can jump out at you. You’ll hardly notice the flowers on Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis but the delicious, exotic fragrance will find you as you pass.

Early flowering plants can be cut and brought inside to ‘force’ into flower. Forsythia, Pussywillow and Dogwood are some of the most common.

In colder temperatures deciduous shrubs will defoliate. Going dormant is their way of preparing for winter. Fallen leaves form a wet dense mat, preventing sunlight to reach your grass. Top that with winter snow and it becomes the perfect environment for disease and pests to grow. Then, when the grass begins to grow in early spring it could be suffocated by the leaves. Thus begins, another spring of seeding, germinating, and top dressing a new lawn. Save your lawn and schedule Vineyard gardens to come out to preform a lawn & yard maintenance. This is a leaf clean up, and a final cut of the lawn to prepare it for winters heavy snow. Vineyard Gardens Landscape is also a resource for snow removal! We are available to help with whatever winter has to throw at us. Harsh salt is used on slippery, icy, surfaces. Be careful using salt around plants and grass! Salt leaches moisture from the plants and causes the tissues to dry out. Lay sand down instead of salt around heavily planted areas and around the lawn that needs attention.

Winter can bring devastating storms with lots of damage especially with trees. These trees don’t stand a chance of coming back.

VG Landscape division may slow down in the winter but they never really stop altogether. Have a branch down in your driveway? Call the office and arrange to have it cleared away.

As temperatures warm up and early spring bulbs or annuals begin to bloom, our nursery will open as your island resource for hard goods, soils, & plants. Our nursery has a wide variety of blooming plants all year long. In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact Vineyard Gardens Landscape office for any questions, concerns, or work needed done to your property. We are available and able to check off that seasonal list for you! We send out two lists a year, call our landscape office at 508-693-8512 to get your spring checklist sent.

Vineyard Gardens mission is to provide the best plants, installations and care on Martha’s Vineyard!

Here in mid-Winter we can enjoy the brilliant flowers of Amaryllis in many shades of red, pink and white. So easy to grow too!

Paperwhites bring delicious fragrance to the stale, indoor winter air. Any sunny window will do.

On warm days from here on out the Witchhazels will be unfurling their ribbon-like petals creating brilliant splashes of color in the stark winter landscape.

Winter hikes on the Island will always find unexpected beauty. Here the Heather garden at Mytoi, managed by the Trustees of Reservations on Chappaquiddick.

During mid-winter mild spells we are encouraged to get out and accomplish some neglected garden chores.

Don’t miss the chance to play in the snow!

GARDEN TIPS OF THE WEEK

May 17, 2019 Karen Logan

Now is a great time to plant pretty much everything. We have even brought the basil and tomatoes from our production facility to the nursery. But don't push these it's still a little cool at night.
Time to fertilize last years new plantings by top dressing. Sprinkling handfuls of fertilizer around the drip line of the shrubs. Not too close to main stem. The roots grow outward. Organic fertilizers are slower release and contain a lot of secondary and micronutrients. We recommend them! The macronutrients are N,P and K (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Pottasium) the 3 numbers represented on most fertilizer products. The secondary nutrients are calcium, magnesium and sulfur and there are quite a few micronutrients.
Learn to make your own compost out of your biodegradable waste and use that to feed your plants as well.
Water your lawns less often and deeper to promote deeper roots.
Mow your lawns a little higher and they won't brown out in the heat of summer.
Always think ahead when gardening. Timing is everything!

TIME TO PLANT YOUR POPPIES

April 24, 2019 Karen Logan

Now is the time to plant your poppies. We have started them in 4packs at the nursery and it’s best to get them planted out before they become root-bound. We have some wonderful varieties to choose from but the trick is to plant now.

A beautiful variety with a high pedegree, Papaver somniferum 'Sissinghurst White'

P. s. 'Lauren's Grape' ready to plant out

Poppies, ready to plant! many wonderful varieties!

The most notorious member of the Poppy tribe is Papaver somniferum, the Opium Poppy. This plant has a cultural history going back millennia. Since earliest times its narcotic virtues have been known and used in medicines to cure pain and induce sleep. It was not until the 19th Century that doctors became fully aware that it was addictive. Aside from its narcotic attributes it is a particularly beautiful plant. Its baroque architecture and richly saturated colors have inspired craftsmen and artists to interpret its form into decorative schemes in everything from furniture, fabrics, china, jewelry to painting and book illustration.

The decorative Opium Poppy is a cottage garden favorite. Why it is not seen more often in flower gardens must have something to do with a question of timing. It is properly an annual plant, meaning that it’s seed germinates, grows, flowers and develops mature seeds in one season. It is however originally from a more temperate zone than our harsh New England climate. In order for the plant to fully develop it needs to set a deep root system. So in a way it behaves more like a biennial, germinating just after the Winter Solstice and setting a whorl of basil foliage to feed root development through the chill, winter months. Then, with the Spring Equinox, it begins to expand its lush, curled and fringed, pale gray- green foliage. It’s flowers finally begin to open in the warmth of late June into July. The flowers only last a day but are produced continuously. Once it has flowered it’s petals drop revealing the characteristic seed pod which it holds until it dries later in the summer.

The solution to this problem is to start the seeds early indoors, but caution must be exercised. The common caveat with poppies is that they resent root disturbance. And further, if left too long in the container they will quickly become root bound, from which they will not recover. This is where timing becomes critical. So to have beautiful flowers like these we must plant our poppies now so they can develop their root systems in the cool ground.

If you want more poppy information click here for an informative and interesting article.

PLANTING, GROWING AND HARVESTING GARLIC

August 28, 2018 Karen Logan

We have an abundant supply of garlic in stock! It is a wonderful crop that is planted in the fall and harvested the following summer. It is easy to grow and requires very little space in the garden. Garlic is also a natural pest repellent!

PLANTING

Best time to plant garlic is in the fall. Plant 6 to 8 weeks before first expected frost date.
Plant in a spot that has not recently been used for garlic or other plants from the onion family.
Plant in a sunny spot with well drained soil.
Work several inches of compost or manure and fertilizer into the bed.
Break apart cloves from bulb a few days before planting, keep the papery husk on each individual clove.
Space the cloves 4-6" apart. Rows should be spaced one foot apart. The cloves should be planted with the pointed end up and the blunt end down. Push each clove 1-2" into the ground, firm the soil around it, and water the bed if it is dry.
After planting, lay down a protective mulch of straw. The mulch should be approximately 4 inches thick. Mulch will help prevent the garlic roots from being lifted out of the ground by freezing and thawing.

Spring Care

Mulch should be removed in the spring after the threat of frost has passed.
In the spring, as warmer temperatures come, shoots will emerge through the ground.
When the leaves begin to grow, it is important to feed the garlic plants to encourage good growth. Gently work in Osmocote into the soil near each plant.
Cut off any flower shoots that emerge in spring to encourage bulb growth.
Keep well weeded. Garlic doesn’t do well with competition.
Water every 3 to 5 days during bulbing (mid-May through June).
Fertilize again just before the bulbs begin to swell usually early May.
By June remove any remaining mulch and stop watering. The garlic will store better if you allow the soil around the bulbs to dry out.

HARVESTING

Harvest garlic when most of the leaves have turned brown. This usually occurs in mid-July to early August.
Dig up bulbs (don't pull), being careful not to bruise them. If the bulbs are left in the ground too long, they may separate and will not store well.
Lay the garlic plants out to dry for 2 or 3 weeks in a shady, dry spot for two weeks.
Do not get the bulbs wet or break them apart, or the plants won't last as long.

STORAGE

The bulbs are cured and ready to store when the wrappers are dry and papery and the roots are dry.
Either tie the garlic in bunches (4 to 6), braid the leaves, or cut the stem a few inches above the bulb. Hang the braids and bunches or store the loose bulbs on screens or slatted shelves in a cool, airy location. You may want to set aside some of the largest bulbs for replanting in the fall.
During the winter months check your stored garlic bulbs often, and promptly use any that show signs of sprouting.

IT'S TIME TO PLANT YOUR SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS

April 20, 2018 Karen Logan

This is a busy time of year for gardeners! Your veggie garden should be prepped and ready for your seeds and seedlings. Adding a fresh top dressing of compost to your soil will work wonders. It will help even more if you till the compost a foot or so into the existing soil.

Now is the time to seed your peas, greens (lettuce, arugula, spinach, kale), Asian veggies, and annual herbs (parsley, dill, cilantro). If you want to get a head start, packs of cool weather seedlings are available at Vineyard Gardens and ready to be planted today!

Other cool weather crops that can be planted now are potatoes, asparagus, carrots, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and fruit trees.

Reminder: Plant your lettuce and greens in a little bit of shade. All the rest of the veggies want full hot sun! It is still too early for Tomatoes and Basil.

Stop by the nursery and we can help guide you on your gardening journey.

NOW IS THE TIME TO SOW YOUR SEEDS

March 29, 2017 Karen Logan

We are GIVING AWAY free legume inoculant with every pea seed packet purchase. The shelling peas and the sugar snap peas are seasonally appropriate to use right now. We will have seedlings for sale in jiffy eight packs if you are not here this early to plant. Newly seeded this week.

Also we have Fedco Wildflower mix. 10 grams for $2.99. Over 20,000 seeds in 10 g and will seed about 100 sq ft.

VINEYARD GARDENS NURSERY

Seed Selections and Gardening Tools

March Gardening Tips

PRUNE

SPRAY

GARDEN CLEANUP

DESIGN

TOP DRESS

SEEDLINGS

GRASSES FOR FALL COLOR

30% OFF

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES WE CARRY:

For years we have carried many cultivars of miscanthus, panicum & Pennisetum

MISCANTHUS

PANICUM

PENNISETUM

We ALSO carry a variety of cultivars and species in addition to our long standing grasses:

We also carry a few ornamental grasses that will not overwinter In our zone 7 island.

Spring Flowering Shrubs

LILACS

Plant your lilacs in full sun, well drained, rich soil and you will have fresh lilac bouquets every spring!

Honeysuckle

Hummingbirds love them!

Rhododendrons

They need to be watered often when newly planted!Rhododendrons benefit from an application of mulch to keep moisture in the soil for their shallow roots.

Broadleaf evergreens have year round interest!

The Benefits of Broadleaf Evergreens

Most broadleaf evergreens have a spectacular display of spring blooms!

BROADLEAF EVERGREENS OF THE WEEK

AZALEAS

To see these deciduous azaleas in their full splendor they will be blooming in a few weeks at the Polly Hill Arboretum!

BUXUS (BOXWOOD)

HOLLIES

American holly, Ilex opaca

Japanese holly, Ilex crenata

Blue holly, Ilex x meserveae

other hybrids

Inkberry, Ilex glabra

Winterberry, Ilex verticillata

SMALL FRUITS & FRUIT TREES

IN STOCK AT VINEYARD GARDENS:

STRAWBERRIES

BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries must be planted in early spring!!

GRAPES, PEACHES & FRUIT TREES

GROWING EARLY SPRING EDIBLES

STRAWBERRIES

This year we are carrying 4 cultivars of strawberries

BERRIES

All these should be planted very soon!

ASPARAGUS

GREENS & COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

Grow your own Greens

COOL WEATHER VEGGIES

HERBS

TIMING IS KEY IN GARDENING! DON’T WAIT TO GET STARTED!

March Gardening Tips

PRUNE

SPRAY

GARDEN CLEANUP

DESIGN

TOP DRESS

SEEDLINGS

FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO PLANT SPRING BULBS!

Welcome to shut-down

VINEYARD GARDENS IS OFFERING A TO GO SERVICE

PLANTING

Spring Care

HARVESTING

STORAGE

VINEYARD GARDENS NURSERY

They need to be watered often when newly planted!
Rhododendrons benefit from an application of mulch to keep moisture in the soil for their shallow roots.