Many more Fabulous Front Yard Pictures to look at

We've been getting some really beautiful pictures coming in for the contest. If you haven't submitted your picture yet be sure to do it soon. All entries must be received by Wednesday, August 28th at noon to be eligible. If you're curious about what to do, read up on the submission details.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted so far. Good Luck!

We definitely have some talented gardeners in Chatham-Kent!

Talk to you soon - Dave

What to do in your garden right now

Got the itch and need to get your hands dirty. Well.. It's August and everything is planted. Wondering what do do? 

Well you could just do some watering, sit back, enjoy the colours in your garden and of course a margarita on the patio...

However, the key to a long lasting, healthy garden is fertilizer. Many people have come to me the past few weeks wondering what they can do to keep their hanging baskets and planters healthy. 

My answer is simple - Fertilizer.

I really can't stress enough how important fertilizer is to your plants. The hanging baskets, planters and arrangements you purchased from the Glasshouse or elsewhere were probably planted in April (even sooner). Let's remember that there isn't that much soil in your containers. And these plants need to eat. Any nutrients that were in the soil to begin with have long been absorbed. 

Plants without food (fertilizer) will look yellow, weak and have brown stems. They lack flowers and as a result will be very susceptible to bugs and disease such as fungus. Watering alone just doesn't cut it. 

Proper feeding will result in strong vigorous growth, deep green foliage, and gorgeous, long lasting rich coloured flowers. So remember to FERTILIZE, FERTILIZE, FERTILIZE.

Come see me in the nursery and we can chat about any questions you might have.

Talk to you soon, John

Fabulous Front Yards Contest (Chatham-Kent is looking good)

From the pictures that have been coming in, it's no wonder that Chatham-Kent was the Community In Blooms National Winner of 2010. We definitely do have a beautiful community.

Here are a few more pictures for you to have a look at. Remember, we want to see all kinds of different pictures. From your favourite garden spot, to a nice shot of your tomatoes and beans, to your beautiful pond. Whatever looks gorgeous in your front yard right now is what we want to see. So keep those pictures coming in.

Send in your entries to glasshousenursery@gmail.com and check out the rules here. 

Good Luck - Dave

Japanese Beetles and What to Do!

Japanese Beetles... Actually, when you look at them, they are quite beautiful. But, have you taken notice of your plants lately and wondering what's going on with them?

Japanese Beetle

Unfortunately, in Southern Ontario, this is one of the worst cases we've seen of Japanese Beetles invading our gardens in years.

I was at my dads place recently having a BBQ and as I went to leave it sounded like a light rain falling on my truck and his asphalt driveway just below his large Birch tree.  The beetles were so thick in that tree they were dropping off one after another.

Japanese Beetles feasting on leaves

In the evening these beetles get into everything. From your roses, shrubs to your garden plants and eat their way through the leaves like an army. These are the same beetles which lay eggs into your lawn. These eggs hatch into the sod-eating grub which can destroy your lawn right before your very eyes. By the time August and September roll around they are feasting on the grass roots.

We do have a solution for you. The Japanese Beetle Trap. Beetle traps are your best defense to control these beetles. They are easy to use and will collect Japanese Beetles by the hundreds and help keep them off your plants and lawn. Come into the garden centre and we will be more than happy to talk to you more about the traps and how to use them.

A great trap you can purchase at the Glasshouse Garden Centre

Just a quick tip. If it happens to turn into a dry August, make sure that you keep your lawn nice and moist. This way the active growth of your turf will keep up with the damage the grubs will be doing.

I hope that this answers some questions you might have and helps you get a handle on the Japanese Beetle invasion that might be happening in your garden. Keep me posted on how the trap works for you.

Talk to you soon, Dave