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• Memorial Day-A Time to Remember and Celebrate

  On Monday, May 27, 2013, our nation will observe Memorial Day.

  Originally this day was known as Decoration Day. Traditionally, Memorial Day is meant to honor Americans who gave their life for our country. In 1971, the Federal Government designated the last Monday in May as Memorial Day. Before that it was observed on May 31^st.

  Families all have different traditions for Memorial Day.  Many attend official events honoring our fallen Military, we wear poppies, fly flags, visit cemeteries. We should all take time to remember the human sacrifice it has taken to keep our nation free.

  It is also a good time to honor our own ancestors. I remember visiting the cemetery with my parents. I saw all the flags there and always remember the stories my Dad would tell of our family. He would talk about each family member as we planted flowers at each grave. Memorial Day traditions have somewhat diminished over the years, many have forgotten the true meaning of why we celebrate. It is up to us to teach our children to be good Americans by sharing our traditions and customs so they may carry these on in the future.

  The Holiday also marks the beginning of the summer season.  Families and friends get together for barbecues and picnics. As we gather let’s all take a moment to remember those who have given their life so we can enjoy the freedom to gather and celebrate.

  --Lill Linder

  	Memorial Weekend Store hours for the 53 Flower Marts will be: Friday: 8:00am – 8:00pm Saturday : 8:00am – 7:00pm Sunday : 9:00am – 6:00pm Monday, Memorial Day, May 27th:   8:00am – 6:00pm Memorial Weekend Store hours for our Main Garden Center will be: Friday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Saturday : 7:00am – 7:00pm Sunday : 9:00am – 6:00pm Monday, Memorial Day, May 27th:   7:00am – 6:00pm

  
  

  
  

  Posted on May 20, 2013

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• It's Time to Plant!!

  

  If you didn't get a chance to start seeds this spring for warm season crops such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, we've got a great selection available in all of our stores. Most plants, including warm season veggies and tender annuals, begin to grow well when the soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees. For most of us, this is the week to plant!

  If you are starting very tender crops such as cucumbers, squash and melons indoors, plant them in ‘plantable’ pots or pellets to avoid disturbing the roots any more than necessary. When planting, be sure the entire pot is below the soil surface or remove the top edge of peat pots, so that the pot edge does not ‘wick’ moisture away from the plant roots.

  Short on space for a vegetable garden? There are many compact varieties of vegetables in large patio pots. Learn more...

  It’s also time to get started on that water garden you promised yourself last summer. Linder's has all the supplies to do it yourself or our helpful landscaping staff will assist you in planning and installing it for you. Read more...

  Want to learn more about tomatoes?  You’re in luck!  Read these 2 articles to learn more:   The ABC's of Tomatoes and Guide to Tomato Varieties

  Posted on May 14, 2013

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• The ABC’s of Tomatoes

  There are literally hundreds if not thousands of tomato varieties available which makes picking just one a bit intimidating. Luckily, Linder’s has picked out a few varieties that gardeners tend to have the best success with- Guide to Tomato Varieties. However, if you aren't familiar with the tomato ‘lingo’ you may be left feeling a little… rotten. No fear, we’re here to help! Read on for a breakdown of the terminology you’ll see on the tags.

  Indeterminate vs. Determinate

  Determinate: a determinate tomato variety will have all of its fruit ripen at or around the same time.
  Indeterminate: an indeterminate tomato variety will have fruit ripening throughout the growing season.

  Why does this matter? Well, if you are going to be ambitious and want to make your own pasta sauce, you’ll want to grow a determinate tomato so everything is ready to go at the same time. If you are looking for a nice slicing tomato to use whenever you have the urge to put a slice on a sandwich or a burger, an indeterminate variety will be more suitable.

  What is an ‘Heirloom’ Tomato?

  An heirloom is generally considered to be a variety that has been passed down through several generations of a family. Whether it’s from seed that has been collected or just a variety that Grandma always grew, an heirloom can mean different things to each individual. Scientifically speaking, some heirlooms may not have the disease resistance that some of the hybrids have however, they may have that classic tomato taste.

  Days to Maturity

  This will tell you approximately how long it will take for your tomato plant to produce a ripe tomato. Now, keep in mind there are more variables than constants in this situation. For example, a tag may say that a tomato will ripen in 78 days. This is a estimation. It depends on the weather, exposure to the sun, wind, rain, soil, seed, etc. It suggests that within 78 of transplanting, that you should see mature fruit. In other words, the earlier you can plant the better… weather pending, of course.

  Fruit Size

  Pretty self-explanatory, however this is another one that varies on the growing conditions. A tomato may really love the soil you plant it in and reward you with tomatoes much bigger than specified on the tag. Also, if you leave a tomato on the vine to ripen far longer than it is supposed to, it will most likely get larger (and uglier) than the average tomato.

  Tomato Cages

  Tomato cages are very helpful when growing any type of tomato, but especially the larger varieties. The tomato cage provides support to the branches that produce fruit, preventing the branches from snapping under the weight. If you want to grow large tomatoes, a tomato cage will be necessary. Without one, you may find your nearly ripe tomatoes sitting on the ground potentially rotting.

  Preventing Blossom End Rot

  Blossom End Rot is a common disorder of tomatoes and many other fruiting vegetables.
  Symptoms – dry, sunken decay develops on the blossom end (bottom) of the fruit. May become flat or concave as it worsens.
  Cause – Blossom end rot is cause by a calcium deficiency. Calcium is required in large concentrations for proper cell growth. When the fruit is growing rapidly, the fruit may be deprived of calcium causing the tissues to break down.
  Management – This problem can be avoided by tending to the soil. Be sure your soil is well drained. Add composted manures or bone meal as an organic supply of calcium if desired. These will take a while to break down and become available to the plant so be sure to add prior to planting.

  After planting, avoid deep cultivation that could damage the roots. Use a mulch to help stabilize the moisture level in the soil. Avoid over watering, plants generally need about one inch of water each week whether it’s from rain or irrigation.

  This problem is extremely difficult to correct once it has started, you can feed sources of calcium such as manure or compost tea. However, prevention is the best method.

  There are a few other common diseases of tomatoes. The worst can be managed by using a fungicide early during plant growth and by watering properly.

  Learn more about some of the tomato varieties that gardeners tend to have success growing.

  There is no need to be intimidated by growing tomatoes. They are very easy to grow and typically require less attention than what they are given. The best way to start is to plant one and see what happens!

  Posted on May 12, 2013

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• Bailey Nursery Endless Giveaway

  It’s back and better than ever!

  

   

  Beginning May 14^th, Bailey Nursery will be giving away a prize a day all summer long. Obtain a code from the Endless Summer plant tag, and then enter your code on the Endless Summer Blooms website. Daily prizes will be given away starting May 14th.

   

  Daily prize: $50 VISA® Gift Card (to use at local garden centers)
  Grand prize: $15,000 Endless Summer Garden Makeover

  Click here for more details and to enter codes

   

   

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  Posted on May 3, 2013

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• Minnesota’s #1 Proven Winners Destination

  The winters in Minnesota always seem to last forever. But I truly believe it allows for a greater appreciation when spring finally brings in those warmer temperatures. We spend all winter thinking about the successes and failures to the prior year’s gardening. We peruse through gardening magazines and seed catalogues that sit idle on tables throughout offices and online searches. And, we anxiously await the new varieties of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees that come out every year. So what has been the biggest obstacle as we venture forth during those sunny days of spring? Finding all those plants on your list in one spot!

  Proven Winners has been in the plant business for over 20 years. They started with just 4 plants that exhibited superior quality, vigor, disease resistance, and superior flower production. Today, they have grown into the #1 plant brand in the industry and have incorporated annuals, perennials, and shrubs into their brand. Every year they send plant experts to search the world looking for unique plants and flowers to become the latest and greatest. Those plants spend years in trial gardens around the world before they are finally added to the list. They have to “prove” themselves worthy before becoming a Proven Winner Plant.

  Linder’s has held its own trials over the years. We trial “new” plants in our own gardens, we listen to our fellow gardeners, and firmly believe that Proven Winner plants outperform the rest. This season we make it easy for you to find them and we've dedicated a whole department to them. Our goal was to create a destination where you can find all of those plants on your list in one spot. So when you’re out searching far and wide for your garden just know that Linder’s will carry 174 Proven Winner and Proven Selection plants to ensure a successful gardening season.

  Posted on May 2, 2013

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