Project Ideas

Planting trees that bloom in the early spring add excitement and color to any landscape. It is the perfect sight after a long and hard winter to see a tree blooming with bright flowers. Here are some common trees that bloom in the spring. 

Redbud

This is also commonly known as the Judas tree. It can grow up to 10-40 feet high and 25 feet wide. The flowers are petite and can be red, purple, pink, and white in color. They grow well near waterways and like full sun and light shade. Its hardiness zone is from 4-9. 

Dogwood

There are many flowering dogwood trees including the original and the Japanese. It produces dainty and fluffy shaped flowers that can be white, yellow, or pale pink colors, and can grow up to 20 feet high and 25 feet wide. Dogwoods are susceptible to disease so it is important to plant them in a location with good air circulation to ensure the foliage can dry well. It is best to plant in full sun and partial shade. Its hardiness zone is from 5-9. 

Serviceberry

This is a small sized tree that produces white flowers contrasting against beautiful grey bark. They also produce a berry-like edible fruit. The tree grows well in full sun and partial shade and will reach about 20 feet high and 10 feet wide. Its hardiness zone is from 3-8. 

Crabapple

The crabapple comes in a variety of different colors including purple, pink, white and red flowers. Much like the Serviceberry it also produces an edible fruit. This tree is great when you want to welcome wildlife; it is appealing to many different species. It is best in full sun and will grow from 10-25 feet tall and wide. The trees hardiness zone is from 3-9. 

Empress Tree

There will be very little wait to see flowering out of this tree. The Empress trees grow very quickly and will be flowering during the spring in no time. They are very resistant to disease and insects and produce a purple flower with a sweet smell to it. The sun is vital to their growth so make sure to plant in full sun. The size will be from 30-40 feet tall and wide. Its hardiness zone is from 5-9. 

All of these trees can add beauty to the landscape. For optimum growth when planting, mix in a garden soil. This will give the trees the perfect growing media. Apply mulch around the base of the tree to keep the soil warm, prevent weeds naturally, and adds nutrients as mulch decomposes. Also make sure you water and fertilizer regularly with Schultz® granular fertilizer.

The key to keeping high quality garden tools that last a long time is care and organization. Preparing for the winter season is possibly the most vital time for maintenance. Follow these simple tips for best results. 

Shovels: Remove any debris from the shovel surface to prevent rusting. It is common for shovels to break around the handle. If this happens, you can reuse the metal part by sharpening it until flat and using as a chopping tool. 

Rakes: Clean out any leaves or debris from your rakes and wipe down. Be sure to store your rake in a way that the tines are straight and lack pressure. Hanging the rake is usually best. 

Saws: Clean the saw blade well with rubbing alcohol. If the blade is dull, sharpen it or replace it. Sometimes simply replacing the blade is more efficient and practical. Store in an area away from children, and be sure the area will not cause them to fall. 

Pruners: Clean with rubbing alcohol. Avoid bleach because it can pit or rust the metal. Pruner blades can be sharpened but do it slightly. If the edge is beveled, be sure to only sharpen the one side. Store away from children. 

Hoses: Wind up your hose while making sure there are no kinks. Detach from the water source and place them in a warm area to avoid freezing. 

Wheelbarrows: Place in a sheltered area or tilt them upward in order to keep water from settling inside. Allowing water to sit within the wheelbarrow for a long period of time will cause rust and will often cause the tires and wooden handles to rot. Keep the air pressure up in the tires and tighten all bolts and screws. 

Watering Cans: Clean out any water and wipe down well. Watering cans can often be brought indoors for use on houseplants. 

Additional Tips: 

• Wooden handles can be varnished to protect them from natural weather 
• Metal pieces can be coated with WD-40 
• Creating some sort of organizational system with hooks and bins is beneficial 
• Be conscientious when storing garden tools

Citrus plants can be enjoyed year round by planting them in containers. They can be successful both indoors and out with these few guidelines. 

Buying. Citrus plants can be purchased as a bare-root or in containers. There are many varieties of plants that do well indoors, do your research and find the plant you can manage and enjoy. Before you purchase, make sure your plant is disease and insect free. 

Planting. It is best to use a soil that is well drained with a pH between 5 and 7. Try Schultz® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix  that is premixed. These soils improve drainage and aeration as well as provide additional nutrients. When choosing a container for store-bought plants, go up one size. For bare-root plants choose a container that is large enough for effective growth (usually around 12”-18”). 

Watering. The trick is knowing the right time to water. As soon as the top 2 inches of soil is dry, thoroughly water the plant until it drains. Keep the soil moist; not soaked. 

Fertilizing. It is essential to provide your plant with nutrients. Citrus plants need high nitrogen and moderate amounts of phosphorus and potassium. For best results, use a Plant Food for citrus plants. 

Temperature. A citrus plant requires a warm environment with subtropical temperatures (60 to 90 degrees). Increase the temperature during the winter months and lower it in spring and summer. During the summer, plants can be placed outside for better growing conditions. Acclimate the plant for the first several days before exposing it to direct sunlight. (Don’t forget to re-acclimate the plant when bringing it back indoors.) 

Pruning. Prune if the branch is dead, broke, or diseased. The leaves contain the citrus plant’s food. Therefore, it is important you only remove what is necessary. Pruning will also help to shape and balance the plant. 

Pests. Always make sure your plant’s foliage is clean by occasionally washing the leaves. Be sure to check the top and bottom of the leaves. For chemical treatments, check your local lawn and garden retailer. Read the directions.

Central air conditioning units aren’t the most appealing to look at and they tend to take away from the landscape of the home. There are many different ways to hide an A/C unit. The most common practice is to plant shrubs around the A/C. Shrubs can help blend an A/C unit into the natural landscape and provide it with shelter. Here are some tips to use for choosing the correct shrubs and to ensure they are planted correctly:

One of the most vital points in this process is choosing the correct shrubs. The first aspect to consider is the size. You want a shrub large enough to hide and protect the A/C but not too large to make it run inefficiently. A typical size is around four foot in height. Also do not choose any shrubs that are invasive. These shrubs will grow quickly and outside of the growing area into the A/C. The final characteristic to note is to pick a “clean” shrub that will not be dropping leaves or debris often. The debris from the shrub could drop into the A/C and cause issues.

The best time for planting is in the spring, giving the shrubs time to develop over the summer months. Ensure the plant is at least two feet from the A/C and has ample room to mature. Plant the shrub plants around the A/C so that they will hide it, but be sure to allow enough room for maintenance. Dig the hole two times wider than the current container that it is in and about the same depth. Place the root ball in the hole and supplement in an enriched garden soil. This will provide the correct soil mixture for optimum growth. Water the shrub immediately after planting.

Water the plant often and keep moist until the shrubs are mature. The shrubs also need to be fertilized regularly. Use a specially formulated plant food to provide the correct amount of fertilizer. Use the recommended rates on the fertilizer package. Trim the shrub to keep it from growing into the A/C and to keep the shape. Make sure the area around the A/C and the A/C itself is clear of any shrub debris.

A raised bed garden is a garden built on top of your native soil, sometimes incorporating native soil, sometimes not. Raised bed gardens can be contained, such as when you build a wood or stone structure to keep the bed intact, or they can be more free form, with soil and amendments merely piled several inches high. You can plant anything from herbs and vegetables to perennials and shrubs in a raised bed. 

Raised bed gardening is becoming increasingly popular, especially for gardeners who have to battle against poor native soil conditions. Built on top of your native soil, you have control of the soil texture and ingredients. 

Raised bed gardens are easy to build, plant, and maintain, offering many advantages. They warm more quickly in spring, allowing for earlier planting. Since raised garden beds are elevated above native soils often contained by a wood or stone structure, they help protect your plants from damage caused by wind, weed growth, and pests. The soil in raised beds can be easily tailored to the plants you decide to grow by adding amendments and organic material.

A Raised Bed Garden Mix Consisting of:

• 1/3 Sphagnum Peat Moss
• 1/3 Vermiculite
• 1/3 Compost, manure or Enriched Garden Soil

Other Products You Need:

• Plants or Seeds 
  
•  Mulch
•  Plant Food

Constructing Your Own Raised-Bed: 

•  Wood 
•  Rake or Shovel 
•  Measuring Tape 
•  Hammer, Nail Gun, or Screw Driver 
•  Nails or Screws 
•  Level 

What To Do:.

Fill Your Garden. The whole point of a raised bed garden is that it gives you the opportunity to garden in perfect soil. Take this opportunity to fill your bed with a good mixture of quality topsoil, compost, and rotted manure. Once they're filled and raked level, you're ready to plant or sow seeds. 

1. Select rot-resistant wood such as cedar or one of the composite lumbers. You want something durable that will last for several planting seasons. Two by six lumber is the perfect size as it is easy to work with and will provide six inches of soil depth. Many vegetables will grow very well in a garden bed that is six inches deep, however ten to twelve inch soil depth is ideal. 
2. Determining the size of your raised garden bed is important. It is a good idea to keep the width to 4 feet or less so you can access the middle of the bed from either side. Cut the lumber to the desired size and attach them by making a simple butt joint at each corner. Pre-drill and then screw each of the corners together with galvanized screws or attach with hammer and nails. 
3. Using a level, it is important that the garden bed frame is level in all directions to ensure that water does not run-off or settle in parts of the garden. 
4. Loosen the native soil in the bottom of the bed with a rake or shovel. Make sure to break up any dirt clumps and remove any rocks or debris. 
5. Fill the bed with equal mixture of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, Perlite and Enriched Garden Soil or compost. Using rake or shovel, be sure to mix ingredients for a quality, consistent soil texture. 
6. Plant your plants or seeds according to package instructions. For optimum plant growth and vegetable yields, use Schultz® quality plant foods. 
7. If desired, apply a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and prevent weeds. 
8. Water regularly; a raised bed garden may require more watering so check soil moisture often. 
9. Feed your plants regularly during the growing season with a specially formulated plant food. This will help ensure they still receive the proper nutrients they require.

Trees should be planted during the spring for most tree species, followed by fall, and then summer. If you decide to plant during the summer, first take into consideration the amount of watering that you will need to do. Extra watering is vital during the hot summer weather. Choose the correct site for the tree, determining the amount of sunlight, shade, and space that it requires. Make sure that the planting location you choose has good drainage qualities. Level the site prior to planting the roots if it is necessary. Do not bury the tree roots in later-added soil. 

Amend soils with the incorrect pH levels as necessary. Add lime to raise the acidic level, and use elemental sulfur to lower the amount of alkaline. It is possible to improve the soil to the desired levels, but it is much easier in the long run to just choose a tree that will suit well within the native soil. 

Dig a hole. It should be a little less deep than the root ball but twice as wide. Angle the walls of the hole outward toward the top. When in place, the top of the root ball should be slightly above the level of the surrounding soil. 

Position the tree in the the hole. This should be done prior to removing the burlap or container. Remove the plastic pots by cutting and gently sliding it from beneath the tree. 

Amend your soil. This will improve the backfill. Add a rich organic compost or garden soil. Mix one part tree & shrub garden soil to two parts native soil for best results. Compost & manure can also be added.

Backfill the planting hole to the level of the top of the root ball. Slope the soil away from the trunk in order to level the surrounding soil. 

Create a 2-4 inch tall lip around the perimeter of the planting hole. This will act as a water basin. 

Fill the collective basin with water until the ground is loose and muddy in order to eliminate any air pockets. This is the best time to slightly re-position the tree if needed. 

Mulch around the tree in order to control weeds and to help regulate water amounts.

Water frequently until the tree is completely established, especially on hot and dry days.

When planting a garden, don’t be discouraged when it comes time to choose the plants and flowers. The numerous combinations can seem like an overwhelming decision. These ideas are sure to inspire any gardener and will help you narrow down your plant selections. 

For Beautiful Plants that Bloom at Different Times. Plant a combination of flowers based on their seasons. Choose flowers that bloom early, mid, and late seasons, this way the garden has something blooming the entire growing season. 

For Eye-Popping Focal Points using Colors. Use bursts of bright colored flowers surrounded by uniform shades. Mix and match the flower colors with containers and in-ground gardens to create a beautiful blend of plants. 

For Eye-Popping Focal Points using Shapes. Surround uniquely shaped plants with more commonly shaped plants. For a uniquely shaped plant, research one that does well in your climate. Otherwise, many plants can grow or form into a unique shape.

For a Uniformed Look with Color. Use the same species of plants but with different colors. Many flowers, shrubs, and plants come in many different shades. Plant different tones in the same area in a complimenting pattern for a more interesting garden look. For a subtler look, try planting the same species of plant in different hues of the same color.

For a Consistent Color with a Different Look. Plant the same color of plants but different species. Experiment with different leaf patterns, textures, and plant heights. The style provides a beautiful contrast while using the same color. 

Tip: If you are hesitant on pairing colors, consider using a color wheel to be sure they are complimentary.

Store bought salsa may be appetizing, but nothing beats a homegrown and freshly made jar of salsa. It is a healthier choice, it tastes better, and it can create a fun activity for you and your family.

1. Decide what to plant for your salsa. If you aren’t sure, find a recipe with delicious ingredients. The common ingredients include tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. 
2. Choose the site location. Make sure the area has good soil quality and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. 
3. Determine the size of your plot. Sometimes it is better to start small until you get the hang of things. Make sure the plot is small enough so you have access to all the plants. 
4. Till up the grass and remove any debris or dirt clumps. 
5. Amend your soil with an Enriched Garden Soil preferably one that includes a fertilizer. Otherwise, add a Schultz® fertilizer specially formulated for the plants. 
6. For seeds, plant using the instructions from the packaging. For plants, be sure to bury them as deep as they were in the container. 
7. Water your plants thoroughly right after planting. 
8. Apply a thin layer of mulch in order to retain moisture and prevent weed growth. 
9. Throughout the growing season, continue to feed your garden with a Plant Food. Be sure to follow the packaging instructions. 
10. Make sure to care for each plant based on its specific needs. Some may require more watering and fertilizer as well as the difference in harvesting periods. 
11. Salsa Gardens can be planted in ground, in containers, or in a raised-bed garden. Get creative and don’t be afraid to experiment. The most important thing to remember is to have fun and enjoy!

The idea of planting a flower garden can feel overwhelming, but with some consideration and planning, you can easily plant the beautiful garden you desire. Before you begin mapping out your area, there are a couple things to consider. 

Location:

The first step to growing flowers is selecting the location for your garden. In order to select the best location, it is helpful to have a good idea of the types of flowers and a good understanding of their personal growing requirements. You can find this information on each plant’s tag. Pay special attention to the light requirements, as no amount of TLC will help a shade loving hostas survive the summer sun, or make a sun-loving coneflower thrive in the shade. Be sure you find a location with a large enough area for your garden to grow. Plant and space out your flowers accordingly to allow enough room for when your plant reaches maximum growth and full maturity. 

Soil:

After you choose a location, check the quality of soil. It is important the soil is not too sandy or clayey. For best results, add an Enriched Garden Soil to the top 6 inches of native soil. This will add nutrients and provide better drainage for the plant’s roots to thrive. 

Kind of Flower:

• Annuals go through an entire life cycle in one season. It is best to put them in areas that can be changed year after year. They provide lots of colorful blooms year round. With that being said, they also require more watering and fertilizing than perennials. For short-term blooms, annuals are your quickest option. 
• Perennials will continue to return year after year. Even though the flowers might die off in the winter, their root system will remain alive. Perennials may only bloom a few weeks or months during the year but they do require less maintenance than annuals. For long-term flowers, perennials are the best option for your money. 

Flower Choice:

Now you must decide the variety of flower and colors. You can plant the same variety in different colors or the same color with different varieties. For other ideas, see Plant Combination Ideas. 

Seed or Plants:

• Seeds. There are many varieties of seeds available in stores and online making your options endless. Seeds can take a season or more before your flowers bloom, so you must have patience. 
• Plants. If you start off with plants, you’ll see blooms within the season giving you an instant gratification. Depending on what your local store is carrying, your plant selections can be minimal. 

Planting:

Now that you know your location, prepped your soil and choose your flowers, then let the planting begin! Follow the instructions with your flowers for best results. Enjoy!

Vertical gardens are perfect for home and garden areas with limited space. Use a fence, wall, or build your own to create a unique, space saving and attractive visual. Here are a few guidelines and tips that will help ensure successful vertical gardening.

Garden Ideas:

1. Vines are an old-fashioned way to vertical garden. When using vines, be sure to place a trellis along your wall or fence for your vine to follow. Use wires and twine to support climbing plants along any wall. 
2. A unique and clever way to capture the essence of vertical gardening is by planting trailing plants in hanging baskets. This way the plants will fall over the edge and extend outside the container. This not only provides a beautiful and interesting arrangement, but it can also provide shade. 
3. Vertical Gardening doesn’t have to be just about the plant. Hook flowerpots to a wooden pallet attached to an outside wall. Paint the pallet to add more color. This is a creative way to garden with lots of flowers and little space. 
4. Another creative approach is growing in vertical boxes. Build a garden box that is freestanding or can hang on a wall. Once plants are in the box, give them a few weeks for the roots to take hold, and then hang. 

Garden Tips:

1. It is important to provide plenty of water to vertical gardens. For best results, use a potting soil with moisture crystals. This technology absorbs water, then slowly releases as the plant needs moisture. 
2. Place your vertical gardens in areas that do not receive sunlight all day long or where the plant tag recommends. This will keep the plants from becoming dry and damaged. 
3. When choosing plants for your garden, keep growth patterns and sun / water requirements in mind. Also consider heights, colors, textures, and scents when planning the overall look and feel of your beautiful vertical garden.