IN THIS ISSUE:

The cooler weather (or down right cold) for May has put a halt on planting of the heat loving vegetable plants and annual flowers. The colder weather in May though is not anything new as in 1996, the Saturday before Mother’s Day experienced a high of 40ºF with a slow, steady rain all day! Then if that weren’t enough two successive nights the temperature dropped to lows of 21º F! This week has been warming up finally although rain has continued with some sun peeking through the clouds.

Soon we will start our plantings of a late batch of flowering hanging baskets for late June and July sales. Dragonwing begonias, petunias, calliope geraniums and new Iconia begonias for shade will be the main fare. Developing nicely are our flowers in an 8" pot that will be just in time for Memorial Day.

The azaleas are still holding their bloom as the Korean lilacs (tree or shrub form) get ready to bloom pleasing fragrance. The foliage on the colorful shrub is beginning to brighten even with the lack of much sun!

Soon our small fruits will be ready with several varieties of raspberries and one of blackberries. The blueberries are putting on nice growth even with the cooler weather and soon will be in full bloom attracting lots of pollinating bees to ensure a good crop of healthful, delicious berries that are considered a powerful brain food.

Trimming, weeding, planting and fertilizing still go on behind the scenes to supply of steady upcoming stream of trees and shrubs.

We have also completed spraying a product called Koolray to select greenhouses that will help mitigate the intense rays of sun to keep plants (and people) cooler by reflecting the sun's rays.

As I always say, so much to do and so little time. Happy planting.

Tom

p.s. Stay tuned to your email inbox for Saturday & Sunday ONLY coupons!

It's finally past that May 15th date (Ohio's frost free date) so it's time to plant veggies!

Be sure to plant your favorites such as Early Girl or Hillbilly tomatoes, banana peppers plus herbs such as basil, rosemary and lemon grass.

Or try something NEW such as cucamelon, sweetleaf (natural sweetner),
an herb called epazote (used mainly in Mexican cuisine), barbeque rosemary (with stiff stems to use as skewers) or new tomatoes such as Indigo Cherry Drops or Chocolate Sprinkles.

We are FULLY STOCKED right now to get your garden growing!

We would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to the flowering shrub plant playoff winner -- Sensation Lilac!

Now, we are moving on to the annual flower category so be sure to head over to Facebook and cast your vote for the first bracket!

The first quarterfinal match up is our famous Calliope geraniums vs. the BIG begonia series!

Below are the newest sales and specials to hit Dayton's but there are many more to view, so please click HERE for all current sales & specials!

For all sales & specials, please click HERE.

May 14 – Select annual flowers and vegetable plants

May 16 – Plant potatoes for winter storage purposes

May 17 – Move tropical plants outside during a cloudy period to prevent foliage burn

May 18 – Plant garden with heat-loving vegetables and any remaining cool veggies

May 19 – Start spraying acephate on susceptible shrubs (especially Arborvitae) to kill bagworm larvae

May 20 – Plant frost sensitive plants such as tomatoes and peppers

May 21 – Hill up first batch of potatoes when bloom appears

May 23 – Spray dogwoods and large-leaf rhododendrons with Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew for borer control

May 25 – Apply weed and feed to your lawn as directed