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seven acres of inspiration
gardening
Hangin’ in the Garden GET TO KNOW YOUR L ANDSCAPE The rewards of gardening are tremendous — fresh air, exercise, beauty and relaxation, to name a few. But starting a new garden, or even updating an existing one, can feel like an overwhelming task. Luckily, gardens are surprisingly forgiving creations. And the best way to start is by simply digging in. Take your time getting familiar with your landscape before beginning a new garden project. Here are tips to help get a new garden off on the right foot.
KNOW YOUR GARDEN LOOK: Take a leisurely stroll around your property with a notebook and make a rough sketch of the existing planting areas. (No artistic talent needed!) Add notes to your garden “map” about which areas get the most sun and which are shaded.
TEST: A simple soil test will tell you whether your soil is well-balanced in nutrients and pH. If you’re considering growing edibles (herbs, vegetables, or fruit), it’s a good idea to have your soil tested for lead. The Lead Safe America Foundation will test your soil for free. You need only to send them a soil sample. If you find that your soil has an unsafe level of lead or you simply don’t want to take the chance, you can still grow edibles in raised beds or pots with new soil. This also allows easy access to your yummy edibles.
LIST: List which existing plants and features (such as fences or paths) you’d like to keep and which need to be replaced or removed. Hardscapes like walkways, walls, and water features make all the difference in the completed look of your new garden. 3
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RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB Having the proper tools also makes your new garden project more pleasant. Just a few tools and supplies should keep it running smoothly. The basics include:
GARDENING GLOVES Choose a pair that feels comfortable and protects against thorny plants like Bougainvillea.
SHOVEL This is essential for preparing sizable garden beds and for digging holes for trees, shrubs and large plants. A shovel with a pointed tip is more versatile than a flat spade.
TROWEL AND WEEDING TOOL Use these tools to dig holes for planting and pulling weeds out at the root.
LONG GARDEN HOSE AND SPRAY NOZZLE Select a hose long enough to comfortably reach each of the main areas of your garden.
HAND PRUNER Sharp clippers are essential for every pruning task — from tender annuals to woody branches. Last but not least, spend time just hanging out in your landscape. Let yourself daydream and see if any creative ideas present themselves. You might be surprised with the inspiration that emerges! 4
CENTER STAGE
Carefully choreographed, our homegrown flowers earn standing ovations every season.
seven acres of inspiration ROCKCITYGARDENS.COM
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772.589.5835
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gardening
April Blossoms IN THE GARDENS
SALVIA SPLENDENS » SALVIA SPLENDENS Our SaucyTM series will give you mountains of beautiful flower spikes and color throughout the summer. Available in bold Red and Coral, they adore lots of sun and will grow up to 36” in height. A continuous bloomer, they perform beautifully in garden beds or large containers. MAINTENANCE: Easy! LIGHT: Full
Sun
BRINDABELLA ROSESTM » BRINDABELLA ROSESTM Stop and smell the roses! These amazingly fragrant shrub roses are not only stunning tthey’re also resistant to black spot and powdery mildew. For those that love the old-fashioned familiarity of rose bushes, you’re in for a treat with these double fragrant flowers. Ideal in garden beds or container pots. Available in three velvety colors, including DawnTM, First LadyTM and Touch of PinkTM. MAINTENANCE: Resistant
— no chemicals! LIGHT: Partial Shade
to fungal diseases
gardening
Easter is a great reason to put all your eggs in one basket. Fill your garden basket with Rock City Gardens’ fresh, homegrown plants and flowers.
SUNPATIENSTM
COLEUS
» SUNPATIENSTM With ample water, these large-growing flowering annuals have no complaints about the heat! Now is the perfect time to plant these colorful beauties. Available in Blush Pink, Pink, Neon Pink, Purple, Lilac, Deep Rose, White and our bright yellow and green variegated Tropical Rose. Mix and match ‘til your heart’s content.
» COLEUS If you’re looking for a richly variegated backdrop for your bright colored flowers, Coleus is the ticket. It also makes for lush foliage container gardens in your outdoor living area. Available in a wide range of colors, including the deep red Heartbreaker, bright Electric Lime®, Pinkplosion, Indian Summer and Spicy Wasabi.
MAINTENANCE: Water
MAINTENANCE:
LIGHT: Full
Sun
regularly
Easy! LIGHT: Sun or Shade
Our friendly garden associates will happily help you select just the right flowers for your springtime garden .
SPOTLIGHT
ROCK CITY SPOTLIGHT:
Meet Brad Benson If you have visited Rock City Gardens anytime within the last 11 years, you’ve likely run into Brad Benson. His enthusiasm and friendly personality are hard to miss! He’s passionate about gardening and customers love his ROCK CITY ASSOCIATE
Since 2007 FAMILY
Brad and his wife have one son and daughter HOBBIES
Food, Films, Surfing, and Dancing FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE
Punk Rock BEST-KEPT SECRET
He’s turning 40 this year!
knowledge of all things related to it. He also happens to be our resident poet – author of the quirky “Brad’s Musing.” Like many others around here, Brad is a Vero Beach transplant. He moved from Hackettstown, NJ in 1988 and graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1998. As fate would have it, he met his wife soon after in Historic Downtown at Vero Swing Dancing. Staying active is important to both of them. Self-proclaimed foodies, they love trying new cuisine and supporting local restaurants. Brad also enjoys surfing, traveling, fishing, going to movies and live concerts. “I am very hyper, so running around Rock City assisting customers and selling plants is a perfect fit for me. I love it,” Brad said. On your next visit to Rock City, be sure and introduce yourself to Brad – just be prepared to make the rounds through the gardens!
garden boutique
A Basket Full
With Easter just around the corner, we could not resist sharing our newest containers. The large braided cement planters are suitable for both indoor or outdoor use and are made from solid tinted and natural concrete. Braided pots make beautiful Easter displays and gifts.
Join us for an enchanting Sunday stroll through Rock City Gardens while enjoying the creative wonder of our finest local craftsmen and artisans. A fabulous variety of artwork and media will be displayed, including special demonstrations throughout the day.
Barbara Gomulka,
Wild Thyme Catering and
pianist and writer
A Kitchen of Her Own (AKOHO) Available for purchase
Judy Caldwell
FEATURED PAINTER
Heidi Hill
Glenda Taylor
HAND-PAINTED CERAMICS
Agnes Manganelli
Joe Montagnino Paul Davis Lisa Rose
WOOD VASES & BOWLS
PAINTER PAINTER
Steve Gibson
Clair Brunetti
PAINTER (JAPANESE FISH SCALES PAINTINGS)
COASTAL AND GARDEN JEWELRY
Barbara Sharp
Joanne Johnson
Lisa Lugo
Marzia Verdi Kennedy
Leah Cady & Susan Scarola
Steve Woolridge
CLAY
LIVE CLAY DEMONSTRATIONS VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHY
HAND-CARVED WOOD WALKING STICKS
Susan Ivy
HAND-CARVED WOOD SPIRIT FLUTES JEWELRY
Joe Miller
PORTRAITURES IN PENCIL DEMONSTRATIONS
PAINTER (MURALS AND DESIGNER PURSES)
Gary Abel
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CLAY
PRECIOUS STONE JEWELRY
PAINTER
Susan Gancher
JEWELRY
Evan Schwarze
PAINTER
Witha Lacuesta
PAINTER
Vero Beach Art Club
ASK
How do you mount and maintain orchids in trees? Orchids are epiphytes – organisms that grow on the surface of a plant or structure and get their moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water or from debris accumulating around it. They grow naturally in trees. Mounting your orchid in a tree is a stunning way to add tropical enhancements to your landscape. Anytime an orchid has finished blooming in a container, it can be added to one of your trees, but now is an ideal time to mount them. They will have all summer and fall to settle into their new location and be ready to set bud spikes and produce flowers next winter. First, choose a tree that gets plenty of air movement and proper light requirements. All orchids are not created equal, so determine if your particular species needs sunlight or shade. Oak trees, with their rough bark, provide the perfect place for orchid roots to nestle into and attach themselves. Using twine or a nylon cord, tie the orchid on the tree as high up as safely possible. It may take a year for the orchid to attach itself to the tree, but its roots will eventually grow and secure itself. Check the tie periodically – they can rot over time. If this happens, simply replace it with a new tie. Unlike in a pot, the roots will be exposed as they secure themselves to the tree. They won’t have a medium that retains moisture so you will need to water your orchid more often than usual. To help keep the roots moist initially, a light layer of damp sphagnum moss can be tied on top. Just make sure that the roots are laying against the tree. To encourage the roots to attach faster, apply diluted orchid fertilizer with a mister bottle about once a month during the warm, active growth months. Once the roots have attached, the ties and moss, if used, can be removed. Now just sit back and wait for Mother Nature to reward you again next year with gorgeous blooms! Rock City Gardens has a wide range of mulch options and materials. Our associates are available to assist you on your next visit.
SUCCULENT GARDEN WORKSHOP Rock City Event Pavilion March 2019
How Does Your Garden Grow? Our succulent garden workshop was a sold-out success! Thanks to all who joined us for this hands-on workshop. Directed by our talented designer, Elaine, each attendee learned how to create a beautiful succulent container garden and took their creations home to enjoy. Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to get up-to-the-minute details about more workshops and events happening at Rock City Gardens.
CLOSED EASTER DAY
seven acres of inspiration
9080 U.S. Hwy 1 Wabasso, Florida 32970 772.589.5835 RockCityGardens.com
Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday 9:00am – 5:00pm © 2013-2019 Rock City Gardens