The Early Bloomer - August 2016

The

Early Bloomer AUGUST 2016

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New Beginnings Set the Stage Legal Pot Sale Cultivate16!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

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seven acres of inspiration

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gardening

New Beginnings Do you ever wonder as you wander through Rock City Gardens how our plants and flowers grow so lush and healthy just in time for the winter season? It all begins this time of year.

While most of you take shelter from the hot weather, our horticultural specialists are busy cultivating thousands of beautiful flowers from carefully prepared cuttings. Though we grow a wide variety of flowers, our process for growing geraniums is especially impressive.

Before new growth can begin, thorough preparation is critical. Two weeks prior to receiving the geranium cuttings, the greenhouses are methodically sterilized. They are pressure washed from top to bottom.

Tables are disinfected before the liner trays are laid, which ensure safe and healthy propagation. The trays then stay under misting system for 2-3 days to make sure the media is thoroughly moist before planting begins. The greenhouse temperature is also digitally regulated to keep them as cool as possible. It’s all a labor of love in anticipation of the big arrival.

alcohol, our growers carefully insert each geranium stem into the prepared growing pots. Gloves and alcohol help eliminate cross-contamination. When the baby plants are mature enough to be transplanted, they are gently removed from the tray and each is planted into their appropriate pot size filled with our custom soil and fertilizer mix.

We then place the pots in their respective greenhouses – two of which are reserved for general sales and the third greenhouse is reserved for our “We Grow for You” custom orders.

Geraniums, a favored flower among our customers, start from calloused cuttings that have been harvested, air-dried and delivered directly to our garden gate. Wearing latex gloves and armed with a spray bottle of

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gardening

Just as fall arrives, the results of all our handiwork spring forth in glorious profusion.

Magnificent blooms in vibrant colors and rich greenery are the beginning of what becomes a garden oasis – one that thousands of visitors have enjoyed for more than 50 years.

Plan Ahead!

Our freshly grown flowers sell quickly.

If you want your gardens colorful and ready when the next season begins, contact Rock City Gardens in early spring and join our “We Grow for You” program.

Call 772.589.5835 to learn more.

Ask Doc Rock We’re often asked if we use a special technique to consistently grow beautiful plants. Growth regulators are used within the industry, but Doc Rock sets the record straight for Rock City’s growth policy.

Q: Does Rock City Gardens use growth regulators?

A: All of our annuals and many of the flowering perennials are grown right on site by our Flower House staff. We do NOT use growth regulators, 4

which chemically stunt plant growth. Some nurseries use growth regulators to keep the plants compact so there’s less maintenance required and the plants have a longer shelf life. We choose not to use them because they can permanently stunt plant growth, keeping plants from reaching their full potential. At Rock City Gardens we, instead, carefully prune each plant by hand to keep them full and lush throughout the growth process. Hand pruned and maintained results in lush, healthy and naturally beautiful flowers.

gardening

Rock City flower staff provide tender loving care to thousands of baby plugs and seedlings.

Above: Following sterilization of the greenhouses, liner trays of Geranium cuttings are misted for 2 to 3 days.

Below: Young mums , growing strong.

Infant Chrysanthemums are drenched with Rain Shield, a special preparation that assures a healthy start, free of disease and fungi.

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hardscapes

Set the Stage Nothing says paradise like a beautiful outdoor living area. Our clients love the spaces our hardscape team has designed and installed for them over the years. And shopping all the wonderful hardscape options available today is now easier than ever at Rock City Gardens.

Our newly renovated hardscape area sets the stage for easy selections of pavers and ground cover in a wide range of styles. Take it outside and visit us soon!

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garden boutique

Legal Pot Sale!

Big pots. Little pots. And all sizes in between.

From terra cotta, ceramic, and fiberglass to concrete, our pots are available in a sea of beautiful choices. Lucky for you, we need to make room for more fabulous containers coming soon, so all of our outdoor pots are now 40% to 75% off through Thursday, August 4th.

Stock up while supplies last and get a jumpstart on planning your seasonal container gardens.

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We can’t wait to unveil our new home and garden treasures we found during our summer buying trip. These new goodies will begin arriving soon. Check Rock City’s Facebook page for upcoming daily deliveries!

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reader quiz

Hey, Gardener!

Wha•da•ya•know?

Brad's Musings New things are happening at Rock City, But have you not been here in a while?

Well, come in and take a stroll, Our gardens will bring a smile.

New displays and pottery, Flowers being grown right here.

The boutique is always changing, We hope it brings you cheer!

As you retreat indoors to escape the high temps of August, brush up on your horticultural knowledge. No worries, these trivia questions won’t leave you wilted!

1. The love apple is the original name of what?

2. The Death Cap is the most poisonous variety of what?

3. Which part of a flowering plant is often used to make oil?

master - gardener level

Now that we’ve whet your appetite, give our Master Gardener question a shot.

What is the popular name for Antirrhinum?

Check our Facebook page for the answer.

Answers: 1. Tomato 2. Mushrooms 3. The seed about the poet

Brad is a long-time Rock City Gardens’ associate.

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special event

Cultivate16!

Rock City Gardens’ owners, Tom and Rhonda Lowe have always been actively involved in industry organizations and opportunities. Their dedication to horticulture education has been evident within the growth of their retail garden business since 1983. As active members of AmericanHort – the consolidation of the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) and The Association of Horticulture Professionals

(OFA) – Tom and a member of their staff attended Cultivate16 in Ohio last month.

The largest horticulture trade show of its kind in North America, more than 10,000 people from 26 countries joined together to collaborate and connect to share the latest horticulture news and research on the market today. Members worked together to share knowledge and resources to help their business of growing and selling plants and its related products and services.

Visit soon to reap the benefits of our findings!

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Have you heard about the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge? It’s a nationwide call to action to preserve and create gardens and landscapes to help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators across the nation. Planting a pollinator garden will help increase pollinator habitats while also helping Americans, both young and old, make a connection between them and the healthy food we eat. Need help planning your pollinator garden?

Contact Rock City Gardens at 772.589.5835.

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 © 2013-2016 Rock City Gardens