The Early Bloomer - July 2016

The

Early Bloomer JULY 2016

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Beat the Heat with Indoor Gardens Color Crush Ask Doc Rock We Won! We Love Our Independence

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seven acres of inspiration

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gardening

Beat the Heat with Indoor Gardens Terrariums make beautiful interior accessories July’s temperatures and high humidity can be daunting for even the most avid Florida gardener. And, while there are many plants and flowers that thrive in the summer, we humans tending those plants tend to wilt!

For this reason you may want to spend less time gardening outdoors. Why not discover miniature indoor gardens? Terrariums, all the rage during the Victorian era, are making a comeback and are great living accents for any spot in your home.

Any glass container can be used as a terrarium vessel as it allows more light, essential for healthy plant growth. Traditionally, terrariums were enclosed which helped contain moisture and humidity. They are particularly well suited for ferns, mosses and small leafy foliage.

More open containers are great planted with another hot trend, succulents and air plants which prefer a more arid environment.

Did you know?

Terrariums came about years ago when an English botanist devised the Wardian Case, a glass box used to transport plants collected in distant countries back to the British Isles. Within the glass enclosure he could grow plants in conditions almost like those of their natural environment.

Because the plants inside the glass enclosures were decorative, the terrarium was adapted for home interior decorating.

Source: Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service

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gardening

When creating a terrarium, a layer of small pebbles below the planting medium will provide good drainage. Use a high quality soilless potting mix as it is porous and well drained. A light application of a timed release fertilizer should be added to the mix when planting.

Whether you create a traditional terrarium or a contained succulent garden, the result will be an attractive addition to your home and you won’t be sweating bullets caring for it!

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gardening

Ask Doc Rock It’s summertime! Everything is growing so fast it’s hard to keep up with it. This month, Doc Rock has some tips about the growing season.

Q: How do I keep my garden under control this time of the year?

A: Lawns can easily be trimmed twice a week.

For every weed you pull, 50 more seem to germinate. And then there is the trimming – very important if you want to keep your hedges

and shrubs tidy. It doesn’t take long for them to become overgrown and leggy.

Pruning at least once a month will keep your hedges and shrubs thick and full. Make sure your clippers are sharp and clean. Dull clippers can rip the branches and dirty clippers can lead to a host of different problems. Remember to stay hydrated while gardening this time of year.

Early mornings and evenings are the best times to avoid extreme heat and exhaustion.

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garden boutique

Color Crush Who can resist the bright, happy shades of summer? Bold oranges, sunny yellows, sea blues and cheerful greens make gorgeous design statements for your outdoor and indoor living spaces. Rock City’s Garden Boutique is color central for containers of all shapes and sizes, decorative pillows, and other home and garden accessories. Get your happy on, and stop by soon for the best selections.

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reader quiz

Hey, Gardener!

Wha•da•ya•know?

Brad's Musings The month of July is finally here and it is getting so darn hot!

Flowers that thrive in the summer?

Well that is something we’ve got!

Ice plants and lantana, just to name a few, roll with the summer and keep the garden new.

Whether you dabble in gardening or you’re a master at it, these fun trivia questions will test your horticultural knowledge.

1. What would a gardener do with a dibber or dibble?

2. What is the popular name for the flowering houseplant Impatiens Walleriana?

3. What flower is named after the Botanist, Dr Leonard Fuchs? master - gardener level

Don’t stop now! Turn your knowledge up a notch with this master gardener question.

Charles Darwin described this snappy plant the “most wonderful plant in the world.” What is it?

Visit Rock City’s Facebook page soon for the answer.

Source: Pauls Quiz

about the poet

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

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Answers: 1. Transplant seedlings and small plants 2. Busy Lizzie 3. Fuchsia

s p e c i a l f e at u r e

We Won! Thank you to all of our loyal followers and clients who voted Rock City Gardens the Reader’s Choice Award in the “Lawn and Garden” category.

More than 55,000 votes were cast during this year’s Treasure Coast Newspapers’ online contest.

Watch for our ads in the Press Journal. We look forward to seeing you soon at Rock City Gardens!

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We Love Our Independence As we celebrate the 4th of July, we remember the heroic efforts our forefathers took to insure our continuing freedom. Since our country’s inception we have faced and overcome many challenging events, yet we continue to enjoy our independence and look forward to progress toward world peace. Our sincere best wishes to all of you on this day that commemorates the freedoms of our great country.

CLOSED JULY 4TH

seven acres of inspiration

9080 U.S. Hwy 1 Wabasso, Florida 32970 772-589-5835 RockCityGardens.com

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