The Early Bloomer seven acres of inspiration
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2014
Ring in the New Year with
Healthy Benefits of Gardening in this issue Ring in the New Year with Healthy Benefits of Gardening Rock Your Garden Sweet Winter Blooms How Does Your Garden Grow?
gardening
Ring in the New Year with Healthy Benefits of Gardening Get ready because 2014 is going to be
healthy, sustainable and beautiful
an amazing year for outstanding and
benefits for everyone. And we’re thrilled
one-of-a-kind landscaping, garden art
that we’re seeing more people than ever
and horticulture design ideas. Rock
discover these benefits as well.
City Gardens has known for more than 33 years how gardening can provide
There are plenty of reasons that gardening always tops the lists of favorite American pastimes: the beauty of the result, the joy of connecting to nature, being able to grow your own plants and herbs and perhaps the most important, relaxation. Research shows that gardeners have an increased zest for life, sleep better, and have a lowered risk for osteoporosis and diabetes.* These benefits could also be the result of the exercise one gets from working in their garden and the reduction in stress levels—but looking at it more holistically, we believe that creating beauty and communing with nature can heal your body, mind and soul. What better way *Source: The National Institute of Health
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to start the new year than by helping
may be as simple as taking advantage
yourself and your community create
of sitting walls, fences, or the side of a
beauty and wellness all around.
garage or one of your home’s exterior
Whether you enjoy the fruits of your own labor or prefer to enjoy your garden and landscaping cared for by horticulture professionals, you’ll reap the benefits by
walls. In addition, pots and containers can be filled with herbs, flowers, and sub-tropical foliage and placed just about anywhere around your home.
expanding your garden. No space is too
Take a leisurely stroll through Rock City
small for a garden. In fact, the easiest
Gardens this month, and you’ll begin to
way to start or expand your garden is
see the inspirational and healing effects
to grow vertically. The air above the
of beautiful gardens. Here’s to a happy
soil is wide open for planting creatively
and healthy 2014!
and experimenting with new varieties. It 3
Take a leisurely stroll through Rock City Gardens and you’ll begin to see the inspirational and healing effects of beautiful gardens.
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hardscapes
Rock Your Garden When people think of creating a garden
aesthetic and functional and is intrinsic
the first thing that typically comes to
to a successful wildlife garden. Elements
mind is plant and flower material. Images
like paths, mounds, rocks, and even
of specific varieties come to mind along
mulch, all play a critical role in a
with characteristic flower color, aroma,
functional, healthy, and aesthetically
foliage texture and ability to attract your
pleasing, natural landscape.
favorite garden-friendly wildlife. The next mental image that pops up is how these
Consider paths. They serve both an
plants will put the final touch on your
artistic and utilitarian purpose. Paths
dream garden.
created with permeable surface materials lend more to a casual, natural
These are exciting aspects that all of us
feel when compared to traditional
who enjoy gardening look forward to. Yet
concrete. Pavers or decorative gravel
there is a critical step that precedes this
can add more of a formal style to the
vision, one that requires careful attention
natural garden. Consider which style
that is often overlooked – hardscape.
you prefer prior to choosing paving materials.
Hardscape is the physical foundation on which your natural landscape is built. For
Mounded soil in the landscape creates
the garden, hardscape is as important
vertical interest and catches attention.
as the plant material. It is equal parts
Creating a slight rolling foundation emulates the natural topography of our landscape. There are functional aspects to consider as well. For example, if you have poorly draining soil, by mounding existing soil you can now include plants that require better drainage. In addition, justifying the environmental impact of (continued)
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the project by reusing excavated soil
foundation that will all but ensure a long-
and retaining existing materials on-site
lived natural landscape.
is important and follows right in line with an eco-friendly landscape design.
For more information on how to create an eco-friendly landscape with
Simulating the relationship between
hardscape materials, please contact
natural landscape and its hardscape
Wade Baxley, General Manager at
counterparts will give your garden
772.589.5841.
authenticity. It will provide a solid
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container garden
Sweet Winter Blooms
We are oh-so-lucky to enjoy flowers all year long here in Florida. To celebrate the beginning of another year in paradise, we prepared these sweet winter blooms for our January container garden of the month. Planted within a rustic ceramic pot are Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthus), Dusty Miller (Silver Dust), Geranium (Rocky Mountain Pink), Oxalis (Charmed Wine), Ivy Geranium (Contessa White), and English Ivy Variegated. For assistance with custom container gardens for your home or office, please contact Rhonda Lowe at 772.589.5841.
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How Does Your Garden Grow? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels gardening “moderate cardiovascular exercise.” Former National Gardening Magazine editor Dan Hickey says that according to studies he has participated in, 45 minutes of gardening can burn as many calories as 30 minutes of heart-healthy aerobics. Grab those garden gloves and start digging!
seven acres of inspiration
9080 U.S.. Hwy 1 Wabasso, Florida 32970 772-589-5835 RockCityGardens.com
The Early Bloomer © Rock City Gardens
Hours Monday through Friday Saturday and Sunday
8:00am – 6:00pm 9:00am – 5:00pm