Gardening Tips
Welcome to your source for elevating your gardening prowess. Our curated tips offer solutions for every gardener, from beginner to seasoned gardening enthusiasts. With our expert advice, uncover the secrets to vibrant landscapes and abundant harvests. Explore soil enrichment, pest control, plant care, and more. Whether you have a balcony garden or a sprawling estate, we have tips tailored to your needs. Let Folmer Gardens be your guide to cultivating lush, thriving green spaces. Start your journey today and watch your garden flourish like never before!
Tip #1 - Hibiscus Pruning
Wondering when to prune your hibiscus? Wait until spring when the bright green stems from the fall have died back to the ground ( the ‘before’ photo). The brown part of each stem should be cut back to the green part at the base of the plant.
In the ‘after’ photo, you will see what a properly pruned perennial Hardy Hibiscus should look like in spring.
Don’t forget to add some perennial granular fertilizer or compost around the base of the plant each spring as these plants are heavy feeders and require a lot of nutrients to make these huge flowers.
Mulch well for moisture retention; dry soil and lack of nutrients will result in stunted growth and a lack of blooms.
A little spring work for a summer full of blooms and beauty!
Tip #2 - Strategically Limbing Trees
When trees and shrubs are overgrown, they can disrupt the views in your garden. Our Golden Cedar was overgrowing our bench and walkway to the Garden Centre as well as blocking the view to the Gift Shop. To fix it, we limbed up the tree.
Limbing up the branches opens up the views and creates more space under the tree.
This is a great alternative to removing overgrown trees and shrubs in your garden!
Tip #3 - Pruning Spring Blooms
It is important to wait until after flowering to prune spring bloomers like Lilacs, Rhododendrons, Bridalwreath Spirea, Forsythia, etc. If you prune before they bloom, you’ll cut off the flower buds alongside the branches. Patience is key!
You don't want to lose those blooms!
Tip #4 - Attracting Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are attracted to trumpet-shaped flowers with high nectar content. If you want to create an inviting space for hummingbirds, go for Honeysuckle, Weigelia, Annual Salvia and other flowering plants with high nectar content.
Tip #5 - Attracting Butterflies
It’s important to consider all the life stages of a monarch butterfly when trying to attract them to your garden. Plant Butterfly Milkweed and Swamp Milkweed for caterpillars to feed on. For the mature, nectar-feeding butterflies, plant Lantanas, Brazilian Verbena, and other pollinator plants.
Help our threatened Monarch Butterflies!
Tip #6 - Caring for House Plants
Houseplants are great for improving air quality in your home and they look good doing it!
Most problems people have with houseplants involve over-watering or under-watering them. Succulents in particular can rot with too much water. Always feel the soil for dampness before watering.
Lighting is also a big issue - some houseplants like a darker room while some prefer full sun. Make sure you find the right plant to suit your space!
Tip #7 - Composting
Compost is beneficial for plants as it contains many micronutrients necessary for plant growth.
It also improves soil structure, helps retain moisture in the soil, and improves drainage.
Instead of throwing your food scraps and organic waste into the garbage, throw them into a compost bucket to use in your gardens!
Tip #8 - Watering potted plants
The most important rule of watering potted plants is to make sure you check for moisture (or lack thereof) in the soil before you water.
Dry and thirsty plants will wilt - look for drooping stems and leaves. Wilting plants need to be soaked thoroughly in order to receive enough water.
Be careful - overwatered plants can sometimes look like they're wilting. Always check the soil!
Pro tip: use water-soluble fertilizer when you water to yield some stunning blooms on potted flowering plants like annuals and tropicals.
Tip #9 - Keeping deer away
Deer got you down?
Try planting these perennials to stop those pesky deer from eating your gardens. Hellebores, astilbe, and bleeding hearts are naturally deer resistant plants that add interest and variety to any garden!
