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Perennials 101: Building an Established Yard

Perennials 101: Building an Established Yard
Hi!

It’s been a minute here on the blog! We’ve just wrapped up our final June Brides Wedding here at the Acre. A huge congratulations to Jessica & Mitch, Kristen & Matt, and Silvia & Crom. You are all absolutely lovely and it’s been a pleasure to help you get married during these tough times. Keep an eye here for a big follow up to that whole experience!

In the meantime, let’s jump back into the garden and talk about perennials! I’ve always loved the idea of having a yard full of perennials. The maintenance isn’t crazy, and . Like every plant though, there are some better suited to different sun exposures, and someone once told me that growing next to Spruce tree was bad… I’m looking forward to investigating this topic a little more so I can make some good decisions! Perennials are an investment!!

Thank you to our perennials expert Barb for sitting down with me to talk about it!

Q: “First: What is the difference between an annual and a perennial?”

This one definitely stumps a lot of people. A perennial is a plant that lives longer than two years. They’ll bloom during spring, summer or fall depending on the variety. In the winter, they will die back and hibernate until the next spring, where they’ll grow again from the roots! Comparatively, an annual is a plant that will only grow for one season like geraniums, petunias, and marigolds.

Q: “What perennials can I grow in the shade?”

There are so many! The popular one is Hosta. They are loved for their dynamic foliage, and will get a neat looking flower that towers over the plant which you can see in the Guacamole Hosta. They mostly come in shades of green, but you can get some that are more blue like the Fragrant Blue or some white like the Patriot Hosta. You can also get ones that have ruffled leaves like the Earth Angel. So, that’s a great option! You can also do Bleeding Hearts, which come in pink or white. They also come with a really cool story which you can read (with photos) here. Some other shady perennials could be Ligularia, which are kind of like Hosta in that they boast beautiful foliage, and towering flowers which are mostly yellow. Astilbe have thinner green foliage and mostly either pink or white clusters of flowers that come through. If you want something closer to the ground, or trailing, there’s also Creeping Jenny or Lamium. Another popular one which can come in a variety of foliage colours is Heuchera, or Coral Bells! There seriously lots to choose from. When you come into the greenhouse though, we have all of our shade loving perennials in one area, so it’s easy to decipher and any of our team members can help you out!

Q: “What is the best ground cover?”

Here, we can explore those shade loving Lamium and Creeping Jenny plants. I can also suggest sedum which Is such a diverse plant! They can come in purple like this Spurium Roseum, red like the Spurium Red, yellow like the Oregon Stonecrop, and more! I even found one that looks like chocolate called Hak Chocolate! Lastly, you could so look into the Sweet Woodruff, which have these star-shaped leaves, and cute little white flowers. I love them for their fresh scent too.

Q: “What can I grow under a spruce tree?”

Spruce trees can make growing flowers difficult. The tree requires a lot of water and will steal any moisture from your perennials. They also create very acidic soil due to their needles. You’ve gotta fill the spot with acid loving plants like Sweet Woodruff or also known as Galium, and give the area lots of water.

Q: “What is the best perennial for a dry, hot area?”

The fan favourite is the Peony, which boast big beautiful blooms that can come in Pink, Red, Yellow, and more. They smell amazing, and you can bring them inside for a easy cut flowers in the summer. Sedums, Salvia and Shasta Daisy all come to mind as well. Beautiful flowers for various heights in your garden.

Thank you so much to Barb for your insight on Perennials this week! I’m excited to get my hands dirty!

Next week: Small Spaces: Gardening for Infills, Condo, and Balcony

Happy Gardening!

Brandi
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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.