​Primroses (Primula 'Danova') A proven reliable grower, the Danova primrose is known for large flowers with bold colors on compact, uniform plants that bloom in late winter. They come in a variety of colors from white, yellow, red, pink, blue and purples with some being sweetly fragrant flowers that rise amid textured foliage. Ht 4-6in, Zone 4 semi-evergreen, often sold as an “annual” or seasonal color plant during winter.

​Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup) These are compact varieties that flourishes at cool temperatures. Papery petals layered on top of another to form yellow, pink, blue, white or red flowers 2-3in. across. Absolutely gorgeous and great for cut flowers. Ht. 10in. Zone 8

Bulbs-Crocus, Snowdrops, Dwarf Iris, Hyacinth &

Grape Hyacinths (Muscari 'Big Smile') Tight heads of small, bell-shaped blue flowers rimmed in white on an erect stem. They multiply quickly to give good color in spring. Full sun to pt. shade, Ht. 10in, Zone 4
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 Later- Daffodils and Tulips usually late February through March.
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Creating a Hummingbird Garden by using a diversity of plantings and garden techniques to attract them to your garden. Hummingbirds are important pollinators as well as adding entertainment and meaning to your landscape.

4 steps

1.Plant nectar and pollen rich flowers- Provide a variety of heights of plants so they meander while feeding. Hummingbirds like all colors- primarily brighter colored and typically tubular in shape. See examples below.​

As our garden awakens, so do we in a way, by embracing the warmth and sunshine that spring brings to us all. Turn off the TV, put down your phone, stop watching the news and get outside and work in the garden. There are a lot of things that can be done now, and then again in early May to achieve the garden of your dreams. While you work and create outdoors, take advantage of the fresh air and embrace your yards energy. Here are some gardening tips for now, some for later, plus a blooming by the seasons guide.

• Make Your Spring Checklist. Look around and take note of the things you need to do and when you plan to do this. Weeding, Mulching Fertilizing, Planting, Amending or Setting up Irrigation and any other project you plan to do this year.   Get a journal, notebook or gardening App to record this info. Checklist and Schedule.
• Decide Your Focus. What are your goals? What you want visual appeal- lawns, flowers, ornamental plants, water feature; or a more functional garden- food, herb & medicine production, attracting pollinators, wildlife. Maybe a combination of the two? Whatever you decide, make a list of plants you want to grow. Look online at garden images or visit Zenith Holland for ideas. Some Plants are only available Seasonally.   
• Food Production- There are many Fruits & Veggies you can grow in the garden, raised beds or in containers. Fruit Trees- Apples, Pears, Asian Pears, Cherries, Plums, Apricots, Nectarines & Peaches- Trees May need a Pollinator (two trees or a combo tree) Berries- Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Marionberry, Gooseberry & Blueberry. Cool Season Veggies vs. Warm Seasoned Veggies- see below.

• Start a Veggie Garden- Spring & Fall!   Cool Season Veggies-there are a bunch- Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Brussels & Cauliflower; Cabbage & Kale; Lettuce, Chard & Spinach; Onions & Leeks; Peas, Radish, Rutabaga, Turnips & Carrots, Peas, Potatoes Asparagus & Garlic (usually planted in spring),. Warm Season Veggies- Tomatoes, Peppers, Tomatillos, Eggplant, Melons, Squashes, Cucumbers, Beans & Green Beans.
• Apply Organics- Apply G&B Fertilizers, then add Mulch like compost or other organic soil amendments 1-3” deep. This helps protect your plants roots from winter damage. Place a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard prior to mulch to choke out weeds.
• Transplant or Repot- Transplant or move plants now before it gets too hot. Repot plants that have over grown their containers.

    Blooms Throughout the Seasons:
Winter & Spring Blooming Bulbs (Feb-April)- Crocus, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Iris, Snowdrops, Tulips. 
Cool Season Annuals (Sept-May)- Calendula, Pansies & Violets (johnnie jump-ups), Primroses, Snapdragons
Spring Blooming Shrubs & Trees- Flowering Ornamental: Cherries, Plums & Crabapples, Dogwoods, Lilacs, Weigela, Azaleas & Rhododendrons, Mountain Laurel, Pieris
Summer Blooming Bulbs (some hardy, some annual)- Crocosmia, Dahlia (tender), Elephant Ears (A), Freesia (A), Iris, Peony
Summer Blooming Shrubs- Butterfly Bush, Clethra, Crape Myrtle, Hydrangeas, Roses
Warm Season Annuals (May-October+)- Fuchsia (some are perennial), Geraniums, Impatiens, Petunias, Marigolds, Verbena (some are perennial), Zinnia
Fall Annuals and Colorful Perennials- Add into pots, borders & beds- Pansies & Violas; Mums & Asters; Cabbage & Kale and Fall Color Vines (Purple Grape, Silver Lace Vine, Virginia Creeper) & Shrubs (Dogwood, Spirea & Blueberries), Evergreen Perennials (Heuchera, Tiarella & Hellebores), Broad Leaf (Euonymus, Azaleas & Lonicera) & Conifers.
Late fall -Winter-Early Spring- Blooming Shrubs- Camellias, Current, Daphne (winter), Forsythia, Quince, Sweet Box, Viburnum (some), Witch Hazel
Plants with Berries- Beauty Berry, Blueberries & Evergreen Huckleberries, Cotoneaster, Holly, Juniper, Mondo Grass, Nandina, St. John’s wort, Viburnum (some), Wintergreen

     Planting Schedule:
January & February: Plant Cool Season Annuals & Veggie Seeds inside. Plant hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and grasses- weather permitting. Plant Bare root fruits and berries.
March & April: Plant Cool Annual Starts & Veggie Starts outside, weather permitting. Plant hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and grasses.  Plant Warm Season Annuals & Veggie Seeds inside (Feb-April) read directions for plant timing to put outdoors.
May: Plant Warm Season Annual Starts, Veggie Starts and Hanging Baskets outside, weather permitting. Plant hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and grasses. Plant Summer Blooming Bulbs (April – June) see directions on package.
June: Put houseplants outside in the shade on porch or other protected areas for summer-repot and fertilize as needed. Direct Sow Seeds (late May-early June)
July & August: Plant Warm Season Annual Starts- replace dead or tired plants from baskets. Start Fall Blooming Annuals & Cool Season Veggies- in pots or direct sow into ground/beds.
September: Plan Your Fall & Late Winter Tasks. Plant Fall Crops Starts, Fall pots & Hardy Plants. Bring indoors houseplants & tropicals. Lawn Care- Aerate, Thatch (if needed), Sod/Seed, Fertilize. Plant Spring Blooming Bulbs (Aug- Oct). Direct Sow Root Veggies Seeds.
October: Plant Fall Crop Starts, Hardy Plants. Rake Leaves, clean plants. Mulch.
November: Irrigation winterized (or in October). Cover spigots. Plants should all be winterized.
December: Decorate for holidays. Feed the birds.

If you have questions, Ask Kerri at: thepondpad@gmail.com  

​Hydrangea Care Guide
Hydrangeas are gorgeous shrubs, with long lasting, luscious summer blooms and glowing fall color. Enjoy them as specimens in the garden and as a bonus bring the blossoms indoors for cut or dried floral arrangements. So here is a guide to help you choose which Hydrangeas are right for your garden, container or landscape area.
1. Choosing the Right Hydrangea. First you need to choose the correct hydrangea- How much sunlight does the location have? What type of soil do you have? How big of blooms and what color of blooms do you want? All hydrangeas will bloom and grow well in morning sun and afternoon shade.
2. Planting Hydrangeas. Choose a location so that the hydrangea can reach its full size without pruning. Plant the hydrangea in well- drained, rich & organic soil. Make sure to not plant the hydrangea too deep in the ground. Plant at the same depth as the in the pot it comes in. The best time to plant hydrangeas are early spring - summer or fall. If you want to transplant a hydrangea, do so once the plant is dormant and has lost all leaves in late fall or winter.
3. Watering Hydrangeas. Hydrangeas need moist but well drained soil to thrive. Instead of trying to stick to a “rule” for watering hydrangeas, it is better to water so the soil is moist at all times, but not too wet. Each type of hydrangea requires different levels of water. The location of the plant will also determine how much water the plant needs. When thirsty- the leaves will start to wilt when the plant needs water. Hydrangea macrophylla and hydrangea paniculata require more water than hydrangea aborescens (smooth hydrangeas) and Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf).
 4. Fertilizing Hydrangeas. Specialty formulated hydrangea fertilizer is available, however it is not necessary. Commonly found G&B fertilizer either- Rose & Flower, Bud & Bloom or Acid Lover is the easiest to use. It should be applied in spring or early summer. Not in the fall as that is when the plants are preparing for dormancy, and the fertilizer could trigger new growth which isn’t healthy for the plants.
5. Changing Bloom Color. Fertilizer will not change the color of the blooms, although extra ingredients added to fertilizers might change the color, but the fertilizer itself doesn't have this power. It is much easier to change a hydrangea from pink to blue than it is from blue to pink. Changing a hydrangea from pink to blue entails adding aluminum to the soil. Changing from blue to pink means subtracting aluminum from the soil or taking it out of reach of the hydrangea. You cannot change the color of white hydrangeas.
6. Pruning. Mophead hydrangeas do not ever need to be pruned. You only need to remove dead branches. Different types of hydrangeas need to be pruned using different methods. To determine what method to use, read the more in-depth article. It is important to prune the correct way, so you do not cause the shrub to have less blooms.