Growing fruit from home opens up a brand new world of possibilities. Pies, jams and a variety of health benefits are only seasons away! However, potential growers need to make sure their fruit producers can survive long enough to bear fruit first!  Colder climates can be rough on many fruit trees and bushes, resulting in diminishing harvests from damage done over the winter. Fortunately, many fruit trees aren’t limited to warmer climates alone. There is a variety of fruit trees that can handle heavy cold while also producing fresh fruit before the cold kills the product.  Growing fruit in a cold climate can be hard, but Nature Hills has you covered. Within this blog are a few examples that can handle the cold nights and winters of USDA zones 3 and 4.  How Cold is Your Climate? Before we go in-depth on these two zones, it is important to know how dangerously low temperatures can get. Areas within hardiness zone 3 contain some of the lowest winter temperatures possible in the United States.  Trees and other plants that grow in this area need to be able to handle both consistent and surprising cold weather in order to survive long term. Growing zone 4 doesn’t have as high of a risk of subzero temperatures.  This is in part why there are more fruit trees safe to grow in this zone, as trees here get their required chill hours with less risk of extreme temperatures ruining their sensitive buds.  The difference in temperature between zones 3 and 4 is surprisingly drastic, so don’t try to push your luck without doing plenty of research on your zone. Many fruit trees and certain flowers need a drop in temperature (chilly, but still slightly above freezing) to go dormant before waking up again. Certain varieties of trees need a higher minimum total of cold hours to grow to their full potential.  For more accurate information on your area’s estimated chill hours, you can reach out to your local Ag Extension service. Something to keep in mind is that fruit trees in particular can be especially susceptible to cold temperatures during their growing season.  Intense cold can cause damage to fresh blooms which result in the loss of that season’s crop. The sudden death of these new blooms could result in a lack of growth during the next season or even permanently.  Zone 3 is much colder than southern zones, especially during the winter. All it takes is a warm winter day paired with a sudden cold snap to completely ruin a potential harvest. Be sure to know just how low the temperature can drop in your area before ordering your own trees. Preparing Your Trees for Cold Snaps Sometimes nature throws a curveball, resulting in weather phenomena harmful to certain plants. Droughts can be abated with a few minutes behind a hose every so often, but cold snaps are a different story.  Devastating cold is harsh on many plants, but with a few steps of preparation it can be survived. As the warmer months begin to turn cold, start to pay attention to weather forecasts.  One way to protect your younger trees from frost damage is to wrap them in tree wrap. Commonly made of thick paper or burlap, tree wrap helps to protect the trunk of your tree from cold exposure.  Dark mulch or bare dirt around the base of the tree is also beneficial, as both do a great job of soaking in and keeping warmth during colder seasons. In certain situations draping a tarp or canvas over your tree is the best solution. The dense material should be covering the entire plant as well as the ground at its base. This should help the dormant plant retain the earth’s natural heat and prevent serious damage. It’s important not to panic if your tree does receive some cold damage. Cold damage almost always looks worse than it actually is at first glance. Only when your trees start to grow again will the damage start to show. Examples of Cold Hardy Fruit Trees Among some of the more hardy fruit tree varieties are plum, apple, and cherry trees. Northern growers can still save a trip to the grocery store in favor of their own fruit plant.  Those interested in trying will be delighted in the selection available on our online store. Some cold climate trees of note are: Empire Apple (Malus ‘Empire’) - A mix of the Red Delicious and the Macintosh apples, the Empire Apple Tree has quality proven by its heritage.Honeycrisp Apples (Malus ‘Honeycrisp’) - One of the most beloved apples for its taste, the extremely cold hardy Honeycrisp Apple Tree is a must-have for any fruit orchard. Gravenstein Apple (Malus ‘Gravenstein’) - Greenlit to grow in even the harsh cold of growing zone 2, the Gravenstein Apple is resilient enough to withstand many frigid winters. Cox Orange Pippin Apple (Malus Domestica ‘Cox Orange Pippin’) - Widely regarded as one of the best dessert apples, the Cox Orange Pippin Apple Tree is best harvested in the middle of fall. Romeo (Prunus ‘Romeo’) and Juliet (Prunus ‘Juliet’) Dwarf (Sweet) Sour Cherries - The pollination pairing of the Romeo Dwarf Cherry Tree and the Juliet Dwarf Cherry Bush is a love story worthy of Shakespeare. These cherry blossoms bloom in the early spring, advertising the sweet cherries only a few weeks away from harvest. Montmorency Cherry (Prunus cerasus ‘Montmorency’) - The Montmorency Cherry Tree (Prunus cerasus ‘Montmorency’) produces fruit that many consider the best for any cherry pie recipe. Burbank Plum (Prunus Salicina) - A mid-season ripener with rich taste, the Burbank Plum is endorsed by master plant breeders and is easy to care for. Superior Plum (Prunus ‘Superior’) - Superior Plum Trees has abundant and consistent harvests. This tree is also known for its ability to survive at high altitudes. Toka Plum (Prunus ‘Toka’) - The Toka Plum Tree has earned the nickname “Bubblegum Plum” due to its sweet, bubblegum-scented fruit. Pot Planting Warm Weather Trees Northern natives desiring tropical fruits will be relieved to hear that some citrus fruits can survive zones 3-4 if they are brought inside during the winter months. For more information on potted citrus trees, read our garden blog post here.  Other warm weather fruit trees such as pear or peach trees can be grown, but be sure to do plenty of research before attempting planter growing. Nature Hills has a selection of popular potted fruit trees. Another article we have on our varied stock perfect for porch planters is available to read here. Growing fruit trees is rewarding, but can be daunting to new growers. But if you stick to the plants that do best in your climate, you can be growing your own food in no time.  Happy Gardening!

If you’re looking for a sign to redo your garden, to add more plants to your landscape, or anything along those lines, then this is it. We’re telling you to use native plants! They have it all: soft beauty, environmental benefits, visual interests, even fame. Well, we are working on the fame part, but you can help! Interested in hearing how? Find out below. What’s All The Buzz About Native Plants? Excellent question! And the answer may be more surprising than you thought.  Besides the fact that native plants supply dazzling visual displays within your home and garden, they also have a lot of other jobs on their plates too. When planted, they immediately get to work! Native plants provide a helping hand for using less fertilizer. Wait, less fertilizer? Yes! The main ingredients in most fertilizers are phosphorus and nitrogen. These two elements tend to run off into bodies of water causing an excess in algae growth.  This abundance of algae results in less oxygen in water, which harms aquatic life and impedes on recreational activities. Who likes to swim through a colossal, slimy patch of algae? Not us! Try planting Ninebark Shrubs (Physocarpus opulifolius) as they love their soil to be a low acidic level meaning fertilizers have no business being used. Along with using less fertilizer, native plants help you use less pesticides too. How kind of them! Pesticides contaminate waters; in addition, people and pets can be exposed to the chemicals as well. Did you know that 60% of water consumption on the West Coast is merely lawn irrigation? With a lot of water comes a lot of money. No worries, many native plants have the power of deep root systems under their belt. Therefore, they can store more water, reduce runoff, and help control flooding.   Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) varieties are notoriously known for their ability to reduce water consumption as they thrive in drought conditions. No need to tire out your sprinklers or drag out the hose anymore! Native plants provide homes and food for all kinds of wildlife, including the important pollinators. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the butterflies, birds, and more that visit your lawn! How To Use Native Plants In All Landscape Styles Small  Landscapes that lack in size don’t have to lack in display! Any space can be transformed into a garden with a few native plants here and there.  A sidewalk strip, front porch, corner, and mailbox are prime locations for native plants. We recommend using informal edges for low maintenance and organizing swaths instead of mixing. When planning your layout, be sure to start with tall plants in the back and work your way to short as you approach the front. Unfortunately, plants can’t stand on their tippy toes to be seen so you’ll have to do the work for them! Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon gerardii) are both ideal candidates for standing tall in the back. They enjoy filling small garden spaces with their silvery blue foliage. Medium natives are the center of the show and love all the attention they can get. This is why they bloom the brightest and prettiest flowers for all to see.  Sky Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense) and the Showy Goldenrod  (Solidago speciosa) always want to show off their colors, but not take away from the tall natives either.  With light blue and golden yellow blooms, these native perennials make your small garden dance with joy! Short natives live close to the ground most of the time and bring a small garden all together when planted. The Little Goldstar Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Little Goldstar') has no problem with being short.  What it lacks in height, it makes up for in the volume of star-shaped yellow flowers with a deep contrasted center. This improved native plant stays compact and appreciates when butterflies visit! By organizing a small native garden with tall, medium, and short plants, you’re saving space while making a big impact at the same time.  Large On the opposite hand, you can create large, beautiful landscape displays when you have a vast amount of space to work with. This is where there are hardly any boundaries holding your inner gardener back.  Front yards, meadows, and prairies each exhibit large native landscapes that can be created with several varieties.  It is almost easier to plant natives in large landscapes rather than small ones. Feel free to choose specific plants and map out your large landscape using the multiple options we provided for you below.  They are sure to provide you with wonderful color and diversity! Before planting, you will need to eliminate weeds as you do not want your pretty plants to be overgrown with invasive and unwanted weeds. Your native plants will appreciate this very much.  In the early stages of growth, you will want to keep the soil moist. This will ensure that the plant has all the right nutrients to grow well.  From then on, enjoy the view of vibrant shades of color and watch the visiting of several species of wildlife from the comfort of your home.  Popular Native Plants For You Trees Oak Trees are splendid natives with broad leaves, acorns, and an important wood source. More often than not, there is an oak tree standing tall in a yard showing off its large stature and vibrant foliage.  Oaks love to provide shade and wildlife are known for making tidy little homes within the tree. They are an excellent choice for a native addition to any location where they can spread their branches! The Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum 'Mickelson') carries a pleasing pyramidal shape with green needles that fade into orange in preparation for fall. This native is perfect for wind or privacy screens in various landscapes.  This Bald Cypress will shed its needles during the winter months only to grow back new ones just in time for spring making this cone-bearing native unlike most others! Sycamore Trees are often called ‘American Sycamores’ because they are native to North America! These massive growers have a symmetrical canopy that takes pride in supplying an abundance of shade.  Their dense, lush green foliage matches well with the varied bark colors. You don’t get much more native than growing Sycamore Trees in your large landscapes! Shrubs Chokeberry shrubs (Aronia) are native to the United States making them easy to grow while being an ornamental interest for gardens and landscapes. They like to show off their flowers in spring just to produce dark fruit during the fall. Be on the lookout for wildlife sneaking a berry or two off these native deciduous shrubs! Aronia berries are an extremely healthy choice for juices, jams, wines, and more. No wonder they are a super fruit! Sumac shrubs (Rhus) entail deciduous plants that are predominant in the United States. They are a fan favorite because of their form, Fall color, and colorful fruit clusters. Sumac shrubs enjoy when wildlife visit too! Elderberry bushes are natives that many grow throughout the country. Their bluish-black fruits can be used for a variety of kitchen cooking. This ornamental bush adds colorful leaves and unique shapes to all landscapes! Perennials Ferns make wonderful native landscape plants that can be used in a garden for a variety of reasons. The best thing about ferns is that they can be valuable in any kind of setting.  Their lush green foliage is attractive as a background or even the main event! They love to be planted in shady areas with a moderate supply of moisture, but other than that they are easy to grow and good to go.  Coneflowers (Echinacea) have the ability to light up any landscape with their large colorful heads that burst with flavor. This bright native enjoys soaking up the sun from early to late Summer.  Groundcovers Sedge Grasses come in many colors, shapes, and sizes but all work the same magic for a landscape. These native plants love to cover up parts of the ground that you may not find very attractive!  They revel in growing low and spreading out their thin strips of color. Being native, they thrive in many areas! All in all, native plants easily check mark off every box when it comes to environmental benefits as well as adding more visual interests. Front landscapes thrive with all types of natives so get to planting! Happy gardening!

Great plants grow best in healthy garden soil. After all, plants need nutrients and trace elements for robust root growth, healthy foliage and abundant flowers. Are you jumping right into full-scale Backyard Orchard and container culture to feed your family with homegrown fruiting plants? Just getting started with a tiny Victory Garden or Salsa Garden on your balcony or deck? Or, are you a first time homeowner with established plantings and a…gulp…lawn? No matter what kind of gardener you are, you'll love watching your plants grow. And never before have there been so many innovative choices for gardeners.  Technology for plant production has migrated from commercial growing systems into the home marketplace. It’s easy to get your hands on everything from hydroponic systems to LED grow lights.  So, what happens when you are just getting started? It’s pretty easy to feel overwhelmed. Let us help you get a good basic overview of plants and what they need to thrive. We spoke with our friends at Urban Leaf to ensure that this blog post is an easy read of soil amendments and fertilizers that support plant growth. You’ll learn: If you should use fertilizer products at all. Why and how you should use fertilizers during the growing season. When you should stop using them. Feed your plants what they need when they need it! As you continue in your journey as a gardener, you’ll have more in-depth questions on crops or plant species. Search the #ProPlantTips blog and #ProPlantTips on the product pages for specific advice on your chosen plants. First, Make Good Plant Decisions for Your Sun Exposure and Soil Type Every product page on our website has Plant Highlights listed. You’ll learn the optimal growing conditions for your plants, including sun exposure, water, and soil requirements. Get off to the best start by making the right plant choices for your landscape. A desert plant will likely rot in a damp wetland. An acid-loving plant will suffer in alkaline soil. Sun-lovers won’t bloom in deep shade. Next, get your soil tested to understand the levels of nutrients already present in your soil. Use a kit you buy online, or ask your state Ag Extension office for more complete testing. There is no need to amend your soil if you don’t need to. In fact, you can also do more harm than good by “overdoing it” with synthetic soil amendments. You will definitely want to know your soil pH, which ranges from 1 – 14. Anything below 7 is considered acidic. Some plants prefer acidic soil. As an example, Blueberries fruit best in acidic soil around 4.5 on the scale. But vegetables need more neutral soil. States in the north and southeastern United States generally have more acidic soil. Western states usually feature alkaline soil, which is above 7.  Choose plants that work in your area. You can also use raised beds or containers, where you can more easily control the soil conditions. Sweeten up acidic soil over time with garden lime. Lower pH with Sulphur and pine straw mulch. Test your soil every year or so to avoid overdoing it. You may also have deficiencies in micronutrients that can be corrected once you know what you are dealing with. It's very important to get your soil tested! The Basics of How Plants Use Primary Nutrients Keeping it simple, you’ll see the “NPK” rating listed on packaging of soil fertilizers. Most garden fertilizers contain three major plant nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K). The formulas can also contain small amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur and boron. N= Nitrogen for Leaves Nitrogen is all about green foliage development. Organic lawn fertilizer will have a larger number listed first. After all, grass fertilizer is designed to develop lush, green foliage growth. Use care when applying high nitrogen lawn formulas around flowering and fruiting plants. You want to avoid over-feeding nitrogen, or you’ll actually reduce the amount of flowering. Carefully apply Lawn Weed and Feed according to directions. It’s best to wait for a day that isn’t windy to apply. See all Nature Hills Lawn Care formulas. P = Phosphorus for Roots, Flowers and Fruit Phosphorus helps plants develop both roots and flower buds. This is a critical nutrient to support the production of fruit and seed. K = Potassium Potassium supports overall growth by helping move nutrients and water through the plant. You’ll get brighter flowers, better shape and growth habit, and more flavorful fruit with this important nutrient. Acid-loving plants need specialized formula that maintain proper pH levels. Rose fertilizer supports the robust flowering of these gorgeous shrubs. Trees and Shrubs can be fed in early spring and mid-summer.  Houseplants should be fed only once the days get longer in springtime. There is no need to feed them during winter dormancy. Fruiting plants require specialized formulas. Blueberry fertilizer supports a low pH to encourage fruiting. Use a Citrus fertilizer for best flower and fruit production, especially if you are growing in indoor/outdoor container culture. Growing organically? Use an organic formula. We feature many great brands on our site. Balanced fertilizers show the numbers 10-10-10 on the label. These are good, all-purpose, slow-release fertilizers used to support the needs of many types of plants. When to STOP Using Fertilizers For landscape plants, it’s usually best to apply formulas in early spring as new growth emerges. Some heavy feeders, like Roses, need another application again in mid-summer. Don’t apply fertilizers in late summer or fall, especially in zones that have cold winters. You’ll risk exposing a fresh wave of new growth to extreme temperatures. For Healthy Plants, Boost the Roots When Planting Healthy, vigorous plants ward off diseases and insect pressure far better than unhealthy ones. Protect your investment in landscape and fruiting plants by focusing on root development. Healthy soil is filled with a microcosm of millions of naturally occurring helpful bacteria and mycorrhizae fungal organisms. Think of these as probiotics for your plants. Mycorrhizae fungus is one of the best ways to support your plants over their whole life cycle. It partners with your plant to increase the root’s ability to access water and nutrients. Adding Nature Hills Root Booster to your planting hole gives you an easy-to-use mycorrhizal inoculant. Your plants will develop a bigger, more efficient root system when you use this product. That translates to a healthier plant. Even with existing plantings, Nature Hills Root Booster is helpful. Pour the packet around the soil surface, and scratch it in using a garden fork. Water it in well, and you’ll be on your way to seeing a leap in productivity. Root Booster partners with your plant in a symbiotic beneficial relationship. It will also improve your soil naturally, and help your plants gain access to nutrients and moisture. Another product that supports healthy root production is Fertilome Root Stimulator & Plant Starter Solution.  It is added to water and applied on all newly planted flowers, shrubs, trees and houseplants. It has a 4-10-3 ratio and will jump-start stronger root structure to naturally develop more vigorous growth. High Density Planting in Small Space Gardens People are seeking out opportunities to add fruiting plants and vegetables gardens in small spaces. This is where the smart use of fertilizers and technology comes into play. Since the 1930s, the use of synthetic commercial fertilizers have produced big yields in a small footprint. Universities have a wealth of research on the chemistry requirements of specific agronomic crops. These days, many homeowners understand that yearly and general overuse of these chemical fertilizers with high percentages of nitrogen have had some adverse effects on groundwater and runoff. Organic fertilizers, while perhaps a bit less precise, are a readily available and environmentally-friendly resource for homegrown food crops. There are many to choose from, so we’ve prepared a list of some of the most common options. Get Bigger Yields With Common Organic Fertilizers and Soil Amendments You can add soil amendments as single ingredients by themselves, but they can often be found in combination as part of a balanced prepared fertilizer formula. These plant “superfoods” are designed to provide a boost in performance. It is important to choose the right formula for your plant. They come packaged in a variety of ways, including: foliar sprays, granules, and liquid fertilizers. Spray the leaves with foliar sprays, “top-dress” the soil surface with granular fertilizers, and apply liquid fertilizer after it has been diluted in water.   “Slow release” fertilizer provides nutrients that are available to the plants over a longer period of time. Look at the label to see how long the fertilizer will benefit the plants. Every manufacturer also has different application rates, so following the label directions becomes important. Don’t waste money with too much product. At the same time, don’t limit your success with not enough product. Garden newbie? Get ready to be amazed (and maybe a little grossed out) at this list of wild, weird, wonderful, and effective soil amendments.  Alfalfa Meal is a nitrogen fixer and a reliable source of nitrogen. Gardeners use this as a spring-time top-dressing applied on the soil surface of many flowering plants and vegetables. It acts as a soil conditioner to increase both nitrogen and organic matter in the soil. Bat Guano enriches the soil and can activate compost. Use this on lawns and landscape plants to support foliage growth. Blood Meal is a great source of naturally occurring nitrogen. Use on plants that have yellow or pale green chlorotic leaves that are struggling to produce enough chlorophyll. It can repel rabbits and deer, as well.   Bone Meal provides phosphorus and encourages root production, blooming and fruiting. This can be used on Roses as a support for up to 4 months. Cottonseed Meal conditions the soil, while slightly lowering the pH over time. It is great for acid-loving plants like Azaleas, Blueberries and Japanese Maples. As a nutrient-rich organic material, it also supports beneficial bacterial and fungal colonies in the soil. Compost improves your soil and can feed all your trees, shrubs, perennials, Roses, and veggies. Include a few handfuls in your planting hole, and use annually as a top-dressing. Cow Manure must be well aged before you apply to landscape plants. Once composted, cow manure helps improve soil conditions and adds healthy organic material. Earthworm Castings provide plants important beneficial microorganisms and aid in disease resistance. They can be added to the top few inches of backfill soil when planting, used as a mulch, or included in the compost pile. Fish Emulsion or Fish Bone Meal supports plants as an all-purpose fertilizer. Different formulas can be used as a foliar spray on the leaves, or added to water as a soil drench to feed both plants and helpful microbes. Kelp Meal increases yields by supporting your plant’s ability to take in nutrients. It can be used on flowers, trees, and vegetables to increase vigor. Pine Bark mulch naturally lowers pH for Blueberries and other acid-loving plants. Test your soil regularly to understand the acid-base balance of your soil. Potting Mixes can be considered fertilizers when added in handfuls to backfill soil during planting. Fertilome Ultimate Potting Mix improves performance as a soil amendment. Designed for containers, use Fertilome High Performance Potting Mix to feed plants for 8 months. Rock Phosphate is a nutrient-rich dry powder that help plants deliver big blooms and abundant fruit set. Roses and vegetables can readily utilize this natural source of phosphorus. Urea is an enriched source of nitrogen that greens up foliage quickly. Get the most from your plants with thoughtful use of Root Boosters, soil amendments and fertilizers. The right amount of sun, air and water along with great soil are the keys to successful plant gardening. Enjoy!

Did you know that growing blueberries in containers is one of the easiest ways to expand your edible garden without using valuable backyard real estate? That’s right! With a little preparation and patience, you can be enjoying delicious, farm-fresh, berries straight from the bush, no matter how much space you have! Blueberries are notorious for their vitamin C and E packed fruit and have become a widely popular addition to backyards everywhere! However, you absolutely must make sure you’re setting yourself up for success and picking bushes that are best for your area. The wrong kind of blueberry bush can leave you wondering why you aren’t getting much fruit, or why it doesn’t fare as well in the colder months. Best Blueberry Bushes for Your Area If your fortunate enough to live in a warmer region that doesn’t get long, frigid, winters, you might want a Southern Highbush like Sunshine Blue (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Sunshine Blue’). This variety doesn’t need as many chill hours and it’ll still produce an abundant harvest! Brightwell (Vaccinium virgatum ‘Brightwell’) is another popular warmth-loving variety. This Rabbiteye grows best in zones 6-9 and will give you so many berries each year that you might even consider sharing a few! Of course, if you live in the northern part of the country, you can’t go wrong with Bluecrop (Vaccinium ‘Bluecrop’). Widely accepted as the most popular blueberry, this Northern Highbush produces flavorful, plump berries that are sure to please your palate! Hoping for a plant that’ll give you plenty of berries while also being extremely decorative? It sounds like BrazelBerries® Pink Icing™ Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'ZF06-079') is exactly what you’ll want. This Northern Highbush has lush pink spring foliage that’ll fade to a deep blue-green over the course of the growing season. Its berries are nothing short of delightful as well! Putting the ‘Container’ in Container Gardening There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about what size your container should be. The fact of the matter is, as far as blueberries are concerned, there’s no such thing as “too big” for the plant.  Now, there is such a thing as too small, and that can be a problem. We suggest starting with at least an 18-inch deep container to give your plant roots some room to grow.  You’ll also want to make sure that whatever container you choose has drainage holes. The same rules apply to blueberry bushes as most other plants, poor drainage, and constantly soggy feet can wreak serious havoc and leave you with an unhappy plant. Terra cotta pots are always a good option, but, quite frankly, as long as the container has drainage holes, you’re free to get as creative as you’d like. You could even pick up a five-gallon bucket at the local store, drill some holes, and call it good.  Soil Selection is Paramount Now, this is where you’ll want to follow directions closely, as this acid-loving plant can be pretty picky about it’s living conditions. The most critical being soil pH. Berry production depends on the pH of the soil to be between 4.5 and 5.0.  There are a couple of ways to create the best soil for your blueberry bush. You can make it yourself by mixing one part sphagnum peat moss and one part shredded pine bark. Or you could buy regular potting soil mix and fill the container two-thirds full and use potting mix made for acidic soil plants, like azaleas and rhododendrons. Being able to totally control the composition of the soil is one of the reasons growing blueberries in containers is such a good idea and works so well!  Pollination and Fertilization Successfully growing blueberry bushes in containers also depend on the inclusion of a pollination partner. You won’t have many berries come harvest time if there wasn’t another bush around during early spring to help pollinate. You’ll want to get two bushes that bloom at the same time, so the pollen can transfer from one plant to another. Any two with the same bloom period will do! Since these plants are in contains, they’ll look to you for most of their fertilization. Sure, the soil immediately after planting should be good, but each time you water, some of that acidity will drain out.  We suggest monitoring your soil pH periodically with a soil tester kit. It’ll give you a pretty good idea of whether or not you should add some cottonseed meal or another fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants. Sun Exposure: Lot’s, But Not Too Much Your blueberries will need six to eight hours of sunbathing each day for the best results.  Many are labeled as being full sun and partial shade but you’ll want to be careful not to leave them in direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. These bushes can overheat and will appreciate being lightly shaded during middays of the hottest months. Netting’s For the Birds! It sure is. Owning and growing blueberry plants means inevitably attracting curious and hungry birds. In order to keep them from stealing your entire crop before you can even think about harvesting, try covering with bird netting. Sure, netting might not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but we promise it’s better than the alternative. Imagine going to all the work of growing healthy, juicy, berries just to find them all gone one morning!  With all this in mind, you're ready to be America's next top blueberry grower, no garden necessary! Happy planting!

It’s Pollinator Week everybody! And that means it’s an impeccable time to cover the importance of pollination and name off a few favorite plants that prove to be excellent pollinators. Looking to make a full-blown Butterfly Garden for local bee and butterfly populations? Or just want to add native plants that are great at attracting beneficial insects for your vegetable garden? Read on. First, Why Make Pollinator Friendly Gardens for a Variety of Pollinators? About 13 years ago, the U.S. Senate made the step to designate a solid week in June each year to raise more awareness about the declining pollinator populations. It has now grown to be an international celebration! Why may you ask? Without pollination, there is no healthy life for flowers and plants. This puts a roadblock in front of many environmental attributes that create a living for humans and animals. Pollination brings clean air, purified water, and prevents soil erosion through the help of plants. Not only that, pollination is essential for growing crop based plants and obtaining flavorful fruits. Did you know that ⅓ of all foods and beverages is delivered by pollinators? That’s amazing! And without bees, butterflies, birds, and more, the vegetation across the world wouldn’t even be a thing. In fact, almost 75% of flowering plants need the help of insects and animals to move pollen for fertilization.  Have we convinced you enough? It’s never too late to start growing your own pollinator-friendly garden! Our bird, butterfly, and pollinator plants make it easy for you to choose your favorites from a long list of plants that help the environment. Not to mention, they also make superb garden additions for extra visual interest. Keep in mind that all types of butterflies appreciate flat and open flowers, like those of the stunning Neon Flash Spirea (Spiraea japonica ‘Neon Flash’), so that they can easily rest upon them.  Honey bees and bumblebees have a passion for any flower that carries a sweet scent, such as Roses or Bulbs. Tubular flowers, like Weigelas, are splendid plants for hummingbirds to stick their nose within. Interested in learning more about details about a butterfly flower garden? Check out our other blog on bringing butterflies and other beneficial insects to yours. Boost Your Edible Landscape Yields With Nectar Plants We all know that home growing fruits and vegetables needs a helpful hand from pollinators. Many vegetable and fruit plants lack the ability to produce both the male (stamen) and female (stigma) flowers and have no controlled way of transferring pollen from one to the other.  With no stamen and stigma, fruits and vegetables cannot begin to grow. They have to wait until male pollen has been transported to a female flower of the same species.  That’s where pollinating insects come to the rescue and do the job for us! Thanks to them, we get to enjoy delicious tasting, home grown fruits and vegetables.  If your edible garden plants are failing to yield a nice crop, it could be due to poor pollination. Late frost, bad weather conditions, and a dry atmosphere have negative effects on insects.  Although these are hard to control, you can actually encourage insects to visit your garden by planting pollinator friendly flowers and plants. Their nectar will actually increase your edible landscape yields! Don’t worry, we have provided many types of plants that will easily help you with your garden in this blog so you don’t have to go scouring the internet! This includes plants that work in full sun and partial shade. Attracting Butterflies And More With Pollinating Plant Favorites Perennials Deep hued blue and purple flowering perennials, like Bee Balm (Monarda didyma ‘Balbalmac’), are a fan favorite for creating colorful landscapes. Their extended blooming periods keep your garden looking fresh. When mixed with white flowering perennials, they make a lovely contrast. And pollinators love their nectar! In fact, blue and purple are some of their favorite colors. Spring blooming perennials display a large variety of colors and leaves that make a lovely welcome sight. Butterflies and bees appreciate the nectar source from a plant that blooms in early spring. They also make the ideal clarion call to welcome the new season within a landscape garden. Bright yellow and orange flowering perennials are almost begging for pollinating insects to land upon them. Their pop of color is a bullseye for monarch butterflies and bumble bees. These perennial flowers also ensure visual highlight to any home and garden too! They work well in hanging baskets, flowerbeds, and mass plantings for a striking display of color.  Roses Rugosa Roses are widely used in landscaping because of their tough and easy care features. They carry a sweet fragrance and several different colors making them a prized ornamental plant.  Fragrant Roses are bold and beautiful garden additions. Their sweet aroma will make you want to bottle it up and use it as a perfume. This fragrance is like candy to insects and draws them to the nectar and pollen! Pink Roses and Yellow Roses are unbeatable in the garden with their vibrant color punch and fragrance. When mixed with white roses, they are sure to stand out in any landscape.  They also happen to be an amazing choice of color for bees to easily locate them.  Shrubs Viburnum Shrubs produce flat-topped clusters of blooms. Pollinators adore these! They have proven themselves to be some of the best landscape and garden additions for all of the right reasons.  They come in a variety of sizes and feature many ornamental benefits. If you plant more than one Arrowwood Viburnum, for instance, they'll create fall berries! You'll lure both beneficial pollinators and songbirds to your landscape.  Flowering Shrubs enrich your garden with their spectacular splashes of color and elegant foliage form. Many pollinator insects are attracted to their blooms during the Spring and Summer seasons.  They also add structure and balance to a landscape layout.  A Perfecta Trifecta Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii BUZZ ‘Sky Blue’, Buddleia davidii BUZZ ‘Hot Raspberry’, Buddleia davidii BUZZ ‘Ivory’) is everything anyone could ever need in a shrub! With large, vibrant pink, white, and purple fragrant blooms, butterflies simply cannot keep themselves away.  Your garden will be well on its way to breathtaking. Trees Linden Trees are easily recognizable by their pyramidal shape and heart shaped fragrant blooms! They make a charming shade tree and birds, bees, and butterflies can’t get enough of them.  The Eastern Redbud Tree (Cercis canadensis) is a small, ornamental tree that puts on a marvelous show each season of the year. It is extremely pollinator friendly too! Fun Facts About Pollination As mentioned before, pollination is the transfer of pollen from a male flower to a female flower. Even though a majority of pollination comes from the work of vectors, there are self-pollinating ways as well.  This includes wind and water. It’s a lot more by chance this way, but plants take all the help that they can get! Now who does all the pollinating? We have mentioned a few, but there are approximately 200,000 different species that take part in this natural system.  There are vertebrates, those who have a backbone, and invertebrates, those who don’t have a backbone. Birds, bats, and small mammals fall under the backbone category while flies, beetles, butterflies, moths, and bees lack the spinal column.  To no surprise, bees sit ranked at the very top of all pollinators. We all really saw that coming.  Each of those animals are involved in a very vital interaction with plants. The very plants that produce countless fruits, vegetables, and nuts. In fact, one out of every three bites of food we take is indirectly made from pollinators.  They also provide half of the world’s oils, fibers, and raw materials and increase carbon sequestration.  Let’s talk more facts about how important pollination is.  Of all flowering plants in the world, about 75% to 95% of them need assistance with pollination. They simply can’t do it themselves and without the help, those plants would not be able to reproduce.  To put the percentages more into perspective, pollinators give their services to over 180,000 different plants and more than 1,200 crop based plants.  Ever heard of the saying ‘April showers bring May flowers?” Well, it’s more like thousands of hardworking pollinating insects bring the pretty May flowers.  If we want to get technical and talk money, pollinators actually add 217 billion dollars to the world’s economy. Of that 217, honey bees themselves make up for almost 5.4 billion dollars. No wonder they have the nickname ‘busy bee!’ As of now, the population is at a decreasing rate as a result of the loss of feeding and nesting habitats for the pollinators. Without these areas, they struggle to survive and do their job.  Building on that, pollution, chemicals, and changes in the weather are all negatively affecting the pollinator populations around the world.  There are ways that we can help these important insects! By planting various flowers, shrubs, and trees, we are providing homes. And if we begin to be mindful of our environment, we will see it flourish more than before. Looking for even more information about which plants to use in your pollinator garden? Check out what our friends at Gardeners Path have to say in their article How to Attract pollinators. Happy Pollinator Week!