After A Giant Rain

Oh, the list of things to tackle today! We are grateful for the rain. No watering necessary in the nursery, nature did it for us. But now, some serious weeding. Didn’t we just go through that bed? Thank goodness for the leaf mulch we so carefully spread, it certainly helps with weed control ( and feeds the soil). We have a young friend coming today who loves gardening, loves to be here at the nursery, and loves weeding. How lucky we are!
So, the list? Weeding ( it always gets to be first!)
Harvest two of the large spinach beds, blanch, and freeze
Pot up the Epimedium, dwarf iris, and twin flower( Linnaea borealis)
Begin sorting through the stock area and selecting plants for the nursery
Move the sheep fence
Clean out the pig’s pen
Ready the greenhouse for the upcoming hypertufa class ( a couple of spots still open!)

These are just a few tasks I can think of at the moment. More will come to mind as soon as we step outside. Visitors here at the nursery have been enjoying the bed of mini hosta we planted a year ago. There is a huge selection of mini hosta on the market. We carry at least 30 different varieties. Mini hostas can range in size from 2 to 6 inches. If you have a small shady space and want to fill it, consider these miniatures. Besides, they have great names like Teeny- weeny Bikini, Mighty Mouse, Dragon Tails, Pure Heart, and Chartreuse Wiggles, to name a few.
Enjoy the day and happy gardening everyone!

Thinking Small

The display garden that got the most attention this past summer, hands down, was the area planted with miniature hosta. Fernwood has a large and varied selection of hosta, we try and have something for everyone’s taste and needs. The mini’s were a big hit this last season. We have some choice selections and created an area just for them, along with some miniature ferns and wildflowers. The mini’s come in many varities. A great selection of colors and leaf texture and are perfect for small spaces. We have planted several into containers with good luck and have had no trouble over-wintering them this way.
As many of you know, Fernwood is often a destination stop for hosta lovers (and native plants,too), many of our customers shop to add to an already existing collection. There are hosta gardeners who shop just for the large varieties, the variegated or blue leaf selections, and for specifically named cultivars. The mini’s seem to be getting a lot of attention and requests over the last years and we have been continuing to expand the selection we offer. Some great new Mini Hosta varieties will fill the rows at Fernwood Nursery this summer. Come and see for yourselves!