Bird of the Week - 1/28/20

Blue Jay

Basics: This bird is easily recognized by it’s perky crest and blue, white, and black plumage, as well as it’s noisy calls. The Blue Jay is a very aggressive bird at the feeders, because of its size and character. Even though some people do not like to attract Blue Jays, they are a beautiful addition to the winter backyard.

Housing: Open flat platform nesting is necessary, as in their natural habit they are attracted to flat spaces on tree branches.

Food: Offer a variety of food, to attract the maximum amount of Blue Jays to your area. Peanuts, black and striped sunflower seeds, elder berries, cherries, dogwood and acorns are Blue Jay favorites! Since the blue jay's bill is powerful and all purpose, it can handle peanuts either in the shell or out. Suet is also something that attracts jays.

 How to attract: Install a bird bath, put out a variety of seeds, berries, and suet, as well as maintaining flat platform areas around your yard.

Fact: Dinnertime is all the time for birds. Birds have a high body temperature and a high rate of metabolism, and digest their food rapidly. Each day they have to eat a lot to store energy and body fat.

Tip: Use baffles or put up temporary covers to keep the feeders from becoming clogged with ice and snow.

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20% OFF
Platform Bird Feeders

Good through 2/4/20. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Print this coupon or mention offer at the checkout counter.
Code: 004

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Houseplant of the Week - 1/28/20

Croton Plants

Croton plants (Codiaeum variegatum) are incredibly varied plants that are often grown as houseplants. The croton plant is often grown outdoors in tropical climates, but also make excellent houseplants. Crotons come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors. Leaves can be short, long, twisted, thin, thick and several of these combined. They are noted for their bold, often strikingly colorful foliage. Glossy, leathery, smoothed-edged leaves are in bright colors ranging from yellow, pink, orange, red, bronze, purple and green plus combinations thereof in patterns involving blotching and striping. Foliage color is distinctive, appearing somewhat gaudy at times.

Like many houseplants, caring for a croton involves proper watering and humidity. Because it is a tropical plant, it does benefit from high humidity, so placing it on a pebble tray or regular misting will help keep it looking its best. Croton growing in containers should be watered only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Then, they should be watered until the water flows out the bottom of the container. Croton plants need bright light for best leaf color, with some direct sun. They may lose lower leaves if they do not receive enough light. They do not require winter dormancy, but appreciate a resting period with reduced watering from fall to late winter. The plant should also be kept away from drafts and cold, as it cannot tolerate temperatures below 60° F. If it is exposed to temps lower than this, the croton will lose leaves and possibly die.

Use as a tropical accent in containers and border gardens, however, crotons are not hardy in our area. Bring this plant indoors before night temperatures reach 50° F – or use as an annual. Crotons can also be kept indoors year-round, with the best color and overall vigor being achieved with plenty of bright light and even moisture.

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20% OFF
Croton Plants

Good through 2/4/20. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Print this coupon or mention this offer at the checkout counter.

Code: 004

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Houseplant of the Week 1/21/20 - Succulents

Succulent Plants

   In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants that have some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. They have the ability to thrive on limited water sources, such as mist and dew, which makes them equipped to survive in an ecosystem which contains scarce water sources. Succulents are often grown as ornamental plants because of their striking and unusual appearance.

       Many desert-adapted succulent plants thrive and flower well on a sunny window ledge, tolerating the dry atmosphere in centrally-heated homes and offices. They have become widely popular in recent years due to their unique appearance and hardiness. They work great in combination plantings and miniature gardens because of their slow growing nature.

       When growing succulents, use a cactus and succulent potting mix that will drain well and a container that will drain excess water at the bottom. Place succulent plants in an area that receives bright light from a window. Some varieties will do well with direct sunlight. However, some varieties need indirect light to avoid sun scorch on the leaves. These will do best with the use of a sheer curtain to filter direct sunlight.

       Be sure not to over-water your succulents. Let the soil dry out between watering times. They do not need much fertilizer. A light treatment in spring or summer is sufficient.

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20% OFF
Succulent Plants 

Good through 1/28/20. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Print this coupon or mention this offer at the checkout counter.

Code: 004

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Bird of the Week 1/21/20 - Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Basics: Eastern Bluebirds are the Missouri state bird. Male bluebirds are a brilliant royal blue on the back and head, and warm red-brown on the breast. Blue tinges in the wings and tail give the grayer females an elegant look. This species of bird is one of our favorites along with the Cardinal.

Housing: Eastern Bluebirds don’t often visit feeders, but they are a great prospect for nest boxes if you have the space to put one up in your yard, and if your yard isn’t too hemmed in by trees or houses. Bluebird houses that are available in the garden center or one built to suit them are best. They need a smaller entryway and a deeper nest box. The houses should also be cleaned out before each nesting season. The bluebird houses should be placed 4-7 feet above the ground. Face the houses on fence posts or tree trunks that face south to protect them from the prevailing northern winds.

Food: Their feeder favorites are mealworms and small pieces of fruit or berries, including raisins. When insects and other natural food supplies are scarce, they will also eat small peanut and sunflower kernels, as well as suet. Bluebird feeder types range from dish-style to the predator-resistant, house- style.

How to attract: Offer mealworms, (available dried or live). Put a birdbath out in your yard (a heated birdbath in winter)! Blue birds are quite attracted to water, especially running water. Above all, patience is required when learning how to attract bluebirds. Bluebirds are very loyal visitors if they find what they need for survival. They are social birds as well, and travel in pairs.

Fact: The oldest recorded Eastern Bluebird was 10 years 5 months old.

Tip: Discourage feral cats, and keep pet cats indoors to decrease the threat to the bluebirds.

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Bird of the Week Special:

20% OFF
Dried Mealworms

Good through 1/28/20. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Print this coupon or mention offer at the checkout counter.    
Code: 004

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Because Who Doesn't Love a Nice, Warm Bath?

Because who doesn't love a nice, warm bath? (Or for the wild birds, any water that is not frozen in winter). Give the birds some much needed water to help them survive the winter. Check out these heated birdbaths and de-icers available in our Garden Center - then come visit us for the item(s) that are right for you.

Birdbath De-Icers from $24.99 to $55.99.
Heated Birdbaths from $51.99 to $139.99.

Houseplant of the Week 1/14/20 - Orchid

      Orchids are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants with blooms that are often colorful, showy and fragrant. The showy orchids favored by most people are usually either phalaenopsis hybrids or dendrobium hybrids. Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) is the most common of the Orchid family. The golden rule for orchid success is to duplicate the plant's natural conditions as closely as possible.

       Orchids prefer bright light, but no direct sun. Water them thoroughly once or twice a week - more when it's warmer, less when it's cooler. A pencil or a wooden skewer inserted into the soil will come out almost dry, indicating it’s time to water again. Make sure the water drains completely out of the holes at the bottom of the pot. Never leave the plant sitting in water! Placing ice cubes on the soil surface, to provide slow even watering as they melt, works great for watering. Provide some humidity for the plant; most do not like very dry environments. Gentle air circulation is also good for orchids.

       Keep the daytime temperature between 65°- 75°F /18°- 24°C with a nighttime temperature drop of just a few degrees. In nature, most orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other objects, clinging to rough bark or even stone. With that in mind, the growing media can be made up largely of bark chunks. Most garden centers offer Orchid soil mix that will work well. Orchids also tend to prefer smaller pots. If a pot is too large, the orchid will expend most of its energy rooting, and show no real new growth or foliage for months, so keep the containers small. They prefer being somewhat root-bound with their roots protruding from the top of the media (or aerial roots should simply hang free). However, as plants produce more new canes or spikes, they can eventually outgrow their pot.

       Orchids can be fertilized once a month - or when they are blooming only. Look for fertilizers that contain nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K), plus trace elements like iron (Fe). Do not over feed orchids - this can damage them. If you're growing your orchid on bark, use a fertilizer that's significantly higher in nitrogen (in a ratio of 30(N)-10(P)-10(K)). The bacteria in the decomposing bark will consume a lot of nitrogen. Water your orchid thoroughly before feeding.

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20% OFF
Orchid Plants  

Good through 1/21/20. Not good with any other sale, coupon or discount or on previous purchases.
Mention this offer at the checkout counter.

Code: 004

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