POINSETTIA SELECTION AND CARE FOR FLORIDA GARDENS, NOVEMBER 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

Folks rely on us to select the best varieties for their gardens. Why should we settle for anything less from our holiday treats?  We don’t. We offer fabulous FLORIST QUALITY, FLORIDA GROWN POINSETTIAS in red, white and pink.

The fact is, the Pinder Family has been buying poinsettias from the same grower since 1963.  Selected for early and true color, disease resistance and sturdiness, these beauties can become a part of your South Florida garden. Just transplant to a southeastern exposure (avoid artificial light) before the Ides of March, prune & feed between Mother’s Day & Father’s Day.

While potted, enjoy indoors or on a covered lanai. Water the soil (not the leaves or colorful bracts) when dry to a depth of 1/2 inch. Dump excess water from foil pot cover within 20 minutes of watering. Stake as needed to support branches. Once bud is initiated, the plant will express the full bloom in very low light. Many people do not realize that the colorful part of the plant is not a blossom. It is a modified leaf known as a “bract”.

Posted in Flower Symbolism, Flowers and Holiday Traditions, Gardening Around the Year, Indoor Plants, Plants, Winter Garden Care | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

CREATE A TRADITION AS YOU CHOOSE THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE, NOVEMBER 2010.

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

You’ll know it when you see it! Choose your “just right” tree from among our large selection of North Carolina Fraser Firs.

Why Fraser? Fraser Firs are simply the best trees for a Florida Christmas. These trees are grown sustainably and are selected for GREAT performance,  even when subjected to our above-freezing temperatures, holding their needles well past Santa Clause! Of course, we handle them as only a nursery will: keeping them well-watered and protected from the elements. Allow us to put a fresh cut on your tree, then take it home to soak in a bucket of water over night. This technique will ensure that your tree gets re-hydrated before going into its stand.

Are you wondering what’s with the names? The name is part of the tradition.

In our family, there are five of us who have to agree on the tree. It has to fit just right in its time-honored location, has to have sturdy branches to hold the ceramic ornaments the kids made, meet Dad’s requirements of not-too-dry & not-too-expensive–PLUS satisfy 3 different pairs of child’s eyes (you know, the kind of eyes that still see the magic). There would always be a disagreement about which tree met all the requirements. But the names would somehow help us recognize just WHO was the tree for us. It always seemed that if we could narrow it down to 2 or 3, one would have a name that brought to mind a special place, time or person. There is something else I have observed. Because our tree has a name, we seem to care more about it! It gets complimented (as we adjust ornaments & tinsel), bid goodnight (as we unplug the lights), cared about (as we water) and memorialized (as it is dragged to the back yard to serve as cover for wintering birds). All on a first name basis! As a result we all enjoy the tradition so much more. And we enjoy sending these individual treasures home with your family. I am always fascinated by how even the youngest child will recall the name of the tree they had last year!

Does it make sense to cut a Xmas Tree? How sustainable is that?

Real trees help the environment from the time they are planted until after the holiday season when they can be recycled.

While they are growing, Christmas trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases while giving off fresh oxygen. Every acre of Christmas trees planted gives off enough oxygen to meet the needs of 18 people. Today in America there are enough Christmas trees planted that 18 million people a day are supplied with oxygen. Also, the farms that grow Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide a refuge for wildlife while creating a nice scenic view. Often, Christmas trees are grown on soil that will not support any other crops. And when one Christmas tree is cut down, one or two are replanted in its place.

Artificial trees are made from oil-based products that use up our natural resources. They are also not recyclable and will remain in land-fills for centuries after disposal. Real Christmas trees, on the other hand, are recyclable. The branches and trunk are biodegradable and can be made into mulch for the garden. A Christmas tree placed in the back yard will make a nice bird feeder and the birds can also use the trees branches for shelter during the winter winds. Large quantities of trees make effective barriers on beaches to prevent soil erosion. Sunk into ponds, the trees will also make an excellent refuge and feeding area for fish.

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A NIGHT GARDEN IN AUGUST, 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

This Full Moon Draws Our Focus Back to The Routines of Life, But Don’t Stop Dreaming!

As folks who work the earth, our family has come to recognize the subtle changes in our surroundings that come with each passing full moon. Perhaps you have learned to notice these changes too. Did you notice last week how the light was different– more golden than white? Did you feel the coolness that has seeped into the evening air? If you haven’t seen these things, promise yourself that tonight you will pay attention.

Native Americans named each full moon of the year, a tradition that reminded all of the cycles of nature. This August moon is known as the “Green Corn” or “Silk Corn” Moon because the corn crop is just getting to the point where the silk is floating on the breeze, picking up pollen and drawing that fertile substance down it’s silky shaft to the individual grain of corn that is feeds. (A truly amazing process, learn more here ). But for me, I like to think of the August Moon the way the fishing tribes of the Great Lakes Region did, as the “Sturgeon Moon”. For them, it was a call to the lakes to stock up resources for the coming winter. For me it is a reminder that the August moon appears in our sky within the constellation of Pisces, the watery sign of dreamers. I always try to remember to hold on to the dreams and hopes that arise from the relaxed and vibrant state of summer, especially when things like Labor Day & Back to School are calling us to focus instead on the work at hand. But no work should ever be done without the aim of achieving your dreams. (If you click on the moon image above, you will land on a cool page that offers you a monthly opportunity to dream with every full moon).

Marvin & I received an auspicious gift on the full moon this week– a stone from the Great Lakes region from our assistant grower Holly. She had returned to her home on the U.P. to celebrate her marriage to her soul mate, and came back with this gift for us! It is an amazing fossilized coral called a petoskey stone that is unique to that region. Because of the eye shape of the coral formation, this stone is believed to enhance one’s awareness–to see the world around them and be aware of your own relationship to it.  It is also said to be a powerful healing tool with the ability to channel love. Sounds like a recipe for dreams to me! Stop by to see and hold our petosky stone, and to wish Holly much joy in her marriage.

Unique to our region is the Caladium Festival happening this weekend, August 28 & 29 in Lake Placid. Did you know that Lake Placid is the Caladium Capital of the World? In honor of this festival we are giving away caladiums this weekend! For each purchase of $35 or more, help yourself to up to 6 caladiums to plant in your own garden. I love to plant Caladiums around the Vernal & Autumnal Equinox because these true perennials of Florida will fade as the days get short, but come spring they emerge from the awakening earth as reminder that the seasons are shifting again.

As we think about our own regional specialties, and as we re-join our school friends, as neighbors return from summer vacation, we are reminded of the power of community. You all know I am a big fan of the notion of Community as a means to solve much of world’s ills. Check out the information on the 3/50 Project as a means of supporting our local economic community.

As I turn my attention to the garden at this Sturgeon Moon I am struck by the beauty of our Florida Native Plants at this time, so read on to learn more about selecting natives that are right for your space. You’ll also find details about the sale we are currently running on our native plants. In this newsletter, I also give you a few pointers on what garden work needs to be done as we shift from summer to fall here in zone 10, introduce our NEW seed line from Botanical Interests, and offer the details of our Mulch Sale. We have also brought back the 3-for-$10 special pricing on select perennials for the next two weeks.

I look forward to seeing you soon, terri

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Landscape Care In the Late Summer, AUGUST 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

It is what I call the doldrums of summer. The persistent heat has taken its toll. And the absent rains have made the heat stress of a Zone 10 summer that much more intolerable. Remember the Pinder’s Mantra: “A plant is a living organism responding to an ever-changing environment.”   As growers, gardeners, horticulturists we have a special regard for the rhythms of the seasons. We recognize the subtle shifts in wind direction, rainfall, sunlight and shadows that make up the above referenced “ever-changing environment”. We anticipate the predicable patterns in these variables and so anticipate the shifting needs of the “living organisms” that comprise our gardens.  But when one of those elements does not unfold as predicted, it can catch us off-guard. This summer, the challenge has been the heat, coupled with the relative dryness of this year’s “wet season”.

Beginning in spring, as night time temperatures rise, plants grow more actively. This addition of new green growth makes the plant susceptible to pests that like to eat the soft new shoots. Aphids, mealy bugs, scales and white fly can create problems. Be on the lookout for these pests and choose a solution the best fits your circumstance.

The quick growth also demands nutrient support to provide the cellular building blocks of new leaves, stems and roots. Hopefully, back in the early summer, just as the rains started, you fed.  Perhaps you worked in either an organic fertilizer and/or  some compost.  Or maybe you applied the appropriate conventional feed for your plants. If that is the case, then all may need to do at this point is provide a little boost in the form of a liquid nutritional spray for those plants that are looking alittle pekid. Before Labor Day, you will want to trim back shrubs that are getting too big for your liking. Remember that after Labor Day, growth on most plants will begin to slow, coming to a complete halt in several species by Thanksgiving.

Here, in the late summer, blooming plants often “go vegetative”.  That is to say they quit blooming and put most of their energy into growing new green growth. Lots of leaves, not much in the way of flower. Keep them well nourished, remove the spent blooms (this is called “dead-heading”) and be on the lookout for pests & problems outlined here. Eventually, once the temperatures drop, they will again bloom.

More new green leaves also means the plant has more area from which to lose moisture. So leafier plants lose more water–at the same time that they require more water to support their rapid growth. Usually, here in South Florida, when this imbalance in water needed and water lost reaches its peak, we are in the midst of our rainy season. Just as the need for more water arises, we are blessed with summer afternoon showers. But this year, Mother Nature is being stingy with the rainfall, so I am seeing evidence of drought stress throughout my garden.  Hand water to provide a little relief. Be sure you have an adequate layer of mulch in place to retain moisture and keep the soil cool. For those plants that have been stressed to the point of leaf drop, consider treating with SUPERThrive, a great boost to plants immunity in times of stress.  Consider this for anything planted less than a year as these plants are still getting acclimated and could use a little support.

Now usually I would say, “Heck if it can’t survive without a bunch of molly-coddling than the dang thing needs to be culled from my garden!” and let the plant dry up and die. Cruel, I know, but life is cruel. But this time I am saying, give them a little support because this is NOT a typical year. A wicked cold, now a brutal heat and not enough rain. . .Most likely, next year will not be like this, and your plants will be

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LATE SUMMER CHECKLIST FOR KITCHEN GARDEN CARE, AUGUST 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

Fall is just around the corner and if you are aiming to grow some of your own food this year, now is the  time to start planning.  Begin by taking an inventory of the foods you know you will eat.  Some of our favorites are tomatoes in a variety of shapes and flavors.  Everything from snacking and salads to slicing and saucing.  We also like to grow a bunch of types of lettuce. I have to say that for us growing lettuce is the easiest way to impact our grocery bill. Another great plant is Pak Choi.  We never get tired of a stir fry  of ginger, garlic , sesame oil, Pak Choi and whatever is in the fridge (chicken, beef, tofu, shrimp). Easy quick meal that is good for you too.  Other must haves for us are beets, carrots and an assortment of peppers.

Brassicas we plant are broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage (red & green). These are just our tried & true. Then each year we pick 2-3 new things to grow. For guidance in choosing what to grow, we turned to a new book by Robert Bowden Florida Garden. This is a great resource drawing on the experiences of local gardeners, growers and farmers to provide suggestions for the best varieties. Once we have made our list of what to grow, we have to decide how much to plant and how to lay out the beds. One of the best references I know of for planning your garden space is the book Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew.  Mel’s technique of raised beds works great as well, although I have my own preference for a soil recipe. At any rate, both of these books, as well as others are now available at our shop–all at 10% off list price-everyday.

So take some time to plan your space. Mark your calendars for late August to mid-September for when you will begin sowing and putting out your first transplants.

I look forward to seeing you soon, terri

Posted in Garden Advice, Gardening Around the Year, Summer Garden Care, Vegetable Gardening | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

LATE SUMMER, 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

I don’t know about you, but I love the gifts that the late summer brings.  It’s the time of year where you are just hitting your stride at the slower pace of summer.  By now I have surrendered to the reality that I just can’t move faster than the hammock can swing. And why would I want to anyway?  For me, my mood can be captured by the sweet lullaby,  Summertime, from the American opera Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin. The song embodies the comforting safety of the late summer warmth mixed with a dash of hopeful promise.

It’s by this point of the summer that we have either accomplished all the plans for travel, projects and books to read, or we are coming to accept that the harvest will be what the harvest will be. We are, at once, grateful for the looming end to listless days and lazy evenings, and nostalgic for this and other summers past.

In our veggie patch we are bringing in the melons planted this spring–savoring their juicy sweetness– and prepping our beds for the first setting out of seedlings for the fall crop.( I have provided you with a few practical suggestions for preparing your Kitchen Garden for a bountiful fall in the article to the right).  We are getting in those last late night fishin’ trips and starting to buy the necessaries for the return to school.  That Sales Tax Holiday is a sure sign that fall is coming.  Read on to see what sort of specials we are offering to you during that “Holiday”–I think you’ll like the savings.

There are some typical late summer things happening around your landscape, too. Plus, due to some unusually dry weather (for our rainy season) there are a few trouble spots to keep an eye out for. I hope the information I share below will give you the details you need to resolve any issues in your own garden.

In this late summer season, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy those public gardens that absolutely shine in the heat of summer. I have shared with you a couple of my own personal favorites around South Florida.

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Favorite Summer Botanical Gardens , JULY 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

It’s not just hot out there it is steamy! And that steamy heat & humidity is what makes our area a Tropical Paradise.  Yes those conditions that make you wilt is just what the botanist ordered for the rare and beautiful tropical flora you can see at the premiere showcase of such botanical glory: Fairchild Tropical Gardens.  Currently you can get in free every Sunday in August.  And the fact is, right now, everything there is at its best!

For a cool green respite, I love the sanctuary of Morikami Gardens. Meandering paths through green-on-green landscapes lead you deep into a peaceful refuge.  For a bit more excitement don’t miss the annual Bon Festival to be held August 14th from 4pm – 9pm. A celebration of departed ancestors, the festival is marked by the roar of the Taiko Drums, Japanese Folk Dancing, a street fair with games, fireworks and floating lanterns –each with a candle lit to honor the ancestors– upon the reflective surface of the lake. Tickets can be purchased on line.

To me, these two gardens are the yin & yang of the summer, each with their own version of garden inspiration.  Why not make some time to enjoy the day at a public garden soon?

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ZONE 10 GARDEN CHECKLIST OF SUMMER TASKS, JUNE 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

June is a good time to complete the following tasks if you have not already done so. Check out the links below for more product information.

- Prune or cut back any plants that are getting straggly, over-grown or too dense. Your aim is to get a jump on the aggressive growth you can anticipate in the long days and warm temps of summer, plus provide for better air movement through the foliage as a disease prevention method. Remember to feed when you prune.

- Prune palms and trees to prevent damage in a big blow, but avoid the “10-2″ prune we see all too often on palms. Check these links for more from IFAS on pruning palms and trees & shrubs.

- Feed your landscape. As temperatures warm and the rains begin, plants will grow, give them what they need to grow healthy. If you have palms in your yard, be sure to use a feed labeled for palms. Because palms have specific nutrient needs, you can actually do more harm than good to your palms by using the wrong feed within 30 feet of a palm. We recommend Harrell’s Palm & Shrub with it’s slow release nitrogen, low phosphate and full array of micro-nutrients, formulated for palms. If you have already begun to see nutrient deficiencies, try a chelated nutritional spray from Southern Agricultural Products. These easy to use products put readily available nutrients right where they are needed for immediate response.

-Begin a program of pest intervention to catch problems early . In the warm seasons, when plants grow actively, there is an increase in pest populations. Step up your scouting efforts, particularly on those pest-prone plants in your yard. For me that can be those troublesome worms on my snowbush, pink hibiscus mealy bugs on my mahoe, black sooty mold on my gardenia, mites on my angel trumpet. . . you get the picture. You may not be able to identify exactly what it is that’s eating you, but if you grab a sample of affected plant, put it in a zip-lock baggie and bring it in, we can help you find a solution. We have a wide array of low toxicity, high efficacy solutions that we know work.

-Mosquitos are pests too! Gather what you need to keep the buggers off your back! We offer some great solutions from citronella candles to scented geraniums. ThermaCell Lanterns that emit deet-free repellents and Superband  for your arms & legs to keep them at bay while you work. One of my favorite products is YardSafe in granules or convenient hose-end spray. A composite of cedar, clove and thyme it really works to keep fleas, mosquitoes, no-see-ums and other biting pests away from your patio- and ankles! Be a dear and take part in our campaign to reduce mosquitoes. We are giving away FREE mosquito plunks for folks to drop in whatever standing water you come across. Let’s all do our part to keep these pests in check this summer.

- Be on the lookout for disease that is fed by high humidity and heat. Problems with bacterial leaf spots and fungal infections become more pervasive in the summer months. Watch for brown, slippery wet lesions on leaves. Remove diseased foliage (be sure not to contaminate other parts of the plant, or other plants with your tools) and keep the area clean of decaying debris. Water early in the day so that leaves are dry before sundown and minimize splash by using root-zone irrigation rather than overhead. This is also a very effective way to conserve water! Consider taking action to prevent disease in the first place by using what the pros use: Key-Plex Nutritional Spray boosts plants’ immunity and prevents disease from taking hold. Formerly only available to professional growers, we are excited to be able to offer this product packaged for home use– just attach it to the hose end and water! If disease gets the best of your garden, we recommend OMRI listed Serenade.

- Refresh your containers and beds with warm season color such as vinca, begonias, angelonia, lantana, penta, portulaca, bush daisy, and many more. Come in to see the wide array of plants that you CAN do in the summer.

- Feed the butterflies Now is the time to put in some milkweed to support the monarch migration, fennel to support the swallowtails and passion vine for the fritillaries. Plus, help the adult population source the nectar they need to support their mating activities with buddlea, porterweed, lantana and penta to name but a few. Here’s a link with some cool pictures of butterfly eggs and larvae.

- Create Shade.  Plant a tree, install an arbor, place a vine or hang a Shade Sail. Whatever you do to create shade will save you money on your electric bill, and it will open up opportunities to try new plants that you couldn’t have before you had shade. See the promotions below to save money on some great shade-makers.

- Plan to Grow Your Own. In northern climes, January is the traditional garden-planning month. A time when seed orders are placed, plans are drawn and rows allocated based on what the gardener hopes to yield. Here, it is the heat of the summer that has us huddled indoors. A great time to plan your fall/winter crops. Need some help with that? Don’t miss the great speakers we are offering on July 17th to help you get started.

- Visit Tropical Gardens. Tropical gardens are at their best right now. Make a point of getting to one of the many beautiful Tropical Botanic gardens nearby to be inspired. Check out Fairchild Tropical Gardens , Selby Gardens of St. Pete’s historic Sunken Gardens.  Want to stay closer to home? Explore McKee in Vero Beach, La Maison Fluerie in Rio  or local favorite, Tropical Ranch Botanical Garden in Stuart. Don’t want to travel alone? Watch for our field trip to Redlands Fruit & Spice Park, and ride along with us. Want to plan your own space to be that lush but don’t know where to start? Consider a meeting with Anna Morgan, ASLD, FCLD . For just $50 she will meet with you at Pinder’s and help you plan your own Tropical Paradise!

- Begin to Compost. Find a spot where you can pile up all that debris you have pruned. Allow space for three 3×3 piles. Layer dried carbon-rich, “brown” waste (leaves, chipped palm fronds, brown bags from the grocery) 2 inches thick followed by 1 inch of nitrogen laden “green” waste (kitchen scraps –no animal products– grass clippings, corn shuckins’). Add a bio-activator to accelerate the process and stand back. The compost can be incorporated into your landscape beds or vegetable garden or used as nutrient rich mulch come fall.

- Clear the Thatch From Your Lawn. The thick underlayings of your lawn inhibit water penetration and choke out healthy growth. Don’t work too hard to remove thatch, use Natural Guard Bio Activator to chemically dissolve the thatch using natural humic acid. The end result? Healthier soil. For more, check this out.

- Make Room for More Beds. If you have been wanting to rid yourself of some lawn, now is a great time to kill it to the roots. Simply cover with light blocking material, preferably black to intensify the heat, and wait about 3 weeks. If 3 weeks feels too long, then apply QuickPRO herbicide by Round Up to speed the process. Because this professional quality herbicide contains diquat as well as Round-Up you will get immediate (24 hours) die back, decreasing your wait time to 1 week of black covering. You will be able to peel back the cover, incorporate some of that compost and start with a fabulous new bed. Because this approach has a “solarizing” effect of killing all micro-organisms you will be free of pesky nematodes, but will need to re-inoculate with the beneficial microbes that make your soil come alive. We recommend THRIVE products to achieve the desired microbial activity.

- Get Thee to the Beach! It’s why we live here after all. So get out and enjoy our coast, tell everyone how beautiful it is, and encourage friends up north to come and visit. Participate in a clean up or open an umbrella and read something playful. In fact, if you want to browse a garden magazine on the beach, stop in to help yourself to one of my many back issues headed for the recycle bin! Chose Fine Gardening, Garden Design or American Horticulture. Bring in your old issues if you wish and we can start a library!

Well, that is quite the to-do list! Be sure to protect yourself from the heat with plenty of water, sunblock of at least a 30 SPF (put it on inside and wait 30 minutes before going out), wear a wide-brimmed hat and cover your arms. Check out the Naked Bee sunblock we offer, garden hats for less than $10 and NEW Sunflower arm-length sunblock gloves that keep you cool but protected.

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SUMMER GARDEN LESSONS, JUNE 2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

I love the lessons I learn from the garden. Each season brings another set of tasks to be done in anticipation of what the next season can hold, while all the while having to contend with the consequences of the previous season. For us this summer that means we need to look forward to a fall season full of possibility, while recognizing that we are still dealing with the outcomes of the coldest-longest winter on record in Florida.

It is in the spirit of this lesson, and as a blessed act of surrender to Mother Nature, that we regrettable must announce that we are going to re-schedule Daddy-O’s Second Annual Tropical Fruit Festival for Saturday, July 17th!  Fact is, after that winter, right now there simply is no fruit to be had as of yet. Not a Mango or Lychee to be found! We would rather wait until July, and have some goodies to share. Even then, we expect supply will be short.

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It’s a Time of Transitions and Traditions as we Celebrate Grads & Dads! JUNE,2010

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

How easy it is to get knocked off center by life’s transitions. And how powerful family traditions can be to bring you back to balance. I have recently been struggling with ambivalence born of my two daughters’ graduations. The younger of the two, Kenleigh, graduated last month from South Fork High School, and my oldest child, Hilary, graduated from Eckerd College in May. It seems that I am always caught off-guard by how such events effect me emotionally. Yeah, I expect to be happy and ready to start singing “Cel-a-bra-tion Time! Come On!” But I never quite anticipate the regret that comes with such life-transitions. The feelings are rooted in my sudden stark awareness that there is no turning back the clock. There is no do-over where I spend more time with the kids, take more photos of family, yell less, hug more. . . you get the idea. Time just keeps marching forward, propelling us past mile-stones like graduations, and while I can’t stop this forward motion, I could certainly be doing more to enjoy the ride.  And that is where traditions come in. Be it family Barbecues, beach days, road trips or even the annual shopping junket to buy the season’s bathing suit, these rituals are comforting in their routine and predictability.

Well, we hope you will join us for a new family tradition at Pinder’s: Daddy-O’s Tropical Fruit Festival. This year we will offer talks by extension agents Farmer Fred Burkey of Martin County and Ed Skvarch of St. Lucie County. Plus Master Gardener Lauren Palmero will give us some tips for preserving our harvest, and ag-industry leaders will share their experiences with organic solutions, beneficial microbes and sustainable practices that will benefit your door-yard garden.

While all that learning is good for your mind, the home-churned, sour-sop ice cream (a Pinder Family recipe) is food for your soul.  And as if ice cream comfort weren’t enough-how about a tropical fruit tasting “expedition” where you sample mango varieties, lychees, papaya, and a whole host of exotic flavors.

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