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Garden
Tool up, get growing
On your mark, budding horticulturists: It's time to hit the garden shops to select the tools of the trade and make some realistic plant purchases.
By YVONNE SWANSON
Published October 14, 2006
There are several rules every shopper should know: Never buy groceries when you're hungry. Never shop for new clothes after a big meal. Here's a third one: Resist the urge to buy a plant simply because it's pretty or a great bargain. I've broken all three of those rules, especially when it comes to plants. It's so tempting to take a "quick look" in the garden center when you're at the home improvement or discount store picking up hardware. Next thing you know, you're leaving the store with a small bag of 99-cent nails - and a full-size cart loaded with plants. You're not sure where you'll plant them, but you'll figure that out when you get home. It takes willpower to resist impulse garden shopping, but at least with these basic how-to's, you'll come home with healthy plants at a fair price. Experts agree that you get what you pay for. Don't let discount prices, including those "TLC" sales, fool you. Sometimes, deeply discounted plants are on their last legs. If they're dry, wilted or leggy, skip them. Save your money for healthy, quality plants. Follow these expert guidelines before you put any plant in your cart or wagon: * Inspect the plant. Buy plants that look fresh and hydrated. If it's a blooming plant, choose one with buds rather than one in full bloom. Stick a finger into the soil to test if it's dry, moist or soggy (moist is best). Look at the top and underside of leaves, as well as stems, branches or trunks. Don't buy plants with branches/stems that are weak, poorly formed, cracked or peeling or with leaves that are yellowing or dropping. Beware of aphids (small green or black insects on buds and new growth), spider mites (small white specks on leaf undersides and webbing around the plant) and scale (tiny brown bumps on leaves and stems). * Inspect the roots. It's okay to gently remove the plant from the container, being careful not to harm the plant or make a mess. Check that the root system is well established but not root-bound (a tangled mess of roots with little soil). Avoid plants with roots that are growing out of the container. If you're buying a large plant or tree in a large container or wrapped in burlap, ask for assistance to inspect the root system. * Select plant size, not container size. Plants are priced according to container size with the assumption that the larger the container, the larger the plant. But that's not always true. Sometimes plants in larger containers are the same size or only slightly larger than those in smaller pots, notes Bob Black, Ph.D., consumer horticultural specialist at the University of Florida in Gainesville. * Shop at garden centers that are neat and professional. If plant debris is littering the aisles or walkways and less-than-healthy plants are displayed, it's a breeding ground for fungus, disease and insects, warns state-certified plant specialist Erik Haney of the garden center at Lowe's Home Improvement in St. Petersburg, where aisles are cleaned of debris daily and sanitized with bleach several times each month. * Shop when plants are freshest and help is available. According to Haney, most large retailers stock fresh plants from Wednesday to Friday in preparation for the crowds of weekend shoppers. You'll get more assistance and better selection if you shop at large retailers before the weekend. At smaller specialty nurseries, where plant stock doesn't sell as quickly as at the large retailers, you should be able to find ample supply and assistance any day of the week. Experts recommend planting your new purchases as soon as possible. Remove the plant from the container; if roots appear compacted, they should be pruned to encourage spreading. Use pruning shears or a knife to make three slices from the top of the root ball to the bottom, then gently pull the roots away from the root ball. Next, dig a hole two to three times as wide and deep as the root ball or container. Place the root ball in the hole and backfill the bottom half of space around the root ball with existing soil and press lightly. Gardeners commonly add peat, bagged soil or compost in the planting hole, but this practice isn't necessary, Black said. Fill the rest of the hole with loose soil and gently press again. Make sure the plant is not placed any deeper than it was growing in its nursery container. Water to settle the soil and add more soil as needed. Top off with two to three inches of mulch around the plant, but be sure it is several inches away from the trunk or stems. Keep the new plant moist but not saturated during the next week or two, then water as needed. Yvonne Swanson is a freelance writer in St. Petersburg and a master gardener for Pinellas County. part one: Right plant, right place: How to evaluate your yard before you buy plants. (Read this story at www.links.tampabay.com.) Today: Smart tips for shopping for plants and tools, plus instructions on planting your new beauties. PART THREE: Basic maintenance: The plants are in; now how do you take care of them? Watch for this final installment Nov. 11. Ready, set, shop It's a great time of year to shop for garden supplies because many retailers are discounting pots, tools and other items to make room for holiday merchandise. Your basic arsenal of gardening tools should include a spade or shovel, a long-handle cultivator, a rake and essential hand tools such as pruners, trowel and cultivator, recommends Charlie Nardozzi, senior horticulturist at the National Gardening Association in South Burlington, Vt. There are plenty of brands and styles to choose from, but the important thing is finding a well-built tool that feels comfortable. "If it doesn't fit your hand, it's going to cause fatigue," warns Nardozzi. "Check out the grip. Mark sure it's sturdy, fits nicely in your hand and doesn't slip." Most tools are sold in packages, although sometimes they're designed with an opening so you can feel the grip. Boxed tool sets, often sold with a gardening bag and gloves, may need to be opened to test the tools. Ask a store clerk or manager for permission. Other tools you can purchase as needed include a quality pair of hedge shears, loppers for pruning branches and stems up to ½-inch in diameter, a saw for larger cutting, and a wheelbarrow or garden cart if you are moving heavy objects or soil in the yard. Quality tools aren't cheap. With prices ranging from under $10 to more than $100 per tool, outfitting your garden toolkit can easily cost several hundred dollars, says Nardozzi. Add a lawnmower, leaf blower, electric or gas weed trimmer and edger to your shopping list, and your bill can top $1,000 in no time. To reduce the sticker shock, Nardozzi suggests buying one tool at a time, shopping yard sales and comparing prices in catalogs and on the Internet. Dropping hints at holiday time can't hurt either, he says. Greenery for greenhorns Tips for smart garden shopping: 1. Bring your list of plants to buy and/or landscape plan. Stick to your list and avoid impulse purchases. 2. Bring a small Florida plant book with photos and descriptions to help guide you. Plants don't always have tags with growing instructions, and some retailers don't provide guidance. If you need help, ask for a certified plant specialist. 3. Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. 4. Retailers will provide carts or wagons, but plant shows and fairs typically don't. Bring your own to haul your selections. 5. Many retailers provide plastic sheeting to protect your car's seat and trunk, but some don't. Play it safe and keep an old shower curtain or plastic tarp in your car to place under plant containers. A small bottle of hand sanitizer or travel-size baby wipes in the glove compartment also will come in handy. 6. Keep your receipts. Some retailers offer money-back and/or plant replacement guarantees if your plant doesn't survive its first year. Ask about guarantees before you leave the store. Gardening for Beginners: part 2 Are you a first-time gardener? Maybe you've just moved into your first home and finally have a yard to cultivate. Or you've decided, after all these years, to get out in the yard and really do something. Just in time for the fall/winter gardening season, we offer monthly advice on how to get started in the garden.
[Last modified October 12, 2006, 13:11:29]
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