Quotation of the Week: "A profusion of pink roses being ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring." — William Carlos Williams.

Droll Yankees World’s Best Bird Feeders

	Warmer spring days are ahead and we are happy to have in stock Droll Yankee bird feeders. Droll Yankee is recognized as one of the best names in bird feeding. They make quality feeders that are backed by their lifetime warranty. Not only are Droll Yankee feeders quality constructed, they are committed as a company to educating people about the benefits of bird feeding. They contribute to organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the Audubon Society. Droll Yankee feeders come in all shapes and sizes to fit any bird feeding need. We have 36 inch Nyjer models for a yard full of birds, and small hummingbird and seed feeders that attach easily to a window. All of the Droll Yankee classic feeders feature stainless steel hardware and powder coated finishes that will not chip or fade. The clear tubes are all UV resistant and do not yellow with age. Many of the feeders we carry also feature squirrel guard caps to make it virtually impossible for squirrels to steal seed. Metal cages on some models allow smaller birds access to seed and keep larger birds out. Droll Yankee birdfeeders are perfect for spring and will brighten up an outdoor setting.

From the Flower Shop

Adiantum (Maidenhair Fern)

Maidenhair fern is one of our most popular plants in the Florist; this is due to their dense delicate leaves and soft look. Their stems are black with brilliant soft green foliage. The new growth on some varieties is reddish or pink in color, making this a very colorful foliage plant. At maturity, these plants are 12 to 30 inches tall and as wide. There are approximately 200 species worldwide, mostly in the Andes.

Light: Good indirect light, can even tolerate a bit of early morning sun.

Water: Keep evenly moist at all times, never allow drying out not even for a few hours.

Temperature: 60-70 degrees with minimum temp of 60 at night

Fertilizer: Feed twice monthly with a liquid fertilizer such as Master Nursery Liquid Gold 15-6-3.

Humidity: Place a pebble filled tray or saucer filled with water just below the bottom of the pot as this helps to increase the humidity. This plant does not tolerate dry air, likes frequent misting.

PERENNIAL OF THE WEEK

Our 10th year of bargain hunting has begun and continues through October. Every week we find something special for you to add to your garden and offer it at almost 40% off! Since the beginning we've offered over 200 different species...

THIS WEEK'S SELECTION:

Dianthus 'Fire Witch'

4/21/06 - 4/27/06 Yours for just $4.99 each (reg. $7.98)

Runs weekly Fri. through Thurs., limited to stock on hand - so shop early.

Bumper Crop: Prepare for the Harvest!

It’s time to till up the old garden plot and begin planting what you hope will become summer’s bounty- the vegetable garden. If your visions of plump red tomatoes, two-fisted ears of corn and endless bushels of salad greens are never quite realized, maybe this season you should try some Master Nursery Bumper Crop. Bumper Crop is made of 100% natural and organic ingredients. Yard and landscape waste materials are never used in Bumper Crop, so there’s no worry about possible herbicide contamination. It’s completely safe and healthy- perfect for edible crops. Bumper Crop is unique among soil amendments, working as both a soil conditioner and an organic fertilizer. The long-lasting fir bark and forest humus is ground, composted and screened to an ideal size and texture to break up clay soil, keeping it loose and well drained for years. At the same time, the material retains moisture, minimizing the need for watering. But it’s the organic fertilizer part that really sets Bumper Crop apart! It contains 15% composted chicken manure! This is blended with an extra hefty dose of worm castings, bat guano, kelp meal and other natural plant goodies, including mycorrhizae. The result is a rich garden soil that feeds your vegetable garden in abundance. You can’t miss! Simply add about 3” of Bumper Crop over your planting area, mixing it into the existing garden soil to a depth of 6”-8”. Next plant your starts in this prepared soil. Be sure to water thoroughly right after the initial planting. Now, stand back and watch ‘em grow. You may want to start thinking about where to display all those ribbons from the County Fair! Here’s another tip: try some Master Nursery Bumper Crop in your flower garden, too. If it does all this for your vegetable garden, just imagine…

What’s Mycorrhizae?

Mycorrhizae are specialized, beneficial fungi that establish symbiotic relationships with plant roots. The mycorrhizae fungi penetrate plant root tissues, surround the root mass and extend far into the surrounding soil- encompassing a much greater volume of soil than that occupied by the plant’s own roots and root hair system. The fungi’s long thread-like mycelia are especially effective in capturing moisture and nutrients from the soil, especially nitrogen and phosphorous. The fungi consume some of the nutrients, but more importantly, they generously share them with the roots of the host plant. In return, the host plant provides the fungi with photosynthesized nutrients, including sugars. What does this mean to the gardener? Mycorrhizae help to create ideal garden soil structure- soil that drains, breaths and retains optimum moisture. The near perfect “coffee-grounds” soil texture often found in fastidiously maintained organic gardens is an example of long-term mycorrhizal soil activity.