Now is the Time,
Kerby's is the Place
January 7, 2016
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Now is the Time, |
January 7, 2016 |
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Happy New Year! So we're already a whole week into 2016. How are you doing with those resolutions? One of the most common resolutions is to get healthy. So with the help of a Microsoft Band that I got for Christmas, I've been tracking my steps each day. The latest healthy trend is to try to get 10,000 steps each day, so I wondered: How many steps do I walk at the nursery on an average day? The image at right says it all. Over 20,000 steps and 10 miles! Whew. If you want to work at a garden center (and probably any retail store for that matter), you'd better be ready to walk! That's actually not my record either. Since then, I've had a day with 11 miles and 22,000 steps. I'm wondering how many steps I'll get in on a busy spring weekend. The great thing about all that walking is it does keep me in shape and saves a gym membership.
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In This Issue
Buy One Get One 50% Off
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Freefall Trailing Pansy Viola x If you need something beautiful for a hanging basket or a container garden, make sure you try the Freefall Trailing Pansy. Gorgeous color with a low, cascading growth habit makes it perfect for brightening up winter gardens. |
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The beauty of living in Florida is that you don't have to be cooped up inside during the winter. Except for a few cold days, we can garden all year long. There is plenty to do, and the sun-kissed afternoons of January are the perfect time to get things done, without having to break a sweat. Below are some ideas for great things to do this time of year.
Think Veggies - It isn't quite time to start most vegetables, but you
can start seeds indoors if you want a jumpstart on the season. It is time to
start amending and turning the soil for your spring garden. Add homemade compost, cow manure and top
soil now and work it into the soil. Letting it sit for the next month will
allow the nutrients to mix and the soil to be in top shape for your spring
vegetable garden. Come out to the veggie workshop
on Saturday, February 20th
at 10am to learn all about
veggie gardening in Florida.
Get
Ideas - When you can't get outside, you can always daydream about
gardening. There are lots of places to get great ideas and
spring inspiration. You'll be set and ready to go when spring arrives. 
Plant Now
Even though it is winter, there are so many things that are great to put in the ground
right now.
Pansies, geraniums and dianthus are just a few flowers that can be planted now. It is (we know you won't believe it) the best time of year to plant shade trees, and any dormant trees. Hardy shrubs
such as azaleas, camellias and viburnums can
also be planted with no fear. So if you are bored inside, get out your shovel and do a little
planting. |
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Kerby's Nursery 2311 S. Parsons Ave. Seffner, FL 33584 (813) 685-3265 www.kerbysnursery.com |
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Prune - but only certain plants. Things you'll want to leave alone: tropicals that might be damaged by cold (or even tropicals that have already
been damaged by the cold.), azaleas (they have already set their blooms for
the spring.) It's the perfect time to prune: roses, crape myrtles, and
many cold-hardy fruits including peaches, apples, pears, plums and
nectarines. This is a great time to do a severe prune on these shrubs and
trees if necessary, since they are dormant or partially dormant at this time
of year. Pruning now will encourage healthy growth in the spring.
Clean
- Okay this is more like a chore, but it needs to be done, and these days
with afternoons in the 70s are perfect for getting it done. Clean dead and old
plants out, remove leaves from fall and excess mulch that may be smothering
plants or running over the sides of your flower beds. Having the hard work
done now will make it easy to get planting when spring arrives.