January 31, 2012 Newsletter, Valentine Party Perks
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Come to Take A Break this Thursday, Feb. 2 Free Lunch Really, what could be better? If you can’t think of anything please come to our Take A Break anytime from 11am to 1pm on Thursday, Feb. 2. So, here’s what you get. We provide a bite to eat from Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Q. This is usually a sandwich. and of course, we make our popcorn and have the coffee and tea on. The Desk Bling for this month is pictured and it really does look great (thanks Kari). Of course you can pass on making the project but I assure you, everyone has a fun time making them. While you’re here check out what we have going on, what’s new and experience a little spring dreaming. |
You’re Invited: Valentine Shopping Party is for One & All |
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Great Classes on Saturday… They’re Free! Johanna Olson, our landscape designer and perennial area manager is teaching three classes Saturday morning. While they are free, we ask you call to sign up so we have enough seats. A number of you have called to take all three! Thanks. Here are the subjects. |
We have a number of specials leading up to and for Valentine’s Day. Valentine Shopping Party, |
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Seed Starting Time… Sort of
 Our hydroponic tomato plant has fruit. We’re starting to see mentions in the press and hearing talk that it’s time to start seeds. Well, yes and no. If you are wanting to start any seed that takes more than 14 weeks or more to develop into good seedlings bound for the garden after the threat of frost is past (average May 15) then, yes, get going. Also, if you want to grow things like onions or other cool tolerant crops for the garden that can be transplanted in April then, again yes, get going.  Pepper seedlings But, if what you want are tomatoes and peppers, wait. The time to start those is around the last of March. This timing will help you in a number of ways. You will end up with small and sturdy plants that will take the shock of transplanting and you won’t have to manage large, gangly plants in the house. Pictured at left is one of our hydroponic tomatoes and these large plants need plenty of room. Finally, not all plants need to be started from seed indoors. However, I’d be the last person on earth to squelch any sort of dreaming of the garden since I love to do that. So come on in and gather your supplies, check out the seeds and avail yourself to all of the great instructional resources we have about vegetable and flower gardening. We have free informational handouts, personal assistance and some really nice books. See you soon dreamers. |
Drawing Specials Pre-wrapped Market Bunches Facebook Contest We’re here to help Call or stop by to order fresh flowers Choose from arrangements already made Give us your order for an arrangement made just for you Parking is easy and close to the door We carry out your order Find a variety of lasting gifts in our store Gift Cards available in store or call us Growing Rewards Members purchases accumulate a 2% rebate that may be spent in the store on all merchandise every August to October. You may save your points from year to year. Points accumulate year-round.
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Enter Our Mankato School Classroom Pumpkin Growing Contest Gardening can be a lot of fun. We hope we found a way to make it even more fun. We’re inviting Mankato teachers to conduct a classroom project to participate in a pumpkin growing contest for 4th graders going into 5th grade next fall. We’re going to give each student in each registered classroom a Howden Biggie Pumpkin plant. The classroom producing the heaviest average weight will win their school $250. The student who grows the heaviest single pumpkin out of all the entries will win $25 cash.
Register by March 30, 2012 Plants are delivered personally May 18, weather permitting. We’ll get you started with planting and care instructions in your classroom. The pumpkins may be grown at home or at the school. Students must bring their pumpkin to Drummers Garden Center & Floral Sept. 24-30 to have it weighed. Students are required to enter the pumpkin they grew from the vine provided by Drummers. The winning classroom is determined by the heaviest average weight of the pumpkins entered from each class. The Howden Biggie Pumpkin is a “big” pumpkin. It is the standard for pumpkins over 30 lb., with some that can weigh over 40 pounds. The Howden Biggie shape is typically upright but it can vary. The stem handles are usually thick and strong, but short. The vines are long so give them room to grow. |
# of Days to Baby Plants (Very Few) As I mentioned in the last newsletter, this is an important question around here in the winter months. We’re pleased to say we’re expecting our first load of baby plants early next week. That means the greenhouse will be warm and the earthy scent of potting mix will be in the air. Come and enjoy it.
 Baby plant arrival day in a previous year This is the first planting of many plants and seeds that will take place throughout the spring in order to offer you our best. Sorry to say, however, that the day the plants arrive (by truck from the airport) is usually so cold we fret about how to get the plants from the truck into the greenhouse without freezing everything. Not everything gets by unscathed. That’s our little weather prediction for the day. |
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Tell us about Your Community’s Project
 Cheers to community garden projects
We’ve helped many of you over the years and are grateful to have met you and for your business. You are out there in the trenches making community garden projects happen. Some of them benefit members-only, some of them are strictly ornamental, and many of them are feeding lots of people fresh produce. Congratulations and keep up the good work! We’d love to have a listing of your projects and a description of what you’re doing. There are so many neat things happening in the surrounding communities that a benefiting so many people. Let us know who you are, what you’re doing and how we can get in touch with you. We’d love to feature your ideas and brag you up a little. Email me at sarahm@drummersgardencenter.com or reply to this email. |
May We Suggest… Gift Cards for future purchases Abdallah Chocolates Decor for the Garden or Home Rain Barrels & Rain Barrel Fountains  A miniature garden Statues Gazing Globes Miniature Garden Supplies Hydroponic Gardening Kit Grow Lights Houseplant & a decorative pot A glazed birdbath filled with fresh flowers Plant Stand or Plant Hangar Bird Feeders Trellises & Arbors Landscape Design Plan |
