Drummers Garden Center & Floral

Summer Tree Sale Begins

Hurry in for best selection on this new sale we’re starting today.

We’re offering $10 off any ornamental or shade tree through Sunday, July 3. Choose from any shade tree or ornamental tree on our lot including Maple, Crabapple, Oak, Linden and Ivory Silk Lilac.

Of course, we’re happy to work with you to help you select just the right tree for your need. Need a little design help? You’ve got it.

Fruit Tree Sale Extended

We’ve decided to extend our sale offer on fruit trees. Select any fruit tree and take $5 off the price. Rewards Members, you get an extra $2 off that sale price. We have a wonderful selection of apples, apricot, plum, cherry and peach.

A free perennial to you

When you spend $25 on perennials, we’re inviting you to try a free native on us. Choose from a selection of native perennials while supplies last. These are a $9.99 value. See which plants we’re giving away and more sale prices on our website’s specials page.

Control Apple Maggot in the next two weeks

Watch for other insects

Yes, that’s the fly that lays its eggs on the surface of your apples and the resulting larvae is that little worm making its way through the sweet flesh of your ripe apples. Apple maggot emerges and lays its eggs around this time of the season.

There’s no need to put up with it whether you work with conventional or natural controls in your orchard. You can spray with conventional or natural sprays (after July 1) and you can also use traps in your tree that will “catch” the bugs and end their quest. Stop in to see these ideas.

Remember to scout your crops for other insect issues. Here are some pointers.

+ Pick your strawberries and raspberries when the fruit is ripe and you will greatly reduce the chances of attracting insects that prey on the fruit.

+ As we highlighted last time, keep a sharp eye out for potato beetles. You will want to control them by hand or Spinosad the second you see them or it could be curtains for your potato plants.

+ We have seen evidence of the dreaded earwigs making a comeback this year. Earwigs are about a half-inch long and have pincers on their hind end. These insects caused some rather devastating damage to both food and ornamental crops last year. Their chewing tends to render a leaf looking shredded or ragged. Look for them on hosta to green bean and on any plant near a dark, moist hideout the bugs like.

Things to do in the garden now

Prune and shape evergreens now. Do this task now, after the new growth has emerged because soon evergreens will develop the buds for next year’s new growth. We often see evergreen pruning done in fall and this activity often results in winter injury that shows as brown tips the following spring. The reason why that happens is that pruning actually encourages growth in order to heal the cut. So that tender, new growth in fall doesn’t get a chance to harden off before winter’s harsh conditions challenge the plant.

Tie climbing roses to the trellis using soft ties that won’t injure the stems. This will keep your roses looking good because it will help the foliage dry off sooner in the morning and after rain and the entire plant will get more sun when those drooping branches are out of the way.

Stop harvesting rhubarb at the end of the month to allow roots to restore energy for next year’s crop. Missy (a member of our greenhouse staff) gave me a great recipe for using rhubarb sauce this spring. Fold it into whipped topping and use over angel food cake. A perfect, light summer dessert.

Pinch back asters and chrysanthemums by July 4. This will help develop bushy plants that won’t be as tall but it will yield more blossoms. By the way, Bryden (our annuals grower) is planting our crop of chrysanthemums as I write this so they will be ready to bring you lots of color this fall.

Powdery Mildew on the Rise

If you grow garden phlox, Ninebark or Alpine Currant shrubs, it’s possible you’ve seen powdery mildew on your plants by now. Powdery mildew can also effect vine crops like squash and cucumbers. This is a fungus that grows on the leaf surface and looks like baby powder has been splashed on the plant. Trouble is, it’s not soothing at all and it can damage the plant and weaken it over time.

The weather conditions are perfect for growing powdery mildew now.

If you have it, you can get out and control it. Stop by and see your options depending on what you’re growing. We can also show you how to prevent it next year which is even better!

Go ahead and put in plants & seed

Although, sadly, there are too few days left in the growing season to plant, for instance, butternut squash, there is still plenty of time to enjoy a wide variety of food and vegetable crops. We know many of you are just now or still not able to get into the garden but don’t feel all is lost.

Come in and check out your options. You can still grow lettuce, spinach and herbs. Summer squash can still make it and so can tomatoes and peppers if you use plants rather than seed. And, remember, many crops can be grown from seed as late as Aug. 1.

On the flower side, we have an excellent selection of color for your garden or patio. Our plants look great and fresh because we grow them here and tend to them ourselves. You can choose from patio pots and bowls, hanging baskets and things you can combine and pot up yourself.

Fresh Flowers are Fun for Holidays (and any time!)

Our floral department will have festive red, white & blue bouquets for your Fourth of July party or these will make a great hostess gift.

Fresh, colorful flowers always put one in a summery mood!

Happy Fourth of July!

That's pretty Lisa

Festive for the Fourth

We have…

Stars & Stripes bunting for the deck and patio,

American flags to fly or to carry by hand,

and, of course, red, white & blue patio pots and hanging baskets with flags (as shown by Ramona).

We will be closed on Monday, July 4. Thanks for your understanding.