A Note from Scott and Marsha
July 30, 2020
Who's ready for fall? Who's ready for Christmas? I know. I'll stop. But it's coming quickly! I haven't even begun to pick up whatnots for my family that I hide in the closet and then forget about. Does anyone else do this very thing?  

Have you seen this book yet? Last week, Scott and I arrived home to a manila envelope. Neither one of us had ordered a book so I was curious what it was. Lo and behold, it was the first ever children's book , Gracie's Garden , published by our biggest fan, Lara Casey! I have written about her in past stories and she truly is one of the dearest people I know.  

As Lara probably has more ideas than I do in a week, her continued passion for her family is inspiring. Her love for gardening is also what makes her so special. Along with her being the author of Make It Happen and Cultivate , she inspires everyone with her words of encouragement and her beautiful smile.  

I knew she was working on this labor of love. I sat down and opened the pages. What an adorable story it turned out to be. I won't spoil it for you. I loved the illustrations by Jon Davis. I have spent time at the garden center with Lara and her children. The illustrations completely captured each one of them which made the story even more charming. The best part is the peach tree. It happens to be a peach tree she purchased at FGS years and years ago from Scott! They, in turn, have watched it grow and grow while  "they paddled, battled, saddled or skedaddled".   

Outside of her new book, she's just a good friend. I love when someone out of the blue suddenly encourages you without having any idea it was exactly what you needed. Scott and I receiving Gracie's Garden that afternoon was truly a blessing after a roller coaster week. We could all use (and be) friends like that.  

If you haven't picked up the book yet for someone who enjoys gardening, consider ordering it . I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. After you read it, grab a  tomatoooo  from your vine because we know everyone has been busy this spring and summer growing all things green and fresh, too!  Let's pass our green thumbs to the next generation!
CAN YOU DO US A FAVOR?
Many of you may have found us through a Google or Yelp search. If you did, AWESOME! We love that future guests and clients can find more about us through these types of sites. Your review can help others find out more about who we are. If you love us as much as we love you, could you take the time to leave us a review? We would really appreciate it. If you can't leave us a great review, please let us know why. We love your feedback! We have included links below to make it as easy for you as possible. THANK YOU!
GARDEN CENTER FEATURES
JUDY'S HOUSE PLANT PICK
Loved for its unique foliage of serrated leaves, Aralia varieties have been grown as houseplants for more than a century! Aralias love bright, indirect light, but some can handle medium light conditions as well. Allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings, but don't allow it to dry out completely. Like many houseplants, it does best with a regular watering schedule. Consider misting your Aralia periodically to boost humidity.
MAJOR WHEELER HONEYSUCKLE
If you are looking for a plant to attract hummingbirds, you will love Major Wheeler Honeysuckle. This native vine is not invasive like the honeysuckle you may be thinking of. The blooms are a bright-orange red that you (and the hummingbirds) will enjoy for weeks. Plant in full sun, and give this beauty room to grow. It will reach up to 8 feet in height and spread up to 10 feet. In 2010, Major Wheeler was the Plant of the Year!
DWARF BUTTERFLY BUSHES
Pugster Amethyst and Pugster Pink Butterfly Bushes may be small, but their blooms are anything but. They boast big and beautiful blooms that attract butterflies and other pollinators. Enjoy the blooms all summer, and trust that these hardy shrubs will survive our winters. They will grow to only about 2 feet high and up to 4 feet wide. Plant in full sun and soil with good drainage for the happiest Pugsters.
G ARDEN CENTER SALES
ALL 4-INCH ANNUALS ARE NOW 50% OFF!
Tropical Tuesdays
Every Tuesday in July and August
Save 10% on any of our houseplants on every Tuesday in July and August! Our next Tropical Tuesday is August 4! We are open 9AM-5PM.


Saturday, August 15, 10:00am-11:00am
Yes, you can grow roots and shoots in the cool seasons in the Triangle! Learn about how to plan your garden and manage plants for maximum productivity. One of Durham’s Extension Master Gardeners will tell you exactly what you need to know to grow veggies in late fall and early spring. There is no fee for this class. Register  here .

Saturday, September 5, 10:00am-11:30am
Familiarize yourself with pruning techniques to keep your plants looking their best and promote healthy growing habits. Learn three simple ways to propagate popular indoor plants. Everyone is welcome to bring a plant from home in need of pruning. The cost of this class is $15 and each participant will receive a pair of pruning shears.
Presenter: Debbi Barrett/FGS  Register here today!
Can you believe it's nearly August? If you want to get ahead on your garden to do list for the month, this post will point you in the right direction. All you need to do in the lawn and garden in August is included.
If you are planning to plant trees or shrubs this summer, this post offers best practices. You just need to make sure to water your new plants really well.
"THE POTTING SHED" IS OPEN
THURSDAY-SUNDAY!
"THE POTTING SHED" will be open Thursday-Sunday this week serving beer, wine, cider, seltzer, mimosas and Sunset Slush!! Sunset Slush is a smooth Italian ice that can be enjoyed by all ages! It is dairy-free, gluten-free, full of flavor and amazingly refreshing! Adults can enjoy Sunset Slush topped with white wine or champagne for a cold and delicious adult treat! We have multiple flavors available. Enjoy a cold beverage as you shop with plenty of space for social distancing! Click HERE for hours and menu.
FOLLOW US!
We post daily to Instagram @fgsdurham (Garden Center) and @fgslandscapes (Landscape and Lawn Maintenance) and Facebook to keep you up to speed with the latest information about what we are up to, what's in stock, or all the fun we're having!
For Garden's Sake | 919.484.9759| www.fgsdurham.com