June 21st - June 27th is National Pollinator Week and if you didn't know already, pollinators need our help! Biologists fear several butterfly and bumble bee species have disappeared from parts of their range, including the once common western bumble bee. Why are pollinators in trouble? It appears that habitat loss and pesticide poisoning account for much of the population decline. We can do our part to support pollinators by creating pollinator friendly gardens and protecting wildlife habitats. It's not too late!
HOW TO PLANT FOR POLLINATORS
  • Habitat opportunities abound on every landscape – from window boxes to acres of farms to corporate campuses to utility and roadside corridors – every site can be habitat.
  • Utilize plants native to your area (or at the least, noninvasive for your area).
  • Know your soil type and select appropriate plant material.
  • Plant in clusters to create a "target” for pollinators to find.
  • Plant for continuous bloom throughout the growing season from spring to fall.
  • Select a site that is removed from wind, has at least partial sun, and can provide water.
  • Allow material from dead branches and logs remain as nesting sites; reduce mulch to allow patches of bare ground for ground-nesting bees to utilize; consider installing wood nesting blocks for wood-nesting natives. 
In honor of pollinator week we are having a big sale!

11 types of perennial pollinator plants now BUY 1 GET 1 HALF OFF!*
*(limited to 1 gallon size containers, of equal or lesser value, limited to stock on hand, cannot be applied with any other discounts. Offer good through Sunday, June 27th)

Plants included in the sale:
Achillea (Yarrow)
  • Butterflies
  • Beetles
  • Bumble & Mason Bees
  • Ladybugs
  • Brown & Green Lacewings
Agastache (Hyssop)
  • Butterflies
  • Bumble & Honey Bees
  • Hummingbirds
Salvia (Sage)
  • Butterflies
  • Bees
  • Hummingbirds
Verbena bonariensis
  • Bumble & Honey Bees
  • Hummingbirds
  • Eastern Tiger Swallowtails
  • Many other butterflies
Gaura (Wandflower)
  • Bees
  • Butterflies
Liatris (Blazing Star)
  • Butterflies
  • Hummingbirds
  • Honey & Bumble Bees
Nepeta (Catmint)
  • Butterflies
  • Moths
  • Honey, Bumble & Mason Bees
  • Hummingbirds
DETERS
  • Aphids
  • Squashbugs
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
  • Hummingbirds
  • Bees
Perovskia (Russian Sage)
  • Honey, Carpenter & Leaf-cutting Bees
  • Butterflies
  • Hummingbirds
Rudbeckia
(Black-eyed Susan)
  • Bees
  • Butterflies
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
  • Bees
  • Butterflies
Bees prefer blue, purple, and yellow flowers, and sweet fragrances. They see ultraviolet colors – found on the flowers such as buttercups and
black-eyed Susans.
Butterflies favor platform-shaped sunflowers and asters, but will feed on a diversity of nectar-rich flowers from violets to serviceberry shrubs.
They prefer red, purple, or yellow flowers with sweet scents.
To attract hummingbirds to your garden, provide them with nectar starting in early spring. It’s thought that hummingbirds prefer red-colored flowers; however, they will feed on any flower that produces abundant nectar.
Speaking of beneficials...
WE HAVE LADYBUGS BACK IN STOCK!
Ladybugs are capable of consuming up to 50 to 60 aphids per day! They will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae including scales, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, mites, and various types of soft-bodied insects. Just remember that ladybugs will fly away almost immediately if released during the heat of the day or where the sun is shining, so wait until evening to release them. Spray a fine mist of water on the plants before the release, as giving the little beetles a drink may keep them around longer. Wouldn't want to be a bad host, eh? Note to self when entertaining ladybugs: *must remember to offer ladybugs a beverage before the main course: APHIDS!*
Speaking of bees, we have a new product from Coffman Farms: spreadable honey! Whipped to perfection, this spun honey is perfect for spreading on toast, muffins, pancakes, waffles, you name it! Whipping honey acts to control crystallization. If there are many small crystals (made by churning) then it prevents the formation of large crystals. Spread away!
Even though we've (I speak for the plants too) all been enjoying the rain and temperate weather, a little birdie told me that hot weather is just around the corner. Lucky for you we have a brand new shipment of high quality hoses for all of your watering needs.
Made in Oregon, super slim and lightweight by design, Water Right's polyurethane garden hose is soft, flexible and effortless to use. Using only top quality materials, Water Right's polyurethane is 100% free from toxic chemicals such as lead, BPA and phthalates often found in other garden hoses. This makes drinking water safe, straight from the garden hose. Did we mention it's light as a feather? No kinks, no cracks, no leaky connections! Does dad need a new hose for Father's Day? This could be the perfect gift! To learn more about Water Right hoses, head over to their website!
Don't forget about Dad!
All this talk about pollinators, let's not forget about dear old Dad! Father's day is this Sunday, June 20th. Looking for some gift ideas? We have tons of fun things we're sure any dad would love. Garden tools? A nice bottle of bubbly? Perhaps a sun hat or a pair of Sloggers? Give Dad a little pep in his step with a spicy pepper jelly, sure to warm up his biscuits and his heart.
Music and houseplants? Count Fanta in! She's one groovy gal'.