Autumn Chores in the Garden
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After the first killing frost, here are the chores to tackle in the garden.
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Did you know you can divide your peony plants?
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Watch Victoria demonstrate dividing this peony because over time, the garden has grown more shaded and the peony will be much happier in full sun. There are also a couple of invasive weed trees sprouted up in the middle of the peony and dividing and transplanting will be a good opportunity to extract those!
Read MoreSpring Clean Up Q&A: How to prune hydrangeas and when
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Q: Should I cut back my hydrangea plants now?
A: First of all, you are not going to kill your hydrangea if you cut it back or prune it at the wrong time, but you will lose the blooms that you would have had this garden season. So we want to be mindful about when we are pruning, so that we enjoy the maximum number of blooms.
Second, prune-time depends which hydrangea bush you have.
Increase visual impact, decrease maintenance
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Victoria has a long-held design principle, “You want your garden to quiet your heart.”
Simplicity can support the feeling of calm we are all aiming for.
Read MoreYour Expert Guide to Early Spring Gardening in the Hudson Valley
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Hudson Valley Magazine did a great article on early spring gardening advice.
They interviewed local professional Gardeners and Garden Designers, including Victoria Coyne from Victoria Gardens. :) The advice she gave is something she also talked about on the March episode of the Garden and Home Show with Sally Spillane on WKZE: Divide but be “quick and quiet.”
Read MoreFor the Birds: Fall Fruiting Plants
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As we move into autumn, there is a way to bring more color, more interest, and more drama into your backyard. By planting fall-fruiting bushes you will have the double benefit of colorful berries and the colorful birds that the berries attract. Many bird species gorge on fall berries before they migrate south and many other species, like cardinals, nuthatches and blue jays stay for the winter and continue to feed off the berries in your garden. Want to attract more birds to your backyard? Start with these attractive, fall-fruiting favorites.
Read MorePutting down roots: The Benefits of Fall Planting
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Cool nights and autumn rain make fall a great time to plant.
At Victoria Gardens, located on the corner of Cottekill Road and Rt. 213 between Rosendale and High Falls, we call it the “2nd Planting Season” because we plant as much in the fall as we do in the spring.
Read MoreSpongy Moth Invasion
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Spongy moths are incredibly destructive!
They defoliate trees and in some circumstances, that defoliation can kill the affected trees.
"Spongy moth populations rise and fall in cycles of roughly 10-15 years. Populations vary during the cycle, from years with few caterpillars and very minor damage, to years with large numbers of caterpillars and very noticeable leaf damage and tree defoliation. These population cycles are driven by predator-prey interactions, specifically the interactions between spongy moth, small mammals, and acorn production."
Protect Your Bulbs: 10 simple ways to stop critters from digging, eating, or stealing your newly planted bulbs
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Protect Your Bulbs
10 simple ways to stop critters from digging, eating, or stealing your newly planted bulbs. Try one or all of theses organic, kid-safe/pet-safe techniques to guard your bulbs from the wild animals and hungry critters!
Read MoreHow to bring houseplants inside before frost
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Victoria will discuss the particulars of giving your plants the light and conditions that they need to thrive, and demonstrate the steps to take when bringing your houseplants inside before the frost.
Watch the video or read the article below.
Read MoreUnexpected Fall Gardening Advice From The New York Times
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A new and interesting way to think about your gardening practice!
The times had a great article by Margaret Roach featuring Rebecca McMackin, the director of horticulture at the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park. She makes a great point we love: Fall Planting makes time for spring weeding!
"And there’s a bonus: With the staff no longer on hose duty all spring and summer, they have more time for that all-important task that must not be postponed: weeding.
Read MoreWorld’s Worst Invasive Plants Sold at Many U.S. Garden Centers
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The best way to avoid invasives is to avoid fly-by-night growers and landscapers who lack any real plant knowledge. Some of Victoria’s growers have been in business for generations. And after 30+ years of garden design and maintenance, the Victoria Gardens’ crew know from personal experience whether plants stay, naturalize, or invade!
Read MoreTime to Fertilize!
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What do the 3 Numbers on Plant Food Mean?
The three numbers represent ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—in that order. For example, Rose-tone is a balanced 4-3-2 fertilizer includes 4 percent nitrogen, 3 percent phosphorus, 2 percent potassium. while Bone Meal’s ratio 4-12-0 is rich in phosphorus, which is highly beneficial for flowering plants and promote roots growth.
Fertilizers with a higher nitrogen (the first number) engorage leafy green growth.
Plant food with Potassium (the third number) can counter environmental stresses like heat, drought, bark damage, or garden pests.
Read MoreHow to Use Annuals Now - July
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Annuals are a flexible and colorful way to maximize your garden space, even though you may not have room in the garden for more shrubs or perennials.
But also annuals are great for young gardens. Annuals can fill up space while you wait for shrubs and perennials to grow into their mature size, which if you just planted them will be a few years off.
Read MoreNot Too Late to Plant
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It’s not too late to plant. Our busy landscaping division plants new gardens from May until November.
And this year has been a wonderful year for planting. Not too hot or dry. But the rule for planting is as long as you can get water to your new planting, and as long as the ground isn’t frozen, it’s planting time!
Read MoreShade Plant Experts
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Many gardeners find shade gardens a particular challenge, and many people believe that hostas (often munched by the deer) are their only option. But at Victoria Gardens in Rosendale, there are literally hundreds of shade plants to choose from. The plants at Victoria Gardens are divided into sections by the conditions in which the plants thrive.
Read MoreGet Rid of Grass Clippings: Cut Down on Weeds
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Don't throw the grass clippings into the garden!
Not only is it messy, but it introduces weed seeds into your garden, which can result in a lot of unwanted weed growth.
The Best Landscape Practices
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7 Steps to Happy Plants
#1. Choose the right plant
Shade or full sun? Wet tolerant or dry tolerant? Deer resistant, fast-growing, or black-walnut tolerant? Picking the right plant for your conditions is the number one secret to gardening success. At Victoria Gardens we know what plants work in all varieties of conditions. We can help you choose the right plant for the right spot!
The Best Blooms for Bees
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When bees venture out from their hives in the spring, it’s because they have used their stores of honey to survive the winter inside their hive. They are hungry! And unfortunately, if there is nothing for them to eat, some bees, or even a whole hive can die in early spring.
What blooms are best?
Read MoreThe Whys and Hows of Spring Mulch
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The Victoria Gardens' landscaping crew are experienced and knowledgeable gardeners. Besides designing and installing new gardens, we also offer maintenance, spring cleanups, pruning, transplanting, weeding, and mulching.
Call to get an estimate: (845) 658-9007
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