A: Gardening is not only a fun way to spend time
but also an opportunity to bond with family and friends. Get everyone
involved in planting flowers, starting a vegetable patch, or even organizing a
whimsical Easter egg hunt amidst the blooming garden.
The joy of gardening offers mood-boosting benefits, leaving you feeling
invigorated and cheerful during the festive holiday. Plus, the sense of
accomplishment when your garden begins to flourish perfectly aligns with Easter's
spirit of personal growth and transformation.
Head out to your garden with a spring in your step and a smile on your
face. Revel in the beauty of nature, spend time with loved ones, and watch as
your garden transforms into a lively, colorful haven.
This year (March 2023) we are celebrating Alex's 75th
Anniversary and her 20 years with TopTropicals. Here is a note from Alex...
Aries Cats 3/21-4/20
The astrological sign of a cat can be determined by either their date of birth or
adoption...More >>
The Aries Cats are a highly competitive and may initiate fights with other cats. With a natural inclination for combat, they may even confront dogs, humans, or even a giraffe...
...Tickling an Aries Cat's tummy can lead to an attack as they're also known to be biters...
...Aries Cats are adventurous and love to challenge themselves physically.
They'll seek out the highest spots in the house, even if it scares their humans...
...Aries Cats love tall, well-branched trees that are good for climbing, and are rather indifferent to bright flowers and fragrant plants... But on the other hand, they adore the soft, juicy grass on which it is so pleasant to lie down and rest after all their athletic feats
and fighting duels...
...One of the best things about the Aries Cats is that they make their priorities clear. With them, you'll always know your place, as they believe they come first, and you don’t.... CONTINUE READING >>
In the summertime, Elderberry bushes transform into small, bushy trees
adorned with sizable umbels of white flowers. As late summer approaches, the tree produces an abundance of dark purple
berry clusters. Elderberry is known for its ability to withstand cold weather and can
thrive in a variety of soils in either full or partial sun. While it typically grows to a height of 10 feet, its spreading can be managed through
pruning.
This dense shrub is beloved by nesting birds, who are not the only
creatures that appreciate its fruit. People also prize Elderberry for its
delicious uses in winemaking, cocktails, and jellies. Elderberry syrup or cordial can
be used to create flavorful fruity drinks and cocktails, like the Elderberry Kir Royale. Alternatively, the
berries can be left to infuse their flavor into spirits, with Elderberry gin being a particularly delightful option.
Elderberry Cordial
When it comes to combating various strains of the flu virus, Elderberry
Cordial ranks among the top natural remedies. Whether sipped in small servings or drizzled over a delectable dessert, Elderberry Cordial is a guilt-free way to fortify your immune system against colds and flus.
1¼ cups dried elderberries
1/4 cup dried rosehips
About 3 cups brandy
Honey, to taste
Add all ingredients in a jar and cover with a lid. Set aside in a cool,
dark place for 3-4 weeks. When ready to decant, strain and squeeze through
cheesecloth. For every 1 cup of liquid retained, add 1/2 cup honey. Mix thoroughly.
Pour the cordial into a decorative bottle for storage, or gift giving.
Elderberry Kir Royale Cocktail
5 oz white wine, sparkling wine or champagne
2 oz Elderberry cordial
Rocks
Mint leaves (optional)
Pour the Champagne in a flute glass. Add the Elderberry Cordial slowly.
Party time!
Mark your calendars: March 25
Hello Spring! Plant Market
Saturday, March 25, 9 am - 4 pm
Join us for a celebration of Spring at our annual Spring Garden
Festival! Immerse yourself in a world of colorful blooms, fragrant scents, and
nature's beauty. Don't miss out on the opportunity to stroll through our gardens
and nursery. Bring your friends and family for a day of fun in the sun!
Event agenda:
9 am - 4 pm: Plant Market. 20% OFF all plants.
Raffle. Gift bags - for first 25 customers with $50 order Secret Garden: Super savings area 50% off Avocado tree special (pricing includes event discount):
$55 - 3 gal, $95 - 7 gal, $143 - 15 gal
(pick up only, quote for delivery and installation)
Event discounts and specials valid at both
locations:
Q: When moving my tropical plant collection
outside in the garden, what do I need to know to get them adjusted to this
change?
A: As a tropical plant gardener, it's important
to assess the temperatures outside before moving your plants outdoors. Most
tropical plants thrive in sustained temperatures above 60F.
Moving your plants outside during the summer creates optimal growing
conditions for sun-loving plants, providing them with more light and warmth than
they can ever get inside. This active time of growth, along with the outdoor
conditions of humidity, heat, sunlight, and natural day length, gives the plant
a chance to experience growth in an outdoor environment, making for a much
stronger plant.
However, be aware of sun burn. Direct sunlight can burn patches of
white or brown on the surface of the tender leaves, so it's best to move your
plants outside by hardening them off first. Gradually increase the amount of
direct sunlight they receive over several days before moving them into full
sun.
It's also a good time to prune your plants and repot them if needed,
providing better aeration to the root system. But avoid root pruning as it
can make your plant susceptible to disease and shock.
Overall, moving your tropical plants outside encourages their natural bloom
cycle and provides extra vigor for the upcoming indoor season. However, be
aware that you may have to deal with insects when you bring your plants
back inside in the fall, so use preventive sprays like Sunshine NoBug before bringing them back inside. Leaf drop is
also common when plants come back inside, so make sure to provide a well-lit
location.
When moving plants outside, it's important to provide them with proper
nutrients through fertilization. Outdoor conditions can deplete the soil
of essential nutrients, so giving your plants a boost of fertilizer before
moving them outside can help them acclimate to their new environment. Apply Sunshine Boosters
with every watering, include micro-elements and bio stimulants to boost their immune system.
Q: Which one is better - organic or inorganic
fertilizer?
A: When it comes to fertilizer, gardeners always
wonder if one better than the other. Does a total organic fertilizer make sense for you? Is it easier to
just use a cheap granular fertilizer a few times per year? You may be
surprised to learn that there is one fertilizer that has advantages over both!
While organic fertilizers may be all the rage, there is the difference
between Sunshine Boosters
fertilizers, organic and inorganic fertilizers. Sunshine Boosters fertilizers have been especially developed to provide optimal conditions for cultivating crops in pots and greenhouses. These specialized nutrient blends are essential in order to
maintain an appropriate environment for successful crop production, as they
compensate for the lack of natural beneficial bacteria and nitrifying
organisms which are specific to open soil cultivation. Learn about why Sunshine Boosters is the best choice...
