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Annuals

Pansies Annual flowers live only one season. They flower heavily in order to produce seed before they die. Examples of familiar annuals include pansies, petunias, impatiens, marigolds, and snapdragons. Annuals are chosen for their incredible displays of eye-catching colors especially when massed in beds. Some commercial buildings in Tallahassee always have beautiful beds of pansies or petunias from fall until spring. Annuals are easy to grow with a little soil preparation and basic care during the growing season.

Some annuals perform best in summer heat while others flower vigorously only in cool weather. Frost kills warm weather annuals while heat melts out cool-loving ones. Learning which flowers grow best at the right time of year and their preference for sun or shade is the key to success.

Annual flowers love rich soil loosely dug eight or more inches deep. Adding peat humus, compost or other organic material to the existing soil will greatly benefit their growth. They respond quickly with regular feeding using a balanced fertilizer. Warm-weather annuals require more food than cool -weather ones (maybe every two weeks during summer; only once a month in winter). Watering annual flowers regularly is essential for proper growth and flowering. Water deeply and as needed. (Overwatering is as damaging as underwatering.) Simply water the soil at the base of the plant until it is saturated, repeating only when the soil is almost dry. Temperature will determine how often the soil dries. Removing fading or dead flowers will encourage new blooms and prevent seed production. Grooming annuals keeps them aesthetically pleasing and removes potential decaying material where pests may lurk.

Try a few we have listed and you will be immensely satisfied with the pretty results

Warm Weather Annuals	Cold Weather Annuals
Begonias	Ageratum
Blue Daze	Alyssum
Caladiums	Calendulas
Cleome	Dianthus
Coleus	Dusty Miller
Cosmos	Larkspur
Gomphrena	Lobelia
Melampodium	Ornamental Cabbage & Kale
Pentas	Pansies
Porterweed	Petunias
Salvias (annual)	Snapdragons
Torenia	Violas
Zinnias

Perennials

Aster Perennial flowers live two or more seasons. These are desirable additions to one’s garden for the great diversity they offer in color, foliage texture and flower forms. Just one perennial flower can provide a spectacular display that repeats itself the following year. Often easy to grow and unnecessary to replant, perennial flowers will require some bed preparation and maintenance to keep them thriving. Immeasurable rewards are reaped for one’s efforts.

Usually a period of dormancy occurs when foliage and stem above ground level die but the crown and roots of the plant continue to live and grow. They emerge from dormancy with new stems and foliage growing on to flower and then decline to dormancy. Flowering may occur for two weeks or six or more months depending on flower variety and weather. Unlike annuals, which need to be planted each year, these flowers continue to grow even when dormant. Well-dug soil to 18 or more inches insures loose soil for roots to expand. Increasing soil fertility with compost or good organic material will benefit their growth and performance. Fertilizing newly emerging plants in early spring and again following spring and summer’s flowering is beneficial. Drainage is essential. Most perennials prefer well-drained soil. If the soil drains poorly, this should be corrected before planting to prevent rots and disease.

A garden sketch or more detailed plan is recommended only because differing heights, colors, and textures can be enhanced with some thoughtful placement. This is not critical to your success in growing perennials. If one finds the plant arrangement is unsatisfactory it is quite simple to dig and move the offender during its dormancy.

Perennial flowers offer a lifetime of discovery and pleasure. Old gardeners remain young with each year’s anticipation and surprises. And new gardeners begin a satisfying adventure growing these beautiful flowers.

A brief list of perennial flowers, which are easy to grow and worth including in a garden:

Asters
Brown-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia vars.)
California bush daisy (Euryops pectinatus)
Cigar plant (Cuphea micropetala)
Coreopsis vars.
Firespike (Odontonema strictum)
Gingers
Hostas
Hummingbird bush (Hamelia patens)
Justicias (Jacobineas)
Lantana vars.
Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
Philippine violet (Barleria cristata) Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Salvias
Summer phlox (Phlox paniculatum)
Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora)

Trees and Shrubs

Vegetables and Herbs

Pepper Growing vegetables is fun, rewarding, and very easy with a little effort. There is a thrill in growing a plant that produces succulent fruit you pick and eat. Even non-gardeners get a kick out of watching lush plants grow laden with ripening fruit. Children love to grow their own vegetables and will readily tend them. Thanks to recent breeding, most vegetables can be grown successfully in a very small space or even in large containers as well as in the usual vegetable plot. Combining vegetables and flowers in the same plot or container is aesthetically pleasing and appreciative pollinating insects will revel in this feast.

Like annuals, vegetables grow best either in cool weather or in warm weather. Knowing which performs best in which season will help toward your success. Tomatoes, squash, hot and sweet peppers thrive in warm weather, while broccoli, lettuce and many of the greens grow best in cool winter months. Tallahassee Nurseries offers a free brochure with information on seasons, spacing and general growing hints to help you. Good gardening practices generally reduce insect and disease pests. Early detection of pests offers the first step to containment. Hand-picking a few offending insects works well but large populations may demand using sprays or dust approved for edible crops.

Vegetables grow best in rich soil in at least six hours of direct sun. Some soil preparation will go far toward good fruit production. Adding organic materials like mushroom compost or well-rotted manure will greatly improve soil fertility and water drainage. If you grow in containers, the use of a good sterile soil mix is recommended. Fertilizing with a balanced food (like 10-10-10) on a regular basis will encourage maximum performance. Watering regularly also is important; vegetable plants resent being too dry or too wet. Plants need less water in cool weather than they do in hot. Close observation and sticking your finger in the soil will help you determine when to apply water.

Homegrown vegetables give satisfaction and sustenance to the gardener's soul too!

Lawn and Groundcover

The vast majority of Tallahassee lawns contain either Centipede or St. Augustine grass with Centipede grass being the most common. St. Augustine grass is a faster growing, more shade tolerant, salt tolerant, and darker green grass than Centipede. It also requires more fertilizer, water, and mowing than Centipede. Both grasses are happiest in full sun. They will tolerate partial shade if they are not subject to wear from children or dogs and are mowed at least a 3 inch height. The most common problem with lawn grasses in Tallahassee is caused by insufficient sunlight. Most yards grow shadier over the years as trees grow, resulting in thinner turf, more weeds, and the eventual disappearance of the grass.

Some tips for maintaining a healthy lawn:

Plan for lawns in sunny areas only – three to four hours of sun per day is a minimal requirement. Convert shadier areas to groundcover beds or mulched areas.
Mow Centipede grass at least a 2 inch height and St. Augustine grass at 2- 3 inches. Continual close mowing will result in grass decline. Mow often enough so that only one-third of the leaf blade is removed at one time. No need to bag the clippings – just let them recycle back to the lawn.
Water with one-half to one inch of water whenever the grass exhibits a grayish or "off" color. Water in the morning so the grass foliage has time to dry before night. This will lessen the chance of disease problems.

Starting a New Lawn

Centipede - The cheapest, cleanest way to start a new lawn of Centipede grass is from seed, sown during the months of April, May, June or July. Prepare the ground by eliminating existing , competing vegetation with an herbicide or by tilling. Compacted soil should always be loosened by tilling. An all organic fertilizer such as Milorganite may also be incorporated into the seed bed. Centipede seed are extremely tiny and should be mixed with sand before sowing to result in a pound of seed being spread over 4,000 sq. ft. of lawn. Seed may also be used to patch bare areas in existing lawns. It is most important that the new lawn area not be allowed to dry out during the germination process. Centipede may also be started from sprigs, or even sod for instant results. For areas with erosion problems, sod should be used even though it is the most expensive method.

St. Augustine – St. Augustine may be started from sprigs, sod or grass plugs. Sod may be necessary for eroded areas or where instant results are desired. Pre – rooted grass plugs will establish a lawn quickly planted on 1 – 2 ft. centers and is much cheaper than sodding. Plugs are also convenient for patching bare areas in established lawns or plugging into a centipede lawn you wish to convert to St. Augustine because of increasing shade, or other problems with Centipede.

What to Do to Your Lawn in April

March is the earliest opportunity in the year to fertilize and may be done after the lawn has been green for a week or two. Recommended formulas include 16-4-8 for newer lawns and 15-0-15 for lawns that have been established and fertilized for 4 or 5 years. More important than the formula is the quality of the nitrogen (represented by the first number) in the fertilizer. Choose a fertilizer with at least 50% water insoluble (slow release) nitrogen and 1% iron content. This type fertilizer will provide sustained feeding for your lawn for several months and will not leach out of the range of grass roots during heavy rains. The resistance to leaching is an important factor in the health of our area lakes and waterways as well as in the superior health of your grass. Water in the fertilizer after application with at least enough water to wash off the grass blades, and up to one-half inch if conditions are dry.

Weeds are always a problem in Tallahassee lawns during March and early April. This is because while your grass is still dormant and not growing, cool season grasses and broadleaf weeds are growing like gangbusters, taking advantage of the lack of competition from your grass. This problem nearly always corrects itself by May or June with the advent of summer and warmer temperatures. For these common weed problems we recommend weekly mowing which will prevent the weeds from setting seed as the best and cheapest control.

For chronic weed problems or situations where there appears to be more weeds than grass, you may want to use a weed and feed type fertilizer containing Atrazine. Atrazine is a powerful , mainly pre-emergent herbicide which will kill a wide variety of lawn weeds, including Fla. Betony. It should be applied with an accurately calibrated spreader and watered in according to label directions. Avoid applying Atrazine near or under the drip line of shrubs or small trees or on waterfront properties. A single application in late Feb. or March will result in good weed control. If follow up control is necessary, spot spray the problem areas in Centipede grass with products such as Image® or Weed B Gon® following label directions carefully.

Fountains and Statuary

Statue Statues and fountains can add elegance, charm and whimsy to any garden or lawn. Stop into Tallahassee Nurseries today to take a look at our huge selection.

Floral and Gift Shop

Our answer to fresh flower arranging is a "Living Garden Basket". Our floral designers can pull the perfect flowering material together, arrange it in a woven basket and garnish it with butterflies and bows. You can choose from baskets that have already been put together of have the designers customize one especially for you.

In addition to the "Living Garden Baskets" you will find specialty items such as wire, ceramic, metal, and glass containers. We carry imported vases, colorful candles, decorative compotes and wonderfully whimsical gifts for gardeners.

We would love to have you come out and take a look!

Gardening Supplies

Our Garden Center can take care of all your gardening needs. We carry a variety of tools including the “Lady Gardener” line which are light-weight and slightly smaller to work with, kneepads, gloves, including mud gloves, potters’ gloves and many more. We have sloggers (gardening clogs) for men and women, several styles of Tula hats for men, women, and kids. Don’t forget the sunscreen and mosquito repellent – our products are all-natural and smell good too.

We carry several brands of pruners. Swiss-made, Felco, is our top of the line. All parts are replaceable. We also carry Barnell and Corona pruners, saws, hedge trimmers, etc.

For a nice gentle rain shower when watering your plants – Dramm water wands do the job. Traditional or designer colors are available.

Birds

We carry a complete line of wood and metal feeders for birds, including “Droll Yankee”, “Woodlink” and others. We also have several types of squirrel baffles, shepherd hooks, and poles for mounting your feeders and houses.

Hummingbird feeders start at only $7.95. Butterfly feeders and nesting boxes are available, and a large assortment of birdbaths.

We also carry “Bluebird Society” and “Audubon Society” approved birdhouses for every size of bird from wrens to wood ducks along with information on how and where to mount them and care for them.

You can also feature in your garden one of our unique or whimsical birdhouses or feeders.

“Coles” birdseed is our top choice for feeding birds. We have in stock 10 varieties of seeds in 5 lb. bags and up. “If you want a bird seed, buy any brand. If you want birds, buy Coles.”

Stop by and take a few minutes to relax and look out of our bird-viewing window and see how many species are around today.

Tallahassee Nurseries carries a large variety of fertilizers, including organics like Neptune’s fish and seaweed combinations and two types of bat guano. We also carry composters and tumblers, garden seeds (Shepherds, Botanical and Livingston).

We have several types of orchid repotting mediums and many orchid supplies from baskets to supports.

Check out our book area in the garden center featuring classics and the latest horticultural material.