Gardening Tips

There is nothing more satisfying than looking out your front door to see a lush healthy, green lawn, outlined with thriving gardens. At Lacoste Garden Centre you will find a full line of fertilizers and environmentally friendly products to achieve the look you desire without harming the environment. From reel mowers to general garden maintenance Lacoste Garden Centre has something for the beginning and avid gardeners.

Transplanting Perennials

Before planting your perennials, ensure that the garden is properly prepared. All weeds should be removed from the garden and  3-4 inches of organic matter added to the soil surface. Using a spade, dig the organic matter into the soil at about one spade’s depth. The hole for the perennial should be dug twice the depth and width of the pot. It is always a good idea to add a handful of bone meal to newly planted perennials. Gently remove the pot from the plant. Container grown perennials may be a little root bound so it is a good idea to carefully untangle and loosen the roots. The perennial should be placed in the hole at the same depth as the soil level in the pot. Refill the hole with fresh topsoil and tamp the soil firmly around the plant. Water the soil thoroughly after transplanting, two to three times a week, until the roots are developed. Then enjoy watching the plant flourish.

Dividing Perennials

After some time, most perennials will need dividing. This is a great way to add new life to your garden and keep your plants looking fresh and healthy. Spring is the ideal time to transplant and divide perennials. Spring bloomers may be moved either before or after they flower. This may delay some flowering but the plant will still grow beautifully. There are a few exceptions such as Peonies, True Lilies, Oriental Poppies and Bearded Iris however should be divided later in the year. 

To divide perennials simply dig up the plant with as much of the root ball as possible. Using a garden shovel split the plant into two or three pieces. Each piece should have at least three stems and plenty of roots. For smaller plants, a sharp knife may be used. Some perennials will die out in the middle of the plant. This portion of the plant should be discarded after dividing. Replant your divided perennials or give them to a friend.

Pruning

The general rule of thumb for pruning shrubs can be broken into 3 categories.

1. For spring bloomers, prune after plant has finished blooming. Flower buds for the following spring form in the preceding summer . Lilacs, white flowered spirea, forsythia, rhododendrons and azaleas should all be pruned in this way..
2. Summer bloomers can be cut back in the fall or early spring. Their flower buds are formed in the spring. Hydrangea, potentilla, weigela, pink flowered spirea, and hardy roses are all summer bloomers that should be pruned at this time.
3. Shrubs grown for their foliage that have no significant flowers can typically be trimmed in spring or fall. Plants such as dogwood, cistena cherry, barberry, viburnum, ninebark, alpine currant and cotoneaster can all be pruned at these times