Fall is in the air! Fall is our favorite season and it’s also the best time to plant. Trees, shrubs, perennials, and lawns all benefit from fall planting. But why? As air temperatures cool and soil temperatures remain warm, it creates the perfect conditions for root growth. And we know that strong healthy roots contribute to a strong healthy plant. Along with the cooler air temperatures, fall usually brings more frequent rainfall which is also beneficial to new plantings. Another benefit is that pests and diseases are much less prevalent in the fall. Even, less weeds that germinate in the…
Cassidy Fox, Decor and Design Specialist This fall you may be looking to re-do a space completely or enhance a space you already love. Whichever category you ~fall~ into, I hope you find inspiration with us. Natural Looks Natural materials like wicker chairs and tables along with woven baskets add great texture to a space and keep the weight of the room light. These neutral pieces are easy to place in any room, but also help bring a new texture or mood. Baskets, tables and chairs are also very practical and useable. These are pieces you can move around, add…
PlantRight is Colonial’s unique system for just that, Planting Right. At Colonial, we believe Soil is Life. Providing unparalleled solutions in the world of living things, we can ensure homeowners guaranteed success of your outdoor or indoor space by utilizing our PlantRight System. Our passion for growth starts with healthy soil, which grows colorful plants, nourishing produce, and happy people. Together we can grow a sustainable planet for a sustainable future. Pick from a quality selection Colonial Gardens has KC’s largest selection of trees because our parent company, DCA Outdoor, grows over 1 million trees per year. Correct Placement It’s important to place…
Composting is an excellent way to reduce waste and to also begin your path to healthy soil. There is a simple way that you can create compost in your own home. This would be to develop a compost pile or bin, which we will talk about how to build later in this blog. Incorporating compost into your soil has extremely beneficial effects on the health and productivity of our gardens and landscapes. But why? Compost is dark, nutritious material that is the result of microorganisms feeding on organic material like food scraps, grass clippings, fallen leaves and breaking them down…
Here at Colonial Gardens our mission is to create a healthy planet by connecting mind, body and spirit to healthy plants and soil. The way we bring that mission to life is by practicing a growing method known as regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture is a farming method that aims at improving the earth by partnering with the ecosystem and recycling nutrients back into the soil. The main goal is to protect soil and water quality because it has an enormous impact on the rest of the environment. If you aren’t a farmer, there are still plenty of ways to give back to the soil. In our greenhouses we try to minimize our plastic use…
Dorothy Fennell was born in 1910, the middle of World War I. She raised her own children during the Great Depression. Her life shaped her to be a tough and hard-working woman. She was frugal in her later years, saving scraps of paper, straws and popsicle sticks. But she was also caring and lived a life of generosity. In her 60’s, she took in her four grandchildren. Dorothy Fennel and Sandra Lane, Brian's mother, In June of 1955 Dorothy was always a gardener. For her, it was method of sustenance, but later it became a way to bring her community…
You work hard to create and maintain a garden, but pests can quickly wreak havoc on your produce. Being aware of the signs, effects, and treatments can help quickly save your plants and avoid pest problems in the future. Most insect issues are cyclical and happen at very similar times each year. Being aware of certain issues that your plants may be susceptible to and how to treat them is a great place to start along with having an integrated pest management (IPM) solution. Picking varieties of plants with a higher resistance to insects will level the playing field even…
Gardening and landscaping is a fun, healthy, fulfilling hobby that benefits our communities and our world. Here are some tips on creating a beautiful landscape and outdoor space at your home. Getting Started The number one advice to new gardeners is to be creative and have fun! Use colors, styles, & plants that appeal to you. Incorporate garden art, structures, & seating areas to enhance the garden. Design an outdoor space to be enjoyed by the whole family. The more a garden reflects who you are and the things that you love, the more fun gardening becomes. Find a garden…
Ingredients: Purple cauliflower floretts Rainbow carrots, halved Beets, sliced Avocado oil Sea salt & pepper Directions: Toss vegetables in oil, salt and pepper until coated. Roast at 350 for 15- 25 minutes until desired tenderness Pesto Ingredients: 4 C spinach/ carrot tops/ parsley 2 TBS Tuscan Herb olive oil 1/4 C avocado 1/4 C walnuts 1/4 C water 1/2 tsp sea salt 2-3 garlic cloves Directions: Pulse in food processor until desired consistency. Serve with roasted vegetables. Recipe courtesy of Robin Cook- Cook2Flourish
Ingredients: 1/2 C sugar 2 tsp Sweet Streams Lavender 1 C softened butter 2 C Janie's Mill Artisan Pastry Flour 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1 C powdered sugar For the Icing: 2 tsp KC Vanilla Co. vanilla Heavy Cream Directions: In a food processer, pulse sugar and lavender until fine. Cream together sugar mixture, butter, vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients Chill for 30 minutes before rolling out, 1/4" thick. Cut to desired (these are best smaller). Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack immediately. To make the icing, stir together…
