A backyard retreat means something different for each of us. It could be a quiet corner in the shade with a comfortable chair for reading, or a chaise lounge in the sun. Perhaps it is a table for two for quiet dining or a large table seating 6-8 with an outdoor kitchen, perfect for large dinner parties. Whatever your choice, needs and desires, include other features such as a bubbling fountain, koi pond, trees and flowers in a container arrangement.

Most of these ideas can be incorporated in part, no matter what the special area is for this special retreat. It could be a balcony, tiny patio garden or large backyard. Everyone can have a private customized retreat.

When designing a garden retreat, first take time to imagine the future dream garden that you desire. A multitude of questions will come pouring into your mind as you begin to envision your future garden. Or, for those less aware of just what to do, consider what your answers are to these questions.

1. Do you want a retreat for serenity after hectic days at work, or do you want a space designed for entertaining?
2. How much space do you have? Is this a patio transformation, a small grotto along the side of your house, or the entire backyard?
3. Whatever your desire, next consider what 'look' you would like--be it tropical, formal, informal cottage garden, or Asian.
4. What colors and textures appeal to you? Color and textures can be added in many different ways: through the plant foliage, fabrics, walls and flooring (you could paint them!), pottery, statuary, garden art and more.
5. Sound: Quiet water, bubbling water, splashing water, birds singing and/or leaves rustling in the breeze?
6. Water feature: Do you want a fountain, pool, pond, or pond with waterfall?

So you see, there is much to consider when planning your very own backyard retreat. Join us at the garden center. Wander through our fountains, pottery and plants--experience the various outdoor settings that we have displayed here for you.

Lawn Rust is a common lawn fungus disease that tends to leave an orange cast over the entire lawn. A close-up examination will show orange spores on most of the individual grass blades with the rust coming off easily on your fingers. Lawn rust is most prevalent with a combination of warm and humid weather. 

While not considered a serious lawn disease, left alone it can severely weaken your lawn, making it vulnerable to attacks from more serious diseases in addition to making the lawn look bad. Fortunately, lawn rust is fairly easy to get rid of through a combination of cultural and chemical controls. 

First apply a granulated lawn fungicide to your grass. Then, make sure your lawn is fed every two months during summer with a balanced lawn food. Keep your mower blades on a higher setting and always water your lawn between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. to reduce evaporation and wet blades that can attract disease. In addition, you should bag your lawn clippings until the disease has been controlled and cleared up. 

Follow these simple instructions and you should have your lawn looking healthy and beautiful in no time! 

The Japanese beetle was first discovered in the United States in Riverton, New Jersey, in 1916. It spread rapidly in the United States and has now become a pest in more than 20 states. More than 400 plant species are susceptible to attack by this pest.

The Japanese beetle is brilliantly colored, oval, and less than half an inch long. Wing colors are coppery, and the body is a beautiful metallic green. The adults feed in the daytime from early June to Labor Day. They devour leaves as well as flowers on many ornamental plants, shrubs, vines and trees. The leaf tissue is eaten between the veins so that the foliage looks somewhat like lace. Beetle grubs feed on plant roots, attacking mainly lawn turf but also damaging the roots of many other crop and ornamental plants.

When populations of adult beetles are too high to pick by hand or when damage to desirable plants in your landscaping is noticeable, you should treat the plants to bring the population down to a manageable level with an insect spray.

Treating ornamental plants will also help reduce the numbers of eggs being deposited in the soil close to or under your lawn, but it is not a substitute for controlling Japanese beetle white grub infestations as a stand-alone pest control method. For that, we recommend a yearly application of a time-release insect control product, which will both control and help prevent damaging infestations in grasses.

Blossom end rot happens not just with tomatoes, but also with peppers, squash and watermelons. There are a number of reasons for blossom end rot, all of which start because the plant has an inability to obtain calcium from the soil or the soil is deficient in calcium.

Blossom end rot is a sunken, dark area on the blossom end of the fruit, at the end opposite the stem. As the fruit develops, the rot area enlarges and can grow mold in the damaged area.

A number of factors can contribute to blossom end rot, in addition to calcium deficiency. These include irregular watering, soil mineral imbalance, root damage, broad temperature swings, or even high soil salt content. To compensate for some of these, deep water regularly instead of lightly watering daily; mulch to keep moisture in the soil; avoid high nitrogen foods that encourage foliage growth but not flower growth; avoid using fresh manure (once the plants are in the garden) because it is high in salt content.

But most important of all is the lack of calcium in the soil. To prevent blossom end rot, feed your vegetables regularly with a vegetable food high in calcium. On existing plants showing blossom end rot, spray the foliage and fruit with a calcium spray.

A selective weed killer is a product that is typically used to either prevent or control certain types of weeds, without harming grasses or the plants that the chemical is applied on or around, and must be applied exactly as directed. A non-selective weed killer is a product that will damage or kill whatever it is applied to. Once a non-selective product has been applied, it’s damage cannot be reversed.