There are many reasons to think about reducing water use in the garden including conserving water, saving money, not having to worry about local watering bans during droughts or even if you want to put in a new bed that is inconveniently far away from the nearest water source. Here a couple of Hook’s tips to [...]
Mint is a fabulous refreshing herb that is perfect for hot days and nothing says summer like mint, lime, and rum… Impress your friends with this refreshing cocktail for a summer barbecue or casual get together. 10 fresh mint leaves ½ lime, cut into 4 wedges 2 tbsp white sugar, or to taste 1 [...]
Adding vegetables fruits and herbs into existing beds can both help create visually pleasing designs and provide tasty produce. Edibles can be used to replace tired dull plants to add some spice to an existing landscaping bed. Many edibles feature spring flowers, tasty produce and can also display nice fall foliage making them a great [...]
Patio tomatoes are a great way to get hassle free tomatoes. Patio tomatoes grow well and produce tomatoes in the pot they come in. No transplanting necessary! That being said, these tomatoes will do well if you do want to transplant them into a larger pot or into your garden for a head start on [...]
Here at Hook’s Greenhouse we have grown Blueberries and other perennial fruits for years at our garden center. Blueberries are great in the landscape or in straight rows in a blueberry patch. Blueberries are native to North America, hardy, easy to grow. These fruit bearing shrubs grow best in full sun and well-drained, organically rich, [...]
As the days warm up it is time to start thinking about getting warm season crops. Warm season crops, or traditional summer crops, are crops whose fruits rather than roots or leaves are the edible part. These plants require warm soil and daytime temperatures to thrive and develop fruits. Cole crops, on the other hand, [...]
Starting a vegetable garden from scratch takes a lot of work but is fulfilling and worth all the effort put in in the end. Here is a quick and easy guide to the basics of planning, preparing and maintaining a vegetable garden. The first step in establishing a garden is picking out your plot. Be [...]
Trillium is a beautiful easy maintenance native perennial. Are you tired of tough gardening chores and plants that require constant attention? We are too! One way to decrease time working in the garden and increase time spent enjoying the garden is to pick plants that are adapted to the spaces available in your [...]
This Memorial Day we remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Thank you for your service.
What is a moon garden? A moon garden is a garden designed to be enjoyed in the moonlight and typically features white or light colored blooms, nighttime fragrances and are situated to be flooded with moonlight. Moon gardens can be enjoyed after work, in the dark, or as a romantic getaway in your own backyard. [...]
Cut flower gardens provide flowers for endless bouquets and arrangements. There is no one formula for a cut flower garden just like there isn’t one way to build a flower arrangement. Feel free to be creative. Almost any plant can work in a cut flower garden, simply fill a garden with flowers that you love [...]
Cottage Gardens are defined by their causal, sprawling layout and a riot of color. They are characterized by a refined rustic feel and a look of bountiful abundance and color. Traditionally, cottage gardens contained a combination of flowers and edibles such as herbs, berries and vegetables. Cottage garden tips: Start small: gardens beds require lots [...]
Different types of plants, just like different types of people, thrive in different conditions. Some plants, such as the Hibiscus, prefer wet soil while others, such as succulents, prefer dry. A few notable plants that have specific soil preferences are succulents, cacti, orchids, blueberries and hibiscuses. Succulents and cacti are native to arid climates and [...]
Every garden has at least one tricky spot where most plants do not perform well. These spots tend to be either too wet, too dry or too rocky. Luckily there are plants that not only can tolerate these unusual conditions but can thrive in them. Spaces in the garden that are constantly wet or tend [...]
Are you looking for something unique? These plants feature dark foliage or blooms that make striking accent plants or could be mixed and matched for deep colored garden. Our favorite dark and unusual annual plants are Ipomea ‘After Midnight' and Canna ‘Toucan Scarlet'. Both feature deep purplish foliage and fill different roles in the garden. [...]