Deer Proofing
How can I plant a deer proof garden?Remember the deer were here first, we are in their space. If you are planting a new garden try to plant plants that the deer don’t like. Plants with strong smells, thorns or a fuzzy texture can often be enough of a deterrent. Barberry, Lavender, Sage and Yarrow are all great choices and there are many more to choose from.
I have never had deer in my garden until this year, how do I keep them from eating my entire garden?
There are all sorts of Organic options to try to discourage deer from feasting on your garden. You can try Irish spring soap(they don’t like the smell), scarecrows, sensor lights, and a radio left on can all be ways to keep them at bay. We also carry a product called Plantskydd, it smells awful but works great. You have to re apply every couple of months but has lasting results.
I have put a fence around my garden and the deer are still able to get in, How do I keep them out?
Your fence should be a minimum of 8 feet, those deer can jump!
We have an extensive plant list that we can provide. We have found some annuals, many perennials and a good list of shrubs that the deer tend to avoid. The deer are hard to predict they may try something and not like it and there is your plant lying on the ground. We are continually adding and trying new methods to help avoid the
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Organic Gardening
What should I be adding to my garden to improve soil conditions and overall performance of my plants?Make sure you plant with 3-way mix or better yet Compost Plus. You should also plant with a starter fertilizer make sure it is high in Phosphorus which will stimulate root growth. Healthy Roots makes for a healthy plant. If you are on the lake or by a stream you shouldn’t use Phosphorus it creates the growth of algae and plat life in the water and can be harmful to the aquatic eco-system. You can however add compost and apply mulch.
Should I be mulching my Garden? What are the benefits?
Mulch is a great source of organic matter. Mulch helps keep the moisture in the ground, prevents weeds from growing and breaks down into organic matter to help amend the soil therefore you will have to replace every year but your plants will thank you for it with blooms and growth.
What Fertilizer should I be using on my garden?
Keep your garden mulched about 3 inches think. If your garden still requires a boost you can use an all purpose slow release organic fertilizer. We recommend Vigiro Pink it consist of 8 part Nitrogen (for green growth) 12 parts phosphorus (for root growth ) and 6 parts Potassium (that helps root and green growth). Remember all fertilizer has 3 letters on the box N-P-K, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and easy trick to remember what they stand for is up down and around.
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Native Plants
What Plants are native to our area?
There are several varieties of native shrubs and perennials available at our garden center. Keep in mind when planting native shrubs to keep soil and site conditions in mind so they will thrive. Native plant list tend to be a bit vague because hardiness zones
Why should I plant native Plants?
Native plants are great additions to the garden and our enviroment. You may not get the color or compactness with native plants but you will attract wildlife and generally plants that are native to the area thrive. Native plants do require space be sure to check the mature size of plant before planting.
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Hardiness Zones
What plant zone are we in?We are in hardiness zone 4b. This means plants 4b thru zone 1 will all thrive in our climate. If you have a micro climate or consider yourself a zone pusher you may also have some luck with zone 5 plants but be prepared for the extra work when planting plants out of our zone extra wrapping and mulching will be required to ensure the plant will grow year after year.
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Pest Control
My lawn has been torn apart from moles, how do I get rid of them?The moles are after the grubs beneath the lawn, so what we have to do is eliminate the grubs. There are sprays available but we recommend Nematodes. Nematodes are a microscopic organism that feed on the grub larva; once the grubs are gone the moles will be too.
How to I keep slugs from eating my Hosta’s?
We do carry a Safers product called slug bait which works well. We also recommend a tuna can full of beer the slugs will crawl in and drown happily.
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Soil Conditions
My soil is acidic, what can I do to improve the quality?The Muskoka region does have a lot of evergreen which is a contributing factor in making the soil more acidic. To neutralize the soil you can use horticultural lime or demotic lime, this does have to be applied regularly to maintan a proper ph. The Ph scale goes from 1 to 14 1-7 being acidic and 7-14 being alkaline. You can test your soil with a ph test kit.
All my gardens are sand. How can I improve the soil quality?
Proper mulching will help tremendously however it is not a quick fix. If you have an abundance of sand you will need to continually add topsoil, manure and compost. When planting dig the holes 3 to 4 times the size of the pot and add a generous amount of organic matter and starter fertilizer.
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Proper Planting
How do I plant the trees and shrubs I just purchased?First thing, know where your plants are going and the soil conditions you will be planting with. It is always a good idea to start with the soil. You should add 3-way mix, Compost plus or good quality topsoil with composted manure. Take the plant out of the container and examine the roots, make sure the plant is well rooted and free of pest and disease problems. You will want the plant to be no deeper then it was in the pot, if it is planted to deep it will starve the plant of oxygen and the plant will suffer. Once you have established the proper depth mix in you organic matter and starter fertilizer with the existing soil and gently fill in around roots, avoid packing soil heavily. Water well and continue to water regulary for the next few weeks until the plant is established
Should I stake my trees?
Only if it is loose after planting. Young trees will usually be stable and a ball and burlap tree base is usually stable enough to keep the tree in place. If you are staking make sure you use proper staking material to avoid girdling the tree.
How long should I water for?
You should water your plants everyday for the first week you can then gradually reduce the watering to every other day and then after a few weeks cut the watering back to 3 times per week. If you are planting in spring or fall you may not need to water as much because the temperature is cool and there is more moisture in the ground.
When is the best time to plant?
Spring and Fall are the best times because mother nature is on your side with the watering. Summer is also a good time just remember to water regularly.
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Privacy planting Questions
I want to block out my neighbors - what should I plant?If you are in full sun I would recommend a white spruce or white pine. White pine will also take partial shade. If you get into a denser shade you may want to consider hemlock. If you have deer your options will be limited to spruce. If you are looking for summer coverage only you will have lots of deciduous options.
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Foundation Planting Questions
Why should I have foundation planting?Foundation planting often softens the look of a house. Well thought-out foundation planting can correct for any proportion issues the house may have and can help the house to blend seamlessly into the rest of the landscaping. Foundation planting can emphasize architectural highlights (or detract from any flaws).
How close can I plant trees to the foundations of my house?
The answer to this question really depends on the variety and type of tree. We recommend selecting a tree with a less aggressive root system if you are planning to plant close to the foundations of your house. We are happy to give you adve specific to your situation at the Garden Centre.
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Restoration Planting Questions
What are the best trees for privacy?Spruce, if you have full sun. Pine or Hemlock if you have partial shade.
Can I use shrubs or perennials for privacy?
Absolutely. There are many options native to Muskoka that will thrive and give you wonderful privacy.
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