Garden Club

If you missed our Garden Club meeting last night, we didn't want you to miss out on all the great advice that was given! Schaefer employees, Brett Schaefer, Kandy Keeling and John Curry answered our questions, and Jeremy from Neudorff Natural Gardening also contributed to our conversation.

How do I stop killing my Rosemary? It's very easy to over water herbs - they actually like a dryer environment. If you have trouble with yellowing leaves in your garden, try watering them less! Basil likes more water than others, and it is actually a natural insecticide around the base of the tomatoes!

How do I keep the bunnies out of my garden? The best repellent around vegetable gardens is a small fence. You can also try repellent sprays, and we carry several different brands of those. Usually, you want to create a perimeter around the area you'd like to protect, and we recommend reapplying after heavy rain or watering. We are carrying a new repellent called Joy's Bunny Buster, which is manufactured in Naperville by a stay-at-home-mom! It's made of all natural ingredients, and you spray it directly on the plant/flower.

My Gardenia needs help! Gardenias like acidic soil and lots of sun. Also try fish emulsion fertilizer. Azaleas like acidic soil, too!

Is there organic insect killer? Try Earth-tone's Insecticidal Soap. It kills on contact and is an all natural product. Also, try Earth-tone's 4 in 1 Weed Control for a natural way to spot treat your weeds.

Never spray plants with any treatments when the sun is out or when it's over 85 degrees!

Planting tip - Use Bonide Root & Grow to encourage new root growth!

Our next Garden Club meeting will be Thursday, June 9th at 7pm. Hope to see you there!

It's time to plant your veggie garden! We've been receiving many phone calls from beginner vegetable gardeners, and we're here to help you! We're excited that many of you are trying this out for the first time, and we know that you will be pleasantly surprised with your results. Vegetable gardening is not as difficult as it seems. Here are a few simple guidelines.

• Select a location with at least 6 hours of sun each day.


• Mix the soil with mushroom compost (for nutrients) and peat moss (to lighten soil for root growth).


• Decide which crops you'd like to plant. Follow labels on seed packets and pots for proper distance between crops. If you're a beginner and looking for something easy, try tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, radishes and green beans. Also try tasty herbs like chives, parsley, cilantro and thyme. We're here to help with your selection!


• Protect crops from rodents. If you have rabbits in your yard, you might want to set up a small fence or just use a rabbit repellent.


• Water regularly


• Pick ripened crops frequently to encourage more production.

If you don't have much space for a vegetable garden, you can grow veggies in patio pots or even in small groupings around your pre-existing landscape.

Soon you'll be harvesting delicious produce from your own garden. There's nothing like the taste of freshly picked veggies! Enjoy!

Choosing the Perfect Mother's Day Flowers

Surprise Mom with a beautiful floral gift from Schaefer's this year! Our designers can create something special and unique to show Mom how much you care. Let us help you pick the perfect gift with a few helpful tips!

• Send Mom Flowers at Work! Don't wait until the weekend ... spoil her in front of all of her co-workers! She can enjoy her bouquet at work for a few days and then bring it home for Mother's Day Weekend.


• Include Mom's Favorite Flower. Lilies, Orchids, Gerbera Daisies, Tulips - we've got all of her favorites! She'll be impressed that you remembered!


• Choose Flowers in Mom's Favorite Color. If she loves purples, our designers can create a stunning monochromatic bouquet in a purples for her.


• Add a Special Message. With our new Speaking Roses, we can emboss any message on a rose. Say "I Love You, Mom," or "You're the Best!" We can even customize messages!


• Is Mom a Gardener? Let us deliver a beautiful patio pot or hanging basket to her. We could also design a basket of outdoor perennials, annuals and garden accents that she can enjoy in her garden all season long!


• Add Some Sweets! We carry handmade Sweet Shop Chocolates, and who doesn't love chocolate? We also carry wine, cookies and an assortment of delicious gourmet items.


• Include Special Momentos. If Mom has a favorite photo or trinket, bring it in! Our designers can include anything in a floral arrangement.


• Give her a Shopping Spree! If you can't decide what to get, we always have gift cards available in any dollar amount!

Mom deserves the best, and we're here to help make your gift as special as possible! For a full selection of Mom's favorites, visit our website at http://www.mothers-day-flowers-by-schaefers.com/.