Atlantic Nursery - 250 Atlantic Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520 Atlantic Nursery & Garden Shop, Freeport, Long Island, New York, 11520

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Tips


 
Early Spring
    Ensure gardening success with a soil test.
  Test for pH and adjust for excessive acidity or alkalinity.

 
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Spring
    Fertilize acid loving evergreens before and after blooming.
  Azaleas, Rhododendrons and all evergreen flowering shrubs benefit from good feedings of Holly tone before and after blooming.

    Prune flowering shrubs after blooms fade but before new buds set.
  Prune flowering shrubs after blooms fade but before new buds set-especially azaleas and rhododendrons-to ensure great blooms in the following year.

    The planting season is here!
  Now is a great time to plant and transpant many trees and shrubs.

    The time to plant is now.
  Plant summer flowering bulbs such as canna, dahlias and gladiolus once soil temperatures maintain above 50 degrees. Many bulbs can be started indoors for transplanting outdoors once the threat of frost has passed.

 
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Summer
    Don't forget to water!
  Many of our established trees and shrubs are not satisfied by a meager 1/2 hour of watering every other day, their roots are deeper than that and with the dry sunny days, that watering is evaporating before it even reaches those roots leaving the plant dehydrated and stressed. A good general water requirement is about 1-1 1/2" of water a week. The source could be all from rain, or a combination of rain and irrigation. If there has been no rain, I prefer 1 1/2" of water and due to our sandy soil, split the application to two 3/4" waterings. The best way to measure the watering is by placing an empty soup or tuna can in the area - that way you know for sure how much water the plantings received.

    Established plantings still need water.
  Established plantings (over 2 years old) need a watering with the soaker hose every 2 weeks for 3-4 hours. No, this is not a typo - 3- 4 hours is the length of time necessary to reach and thoroughly soak the roots. For less established plantings (those in the ground less than 2 years) watering with a soaker hose once a week for 2 hours will give the plants the necessary hydration.

    Mulch is important at this time.
  Mulch is important at this time. Keep it 2" - 3" away from the trunks of your trees and shrubs.

    Water new plantings well.
  New plantings (those in the ground less than 2 years) benefit from watering with a soaker hose once a week for 2 hours to give the plants the necessary hydration.

 
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Fall
    Apply fall lawn fertilizer.


    Apply lawn fertilizer and add lime if necessary.
  A 40lbs. bag of pelletized lime will raise the lawn pH about 0.5 point per 1,000 square feet.

    Bring Houseplants in before the end of September.
  Houseplants must be brought in before the end of September. Check the plants for insects before bringing them in. Treat only if mites or insects are present.

    Divide and transplant perennials.
  Spring and summer blooming perennials can be divided if they have been in the ground at least three seasons or they show signs that they need division.

    Fall is a great time to plant new trees and shrubs.
  Fall really is for planting because soil temperatures are perfect and drought is rarely an issue.

    Feed, Feed, Feed!
  Evergreens need Hollytone, 1lb per foot. Perennials and Shrubs prefer Plant tone.

    Harvest squash and pumpkins.
  Harvest mature winter squash and pumpkins before night temperatures drop into the 30s.

    Monitor your evergreens for mite damage.
  Monitor your evergreens for mite damage. Bring in a sample for diagnosis if you have questions about the health of your evergreens or any other plants.

    Mulch spring- planted trees and shrubs.


    Plant fall pansies and flowering cabbage and kale in window boxes, containers and garden beds.
  Plant fall pansies and flowering cabbage and kale in window boxes, containers and garden beds.

    Plant Pansies!
  Frosts won't harm these cheerful bloomers.

    Plant spring flowering bulbs now!


    Plant Spring flowering bulbs now.
  Plant Spring flowering bulbs now. Fall is the only time to plant fragrant Hyacinth, beautiful Tulips, delicate Daffodils and cute Crocus for early spring bloom.

    Plant, divide and feed perennials.


    Prepare to remove and store tender bulbs and tubers.
  This includes Dahlia, Canna, Caladium and Elephant Ear bulbs. These bulbs are not frost hardy and must be removed from the ground for winter storage. Remove bulbs from the ground when the foliage is yellow. Allow bulb to dry (foliage will turn brown), remove browned foliage and store in a cool (but frost free) dry place in a paper bag with peat moss.

    Pull weeds before they can set seeds.


    Remember to bring in tropical houseplants such as Hibiscus, Mandevilla and Oleander before the frost.
  It is best to spray them with a general housplant insecticide a few weeks before relocating them indoors.

    Remember your feathered friends.
  Clean the bird feeders. If you have continued to feed the birds over the summer, make sure the feeders are thoroughly cleaned so there is no danger of mold or mildew which can be damaging to our feathered friends.

    Re-seed and renovate your lawn.
  Renovate lawns now. Begin the process of reseeding your lawn. Clean out dead patches, core aerate, top dress with finely screened compost and reseed. The area must be watered three to four times a day until germination takes place.

    Seed or reseed your lawn through late October.
  When seeding or reseeding, be sure to keep area moist until germination occurs.

    Start paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis for holiday blooms.
  Paperwhites need 5-6 weeks of germination time and Amaryllis require 12 weeks.

 
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Winter
    Dont forget to feed the birds!
  Our feathered friends rely on us during the winter months when their natural food sources are scarce. Try Lyric Delite mix for all the fun of feeding without any mess.

    Gift Cards are available 24/7 online, or stop by or call the store during business hours.
  Our NO FEE gift cards are available in any denomination and never lose value or expire - the perfect gift for birthdays, holidays or as a thank you.

    Install a heater in your birdbath to prevent freezing during the cold winter months.


    Keep bird feeders stocked and a good supply of feed on hand for the winter months.
  Continue feeding through spring when natural food sources become available. Placing your tree away from heat sources is helpful in maintaining freshness.

    Keep up a regular watering schedule for your garden until the frost is here to stay.
  Especially any shrubs or trees planted within the year.

    Looking for a very tall Christmas tree? Shop early for the best selection.
  Perfect Christmas trees over eight feet tall are always scarce. Come in right after Thanksgiving to be sure to get the height you want.

    Planning a party? We can design centerpieces of live plants to match any theme or decor.
  Inquire in the store.

    Routinely inspect houseplants for signs of pests and/or disease.
  Early detection enables you to address a problem before it becomes a crisis.

    We have extended hours in December for your shopping convenience
  Our store hours are Mon-Wed. 9am-7pm, Thurs and Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-7pm and Sundays 9am-6pm.

    We welcome your custom orders for wreaths, swags, mantlepieces, artificial garlands and centerpieces.
  We can easily match your holiday theme or home decor, bring in a swatch or discuss your ideas with any of our designers.

 
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250 Atlantic Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520-4927 - Phone: (516) 378-7357 - Fax: (516) 378-1034