The garden is a place many people go to find relief from stress. Breathing in fresh air and getting your hands in the dirt can do wonders for your mood. This spring, here at Lomond View Nursery, we want to focus on the Joy of Gardening. Today let’s talk about something that is bringing all kinds of joy in the garden…

Imagine a very small landscape built out of miniature plants, where pebbles become pathways and a piece of wood becomes a bench. Tiny tables and chairs welcome magic at any moment. Can you picture it? If you can, you’ve imagined the beginning of your own fairy garden.

Fairy Gardens are captivating gardeners of all ages. They’re a great way to introduce kids to gardening and remind adults about the joy of whimsical imagination. Fairy Gardens have been around since the Victorian era, but have recently become a very popular way to escape and find joy in the garden. It doesn’t take much to get started, but once you begin to fill your fairy garden the possibilities are endless!

At Lomond View, we love to see the sparkle in our customers as they discover our new fairy garden pieces. We are very excited to hold the

Lomond View Fairy Garden Event April 22, 2017 from 10am-12 noon.

If you’re new to the fun, come at 10:30 for a live demonstration. We’ll have everything you need to create and take home your very own fairy garden. If you have been creating these charming gardens for a while, drop by and check out the adorable accessories that fill our shelves. While you’re here, enjoy complimentary fairy treats and exchange ideas with other fairy gardeners. Go to http://lomondviewnursery.com/class-events/ to register for this free event!

Bring your Grandkids, bring your Grandparents, bring everyone in-between. Fairy gardening really is for everyone! At Lomond View we believe the beauty of the garden is inspiring. Fairy gardens are one of the many ways to find that inspiration and joy.

The demonstration/workshop will be at 10:30 am.

Amber Winward, a fairy garden expert, is coming to lead the demonstration and help you build the perfect fairy garden. The picture shown here is very similar to the basic starter garden mentioned below. We will have many other options available in containers, plants and decor.

Of course, the most important things to add will be your choice of fairies and fairy accessories.

Price will vary depending on what you put in your fairy garden.

Base cost will be $25 for: our basic planter bowl, soil, sphagnum moss, 1 annual or perennial and 1 jumbo pack of flowers (6 flowers).
The picture above gives you an idea of what the basic bowl will look like, plants will vary.

For a non-living fairy garden, base price will be $15 and will include planter bowl, bark and faux moss.

You will add your own selection of fairy figurines and accessories from the many adorable options we have available. We have a great assortment of fun container options that you can upgrade to and premium fairy garden plant options. You will receive a 10% discount on any fairy garden related purchase beyond the basic package.

Please contact us with any questions at natalie@lomondview.com.

It’s time for spring clean-up! All that pruning and raking will undoubtedly produce some big piles of yard scraps. Consider creating for yourself a compost pile. Read on to see a few reasons why and to get some info on how to get started.

According to The Center for Sustainability at Duke University, the average American generates 4.3 pounds of waste per day. So, if you and I are average, we will each produce more than 1500 pounds of garbage by the end of this year.

There is an alternative for much of the garbage waste that is currently sent to landfills. That alternative is composting. In this article, I’ll define what compost is, explain the potential correlations between composting and our environment, and introduce the basic elements of how to compost. Let’s start by exploring the concept of composting.

Compost is decomposed organic material. According to the Illinois State Extension, (https://extension.illinois.edu/compost/process.cfm) compost is made with material such as leaves, shredded twigs, and kitchen scraps from plants.

Compost becomes a soil amendment with fertilizer value. Jerry Goodspeed at the Utah State Extension tells us that the end result of composting is a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material that contains nutrients needed for new plant growth. (http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/492/, n.d.)

Now that we have established what compost is, let’s take a look at its implications on our environment. First, soil is improved when compost is added to it. According to the EPA (https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home, n.d.) composting:

Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress diseases and pests.
Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi.

Composting also reduces methane gas emissions. Plant materials in landfills emit greater amounts of methane gas into the atmosphere as they decompose. According to Fred Michel (Michel, Summer 2010, Vol. 18 Issue 3) “compost productions is a valued way to reduce methane emissions from landfills and manure storage…”

Now that we understand the possible implications of composting, let’s talk about how to compost! A compost pile can be established in a back yard in open air or in a closed container for a faster process. Following is a composting recipe:

Balance your pile by adding “browns” (to add carbon) and “greens” (to add nitrogen) in order to create the chemical reaction necessary for the composting process.

Brown materials include: Leaves, Twigs, Shredded newspaper, Cardboard rolls, Clean paper, and Fireplace ashes.

Green materials include: Fruit and Vegetable scraps, Grass clippings, Bread and grains, Coffee grounds and used tea bags, Hair and fur, and Manure from animals that are herbivores such as cows, horses, sheep and goats.

Do not use: Dairy, meats, bones, fats, oils, pet waste from dogs or cats, seafood scraps, plastics, stickers from fruit and vegetables, metals, glass, treated or painted wood.

Here at Lomond View Nursery, we also sell granular nitrogen. Adding this to your pile will speed up and aid the composting process of your pile.

Add water to dampen and speed up the decomposing work of the bacteria. Turn once a month to reintroduce oxygen to the center of the pile. (http://northparknursery.com/2015/08/how-to-composting-basics/, n.d.) Depending on the temperature outside and amount of heat producing nitrogen included, your pile will be composted and ready for use in approximately 3-6 months.

So now that you know a little more about what compost is and how to make it, take all those piles from your spring clean-up and make compost pile instead of sending it to the land fill!

Works Cited

http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/492/. (n.d.).

http://northparknursery.com/2015/08/how-to-composting-basics/. (n.d.).

http://www.weber.edu/WSUImages/environment/Newsletters/Oct2012Newsletter.pdf. (n.d.).

https://extension.illinois.edu/compost/process.cfm. (n.d.).

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home. (n.d.).

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home. (n.d.).

Michel, F. (Summer 2010, Vol. 18 Issue 3). Compost: Benefits vs. Risks. Compost Science & Utilization, 137-137.

When we think of gardening this time of year, we often think of yard clean up and preparing for winter. There are definitely important items to check off the winter-prep clean-up list, but don’t overlook the opportunity to plant and play with color this time of year.

The colors of autumn provide a rich and energetic spray. Mums, pansies and ornamental peppers can add pops of color to keep the heart of a flower bed beating well into November.

Plant now for spring growth

This is an ideal time to get trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs in the ground. It is best at the time of planting to encourage the plant to put its energy into the roots instead of the top growth. This time of year Mother Nature is telling plants to send resources to the root system to prepare for winter dormancy. Planting now gives roots time to get established before the ground freezes. Everything is in place for a spectacular display of blossoms in spring when the plant will put its energy up top.

Spring tulips come from Fall bulbs

Bulbs are easy to grow and a welcome, cheerful relief to the end of winter. Plant each bulb to a depth of four times its height. This will keep it the right temperature until the time comes for it to emerge. Plant a grouping of bulbs that will grow in a variety of sizes and colors to create a growing “bouquet”. In the spring it will be like someone sent you flowers (minus the delivery van).

Enjoy time outdoors this month soaking in the sights, sounds and smells of autumn; and give yourself the gift of spring blooms by planting in the fall.

Lomond View Fairy Garden Event April 22, 2017 from 10am-12 noon.

When we think of gardening this time of year, we often think of yard clean up and preparing for winter. There are definitely important items to check off the winter-prep clean-up list, but don’t overlook the opportunity to plant and play with color this time of year.

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Fairy Gardens and Lomond View’s Fairy Garden Party

Lomond View Fairy Garden Event April 22, 2017 from 10am-12 noon.

When we think of gardening this time of year, we often think of yard clean up and preparing for winter. There are definitely important items to check off the winter-prep clean-up list, but don’t overlook the opportunity to plant and play with color this time of year.

Office

Social Media