Marching Right Along

Marching Right Along

march-2020-newsletter-header

I think we can all agree that 2020 has started off with a lot of uncertainty. While we face these challenges together, we’re also presented with an opportunity to find joy in our yards and gardens and finally get through those honey-do lists.

New in Edibles

Vegetables are still trending, and growing your own has never been easier. Even if you live in an apartment, you can still try the “100-km Diet” and enjoy the freshest possible vegetables without having to venture to the grocery store. We will be growing a lot of the varieties we grew last year for containers, like Snackabelle Red Pepper, Chili Pie Pepper, Sweet and Neat Tomatoes and Patio Snacker cukes. 

We are also growing a newer pepper called King of the North, a short-season variety that matures in 70 days. It’s a green pepper/red pepper with a slightly thicker wall. The plant is good and sturdy; a perfect option for gardeners living further up the North Thompson. 

Eggplants are still a craze as well, and we have some new varieties such as Fairy Tale. It’s a great variety for containers that bears purple and white-striped fruit measuring 18-24 inches long. It ripens about 2 weeks earlier than other eggplant varieties. We are growing another eggplant as well, a Burpee exclusive called Early Midnight. As the name suggests, it is a very early medium-sized dark purple fruit that reaches about 6 inches in diameter.

Tomato Contest

This year, we are returning back to the days of the great pumpkin contest, but with a slight twist. To make sure yards of all sizes can participate, we’re doing a tomato contest! Steakhouse tomato plants will be available on April 17th for you to pick up. We’ll be looking for the largest size, best colour, and overall best-looking fruit, just to name a few of the contest categories!

A Truckload of Tropicals

march-2020-newsletter-people

As most of you saw from our Instagram page, my daughter Ivy and I recently travelled to Florida and toured many greenhouses looking at indoor plants and citrus trees. We will be bringing in a number of truckloads full of houseplants and will be carrying lots of interesting new plants for your collection. We even found a supplier of edible mulberries! Some of the more unique items will be mangos, papayas, and something called “miracle fruit” that is supposed to ease whatever ails you.

I even found some avocados, but be warned, you will need a true green thumb to actually get an avocado from the plant in the next 8 years!

Changes to the Store Layout

Many of us don’t like change, and I confess—the older I get, the less I like it as well. However, we have made some large changes to the layout of the store. The biggest is the location of the information desk. This desk is now located in the greenhouse at the entrance to the nursery. When you walk in, just head straight ahead through the Fashion department toward the greenhouse and you will see it. 

We have also moved the hot tubs and tropicals; we flipped each location to the opposite ends of the store. This has made more space for tropicals and gives the hot tubs a better location near the information desk. All hardgoods, fertilizers and pest controls are now also in the greenhouse near the information booth and all the giftware has moved inside next to the florist department.

We will also be dedicating an entire area to Proven Winners perennials and shrubs, which will be straight out the back of the buildings, just past the annuals and perennials. We will also have one of the largest displays of Proven Winners plants in the interior, almost all of which we grow locally right here in Kamloops.

I think we’re all eager and excited for the coming spring to arrive, which I hope will bring some relief in this unprecedented time. I invite you to get in touch and share your thoughts on our recent changes.

Sincerely,
Maury

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Planting, Growing & Harvesting Garlic

Planting, Growing & Harvesting Garlic

Planting:

Garlic can be planted in the Spring as soon as the ground can be worked, but fall planting is recommended for most gardeners. Plant in the Fall and you will find that your bulbs are bigger and more flavourful when you harvest next Summer.

• In areas that get hard frost, plant garlic 6-8 weeks before frost date.

• Break apart the cloves from the bulb a few days before planting, but keep the papery husk on each individual clove.

• Plant cloves about one month before the ground freezes.

• Do NOT plant cloves from the grocery store. They may be unsuited to our area, and most are treated to make their shelf life longer.

• Ensure the soil is sandy well-drained with plenty of organic matter. Add Art Knapp bone meal to the soil. Select a sunny spot.

• Place cloves 4 inches apart and 2 inches deep,I n their upright position.

Care:

• Northern gardeners should mulch heavily with straw for overwintering.

• Mulch should be removed in the Spring after the threat of frost has passed

• Cut off any flower shoots that emerge in the Spring. These may decrease bulb size. These “scrapes” are great in cooking.

• Garlic requires adequate levels of nitrogen. Fertilize in the Spring with Art Knapp 8-20-20 fertilizer

• Water every 3 to 5 days during mid May to June

Harvest & Storage:

• In late July or August, the clue for harvesting is to look for yellow tops. Harvest when tops are yellow before they fully dry.

• To harvest carefully lift the bulbs with a spade or garden fork.Pull the plants, carefully brush off the soil, and let them dry in an airy shaded spot for 2 weeks.

• The bulbs are cured and ready to store when wrappers are dry and papery, and the roots are dry. The root crown should be hard, and the cloves can be easily cracked apart.

• Bulbs should be stored in a cool dark, dry place and kept there for several months.

Recommended Varieties:

Softneck: like their names, they have necks that stay soft after harvest and therefore are the types you see braided.Strong, intense flavor.

Hardneck: grow one ring of cloves on the stem. Extremely cold hardy, but do not store as nicely as other varieties. Flavor is more mild.

Elephant: AKA great neck garlic. More closely related to the leek family. Large cloves that taste more like onion.

Fall Flowering Crocus

Fall Flowering Crocus

Goodbye Summer, hello Fall! And Fall means…Crocus! Fall flowering Crocus are a perfect way to enjoy beautiful blooms even in the cooler weather. Crocus AKA ‘Meadow Saffron’ start from a bulb planted 2”-4” under the soil surface in late Summer to early Fall. These delicate flowers bloom for 2-3 weeks in September in clusters, then remain dormant until the following Spring at that time green foliage will appear and stay until early Summer, then the process repeats. Once planted Crocus are very easy care, they may need water during the dry weather and enjoy full sun to part shade, but other then that they are maintenance free! There is over 6 types of Fall Crocus, including the Saffron Crocus. Autumn Crocus come in deep purple, lavender and all the way to white. Purple symbolizing  dignity, pride and success. White symbolizing purity, innocence and truth. Overall Crocus represent looking on the bright side, which is perfect for the cooler seasons when there is not much colour. A fun fact about Crocus is they are 1 of only 18 plants documented as having a history of medical value for a long period of time. Not only is it a plant with history and meaning, but it is also beautiful and easy to grow!

Proven Winners

Proven Winners

We recently had a visit from Jessica from Proven Winners because we are trying to develop our store into a Proven Winner destination, and because of the number of perennials and shrubs from PW that we are currently growing. If you haven’t visited us recently we have a PW display garden that has been growing for a year! We have also added a covered area for all the PW shade plants as well. The selection of plants can be very overwhelming but the following are some of my favorite ones to grow and some are PW plants of the year.

The first is the annual of the year. Lemon Coral Sedum is an excellent choice for Kamloops baskets and containers as it is a very tough and drought tolerant plant. It has lime and chartreuse foliage that is vigorous and beautifully textured. It has been a hit this spring in store! Just remember that it is considered an annual in our climate and is not like the other hardy sedum we sell.

One of the PW perennials we are growing that is a Maury Winner is Shasta Daisy Banana Cream. This is a compact growing plant that has been made even more compact with the marmots eating the foliage. Who knows – maybe it tastes like banana cream! When the marmots finally get their fill and hibernate this plant has an amazing show of 4-5” flowers that open lemon yellow and fade to creamy white. The flowers are on sturdy, stalky stems that hold the massive flowers upright, keeping them from falling over or drooping after a summer rain or hard wind. It’s an easy plant to grow in the yard for any gardener.

proven winners selection

Two other perennials that I think are winners are hardy sedum called Popstar Sedum. I love this sedum as it is very compact and mounding and has the cutest little blue-green foliage. In the fall it has a mass of salmon pink flowers.

The second is a Heuchera. Yes, I know there are hundreds to choose from but this one is just the cutest! It’s called Cinnamon Curls. It is a more compact and shorter variety of Heuchera that has a unique blend of coppery orange, red and purple tones of ruffled leaves. The leaves have magenta undertones as well. It looks like a happy little plant that will add a distinct flavor to your garden.

Out of all the available shrubs that PW has their hydrangeas are hard to beat – and there are a lot of hydrangeas to choose from! There are two, however, that just catch my eye every time I’m in the nursery. The first is Fire Light, and the other is Pinky Winky. The latter I like because of the name (I must admit) as well as the flower. It’s a two-toned white flower with a red bottom on sturdy, stalky stems. It reminds me of a sundae! It also happens to be the 2015 Shrub Madness champion.

So, if you have a chance, come by and smell all the flowers in the Proven Winner garden and enjoy!

– Maury

Grow a Row

Grow a Row

grow a row

This year we are excited to say we have joined the Grow A Row family! Grow A Row is 35 garden beds each sponsored by local businesses filled with fresh produce, all located at Home Hardware Building Centre.

The vision for Grow a Row is to bring like minded business owners together who want to give back to the Kamloops community, while also building a team of engaged individuals within Kamloops who want to support the Kamloops Food Bank by growing vegetables in our own backyard. The Grow a Row garden is proudly brought to our city by the partnership between Home Hardware, Lyons Landscaping, and us here at Art Knapp! Which works out great when we are all close neighbours, making walking over to water much easier.

grow a row art knapp

Some of the produce this year includes corn, tomatoes,peppers, cucumbers, leafy greens, herbs, and much more. A huge thank you goes out to our awesome veggie man Auggie for choosing and checking up on the plants to make sure they grow their very best.

We look forward to this growing season and working closely with our partners to make this year the best one yet for Grow A Row! If you would like to see updates head over to our Instagram @artknappkamloops and the Grow A Row Facebook page.

Crops in Pots

Crops in Pots

Crops in Pots header

Every year there is a large trend of some sort with gardening, this year it’s growing fruits and veggies in containers. Container gardening has gained even more popularity over the years from being convenient for people with little space,or who enjoy a patio garden.Here are some tips to make your container growing go smoothly this year:

Containers:

  • Plastic pots are easier to move, but if you prefer ceramic just put a plastic pot inside and still achieve a nice look.
  • Strawberry pots, grow bags and rectangular planters work well.
  • Trellises,obelisks,metal stakes,bamboo stakes and arbours come in very handy especially for veggies that have heavier fruit.

Soil Mix:

  • Lightweight premium organic vegetable/herb soil
  • Use myke to re-establish microorganisms in the soil
  • In 2 weeks you can begin to fertilize with 8-20-20,or water soluble 18-18-21

Environment:

The amount of sun, reflective surfaces, time of day and wind will play a role in where you can grow. Be sure to keep these in mind so you can have the best results in your growing space.

container grown vegetables: tomato, herbs, peppers

Plants that grow well in containers:

Tomatoes: Grow in full sun, but shade the roots to prevent any blossom end rot. Remember a cage/stake for support.

Peppers: When growing in pots you will have the most success with the small to medium sized peppers, fruit production is much higher with the smaller sized fruit compared to large bell peppers. Hot peppers can be very decorative, the “vampire” pepper has purple leaves which add a nice colour element.

Potatoes: Grow in pots or grow bags, plant low and then keep adding soil around the plant as it grows, it will root along the stem and create more tubers.

Beans: Pole beans have lovely decorative flowers. Don’t forget to use innulent when planting the seeds, it improves the root system.

Lettuce, Mesclun, Arugula, Mustard greens: Grow underneath taller plants, this will help shade and cool the leaves, this in turn will reduce the chance of them bolting.

Strawberries: Choose everbearing seascape or tristar to get fruit the first year and all through Summer.

Herbs: Basil, Oregano, and Parsley enjoy the sun. It should be noted that Mint is aggressive so it should have a pot to itself. Rosemary and Basil do not over winter her in kamloops.

Others that can grow in containers: Leeks, Carrots, Blueberries, and Grapes.

Florida Tropicals

Florida Tropicals

florida tropicals palm header

A couple times a year at Art Knapp we bring in a full truck of lush tropical plants from Florida. House plants exploded with popularity in 2018, and in 2019 it looks like everyone has grown a green thumb (its okay if you didn’t,we still love you). We are excited for the classics like the Peace Lily and boston fern, but also looking forward to the new beauties!

red philodendron tropical

We carry a few sizes of the Imperial Red Philodendron, with large ones on the way for Spring. The leaves start off a nice red tone and slowly change into a deep green,sometimes giving off a black look. This Philodendron is easy care, and makes a great patio plant in the warm seasons.

 

 

yucca palm tropicals

We have many customers come in who want a tropical plant that looks good around their pool, and that they can also bring indoors, the perfect plant for that is a Yucca Cane. Unlike palm trees Yuccas are very hardy, and have strong trunks and foliage. Yuccas come in many heights, and can have multiple stalks in one pot which creates some dimension. The best part about these plants is they handle neglect well, so if you forget to water it won’t be mad at you.

 

areca palm for privacy

Another request we hear often is a plant that provides privacy, that is where the Areca Palm comes in. Areca Palms are the classic tropical look, and can be displayed in a few ways. They love the sun, so in front of a big window indoors would be ideal. Outdoors they look amazing in the centre of a ceramic pot, with flowers all around the base of the trunk. These palms are bushy so they fill any space nicely, having multiple pots side by side with an Areca in them will create a barrier of privacy from those nosy neighbors.

Over 50 species of tropicals will be arriving at the end of the month, everything from Alocasia to Zamioculcas. So green thumb or not there will be a plant for everyone, and we look forward to bringing the tropics to Kamloops!

2019 Seminars & Workshops

2019 Seminars & Workshops

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2 10AM
SEED STARTING 101 | SEED STARTING CLASS, UNIQUE VEGETABLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 910AM
INDOOR SPRING FLOWER DISHGARDEN WORKSHOP $25 | NEED A BREATH OF SPRINGTIME? THIS WORKSHOP SHOWS YOU HOW TO COMBINE TROPICALS AND BLOOMERS FOR A LONG LASTING AND BEAUTIFUL SPRING CONTAINER FOR YOUR HOUSE. $25 COST INCLUDES CONTAINER, SOILS, PLANTS AND ORNAMENT
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16 10AM
PROPAGATING HEIRLOOM HOUSEPLANTS WORKSHOP $15 | LEARN HOW TO PROPAGATE YOUR OLDER PLANTS, BE ABLE TO SHARE THEM WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. BRING IN YOUR HEIRLOOM PLANT OR WORK WITH OUR PLANT SAMPLES.$15 INCLUDES SOIL, CONTAINER, ROOTING MEDIUM AND DOME
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23 10AM
FRUIT TREES FOR BEGINNERS | LEARN HOW TO CHOOSE AND PLANT YOUR NEW FRUIT TREE. TIPS ON HOW TO AMEND YOUR SOIL TO GET THE BEST GROWTH FOR YOUR FRUIT TREES, LEARN HOW AND WHEN TO FERTILIZE. EXPERT TIPS ON THE BEST VARIETIES
SATURDAY MARCH 2 10AM
PRUNING FOR FRUIT TREES | OUR FRUIT TREE EXPERTS WILL OUTLINE THE BASICS OF PRUNING YOUR TREES TO MAXIMIZE FRUIT PRODUCTION AND TREE HEALTH
SUNDAY MARCH 3 10AM
PRUNING FOR HEALTHY FLOWERING AND OTHER SHADE TREES | IMPROVE YOUR TREE HEALTH, INCREASE TREE BLOOM AND PRUNE TO EXTEND THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR TREE
*SATURDAY MARCH 9 10AM
ST PATRICKS DAY TROPICAL DISH GARDEN WORKSHOP $25 | CELEBRATE THE GREEN! CREATE YOUR OWN UNIQUE DISH GARDEN WITH THE LONG BLOOMING SHAMROCK AND OTHER TROPICAL PLANTS $25 INCLUDES PLANTS, CONTAINER &SOIL – YOU JUST ADD THE LOVE!
SATURDAY MARCH 16 10AM
VEGGIE CROPS THAT MATCH YOUR LIFESTYLE: MAKE A DATE WITH YOUR VEGGIE GARDEN | HAVE A SUCCESSFUL VEGGIE GARDEN THAT MATCHES YOUR LIFESTYLE, EASY TO GROW, ORGANIC, SALSA INGREDIENTS, HERBS
SATURDAY MARCH 23 10AM
GROWING GREAT ROSES | TIPS ON HOW TO GROW THE QUEEN OF ALL FLOWERING PLANTS! LEARN WHICH ARE THE MOST FRAGRANT, THE BEST CUTTING FLOWER AND THE MOST DISEASE RESISTANT AND HARDIEST ROSEBUSHES. JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING PRUNING!
SATURDAY MARCH 30 10AM
GARDEN THERAPY | SOILS, AMMENDMENTS, COMPOSTING. BRING SOIL SAMPLE IN TO GET TESTED FOR N, P, K, AND SOIL PH.
SATURDAY APRIL 6 10AM
EDIBLE CONTAINERS: VEGGIE GARDENS FOR THE CITY
SATURDAY APRIL 13 10AM
DECORATIVE WREATH WITH ANNUALS WORKSHOP
SATURDAY APRIL 20 10AM
EASTER TABLE CENTREPIECE WORKSHOP
SATURDAY APRIL 27 10AM
CONTAINER GARDENING WORKSHOP | PLANT UP YOUR SPRING CONTAINERS EARLY FOR A FULL DISPLAY BY SUMMER. LOTS OF NEW FOLIAGE PLANTS, BLOOMERS, BASKET STUFFERS AND TROPICALS TO CHOOSE FROM FOR A STUNNING AND UNIQUE FLOWERING CONTAINER. COST OF CLASS WILL BE THE PRODUCTS PURCHASED
SATURDAY MAY 4 10AM
GOOD BONES: FRAMEWORK FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE
SATURDAY MAY 11 10AM
NATIVE BY DESIGN: LESS GRASS MORE HABITAT
SATURDAY MAY 18 10AM
PATIO OASIS: TROPICAL PLANTS FOR SUMMER PATIOS WORKSHOP
SATURDAY MAY 25 10AM
SUCCULENT GARDENING WORKSHOP
SATURDAY JUNE 8 10AM
FLOWERING SHRUBS TO MAXIMIZE BLOOM AND BEAUTY
SATURDAY JUNE 22 10AM
USING FRESH HERBS FOR ARRANGEMENTS WORKSHOP
SATURDAY JULY 13 10AM
PROVEN WINNER OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY JULY 27 10AM
PLANNING A FALL GARDEN
SATURDAY AUGUST 10 10AM
PERENNIAL GRASS GARDEN WITH WOW

Seed Starting

Seed Starting

seed starting tips and advice

Containers

First, you must select your containers. They may be plastic, cardboard, or pressed peat with a depth of 2-3 inches. If you choose the pressed peat, you need to sterilize with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Good drainage holes are essential.

Soil Medium

Next, you need to fill with a light-textured, seed-starting soil that is sterilized, loose and airy. We recommend the Art Knapp seed starter or Pro Mix premium seed starting mix.

pots soil seed startingPreparation

Fill your containers with pre-moistened soil mix and tamp it lightly before seeding.

Sowing

Sow seeds thinly. A commercial “seeder” may make your job easier and give you more control.

Planting

Generally we cover the seeds to a depth of 3x the seeds thickness. Some seeds need to be covered with glass or a clear plastic dome to allow light in to stimulate germination, and to control humidity, while other seeds need dark germination. Check your seed packet for hints and specific info. If dark is recommended, put wet newspaper lightly on the soil surface just till the seeds germinate, then remove.

Temperature

Keep your temperature as even as possible around 21-23℃.

Moisture

It’s very important to keep the soil evenly moist. Use a spray bottle with tepid water and avoid sopping wet soil. Clear plastic domes aid in maintaining humidity without excessive watering.

Light

Next, you have to provide a light source. 14-16 hours under a full spectrum grow light or sunlight works well, but your seedlings will also need a rest period of darkness, as in nature, so never leave the light on all night. If you have a light bar, place it about 2 inches above your seeds and raise it as they grow (a chain works well).

selection of seed packs on shelf

Transplanting

Transplant your seedlings to individual pots when they have a good root system established. Start with a small pot, hold the plant by a leaf so you don’t damage the delicate stem, and reduce the temperature a little.

Air Flow

It’s really important to provide good air movement to discourage the “damping off” fungus and to help your plants develop stronger stems. You can provide this by directing a gentle fan on your seed trays once the domes are off. Watering with camomile tea or sprinkling cinnamon on your soil also deters fungal growth.

Fertilizing

When your seedlings develop two sets of true leaves (not counting the seed leaves – the first small set of leaves), then it’s time to fertilize them. Feed the seedlings with diluted fish fertilizer (follow the package directions) or use 10-52-10 plant starter. Always make your solution with room temperature water.

Potting Up

When your small pots or trays are quite full of roots, transplant to the next size pot to encourage a strong root system before moving them to the garden site.

Harden Off

Place your plants outside in the day in a sheltered, shady spot and bring them inside each night. Gradually move them to a sunny spot over the period of a week. Monitor the weather to prepare for adverse conditions, and bring plants in if a frost warning is in effect.

Winter Bloomers

Winter Bloomers

winter bloomers red and pink azalea

After the beautiful Christmas lights get packed away and the tree gets taken down, your home may feel a little dull. There is no denying that winter does not have a lot of life to it, but that can easily be changed with the simple addition of some indoor plants! Studies have shown having plants at work, school or home reduces stress, improves perceptions of the space, and overall contributes to a happier mood. That’s why, here at Art Knapp, we carry tropical and flowering plants all year! Here are some of our favourites that we recommend during the winter months:

white cyclamen winter blooming flower

Cyclamen

Cyclamens are Maury’s favourite bloomer, symbolizing sincerity and lasting feelings. They have beautiful variegated leaves and flowers available in pink, red, white and purple that some say look like butterflies! They prefer bright indirect light, and humidity. Water when the soil feels dry and avoid getting water on the leaves.

pink orchid winter blooming flower

Orchid

Orchids are a unique and long-lasting bloom representing beauty and luxury that can’t be beaten. We carry a variety of colours, from white to purple to pink – even variegated! South and east facing windows are the best location for your orchid. Give them lukewarm water and regular feeding with Art Knapp 20-20-20.

zygocactus christmas cactus winter blooms


Zygocactus

Also known as Christmas cactus, zygocactus has a unique beauty to it and is very easy care for. In fact, it’s so easy to care for that it symbolizes eternal life, as some people have had theirs for over 20 years! It flowers in winter, which is perfect for adding some much-needed colour – like pink, orangey-pink, red, and white – to your home. Your zygocactus will like indirect light and should be kept more moist throughout the blooming season.

colourful primrose winter blooms

Primrose

Symbolizing youth, primrose is edible and actually tastes like lettuce, but blooms in many colours from white to pink to purple, and all the way to red. Having one of these in your house will have you looking forward to spring! They like filtered sunlight,and watering when the soil is dry to the touch.

red pink azalea flowers bloom in winterAzalea

One of the most popular blooming plants, azaleas have beautiful, long-lasting blooms that symbolize femininity and softness. Misting is beneficial to these plants, and they like to be rootbound. Soil must be kept evenly moist, but not soaked, and good drainage is key, along with indirect sunlight.