Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.
Corpus Christi, TX Garden Center
We’ve all seen Christmas wreath vertically, but how about horizontally? Hanging multiple layers together can have a great ‘chandelier’ like effect. Just get at least two sizes and hang them from the ceiling with gorgeous thick ribbon. Then hang ornaments, lights, and sprigs of berries or mistletoe and Voila! But make sure you don’t use real candles, as they can burn the fresh wreaths and cause needle drop.
-Marta
Here’s a fun project kids can do to attract birds to your landscape. Take natural pinecones, roll in peanut butter, and then roll in bird seed. It’s a little messy….just right for kids! Attach a hanger and place them in your trees. Birds come and feed on them and everyone gets to enjoy watching!
-DeAnna
Do you have a gardener in your family that you just don’t know what to buy them? Think about a new pair of pruners. Or rose gloves that reach up to your elbows. They’re great for pruning thorny plants like roses, bougainvilleas or pyracantha. We also have moisture meters, rain gauges, outdoor thermometers, candles, windchimes, birdfeeders, hummingbird feeders, and more. We have fruit pickers to help harvest their fruit up high in the tree. How about a tub- trug to hold plant clippings or soil as you work around the yard.
One of my favorite parts of gardening is, accessorizing! We have concrete statues of dogs, cats, pigs, frogs, St Francis and more. We also carry metal yard art from Mexico and Haiti. Beautiful ceramic pottery, fountains and birdbaths. Or for the new gardener, how about the Corpus Christi Garden Book. Still not sure what to buy? How about a gift card to Gills. That way they can shop year-round at both stores and buy what they need when they are ready. I know I would love any of these.
-DeAnna
Don’t:
-DeAnna 
This time of year your lawn might not be looking so great. It might be patchy, or pale yellow, or just unhappy. Since St. Augustine grass goes dormant in the winter, fertilizer might not be the best choice. Instead try using Nature’s Blend compost. It’s an alfalfa humate blend that helps your lawn against fungus and feeds the roots. One bag covers 50 square feet of a healthy lawn, or if it’s struggling use one bag per 25sqft. Make sure you spread it to 1/2” or less! Nature’s Blend provides protection against temperature and moisture extremes too, so your lawn has the best chance of surviving the winter and emerging in spring.
-Marta
The City of Corpus Christi and Texas Agrilife Extension have joined together for another free soil testing campaign. Have you had your soil tested lately? If not, please take advantage of this opportunity. The report will tell you your soil nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium levels and acidity level and can help you select the right fertilizer for your landscape. Stop by either store and pick up the form and bag to prepare your sample. This is limited to the first 350 samples, so don’t delay.
