We know it’s still early November, but we couldn’t resist! You have to see all the cute cute cute holiday decor we have coming in… happy (almost) holidays!!!
christmas
My Christmas Cactus from last year is nice & healthy but not a bud on it. To force blooming, move the pot into a dark spot, like a closet, for 12 hours a day and then out in good light for 12 hours. Fertilize with a water soluble fertilizer like Hasta Gro or Miracle Gro and you should get buds and blooms for the holiday season!
-Sally
We have lots of calls coming in about how this cold weather will affect plants. Winter is here, but the results won’t be too brutal for most. Some areas of the Coastal Bend are forecast to see a light freeze, and some not.
If temperatures stay above low 30’s:
Some tender house plants, such as Chinese evergreen and spathyphyllum, can be damaged by temperatures of 40 and below, so hopefully you have plans to bring those in, but ficus and schefflera and many others will be okay to 30 and a little below.
Esperanzas, hamelias, and many other tropical blooming shrubs will drop leaves and look bad, but that’s what to expect for this time of year, and they should come back fine next spring. If you want to try to keep them looking as nice as possible for Christmas, you could throw a sheet over them until temperatures are back in the high 40’s and hope for the best.
If temperatures drop below low 30’s:
Always continue to watch forecasts. If we have more clearing skies than expected, it could get a little colder. If it gets below the low thirties, some additional protection would be warranted.
If they can’t be brought inside, tender plants in pots should be watered just before a freeze, and tumped over so they are closer to the ground (a source of heat) and covered, not wrapped, so ground heat will be trapped under the cover and around the plant. We have reusable N-Sulate frost protection blankets available if you don’t want your bed sheets out in the garden.
Most citrus will be okay down into the high twenties. If you have questions not answered here, call us at Gill Landscape Nursery, 361-992-9674.
-James
There are some great alternatives to cut Christmas trees.
Norfolk Island Pines are one of the most popular because of their look. They are layered like many fir trees and resemble a Christmas tree.
Hollywood Junipers and Blue Point Junipers are another alternative with the look of a true Christmas tree. They grow well in our area and can be planted in the ground after the holidays or kept as a container plant and used for years to come.
Yaupon holly trees are also great with their red berries this time of year. Magnolia and Ficus Trees can also be used.
All of these can be strung with lights and used indoors for a couple of weeks before needing to be put back outside in their normal environment. Be creative. Look around the patio and see what you have to decorate. It’s always fun to decorate a non-traditional tree and surprise your family and guests!
-Sally
We are so happy to report the Christmas trees are here and… BEAUTIFUL! The garden center is stocked with fresh-cut trees ranging from 5ft to 12ft, and the Gill’s crew has set up one very special Nordmann Fir measuring 22ft at The South Texas Botanical Gardens! Here’s some more info about our tree varieties this year plus a few important care tips.
FYI…
Real fresh-cut trees are sustainable and 100% recyclable. For each tree cut, 1-3 more saplings are planted. These man-made forests can consume several thousand pounds of carbon dioxide per year helping to clean our atmosphere and provide oxygen. Recycled trees can be used for building barrier sand dunes on Padre Island, creating artificial reefs in local bay waters, and chipped for garden mulch. No waste!
Tree Varieties at Gill’s
Noble Fir in traditional form plus a new look called “layered” that is super cool. Nobles are known for their long-cut life and stiff branches that hold ornaments well. Very fragrant foliage adds to their appeal for the holidays.
Nordmann Fir has a soft needle and little to no fragrance. It is a great choice for those with allergies. With excellent needle retention, they are very pretty with contrasting dark green and silver foliage.
Fraser Fir is one of the most popular trees. They are highly sought for their needle retention, tolerance to warmer climates, soft silvery foliage, and fragrance. We have seen Frasers in March look almost as good as they did in December!
We offer delivery + set-up as well as Xmas tree takeaway after the season.
2 Very Important Xmas Tree Tips:
#1 – Keep your tree in water! Our trees have had a fresh cut and have been immediately placed in water to maximize freshness. As soon as you get your tree home, get the base of the trunk in water. If you need to wait to put it on the stand, get it in a bucket of water. If you plan to give your tree a fresh cut when you get home, only cut ½” off the base, and you must get it in water within 10 mins, or the cut will seal over and not allow the tree to take up water. Keep monitoring your water level in the stand throughout the season.
#2 – Keep your tree away from heating and A/C vents (if a vent is nearby, close it). Heating and A/C will dry out the tree quickly – you don’t want that! You want to keep it as hydrated as possible.
Go See The Big Tree!
We are happy to be a part of the annual Botanical Gardens holiday light display. This year, the majestic 22ft Nordmann is about 20 to 25 years old, younger than most of the big trees the tree farm will harvest. Visit the Botanical Gardens website for more info about holiday hours.
-Debbie
How is it December already?! Time flies when you’re having fun in the garden. Here are our top to-do’s this month: what to plant, gift ideas, Winter watering advice and more.
Check out our December Garden Guide for more tips and remember that trees, shrubs, and perennials can be planted 12 months out of the year! The only difference is the amount of water they need depending on temperatures and wind!
1. Plant These Now
There’s always the BEST time to get plants growing and here’s a few that LOVE this season as much as we do!
Strawberries…who could resist picking these sweet jewels in the Spring?
Onions…we grow short-day onion varieties here in South Texas. Lucky for us the 1015 Texas Supersweet is one of those along with tasty Texas Early White & Southern Belle Red.
Roses…. our mild winters are perfect for big, beautiful roses & the cooler temps will only make them prettier and the flower color richer. Need we say more?
Trees…shade, flowering, small, big, they all benefit from planting now. Good root development during the cooler months of winter gives them better growth in spring and a fighting chance next summer.
2. Think Gifts That Grow
With a few simple components you can create heartfelt gifts that will last and grow. Collectible houseplants, succulents in natural clay pots, colorful flowers in a hanging basket, winter bulbs like Paperwhites and Amaryllis…the possibilities are endless! Adorn your wrappings with fresh herbs from the garden for those special touches that mean so much! Need ideas? We’ve got plenty!
3. Alternative Trees for Holidays and Beyond!
If you want a Christmas-y tree to enjoy in your landscape after the holidays, Junipers, Norfolk Pines, Loblolly Pines, Magnolias and Ficus trees work beautifully. We even had a customer this season who decided on a large Queen Palm to decorate! If you bring these in for decorating, be sure they have good bright natural light. Keep watered but not too much, and as soon as the holidays are done…take them outdoors for a breath of fresh air and plant.
4. Plant, Feed, Water Winter Flowers
Winter flowers are AMAZING right now! Violas and Pansies are breathtaking and Geraniums are full of buds and blooms. All that blooming makes them hungry, so take a moment and fertilize your beauties. We love Plant Tone and or Hasta Gro. Both are organic and give you big results. Have that “one more empty pot” to fill?
5. Check Irrigation and Reduce Watering
Established lawns and landscapes (those more than 2 years old) can do with less water during winter. Even potted plants will stay moist longer this time of year. Check your irrigation systems to run less time and/or less often. Water lawns every 2 weeks if no rain. Water your landscape and potted plants when the soil feels dry. YOU WILL NEED TO WATER when we have cold fronts with low humidity and high winds and/or freezing temps.
We love this time of year here in the garden center, and we want to make sure you get the very best out of your holiday favorites! So, we made a list of quick care tips to help you out:
Poinsettias
- Place in indirect sunlight, indoors or out
- Water every other day to every 3rd day by setting in sink to soak, then drain or place 4-5 ice cubes per day in pot
- Fertilize every 2 weeks with Hasta Gro
- Periodically freshen up by pulling old leaves
Christmas Trees (Fresh Cut)
- Avoid placing tree in draft of heater or air conditioner
- Keep water reservoir filled! Tree will drink a lot at first and then slow down once the tree is hydrated
Living Christmas Trees
- Limit the amount of time they are indoors – up to 2 weeks is good
- Water when dry, about every 3 days depending on size of root ball
- At end of season, when moving back outdoors acclimate to full sun
Christmas Cactus
- Keep in indirect sunlight, indoors or out
- Water when dry, about every 4-5 days
- Fertilize every 2 weeks with Hasta Gro
English Ivy Topiaries
- Keep in indirect sunlight, indoors or out
- Water when dry, about every 7 days depending on root ball size and air humidity
- Again, fertilize with Hasta Gro every few weeks
- Trim as needed to shape our tuck new runners into the topiary form
Blooming Amaryllis
- Keep in good indirect indoor light
- Keep soil moist but not wet
- Once bloom fades, trim and plant in garden, leaving center of bulb above soil level
Blooming Cyclamen
- One more time…keep in good indirect indoor or outdoor light
- Water when dry
- Trim spent blooms to encourage new blooms
- Best outdoors in pots once holiday season is over
Impatiens & Wildflower Seeds
Get ’em in the ground now!
Plant Impatiens now for winter color in part sun to shade. They will give you show-stopping color into May of next year.
Sow wildflower seeds now for spring blooms.
Amaryllis & Paperwhite Bulbs
October is the month to dig and divide mature, crowded Amaryllis bulbs. This needs to be done every 3 years. We are receiving our Amaryllis bulbs next week at both stores.
We have Narcissus Paperwhite bulbs now! For successful bloom, refrigerate now for 4 weeks. Pot them in soil or water the weekend of Thanksgiving and they will be ready to give as gifts with buds and blooms for Christmas.
Beneficial Insects for Natural Pest Control
Ladybugs’ favorite foods are aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and many other soft bodied insects. They should be released in the evening or very early morning or when it is cool or overcast. Moisten the infested plants first and then release the Ladybugs at the base of the plant. Each package contains approx. 1500 Ladybugs for $10.00.
Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic worms that seek out and destroy over 200 kinds of soil dwelling insects including grubs, flea larvae, cutworms, and root knot nematodes. Each package contains approx. 5 million Nematodes for $20.00.
