Author Archives: Mahoney Paul

Welcome Spring

veggie seeds

veggie seeds

We’re back and open again for the Spring Season!  Even with a few warm days it is still a little cold out, and the warm weather of Spring may still be a couple of weeks off, but now is a great time to start getting ready for those warm days on the way.  From the annual garden clean up and preparing flower and vegetable beds, to the task of working for that perfect lawn this is a great time to plan and get organized.  We have plenty of  tips and gardening supplies for getting ready with vegetable gardens and flower beds as well as finding a smart way to work on having a nice lawn.  Don’t forget now is a great time to get started planting seeds for your vegetable garden, with a great selection of seeds, potting supplies and soil mixes, we have everything you need to get growing.

To welcome Spring we have a great assortment of flowering plants from tulips and daffodils to pansies and other Spring favorites.  We’ve also brought in a great selection of Orchids from Hawaii as well as a nice mix of other easy to grow tropical plants to brighten up your home or work place or as a nice gift for a friend.

This year there are many new plant introductions which are really kind of cool!  Proven Winners has a few new  introductions including  Supertunia ‘Pretty Much Picasso’ and a new Hydrangea called ‘Incrediball’ as well as many others, there will be plenty of new things to try out in the garden. Look for new varieties in many of your favorite perennials such as more of the ‘Big Sky’ Coneflowers which are just stunning!  We are also expanding our selection of native plants with plenty of ideas and help to find the right place to use native plants for greatest effect in the garden.

Getting started on your lawn?  We’re coming into that time for lime and fertilizer as well as finding solutions for weed, disease and insect control.  We have the solutions as well as plenty of good ideas on how to develop a care plan that works for you.  We also carry a great selection of organic products as well as suggestions on how to make organics a practical solution for your lawn care.

We welcome you to stop by and say Hi! and let us know what we can do to help make your gardening experience more pleasurable this season.

Thanks,  Paul Mahoney

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Pansies and Violas Are Here and In Bloom!

Our Pansies and Violas are here and in bloom!  We have many colors and varieties to choose from in handle packs, 6 packs, flats, 4″ and 6″ pots.  Located in front of our gazebo and in our greenhouse.  Our violas and pansies are partially hardened-off and are ok to go outside but should be protected from frost.

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Spring Lawn Care… or… How do I get a Cool Looking Lawn?

Where do I start to get that nice green lawn I’m looking for?

The most important thing for a healthy and vibrant lawn is to begin with the soil.  Most of us here on the Island are blessed with what one might say are not the best soil conditions. Grass plants like any other plant need healthy soil from which they feed on the nutrients available in the soil to maintain optimum growth.  The soil is a micro environment in itself in which micro organisms sustain themselves by feeding on organic matter and converting those nutrients into a form on which plants can then feed.  Building up the nutrients in the soil can be achieved by adding organic matter to the soil or by using fertilizer to supplement the supply of nutrients that is available in the soil.  Usually what is needed is a little of both with the best approach being to provide the grass with the nutrients it needs for growth while building the soil to sustain the health of the lawn in the longer term.

A good place to start in the spring with an effective lawn care program is to begin with providing your lawn with the essential nutrients it needs for healthy and sustained growth.  Most lawns will require one or more sources of feeding through the application of the proper fertilizer or from an addition of good organic matter such as compost or a good organic fertilizer.  Spring is also a good time to apply lime to help bring the pH level of the soil up to where it is optimal for most grass varieties.

Into May and early June the needs of lawn care change to dealing with broadleaf weeds emerging and possible control of fungus problems.  Post emergent weed control is usually done using products that are specificaly formulated as herbicides for lawns that selectivly kill weeds but not grasses.  These products can be specific lawn weed control such as Bonide Weed Beater of a combination weed and feed such as Jonathan Green Weed and Feed.  Typically the weed and feed products are the second step in most four step programs.  Most of these products are best applied when the lawn is wet so the product can stick better to the unwanted weeds yet remain dry for a period of 24 hours after application.

Fungus in lawns is a problem that usually begins to show as the weather warms into May and June.  There are many different fungus types that can affect lawns, many times problems with fungus can first be noticed when an area of the lawn begins to show signs of  ’just not looking quite right’.  If fungus is suspected in a lawn it is best to try to identify the specific fungus before application of a fungus control product.  If in doubt about a fungus problem you can bring us a fresh sample of the affected area for identification, from there we can make recommendations on using the appropriate control product.

Crabgrass Preventer Plus Green-up™ Lawn Fertilizer


Features Dimension Crabgrass Control Herbicide.
Can be applied up to 4 weeks later than other Crabgrass Preventers.
Controls Crabgrass both BEFORE & AFTER it germinates.
Controls Crabgrass all season long. Low use rates. Non-staining!
Premium Green-Up fertilizer, with polymer coated technology
Provides the nutrients needed for a beautiful, green thick, lawn.
Sizes available:
5,000 sq. ft.
10,000 sq. ft.
15,000 sq. ft.

MAG-I-CAL™ Pelletized Calcium Fertilizer


MAG-I-CAL™ is a more soluble form of Calcium, readily available for plant uptake or pH adjustment.

Easy to spread pellets
Can be used throughout the yard
Boosts lawn’s color, reduces stress, improves soil texture, aids in water uptake
Save on: labor, fewer refills, less handling, fewer empty bags to dispose, storage space

Sizes available:
5,000 sq. ft.
10,000 sq. ft.
1,000 sq. ft.

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The Leyland Truck Has Arrived!!!

Our Leyland Truck came today!  Come down and check out our selection of Leyland Cypress Specials

$29.50 – 5 gallon pot

$79.50 – 10 gallon  pot.

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Tips for Seed Starting

Tips for Seed Starting

How to Start Seeds Indoors

There’s nothing fresher or tastier than herbs and veggies from your own garden. Learn everything you need to know to get started growing your own herbs and vegetables indoors.

Here’s what you need to get started.

  • Containers – peat pots, planting trays, and peat pellets work best. Just make sure the container drains well and is large enough that it won’t dry out between waterings.
  • Seedling potting mix – you will want to use a potting soil that is designed for starting seeds. Seedling Mix is the perfect medium for germinating seeds because it’s designed to promote better root development in young plants.
  • Seeds – there are so many to choose from. For most plant varieties, plan on growing them 6-8 weeks indoors, but check packet directions for accurate growing times. Also check the packet to see if pre-soaking is recommended. Some seeds are recommended to be sown directly into the ground, so make sure to read the directions.
  • A place to grow – seeds need a warm place in order to germinate. After they sprout, sufficient light is critical. A sunny windowsill works fine, as long as it isn’t too hot or too cold.
  • A cover – if your planting tray did not come with a clear plastic lid, you can use plastic wrap to cover your finished tray.
  • Spray bottle – you’ll want a spray bottle to be able to mist your soil to keep it moist.

Now you are ready to plant your seeds. Follow these easy steps for success!

  1. Fill your planting tray or peat pots with seedling potting mix. Pre-moisten the mix with clean water. Peat pellets are fun to use if you have young children. When you add water the peat pellet transforms from a flat disc to a tall self planting pot.
  2. Place your seeds in the soil. Larger seeds can be planted individually into the tray or peat pot. Smaller seeds can be very difficult to see. Sprinkle 3-4 seeds over the soil in each pot. Press in or lightly cover the seeds with potting mix. Do not cover them too deeply with soil.
  3. Cover your planting tray with a clear tray lid or with clear plastic wrap. You can also place plastic wrap over the tops of individual pots if you don’t have a tray. Place the tray or pots in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Make sure that your soil always remains warm and moist.
  4. When the seeds begin to sprout, remove the plastic wrap. Turn the tray every two days to keep the plants growing straight. Plants will always grow towards the sunlight.
  5. Thin or transplant the seedlings when they get 2”-3” tall and have developed true leaves. This should happen after about 2-3 weeks. Thinning is done by gently pulling up the young plant or pinching off the stem. Transplant them to slightly larger containers to allow the roots to continue to develop. Lift seedlings carefully by digging them out with a fork or spoon, taking care not to disturb the tender roots. Keep transplants out of direct sun for a couple of days to prevent wilting.
  6. Feed with a liquid soluble plant food diluted to half strength and remember to keep your soil moist, but not soggy.
  7. When the danger of frost has passed, transplant your seedlings into the garden, but they must first be “hardened off”. Set the tray outdoors in shade for 2-3 hours a day. The following week, set the plants out a little longer each day, slowly exposing them to full sunlight. After the week is over, transplant the seedlings into the garden. Remember to use a transplant fertilizer when planting them.

Planting Seeds Outdoors

After danger of frost (typically the end of May) has passed there are many seeds you can plant directly into the ground.

To begin, choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and where the soil drains well. Prepare the soil by raking the area clear of leaves and other debris. Dig the garden to loosen the soil down to about 12”. Add a transplant fertilizer at this time.

Make planting rows with a garden trowel or a pointed object, like a pencil to make indentations in the soil. Some seeds like cucumbers may require you to make the soil into mounds to plant the seeds. Plant the seeds according to the spacing directions on the back of the seed packet. Large seeds can be planted individually. Some seeds, like carrots are quite small. These smaller seeds can be mixed with a bit of sand and sprinkled over the area. You will want to read the directions to know how deep to plant the seeds.

Attach the empty packet to a stick at the end of the row if you wish to identify what is planted there.

Water the area with a gentle flow from a watering can or hose. Be careful not to shoot the seeds right out of the soil with too strong of water pressure. Keep the garden moist (not wet), until the plants are up and growing.

Final Tip: Whether planting a seed straight into the soil or planting a transplant, don’t forget to bait for slugs. They will feast on your young plant before the plant grows big enought to feed you! Plus, keep a photo journal or a log of the weekly progress in your garden. Once the sun decides to finally return you’ll be surprised at how quickly your tiny little seedling starts mature and you can begin to harvest the fruits and vegetables of your labor.

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Glazed Pottery Sale – 50% off

Our beginning-of-the-season pottery sale has begun!  All glazed pottery is on sale for 50% off.  We have a variety of sizes and colors to choose from.  Excludes terracotta pottery.

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Jardin Mahoney Book Store

Want to learn more about organic gardening or how to care for your orchid? Or would you like to know which garden remedies really work or which plants are poisonous and which are medicinal?  The Jardin Mahoney bookstore has books on all these topics and many more! Next time you visit the nursery make sure to stop in our bookstore and browse our selection of gardening books.

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Receive Garden Rewards – Join Our VIG Program

On your next visit to Jardin Mahoney become a Very Important Gardener when you join our VIG program.  When you become a VIG member you can earn reward points by using your card every time you shop.  You receive one point for every dollar you spend, for every 1000 points earned you will receive a $50 gift card!  In addition, on select weekends we run specials on items that are exclusive to VIG members.

Ask one of our employees or send us an email if you would like to join our VIG program or have any questions. Inquiries can be sent to jardinmahoney@yahoo.com.

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Jardin Mahoney Holiday Fest Photos

Thank you to everyone who came by to celebrate our 1st annual Jardin Mahoney Holiday Fest.  Thank you to the Art Cliff for providing us with delicious burgers, hotdogs, and tacos.  We would also like to thank Moses from Moses in the Bullrushs for her wreath making demonstration.    A special thanks also to Tina and Plum TV for coming out and supporting our event.

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Plum TV Segment – Prepping Your Lawn For Spring

Click the link below to see Paul Mahoney of Jardin Mahoney talk about how to get our lawns and gardens in shape for summer.  Air date 4/1/10

Garden Dirt – Prepping Your Lawn For Spring – Plum TV Segment

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