Blog

Paul Mahoney on XMAS Trees

Guinevere Cramer from PLUM TV stops by Jardin Mahoney for the dirt on Christmas trees – when to buy them, how to make them last, and what to do with those extra loose branches.

Air Cleaning House Plants

Beautify Your Home or Office, And Make It Healthier!

Did you know that a house plant can not only brighten up any room in your home or office, it can also make that room healthier to be in?  Indoor air, due to its lack of circulation, can often build up levels of potentially harmful chemicals, which can be greatly reduced by the presence of air-cleaning plants.  NASA published a study in 1989, which focused on the ability of houseplants to effectively clean the air of three common indoor air chemicals, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.  Their study produced a list of the top air cleaning plants that are also generally pest resistant and relatively easy to care for.  Come check out our selection of air-cleaning plants we currently have in our greenhouse.  Look for the blue air-cleaning symbol!

Some of the overall Top Indoor Air Cleaning Plants

Dracaena – leader in removing formaldehyde, also removes benzene & trichloroethylene. Attractive, tropical foliage.  available varieties – Warneckii, Janet Craig, Marginata

Ficus Alii – removes benzene & formaldehyde.  Attractive, tropical foliage, easy to care for.

Spathiphyllum – ‘Peace Lily’ – removes benzene, formaldehyde, & trichloroethylene.  Easy to care for.

Philodendron – removes benzene & formaldehyde, attractive foliage, easy to care for.

Chlorophytum comosum –  ‘Spider Plant’ – removes benzene & formaldehyde.  Flowers, easily propagated, easy to care for.

Aglaonema modestum, ‘Chinese Evergreen’ – removes benzene & formaldehyde.  Attractive foliage, easy to care for.

Sansevieria trifasciata, ‘Snake Plant’ – removes benzene & formaldehyde.  Attractive foliage, easy to care for.

Epiptrmnum aureum – ‘Pothos’ – removes benzene & formaldehyde.  Unusual foliage, very easy to care for.

Additional Info:

Benzene –  Industrial solvent  plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers. some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Also present in cigarette smoke.

Formaldehyde –  Chemical compound used in the manufacturing of building materials, ie. Partical board and pressed wood products. Can also be found in insulation and carpet backing. Also present in cigarette smoke.

Trichloroethylene – Industrial solvent, used for degreasing metal.  Consumer products containing trichloroethylene include – paint removers/strippers, adhesives, spot removers, and rug-cleaning fluids. typewriter correction fluids

Chemical info found on the following websites

Lifetips.com

Epa.gov

Formaldehtdetesting.com

Bulb Planting

Question: What do you do if you want tulips, daffodils, hyacinths or narcissus to bloom in your garden next spring?

The answer is pretty easy: dig some holes, drop in some fall bulbs and voila, you’ll get flowers. One small detail: you have to plant the bulbs now, in the fall (hence the name), and then wait until spring for them to bloom. That’s because “fall bulbs” need the time in the cold ground in order to bloom next spring.

Why buy them at Jardin Mahoney?
All our bulbs are imported directly from the finest growers in Holland. We have lots of varieties to choose from: some of the newest hybrids as well as the most popular classics. And most of our bulbs are top sized. Planting fall bulbs is pretty easy.

Fall is for Planting Trees & Shrubs

While it may seem that the gardening season should be over, fall is actually a perfect time to plant. Yes, things above ground may look bleak, but below ground root growth is still in full swing.

Believe it or not, planting success is all about the roots and you can plant later than you may think. When you plant in the fall the soil is still warm from summer. Warm soil temps encourage new roots to grow. Fall is also the time when plants naturally shift their energy from top growth to root growth. This helps plants establish faster. Rainfall is more plentiful and predictable in the fall. New plantings require moisture for optimal growth. In addition, annual weeds that compete for nutrients and moisture are finishing their life cycle, which reduces this competition. And fall’s ample rainfall encourages roots to grow more deeply. Deeper roots are better able to find water now and next spring.

Another counter-intuitive benefit to planting in the fall is the cooler air temperatures above ground. Cooler temps mean less stress and fewer pest and disease problems. Last but not least, roots continue to grow until the ground freezes. The results are that plants that are put in the ground in the fall will have stronger roots to start off next spring. Then when summer comes, they will be better equipped to deal with heat and drought.

Some things need to be planted in the early fall. There are many plants that will thrive when planted about four weeks before the first hard frost. These plants – grass seed, turf and cool season vegetables – need to establish a root system before the ground starts to cool in late fall.

Seeds or seedlings of lettuce, radishes, broccoli and spinach can be planted in early fall. To extend the harvest later into the fall, a row cover of black plastic can be added for further protection once heavy frost arrives.

Early fall is the best time for rejuvenating your lawn or for planting a new lawn. Grass seed germinates at cooler temperatures than summer can provide. Weeds are not germinating now making it the perfect time for lawn work. Ideally, new grass seed should be planted about a month before the first hard frost predicted for your area. Groundcovers such as Vinca or pachysandra will develop strong root systems when planted in the fall. When spring arrives your fall planted beds will be thick and full of healthy plants.

Some things can be planted even into late fall. Any perennial, shrub or tree that has been grown in a container or ball and burlapped can be planted late into the fall – right up until the time that the ground freezes. Later plantings will benefit from a protective mulch once the ground is frozen. This insulates the soil and keeps it from freezing and thawing.

Tulips, Daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs are best planted from mid-October through ground freeze. Planting too early can cause the bulbs to send up top growth at the wrong time. Planting bulbs in the fall ensures a good root system and a beautiful garden when spring arrives.

Final benefit

Savvy shoppers know that plant prices come down as the year comes to an end. Perennials are an especially great bargain because most people see a perennial that has passed and assume it’s dead. Fact is planting perennials in the fall means you’ll get a great price, and the plant will have the fall months to grow a strong root system. Next spring you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic, established plant and some extra money in your pocket to boot.

Shade Gardening with Paul

Plum TV’s Sissy Biggers presents Paul Mahoney with a challenging shade garden project. Paul designs the perfect garden to compliment a wonderful nook and hide a nasty utility pole!

Summer Clearance!

Come to Jardin Mahoney for great end-of-the-season savings! Refresh your tired annual beds or add in a beautiful flowering shrub without the guilt! Annuals, trees, and shrubs are priced to sell!

New Hydrangea!

Vanilla Strawberry!

This hydrangea paniculata’s enormous blooms start out a creamy vanilla-white, changing to a soft pink and finally to a ripe strawberry-red. The unique red color lasts for three to four weeks, longer than most hydrangeas of this variety. New blooms keep the multicolored show going throughout the summer and early fall.

The extra large blooms are held on strong, red stems that cascade later in the season. It’s upright habit and large cone-shaped flowers make it a dramatic addition to the garden. It is especially showy planted in groups in a border.

Now on Special $24.50 3 gallon pot, while supplies last.

Summer Photo Contest!

Summer is winding down and we invite you to post your favorite photo that captures the essence of summer on the Vineyard! Just head over to our facebook page and ‘like’ us. Post your photo on our wall and enter to win a $50 GRAND PRIZE gift card to Jardin Mahoney. 1st and 2nd runner ups will also win a Jardin Mahoney gift card, $25 ea. PS… we’re not limiting your photos to garden related subject matter… anything goes!!

Best of 2011

Thanks to all of our supporters for voting Jardin Mahoney Best Garden Center/Nursery on Martha’s Vinyard for the 4th year in a row!

Floral Gifts

Don’t know what to bring this summer to barbecues and other outdoor events with friends and family? Flowers are the answer. Paul Mahoney of Jardin Mahoney talks with Guinevere Cramer about what sorts of floral arrangements make great gifts.