Martha’s Vineyard Magazine Best Of Martha’s Vineyard 2010

Jardin Mahoney was voted Best Garden Center/Nursery in 2008, 2009, & 2010.

Martha’s Vineyard Magazine Best of the Vineyard

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Choosing Your Color Paint

It’s your paradise w,mkjgbjkhere you get to choose the colors. Paint your world with Jardin Mahoney, the island’s premier color source.

Tips for Deadheading

Get the most out of your summer flowering perennials and annuals by removing the spent blooms.

1. Deadhead when a flower starts to brown, wither, shatter or otherwise go downhill.
2. Deadhead tall flowers that sit atop long, slender stems by cutting the stem at the base of the plant.
3. Trim bushy plants with many small flowers with handheld grass shears or small hedge clippers. Trim the whole plant at once – even if there are still some nice flowers – rather than trying to tediously trim one flower at a time.
4. Deadhead other plants by simply snapping or pinching off the flowers with your hand or cut them off with garden shears, a knife or scissors.
5. Treat annuals and perennials that have dying or ragged foliage by cutting back (shortening) the foliage by one-third to two-thirds. Do this either when the plant has stopped blooming or when it starts to get that overall ‘ratty’ look. They’ll usually send out a new flush of healthy, fresh foliage with flowers.

Just remember, plants respond differently to deadheading depending on climate, variety, rainfall and other variables. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Take comfort in the fact that in most cases, the worst you can do is give them a bad haircut. It’s almost impossible to kill a plant by deadheading.

Tips for Watering

Proper watering is essential for a plants and lawns to establish a healthy root system. Determining when to water and how much to water depends on several factors such as soil conditions, plant size, plant type and weather conditions. In general, the best technique for watering any plant is to water at a slow rate over a long period of time, allowing the water to penetrate deep into the soil.

Lawns

The best technique for determining when to water is to observe both soil and plant conditions in the lawn and then water when the turf needs water, rather than on a regimented schedule. Frequent lawn watering often encourages shallow rooting and may predispose the lawn to increased disease and greater susceptibility to stress injury. Watering deeply and less frequently provides for improved turf growth and increased water conservation compared to light, frequent watering.

Using a lawn sprinkler, water your lawn to a depth of 4-6 inches. This amount of water will vary with soil texture, but placing several empty tuna cans under the sprinkler will allow you to determine when an appropriate amount of water has been applied. You can then determine how much water to apply to adequately wet the soil to the right depth. To avoid lawn disease, watering should be done early in the morning before the dew evaporates.

Trees and Shrubs

In order to encourage healthy root growth you need to provide enough water for it to soak the entire root ball. An open hose placed at the base of a tree with the water flowing slowly will provide needed water to the root zone. If the water is allowed to trickle into the soil gradually, it will seep down and saturate the area around the roots. A thorough watering should last 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the root ball. If you have a group of plants in a hedge or planting bed, use of a soaker hose will allow you to water multiple plants in the same amount of time.

New Plantings

During the first week water your plant as frequently as if it were still in the container (once a day). For the following few months keep the soil beneath the surface moist and cool. Allow enough time between each watering so that the soil is not consistently wet and muddy, but not so much time that it becomes dry and dusty. (About once a week)

Flower and Vegetable Gardens

Annual and perennial gardens should be watered slowly and thoroughly at the base of the plants. A fine-textured mulch or soil conditioner such as peat moss should be used to help hold the moisture. Flower and vegetable gardens may require more frequent watering. Again, merely sprinkling the beds lightly each day will not be adequate for efficient water use. Saturate the areas once or twice a week during drought periods, and watch the plants closely. If wilting occurs, water should be applied more often; but under normal circumstances twice a week should be ample if a mulch is used.

Container Plants

Water evaporates at a much faster rate from containers than it does from the ground. Therefore, plants in containers require more frequent watering than plants in the ground. The best practice for watering container plants is to be observant and water only when the soil begins to dry. Depending on the size of the container and the time of year, this could require watering anywhere from once a day to twice a week. It is best to thoroughly saturate all of the soil inside the container by applying water at a low pressure until it flows from the bottom of the container.

Easy Orchids

Orchids that are easy to grow and even easier to enjoy.

With graceful stems and colorful flowers that are diverse in color, pattern, shape and size, what’s not to love about orchids?

The popular Phalaenopsis orchid is without a doubt one of the most beautiful orchids and probably the easiest to grow in the home. More than forty species occur in nature throughout the Asiatic tropics with most coming from the Philippines.

A mature Phalaenopsis can be in bloom 8 to 10 months a year, producing two or more complete spikes per year. The spikes can carry thirty or more blooms, each lasting from 2 to 3 months. When the last flower has wilted, the spike can be cut back to about an inch above the second or third node (bump on the spike). A new lateral shoot will usually form from one of these nodes within a few weeks.

At Jardin Mahoney we take pride in our vast selection of these exotic beauties.  We’ve got everything from traditional Phalaenopsis to much more unusual varieties from this amazing family of plants.  They’re affordably priced so pick one up for the office or send one as a gift.  Be sure to check out our informative care sheets, vibrant orchid pots, and fertilizer.

Starting seeds indoors

Here’s what you need to know to get started growing your own herbs and vegetables indoors.
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!
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Feed with a liquid soluble plant food diluted to half strength and remember to keep your soil moist, but not soggy.

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.

Welcome to Jardin Mahoney

An Island favorite for all your gardening needs.  Let us help you to color Your Island with our award winning selection of your favorite annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, and everything you need for your garden.