Cameron's Post 9/26/14

I gave a talk to a large group of Master Gardener's this past week and was asked to give a presentation on new plants. Being a plant geek, having a chance to talk about plants to a room full of people that are into plants too was a treat. I hope they enjoyed it.

I know I did.

Every now then things like this come along and force me shift from my daily routine enough to remember how much I love doing what I do. Although it took a lot of time to put my presentation together (much of it way past my normal bedtime with a large pot of coffee!), it forced me to break from my normal routine which is often filled more with business related issues and spend some time just celebrating the world of plants...or as it is more commonly known, gardening.

I am so lucky to do what I do for a living.
I have a passion for plants, gardening, landscaping... call it what you want, it's all about being outside, getting a little dirty and having fun with plants. I'm very fortunate to be able to have a career doing what I'm passionate about. That's a pretty cool gig.

Sometimes I get caught up in all the other "stuff" that my day brings and I forget about the cool part. I'm so grateful that life has a way of pulling us aside and reminding about things that we sometimes kind of "forget" about. Thank you Johnson County Master Gardeners for the reminder!
What's your passion?

-Cameron Rees 

Fall Lawn Seeding

We have been waiting for the newly harvested crops of grass seed to arrive, and finally...they're here!

We lots of our Premium Tall Fescue Blend ready for planting. Each year this blend is reformulated using Kansas State University Turfgrass Research and each fall we bring it in fresh so you can have the very best.

And if you are planting seed this fall, don't forget the starter fertilizer. Starter fertilizer is important. It will provide your newly developing grass seedlings with the nutrition critical for good root and shoot development. In other words, it helps new grass grown better. Is there any reason you wouldn't want that to happen?

It should be applied at the same time you put down the seed, not days or weeks later. It should be in place when that new little grass root first pokes it's head out of that grass seed. And it isn't the same as regular lawn fertilizer. That's important too, but it doesn't contain the same things.

We only use a Fertilome product call New Lawn Starter. That's because it has what your new lawn needs. It should be used with every seeding or over-seeding project. It should even be used when installing sod.

Let the seeding begin!

Cameron's Post 9/12/14

I was in Austin, TX last week for a meeting. It was my first time there, and I only got to spend a little time exploring, but know I definitely want to go back sometime and see more. What a cool town!

What wasn't cool is the drought they are still in.

It reminded me of lot of conditions around here not all that long ago. Things were dried up and crispy and everywhere I went I saw reminders about water restrictions. Not fun.

What a contrast to what awaited me when I flew back into Kansas City. The landscape that was so dried up and burnt only a week ago was now lush and green with the recent arrival of fall rains.

I've been waiting for a change in our weather to fire up our fall season, and I think it's safe to say it's here! The break in the temperatures and the wonderful rains we have received over the past week or so have changed our world.

Fall is here. It's time to start rebuilding. We have lived through an extended drought and we still have a lot of "wounds" to show it. A lot of recovery took place this spring, but there's still a lot more to do. Fall is one of the best times of the year to plant. Lawns, trees, landscapes...they can easily and effectively be planted right now.  If you've been waiting for the right time to start your recover project, the wait is over..,  it's perfect out there right now.

If you need help, let us know. There are always questions about the right plants for this spot, or the right way to grow grass in that spot...whatever the question, we will try to help. Call us, email us, or stop by in person. We'll visit with you and try to help figure out the best solution for you and your landscape.

And here's an extra invitation.

We are having our Fall Open House this weekend and you are invited. There will be some food, lots of cool plants and of course lots of helpful information. If you're not sure what tree to plant, stop by and ask. If you need some help figuring out what you need to do to get your lawn looking good again, stop by and ask. If you need tips for freshening up the front porch, stop by and ask. If you need anything that we can help with, just stop by and ask.

We want to help.

-Cameron Rees