Top 3 Reasons You Should Be Planting Trees Now!

1)Roots! Warm, moist soil encourages root growth. Fall root growth means your tree has a head start over next spring's plantings and will be better able to sustain next summer's stresses.

2) Water! Rainfall and cooler weather mean less watering for you now. The plant's water requirements have also decreased as the days get shorter and leaves fall.

 

 

3)Selection! There's no guessing what fall color will be when you can pick out that tree in its full autumn glory.

Skinner's has excellent stock for your fall tree projects. It's not leftovers and it's not picked over. Whether you're looking for the perfect shade tree or need an ornamental for the view from inside, we've the tree for you and now is the time to plant!

Cameron's Post 10/23/14

We have been so lucky lately! The weather has been amazing, the fall color has been beautiful and the Royals are in the World Series!  It's been a great fall...and it's still going!

How's your project list going?  Mine's still there, staring me in the face.

I did finally get a few trees and some new foundation landscaping planted... and man, did that feel good! It didn't really take all that long to do, but you know how it is, it just seems like there's always something else that needs to be done.  

One of the trees I planted went into the front yard. Now understand, we have a pretty big front yard, and the tree is pretty close to the house so there's still a lot of open front yard, but that didn't stop me from getting the second degree from my son even as I was digging the hole. "Dad, you're messing up my front yard...how am I going to play catch?!!" Well there's still plenty of room to play catch in dad's opinion, but I don't think he's convinced. There have been casual threats of secretly poisoning the new tree. I still like it where it's planted so we'll see who wins. At the very least, I'd probably better rethink my plans for the next few trees I was going to plant out there until after the "ball field" can be retired!

I still have plenty to do besides planting trees, so I guess I'll just focus on those projects for now. I hope you're enjoying your fall and getting some things on your list accomplished. If you haven't yet, get out there and get busy, it won't stay like this forever. And one more thing....

GO ROYALS!!!

-Cameron Rees

Trees and Shrubs...Oh My!

While many trees provide beautiful spring flowers and all offer relieving shade through the summer, fall color is king at this time of the year.

So how do you decide which tree and which fall color are best for you?

First of all, no tree choice is right no matter how much you might be in love with it if it is inappropriate for the site. You definitely want to plant something that will have a good chance of performing well in your own unique site conditions and always... always make sure you have room for it to grow. You don't want a huge tree overpowering a small space and you definitely don't want your trees getting into power lines. We will ask you questions about your yard and your planting location to try and help steer you towards site appropriate choices.

Now you get to have some fun and start thinking about fall color! Bright golds, vibrant reds, fiery oranges...there is so much to choose from! Here are a few suggestions.

Yellow - Brilliant golds and vibrant yellows really light things up. Think about choices like Honeylocust, Linden and Ginkgo for large shade trees. Other trees like Redbud, Goldenraintree and Riverbirch offer impressive color in a smaller size.

Orange - Colors like the flames of a fire! One of the best is Sugar Maple, but also consider Amur Maple, Serviceberry (orange to burgundy) and Baldcypress (rusty orange). All are very impressive against the rich blue fall sky

Red - It's hard not to love bright red fall color. Maples like Red Maple and Freeman Hybrids (like Autumn Blaze) are some of the most popular, but don't forget about some other amazing trees you can plant. Black Gum has stunning red fall color and there are quite a few oaks that produce great red to red-wine fall color. Think about Shumard Oak, Scarlet Oak, White Oak and Shingle Oak. If you're in the market for something smaller then consider Tartarian or Paperbark Maple.

That's definitely not everything but it is a good start!

Cameron's Post 10/02/14

Do you ever feel like all you do is chase things?

The last few weeks have felt like that for me. I'm not sure it's any worse than usual  but it sure seems like all I'm doing is just trying to get caught up. (Maybe it's all the late night baseball games I've been watching lately...Go Royals!)

No doubt there's a lot going on this time of year and sometimes it seems like I never find the time to get all the things done I have on my list. I'm sure everyone can relate to that. I just do my best and keep plugging away. Somehow those undone projects always seem to still be there when the time finally does work out. Do you ever notice that?

Well, I know your list is heavy too, but keep in mind that there are a lot of important outdoor things we  ought to be thinking about during the fall months. Seeding, fertilizing and planting are the big ones and yes, they take time, but if you can work them in you'll be rewarded in the years to come. That nice yard for the kids to play in or the big shade tree that shelters the house or the patio just doesn't happen without a little bit of work today.  

On no...did I just use the "W" word?   I did and I'm not going to apologize! Sometimes a little work is just good for you.

It's kind of like taking care of yourself. Once in a while you need to exercise to keep your body healthy. For some, that's a fun activity but for a lot of us, it's just hard work...but it's worth it, isn't it?

That's kind of the way I look at a lot of landscape activities. For some, gardening activities are a fun, relaxing way to spend the day, but for other folks it just plain work. I'll admit it isn't always fun to reseed a yard or add some landscaping or plant a tree but it's definitely worth it in the end.  The reward makes the extra effort worthwhile.

So that's my challenge to myself and my challenge to you.

Let's work on some of those projects on our "need to get done" list. Let's get the yard reseeded. Let's plant that shade tree. And let's add those new plantings around the patio. You know your list, I know mine, so let's see what we can get done.

Good luck!

-Cameron Rees 

Success With Spring Bulbs

 

Each spring we enjoy the early spring color that pops up from tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and more. It's an exciting time as it is a hint of the season ahead, warmer weather and the end of the cold, dreary days of winter. Some of you  enjoy strolling through your yards, or the parks, to enjoy the color, the fragrances, and the unusual flowers that come from the magic of fall bulbs.

Now is the time to come  in  and pick-out these bulbs you want to plant in your yard, to get that early spring color you love to see. We have an impressive selection to choose from amongst the tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, allium, miscellaneous bulbs and more. Bulbs are easy to plant, and it gives you a great excuse to spend some time out in the yard this fall. We know if you don't do it, you'll be wishing you had next spring!

To ensure success, plant now and over the next month. Think about planting them in masses so they show up better. We are even offering price breaks on the bulbs to help you accomplish this task. Pick up some of our Dutch bulb food and bone meal to plant with them and grab one of our animal repellents if you're worried about critters. We also have a few bulb tools to help make the planting job easier on you. This year we made sure we're stocked with school colors in tulips if you want to show your support for K-State, KU and other sports teams. Wouldn't it be fun to have a neighborhood competition?!  

Another new addition this year is fall flowering crocus! And for those of you that enjoy seeing the naked lady bulbs in people's yards, we've got them here too, so you can get some of those planted in your own yard as well. In addition, the garlic bulbs and shallots are waiting for you.

Bulbs help add to the year-round color people strive for in their landscapes. Plant something that makes you get outside early spring. Just think, you could even make it a family activity this fall - have a cook out, plant some bulbs and spend a little quality time together!