Links and events of local
interest:

Sault Area Garden Club

Gregory Gardens
Native Plant Enthusiasts!
Check out what's going on in
invasive species management
and wildflower planting in the
Central U.P.
Winter Newsletter.

Check out my BLOG for garden tips
and more! Like this short story on a
local gardener.










NORTH COUNTRY GARDENING TIP

To grow a large "head" of broccoli,
pinch off the lower florets as they
start to form. Broccoli will continue to
grow individual florets into fall.

For short season zones (zone 4 and
below), purchase seeds for plants
that mature in less than 70 days.
This is especially true for things like
tomatoes and corn that need time to
ripen on the vine and stalk. My
favorite corn variety is Northern X-tra
Sweet, my favorite and dependable
tomato is Celebrity. Both are sold in
most popular seed catalogs. With our
short seasons, we need plants that
mature quickly and set fruit.

Studies now show that you don't have to
waste time "teasing" the roots of
transplants before planting them out. This
is especially good news if you plant a lot
of annual bedding plants each year. Just
pluck them out of the cells and stick
them in the ground!

What is our
hardiness zone and why is
it important? We're about a zone 4 across
most of the Upper Peninsula where I live.
From my experience it is risky planting
zone 5 plants up here, especially if you
spent a lot of money on them. Check the
zone rating before you buy.
Book by Neil Moran:
Check out the current Issue of Connie
Thompson's
Birds in Our Backyard. The
exclusive birding newsletter for the E.U.P.
Powered by WebRing.
Check out my garden blog!
NEW! It's Here!!! My ebook:
FROM STORE TO
GARDEN: 101 tips for
making the most of garden
store purchases. Order a
pdf. download for only $6.99
Archive of Birds In Our Backyards Newsletter

 Local Horticultural Services

Burdock Farms: Country greenhouse/gift shop
featuring annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and
native plants.10485 S. Maple Rd., Dafter,
906-632-1370.
www.Burdockfarm.com.

Country Road Greenhouse In-season annuals
and perennials fill several greenhouses. 11718 S.
M-129 Bruce Township.906-635-8090.

Creekside Herbs: Well worth the drive for herbs,
flowers and unique gifts. 752 N. Blind Line Rd,
Cedarville, 906-484-2631. Log on to
www.creekside-herbs.com.

Green Thumb Lawn and Garden Center Full
service garden center for annuals, hardy
perennials, trees, shrubs, supplies and
accessories. M-129 Cedarville, MI.906-484-2214

Gregory Gardens: Quality, hardy trees, shrubs,
and perennials for the area. Also, 1
hanging baskets and other great finds.3290 E. Nine
Mile Rd. Sault Ste. Marie, MI.906-632-1041.

Haylake Horticultural Services: Consultation,
landscape design, maintenance, trouble shooting.
906-322-4264/www.neilmoran.com.

Parmer's Farm Market: Great selection of
annuals, perennials and hanging baskets; plus
mulch, landscape pavers, lawn ornaments and
more. 3471 I-75 Bus. Spur., Sault Ste. Marie, MI
906-635-0117.

Pickford Feed. Pickford, Michigan. Kristin stocks
some good varieties of vegetable seed for this
locale. They also have quality plants and a chance
to buy some things the others don't have, such as
granular fertilizers in large quantities, straw for
mulch and 3.5 cubic ft. bales of germination/potting
mix.

MSU Extension: For information on various
aspects of gardening and horticulture. Also,
information on the local farmer's markets and
Master Gardener progrom. Contact: Jim Lucas,
635-6368.

Petals on Ashmun. 1901 Ashmun St., Sault Ste.
Marie, MI. 632-6100. For all your floral needs,
weddings, funerals, holidays, special events.
Experienced staff, beautiful arrangements. Nancy
Wilson, owner.

Pickford Farmer's Market. Check back for hours
of operation.

Sault Ste. Marie Farmer's Market. Check back
for hours of operation.
Need a Little Help With Your Lawn, Garden or
Landscape?

Don't know where to start? With years of experience,
education and a passion for the subject, I'm qualified to
advise you in the following areas:

1.Basic vegetable gardening.
2.Landscape design, plant selection, planting advice.
3. Ideas for a water garden.
4. Pest control, trouble shooting problem plants.
5. Home greenhouse management.
6. Lawn establishment and maintenance.

We can do this over the phone or on location if you live near
me. If you like, I'll write up a detailed plan to ensure success
with your next garden project. Reasonable rates: call Neil @
906-322-4264 or email me at moranneil@hotmail.com.

  
CONSULTATION STARTING AS LOW AS $25!

                     Diploma in Horticulture
                          Landscape Design
                  University of Guelph, 2008
                           HULBERT WILDFLOWER DAY!

The folks in Hulbert, Michigan are sponsoring a Wildflower Day on Sat.
May 15th, 2010 from 10-4 p.m. Cost is $10. Wildflower enthusiasts will
have a chance to tour five wildflower sites (and hopefully see trilliums
in bloom!) with DNRE naturalist Theresa Neal.

You can also hear Neil Moran speak on the joy of including native
wildflowers in your garden and how you can attract wildlife with native
plants. He'll also give you tips on growing them from seed and
transplants. Native plants will be available for purchase.

Lunch can be purchased at the American Legion. Proceeds go to the
Hulbert Fire Department and a local scholarship fund.

Directions: From M-28, turn north at Hulbert Corners to North Hulbert
Rdl Follow the signs to the American Legion, approx. 2 miles.