Michigan’s climate lends itself to a lot of variety when it comes to crops and flowers. Being strategic about how you plan your work will make your efforts more efficient while giving you time to enjoy the fruits (veggies and blooms) of your labor. Throughout this series, I’ll provide a few examples of popular plants for a given season or purpose. If you’re curious about other plants that fit these categories, please give Willow Greenhouse a call.
Hardy Plants and Shrubs
While this post focuses primarily on vegetable and annual flower beds, when you’re planning your garden, there are some general guidelines when it comes to perennials and other hardy shrubs. The goal is to get these plants in the ground when the temperatures are milder. Therefore, plant anytime between mid-April and early-June, and then again from the end of August through October.
Fertilizers
It is my goal to convert all my customers to a full-spectrum, slow-release fertilizer. You have to feed your plants regularly if you want them to look as good as they do at the greenhouse. A slow-release fertilizer will feed your plants every time you water, which eliminates the process of preparing a fertilizing mixture every time you water. Slow-release really simplifies the process.
Pest Control
When landscaping, leave some room in your garden for plants that will help prevent pests. There are “stinky” plants that smell unattractive to pests (but pleasant to us) or those that will attract beneficial insects to your garden and prey on your pests. Because we are a green greenhouse, when you buy plants from Willow, you often end up taking home some of these beneficial insects.
Fragrant Pest Repellants
- Citronella Geraniums
- Lemongrass
- Mints
Beneficial Insect Attractants
- Marigolds
- Lobularia
- Purple Flash (an ornamental pepper)
