Local Nursery Hosting Free Fall Landscape Expo This Weekend

BETHEL — Hollandia Nurseries & Gardens and Hollandia Gift & Garden will be hosting its Annual Fall Landscaping Expo September 19–20. This event will consist of two full days of workshops and seminars on a broad range of gardening and landscaping topics.

The discussions are free and open to the public, but due to an expected high turnout, advance registration is strongly recommended.

In the garden and yard, fall is a time for preparation for the coming winter and spring.

“Gardening is definitely not just a spring activity,” said Eugene Reelick, owner of Hollandia Nurseries. “Oftentimes, it’s in the fall and winter that gardens look their worst. It’s our goal to show folks how to make their natural spaces look respectably clean and neat for the winter. That way, they will look even better in the spring.”

According to seminar proctor Kyle Roller, fall gardening isn’t just about raking leaves.

“The seminars seek to educate gardeners about the many ways to enhance their gardening experience and extend the season,” said Mr Roller.

One seminar will address this concept directly. “Endless Summer Color” focuses on bringing color and interest into a garden even in the dead of winter.

From planting cold weather vegetables such as cabbages and broccoli, to showcasing trees with woody, textured and/or multicolored barks, to planting berry-holding plants such as viburnum, holly and juniper to attract and feed winter birds, the lecture offers many easy and novel winter-month options for the motivated gardener. If properly prepared and cared for, a well-kept winter garden can be just the thing to cure the seasonal doldrums.

From the first-time homeowner to the dedicated gardener, everyone can profit from the expo.

“The seminars’ many topics are sure to feature something for every gardener and every interest,” said Beverley Egan of Hollandia Nurseries. “The seminar staff possess knowledge gained by practical experience. They can offer the type of real-world information you won’t read in a book.”

“Fall Lawn Maintenance” will offer instruction on proper techniques for yearlong lawn care, including dethatching, insect control, and aeration methods. “Fall Bulb Planting for Spring Color” will demonstrate how flowering bulbs can be not only easy but offer garden color that only improves with every passing year.

“Hydrangea and Blooms” will discuss some of the vibrant blossoms anyone can bring to their backyard.

“People love hydrangeas,” said Roller. “Their showy and iconic blooms make a colorful statement throughout the season.”

Saturday’s “Deer Proofing” will offer proactive solutions to the onslaught of the areas’ continually increasing deer population.

Non-harmful, deer-deterrent sprays and applications, properly designed fencing options and deer-resistant plant varieties are some of the options that will be discussed. The seminar will show homeowners the many environmentally friendly choices for saving ornamental plants and gardens from hungry local wildlife.

“Fall Pruning for Spring Growth” and “Pruning Trees and Shrubs” will show how spending a little time on proper maintenance will save the gardener time and money in the long run.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care,” said Mr Reelick. “Some species require specific pruning techniques to ensure proper bloom and growth. If you prune at the wrong time, the plant may not flower the following season.”

The seminar staff will offer cost-effective, common sense methods such as the strategic planting of shade trees for natural air conditioning. According to Mr Reelick, the event is about education. The overall focus is enjoying the seasons to their utmost and employing sound, rational solutions to common gardening issues.

“It’s about working with nature, not against it,” he said. “It’s easy for a homeowner to let nature work for them.”

For more information or to register for the free seminars, call 203-743-0267, or email hollandianursery@sbcglobal.net.

Seminar Locations:

Hollandia Nurseries & Gardens at103 Old Hawleyville Road (Phone: 743-0267)

Other seminars will be held at Hollandia Gift & Garden at 95 Stony Hill Road (Phone: 792-0268)

Seminar Schedule:

Saturday, September 18:

9 am

Deer Proof and Winterize Your Garden (at Nursery)

Fall Container Gardening (at Gift & Garden)

10 am     

Perennials for Endless Summer Color (at Nursery)

Winterizing Your House Plants (at Gift & Garden)

11 am

Fall Pruning for Spring Growth (at Nursery)

12:30 pm

Practical Landscape Design w/ Texture & Color (at Nursery)

2 pm Let’s Talk Vegetable Garden for 2010 (at Nursery)

3 pm Tips for Planting Trees & Shrubs (at Nursery)

 

Sunday, September 19:

9 am

Fall Lawn Maintenance (at Nursery)

10:30 am

Hydrangeas & Blooms (at Nursery)

12 pm

Perennial Fall Cleanup & Division (at Nursery)

Hollandia Health Care Program/Trees and Shrubs (at Gift & Garden)

1:30 pm

Pruning Trees & Shrubs (at Nursery)

Winterize Your Water Garden (at Gift & Garden)

3 pm

Fall Bulb Planting for Spring Color (at Nursery)