Backyard Ideas

Imagine for a moment being in your backyard on a lovely, summer day. Looking up, puffy clouds drift across the sapphire sky and the warmth of the sun gives your skin tiny kisses. The sweet scent of flowers suddenly fills your senses and you open your eyes to see the masterpiece that is your backyard. Sounds great, right? Georgia residents you could turn this backyard fantasy into reality with Whispering Springs Nursery.

Winter is the perfect time to begin planning your landscaping dreams, especially if you hope to enjoy your yard during those fast approaching warm weather months. While planting flowers, shrubs or trees during wintertime may not always be ideal, right now is a wonderful time to begin creating a design plan and setting your budget.

While some landscaping projects are best left to the professionals, there are plenty of great DIY ideas you can use to jazz up your backyard. Some of these ideas you can even begin working on right now (if you don’t mind the cold)!

• Raised Garden Bed –  Create a unique raised garden bed for your yard with attractive, rot-resistant cedar or red-wood. This makes gardening easy; no more painful knees! It also allows for great water drainage through the soil, making it easy to grow phenomenal flowers and impeccable vegetables.

• Garden/Lawn Paths – If you want to steer people through your yard or garden area, paths are the best way to keep everyone on track (no flower stompers allowed). Paths can be created using various materials; many use flagstone, crushed gravel or pebbles, concrete, stepping stones or even a simple dirt path. Even if you don’t want to do the actual work right now (winter, brrr!), you can go ahead and put your design plan on paper. Draw out the dimensions of your yard and play with the ‘shapes’ you want your path to make.

• Arbors, Cabana’s and Trellis’ (oh, my!) – Adding a piece of backyard ‘furniture’ is a delightful, not to mention quick way of reinvigorating your lawn space. Add an arbor bench for the perfect outdoor reading space or a ivy filled trellis to make your yard more visually appealing. Cabana’s are great spaces for outdoor entertaining, and can be found in low and high price points.

These ideas are barely a drip in the watering can! There are a plethora of other great lawn options and inspirations out there to explore. At Whispering Springs Nursery we specialize in landscape design and installation. Want a waterfall or pond? Contact us today for pricing!

If you’ve resolved to try out your green-thumb this year, let our experts at Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, Ga. get you prepared this winter. Here are some excellent tips to help weed out common mistakes by novice gardeners before spring arrives.

• Plant Lust – Shopping for plants can easily slide out of control, just like grocery shopping without a list. Try to avoid taking plants ‘just because’ and be sure you have the required growing environment. This can save time and money in the long run.

• Overwatering – Nothing kills plants faster than the dreaded overwatering gardener. It is easy to get caught up in watering plants, but be sure to check each plant’s watering needs before drowning them without cause. After all, watering is part of the art of gardening!

• Know Your Zone – Peak planting seasons are different per state according to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map. For example, Georgia is incredibly in seven zones! These are zone 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, and 9a. Don’t worry if this seems confusing, local nurseries like ours are always happy to help you understand this information.

• Death to the Insects – Whether or not you can appreciate the job of garden bugs, trying to repel or kill them off entirely is a HUGE mistake! These little insects actually thrive in healthy gardens, and help you by pollinating the plants and eating the bad bugs. Consider carefully before using pesticides and consult a garden professional if you are unsure.

Are you anxious to get started before spring? Get your hands dirty this winter with some of our indoor-friendly container plants. We’d love to help you decide which plant combos will work for you!

Are you looking to make positive changes for yourself and your life in 2015? It can be daunting, and you want to be sure that the goals you make are realistic as well as decisions you can be proud of. To help you get started, here is a list of 6 easy to keep New Years Resolutions for 2015.

1. Take the stairs more often. This little lifestyle goal can help you lose weight and feel good help stay on track with healthier choices.
2. Turn off your cell phone. “Me time” is important, turning off your mobile devices will help make your alone-time more valuable and help you dedicate that time to actually relaxing.
3. Spend less time on the computer. Your social networks will always have updates, get out and do something! Don’t worry too much about others and what they share on social media.
4. Volunteering can be a great way to meet new people and help out in your community. Set a goal to volunteer once a month or whenever it is reasonable for you to do so.
5. Making your bed each day. It’s a simple, easy chore that can greatly contribute to your overall happiness.
6. Exercising one more day each week. Push yourself a little bit farther so you and your body don’t plateau. Pushing yourself just a little bit may help you step up and take your fitness and health to the next level.

At Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, we’re wishing you and your family a happy and healthy New Year in 2015.

So, the stockings have been hung by the chimney, presents have been bought and all that’s left to do is enjoy a hot cup of cider, your family and friends and maybe wrap a present or two. Well, when it’s chilly outside we can’t think of a better way to spend time making new memories than by cozying up next to a roaring fire. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your fireplace this holiday season.

• When you clean out your fireplace from the last fire, leave about one inch of ash. This will help the fire get hotter faster.
• Create a U- shape in your fireplace with your logs. Next, stack your smaller dry sticks, pinecones and even dried orange peels. These materials will be the first to catch. You should only use about 10 of these pieces depending on the size of your fireplace.
  

  photo via pixabay

• When about 2/3 of the fire is glowing red (not roaring) go ahead and add another large log or two. This should be about an hour into your fire.
• Remember to snuff your fire before bed. Never the home or go to bed with a fire still burning.
• TIP: Remember to you have your chimney checked out before starting any fires to make sure that it is working properly!

You’re ready! Get cozy by your fire place and enjoy some time relaxing with your loved ones. Everyone at Whispering Springs is wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays and a healthy new year. We can’t wait to see everyone next year in 2015!

Buying useful, meaningful gifts can be challenging if you have a long-as-day list of family and friends. If you’re looking for the perfect gift to suit the gardener in your life, look no further! We’ve collaborated the perfect list of gift ideas they are sure to love!

• Hand rakes are a great, affordable gift idea. They’re ideal for cleaning up leaves around your smaller plants without damaging them. Brightly colored rakes are best so the gardener can see what they’re doing and ensure to not damage the plants.
  

  photo via pixabay

• Hand pruners make lovely gifts for your gardener. They’re great for removing shallow weeds and reaching far back in a garden bed.
• Digging forks are a great gift!  They’re used for cultivating unbroken soil, breaking up soil and can be used to lift your delicate bulbs to be transferred to another garden or pot.
• Gloves are a versatile gifts that can be tailored to the gardener’s preference. They come in many different materials such as leather, and coated cotton. The latex gloves are ideal for a gardener that often handles thorns and require a wide range of control and durability. Leather gloves are great for a gardener that is digging holes and handling brush and firewood. In our opinion, any gardener could use both pairs!
• Hats are also a great gift idea for someone who spends many hours gardening. Long hours in the sun require protection, why not be stylish about it!

We hope you find the perfect gift for your gardener. Bring your ideas and shopping list to Whispering Springs! We’d love to help you choose the perfect, personalized gift!

The holiday season is full of tradition that we follow year after year and pass down from generation to generation. But where do they come from? What is the purpose of hanging mistletoe and kissing under it? Why do we use mistletoe in the first place?

Mistletoe has been long revered throughout European history. In early folklore, it was considered to promote fertility and life. It also protected against poison. In ancient, pre Christian eras, it was collected during the summer and winter solstices. It was hung from ceilings by the bushel to ward off what were believed to be evil spirits. In Scandinavia, it was believed that mistletoe could provide fertility. It is believed that this idea is directly linked to its place in Christmas tradition.

Today, Mistletoe is hung form the ceiling during the wintertime as a holiday tradition. In 18th century, if a lady stood under the mistletoe, she could not refuse a kiss. If no one chose to kiss her, she was not expected to get married within the next year. If someone was kissed under the mistletoe, it could be a sign of romance or friendship. If the girl remained un-kissed, she cannot expect not to marry the following year. In England, many people burn the mistletoe on the 12th night of Christmas in following of old traditions. Today, kissing under the mistletoe is a fun tradition for families all over the world!

We hope you share this festive tradition with your friends and family this year!

At Whispering Springs, we love the holidays! The lights, the music, the time with family and friends, making memories that will last a lifetime! However, before we all start to deck our halls, it’s important to remember a few safety tips to ensure that your holiday season is not just jolly– but safe too! Here are a few safety tips for decorating your home for the holidays:

Oh, Christmas Tree: Your Christmas tree should not be anywhere near your fireplace, a radiator or heating ducts. It is also never a good idea to place a tree near a door or hallway as someone may trip and it could pose a potential fire hazard. Remember, fire retardant does not mean it isn’t at all flammable. It is also critical to be sure that your tree is secure in its stand! Make sure you follow all directions for artificial trees and stands for real ones.

photo via pixabay

Check your lights: If you’ve purchased Christmas lights to be used indoors or outdoors make sure they have a holographic “UL” label. This label indicates that the lights have been tested for safety. Red tags on your lights indicate indoor and outdoor usage while a green tag means the lights are just for indoors. It is also important to make sure that you are mindful of the wattage levels your lights can handle, especially if multiple extension cords and power strips are being used.

Feeling swamped trying to get your home ready and buy gifts? No problem! Check out Whispering Springs for all of your holiday gift needs!

The holidays are sweet, memorable times for you and your family. The smell of home cooking, the fireplace burning and the smell of your spruce Christmas tree fill your home. While this a time to make sweet memories, the best way to ensure that you can make the most of your time off from school and work to be together is to make make sure your home is safe for the holidays. That said, here are some plant safety tips for your home.

Poinsettia: Poinsettia are lovely holiday plants that make amazing gifts! Though they are not necessarily lethal if ingested, they may make people feel sick, however, they can be lethal for pets. If accidentally ingested by a small child, the sap from a poinsettia flower may cause unwarranted skin reactions such as rashes or itching. 

Mistletoe: If you happen to find yourself under a Mistletoe, you know you might owe someone a kiss. However, this sweet holiday plant can be extremely dangerous if ingested. Be sure to keep it away from small children and pets as all parts of the plant can cause serious reactions.

Christmas Trees: Oh, Christmas Tree! While these are one of the namesakes of the holiday, it’s important to take care as the trees and lights can be dangerous. When you bring your tree home, be sure to keep it away from your fireplace and heaters as a safety precaution and also to prevent your tree from drying out! Make sure your stand fits your tree to ensure that it doesn’t fall!

Ready for the holiday season? Great! For all of your holiday plant needs, come see us at Whispering Springs. Happy Holidays!

If the weather over the past few weeks are to serve as any indication, this Winter may be a cold one! Here are some tips to help keep your plants safe when temperatures nosedive and the weather turns:

• If an extreme dip is expected, give your garden a good watering a day before if the soil is good and dry. Moist soils will retain heat better than dry ones! Whatever you do, do not overwater. Overwatering can cause root disease and rot.
• If temperatures are to drop below 20 degrees, be sure to cover your cold-sensitive plants. May sure your covers go all the way to the ground and are secured down with bricks or rocks. This will help to retain heat and moisture during the cold winter nights. Your plants will be fine if left covered for a few days at a time. Check on them periodically and be ready to cover them again if needed.
• If you have itty-bitty plants, you can cover them with mulch or pine straw to help them keep nice and warm.
• Gardeners be aware of the temperature and weather conditions each day! The weather can be unpredictable as it is, so its best to be prepared for any and all conditions that could be brought on by Mother Nature!
• Tip: Vegetable gardens can be damaged more than other plants during extreme cold. Be prepared and take as many precautions as possible so your crops are not ruined.

Need more cold-weather gardening tips? No problem! Stop by and see us at the nursery or contact us with any questions you might have about your garden or landscaping!

The holidays are right around the corner and we know you’re starting think about your list of people to buy for. It’s tough! How do you know if they’ll like it? If you’re not sure what to buy them, a house-plant might be the perfect option! It’s a great statement to any home-decor and can make a home feel that much more like a sanctuary. Here are some great plants that make awesome holiday gifts:

Orchids: Orchids are a gorgeous plant to give as a gift. Given the right light and care, they can last for over 5 weeks and will continue to bloom for years to come. Each variety of Orchid is going to require different amounts of light and humidity. Generally, Moth Orchids are the easiest to grow and require the least amount of maintenance. 

Christmas Cactus: Christmas Cactus is a great option for someone who can care for the plant. It is less expensive than many other plants or floral arrangements. Christmas cactus needs a lot of indirect sunlight as well as regular watering. These plants are very resilient and could be the start of a great tradition, many are passed down from generation to generation as long as they are well cared for!

Succulents: Succulents are a wonderful gift as they don’t need very much attention. Aloe Vera is a gorgeous option that can grown to be nearly three feet tall. This plant does best in bright light.

Tis’ the season! Ready to start checking names off of your holiday gift list? Come and see what’s in store for the holidays at Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, GA.