Water features are gorgeous additions to any landscape. Fountains and pounds can serve as an added source of serenity to your home. However, it’s important to care for these features regularly to ensure that they are functioning properly. As you prepare to winterize your landscape, here’s how to check your water features for any potential damage that may be missed during the cooler months.

Detecting leaks is tricky. Be mindful that while it is still a bit warmer outside, losing a few inches of water due to evaporation is completely normal. During the peak summer months, expect to lose three to five inches each week. As it gets cooler, you can anticipate to only lose one to three inches.

Most leaks and damage occur at one of two places, either the waterfall or the streambed. Check the streambed for wet spots and inspect the liner for any damages. Often times, the liner has slid out of place. This is easily fixable by using stones to prop it up.

The same approach may be used when checking the waterfall for leaks. Walk along the edges of the waterfall and check for stones that may have slid out of place that are forcing water to splash outside of the stream.

If stones slipping off-stream don’t appear to be the problem, you should reach out to your installer to make sure that the plumbing system is functioning properly.

At Whispering Springs Nursery, we can install your water feature and can provide you with the perfect accents for your garden. For more information about having a custom water feature installed, please contact us here.

As the fall is approaching, it’s a good idea to inventory your plants in your garden and prepare for the cooler, winter  weather. Here is a quick list of ways to prepare your garden for the North Georgia fall and winter seasons.

• Bring tender plants indoors and some annuals and perennials will not be able to survive in the cooler months and won’t be able to grow back the following year.
• Protect evergreens especially evergreens in pots. If their roots happen to become frozen, they may not be able to grow back the following year. Be sure to keep them watered throughout the year so they don’t dry out.
• Cover vegetable seedlings. Once temperatures really drop at night (think mid 20s) a blanket over your seedlings will help prevent them from dying out.
• Be mindful of your herb garden, while many can do very well in more mild winter conditions, Rosemary and Thyme may not fare as well.
• As winter approaches, be sure to clear out your clay pots. Remove the soil and clean them with a solution of bleach and water.

As the cooler weather approaches in Jasper, be sure to come to Whispering Springs to winterize your garden, landscape and even water features. For more information about our nursery or services, contact us here. 

Let’s be honest, very few plants are what we could truly call deer-proof, however there are options that are less palatable to our furry friends. Let’s run down some of the best deer resistant plants for your garden or landscape:

• Butterfly Weed: This plant is lovely lives up to its namesake. That’s right, it’ll bring the butterflies but the deer will avoid this plant. They’re relatively low maintenance and won’t die in extreme heat or drought which is definitely a benefit considering the long, Georgia summers. Plant these in full sun with well-drained soil.
• Caryopteris: This is a beautiful, low maintenance plant that blooms a lovely blue- violet flower in the late summer/fall seasons. In addition to needing little maintenance, this plant does very well in the heat as well. Caryopteris does best in full sun with well-drained soil.
• Chrysanthemum: This well known flower can bloom in a variety of hues. Chrysanthemum do very well in the fall, their fragrant smell will help keep the deer at bay when they try to come by for a quick snack. Plant these in full sun with well drained soil for the best results.

Gardening in the North Georgia Mountains may harbor issues that city gardeners don’t have to face; at Whispering Springs Nursery, we are committed to helping you find the best plants to fit your gardening needs. No matter where your garden may be, we’re here to help any and all gardeners address any issues they may have to ensure they grown the most beautiful plants.

If you have more questions about deer resistant plants or how to beautify your garden even more, stop by today!

It’s been a beautiful summer in North Georgia! While being out in the sun has been lovely, we’re ready to say hello to fall! Gardening in the fall has many benefits as there will be less frequent rain and pests and weeds will be making themselves scarce. As you transition your wardrobe and trade your iced tea in for apple cider, consider transitioning to these plants for your garden.

Spring bulbs: Bulbs need the cold weather to grow. If you have an abundance of wildlife that may try to eat your flowers, consider getting plants that critters don’t care for such as daffodil and hyacinth.

Pansies: Pansies do very well in the fall as their roots get their strength in the warm soil. By planting them in the fall, you’ll get to en
joy them through two seasons!

Cool weather vegetables: Several of your harvest time favorites thrive in the cool, fall air. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, rutabaga and kale are just a few. Consider planting these while the soil is still warm and to check your seed packets before planting.

Trees: The fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs! The warm soil is great for root growth and the air is cool. Be sure to keep these very well watered until the official start of winter when they go dormant.

At Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, GA, we have everything your garden needs to transition into fall. For more information on our hours and inventory, please contact us here.

At Whispering Springs Nursery, we’re here to help with all of your needs for the hottest gardening trends. This year has been all about sustainability and repurposing. Look around your home to see which areas could use a little more life or just an added touch.  Growing your own herbs and plants is one of the best ways to invest in your garden and your lifestyle. Here is a round up of some of the favorites from 2014:

Vertical Integration: Yes, your plants do grow up-and-out of the ground, however, suspend them from something unconventional like a trellis or even an easel. Get creative and repurpose!

Indoor Gardens: For the city-dweller or someone that is very busy. Indoor options are not only chic but a great way to bring the outdoors in. Repurposing different containers for your herbs is a wonderful, and fragrant, way to be bring a natural essence into your space.

Succulents: Yes, succulents are a lovely statement to any garden and are also very low maintenance! Place them in your favorite mason jar, or repurposed vase for an eclectic touch to any room.

Container Planting: Instead of a large garden, try putting some of your favorite plants into different containers around your deck or patio. The varied containers will give an added touch to your garden.

We have everything you need to be up-to-date with all of the hottest gardening trends. As 2014 comes to an end, we think these are trends that could be here to stay. Need some advice or want a quote on some custom garden landscaping? Please contact us for more information.

For 2014 sustainable landscaping is a huge trend. From your residential garden to city-wide initiatives, people are working together towards a common goal of protecting our environment. Are you interested in creating a more sustainable landscape for your home or business? Here are some ways you can have a more eco friendly and sustainable garden:

• Utilize “grey water” for irrigation. This water that comes from your showers and sinks.
• Properly placing energy efficient elements such as shade trees and using natural elements to create wind breaks.
• Recycle wood and materials from other projects instead of buying newly manufactured wood.
• Recycle containers for your plants and other materials to be used as features like paving stones. Think rubber, wood or even glass.
• Composting is a great way to fertilize your garden for free. Using your kitchen scraps and other yard waste.

Another great way to have a sustainable landscape is to create a hardscape as opposed to traditional garden methods. This way, your garden can still be beautiful and inviting but also have sustainability in mind.  If you’re not sure how a hardscape would fit into your current yard or landscape design, our experts can help you with everything from installation to design.

There isn’t a better time than now to learn about how your garden can be sustainable and promote a healthier garden and planet. For more information to get started on planning your landscape, call us today.

Have you been invaded by beetles? Did you use insecticides or Sevin Dust only for the beetles to laugh at you?  You may be unknowingly be supporting a five star beetle retreat. Now is the time to contact us for an evaluation.

Females lay eggs mid to late summer. Japanese beetle females only lay their eggs in sod—so if those are the only grubs you have, your flower roots will be safe. Others, like May and June beetles, lay their eggs in plain old dirt, and their grubs will eat the roots of flowers and veggies.  Talk to us about where to plant each type of plant to avoid these pests. Here is some research at ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact.

Don’t Feed the Bears…or the Beetles!

It’s important to know what kind of plants and trees you should plan and where to plant them. Our experts are here to help you design or redesign areas to keep these pesky pest from ruining your investment. You have put in a lot of time and money into your home. Our experts can help you design a plan to protect it. Check out the Whispering Springs designs in our gallery.

Avoid planting adult beetle’s favorite foods near lawns if you can help it. With Japanese beetles, that means keeping the roses, fruit trees and some shrubs away from the lawn if at all possible. Females will be laying and they prefer moist, low-cut turf. A successful garden starts with a successful design.

We talk more about other common mistakes in our news article top-gardening-blunders.

Share your stories and solutions! Call us at (770) 893-1254.

Groundcovers are plants that are low-growing, spread easily and help to keep weeds from growing in your garden. They come in all shapes and sizes, and work hard when it comes to helping you manage landscaping problems. Here are some great reasons for using ground covers, and some of the best choices for gardens in the Canton area.

Three Reasons for Adding Groundcovers:

• Erosion Control – Ground covers provide excellent erosion control, using their root systems to create a barrier against heavy rainfall. Planting ground covers in combination with adding a retaining wall can help take the slip out of a slippery slope, providing interest as well as keeping your soil from washing away.

• Cover a Hilly Area – If you have a vast canvas that you want to cover, ground covers are particularly useful and work better than larger plants or trees that could topple easily.

• Drought-Tolerant – One of the best things about ground covers is that many varieties are drought-tolerant, needing less water than other plants.

Need some advice on which groundcovers to choose? Here are three of the most popular choices:

• Hens-and-Chicks – Funny name, easy care. These plants are excellent choices on paver patios and walkways, and easily tolerate extremely dry conditions. They grow well in containers but can also be spotted in rooftop gardens and xeriscape gardens, or gardens that don’t require supplemental water from irrigation.

• Mondo Grass – Contrary to the name, Mondo Grass is a plant that grows well in full to partial sun in rich, moist soil. Also known as monkey grass, it works in gardens used for edging, particularly borders, sidewalks and around driveways.

• Lamb’s Ear – We mentioned Lamb’s Ear recently in a post about plants for kids. This perennial is a top choice for areas that receive lots of sun,and it benefits any garden as it deters deer but attracts birds with its clusters of flowers in blue, pink red or white.

If you’re looking at groundcovers as a way to help solve some of your landscaping conundrums, visit Whispering Springs Nursery so we can help you select the best groundcovers for your landscape.

Photo via Flickr.

Instilling a love of gardening (or at least an appreciation of gardening) at a young age is something that not many adults can say they had the pleasure of introducing to kids. In a tech-focused world, it can be hard to introduce gardening basics to children, but with these top 5 kid-friendly plants, you might be able to encourage an appreciation for gardening and for the green world around them. And who knows, you might even have some budding green thumbs on your hands!

Shasta daisies – Is there a child alive who doesn’t want to run right over and pluck a daisy out of the ground? Shasta daisies can often been seen growing alongside of the highway or roads, but ask your local garden center if there are specific varieties that they recommend for growing in your own backyard.

Petunias – Petunias offer a wide variety of gorgeous colors and are so low-maintenance that you can plant them in a container and forget about them for a couple of days and they’ll still do well. Teach kids how to deadhead petunias and watch them get enjoyment out of helping you as well as the positive effects when new blooms emerge.

Zinnias – Like Petunias, zinnias offer plenty of colors to choose from. Recommended for beginning gardeners, they’re a tough annual that simply require full sun, well-drained soil with rich organic matter mixed in. Zinnias come in both single and double flower varieties, and are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

Sunflowers – Sunflowers are a favorite for kids with their hearty, giant heads and sunny yellow petals. Sunflowers germinate very easily, so you can have kids start the seeds indoors to see how fast they sprout. Teach them to harvest the seeds or have them watch birds and other local wildlife feast on them.

Lamb’s Ear – Have you ever watched a child touch the leaves of Lamb’s Ear? This plant’s leaves are soft and fuzzy, and kids will get a real kick out of rubbing them against their skin. Lamb’s Ear tolerates sun, shade and even drought and bloom from early summer to frost, providing enjoyment for months at a time.

Grab your kids and bring them by Whispering Springs Nursery so we can help you find these or other plants that are perfect for tiny gardeners. We can’t wait to hear about their new favorites!

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

It’s happened – your once-luscious garden has turned into a hotbed of weeds, and the plants that you do have are looking a little droopy. We know that even the best gardeners have a situation every now and then where they just can’t force nature, and you can avoid common gardening blunders with these tips from Whispering Springs Nursery.

• Drowning your plants. The trick to watering well is to water deeply but not infrequently. It’s a good idea to fill the soil with water for your plants to drink, but after that you should not water again for two or more days. You can check the moisture in the soil by sticking your finger down an inch or two. If it still feels wet, resist the urge to water for another day or so.
• Over- or under-fertilizing. The best way to increase your soil’s fertility is by regularly adding organic matter to it. A lot of organic matter comes with many plant nutrients, thereby negating the need for fertilizer at all. If your garden does require additional fertilizer, it’s a good idea to apply less than the packaging recommends. Start with half the recommended amount and see how your garden fairs. If you need more, you can always add the additional amount.
• Not using mulch. The benefits of mulch are vast – they smother weeds, contribute organic matter to the soil, prevent soil erosion, and preserve soil moisture, to name a few.
• Overkill on pest management. Use of pesticides can be expensive and are often more problematic in the long run, as they kill good organisms in addition to the bad ones. Bees are excellent pollinators (in addition to hummingbirds, butterflies, beetles and even wasps), and other insects like praying mantises and ladybugs are natural insect predators.
• Not rotating your crops. Crop rotations prevent pests and diseases from ruining your plants and helps to prevent garden losses. A simple example of this is to swap your warm-weather crops and your cool-weather crops each year.

If you have committed any of these garden crimes, don’t worry – you can undo your damage! Contact our Canton garden center so that we can help you get you and your garden back on the right track.

Photo via FreeDigitalPhotos.net