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

There’s nothing better than having homegrown vegetables come out of your garden and onto your table. Summer staples like corn, cucumbers, tomatoes and beans are fairly easy to grow, even for the beginning gardener. Home-grown vegetables are a fun way to encourage you and your family to eat more vegetables, and can be a really fun way to introduce gardening to kids! Here are a few of Whispering Springs Nursery‘s favorite tips to keep your garden providing delicious vegetables through summer and the rest of the year.

5 Vegetable Garden Tips

• Use a planting calendar to track the seasons and life cycles of your plants. Think about the weather and be prepared for possible problems, such as spikes or dips in temperature or drought.
• Plant marigolds to keep pests away. They offer color in gorgeous orange and yellow and are also an organic alternative to using pesticides.
• Build a raised bed to improve the quality of your soil and to avoid compacting, which helps in drainage. You should design raised beds so that you can reach all your crops without having to stand inside the bed.
• Make your own organic compost. This can be especially fun for kids, and can teach them important aspects of gardening. Chemical fertilizers should be your last option, since they can be harmful to your health and can burn your crops.
• Test companion planting and grow certain plants together. Beans, carrots, celery, corn, strawberries, and cucumbers are good companion plants. Alternatively, you want to steer clear of certain combinations, like beans and onions, broccoli and tomatoes, and carrots and dill.

If you’re planning on being in the garden for long hours, make sure you wear a hat to shield your eyes from the sun, and slather on that sunscreen, particularly between the strongest hours of 10am-4pm. On extra hot days, drink extra water to keep yourself hydrated.

If you have any questions about vegetable gardening or container gardening, give us a call or stop by our Jasper garden center and one of our experts will be happy to help!

Photo credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you could design the perfect landscape to compliment your home, what would it look like? Would you have trees and shrubs that frame your house, or would you prefer to have one or two specific focal points, drawing the eye to a specific tree or plant? The good news is, the possibilities are endless when it comes to landscaping your Canton home.

Woodland Landscapes are our Specialty 

At Whispering Springs Nursery, we specialize in native woodland landscapes. This means that our landscape designs work with the existing habitat, blended in your garden space for a natural, never-forced look.

When planning your landscape design, ask yourself questions that will help you determine the overall look you want to achieve:

• What design elements are must-haves? Do you want to include a water feature, or have an arbor built? These are often the focal point of a design, and will impact the other elements like plants, shrubs, and stones.
• What do you want the theme of your landscape design to look like? Do you like the look of a Japanese garden, or is country-casual more your style? A theme will help you determine layout and placement, and will help you achieve the representation you’re looking for, whether it’s a calming zen garden or a colorful oasis.
• Do you want to incorporate something larger in your design, such as a stone walkway or deck? Choosing a landscape designer that also builds decks and patios allows you to have your design completed by one company instead of keeping track of more than one designer.

If you’re not sure where to start with your landscape design, contact Whispering Springs Nursery so we can help you design a yard that will complement your home perfectly.

Hummingbirds are one of nature’s most sought-after pollinators, as they’re both beautiful to look at and have a positive effect on your garden. These tiny winged creatures have grooved tongues perfect for getting nectar out of flowers or feeders, and can provide backyard entertainment that benefits both you and the ecosystem. Offering nectar feeders in combination with nectar-producing plants will help you maximize the number of hummingbirds that visit your yard. Take a look at some of Whispering Springs Nursery‘s tips for attracting hummingbirds to your Canton backyard.

While it’s true that hummingbirds are naturally drawn to the color red, there are a variety of plants and shrubs in all colors that will help bring them to your yard, including:

• Bee balm – Bee balm is a favorite among late-summer herb gardens and for flower borders. This perennial grows well in full sun and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, which are all important pollinators.
• Butterfly Bush – This beauty is easy to grow and produces flower spikes in a number of colors, including purple, pink, white and blue. This shrub is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds. However, you should check local restrictions before planting Butterfly Bush, as it’s invasive.
• Delphinium – With dozens of blooms on each stem, Delphinium wows at the back of a mixed border, as a vertical accent or in a container. Delphiniums also make excellent cut flowers, so fill your garden with them and then bring a few stems inside to enjoy as well.
• Salvia – Listed as one of the top 18 best plants for attracting hummingbirds, salvias are another excellent drought-tolerant option for summer gardens.
• Phlox – Phlox features clusters of fragrant blooms that come in pink, red and lavender. Best grown in amply moist soil, pair it with dwarf varieties of butterfly bush for the ultimate backyard hummingbird destination.

These are just a handful of the variety of plants and shrubs that will attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to your yard. For more information about what varieties will work best, contact us or visit our nursery.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Once the north Georgia mountains consistently hit those summer highs in the 90s, most gardeners are already concerned about their beautiful plants and flowers getting enough to drink. Each summer, we have those extra-hot, extra-sticky days that make us uncomfortable, and gardeners see the affects in their gardens as well. Luckily, there are a variety of drought-tolerant plants to choose from that ensure beautiful color in your garden year-round.

What to Look For in Drought-Resistant Plants 

The key to choosing drought-resistant plants is to look for plants that can handle both the desert-like conditions as well as take in all the water once the rain returns. Therefore, trying to outsmart the weather by planting a lot of cacti or other desert-dwellers won’t work – those plants may literally drown because their roots won’t be able to suck up the water fast enough.

Look at the Leaves

The leaves of a plant are the main source of water loss. Natural elements like sun and wind causes water to evaporate, so the roots are constantly working to pull moisture out of the soil to replenish the leaves. Drought-tolerant plants have many defenses to prevent water loss in their leaves, including smaller and fewer leaves, which require less water. Additionally, plants with a coating of fuzz or a waxy layer have adapted through time to protect them against water loss.

When Should You Plant?

When it comes to protecting your garden against drought, early spring and fall are the best times to plant. By planting before those scorching temperatures hit, your plants will have a chance to get their roots established. And keep in mind, even the most resilient of perennials will need a solid year to get their roots established to a point that will allow them to withstand a drought easily.

For suggestions on which drought-resistant plants will work best in your Jasper, GA yard, contact Whispering Springs Nursery or come on by so we can help you select beautiful, yet adaptable options.

Photo via Flickr.

When it comes to getting the utmost enjoyment out of your backyard water feature, keeping it clean and in good shape is important. Changes in weather, seasons and other natural causes can cause your water feature to deteriorate, but taking the proper steps can keep it beautiful for years to come. Here are some of Whispering Springs Nursery‘s best tips on caring for your backyard water feature. 

• When you can, remove the old algae from rocks and stones with your garden hose.
• Make sure your water filtration system is top-notch. Select one that removes organic debris that attract algae in order to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Your water feature expert can help you determine which option is best-suited for your backyard.
• Choosing naturally filtering plants like the Anacharis, also known as the Brazilian Waterweed, will also clean water as they grow. We can also recommend other plants that will clean the clean the water naturally.
• Create shade for your pond. Algae thrive in sunny areas, so keeping your pond at least 60% shaded will help guard against algae as well as keep any fish you may have cool.
• Take the time to regularly remove harmful debris that your filtering system can’t remove. This includes trimming back and removing dead plant life, sludge that gets caught in your water pump or filter, or any bugs that might be harmful to your fishes’ diet.

The experts at Whispering Springs Nursery can help you design as well as maintain your beautiful backyard water feature. To talk to us about caring for your backyard pond or if you’re interested in building a water feature in your Jasper, GA yard, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Backyard water features have become a very popular option for yard or garden renovation shows. And why not? There are few things in a garden as comforting as the sound of trickling water. The gentle gurgle of a fountain can ease tension after a long day. Have you always wanted a water feature in your yard? Here are three top reasons to adding a water feature to your garden.

1.) Introduce a sense of calm to your yard. A fountain creates a tranquil sound, even if you live in a less-than-quiet area. The water feature allows you to recreate yourself and connect with nature. There’s no denying that the sound of trickling water is popular sound on noise machines, as the effects can calm just about anyone.

2.) Water features make your garden look bigger. Acting as nature’s mirror, water’s reflective properties can make your garden look bigger. For maximum effect, use dark materials for the feature of your fountain. For an even greater effect, you can use underwater lighting to highlight different shapes. Eco lights are available that can charge by day with the sun’s natural light and they will light up your garden at night.

3.) Cool your yard. Especially during the hot, sticky summers that can come to the hills of Jasper, GA, a water feature in your backyard will offer cooling effects at a fraction of running your A/C on high all day long. Enjoy an evening sitting by your pond, watching fish or if you’re lucky enough, catch one of the most beautiful after-effects of a summer rain, the rainbow.

For maximum enjoyability, it’s important to keep both the water and the surrounding area clean and in good shape. Stay tuned for our blog next week on maximizing your water feature with some of our best care guidelines. If you’re interested in adding a water feature to your backyard this summer, contact Whispering Springs Nursery to let us help you build the perfect relaxing space.

With the craziness of May, it’s easy to get in a gardening rut. Finding the time to tend your rosebushes, water your perennials, and mow the yard sometimes seems like more than you can manage. But during the season of graduations, weddings, and family reunions, well-tended gardens are a priority. If you’re looking for a total landscape overhaul, talk to our Jasper garden experts about installing hardscapes and softscapes for your home. If you need a quick fix for a drab landscape, try these 3 simple garden makeover tips.

1. Add color. The easiest way to update your landscape is to add a splash of color. Work with the hues in your perennial flowerbeds to add color to window boxes, sidewalks, and bare spots in your garden. If your yard is already overflowing with colorful plants, balance the bright blooms with rich, green bushes from our nursery.
2. Use dimensions. Create the illusion of an elaborate landscape by varying the dimensions of your plants. Plant low, broad bushes to balance mature trees around your home, choose flower varieties in multiple heights, and add depth by varying leaf textures.
3. Buy garden ornaments. While garden fountains and elegant arbors can transform your landscape, simple outdoor ornaments are an excellent way to update your garden. Highlight colorful plants and add elegance to rich green foliage with birdbaths, hanging lanterns, or tasteful statues. If you’re looking for a quick way to change your garden’s atmosphere, try planting perennials in an old wheelbarrow or a set of painted dresser drawers.

Visit Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, GA for bright summer blooms, deer-resistant plants, and helpful tips from our staff of knowledgeable landscapers.

This Sunday, May 11th is Mother’s Day, and what better way to show mom some love than by surprising her with one of these gardening or garden-inspired gifts? Whispering Springs Nursery has put together a list of surefire hits that will sprout love in Mom’s heart.

Homemade Garden markers – Garden markers can be made from all different kinds of materials, including flat stones, old dishware, wine corks, or the more traditional wood. Depending on Mom’s personality, you can have lots of fun creating markers that will help her keep vegetables, herbs or flowers in order.

Tools of the trade – Buy mom a nice pair of gardening gloves or that pruning shears that she would never purchase for herself. Look for a pair of hearty gardening gloves that provide comfort and durability and keep dirt and leaves from sneaking in. Additional options include a garden apron, or a personalized garden tote for all her essentials.

Personalized yard sign – Another option for Mom that can either be handmade (if you’re a hands-on DIY expert) or purchased. A sign with Mom’s favorite quote or a simple “Mom’s Garden” sign will let her take ownership of all her hard work in the garden.

Painted Flower Pot – A favorite that kids can help make, personalized flower pots will allow that special mom in your life to think of you every time she looks at her beautiful blooms. And don’t stop at Mom – this is a great gift for grandmas and aunts, too! If you’re stumped on ideas, a simple search for “painted flower pot” will be sure to help you sprout some artistic creativity. Be sure to bring your newly created container by Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, GA so that we can fill it with the perfect flowers.

These are just a few of the colorful options to add an extra pop of color or whimsy to Mom’s garden this spring. Happy Mother’s Day from Whispering Springs Nursery! May you enjoy the gifts of your garden!

Photo via Flickr.