Free Soil Testing

 

 

 

Soil testing is a free service provided to any grower in the state of North Carolina. Soil testing is an analysis to assess available nutrient status of the soil and includes interpretation, evaluation and fertilizer recommendation based upon the result of chemical analysis and various other considerations. Conducting a soil test can provide you valuable information to produce optimal results in your garden. Several great reasons to conduct a soil test in your garden include:

 

 

• The particular variety of fertilizer appropriate for flowers, shrubs and lawns
• The surplus or deficiency of nutrients in your soil   
• Amount of metals in your soil
• The method of application and amount of amendments and/or fertilizers to improve soil quality
• The method for adjusting Ph levels for optimum growth habits in acid loving plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons or alkaline loving plants such as scabiosa and clematis

 

Estimated soil testing times in North Carolina are at 7 weeks for 2013 so now is the perfect time to send in your samples. I have included two links in this article that will greatly increase your knowledge base in regards to soil testing and emphasize the importance of it in creating a beautiful garden.

 

   

North Carolina State University 

Department of Soil Science 

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

  

 

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/publications/Ag-614.pdf

 

   

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Agronomic Services-Soil Testing

 

 http://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/sthome.htm

Here are just a few of the BRAND NEW items you will see at HPF this year:

Cherry Brandy Rudbeckia

Superbells^{® (}Calibrachoa hybrid):

Superbells® Lemon Slice

Superbells® Sweet Tart

Superbells® Coralberry Punch

Lanai^® Verbena:

Lanai^® Twister Pink

Lanai^® Bright Rose

Supertunia^®:

Supertunia^® Watermelon Charm

Supertunia^® Indigo Charm

Supertunia^® Pink Charm

Luscious® Lantana:

Luscious® Berry Blend

Luscious® Grape

Luscious® Pina Colada

Colorblaze^® Coleus:

Colorblaze^® Keystone Kopper

Colorblaze® Marooned

Introduction to High Performance Flowers

Many of our customers have found over the years that our plants outperform anything they have bought in the past. There is a reason for that and I'd like to briefly explain what it is that provides our competitive edge. Most retail, wholesale and commercial growers use chemicals called Growth Inhibiting Hormones aka Plant Growth Regulators (PGR's) which are used to alter the growth of a plant. Growth Retardants, a class of PGRs, are used by all meganurseries that provide the plants for large retail box stores and many garden centers. Retardants stunt the growth of retail grade plants for the purpose of extending the shelf life of those plants by keeping them compact. That scenario works very well if you're the seller but doesn't pan out too well if you're the one taking the plants home to put in your garden. We have found over the years that many of our customers have been amazed at what a plant will do when it is not treated with Growth Regulators.

We pinch and trim each individual plant by hand as an alternative to chemical inhibitors. We also use our own custom soil mixture which allows for a strong and healthy plant. We grade and evaluate each plant we bring to the market and eliminate products that don't fit our extremely high standard. We give customers the very rare opportunity to speak to the individuals who actually grow the plants. You will never deal with anyone at HPF that hasn't worked at our nursery and put out some sweat and tears to bring our products to you. Here is an album from last season's winter planting cycle: Planting 2013 We adamantly believe in customer education and service after the sale and will always take the time to explain the best applications for each plant that you purchase from us.

In 2013 we have focused heavily on altering our inventory to fit the taste of retail customers and not strictly commercial landscapers as we have in the past. Please watch for our Spring/Summer inventory (coming in late March/early April) @ High Performance Flowers

We’ve gotten a handful of questions regarding the proper care of violas and pansies through the winter months. I’ve put together a few tips that I expect will be helpful.

It is the MO of pansies and violas to survive extreme cold temperatures. They may look a bit sickly at times but it is only because the plant is conserving its energy. Once the sun is out and it’s show time they will immediately perk back up. That being said, here are a couple things you can do to speed up their recovery:

1. Take one tablespoon of Epsom Salt per gallon of HOT water (so it will dissolve) and treat your beds, containers or window boxes with that. Of course make sure the water isn't hot that you treat the plants with. Let this solution work for a couple of days before you move to step 2. Without getting too technical, the Epsom salt will allow the plant to take in the fertilizer and it will add two elements to the plant (magnesium and sulfur) that will strengthen it while we're waiting on our days to get warmer and longer

2. Use a 20-10-20 fertilizer (liquid), 2 or 3 teaspoons per gallon. You don't have to worry about using hot water necessarily; Liquid fertilizers will dissolve in cool water as well.

3. Deadheading and occasional trimming encourages pansies and violas to put out new growth because it frees up nutrients to produce active new blooms. It also makes the plants more aesthetically pleasing while we’re waiting on the longer days and warmer temperatures.

We genuinely care about our customers and how our plants perform, so please feel free to ask us any questions about your HPF plants and we will get back to you as soon as possible.