Norfolk Island Pines for Christmas (and all year long)

July 9, 2015

It's Time for Planting Fall Garden Vegetables 

July-August

It may be hard for some of us to plan that far ahead, Summer is still in full swing!  This is the time of year that you need to start planning and planting Fall & light Winter vegetables. Dan Schantz Greenhouse & Cut Flower Outlet carries many cold weather vegetables (aka COLE Crops) but you can also find seeds, root crops etc. on line at various locations.   You have until mid-August to get these in the ground for Fall harvest. 

 

 

Some vegetables that are introduced to a frost will improve their flavor. Starches in the vegetable will start converting to sugars, actually producing sugar after the frost. Here are some examples of vegetables that are improved after a few cold nights or a frost, banishing the slight bitter flavor some greens will have.
Cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collards, chard, Brussels sprouts, broccoli are vitamin rich greens that thrive in cooler weather.
Carrots are always sweeter after a frost or two! 

Leeks and onions also tend to produce more sugars after a cold snap. This is especially noticeable in the stronger onion varieties. The frost tends to temper the strong taste and provide that onion seasoning flavor that is often sought after.  Since they take longer to grow, they should be in the ground by July 1st. 

Additionally, these crops do well in cold frames over winter, so it is possible to extend the growing season into the winter, so fresh vegetable are available nearly year round.

Light Frost Tolerant:
Peas 
Lettuce 
Swiss Chard
Onion
Endive
Potato (you can use the ones with EYES in your kitchen if you can't find late sets- see photo left)
Mesclin Mix
Parsnip
Hard Frost Tolerant:

Broccoli
Cabbage
Chives
Collards
Kale
Kohlrabi
Parsley
Sage
Spinach
Turnip

Link from 2013 cole crops

Potted Flowering Plants for Mother's Day 2015

It doesn't have to cost a fortune to give the best quality flowering plants for Mother's Day.  You only have as far as Dan Schantz Greenhouse to find exceptional quality at the best prices.  We grow millions of flowers and plants at our (now 60 acres) farms - under roof!  not to mention the field growing space. 

Calla Lilies, Cinneraria, Martha Washington (Regal) Geraniums, Non Stop Begonias, Hydrangeas, Florist Mums, Gerbera Daisies, Campanula and so much more- beautiful plants that will delight Mom or Grandma.. and anyone else on your list.  Here are some lovely plants growing for you for Mother's Day:

 

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

The "Cut Flower Outlet" in our name is usually smaller and sometimes omitted.  But the truth is, that Dan Schantz Greenhouse has the finest design team in the area.  Our flowers are chosen by our seasoned florists, some stuff is so exotic you can only find it at the finest trade markets in big cities. 
But, after all, we are an outlet.  So you'll get the best flowers at the lowest prices.  Fresher, better, newer, best.  Dan's designers?  Top notch.  I've seen the things they create with amazement and after 23 years of my working with Dan Schantz, they never seem to disappoint. 
The gals at the florist counter have been doing amazing arrangements for years, and as an added bonus in the greenhouse, we have Howaida who adds that "European Flair" with specialty large arrangements that you can't possibly find anywhere else in the Lehigh Valley.  You want something special?  No Problem.  Just ask- but remember that special requests at a holiday need to be ordered about 2 weeks in advance.  If you can dream it, they can do it.  And believe me, they do it better than anyone else I've seen...at a way cheaper cost.  Check us out. 
Oh, and they do the most fabulous weddings!

 

Gift Baskets and Dish Gardens

Most gift baskets, Dish Gardens and compilations of flowers and plants are made on our Lehigh Street property.  Some Dish gardens come from our Pipersville location- where we have tropical foliage plants shipped from Florida and we place them in containers  with same type plants (so they grow together in perfect harmony!)
The designers choose plants and flowers in season that will give the best performance for the recipient.
There may be a time that the plants in the arrangement gets too large.  It may need to be transplanted into a larger pot.  Simply remove the entire plant from it's dish (or basket) and either plant the whole root ball into a larger pot, or you may be able to carefully separate them and just remove one or two plants, and keeping the rest in the bowl.  You may wish to ask your friendly Dan Schantz associate for some help if this makes you jittery.

Gorgeous Hanging Baskets! 

Dan Schantz Greenhouse grows millions of hanging baskets, in every size, color and combinations.  Area tested and Dan Approved- we think you'll find our baskets to be exceptional!
Take a look at them growing at our farm:

 

 

When they are ready, we ship the best directly to our customers!

Our growers start with the healthiest cuttings and the most vibrant colors of species available on the market, strategically placing them in the correct size basket.  We make our own soil from Peat, Rock Wool, Perlite, Vermiculite and other trace elements to provide the roots with the most water absorption and aeration for best growth.  It takes about 3 months to grow a perfect hanging basket, and is fertilized/watered by automatic and computerized echo systems. 

 



Basic #10 (size of pot) annual hanging baskets include:

Pansies, Snapdragon, Mixed annuals, Wax Begonia, Petunia basic, impatiens (regular) and many other annual flowers.  $12.99 each

Deluxe #10 Hanging baskets include but not exclusive: Zonal Geraniums, Specialty Petunias, Hybrid Begonias, Bacopa, Nemesia, and other deluxe fancy annuals.  $15.99 each

#12 Premium hangers include some of the larger combinations: Specialty geraniums, Calabrachoa, wave petunias, Diascia, Bidens, etc.  $22.99 each

Proven Winner hanging baskets are planted with only premium Proven Winner brand annuals, $24.99 each

And last but not least, the large Coco Moss hanging baskets (pictured above) that range in price of $29.99 to $34.99 depending on size. 

It's best to check in often to see which varieties are available.  Since we ship and grow all product continuously throughout the spring and summer, we sell only what is ready on any given week. 

 

Care of Hanging Baskets:  Check to find out the best location for your plant.  Most everything will grow with a half a day of sunshine.  Extreme conditions should be noted: if you are putting it in a HOT SUNNY spot and you don't like to water too often, try Calliope Geraniums or Sunpatiens.  Moss Rose (Portulaca) or Vinca would be great. 

A REALLY SHADY spot should host impatiens, Coleus, Lobelia or sweet potato vine.  Just remember, nothing grows in complete darkness, and anything that is in a hanging pot will usually dry out faster than a planter closer to the ground.  Water it until the water runs out of the bottom for at least 50 seconds.  Don't fertilize a dry plant. 

(cheater's tip- no one will notice if you add some small silk flowers to your green vining plants that have no flowers because of intense shade.) hah.

 

 

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