Our June issue of The Stone Tablet is headed to your home in center of your Town Money Saver! Watch for it! There’s some great coupons in there!

Also, read about Rock Gardens, Uninvited Dinner Guests, Attracting Birds to your Garden, What a Dad Needs and more!

Read those articles here.

A gentleman from Bay Village came into The Rock Pile asking about his Pin Oak.  Our Garden Center manager took a look at the branch and discovered the source of the problem… Scale Insects.  Scale insects are inconspicuous pests occurring on trees and shrubs.  Their small size can make them difficult to notice at first.  But keep an eye out for these pests because they can spread and cause damage.  These insects remove vital plant fluid causing leaf stunting & yellowing, twig & branch dieback or even plant death.  Scales can also create nuisance problems by producing a sticky sweet substance called honeydew, which they secrete while feeding.  Honey dew can damage patio furniture and become an annoyance for cars or other object beneath the infected tree.  So what can you do to get rid of Scale insects and other infestations?  Use Bayer Advanced Tress & Shrub Protect & Feed.  This product protects for 12 months killing insects scale, ash borers and Japanese Beetles while preventing new infestations.  Simply mix with water and pour around the drip line of the tree base, no spraying needed.  With rainproof protection and a slow release fertilizer, having beautiful healthy trees & shrubs has never been easier. 

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Don’t judge a book by its cover.  I know the name “Critter Snack” may turn some bird lovers off, but there are some great reasons why you should offer this special feed to your backyard visitors.

First, let me tell you about this feed.  Critter Snack contains shelled corn, black oil & striped sunflower seeds, peanut splits and raw peanuts in the shell.  While this mix is designed for squirrel and other wild critters, birds have also been known to pick out their favorites from this feed.  It is available in 50, 25, 10 and 5 pound bags and works well in ground feeders or even just a little pile on your patio.

Now let me tell you why you should be offering this tasty wildlife treat.  Do you have squirrels and other critters getting into your bird feeders?  The reason could be that you’re not offering  feed to these backyard “pests.”  Feeding these critters separately will help to keep them away from your bird feeders, and by offering larger feed like peanuts and corn, they won’t be as quick to gobble up the seed.  One Rock Pile customer says “I was tired of them (squirrels) getting into my bird feeders.  I used to call squirrels ‘rats,’ but after I offered them feed and saw how playful they are, I now enjoy having them in my backyard.  My daughter even teases me because now I call them ‘my babies.’  Who knew a bag of feed could do that?”

Those of you who love feeding critters of all shapes and sizes already know how much fun it can be.  With a variety of munchies, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Deer and other four legged friends are sure to enjoy this snack.  Another customer says “I love using Critter Snack because my family enjoys watching both squirrels and birds.  The squirrels come by and snack on the peanuts and corn while the birds take care of the sunflower seeds.  And the best part of all is what we call ‘cat entertainment.’  Its so fun to see our cats at the window watching all the activity outside.”

Try a bag for yourself and see what everyone is talking about.

100% Chicken Manure

Now in, Chickity Doo Doo!  Now just $11.99  for a 25 pound Bag.  CLICK HERE to learn more about this new product!

Try this versatile feeder this summer and see the birds enjoy their favorite treats! Woodlink’s Oriole feeder attracts all kinds of birds, is easy to fill and clean and is dishwasher safe! This classic feeder accommodates 12 ounces of nectar (with four perching stations), half an orange and featured four jelly stations. With this feeder your Orioles can enjoy all three of their favorite treats. The orange color has been known to attract Orioles, but this feeder will also attract some other well known backyard birds like flickers, woodpeckers, wrens and hummingbirds. The unique design has a built-in ant guard, is UV stable and freeze-proof. Place this feeder near your window for easy viewing. Shrubs and trees should be nearby for cover. Woodlink’s 100% satisfaction guarantee will repair or replace any part or product that does not meet your satisfaction, and for only $12.99 every bird lover can enjoy this feeder.

Many people wait to begin their summer yard work until this time. Typically, the weather is nice, you have a long weekend and plants are ready to be planted, fertilized, and watered. Common projects include: Mulching, planting, overseeding, and general yard touch-ups. If you are ordering bulk products to work with this weekend, plan ahead. Order early to ensure a delivery and be sure you know how much you need. If you have measurements, we can figure that out for you. Know that delivery times are estimated times. We’re not pizza delivery (guaranteeing we’ll be there in 30 min.), but we’re not the cable company where you have to wait around all day. We’re somewhere in between. We love delivering the best products to our customers so be sure to place your order early for this great yard working

This month’s issue of The Stone Tablet is on it’s way. Depending on the city you live in, you should receive it in The Town Money Saver the first or third week of May. We are now smack-dab in the center of the book, in FULL COLOR!

Watch for an awesome Propane coupon!

Check out some of the May Stone Tablet.

One Rock Pile employee stated, “When I first started getting interested in gardening, I thought, why would anyone use annuals?  You have to plant them every year.  That’s a lot of work, but now I am starting to appreciate annuals more and more.”  Gardening is a labor of love and the results are gardens you can enjoy with your family, friends and neighbors.  So, why should you choose annuals?  Because they give you a big impact all season long and it also gives you opportunity to change your garden’s look each year.  Think of it as clothing and accessories for your yard.

The term annual is applied to plants that complete their life cycle in the span of one growing season.  This means they come up in the spring, grow, flower, set seed and then die after frosts in the fall.  There are annuals (geranium, impatiens, coleus and lantana to name a few) in northern climates that are in fact perennial in warmer climates.  They could be dug up, potted, and brought indoors for over-wintering.  There are other annuals (cleome, snapdragon, amaranth, cosmos and petunia are a few) that may appear to come back the next year, but that is only because they drop a large amount of seeds in the fall.

Impatiens

There are annuals for both sunny and shady areas.  For heavy shade, select plants like impatiens, begonia, coleus, and fuchsia.  For light shade choose plants like pansy, alyssum, and dianthus.  Hot dry areas are common along the edges of pavement or in front of light colored, south facing walls.  If planting in these areas choose plants like zinnia, petunia, and blue salvia.

Here’s the best reason why you should plant annuals… they require very little care to keep them attractive and blooming from late spring well into fall!  Some flowers fall off cleanly and do not need to be removed.  Others require “deadheading or pinching off.”  The tops of some plants such as petunias and impatiens may be cut back 6-8 inches in mid to late summer after the first flush of flowers has subsided to promote a second flowering period in the fall.  After cutting, fertilize and water well to encourage re-growth.

So when you are considering buying plants, add an annual accessory to your yard.  This could be area plantings, a hanging basket, or a patio container.  All of these options create a beautiful splash of color to any garden.

Rock gardens are an easy way of adding dimension to your landscape. They can be as big or as small as you like. At The Rock Pile and Garden Center we not only have a number of different kinds of natural stone to start off your project, but we also have all the plants, soil and everything else you will need to create a beautiful and interesting element in your yard.

First determine where you would like to create this feature. The dimensions will guide you as you pick out your materials. The process is rather like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, except YOU determine how that puzzle turns out. Begin with the rocks. Choose rocks of various sizes and shapes. You may not want to place all of your rocks right away. Remember, it’s a lot easier to change your mind and move a rock to another position than it is to dig up plants and replant them somewhere else. Keep in mind that there’s a delicate balance between planting and rock placement. Your goal is to cover as much of the surface as possible with rocks and plants. The look to achieve would be a mix of rocks with plants popping out between, around and over them. Rock gardens are composed of plants that require a soil with good drainage. Use our Premium Blend Topsoil or mix in our Top Dressing or Cow Compost into your current soil to promote better drainage.

When selecting plants, there are a few things to take into consideration. Focus on foliage which will be the backbone for your composition. Choose different foliage textures; plants that creep, crawl or remain clump-like work well.  Contrast in texture, size and color will create a visually stimulating effect.  And while the visual effect is important, it is not the only factor. Plants as living things have growing requirements to take into consideration. Think light requirements. Is your area shady or sunny? This may expand or limit your plant selection. Install plants like our “Nooks and Crannies”, which are just perfect for this project. These smaller perennial plants are very easy to work with and are all you really need to create a beautiful rock garden.  The end result will be a garden with many levels, textures, colors and interesting visual points.

This is an easy project that the whole family will love. Don’t stress over this project, it’s a fun and easy way of spicing up your landscape. Think of rock gardens like this… It’s not Mozart, it’s Miles Davis, it’s not Michelangelo, it’s Jackson Pollock, it’s not Shakespeare, it’s your kids putting on a play in your backyard.

Check out our selection of Natural Landscape Stone here!

Plantskydd was developed in Sweden in 1991 to protect tree plantations being decimated by deer, moose and rabbits -while also meeting strict environmental laws. It is equally effective protecting flowers, fruit trees, gardens, ornamental shrubs, conifer and broad leaf plants. It is now Made in the USA from 100% natural ingredients: dried blood (porcine and/or bovine), vegetable oil and water. Plantskydd repels deer, rabbits, voles, chipmunks, squirrels, opossum, and even elk & moose! For more information stop into the store!

Sweeney’s All Out & All Season

Sweeney’s is a leader in developing safe and effective home pest control products. All Out Deer & Rabbit Repellent provides time released action, is resistance to rain and has minimal order to humans. Gardeners will appreciate the extended effectiveness the time-released formula provides. Additionally, field and lab trials show the repellent is 100 percent effective even after three days of rain. Regular watering won’t wash off the formula either, one of the hassles typically associated with Deer and Rabbit Repell.

All Season Weatherproof Deer Repellent provides all season protection. A single application in the spring protects sprouting plants and new growth for the entire growing season. This repellent is orderless to humans, safe for vegetable gardens, non-toxic and organic and safe to use around children and pets. The repellent is continuously released from repellent station, triggering a deer’s instinct to avoid predator activity. The best part is you only have to apply this product once for an entire season of protection!

At The Rock Pile we have always carried animals repellents for those customers who have issues with Deer, rabbits and other critters getting into their gardens and around their homes. The best way to prevent unwanted animals is to occasionally rotate the repellents you use. That way, these pests won’t get used to a particular product.

A weed is an unwanted plant. Weeds compete for nutrients, space and sunlight with your edible and ornamental plants. Being able to identify and eliminate weeds from your garden will help it to be healthy and productive. Prevention will help to reduce the amount of weeding and hard work for you! So, before weeds even get a chance to come up, use a weed preventer. Most weed preventers will not kill existing weeds but they will prevent new weeds from sprouting.

For use around flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs use PREEN. Apply anytime during the growing season around established plants and transplants. (If growing plants from seeds, wait until seedlings are 2-3 inches tall before applying PREEN.) To keep beds weed-free, reapply every 9-12 weeks. If using PREEN in a edible garden be sure to use PREEN ORGANIC and reapply every 4-6 weeks. For use on lawns, use corn gluten or a lawn fertilizer that also contains weed prevention, like GreenView Nutri Life’s Crabgrass Control or Broad Leaf Control.

If weeds are already a problem and you’re past the point of prevention, you have 2 options: pull them alive or dead. First soak the soil with water. When the soil is wet, the root slip out more easily. It is important to get as much of the root as possible. Grab the base of the weed and pull upward getting as much of the root as you can. Scrape the ground with a hoe where small freshly sprouted weeds are beginning to grow then remove the bits and pieces of the root and sprouts. Of course killing weeds first with a spray helps. At The Rock Pile we have various types of weed killers: chemicals, organics, weedkillers that don’t harm lawns and more!

Click here to see the winners!

That’s right! It’s back! In the past we have had Photo Contests of pets, children and nature. People from all over the area not only submitted photos but many of you voted on them as well. This was such a fun contest that we are repeating it this year.

1st Place will receive a $100 Rock Pile Gift Card!

2nd Place will receive a $50 Rock Pile Gift Card!

3rd Place will receive a $25 Rock Pile Gift Card!

Our theme is Backyard Nature Happenings. This can include your kids & pets enjoying the backyard, photos of your prize vegetable garden, beautifully blooming flowers and all kinds of backyard visitors (butterflies, birds, squirrels, deer and more). Whatever you choose to be the subject of your photo, be sure it’s enjoying the outdoors. Entries must be submitted by May 15, 2010. Bring in a hard copy photo to The Rock Pile. Photo must be at least 4″ by 6″. Photos must be labeled on the back with name, address, phone number and e-mail. Limit of 3 entries per person. Photos may be in color or black and white, but color works best for this contest. Vote for your favorites! Voting will take place May 15 through May 25. One vote per person. Winners will be announced June 1, 2010 and be featured in our e-mail newsletter.

This year’s first issue of The Stone Tablet is on it’s way. Depending on the city you live in, you should receive it in The Town Money Saver the first or third week of April. We are now smack-dab in the center of the book, in FULL COLOR!

Watch for an awesome mulch coupon!

Check out some of the contents here.

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Think spring. What do you think of? I think of warmer weather, rain and all kinds of plants beginning to push through the ground. And since this will be happening soon, there is one precaution you should take before it’s too late for your plants. Use plant supports. Spring staking is always easier and better for your garden plants. Some plants can stand on their own. Others need a helping hand in the form of a stake… sometimes two.. Regardless of the reason for staking, you will easily obtain a healthy neat and tidy garden when using staking methods that are appropriate for your plants. Here are some tips and tricks to staking plants correctly. Follow them and enjoy a beautiful garden all summer long.

1) Do your plants need staking?
If your plant is top heavy, or moves around in the wind or the flowers/fruit lie on the ground, your plant needs staking. For perennials, try to remember from last year. Taller plants like delphiniums and hollyhocks are a must to stake. Strong winds and a hard rain will cause them to flop over and they do not bounce back later on. If you are planting vegetables, there is one veggie that will absolutely need to be staked… the tomato plant. Using a tomato cage will not only help support the plant but also keep the tomatoes out of the dirt.

2) When should you stake plants?
For perennials, stake your plants as early as possible, when they first begin to appear and the dangers of late frosts have passed. Top heavy flowers from bulbs should be staked at planting to avoid the risk of piercing any part of the underground portion of the bulb and damaging it. For tomatoes, let them have a head start of about 8 inches before you stake them. Be careful not to damage the root system when placing the stake.

3) Select the proper stakes for your plants.
Materials such as branches, bamboo, plastic stakes or metal rings (like Link-ups & tomato cages) work well for ease. Good old fashioned wooden stakes will work too but they should be sturdy straight stakes free from splinters. The size of the stake should fit your plant. Not too long, short or thick. The stake should be at least 1 foot higher than the plant before it is set into the ground.

4) Where should you place the stake?
Use a hammer to drive the stake into the ground OUTSIDE the drip line of the plant. Placing the stake inside the drip line will damage the roots.(The drip line is the imaginary circle on the ground that corresponds to the leaf canopy). Drive the stake into the soil so it is slightly lower than the height of the plant.

5) Tie off your plant.
Use covered wire or coated plant ties and attach them loosely ensuring they do not cut into the bark or stem of the plant. Be sure to secure the tie to the stake and not the plant. The tie material should begin at the stake, make a figure 8 and be tied securely to the stake with a knot or twist. You can also use green twine that will blend into your garden and will not damage or cut into the plant. Plants with top heavy flowers such as gladiolus and dahlias should be tied all the way to the top of the flower.

The vigorous growth of many herbaceous perennials and climbers often need a helping hand to prevent them from flopping onto neighboring plants or over the edges of lawn and paths. Putting plant supports in place early means that even the most obvious one can be hidden by the foliage in just a few weeks. After all, looking at a few bare stakes for a short period of time is a lot simpler than having your plants reach full bloom and have the task of trying to tie plants that are too tall running the risk of breaking or bending the tops and trying to fit a full grown plant into a stake.

Have you been looking for a simple, no-hassle way to feed your birds that doesn’t leave you broke? Seed cylinders and bells don’t appeal to some people because they seem like they are more for decoration than functional use. Well, if you’ve always wondered if Bird Seed Cylinders could make your life easier, now’s the time to give them a try.

Started on a kitchen counter in 1996, Mr.Bird is now one of the largest seed block and bird seed gift manufacturers in the nation. So, if you’re in the market for a long lasting feeder that minimizes seed that falls to the ground, give Mr. Bird’s Seed Cylinders a try…you won’t be disappointed.

Pecan Feast 18 oz. ~ $4.99; Pecan Feast 32 oz. ~ $7.49; Woodpecker Feast 32 oz. ~ $7.49; Super Sunflower Feast with Perch 14 oz. ~ $5.49; Wild Bird Feast 16 oz. ~ $4.59; Wild Bird Feast 28 oz. ~ $7..29