Hours:
May Hours
Mon - Fri: 9-7 PM
Saturday: 9-7 PM
Sunday: 10-4 PM
Spring Fling 2012 
Our open House Weekend, 5 & 6 May.
- 10:00 AM: An introduction to this year's special annuals. We will show you what is special and how to use them in your garden.
- 10:30 AM: New Exciting Perennials for 2012. Get ready to be impressed.
- 11:30 AM: Designing Great Containers. You will leave the seminar as a pro. This seminar was presented at the Community College this past March.
Saturday & Sunday's Activities:
Refreshments: Complimentary Hot Dogs, Popcorn, & Lemonade. 10AM till 1PM
Raffle: Pick up a free ticket when you arrive. We will have a drawing every hour, on the hour, from 10 AM till 1 PM for some neat plants or gardening items. Winners must be present to win.
Free Face Painting for the kids from 10 AM till 1PM.
Wagon rides up over the hill and back to the market run from 10:30 till 12:30. There is no charge for the rides.
Garden Design Help Desk: Stop in and talk to one of our designers about setting up a free 30-minute in store landscape consultation.
Open House Specials: Choose from two different discount coupons on all purchases made this weekend.
For More Information Download Our 2012 Spring Fling Flyer.
Reilly's Spring Fling Coupons
Click Images Above to Print Out Coupons!
2nd Annual Iris Dig
- When: Saturday 12 May from 9AM to 12PM.
- What will be available? At least 15 varieties, all colors, many reblooming.
- How does it work? Pick out the Iris colors you desire, and write the names of your selections on tags we have available. Our crew will dig the selections you choose, and wrap then for the trip to their new home.
- Cost: $6.00 for each fan dug.
- Planting Instructions: Select a site in full sun away from any automatic irrigation systems. The soil should be on the dry side and, well drained. (Iris can't tolerate constantly wet soil) .It is recommended that soil amendments be added to ensure good internal soil drainage. Limit nitrogen fertilizer. Plant fans at least 18" apart with the top of the rhizome above ground. In heavy clay like soil, consider a slightly raised planting bed and the addition of pea gravel, sand and compost at a rate 30% of soil volume.
Read the complete article,Three Steps for Healthy Container Gardens
We have planted thousands of containers here at Reilly's, and along the way we learned what makes them thrive, and what causes them to falter. So here are the 3 steps to success:
Select the right container: Although you want to select planters that are attractive, remember that they must also be functional. We recommend using containers at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Smaller containers require constant watering in warm weather.
A container must also have good drainage. Without drainage, roots are deprived of oxygen and soon suffocate and rot. Most containers sold for planting have drainage holes in the bottom. If you choose a container that doesn't have holes, drilling three to seven 1/2-inch-diameter holes is sufficient.
Once you have selected your containers and have set them in place, fill them with Fafard's Complete Container Mix or Organic Potting Mix. A container creates a demanding environment for plants because the roots have less insulation against temperature fluctuations, and the close spacing means fierce competition for nutrients and moisture. The light weight soilless mixes we recommend help plants thrive under these conditions by giving them the best medium for root growth. Don't be tempted to use garden soil because it can carry weed seeds, insects, diseases and it provides poor aeration and limited water holding capabilities.
Click to read the entire article.
Plant tightly for a lush look. Provide continuing maintenance.
The Best Time to Plant a Tree Was 20 Years Ago
The second best time is now.
Arbor Day, 28 April, do your part, plant a tree.
Arbor Day is dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees. The benefits of participating are all yours. Planting a tree adds beauty and value to your home, gets younger generations involved in gardening, provides essential food and shelter for wildlife, and helps reduce pollution in the atmosphere all in one simple step. Spring is the time to plant, because cool days and damp soils allow for good root growth before summer's arrival. Among the countless types of trees to choose from, which is best for you? Come in, and we will help select those best suited for your home.
New Perennials for 2012
This has been an amazing year for the introduction of new perennial varieties. A click on the link below will take you to a listing of some of the outstanding new introductions, with pictures and descriptions. Pictured here Is Bleeding Heart "Valentine". It is the first native bleeding heart with a red bloom! Bright red, puffy, heart-shaped flowers with white tips dangle from deep red, arching stems in spring. Plants quickly form a robust, 30-inch clump of bright green, lobed foliage. Like all other native bleeding hearts, 'Valentine' will go dormant in summer until the following spring.
New Perennials for 2012
How to Get Shrubs to Produce More Blooms.
- Ensure the shrub is getting the proper light. For many, the lack of sun results in the lack of flowers.
- Prune soon after bloom has finished to encourage a greater number of shoots and flower buds. . Remove one or more of the oldest stems each year, and thus encourage new stem growth..
- Correct out-of -balance soil PH. (Soil acidity level) Lilacs for example desire a PH of 6.5 to 7.5. This level is higher than our natural Pittsburgh soil PH , so the addition of some lime may be required. A soil test will help you get it right. Check the internet for specific plant PH requirements.
- Fertilize trees and shrubs in late winter or early spring. It is best applied before new growth begins, but it is OK to fertilize later if deficiencies are noted.
Much More On Fertilization
New Plant Hardiness Zones
The U.S. Dept of Ag. recently released the new version of it's Plant Hardiness Map updating a very useful tool for gardeners and farmers for the first time since 1990. The map web page also includes a "find your hardiness zone Zip Code function" which can be accessed through the link below. The new map zones represent the average annual extreme minimum temperatures at a given location over a specific period of years. They do not reflect the coldest it ever gets at a location.
USDA Hardiness Zone Map
Did You Know?
Deer love deer resistant plants that have become lush and juicy from the heavy applications of nitrogen. Yes it is true that plants that normally taste bad become desirable deer food when overly fertilized.
So, what to do? Use only what is necessary; more is mot better. The use of natural slower releasing fertilizers like compost and Espoma products can help. Lastly, protect new plants until the fertilizer has a chance to dissipate over a few weeks.
And The Color Of The Year Is "Tangerine Tango"
Tangerine Tango, an electric orange red. It's warm, uplifting, and energizing. The vibrant shade has already made its way onto fashion designers' radars and surely there will be even more examples to come. Recharge and move forwarded with Tangerine Tango.
Tangerine In Stock
Here is a partial listing of Tangerine plants and flowers currently in stock:
Daylily, Apache War Dance 
Geum, Borisii
Daylily, Primal Scream
Coreopsis, Sienna Sunset
Iris, Sunny Glow
Phlox, Orange Perfusion
Poppy Orange Glow
Diascia, Darla Orange
Coleus, Sedona
Coleus, Rustic Orange
Sunpatiens, Orange
Solenia Begonia, Orange
Acalypha, Copperhead
The Hole Truth
Experienced gardeners know the old saying, "Put a $1 plant in a $5 hole". The healthiest plant the world will languish if planted in a small hole, in hard, dry soil. Planting holes should be at least twice as wide as the plant's root ball, and only as deep. To ensure quick root establishment, mix compost or "Black Forest Mix" into the soil before back filling around the plant.
Loose, rich soil is particularly important for annual flowers, which only have a single season to bloom in your garden. Good soil provides the quick start they need. Instead of digging individual holes for annuals, it may be more effective to till compost into the whole area before you plant.
How do I start my own seeds indoors?
Growing Your own vegetables saves money and lets you try different varieties. Many Popular vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant can be started indoors to ensure an earlier crop in cold climates. Other seeds such as peas, beans corn, radishes and carrots should be planted directly in the garden. Seed packets provide much of the information you'll need, such as whether it's best to start the seeds indoors or out and how deep to plant them. To de¬termine when to sow, take our average frost free date of 15 May and count backwards by the number of weeks, recommended on the seed packet from sowing to transplanting. By the way, our seeds have come in , so lets get started.
Much More On Starting Seeds Indoors
Tomatoes on the Patio 
If you like fresh home grown tomatoes but don't have much space, try dwarf varieties such as Early Girl Bush, Sweet & Neat, Megabite, Tumbling Tiger and Pearl Drops.
Plant in as large a pot as is available, but 12"across as a minimum.
Place the plant where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight and fertilize with Espoma Tomato Tone.
Garden Tips
April & May Gardening Tips
I apologize for being late in getting the April Gardening Tips to you. Like everything else these days I blame it all on my knee replacement, that by the way, is doing fine. Click the links below to view our updated tips.
April Gardening Tips
May Gardening Tips
Top New Annuals
Only three of many new annuals are pictured here. For more, click the link below.
Verbena Lanai® 'Twister Pink'
'Twister Pink' is truly one of a kind! This variety displays pink and white bi-color flower heads atop rich green foliage.
A heat lover that will thrive throughout summer's heat and humidity.
Ornamental; Corn 'Field of Dreams'
"If you plant it they will come!" Small burgundy ears of corn will adorn this eye-catching ornamental corn later in the summer. Pair it with SunPatiens Compact Magenta to highlight the pink-tinged leaves.
Vinca 'Jams n' Jellies Blackberry'
Extremely Unique, velvety deep purple with white eye flower color will add excitement to summer gardens. This superb accent plant will work beautifully in Americana color schemes and in combination with blue, pink, white or lavender.
Top 10 Annuals for 2012
Garden Topics
We've started a new feature in the Garden Center's section of the website: Garden Topics. Garden Topics will feature articles about Annuals, Perennials, Trees & Shrubs, Houseplants, Garden Aids, and even Garden Design. We're just getting started...so there are just a few articles now, but watch as our Garden Topics continue to grow! See our Current Month Gardening Tips!
Special Orders
If you can't find something you're looking for, please give us a call and see if we can help you!
In case you didn't know ...
Our meeting room is available for clubs and organizations at no cost. Give us a call,we may even be able to provide a gardening seminar! 412-364-8270.
