I LOVE ā¤ļøĀ Homegrown Tomatoes! š Like many of you, I just hate when my plants are attacked by the dreaded Tomato Hornworms! They can devour a plant overnight and ruin your yields. So, I keep an eye on my plants daily & pick them off quickly… Unless I see one that has been visited by a parasitic wasp. Then, I just leave it be…Ā
In a healthy, organic garden, donāt use chemicals! Let natural predators take care of business | Carterās Nursery, Pond & Patio
Hereās a link to more info on this wonderful, natural predator, the Parasitic Wasp šš»
https://ugaurbanag.com/tomato-hornworms-and-parasitic-wasps/
Late season Tomatoes š
Ā are the best! I think we are in for a bumper crop of September, October & maybe even November Tomatoes š
! Organic just tastes better š
Fall is Coming šĀ
Mark Carter
Carterās Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.#Ā 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
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As a āPond Enthusiastā I am always looking for Ā ideas & tips to keep my Water Garden cleaner and ways to have less maintenance. Then I like to share them with you š One of the biggies is Proper Filtration! Keeping the water clean & clear! And also, keeping the algae and sludge to a minimum… That brings me to todayās Pond Tip : Ā šš»
– Algae Eating Japanese Trapdoor Snails (Viviparis malleatus). Ā š„
These snails are highly sought after by Pond Keepers. They are non-invasive, hardy & will help to keep algae under control in your Water Garden! Japanese Trapdoor Snails will work around your entire Pond consuming decaying organic matter like algae, leaves, excess fish food, and fish waste.
Japanese Trapdoor Snails are hardy and can live up to 5 years! They really help to keep your pond clean. Hereās one we just pulled out of a pond at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio during a clean out demonstration | Jackson, TN
Japanese Trapdoor Snails are āLive-Bearingā and only breed a couple of times per year ā So they wonāt take over your pond! Unlike other snails that can breed out of control.
Japanese trapdoor Snails do a great job helping with Pond Maintenance and they only cost around $5 each.
I try to always have some available for purchase. You need to have around 10 Japanese Trapdoor Snails per 50 sq. ft. of surface area of pond and they really make a difference!Ā
There you have it… Pond Tip Tuesday lives on…Ā
Happy Pondering š¤Ā
The pools are open and Summertime is upon us! So in that spirit, ALL our hanging baskets are ON – SALE! Boom š„Ā
The Hanging Baskets are YUGE! 5 for $50! Yes, you heard me correctly!
Boston fern, Kimberly Queen, Macho fern, Petunias, Purple Hearts, Wandering Jew, and more! 5 for $50! š„
Come on by and load up on some beauty! Right now, we can use all the beauty we can get ā¤ļø
Have a Great Thursday!Ā
Mark Carter
Carterās Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.#Ā 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
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I do a weekly Gardening Show on the radio with Seabass (The 180) @ 101.5fm radio. Itās a call in talk show where people ask questions about all sorts of things. Last week āLasagna Gardeningā came up and it brought back some old memories from way back when… Hereās a Blog I wrote about Lasagna Gardens back in the day with Bill Way. 2009 Or so I believe. Bill was a HUGE Lasagna Gardener š Enjoy –
āMy friend, Bill Way, turned me onto this idea of simple, organic style gardening and I think it is really catching on here in my neck of the woods. Itās not a new idea really, just a cool take on an old oneā¦ Best thing is, IT WORKS! Below is a very simple breakdown on āHow Toā make your own Lasagna Gardenā¦ ENJOY!
Thereās no hard and fast rules about what to use for your layers, just so long as itās organic and doesnāt contain any protein (fat, meat, or bone). Just as with an edible lasagna, there is some importance to the methods you use to build your lasagna garden āLayersā. Youāll want to alternate layers of ābrownsā such as fall leaves, shredded newspaper, peat, and pine needles with layers of āgreensā such as vegetable scraps, garden trimmings, and grass clippings. In general, you want your ābrownā layers to be about twice as deep as your āgreenā layers, but thereās no need to get too picky about this. Just layer browns and greens, and a lasagna garden will result. What you want at the end of your layering process is a two-foot tall layered bed. Youāll be amazed at how much this will shrink down in a few short weeks.
Lasagna gardens are a bit less work than a conventional garden. And they are a great way to get rid of grass clippings and leaves š
āĀ The basics of making garden lasagnas are simple:
āĀ Donāt remove the sod or do any extra work, like removing weeds or rocks.
āĀ Mark the area for your garden using a water hose or a long rope to get the desired shape.
āĀ Cover the area youāve marked with wet newspapers, overlapping the edges (5 or more sheets per layer).
āĀ Cover the paper with one to two inches of peat moss or other organic material.
āĀ Layer several inches of organic material on top of the peat moss.
āĀ Continue to alternate layers of peat moss and organic material, until desired thickness is reached.
āĀ Water until the garden is the consistency of a damp sponge.
āĀ Plant, plant, plant and mulch, mulch, mulch.
Ā Ingredients For A Lasagna Garden
Ā Anything youād put in a compost pile, you can put into a lasagna garden. The materials you put into the garden will break down, providing nutrient-rich, crumbly soil in which to plant. The following materials are all perfect for lasagna gardens:
Ā Grass Clippings
Ā Leaves
Ā Fruit and Vegetable Scraps
Ā Coffee Grounds
Ā Tea leaves and tea bags
Ā Weeds (if they havenāt gone to seed)
Ā Manure
Ā Compost
Ā Seaweed
Ā Shredded newspaper or junk mail
Ā Pine needles
Ā Spent blooms, trimmings from the garden
Ā Peat moss
Ā Straw
Ā Hay
If itās too late in the season this year for youĀ to start one, there is a whole summer of grass clippings and veg. scraps to get started with and FALL is coming with tons of leaves to use! With all this FREE organic material at your fingertips, that you have to dispose of anyway, put it too good use! You wonāt regret it!
Ā Hereās to the Life Abundant!
Mark Carter
Carterās Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.#Ā 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
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IF your wondering what Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is… Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural product made of the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. D.E.Ā easily crumbles to a fine powder and is used for many purposes from high end skin care products, to water purification, to farming & parasite/insect control. We can even use it to control internal parasites in our own bodies!
We use and sell Diatomaceous Earth at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee | Call for curbside pickup 731-424-2206
I personally use it to kill/control fleas, ticks & ants around my home and on my pets. I also use it to worm my dogs and cats! Itās even a great organic insect dust that I use in myĀ vegetable garden! The good stuff, as pictured above, is organic and food grade!
Anytime I can turn someone on to a useful, organic product is a good day! If you haven’t tried it yourself, give us a call 731-424-2206, We will fix you up š itās inexpensive, organic and most importantly- It Works!
Have a great day!
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I ā¤ļø blueberries! I eat them most everyday! They are great in oatmeal, cereal, salads, smoothies, pies, Ad infinitumā¦ Blueberries rock!!! They are also a native fruit that grows well in many areas.
Blueberries are a very rewarding plant. Beautiful, hardy & the fruit is so good! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Here in the South with our long growing season & plentiful rainfall, growing blueberries is a āno-brainerāā¦ Sure, I plant them in the field or around the orchard, but I also LOVE to use them as ornamental Landscape plantings! They make great fill in plants along a sunny foundation or a backdrop for a bird feeding area or even as a screening hedge! Blueberries are Very versatile š
Tips for Growing ā
ā One of theĀ most important things to remember when growing blueberries is that they demand a very lowĀ PH (acidic 4.5 ā 5.5 or so)Ā to grow well & thrive. So yearly you have to check PH and add an acidifier like Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, Ammonium Sulfate, etcā¦ I usually opt for the organic sulfur because I am eating theseĀ šĀ AND, I think it gives a better, sweeter taste.
I recommend using an Organic Acidifier (Sulfur) to keep the PH low. This will make for healthy, vigorous Blueberries, that just taste great! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
ā If your planting Blueberries in our area, initial soil prep is key! Build up beds a little to aid in drainage. Till in some sand, peat and organic compost. Apply sulfur as needed based on PH test.
ā Planting the right variety is huge!
Always choose Southern Rabbit eye varieties for success in W. TN. A few of my favorites are ā Premier, Tifblue, Powder Blue &Ā Climax. Fertilize with an organic fertilizer for fruit inĀ late Winter/earlyĀ Spring. Then IĀ feed several times throughout the season with an organic compost tea and side dress mid seasonĀ with a little composted manure.Ā Mulching is very important too! Try crushed pine bark or pine needles. Both are acidic and work well.
ā Click on this link below to learn about how to trim/prune your blueberries for better form & function! šš»
https://savvygardening.com/pruning-blueberries/
PS: This is a great time to set out some blueberries! And, a great time to prune & apply compost & sulphur for PH to your existing bushes.
Good Luck! & Happy Gardening!
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Good Morning from the All New Carlock Nissan! I am LIVE with the 180 Crew – Dan Reaves & Sea Bass! Call in with all your questions 731-423-8101 OR text us at 731-277-5155!
Come by today and test drive one of these Beautiful cars and trucks! Say HIā to Big Steve and the great Carlock Crew!
Pond cleaning season is coming quick! Give me a call at the Nursery to get your name on the schedule to insure a clean pond in time for the Spring!
Capture & carefully place the fish in tanks and then thoroughly clean, remove debris, straiten up rocks & gravel and wash the pond down thoroughly. Clean filters & inspect pump & check valve. And donāt forget to dose the new water with Pond detox.
Heres a link to our 2020 Events at Carters Nursery! https://cartersgarden.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/carters-nursery-pond-patio-events-2020-jackson-tennessee/
Spring is Coming!
Lots to do in the Landscape in preparation for Spring! Get out there and stay ahead of the game!
We have a Full Line of Cold Season Water Treatments in stock at Carters Nursery!
Cool Season Water Treatments are important! Keep using your Cool Season Beneficial Bacteria throughout the winter for a cleaner, healthier pond. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
Donāt forget, today is fishy Friday! Come pick out some fish for YOUR Pond! #tgiff!
For the entire month of January, every Friday is a āFishy Fridayā! That means all of the fish you purchase are at a 20% discount! TGIFF! | Carterās Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Have a great weekend!
Iām on with the 180 Crew ā Dan Reaves & Sea Bass- every Friday from 9-11am Call in with ALL your gardening and Outdoor Lifestyle questions at 731-423-8101.
OR you can TEXT us at 731-277-5155. Listen LIVE at 101.5 WNWS ā FM Talk Radio ā on your smart phone using your TuneIn app.!
Mark Carter
Carterās Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.#Ā 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
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Happy New Year! Ya da, ya da… Resolutions & changes, ya da, ya da… If thereās one thing I gotta do this year, itās FIRE my personal trainer! I mean, he was with me almost everyday during the holidays & I still packed on 5 pounds š³
2019 is behind us. But Iām still carrying some of last years weight thanks to my personal trainer here…
So I guess itās not all his fault… I mean, itās nice to have someone to shift the blame on, but I deserve at least some of it. In any case, itās a New Year! And Iām gonna do better!
My 1st. Executive Decision of 2020 –
Guy, (in the voice of our Commander in Chief)
āYouāre Firedā! Ā Boom š„
Heres to a āHealthierā 2020 š
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White Christmas? I think not! In fact Christmas was a beautiful Spring day! š 70āish degrees. Perfect for a cookout! All the doors and windows open kind of day.
It has been so warm. The last week has felt like an early Spring…
Thereās one thing for certain when it comes to Winter weather in the south! If you donāt like the weather, just wait a minute, things are about to change!š
Tennessee USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Spring is Coming!
Iām not one to waste nice weather! Iāve been planning for next years Displays & Gardens! I canāt wait!!! Iāve been planning some great events too! The events will be complete and listed on the website and here on the blog by the 1st week in January. ā¤ļø 2020 is going to be Awesome!
2019 is about to leave the building! 2020 is Coming! Are you ready?
No matter the weather, I hope youāve had a wonderful Holiday Season! The new year approaches… 2020 is going to be YUGE!š„
PS: Keep a coat handy…
Mark Carter
Carterās Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.#Ā 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
I have been asked a few times on the radio lately about composting, so I went back in the archives and pulled this up. This was 1st published 10 years ago – To the day! š„
A big blowing storm is coming thru tonight, ie; A leaf stripper! šĀ Plenty to get yaā startedš
āFall is one of my Favorite seasons! Cooler weather, fall planting and gardening and all the great family gatherings and food are wonderful. Fall is also a GREAT time to start a compost pile. All those leaves, plants and grasses to cut back and all of the upcoming holiday food scraps add up too a great supply of usable components in a compost pile!
Starting a Compost pile is quick , easy and wonāt cost you anything to get started! Compost is one of natureās best mulches and soil amendments and you can use it instead of chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil structure, texture and increases the soilās water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils to retain water. The organic matter in compost provides food for microorganisms, which in turn keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.
Once the process is complete you can use this free resource as mulch, soil amendments, top dressing for your lawn, to make compost tea for veggies & more. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
Itās easy to get started .
-Bag your grass clippings and mulch up all those leaves for the compostĀ pile!
-Save those kitchen scraps and add them to the compost pile. Kitchen scraps are typically high in nitrogen, which helps heat up the compost pile and speed up the composting process. Egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels and scraps are good candidates for the compost pie. But DONāT add meat, grease or other animal products!
ā With a compost pile, bigger is often better. Heat builds up with a bigger pile, but you donāt want to get much bigger than about 3 feet by 3 feet, if itās too big it can be hard to work around. Multiple piles may be in order .
ā Aerate your compost! If you are composting with a pile, or in a static (non-tumbling) compost bin, be sure to mix up the contents so that the pile gets oxygen and can break down effectively. Insert a few pvc pipes to get oxygen to the core and Turn it with a pitch fork from time to time .
ā Donāt let the compost completely dry out. A compost pile needs moisture to keep the composting process active , BUT , donāt keep it too wet.
ā Too much of any one material will slow down the composting process. If you have all leaves, all grass clippings or an overload of any other single type of material, it can throw off the balance of the pile. ItāsĀ best to keep a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials.
When ready, this compost will be wonderful for the whole garden!
Good Luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!ā
Mark Carter
Carterās Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.#Ā 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
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