Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Announcement about Bob's Organic Garden
Greetings neighbors and gardening buddies!
After many months of negotiations, it appears we will not have the opportunity to purchase the retail division of Hill Country Gardens after all. Bob and Eileen have moved out of the nursery and as of Saturday, September 16, we turned the daily operations back over to Mr. Schumacher. We are sad that things couldn't work out, but we have received many kind wishes and appreciate the support so many of you have given us.
We are returning to our old company name, "Bob's Organic Garden."
Some positive things have come out of the past few months and our involvement at Hill Country Gardens, not the least of which is bringing the organic message to all our customers, new and old. It's an important endeavor, one that takes care of the earth, saves money and water, and provides better conditions for your plants to thrive in. Many of our customers have adopted an organic program and are starting to see the benefits in the health and watering needs of their plants and turf areas. We hope you've received enough information to adopt organics for your own landscape and gardens, and that you'll continue to spread the word.
We have nurtured the nursery into a new phase -- it's cleaner, healthier looking and in better repair. Our staff – Kathy, Ashley, and Katherine – worked very hard to weed the demonstration gardens and other areas, and Bob and his crew repainted the building, installed new security lighting and much more. So it's been a productive year, and we're happy that our customers will have a nice place to shop in the future.
We have enjoyed serving you over the past several months. After we rest up a bit, Bob will begin looking for another location where he can open his nursery and continue the mission of providing native and xeriscape plants, trees and flowers, as well as organic products and gardening information. As a Texas Master Certified Nurseryman, Bob has a passion for plants and we won’t be able to keep him out of the nursery business for long! So look for good things to come.
In the meantime, Bob continues to design and install custom landscapes in and around the New Braunfels/Garden Ridge area. You also can see him on the lecture circuit with local garden clubs, and he's always happy to help with gardening questions or information about organic methods.
We will continue our "Blog" at http://bobsorganicgarden.blogspot.com/ so check there for monthly news and updates.
Feel free to call our home office anytime at 830-624-7666 with questions or if you have landscaping needs. You also can email Bob at bobsorganicgarden@gmail.com.
Thank you for your patronage and your friendship.
And remember – “Go Organic!”
Warmest Regards,
Bob & Eileen Fitzsimmons
830-624-7666
bobsorganicgarden@gmail.com
Thursday, September 14, 2006
October - Time to Put Out Fertilizer and Compost!!
Use an organic fertilizer with a lower nitrogen level to protect your lawn from burning. We recommend Soil Food 5-3-2 from Garden-Ville. Use 40# per 1,000 sq. ft.
Apply compost to your lawn to increase natural microbe activity in your soil. A ½-inch application in the cooler season builds soil health to protect your lawn in the hotter months, and in turn feeds your turf grass. Apply compost each year and you will see a difference in greening, disease resistance and water savings.
If you need help with these applications, give Bob a call at 830-624-7666 and set up an appointment. Services available in the New Braunfels/Garden Ridge/Bulverde and nearby areas.
BOB'S FALL GARDENING TIPS 2006
FALL IS FOR PLANTING
Trees and Shrubs:
The period of September through November is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. Cooler weather is better for you and for all plants that may suffer transplant stress. Use an organic root stimulator like Liquid Seaweed, and mulch with 3-4” of compost and shredded cedar.
Roses:
Lightly trim and fertilize your roses during September to get another show of blooms in October. Try our organic Rose Food, available in small bags.
Annuals:
October announces the time to set out cool season annual color. Plant pansies, snap-dragons and flowering kale this month. Use blood meal fertilizer for your pansies.
Veggie gardens:
Prepare beds and plant your cool season vegetables.
Sept.1: Bush beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, and potatoes.
Oct.1: Beets, chard, collards, garlic, lettuce, and parsley.
Nov. 1: Mustard, onion, radish, spinach and turnips.
Lawn care:
Treat brown patch in St. Augustine grass with whole ground corn meal: 10 to 20 pounds per 1,000 sq. feet. Be on the lookout for “Take All Patch.” We’ve seen this fungus destroy entire yards in this area and seems mainly to affect Raleigh St. Augustine. If you’re installing new turfgrass, consider another variety.
October is the month for the last round of lawn fertilizers.
Use an organic fertilizer with a lower nitrogen level to protect your lawn from burning. We recommend Soil Food 5-3-2 from Garden-Ville. Use 40# per 1,000 sq. ft.
Apply compost to your lawn to increase natural microbe activity in your soil. A ½-inch application in the cooler season builds soil health to protect your lawn in the hotter months, and in turn feeds your turf grass. Apply compost each year and you will see a difference in greening, disease resistance and water savings.
Ask Bob your gardening questions: bobsorganicgarden@gmail.com.
See you in the garden!
--Bob
Bob's Organic Garden
Custom Landscape Design & Installation
102 Brentwood
New Braunfels TX 78130
830-624-7666
Bob's Landscaping - 830-624-7666 metro
Landscape Design & Installation
* Native and xeriscape designs
* Water ponds
* Flagstone & stonework walkways, patios, raised beds and retaining walls
* New construction or revitalizing existing landscapeCustom Design Services
Custom Design Services
* $75/hour
For the do-it-yourself homeowner, we'll design a landscape plan that you can complete yourself.
Walk & Talk/Consultation
* $75/hour
Designed for the do-it-yourself homeowner or landscapes with problem areas.
Bob will come to your home, walk your yard with you, and you can talk about your ideas and get advice on problem areas in your lawn or landscape.
Fertilization/Basic Organic Program (B-O-P)
Enroll in our All-Organic Fertilization Program and Bob will make sure your lawn receives the proper organic nutrients for optimum health. We do the work or lay out a plan for you.
Usual treatment is 3x/year: March, June, and October.
* Services in the immediate New Braunfels/Garden Ridge area. There is a $75 hourly fee for consultations & design estimates. Out-of-area subject to additional charges. Consultation fee is subtracted from your invoice at time of job completion.
Call to inquire about your location.
Bob Fitzsimmons, Texas Master Certified Nurseryman and experienced landscape designer, oversees all landscaping work