Preparing for Spring

So everything is a whirlwind of activity around the greenhouses and garden center. Half of the garden center staff members are busy planting all of our moss baskets as well as the fiber, cedar and plastic baskets.

Pauline, Minna and Lorraine hard at work

Birg from the greenhouses joined us for planting this year and is  a big help.

It is so exciting when we start to see the first small signs of spring in our baskets

Many people don't realize that we grow the majority of our bedding plants on site in our greenhouse facilities. 

The geranium house is filling up. Right now it is all green but will be bursting with amazing colours in only a couple months.

Here is Linda, one of our lovely greenhouse employees, planting begonias for the store. 

Our buyer Sandy, with help from the garden center staff, has picked out an amazing selection of decor for the home and garden. This year she has really mixed things up and it is looking great. I think our long time customers will be so excited to see all the new items in store. Here is just a small sample of what we are setting up for our re-opening.

Gracie setting up her plant stands and pottery

 Wind chimes

Beautiful colours to compliment the beach :)

Love these cute French candle holders



There is so much to look at in the store right now but I don't want to ruin the surprise!


Looking forward to seeing everyone when the store opens Monday March 5th! 

Coleus

We have been busy getting the last of the moss baskets out the door.  Now that the dust is settling a bit, here are the promised coleus photos :) These were taken in our store at the beginning of this week so the majority of these beauties are still available but what you see in the store is the last of our coleus for the season! Don't miss out. Coleus can be planted in containers, hanging baskets, borders and garden beds. They look great with geraniums, begonias and much more or can be planted all together. There are no flowers to maintain and the leaves provide gorgeous colour and interest all season! Good for full to part sun. Plant in well drained soil. Enjoy the photos! Don't forget to send us your photos this summer for our 'brag board'! We want to see what you have done in the garden with your plants from West Coast! Send photos to gardens@westcoastfloral.com. TOMORROW LOOK FOR PHOTOS OF COLEUS PLANTED UP IN CONTAINERS!

Amazing leave shape and a multitude of colours

Versa Lime - Simple but such a gorgeus bright lime to contrast with darker leaves on your flowering plants

This purple compliments the lime tone so beautifully - this one is called 'Dark Star'

 

 

Tilt A Whirl

 

 

 

'Ruffles Cooper'

Splish Splash

Freckles

Red head  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get excited for Spring!

So although it has been quite rainy and gray the baskets got a nice shot of sun on Saturday and boy can we see the difference!! Hopefully more sunshine will come to really bring on the colour.

We have more 'mixes' then ever in our plastic, cedar and fiber baskets this year.  I hope you enjoy the following pictures of all the sights around the greenhouses. Did you know that we grow all our annuals and hanging baskets on site in our greenhouses behind the garden center? That means we can provide the best in quality for you! Don't forget to check out our previous blog post explaining how to know when to plant your annuals... right now, it is still too early!!

This Cedar basket is so full of plants it almost looks like a moss basket! I can't believe how big they are this year.

When we said our baskets would be more vibrant this year, we meant it! Take a look at this beautiful Lascar Hot Rose Verbena in one of our cedar baskets.

Aloha Pink Calibrachoa

Gorgeous new geranium 'Ruby Sizzle' by Red Fox

Colorcade Liliac Ivy Geranium opening up

MiniFamous Tangarine

MiniFamous Light Pink with Eye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Weather' to plant?

The sunny day on the weekend has all our baskets and annuals bursting with colour and our growing area has been opened to the public. Since we know you will be dying to take these beauties home here is some good advice from Celeste on when you can plant your annuals:

Environment Canada Climate Almanac is a great resource for comparative weather records year to year.  We recommend asking one of the staff members if you are unsure about the timing of planting out your bedding.  Although we have a good portion of bedding available on our tables, the night temperatures MUST be reaching ON AVERAGE, 10-13 degrees Celsius and NO LESS consistently. This rule applies to exposed planting areas and really affects succulent, shade loving plants to the greatest degree. Impatiens, begonias, coleus, and Sweet Potato Vine are some examples of overly sensitive annuals. Tomatoes are the 2nd most temperature sensitive crop available at this time. People mistakenly assume that if it becomes tank-top weather in the daytime, tomatoes will do well outside. Tomatoes are rendered basically fruitless when they are exposed to vast ranges in temperatures (7-9 degrees Celsius change).  If the tomatoes survive, they will go into emergency mode, exhibiting strange purpling of the leaves (anthocyanescence); sometimes the leaf edges become thickened & curled under. Cold damage is apparent when the leaves take on a blanched appearance; like all the green is gone or burned out. Tomato seedlings can be more easily protected than a half-grown, stocky plant. Bell cloches or modified milk jugs work to protect a seedling overnight BUT it must be removed in midmorning when the sun comes out. If that cloche or jug is still in place when the sun pops over the hedge, you will find a fried little seedling instead of your little leafy green guy!  Basil is the MOST sensitive of all the annual crops we offer. I have lost basil plants 3 times in one season due to late chills all the way into June.  Just leave your basil plant inside on your kitchen window until well into June. Geraniums and petunias, as well as marigolds and salvia can withstand the cooler 10 degree minimum, but you will not achieve much of a head start if you put these guys out too early, as they will become stunted if too chilled, and remain alive, but in a sorry state of limbo through the summer.
Covered balconies and porches are excellent for providing the required shelter if you wish to purchase plants early, but NOT your garage or inside your home as the lack of light, low humidity, and warmer temperatures could be just as detrimental to the plants as the chills out in the yard. I know that many of you are like me & just chomping at the bit for the green light to get back out into the garden….You will have the best experience you can with what ever outdoor endeavor you have planned when you ask for our expert advice @  
West Coast Gardens.