for Eastern & Midwestern Regions

Poor soil? Master Nursery® has the perfect solution to all your gardening dilemmas and the products to fix them! If you have lousy soil, we suggest that you try growing in a raised bed.

 Why Raised Beds?

There are so very many benefits to gardening above the grade, but the most important is that you get to select the soil in which you are planting. Good soil creates the perfect environment for optimal root growth and long-term plant health and vitality. Once your beds are constructed, fill them with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder, which has outstanding structure, microbial life, and nutrient density to promote the healthiest, most fruitful plants possible.

Additional Benefits

Higher Yield
Better soil equals better root growth, which then leads to an increased yield of flowers, produce, and herbs. Also, intensive planting in raised beds means more plants can be grown in a smaller area than with conventional row-cropping as no space is wasted between rows.

Maintenance
If properly thought out, every area of the raised bed may be comfortably reached from the side—allowing for less bending and reaching and easier maintenance for planting, thinning, weeding, and harvesting as well as other garden tasks. For this reason, we recommend that the raised bed be no wider than 4 feet across; length is inconsequential.  A garden seat makes gardening in raised beds even easier by bringing the soil surface closer to your upper body. Intensive planting cuts down on weeds by shading the soil surface. Improved soil conditions (less compaction and controlled moisture) make weed removal easier.

Critter Control
Pests are less of a problem in raised beds. A simple frame may be erected with plant stakes or bamboo. Cover the frame with garden netting to prevent birds and other critters from destroying your plants. The bottom of the bed may be lined with hardware cloth to prevent burrowing rodents from getting in. The smaller area of a raised bed is also easier to protect from unwanted insects.

Water Conservation
A raised bed is advantageous for water conservation, especially if you are using Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder as it boasts perfect water retention along with excellent drainage for the health of your plants.

The use of a soaker hose or a drip-type irrigation system will also assist in conserving water by dispersing it right at the root zone of the plant where it is needed, and only when it is needed. Much of the water from sprinklers or overhead irrigation is ultimately lost to evaporation making it a poor choice for water conservation.

Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder added as a mulch/top dressing will assist in weed prevention as well as water conservation.

Extended Growing Season
Increased drainage speeds up soil warming and allows it to dry quicker after a Spring rain for earlier planting. The addition of a portable cold frame will extend the growing season even further by also keeping the soil warm later in the Fall. Not only does this allow for later harvesting, but it is possible to harvest crops from raised beds that simply wouldn’t have time to mature in a traditional garden.

With so many benefits, why not get started with raised beds this year? Master Nursery® is pleased to help with the products and information that you need for your raised garden success. See our Store Locator to find a garden center near you.

For more inspirational gardening articles click here.

A worn out and tired looking lawn can easily be rejuvenated by simply topdressing with a quality compost product and overseeding. Topdressing improves soil structure by adding organic matter and beneficial microbes, the perfect environment for a lush and healthy lawn. Master Nursery® is happy to provide you with the information and products you need to make your lawn and garden projects easy and successful!

Eastern & Midwestern Regions

Fall is the best time to overseed a cool season lawn because days are warm, nights are cool, and moisture is abundant. If, however, you missed the Fall window of opportunity, Spring is the next best time to spruce up a thinning lawn. Early in the season, you can easily see where any bald, bare, or thin patches exist and jump on this chore straight away.

Overseeding

It is best to overseed as early in the Spring as possible if you did not get to it in the Fall. You’ll be using a cool-season turf blend that includes annual ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, red fescue, rough bluegrass. and tall fescue. You will need to get seeds germinated and growing before trees begin to leaf out, consequently blocking the sun from the ground below the canopy.

Rake your bare spots to loosen the compacted soil. Top dress these areas with a thin application, approximately ¼ to ½ inch of Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder. This unsurpassable product is a soil building blend of manure, shellfish compost, earthworm castings, kelp, peat, aged bark, and lobster. It is inoculated with endo and ecto mycorrhizal fungi to improve turf root function, and the shellfish provide Nitrogen, necessary for a healthy lawn. This product excels as a nutrient rich top dressing.

After top dressing with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder, lay down your seed at the rate recommended on your product packaging. Keep the area moist at all times until the roots of grass seed become established.  Then, you can gradually decrease the frequency of watering; however, as you water less frequently, you should water more deeply to promote deep root growth.  The new grass can be mowed when it reaches a height of about 3 inches.

Western Region

Our climate in the West is extremely diversified. Where you are located will determine whether you sow warm season or cool season grasses. As a general rule of thumb, Southern and Coastal California will fare best with a sowing of warm season grasses, and Central and Northern California are best with cool season blends. It is always best to check with your local Master Nursery® Garden Center to see what their staff recommends for your particular area if you are uncertain.

Warm season turf should be overseeded in the Spring; however, they may also be overseeded with cool season grass blends in the Fall to keep them green all Winter. Cool season turf is best overseeded in the Fall but may be done in the early Spring as well.

Rake your bare spots to loosen the compacted soil. Top dress these areas with a thin application approximately ¼ to ½ inch of Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder, a premium soil amendment containing only the finest natural and organic ingredients, including:  composted chicken manure, earthworm castings, bat guano, and kelp meal.  This product excels as a nutrient rich top dressing.

After top dressing with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder, lay down your seed at the rate recommended on your product packaging. Keep the area moist at all times until the roots of grass seed become established.  Then, you can gradually decrease the frequency of watering; however, as you water less frequently, you should water more deeply to promote deep root growth.  The new grass can be mowed when it reaches a height of about 3 inches.

A lot goes into having a lush, healthy lawn, but if you take the appropriate steps to rejuvenate your lawn with the appropriate seed, at the correct time, with the perfect compost Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder, you’ll be rewarded with thick, healthy, resilient turf to enjoy from early Spring until frost. See our Store Locator to find a garden center near you.

For more inspirational gardening articles click here.

No garden? No problem! With sun and water, everything that you can grow in the ground can also be grown in containers. So, there’s no need to feel slighted if you simply have a fire escape, balcony, roof-top, doorstep, deck, porch, or patio to use as growing space. Master Nursery® is here to provide you with the products and information needed to give you confidence and ensure your success when planting in containers.

Why Use Containers?

The benefits of growing containerized vegetables and flowers go beyond the issue of space. There are plenty of other compelling reasons to plant in pots, including…

1. There are fewer problems with pests such as groundhogs, deer, rabbits, and soil-borne diseases.
2. The soil in pots warms up more quickly in the Spring allowing for earlier planting and an extended growing season.
3. Less bending, squatting, and kneeling is required for gardeners making container growing perfect for those with limited mobility.

All plants can be grown in any vessel that can hold soil, have adequate drainage, and are large enough to hold the selected plant or plant groupings. There are endless options available at your garden center, or you may recycle items that you already have as long as they meet this criteria.

Selecting Vegetables and Flowers for Containers

While all veggies and flowers can be grown in containers, some are better suited than others. Each year, there are more dwarf, compact, or bush varieties of seeds and plugs available for purchase at your garden center. Keep an eye out for these.

Plants that grow particularly large (that sprawl), or veggies that must be grown in large numbers (like corn), may take more effort and careful planning to ensure an adequate yield. Have no fear of vining plants as these may be trellised up a wall, fence, or railing. You may also allow them to cascade downward from a taller pot or an elevated one. As for smaller plants, a hanging basket or window box may be used.

Tips for Growing in Containers

Growing in containers does take some unique thought and isn’t quite the same as planting in a traditional garden. When planning your container garden, consider…

• Containers: Size matters when planting in containers. The bigger the container, the more soil it can hold. More soil means less watering. Take note that porous containers like terra cotta dry out quickly and will therefore require more frequent watering. Also, bear in mind, it is important that your structure can handle the weight of your planted container or container groupings.

• Soil: When planting, it’s most important to select a good quality potting mix to ensure maximum health and production from your plants.
  • Western Region: We highly recommend Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Potting Soil.  This product is a premium blend of ingredients that is perfectly balanced for both water holding capabilities and drainage.  This is an excellent potting soil for both indoor and outdoor use in all container types and sizes. It offers a blend of high-quality ingredients including earthworm castings, bat guano, and kelp.
  • Eastern & Midwestern Regions: We advise filling your containers with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Gardener’s Gold Potting Soil. This product is also good for all outdoor and indoor plants! This blend includes sphagnum peat moss, composted hen manure, shellfish, perlite, and aged bark.

• Fertilizer: Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Starter Food is an all-purpose balanced fertilizer to add at time of planting. Fertilize your containers on a regular basis with the Bumper Crop® fertilizer recommended for the type of plants that you are growing.

• Plants: Plants selected and planted in each individual container should have the same requirements for sun, soil pH, and water requirements.

• Supports: Supports should be placed at time of planting for large or vining plants. This will ensure that young plants are not disturbed or damaged with supports added at a later time.

• Location: Most vegetables, fruits, and herbs will require at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. Ornamental flowering and foliage plants have individualized light requirements with some even preferring shade. If full sun is required, try placing your pots on dollies or carts and moving them to a sunnier location as the sun moves throughout the day. If your flowers require low light, you may use a taller plant nearby to create shade by casting its shadow over the smaller plant. Please note, that good air circulation is important for disease control.

• Watering: Test soil frequently for water to make sure that you keep it evenly moist. Water the soil, not the plants, to avoid both water evaporation and the spread of disease. Check soil moisture more frequently during the Summer months when evaporation is faster. Mulching your containers will help keep soil cool during the Summer months and reduce the frequency of watering.

With appropriate care that caters to the specific and unique needs of container gardening, your plants can be just as lush and productive as those planted in a garden bed. As always, your local Master Nursery® Garden Center is here to help with the products and information that you need for your garden and landscape success. See our Store Locator to find a garden center near you.

For more inspirational gardening articles click here.

Western Region

Planning to add trees and shrubs to your landscape? You don’t need to hire a professional when you know how to do it yourself (DIY). Master Nursery® is here to provide you with the products and information needed to give you confidence and ensure your success with a DIY landscape installation.

Soil Preparation

It all starts here! Preparing your soil is the single most important factor in guaranteeing the health and longevity of your new plantings. We highly recommend amending your native soil with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Conditioner before planting. This product is a quality blend of natural and organic ingredients designed to improve the structure of your native soil.  This versatile mix is ideal for all trees and shrubs. Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Conditioner adds organic matter into the soil to improve aeration, assists drainage of compacted soils, and improves soil nutrient-holding capacity.

Planting

When planting your trees and shrubs, dig the planting hole twice as wide but only as deep as the root ball. Prepare your excavated native soil properly by incorporating a generous amount, usually one-third to two-thirds of the native soil volume, with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Conditioner.

Planting Container-Grown Trees & Shrubs

Remove your plant from the container gently, without pulling on venerable stems or foliage. Squeezing the container all around can help loosen the root ball so it slides out more easily, or the container may be thin enough to cut away.

Because the plant was grown in a container, its roots may have been restricted by the shape of the container. Loosen the roots all the way around, even on the bottom. If the root system is too tight to loosen with your fingers, cut through the roots slightly with a knife or pruning shears. Make three or four one-inch deep cuts; then gently pull the roots apart.

Center the plant in the prepared hole, keeping the roots spread out. Make sure that the root ball is slightly above grade, about an inch or so is best.

Planting Field-Grown Trees & Shrubs

If you are transplanting a tree or shrub that has been field grown, it will be either caged in a wire basket or balled and burlapped. These methods are used to protect the plant root ball for transport. When planting, center the plant in the prepared hole, 1-3 inches above the grade. Cut and remove all cords or twine from the root ball and trunk. Burlap should be peeled away from the trunk and cut away from the ball. Synthetic burlaps are sometimes used and do not decompose readily. The upper half of wire baskets should be cut away from the root ball with wire cutters. You may leave the lower half around the root ball.  If the upper portion of the wire basket is left in place, it will cause root girdling, eventually killing the plant.

Note: Be certain to move trees carefully. Do not carry or pull your tree by the trunk; rather, roll the root ball on its side and “steer” it into the hole with the trunk. Straighten the tree upright in the hole, checking it from different angles to be sure it is fully upright before backfilling.

Completing the Planting

For both container-grown and balled and burlapped or caged (wire basket) plant material, backfill the planting hole with the native soil that you mixed with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Conditioner and pack firmly. Make a rim of raised soil around the plant approximately an inch or two beyond the root ball. This will act as a “saucer” for directing water exactly where it is needed most.

Water plants thoroughly, soaking the soil with a slow drip from your hose. Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch around your new planting, keeping it about 3 inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Staking Container & Field Grown Trees and Shrubs

When larger trees or shrubs are planted, they are not yet firmly established in their new locations and may tip or lean as the soil settles. For larger trees, use three wires secured to anchor stakes in firm ground (never into the root ball). Where the wires touch the tree, they should be covered with rubber hose to prevent damage. Remove stakes as soon as roots become established; we recommend one year.

New Plant Care

All newly planted trees and shrubs need gentle care as they settle into their new locations. To keep them healthy and encourage good initial growth…

• Water Properly
  Plants should be slowly soaked to a depth of 4 inches, which is the equivalent of about an inch of water per week. This is necessary during the first year or two. Let the hose run slowly at the base of the plant until the water has penetrated to the root depth. Too much water can also be a problem. Feel the soil. If it is soggy or squishy, do not add water. Frequent light watering is not as good as a thorough soaking once per week, which will encourage strong root growth.
• Fertilize Appropriately
  Your new plants should be given a root stimulator type fertilizer; we recommend Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Starter Food right after planting. This product is a blend of natural ingredients formulated to help newly transplanted plants develop strong roots and sturdy growth. Its gentle, non-burning formula is safe to use with even the most tender transplants. You should not use a fertilizer meant for mature plants on new plantings as it could cause damage. After the first season, a fertilizer such as Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® All Purpose Food may be used.

The investment of adding trees and shrubs to your landscape will not only enhance the enjoyment of your environment but will also greatly increase your property value. Also, DIY landscape installation won’t be as intimidating since you now understand planting basics. Master Nursery® is always here to help with the products and information that you need for your garden and landscape success.  See our Store Locator to find a garden center near you.

For more inspirational gardening articles click here.