This is just ridiculous, I love the idea of fall gardening. Planting perennials in the fall down here gives them several weeks to establish good roots before any winter arrives then they seem to shoot up out of the ground in spring way ahead of their spring planted kindred. I got a newsletter today from a local, large garden retailer that has 15 stores in my area and 3 in Houston. Instead of announcing the arrival of flats of wonderful perennials for fall planting, it is announcing that they have received the first truck load of artificial Christmas trees and they invited me to come wander thru their forest of twinkling lights and beautiful fake trees. I have nothing against artificial christmas trees, we have had them for years because of alergies but for goodness sakes this is only August 15th. and gardeners want plants not fake trees.
They are pushing Christmas earlier and earlier.Christmas has become so commercial now.They have truly forgot what Christmas is all about and see dollar signs only.I hope I can find some plants somewhere toni.
Please remind me to not complain when our shops start putting out their Christmas decorations at the beginning of November. I feel that's way too early. I've just received two bulb and perennials catalogues and have started to plan my autumn planting.
I've also ordered from catalogues. Nurseries only sell when people have spring fever, unfortunately. there are some good sales at least. Gardengater
Now that our weather will be cooler for a few days I plan on checking out the end of season sales at some of the garden centers. Then settling down with an iced coffee and the plant catalogs to make fall orders when the heat returns.
# Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat Please put a penny in the old man's hat # The countdown begins. Being serious though that is ridiculous. I mean even Hallowe'en is still a bit of a way off.
Once again the garden centre at East Calder (a few miles from where we stay) has its Christmas display already set up. The plants they have are looking rather the worst for wear and are obviously not their first priority any more. In years gone by Christmas wasn't even thought of until the 1st of December - wish it was still the same way now.
I remember when i lived in Alabama, that the only thing you could buy was pansys for the fall. I thought then that was a shame because the weather was definately great for fall veggies. I would write them a letter also if i was you. Maybe the demand is not high enough, so they don't bother. But if they put it out there, they would probably be shocked how many people would be intrested. Our winter clothing here in stores is always out. All yr round. We need it. lol. I think out of the whole summer i have not had to wear winter clothing maybe one and half weeks. Other than that sweaters and sweatshirts. Christmas items come out about mid Nov. and I think that is crazy, but then its retail for ya. As far as fall planting up here and buying,,,not gon happen,,lol. Were lucky when the fall veggies make it that far...lol.
I've already gotten my first Christmas catalog from Sears!! Christmas is the LAST thing I want to think about in August.
Nope, can't even contemplate Chrissy until after Guy Fawkes night on 5th November. Only then can I start to get a little excited, but then I am a big kid! I dread going to garden centres and seeing all the Christmas stuff out, however, it does mean that our 2 local garden centers start selling all their houseplants and seeds off cheap to make room for the christmas decs!
I am still battling temperatures that are way too hot to even begin to think about Christmas. I am lucky though. Next month, I am returning to work for a production nursery that does supply fall perennials as well as pansies so I can get my plant fix well into November. I may need to go looking for plants on sale now!
It is just sickening isn't it Toni? I am in retail and the store designer that has to do all of the merchandise planning......every year it just gets earlier and earlier! I have to have halloween out next week! I can understand craft stores having to get merchandise out sooner so crafts workers can get things done.....but gardening centers?? It gets really rediculous. Fall annuals are so needed to keep some color going through our winters here!!!
