Over The Garden Fence: Blogs From The Merrifield Garden Center Team

By David Yost, Plant Specialist

One of my colleagues likes to recite an old saying that one year of weeds leads to seven years of weeding. If he’s right - and I think he is – we’re all in for trouble!

This spring everyone has been plagued with hairy bittercress. If you heard this from your doctor, you might be scared. But since you’re hearing it from me, there’s no cause for alarm.

Hairy bittercress is a weed with tiny white flowers that develop into exploding seedpods when they mature. Each plant produces 600-plus seeds. And these seeds persist for five or more years. Guess what we’ll be doing the next seven years!

While hairy bittercress is impressive, it pales in comparison to common chickweed. I suggest we change the name to “extraordinary” chickweed. Common (extraordinary) chickweed has taken over lawns and gardens everywhere. Typically producing about 2,500 seeds, one plant was recorded with 25,000 seeds! And these seeds go on for 25-40 years. Imagine that!

Call me crazy, but I really do love weeds. Their biology, survival strategies and the history of how they arrived is fascinating. But it’s a love/hate relationship. I work diligently to try to keep them out of my garden.

Last year, in September, when it started raining like crazy and the cool temperatures set in, I saw these weeds beginning to germinate. By October, little seedlings of bittercress, chickweed, henbit, speedwell and others were everywhere. Being a weed aficionado, I noticed an emerging problem and sprayed the seedlings with an organic product, Espoma Earth-tone 4 n 1 Weed Control.

I alerted others to the impending problem. Few listened, though.

The winter annual weeds thrived during our mild winter. They continued to grow, and popped up everywhere this spring. Now they’ve matured and left their seeds behind, solidifying their return in the years to come.

Now, as spring arrives and the soil gradually warms, the summer annual weeds will begin to emerge. Crabgrass, Japanese stiltgrass, lespedeza, spurge and the others will begin their yearly cycle of life. You don’t see them now, but believe me they are there, waiting to sprout up in your yard. Did you know that some seeds have sat dormant for 10,000 years waiting for their chance to sprout and begin a new life? You have to be impressed!

These are the kind of things I think about. When I left my house this morning to go work, I saw some weeds in my garden and had to yank them out. Who can blame me for being 20 minutes late to work? A few minutes today can save me years of trouble.

For skeptics who aren’t feeling the love, I’ll leave you with a final thought: apply pre-emergent herbicides now or get ready for seven more years of weeding.

By David Yost, Plant Specialist

Spring fever has struck the Washington D.C. metropolitan region.

People are opening doors and windows to breathe fresh air. They’re taking walks on their lunch breaks. And they’re making their way to Merrifield Garden Center for pansies, mulch, seed and fertilizer.

This has been an extremely mild winter with plenty of sunny weekends. Naturally, this has only increased our anticipation and excitement about spring.

Seeing daffodils blooming and robins searching for worms in February and early March stirs our collective consciousness into thinking and feeling that it is already spring.

Who cares if Punxsutawney Phil climbs back into his hole for six more weeks of winter? We’re ready now.

The daffodils, crocus, songbirds and sunshine are wooing us into spring. But the sensible part of our brain reminds us about snowstorms in March and frosts in May, and tells us to suppress the urge to plant flowers. Who should we listen to?

I suggest that you come to Merrifield Garden Center to find the answer. There’s really only one cure for spring fever. And that’s to give in to the urge and start planting.

The mild weather and sunny days have left us with warmer than usual soil temperatures and ideal planting conditions. With soil temperatures in the 50’s, roots are already growing and some seeds will begin germinating soon. But we know that above ground, there will still be some cold days and nights ahead, so whatever we plant must be prepared to withstand the cold.

Fortunately, there are lots of plants that fit into this category.

If you need to seed or repair your lawn, go ahead and do it now. Most of us grow cool season grasses that will easily survive the cold. It’s the hot weather that stresses lawns. Cool weather annuals, such as pansies and primrose, love the cold and can be planted now, but may need to be protected when temperatures dip below 30.

Take advantage of the above-average soil temperatures by getting an early start in the vegetable garden. Plant potatoes, onions, rhubarb and asparagus. Plant seeds of lettuce, spinach, chard, kale, collards, turnips, parsley and cilantro. Plant broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage plants, but have some frost cloth ready to cover them if it gets really cold.

Dormant, ready-to-plant roses are now available. Tree and shrub beds are filling up fast. Hellebores and pansies are in bloom. These are just a few of the many things you can do to get started in your garden.

It’s time for pruning trees, shrubs, evergreens and roses, trimming the old foliage of perennials, weeding, mulching and edging landscape beds.

Although it’s not officially spring, you don’t need to wait any longer. Spring fever is here – and we have the cure!

By Bob Warhurst, President of Merrifield Garden Center

I’m passionate about gardening and the need for proper planting and watering.

Over the last year, I’ve made many house visits to check on ailing plants. I’ve seen far too many trees and shrubs that have died because they didn’t get the right amount of water. It’s such a shame. And so unnecessary.

I’m concerned about your plants and about your success in the garden. I like to think of plants as people. When a plant dies, you lose a friend.

This year my top objective is to raise awareness about planting and watering. I believe in this so much that for the first time since we started Merrifield Garden Center 41 years ago, I feel compelled to present a seminar on this topic. 

My seminar - “How to be a Successful Gardener” - will be offered twice: Saturday, March 10, at 10 am at Fair Oaks; and Sunday, April 22, at 1 pm at Gainesville.

In this seminar, I’m going to teach you the right way to plant and water your new plants. If you follow my instructions, you should never lose another plant. I know that’s a big statement, but it’s just that simple.

I believe watering is the single most important factor in successful gardening.

In my four decades in the outdoor beauty business, I’ve found that 98% of plant problems are water issues. Maybe 99%.

Everybody knows plants need water. The question is how much and how often.

We all want a simple answer. I wish I could tell you, “Water your plants every Monday morning.”

But it just doesn’t work that way. You don’t drink water on a schedule. You drink when you’re thirsty. Same with plants. You should only water them when they need water.

Plants need water, oxygen and a little TLC to thrive, just like us. I encourage you to start thinking of plants as people, as living organisms - instead of thinking of them as just a decorating accessory in your outdoor living space.

Plants speak to us. We just have to be observant. If their moisture needs aren’t being met, you may see their leaf color change slightly to a dull shade of green. Then they’ll let us know by wilting, yellow or brown leaves, and often dropped leaves. Some plants, such as boxwood or holly, have stiff leaves and twigs, so you may not see wilting. Their leaves just begin to fade and dry out.

The secret to watering is to soak the root ball and surrounding soil slowly, deeply and thoroughly. Then don’t water your plant again until it needs water. I recommend watering with a watering wand, which provides a nice, steady spray of water.

An accurate way to check if your plant needs water is to dig down about 5” and pull back a small amount of soil from the edge of the root ball for close examination. If it’s moist, it doesn’t need water. Cover the hole back up and check again in a couple of days. If it’s dry, water thoroughly.

After the first year, most trees, shrubs and perennials can take care of themselves in normal weather conditions. During a drought, you’ll need to water your plants.

I’ll go into more detail about all this at my seminar. Be sure to attend. This is the most important thing I can teach you about gardening.

Thanks for reading and happy gardening!

From Bob Warhurst, President of Merrifield Garden Center

By Kevin Warhurst, Manager

“Dirty old street all slushed up in the rain and snow
Little boy and his ma shivering outside a rundown music store window
That night on top of a Christmas tree shines one beautiful star
And lying underneath a brand-new Japanese guitar.”

These are the opening lyrics to a song called “The Wish” by Bruce Springsteen, my favorite artist. This is a beautiful song that Springsteen wrote years ago about his mother and how she positively influenced his life.

Every time I hear this song, I think of my own mom, Billie Jean Warhurst. She means more to me and my family than she could ever imagine. When I think back to all the wonderful Christmases we’ve enjoyed together through the years, it was mom who made them special.

As anyone who knows her can attest, my mom is a kind and loving person who genuinely cares about people and their well being. She’s always there to offer a kind word or lend a helping hand. And if that weren’t enough, she also makes awesome iced tea, delicious home-cooked meals and gives the absolute best hugs in the world!

While shopping here at the nursery over the years, many of you have no doubt met my mother. She’s been here since the beginning, right by the side of my father, Bob Warhurst, as he and the Williams family started Merrifield Garden Center over 40 years ago.

My mom worked and tended to the kids, just like his mom did. The song continues…

“I remember in the morning ma, hearing your alarm clock ring
I’d lie in bed and listen to you getting’ ready for work
The sound of your makeup case on the sink
And the ladies in the office, all lipstick, perfume and rustlin’ skirts
And how proud and happy you always looked walking home from work.”

My mom still works here every day, making the world a little brighter for all of us who come in contact with her. Even after all these years, I can’t think of anyone who works harder than her. Heck, even my dad will tell you that. And, so by default, I guess that makes him the second hardest-working person in the world!

Mom’s always happy to do whatever needs to be done, whether it’s stocking shelves, ordering bulbs, assisting customers or sweeping the floors. And, of course, she always does it with a smile!

My dad’s a remarkable man with an incredible story. He grew up dirt poor in rural Alabama and saw first hand how tough life could be. So at the tender age of 15, he decided to leave home to build a better life. He came to Northern Virginia, got a job as a bricklayer, met my mother and started a family.

And just like in the song, it was a mom and a dad that worked together to build a life and raise a family…

“If pa’s eyes were windows into a world so deadly and true
You couldn’t stop me from looking, but you kept me from crawlin’ through
And it’s a funny old world, mama, where a little boy’s wishes come true
Well I got a few left in my pocket and a special one just for you.”

Although they were busy building Merrifield Garden Center from the ground up, my mom and dad always had time for us and made sure all our needs were met. We’ve always had lots of fun together, and we still do today.

My dad often worked seven days a week, just as he does now. It was mom who was there to raise us, feed us, teach us, drive us, love us, guide us and inspire us. Dad’s loving but firm hand was perfectly tempered by mom’s sweet Southern voice and warm, loving embrace.

Billie Jean is a great mother, wife, grandmother, sister, friend, co-worker and role model. She raised us to be good people - and in the process set a perfect example for us to raise our own children.

How can you even begin to express your gratitude to such a person and let them know how much they’ve meant to you?

“It ain’t no phone call on Sunday, flowers or a mother’s day card
It ain’t no house on the hill with a garden and a nice little yard
I got my hot rod down on Bond Street, I’m older but you’ll know me in a glance
We’ll find us a little rock ‘n roll bar and baby we’ll go out and dance.”

Well, I guess we must each find our own way of doing that. Since the song finishes with Bruce singing to his mom in the kitchen, I guess for him it was about giving back the gift of music that she in a sense had given to him. But for me – someone who doesn’t possess any musical talent – I guess a kiss and hug will have to suffice.

As we celebrate this holiday season and take time to appreciate all the wonderful blessings in our lives, I have many wishes that I’d like to extend. But my first Christmas wish goes out to my mother, Billie Jean.

She gave us life, she gave us love and she always gave us her all!

We love you mom! All of your kids - Debbie, Rob, Larry, Donny and I – wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy future that continues to be filled with all the things you love.

By David Yost, Plant Specialist

Careful observation of change and events in our gardens is one of the most enjoyable and important experiences in our gardening lives.

Watching the dramatic changes as forests and gardens turn from shades of green to yellow, red, orange and burgundy is always exciting. It can also be a bit disconcerting as this reminds us that the days are getting shorter, colder and winter is on the way.

That’s OK. We need winter to rest and restore ourselves to get ready for the following spring.

To me, it seems as though the fall color hasn’t been as intense this season as it was in previous years. In 2009 and ’10, the weather was very dry as we approached fall and this stress seemed to make the fall colors brighter. This year we’ve enjoyed ample rain since September, which has been great for our plants, but the colors are a bit muted.

Observing changes like this is interesting and we can try to use this information along with experience and judgment in managing our gardens.

During the past two summers, we’ve experienced record-breaking heat and prolonged dry spells. In the winter, we’ve seen back-to-back blizzards, very cold temperatures and now snow even before Halloween! I have lived in Virginia my entire life and the weather has always been erratic, but the past few years it does seem to be getting more pronounced. I’m certainly not qualified to comment on the circumstances of climate change, but it is changing the way I garden.

This past year I planted an assortment of Elephant ears and the hotter it got - the faster they grew! I’m using gardenia, previously only for Southern gardens, as one of the feature plants in a new bed.

Although the trend of using tropical and Southern plants started many years ago in our region, I’ve been reluctant to incorporate this into my own gardening. Of course, the real trick to this is how to get these plants through the winter, which also seems to be getting more extreme.

We accept crape myrtles, Southern magnolias and camellias as common landscape plants. However, when I started gardening 35 to 40 years ago, these plants were considered marginal for our region. Plant breeding and selection have improved their cold hardiness, and now we’re seeing the same thing happening with loropetalum, gardenias, rosemary and many others.

I still rely on coneflower, summer phlox, butterfly weed and Joe-pye weed for summer color, but love the option of including heat tolerant Southern and tropical plants.

Now my Elephant ears have been dug and are being prepared for winter storage. In the weeks ahead, I’ll provide some extra winter protection for the gardenia. I’m finding the extra work of preparing these plants for winter is more than compensated by the beauty and easy of care they offer during the growing season. I’ve been converted.

It’s always fun to try something new. I encourage everyone to come into Merrifield Garden Center for ideas and inspiration. Attend the seminars, look around at the displays, check out the plants. I’m sure you will find something you have NEVER seen before. We’re always changing.

As the seasons, the climate and the plants all seem to be changing around me, two things come to mind. Who says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks and it’s all good!