by Janet Lee Harrold

Get a head start on next season now!

I know, I know…we are certainly not ready for summer to be over so the last thing we want to start thinking about is preparing our yard for the fall, or even better next spring. I’m thinking we should  ease in to it slowly, while you are out there grilling your burgers this summer, just take a glance around your yard and take inventory of what needs to be done. Now is a good time to fill in those voids that you noticed this year.  In fact now is actually the perfect time to get perennials on sale and what do ya know, we just so happen to have them on sale at Cedar Grove Gardens in the garden center right now, what perfect timing! Though you may not want to spend the last few dog days of summer planting for next year, come next spring you will be so glad that you did. We have a pretty good selection of day lilies, heuchera coral bells, astilbe, ferns, hosta and a few shasta daisys, gypsophila, foxglove, butterfly bush, ladies mantle…shall I go on?  Any way save a buck now and be thankful for the beauty you will see in your garden this spring, after all it will be here before you know it! While you are out there, think about fertilizing your grass, this is typically done around labor day. A low-nitrogen, slow release fertilizer is always a good choice. it keeps the grass from eating up all the nitrogen at once. Keep in mind that there is no need to fertilize shrubs and tree’s this time of year and also, you may want to put off pruning until spring, you don’t want to give your plants a fresh wound as winter will make them vulnerable to damage. So see, it’s not all work this time of year, just a little preparation that’s all.

It’s also a great time to plant a couple dozen bulbs. Remember that smile on your face after a long New England winter when that first sign of crocus, tulips and daffodils force there pretty heads through the cold ground to greet you, it’s as if they really know that you just can’t take anymore of the bitter cold weather and everything is going to be o.k.

So enough about next year, let’s talk about what you can expect to see this year in the garden center as we transition from summer to fall….autumn in your garden should be as abundant as spring and we are expecting shipments of beautiful mum plants, kale, seedum, ornamental grasses any day now and as soon as the heat breaks our usual load of pumpkins,corn and haystacks will fill the yard as we prepare for our annual Harvest Festival.

On occasion we like to let guest bloggers that have relevant material to the floral industry post here on the Cedar Grove Gardens blog with the intention of keeping the content fresh and new and also from a different perspective. These words by Ayn Bernos, Content Manager for Wedding Favy are sure to enlighten you when you are in the beginning process of planning your big day.

 photo credit Jim Canole Photography

There are people who take flowers for granted, but little do they know, deciding which flowers to have on your special day is hard work, considering the variety of options available in the market. Your favorite flowers may or may not be in season, or it may not be fitting for your chosen theme or venue. This is why coordinating with your wedding florist is so crucial to the successful and beautiful wedding reception of your dreams.

So before anything else, here are five questions to ask your wedding florist:

• Would you be willing to work with our budget?

1. • First off, identify your budget. Be transparent about the kind of spending you’re willing to make, and discuss the terms and conditions with your florist. You must confirm that they will be willing to work within your budget to avoid any miscommunication down the road.
   • Additionally, your florist may have more and/or extra services, such as partnerships with other vendors and wedding coordinators. The wedding industry is a small circle after all, and you can always use this to your advantage.

• What’s your specialty?

1. • If you still have not decided on a theme and the flowers, relying on your florist’s expertise might just make it easier for you. They certainly have experienced various wedding events that required different designs, arrangements, and motifs. Moreover, they might also give you a fresher take on what suits you more as a bride. Which leads us to the next inquiry…

• Is there a compilation of your previous projects and sample arrangements?

1. • If you don’t already have an image in mind, why not try checking your florist’s portfolio and events from the past? It will give you the idea whether or not your vision for your wedding and their style match. In any case they don’t, you could start compromising and make the necessary adjustments to achieve your desired arrangement.

• Do you accept more than one wedding on the same day?

1. • Expectation management is always key to a good working relationship. Clarify the scope of work beforehand so you can keep track of how things are going to work out on the big day. Are they simply dropping the flowers off? Or are they setting up flowers at the venue? If that’s the case and they’re handling another wedding on the same day, would they have enough manpower to deliver the services they promised? Just some things to ponder upon.

• Have you had an event at our wedding site? Are you familiar with the place?

1. • Your florist may or may not have had projects at your wedding site. While that shouldn’t be a major consideration for selecting your vendor, such information would still help as your florist might be able to estimate and make the necessary adjustments according to your design agreement. Familiarity, in this case, is a bonus, since your florist already knows the measurements and ambiance of the place. Otherwise, be sure to take extra steps to fill this info gap! Show pictures, schedule a visit — those kinds of things. At the end of the day, the flowers and the quality of service are the top priorities.

Author Bio

Ayn Bernos is a writer, a Youtuber, and an advocate of happily ever afters. As a real life bride-to-be and the Content Manager for Wedding Favy, an online haven for themed and personalized wedding favors, she spends her days living and breathing wedding celebrations. She loves to write about all things bridal — from fun bachelorettes and intimate vows, to catering expenses and stationery ideas.