215-887-7500

Creating your own home orchard can be a very rewarding experience; all it takes is a little planning and preparation. First you need to find a suitable location for your fruit trees; which prefer full sun, a nice breeze and well-drained soil. Fruit trees require a soil pH of 6.5 – 7.0 (with the exception of blueberries); bring a sample of your soil to have it tested, free of charge, before planting. Choosing a site with these characteristics will facilitate healthy growth and allow the tree’s leaves to dry quickly, which will help to prevent fungal diseases. Speaking of fungal diseases, they can be a common problem of fruit trees so be sure to select varieties that are more disease resistant. When selecting your fruit tree, also take note if they are self-pollinating or if they need cross pollination from another variety (read more about this subject here). If in doubt, read the tag. Our Hollybrook Orchards fruit trees include information on each variety, along with suitable cross-pollinators. Yes, this means you will have to buy more than one apple (or pear) tree, but variety creates diversity and adds to the spice of life, right?

Now that you’ve selected your fruit trees and the best site on your property, it’s time to get planting.  It’s best to get your trees into the ground in early spring or as soon as the ground can be worked, which means the ground is not frozen or water logged from the spring thaw. This will give the trees time to establish before the heat of summer sets in.

1. Remove your tree from its plastic pot and inspect the roots. Gently tease out the roots to encourage outward growth. If the roots are growing in a tight mass, use a knife to make several shallow vertical slits along the sides.
2. Dig the hole 2x as wide as and slightly shallower than the size of the root ball. When placed in the hole, the bud-union (the swollen portion of the trunk where the tree is grafted to its root stock) should be at least 2-3” above the soil surface.  Do not bury the trunk of the tree!
3. Plant. Before backfilling, replace 1/3 of the soil with an organic soil amendment (like compost) and mix well. Work the amended soil firmly around the root ball to remove any air pockets. Use any remaining soil to build a raised berm around the planting hole to form a water basin. Water thoroughly after planting, allow the water to seep deeply into the soil and water a second time. Mulch around the tree to conserve moisture, being sure to keep the mulch 2-3” away from the trunk.
4. Water the tree once a week during the growing season (especially if it hasn’t rained). The tree needs the equivalent of 1” of rainfall or roughly 5 gallons per week. Irrigate slowly to ensure the water percolates deep into the soil. During hot weather monitor for signs of wilting and water accordingly.
5. Fertilize the tree 3-4 weeks after planting with ½ cup 10-10-10 fertilizer or a slow-release organic fertilizer. Spread the fertilizer in a circumference 1 ½ – 2 feet away from the trunk and work lightly into the soil.

Following these recommendations will get you well on your way to orchard success. Be sure to monitor the tree for signs of pests and diseases throughout the growing season. If you find something out of the ordinary, bring us a leaf sample for diagnosis.  The Penn State Extension also has a wealth of information for home fruit orchards here.

Rainwater as a Resource – Saturday, Feb 18th @ 10:00 am

Dottie Baumgarten of Sustainable Choices, science teacher and educational consultant for the Philadelphia Water Department, will teach you how to reduce runoff and flooding from your property. Using the Enviroscape interactive watershed model, she will demonstrate how pollutant-carrying runoff moves through and effects our environment. Learn what steps you can take through sustainable lawn and garden practices that will keep chemical fertilizers and pesticides out of our watershed and ultimately our drinking water. You will also learn how to use your garden and native plants to capture storm water and prevent flooding.

Rain Barrel Workshop – Saturday, Feb 18th @ 1:00pm

Sally McCabe, Philadelphia Green leader from the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, will teach you how to use rain barrels to harvest free water for your garden and prevent runoff from entering our watershed. Sally will show you how to construct your own rain barrel using inexpensive materials that you can find from local sources. How can I use the water in my garden? How much water can you expect to collect from your downspouts? What about mosquitoes? Sally will answer any questions you may have to get you started.  As always, she will be bringing her wry wit and “just do it” attitude to ensure for a fun and educational event.

Increase your gardening knowledge in 2012 by attending our Winter/Spring Lecture Series.  We offer informative interactive classes taught by our knowledgeable staff and guest lecturers.  All classes run approximately 1 hour.  Space is limited and registration is required.  There is a $10 fee per class due at time of registration.  (**Unless otherwise noted & exempt from gift card.)  You must pay in advance.  A $5 Primex Gift Card will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.  Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500

Click here for all 2012 Winter Workshops

I’ve been accused in the past of anthropomorphizing my houseplants – that is to say, I tend to give them human emotions (not to mention genders and first names…). While I concede my plants may not have feelings, they certainly have preferences (though I am not deluded enough to suggest their ability to speak about them). If they could whine though, this is the time of year our plants would be crying for help. I’m of the opinion that showing some sympathy for our little green friends can go a long way. Here, I’ll try to illustrate a different way of thinking about a few common problems:

Starved and Over-fed Plants – Imagine being starved for weeks and then being taken to a huge all you can eat buffet. This is how one of my wonderful co-workers describes a typical houseplant’s feeding schedule. As caregivers, we tend to wait too long between fertilization applications and try to make up for it with one huge dose (on occasion… when we remember to…). Not only can this actually HARM our plants by giving them a kind of soluble salt over-dose, chances are our plants can’t even put that fertilizer to use. In this scenario, we’re really just wasting fert. To sum it up, while your plants are actively growing, a little bit of consistent nutrition is better than a huge buffet all at once. Remember too that flushing with plain water every few applications helps to keep soluble salts from building up and damaging your plant’s roots.

Soggy-bottom Blues – How happy do you think you’d be walking around in wet socks all the time?? Leaving your plant to sit in a saucer of water or planting in a pot without drainage holes is likely going to make for a rotten, miserable plant. Always allow your plants to drain after you water them. If you do use fancy cache pots, be sure there is no water sitting in the bottom of it – any water present will be wicked into the soil until it is way over saturated.

Winter Doldrums – One reason folks complain about having the winter blues is the lack of sunlight during our short days. Your plants are likely bummed out too and could probably stand a little migration vacation. If your plants “do fine” in a particular area of your home during the spring and summer but don’t seem quite as happy in the fall and winter, they may be sulking due to a lack of light. Try to provide plants that prefer bright light as much of it as you can this time of year.

So when something seems to be going wrong with your plant, put yourself in its shoes. Even simply moving a plant away from that drafty entranceway to a location where it won’t get cold blasts could get them perky and smiling again. And think about naming them. You might be surprised!

Saturday, February 4th @ 1:00pm. Cost $32, includes all materials and instruction.

Cheryl Wilks, owner of Flowers on Location, is a certified horticultural therapist who teaches floral design to all ages and abilities.  She has been teaching floral design courses at the Philadelphia International Flower Show for over 20 years and we are happy to have her at Primex for this fun event, guaranteed to bring a little sunshine into your home.  In this class you will design and take home your very own beautiful vase arrangement with Cheryl’s expert guidance.  You will also learn which flowers are the best to grow in your cutting garden for gorgeous flowers all season.  Everything is included…just bring yourself and have fun learning.

Increase your gardening knowledge in 2012 by attending our Winter/Spring Lecture Series.  We offer informative interactive classes taught by our knowledgeable staff and guest lecturers.  All classes run approximately 1 hour.  Space is limited and registration is required.  There is a $10 fee per class due at time of registration.  (**Unless otherwise noted & exempt from gift card.)  You must pay in advance.  A $5 Primex Gift Card will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.  Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500

Click here for all 2012 Winter Workshops

Saturday, February 4th @ 10:00 am

Jesse Howe of Everich Farms and Apiary will teach you the basics of raising chickens in your own backyard.  He will show you the supplies you will need to keep your chickens safe and happy.  He will also teach you how to raise your own chicks and how to care for them through their development into laying hens.  Jesse has plenty of hen raising stories to share.  He will also be on hand at the Glenside Farmer’s Market featuring jars of local, raw wildflower honey of various sizes and fresh brown eggs along with natural spun honey spread, beeswax candles and skin care products.

Increase your gardening knowledge in 2012 by attending our Winter/Spring Lecture Series.  We offer informative interactive classes taught by our knowledgeable staff and guest lecturers.  All classes run approximately 1 hour.  Space is limited and registration is required.  There is a $10 fee per class due at time of registration.  (**Unless otherwise noted & exempt from gift card.)  You must pay in advance.  A $5 Primex Gift Card will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.  Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500

Click here for all 2012 Winter Workshops

Saturday, January 28th @ 1:00pm

Mia Mengucci, Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist, is back to help get your lawn started and/or renovated for the upcoming season. Learn all the steps for spring, summer & fall to get your lawn in top shape. Mia will teach you how to properly seed your lawn for successful germination, whether you are starting with a new lawn or over-seeding an existing lawn. Are you interested in organic lawn care? She will cover the alternative organic products that you can use to keep your kids, pets and the environment safe. The first step to a healthy lawn is knowing the pH of your soil which can be adjusted by adding lime, a simple fix to many lawn problems. Primex can test the pH of your soil free of charge at any time. Please bring your sample to class, be sure to collect 1/2 cup of soil from 4″ below the surface and make sure the sample is dry (just lay it out on newspaper for a couple days).

Increase your gardening knowledge in 2012 by attending our Winter/Spring Lecture Series.  We offer informative interactive classes taught by our knowledgeable staff and guest lecturers.  All classes run approximately 1 hour.  Space is limited and registration is required.  There is a $10 fee per class due at time of registration.  (**Unless otherwise noted & exempt from gift card.)  You must pay in advance.  A $5 Primex Gift Card will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.  Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500

Click here for all 20112 Winter Workshops

Primex is selling Philadelphia International Flower Show Tickets again this year at the discounted price of $25 for an adult ticket and $15 for children 16 and under. Pick up your tickets here to avoid the long lines at the show (and save $2). This year’s flower show theme is Hawaii Island of Aloha, which has everyone thinking of warm sunny days on the beach and vibrant tropical flora. A wonderful escape from the grey days and cold winds of winter.

Proceeds from the Flower Show benefit the programs of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.  This year will support City Harvest, PHS’s innovative program which brings together urban farmers and community gardeners, who grow fresh produce for more than 1,000 families in need each week. The Flower Show will not only highlight the flora of Hawaii, it will also focus on growing your own vegetables.  One exhibit that we are looking forward to is a 40 foot long vertical gardening wall filled with lettuce, using several varieties for texture and color.  There will also be beds on display highlighting ornamental and innovative vegetable gardening techniques.

Need a little pick me up before March 4th? Our greenhouse is brimming with tropical plants to bring a little piece of paradise into your home.  Walk into our greenhouse and be welcomed by the exotic scents of orchids and the heady aroma of hyacinths. Take home an orchid and be rewarded with colorful blooms for the winter (we have many varieties to choose from!). Or take home some fresh and fragrant herbs for your windowsill.  Just close your eyes, take a deep breath and be transported to sunnier times.

Philadelphia International Flower Show 2012

Sunday, March 4 – Sunday, March 11, 2012

Place:        

Pennsylvania Convention Center

12th & Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19107-2299

Hours:

Sunday, March 4; 8:00 am – 9:30 pm

Monday – Friday, March 5-9: 10:00 am – 9:30 pm

Saturday, March 10; 8:00 am – 9:30 pm

Sunday, March 11; 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Saturday, January 28th @ 10:00am

Mia Mengucci, Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist, is our very own resident “trash talker.”  She will teach you the basics of composting in your own backyard. Turn your kitchen scraps, garden debris and fallen leaves into rich compost for your garden and help keep waste out of the landfill. Mia will go over what to include in your compost pile and how to keep your pile productive. Why should you compost? Compost contains millions of beneficial organisms that create a healthy garden soil environment which leads to happy plants, naturally.

Increase your gardening knowledge in 2012 by attending our Winter/Spring Lecture Series.  We offer informative interactive classes taught by our knowledgeable staff and guest lecturers.  All classes run approximately 1 hour.  Space is limited and registration is required.  There is a $10 fee per class due at time of registration.  (**Unless otherwise noted & exempt from gift card.)  You must pay in advance.  A $5 Primex Gift Card will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.  Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500

Click here for all 20112 Winter Workshops

Come to the Glenside Farmer’s Market this winter at Primex to pick up local produce.

Upcoming Saturdays: Jan 21st, Feb 4th & 18th and March 3rd from 10am to 1pm. Located in our covered greenhouse.

Tall Pine Farms from Bucks County will be here selling their winter produce selection including; a variety of winter squashes, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, cabbage and more. I have been trying a new winter squash every time I have visited her stand. First I tried a Longneck Pumpkin (which looks like a very long butternut squash), it was so juicy and sweet with a melon-like aroma that I even tried it raw. On my second visit, I tried a Cinderella Pumpkin which is a French variety.  Again, I was delighted with the fresh taste.  I asked why Tall Pines squash was so much better than supermarket varieties and she explained that these heirloom pumpkins were bred for taste and not shipping.  And that the butternut squash bred for supermarkets has a high starch content and is low in moisture, so it can hold up on the shelf for months.  Tall Pines also carries freshly jarred Tomato Sauce, Hot Sauce and Fruit Butters with No Sugar Added.

Mainly Mushrooms from Doylestown will be offering wild foraged and cultivated gourmet mushrooms. Chris and Patty Darrah are always willing to give you a sample of their delicious mushroom cookies. Yes, actual mushrooms. They are made with candy caps which taste like maple syrup. Recent fresh offerings have included chanterelles, black trumpets, oyster mushrooms and maitakes, which are my personal favorite for their earthy aroma and delicate texture. I hope they will be bringing US foraged truffles this week. I like to shave them over lightly scrambled eggs, so delicious. They also have dried mushrooms (morels and porchini), truffle oil, truffled boar sausage and local smoked salmon. Chris is always enthusiastic about his fungi and will answer any questions you have.

Tall Pine Farms with winter produce.

Mainly Mushrooms with assorted fresh mushrooms.

Saturday, January 21st @ 10:00 am 

This new time was added due to popular demand.  The 1:00 pm class is now full.

Sally McCabe from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will be bringing her energetic personality and vast gardening knowledge to Primex. Sally heads the Garden Tender’s program at PHS and has been teaching people how to start community gardens for over 25 years.  Learn how to plan and plant a raised bed garden to get high vegetable yields from a small space. She will show you the best soil mix for raised beds and her no-grid method of spacing plants. Learn how to garden anywhere, raised bed gardening is perfect for urban areas or for those with limited space.

Increase your gardening knowledge in 2012 by attending our Winter/Spring Lecture Series.  We offer informative interactive classes taught by our knowledgeable staff and guest lecturers.  All classes run approximately 1 hour.  Space is limited and registration is required.  There is a $10 fee per class due at time of registration.  (**Unless otherwise noted & exempt from gift card.)  You must pay in advance.  A $5 Primex Gift Card will be issued to each paid registrant that attends the lecture.  Register in the store or by calling 215-887-7500

Click here for all 20112 Winter Workshops