spring Archives - Studley Flower Gardens

Spring Garden Planning Starts Now!

AlexaJF — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 21:24:41 +0000

Winter is the perfect time to reflect on last year’s garden and start planning for the season ahead. Even though the New England weather is still brisk, February is an ideal month to begin preparing for your spring garden.

During the colder months, focus on mapping out your garden beds, ordering seeds, and starting cool-season crops indoors. A little planning now will set you up for a productive and successful growing season.

Review Last Year’s Garden: Think back to what flourished and brought the most enjoyment versus the plants that did’nt live up to your expectations. Did your crops underperform due to pests or disease? Can small adjustments be made to help these plants thrive?
Start Seeds Indoors: Start peppers, eggplant, and early tomatoes. This step should begin 6-8 weeks before the last frost. This generally falls around early to mid-May in New England.
Prune Dormant Plants: Late February is ideal for pruning fruit trees and deciduous shrubs. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia or lilacs – this early spring growth will turn into this year’s blooms.
Clean and Sharpen Tools: Clean tools to prevent disease, and sharpen pruners, shovels, and hoes for the spring.

Although February is associated with harsh temperatures and lingering snow, that doesn’t mean you have to wait to start planning your spring garden. Thoughtful preparation during the winter months can ensure a productive and beautiful spring garden once warmer weather arrives.

If you are seeking professional guidance or have specific questions about your garden, visit Studley’s for knowledgeable advice and support for all your gardening needs.

The post Spring Garden Planning Starts Now! appeared first on Studley Flower Gardens.

Seed Starting For Spring

JFadmin25 — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 19:01:18 +0000

Seed starting is a rite of passage to spring for gardeners to get a head start on the limited growing season here in the Northeast. Growing your own garden from seed is a rewarding activity for mind, body, and financial wellness. For those new to the process, we share pro advice for keeping things simple when growing vegetables or flowers from seed.

Plan To Plant

A solid plan for what you would like to grow is the key to success. As long as you plant for your goals, seed starting is not as complicated as it may seem. Whether growing edibles or flowers from seed, timing and space plotting are your primary factors. Make a list of the things you want to grow and then check seed packets to note germination times and space required to grow.

Once you have your list, count backwards from the last frost date for your zone. Memorial Day is the typical last frost or safe outdoor planting date here in the Northeast. You will find most crops in your plan can be started indoors from seed about 6-8 weeks before planting outdoors. Some edibles that are harvested late in the season can be direct sown in the ground.

The biggest mistake newbies can make is giving in to the temptation to start seeds too early. Resist the urge and follow the packet recommendations closely. Your seedlings will need the proper space and the outdoor environment to thrive, when the time is right. We also like the Old Farmer’s Almanac Planting Calendar as a handy and reputable tool for planning seed starting in your zone.

Sow Easy

Once you have your timing and space requirements planned, follow the seed packet instructions for proper seed depth and spacing, for seed starting indoors or out.

Pro seed starting trays or bio degradable pots can be purchased for starting indoors, but when possible we like to repurpose egg cartons, paper cups or plastic and cardboard liquid containers for sustainability. Check out these ideas from treehugger.com for more ideas on items you can collect around the house to make homemade seedling pots.

For best results, we do recommend starting with fresh clean soil, particularly a seed starting potting mix specially formulated for germination success. You can find these by the bag at your local garden center, greenhouse or nursery. Start by filling your trays or containers with the potting mix and then mark a stick or your finger with the proper planting depth for the seed type, according to the seed packet instructions. Make a hole at the proper depth, drop in the seed and then pinch the surrounding soil over top of the planted seed to cover.

Mist to saturate the soil and place your trays in a warm, sunny location. Keep the soil moist at all times, especially until seedlings emerge. Misting is better than a direct pour, so as not to wash or drown out seeds or tender new plants. Label your seed trays, including the date, and save your seed packets for future reference

Hardening Off

As seedlings grow, they will become stronger at the roots in their temporary starter containers. When the weather begins to warm, and a week or two before the recommended planting date, it is best to help your new plants acclimate to the outdoor sun and wind conditions, also known as “hardening off.” Do this by taking your seedlings outdoors to an area sheltered from full sun for short periods, and increasing the time outdoors by a little more each day.

When planting time comes, your seedlings will be strong and ready to place in the ground or larger containers as recommended for spacing on the packets. Continue to keep newly planted seedlings gently, but well-watered after transplant. As seedlings take root in the ground, regular watering is recommended throughout the season.

My Pro Tip:

If you are new to seed starting and nervous about getting it right, start small. Most seed packets contain enough seeds for an ample home crop, and then some. Choose a select few favorites to try your hand. A cutting garden or butterfly garden with 3-4 flower varieties is a great way to blossom into seed starting. I also like the idea of small kitchen garden with some of your household’s favorite vegetables, herbs or fruits. This is a great starting point for those with little area to plant, as many edibles can be grown successfully in containers on the porch or patio.

As always, the Garden Center at Studley’s is ready with seed starting supplies, including a seed selection appropriate for success in this region, and our pros are standing by to advise you with all your gardening questions. For those not ready for DIY, you’ll find a wide selection of established edible plants and flowers in season. Keep an eye on our Garden Center page for updates or visit our Plant Finder tool to view our inventory and build your spring garden wishlist!

See you at Studley’s!

The post Seed Starting For Spring appeared first on Studley Flower Gardens.

Spring Garden Checklist

JFadmin25 — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 00:15:41 +0000

We have your spring garden checklist to get you organized and started on tackling those outdoor chores just as soon as Mother Nature allows!

Here in the northeast, we’re still subject to wild temperature swings and unpredictable weather conditions, so working on warmer and dry days, you can begin to check off the items on your list.

Clear Debris

As the snow melts, remove fallen branches and other debris from the lawn. When it is time to mow, you can hop on the tractor and go!

Prune

Not every tree or shrub should be pruned in the spring. Check out the Old Farmer’s Almanac for a handy “what to prune and when” guide.

Prepare Beds

Start by raking out any loose surface debris like dry leaves and removing dead or fallen plant material (leave woody stalks on evergreens or hydrangea). Turn the soil to allow air and moisture to reach the roots. It’s ok to turn wet, decaying leaves or mulch right into the soil. If you haven’t fertilized your beds in the last couple of years, we recommend amending the soil by turning in someorganic fertilizer, especially for vegetable gardens. Your local garden center or garden supply store will offer a ready compost material that can be purchased by the truckload. After preparing your beds, give them a fresh edging for a neat look and to keep grass out and mulch in. Top with fresh mulch as needed for a 2″-3″ layer that will protect roots from harsh summer sun and the following winter snow.

Pull Weeds

Whenever possible, pull weeds as soon as growth appears. The less time they have to establish and reseed, the better. Repeat throughout the season (sorry).

Divide Perennials

If some of your perennials were overgrown and suffered or were crowded their space last year, you can divide them as soon as the ground thaws and they begin to sprout. When early growth starts to show, dig wide and deep to keep as much of the root ball in tact as possible and then carefully divide with a sharp knife or spade on larger plants. Replant one division in the original space and you’ll see new vigor this year. Plant the remaining divisions elsewhere or pot up some up for a friend!

Go Shopping!

Those green thumbs have been patient all winter. Watch our Facebook page for early spring arrivals throughout the coming weeks for announcements of new annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. Ask us about our seed offerings – they have been selected as optimum success in our zone and our pros can tell you how and when to get them started. As a rule of thumb, annual plants (one season) are best planted after the danger of frost, usually Memorial Day weekend. Perennials, trees and shrubs (that come back every year) can be planted as soon as the ground thaws. Ask us how to get a jump on the season by starting annuals and vegetables in containers!

Of course if DIY is not your thing, Studley’s offers complete garden maintenance including mulching, pruning, fertilizing, transplanting, weeding and renovation, as well as complete lawn care services with organic seasonal lawn treatments. All you have to do is contact Studley’s Landscaping Team today at 603.332.4565 and then sit back and enjoy your spring and summer!

Need inspiration? Visit our Garden Center page for purpose-specific plant lists and a tree planting demo video.

My Pro Tip:

Force some spring blooms indoors! When temps are above freezing, choose a branch with plenty of swelling buds and cut 10″-12″ selections with sharp pruning shears. Bring them inside, and holding them under running water, cut about an inch off the bottom of the stem, and then split the bottom of the stem with a knife. Place them in a tall vase of water and set in a cool location with medium light. It can take a few weeks to force blooms indoors. Change the water every few days and mist buds with water to keep them from drying out. Once the buds start to open, move to a brighter location, but avoid direct sunlight and enjoy long-lasting spring blooms!

See you at Studley’s!

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