Now that we are settling into the growing season with the cold weather finally behind us and nothing but the warm, lazy days of summer ahead all your gardens and yards should be looking perfect: no weeds, abundantly blooming annuals, thick lush lawns, and large green veggies right? Ok, so maybe we are not all so lucky. Personally, if I have to pull one more dandelion out of my driveway I could very well loose what little is left of my mind. And not that I would ever hurt such an adorable creature, but if those rabbits don’t find another source of food soon, besides my vegetable garden, I cannot be held responsible for my actions. But hey, if having a great backyard was as easy as 1, 2, 3 and there were no challenges to face, then where would that amazing sense of satisfaction for a job well done come from? Not to mention that you would be hard pressed to find a problem relating to your yard that we cannot help you with.

So take a deep breath, relax, remember to enjoy the fruits of your labor, and don’t hesitate to call on your friendly Mendham Garden Center staff for assistance. To give you a head start here are just a few potential solutions to some more commonly faced problems.

1. Weeds, Weeds, Weeds. Whether in the garden, the lawn, or where ever they may decide to pop up, nobody likes weeds invading their otherwise pristine landscape. For a natural solution there are many weed controls with no chemical additives that are safe to use around your pets and children. With the growing interest in Environmentally friendly products, we at MGC are committed to offering a selection of organic or natural products that can help you get the job done while minimizing your Carbon footprint. And of course, we carry a large selection of the chemical based options as well. From weed killers that wipe out everything they touch, to ones that are smart enough to kill only the weeds you want them to, to ones that even kill the weeds before they come up; controlling your weed problem can be done and we can help.

2. Diseases. “Rain rain go away, come again some other day!” This spring has not been a great one weather-wise, and we are seeing the results of it on a daily basis. Some of the most common problems we’ve seen come through the door are: black/brown spot, winter burn, red thread, and powdery mildew. The problem is that these diseases thrive in wet conditions, and even as I write this, I can hear the relentless pounding of rain drops on the metal roof of our Chester store. But all hope is not lost. Bring us a small sample of your infected plant and we can help you identify the problem and suggest a solution. Fungicides, systemic disease controls, and proper pruning techniques are all available at any of our three locations.

3. Pests. Nothing is more disheartening than watching all your hard work become somebody’s dinner. From the tiniest leaf minor to a 12 point buck, we have a variety of solutions for keeping them away. Keep an eye out for slug damage as well. They love all this wet weather we’re having and won’t think twice about munching away on all your beautiful plants. A clear sign of slugs present is the unmistakable “slime” trail that they leave behind.

4. Equipment not working properly? Lawn mower blade not sharpened? Did you put straight gas into a two cycle engine??? All three of our locations have knowledgeable staff that can help with some of your simpler problems; and for those more difficult issues, our Chester location has a fully certified small engine repair shop with three friendly guys ready to put a smile on your face and a hum back into your engine. There’s even a repair representative here on Sundays!

-Chris Mortenson, MGC staff, Chester                                       

	Register your email address. We'll keep you posted on any/all garden related information and Special Events through periodic newsletters. It's a great way to stay informed. Enter Your E-Mail Address: