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Acer's Florist & Garden Center
Edition . Acer's Florist & Garden Center

Pottery

Now is a great time to plant your SUMMER blooming perennials and shrubs. Plant ONCE and they come back FOREVER!

take a tour

Take a Virtual Tour of Acer's Florist & Garden Center

It's August, and Acer's has many amazing plants!

See all the blooming plants, Hanging Baskets, Exotics...and much more

Click here to view.


Pottery

annuals

Hurry in for the best selection !

Veggies

It's summer; plant now, before it's too late!


Arrivals

Create a tropical paradise right outside your door!


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We do funeral work. 631-343-7123. Custom pieces by request.


Nursery Stock

We are fully stocked with amazing plants for all your garden needs!


Arrivals
Arrivals

Huge, beautiful selection of hanging baskets and patio planters!


Do you know that Acer's offers free
computerized landscape design?
Call (631) 343-7123 or send pics to Jim@acersgardencenter.com.


Landscape

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Water the Bees

If you have a pool, you may wonder why there are so many bees in it. Often you'll scoop up a half-dozen casualties when you're skimming the pool, and they tend to land on everyone--especially those wearing bright colors.

Swimming pools (even kiddie pools) are like big beacons for bees. They see them and they think "Water! Yes!" Swimming pools are a dependable water source for suburban animals. In many places a pool will be the only body of water inside their entire territory. They tell their friends and then they all know that your pool is the place to drink up.

The problem is, you don't really want them there, and it's not a safe place for them, either. Bees have to dry out before they can fly, and the vertical and slippery walls on your pool make this impossible for them, so they will drown. They can also drown in your nice, deep birdbath.

A good way to help out your local pollinators and to keep your pool safer is to create a place for them to get water safely, away from your pool. All you'll need is a basin of some sort, wide and shallow works best, some clean water, and something to put in it for the bees to climb onto to dry off.

A ceramic or clay pot base works well, but you could also use a bird bath, a bowl, or even a deep dish for the basin. Marbles, glass beads, fish gravel, rocks or wood can be used on the inside. A water-absorbing rock, like pumice or sandstone, works well--they can land and drink out of the rock. Even a loofah will work (but make sure you don't use one with soap added)!

The important thing is that there is something to hold water and a way for them to get out of the water. Arranging your filler at various heights in the basin will allow for bees to get water whether it's all the way full or mostly empty. As with a bird bath, you will have to clean and refill periodically.

Choosing a nice decorative basin and mixing and matching different sizes and colors of substrate will create a unique-looking and fully-functional bee bath. And don't be surprised if you attract a few butterflies as well!

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Garden Primer

The Top 5 Mistakes Made by the New Gardener

1. Planting at the wrong time of year:
What this means will vary from place to place. While in some charmed places most things can be planted year-round, the majority of locales have definite planting seasons. For instance, in many areas of the Southwest, fall is considered the best time to plant most shrubs, trees, groundcover and lawns; if you live in the eastern part of the U.S., however, you will wait until spring to install most of these plants.

This timing issue also comes into play with annual flowers and vegetables. Some flowers and vegetables like the warmth of the spring and summer, while others prefer the coolness of the fall and winter. The goal is to time your planting for the earliest part of the season you are planting for, but not too early. Let's use marigolds (a summer annual) for an example. This plant likes heat, but can freeze if the temperatures are too cold. In some areas, you might begin seeing marigolds for sale in the late winter. Can you plant them then? Of course. Should you? Maybe not. Why? While it might work--if temperatures don't drop too low--you could be replacing your plants if they do.

If you are not sure whether to plant something at a certain time, please ask us; we will tell you whether it's the best time or if you would be better off waiting. Many garden centers serve a fairly large geographical area and these areas oftentimes have differing microclimates. That is why you will sometimes see plants in your local garden center that may be out of season for your particular area. The other thing to keep in mind is not to plant too late. Planting too late will not allow your flower or vegetable to achieve maturity before the cold (or warm) weather comes and stops it in its tracks!

2. Planting in the wrong exposure:
While some plants will take any exposure, most prefer predominantly sun or mostly shade. When you are shopping for your plant, take notice of where the plant is situated in the garden center; this will give you a good idea of where it will be happiest in your garden. If you're not sure, ask.

3. Planting in the wrong zone:
Just because you see a pretty plant growing in the sun, does not necessarily mean it will grow in the sun in your garden. Some plants prefer hot, dry areas and some prefer cool, misty spots. This is where the USDA Climate Zone chart (or in the west, the Sunset Western Garden Climate Zone chart) will really help. Most plants sold in garden centers are marked with their appropriate climate zone or if they are not, the garden center staff can tell you if it will grow in your zone.

4. Planting plants with different water requirements near each other:
Some plants prefer dry, well-drained soil and others like more water. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you will be able to manage the two effectively when they are planted next to each other--you won't. Save yourself the angst and use plants with similar needs together. The plants will be happier--and so will you.

5. Watering too often, too much, not often enough or not deep enough:
Whew! The above may seem like a contradiction, but what we're trying to say is that plants have different watering needs and soils (because of their differing compositions) respond to water differently.

The most common mistake in regard to water is not watering enough (in terms of frequency) and not watering long enough (in terms of volume). A small plant can dry out quickly, especially in warm weather. When first planted, it should be regularly monitored to observe its water needs. Also, you need to leave the water on long enough to saturate the entire root-ball of the plant (for some things, this might be longer than you think). Standing over the plant and giving it a quick shower with your hose will probably not be enough. Also, deeper watering encourages roots to go down, thus increasing the plant's drought tolerance.

On the other side of the coin is the gardener who is so dedicated that he/she waters constantly. This is not good either. Too much water (especially in heavy soils) can cause disease; eventually the roots of the plant will rot. So, strive for vigilance but not obsession when applying water to the garden.

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2077 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, NY 11725
631-343-7123
www.acersgardencenter.com
Open Monday-Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM