www.touchofnature.com

Happy Gardening Newsletter
September 23, 2008

09/11/2001 - These Colors Don't Run

www.touchofnature.com

Fall 2008 Catalog
 
Read our Garden Watchdog Reports and report your experience with our company!

Forcing Vases - for Hyacinths & Paperwhites

Slide show of the gardens in Keukenhof (Holland)

Gourmet Cooking Sets - Perfect for Spring and Summer Gatherings
 
$$$ Fundraising $$$
Needing to raise money for your non-profit organization?  55% profit!

Garden PHOTO Contest

Search for Bulbs & Perennials on our site!

Testimonials from our Customers!  Read what others are saying about our products and service!

Bulbs & Perennials Suitable for Naturalizing

Dutch Pottery - for Amaryllis, Paperwhites, Crocus and Hyacinths

Indoor Forcing Instructions

Have gardening questions?  Ask us!

Plant Hardiness Zones

Previous Issues of Happy Gardening Newsletter

 

Contact us at:

Touch of Nature, Inc.
www.touchofnature.com
1475 Buford Drive
Suite 403-306
Lawrenceville, GA  30043
Phone: 770-237-0993
Fax: 413-473-9841
info@touchofnature.com
Hello Happy Gardeners,
With Summer finally over, we can all start to cool down and get ready to plant our fall flowerbulbs (a special on some great daffodil varieties for your garden is included below)!  Use this time to get those flowerbeds cleaned up and prepared for planting.  Then, decide on color schemes and blooming cycles.  We're always up for a challenge and welcome any questions regarding what to plant in which locations...just email or call us at 770-237-0993 for help and suggestions.  If you've already finished planning and planting outdoors, don't forget to start your 'indoor gardens' as well.  Some popular indoor forcing information is in this issue...read on!!  Finally, our Photo Contest Winners are announced for August, September and October!  Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions, requests for items not in our catalog or just to chat! 

**  We would love to hear our reader's thoughts about our newsletter...what you would be interested in reading about and any suggestions you may have for future issues and offers.  Please send your comments to info@touchofnature.com and let us know how we are doing!

Daffodil Special - Limited quantities available...order early!
The time for planting fall flowerbulbs for spring blooms is upon us and we have some unique daffodil varieties available that are not in our regular catalog.  With prices as low as $0.50 each for top-size bulbs, you'll be off to a terrific start!  (Click on the picture for a larger view...to order bulbs, click here!!)
 
Accent Baby Moon Double Fashion
     
Holland Sensation Pink Glory Pipit
     
Precocious Rip Van Winkle Sagitta
     
Segovia Sun Disc Wave
     
   
  White Medal  
   
Flowerbulbs for Indoor Forcing (Forcing Vases available here)
You can start Amaryllis, Paperwhites and Hyacinths for indoor flowering right now...read on for more tips!  Detailed indoor growing instructions can be found HERE!

Amaryllis can be planted either in dirt in a pot or bowl or forced on a jar or vase with an opening smaller than the base of the bulb so that it doesn't fall in.  Be sure to leave only healthy roots on the bulb when planting by taking off any completely dried up ones.  You may also need to change the water frequently as it may start smelling.

Amaryllis Paperwhites Hyacinths

Paperwhites can also be planted in dirt or rocks in a bowl or on a jar or vase filled with water.  Check the water level in the vase to ensure that the roots are wet but that the base of the bulb is not touching the water.

Hyacinths, like amaryllis, are easily grown in dirt in a pot or bowl or forced on a glass vase or jar.  These bulbs require about 14 weeks of being in the refrigerator or in a cool and dark closet.  Check the water level or the dirt moisture and add occasionally if the water level is low or the dirt is too dry.  Make sure there is NO FRUIT in the refrigerator storage as fruit produces ethylene gas that harms the flower bud inside the bulb. 

Similar forcing techniques can be used with Muscari Armeniacum, Narcissus Tete a Tete and even Crocus bulbs.  These also require around 14 weeks of cooling to ensure peak performance.  Keeping notes about when you planted any of these items and how long they took to bloom in your environment will help you determine future starting dates when forcing bulbs for potential gifts at Valentine's Day and Easter!

   
Fall 2008 Catalog - Click here to browse!
  Our Fall 2008 Catalog is now online offering a terrific selection of top quality flowerbulbs & perennials to ensure a colorful Spring!
     
Bearded Iris Amarillo Frills Bearded Iris Degas Dancer Bearded Iris Dreamcake
     
 

For Fall, all orders over $50.00 receive 10 FREE Yellow Daffodils, and, when you sign our guestbook, you will get a 10% discount on your first online order (not valid in combination with other discounts, etc.)  Remember to order early to ensure availability and that your credit card will not be charged until your order is shipped!

If you need or want a copy of our Fall 2008 catalog mailed to you, send us an email at info@touchofnature.com with your address and we will be happy to send it to you!

   
Fall Catalog NOTES....
  New items for this Fall include: Bearded Iris Affluence, Bearded Iris Alizes, Bearded Iris Amarillo Frills, Bearded Iris Buck Wheat, Bearded Iris Dangerous Mood, Bearded Iris Degas Dancer, Bearded Iris Dreamcake, Bearded Iris Feedback, Bearded Iris Here's Heaven, Bearded Iris Immortality, Bearded Iris I've Got a Secret, Bearded Iris Joyce Terry, Bearded Iris Jumping, Bearded Iris Pass the Wine, Bearded Iris Picasso Moon, Bearded Iris Rave On, Bearded Iris Raven's Quote, Bearded Iris Recurring Dream, Bearded Iris Rosalie Figge, Bearded Iris Summer Olympics, Bearded Iris Superstition, Bearded Iris Time Piece, Bearded Iris Tomorrow May Rain, Bearded Iris Yaquina Blue, Daylily Christmas Carol, Daylily El Desperado, Daylily My Melinda, Daylily Strawberry Candy, Daylily Wilson's Yellow, Daylily Wine Delight, and Tulip Aladdin's Record.
     

Daylily Strawberry Candy Daylily El Desperado Tulip Aladdin's Record

After ordering bulbs for your garden, don't forget to make plans and set some aside for your indoor gardening as well.  It is really easy to do with some selected items (Crocus, Hyacinths, Muscari, Narcissus and Tulips) and will create a welcome entrance to your home or bring color to your deck or patio.

We promise to continue to excel in our customer service by confirming your order expediently, notifying you by email when your order has shipped, forward tracking information so you can follow the shipment and follow up with you to assure that your products arrived in good order!

   
Garden PHOTO Contest (How to Enter)
Our photo contest winner for August 2008 is Nguyen Nam Long from Piedmont, California who sent us a photo of his relaxing back yard.  Our photo contest winner for September 2008 is Sabrina Himschoot from Jonesboro, Arkansas who sent us a photo of her Resurrection Lilies.  Our photo contest winner for October 2008 is Kate Kramer whose Pink Plumerias brightened our day!

"Relax" "Resurrection Lilies" "Pink Plumeria"

Click here to see their full photos and comments.  By the way, Nguyen, Sabrina and Kate all win a $20.00 gift certificate redeemable for any items in our catalogs...you can too...just send in your photos today! 

We really have enjoyed getting your pictures for our contest and they continue to be eligible for each month's drawing ...we are looking forward to seeing more wonderful photos of your gardens this year!

   

We hope that some of these items will find a home in your garden, on your patio, on your balcony or in your home.  You can rest assured that your order will have our fullest attention and we know that you will be pleased with the quality results.

Remember........a smile is just one bulb away!  Happy Gardening!

Bert Leek
Touch of Nature, Inc.

P.S.  Don't forget to tell your gardening friends about Touch of Nature...we can add them to our newsletter subscription list for free by sending their email address to info@touchofnature.com or having them register here