Wow, do we feel behind the 8 ball this year! It’s been a crazy spring with snowstorms and chilly weather. We are ready for spring and the greenhouse is PACKED to the gills. So here is our schedule, confirmed, finally!
On Saturday May 4th we are hosting our annual plant PLUG sale and celebrating opening the greenhouse doors. We are technically open already…if you’ve been here before, you know that you are always welcome to poke around and enjoy the green air!
We are also hosting an organic gardening workshop at 1pm on May 4th.
We have invited Sheldon Gesell from Dirt n’ Grow Manufacturing tor a present his knowledge on organic products compared to inorganic products. How each of them work differently to achieve your weed control, plant growth and protection from fungicides. Sheldon has over 20 years experience in the Agriculture and Horticulture Industry and can answer all of your questions on organic alternative options available. This presentation is both for the beginner gardener as well as the professional gardener that is looking for that edge on beautifying their landscape and plants. Or simply, come and chat about how well your plants are doing with an EVOLVE Organic Plant Fertilizer. We love to hear your feedback on any of our products that you use! It’s free, you DON’T have to sign up and you receive a FREE sample of EVOLVE Rage Plus sample! We all love something free, don’t we!
If you have any questions, give us a call! 204-326-1015
Here is the proof of what can happen in as little as week in “our world”! There may still be snow outside, but it’s beautifully humid and warm in here, with the smell of soil and new life lingering! We’re open, come in and see our NEW greenhouse!
You Had Me At Hello – But Chocolates Are Always Welcome!
Valentine’s Day is the time of year to show our love in an affectionate or romantic way. Valentine’s cards are sent with sentimental, humourous and sometimes naughty verses by adults, and kids can join in the fun by exchanging Valentine’s cards at school as an expression of friendship towards their classmates… Who remembers the anticipation of seeing if your childhood crush would remember YOU on Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day gift giving can be as simple as an elegant, long-stemmed rose or as extravagant as a diamond necklace, but whatever you choose, the sentiment behind your gift is what counts.
Many people have Valentine’s Day plans – a special dinner at home or a romantic evening out on the town, but whatever you and your sweetie have planned, we invite you to stop by Oakridge’s Cafe for the best espresso drinks and desserts for miles around! While you’re here take a few minutes to browse through some of our gorgeous treasures recently added in the gift shop – you just might find that special something for the love of your life!
Here are some fun Valentine’s Day facts to share with your friends:
DID YOU KNOW?
Valentine’s Day Fun Fact #1: It’s All About Saints and Lovers
Valentine’s Day falls on February 14, the name day of two saints. There are different opinions and theories on the origins of the celebration, but the holiday is widely accepted as the time to exchange messages of love and devotion in the spirit of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers.
Valentine’s Day Fun Fact #2: The Red Rose Is The Flower of Love
The red rose has long been considered the flower of love. Not only does the colour red indicate strong romantic feelings of love, but the red rose was said to be the favoured flower of Venus, the Goddess of Love. A single long-stemmed red rose framed with sprigs of baby’s breath is the #1 most popular flower on Valentine’s Day, but in order for a rose to make the cut, its’ stem must be at least 24 inches in length and have a blossom ranging between two and four inches in diameter. Canada produces 12 million roses each year which translates to one million bouquets (each containing a dozen roses)!
There is more to Valentine’s Day than just roses. In Denmark, the tradition is to exchange dainty white snowdrop flowers. In Victorian times, people associated meanings with flowers and gave them to convey their feelings and desires. Here are a few non-traditional Valentine’s Day flowers and their meanings:
Purple Larkspur: First Love
Sunflower: Adoration
Yellow Chrysanthemum: Secret Admirer
Whether you choose roses, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, gerbera daisies or a mixed bouquet, giving Valentine’s Day flowers is a lovely way to express your love and affection.
Valentine’s Day Fun Flower Fact #3: It’s Okay to Treat Yourself!
If you are currently single, it’s okay to treat yourself on Valentine’s Day too! Recent statistics indicate that 52% of Canadians are currently single and many celebrate the day with a special treat, flowers or a trip to the spa!
Here are some great ways to spoil yourself rotten on Valentine’s Day:
-Go shopping and buy something you want, just because you WANT it!
-Book a hair appointment complete with scalp massage
-Go to the spa and get a luxurious full body massage
-Take the day off work and lounge around for the entire day!
-Go on a lunch date with a friend followed by manicures/pedicures (Guys too!)
Happy Valentine’s Day From Oakridge Greenhouse & Garden Centre. See you soon!
Check out our events page for all of our new workshops that we have planned this spring. Starting at the end of February we will be hosting our first 3 week home decor workshop. Cyndy will teach you how to pull together that room that you just don’t know what to do with. Folllowing that workshop, on March 16th, 18th and 23rd we will be hosting a couple of very exciting indoor gardening classes. Plant a terrarium or succulent container or come in and design your very own fairy garden. If you have never heard of a fairy garden, call Erna or Megan, Cyndy or Theresa and we’ll tell you all about it. Or just google it! It’s a new rage in the gardening world. Call to reserve your spot! Don’t miss out, we’re excited to have you and share even just a little piece of knowledge with you.
All of our fresh greens arrangements at Oakridge are designed in wet floral foam also known as “Oasis” foam. To keep your Christmas arrangement looking vigrant and fresh follow these few, easy steps.
* Check for water in the container every 3 days or so, depending on how warm and dry your home is. If you don’t feel water add warm water to 1 inch from the top of container.
* You can also apply a mist with a spray bottle every day or couple days. The greens will take up moisture through the needles.
* It’s natural for an odd green to dry up, so in this case have a couple stems of greens on hand (keep them in a cool place till needed). Take out the dry stems and add a fresh one to your arrangement.
* A very important step is to keep your arrangement away from a heat source, this will dry out your greens too fast.
Following these steps your beautiful arrangement will last up to 5 – 6 weeks in your home.
At Oakridge we are creating new arrangements daily. You can come choose a ready made one, have us design one to suite your specific taste or come take a workshop class with Theresa or Cindy. They are our experts! Bring out some girls and have a blast!
It’s December 1st and today is the day to get your Christmas tree! Thanks to our newly expanded space we have a great way to come shop for your live tree! It’s inside, and all the trees are hung up so you can browse through them and see all sides! What a concept. We have everything from the ever popular Balsam Fir, Frazer Firs, Nordman Firs and Pine trees. Lots of every price range, to fit any budget. Come see Pierre, he’ll give it a fresh cut and give you the goods on watering and having yours last into the New Year!
Poinsettia season and Christmas are upon us and I wanted to chat a little about what it means to care for your poinsettia at home. To keep your poinsettia looking beautiful, place it in an area that receives indirect sunlight. Be sure to keep it away from drafts – not by a heating vent or an outside door. Poinsettias don’t like to have their soil dry out completely, nor do they like it soggy. Our general rule of thumb is 1/2 cup of water every 3 days for a 6″ plant, and 1 cup for an 8″ plant. Another easy way to water is to take the pot cover off and place the plant in a sink partially full of water for 30mins. Then, drain the sink and allow the plant to drain for another 30mins. Replace the pot cover and you’re good to go. Enjoy your poinsettia! My favorite is a toss-up between the all white or the deep red. What a beautiful and easy way to jazz up your home this Christmas!
Construction is well under way and it’s going to start getting a little disruptive. We pride ourselves with the Oakridge atmosphere and your experience here is the most important thing to us…SO, here it comes! We are cutting open the wall TODAY to our new space. For the next couple of weeks (2 tops – cross our fingers) it will be a little louder, and hopefully not too dusty. It’s all for the good of Oakridge and we can’t wait to unveil the new space to you.
We are hosting our annual Experience Christmas at Oakridge – November 16th – by Invitation Only!
It will be a fantastic evening of music, good eats and drinks, in an unbelievable atmosphere. And for ONE last time, we will be showcasing our apartment upstairs! Get new ideas for your home and see what Christmas means to us. For your invitation – sign up HERE, on our website for our NEWSLETTER and you will receive all the info you need!
On November 17th – we will be hosting our Christmas OPEN HOUSE – serving apple cider and cookies… plus it’s the kick off day to our workshops. Be the first one to get your wreath made and hung!
As always, with any questions or to sign up call 204-326-1015
Every spring we have a dozen or more people come into the greenhouse wanting to buy tulip bulbs – they see them blooming around town and want to plant some for themselves. Tulips are a delightful spring flower; they bloom before most everything else, and add tons of cheer after our long dreary, non-gardening winters. Plus they are one of the easiest flowers to grow successfully, even for beginning gardeners.
BUT they have to be planted in September or October.
Here are a few easy steps if you haven’t planted them before:
1) Choose plump, firm bulbs – if they are withered they will not be viable
2) Dig out an area that is approximately 6” deep by 6” wide. (You’ll want to dig a few random areas of this size – tulips look best in groupings)
3) Place 2 to 5 bulbs at the bottom (not touching-maybe 3” apart), pointy end up, add a small handful of Bone meal, and replace the soil, filtering it between the bulbs.
4) Water well to start the rooting process, go inside to read a book, drink a hot toddy and wait for a great flower show next spring.
*Note – Tulips grow in most soils, but they don’t like water-logged areas which will rot the bulb.
You can also force (such a harsh word – I prefer sweet talk) tulips indoors, in other words trick the bulb into thinking it’s planted outdoors.
Follow these steps:
1) Purchase the same plump bulbs in fall, store them in a paper bag in the fridge or other cool (5 – 9 degrees C) place for at least 12 to 15 weeks.
2) Choose a pot with a drainage hole and fill with damp potting soil to within 2” of the top. (the pot should be big enough that you have at least 2” of soil below the bulbs). Add perlite if the soil is not well-draining.
3) Place bulbs into pot, pointy end up and at rim height, close together but not touching (more bulbs will make a prettier pot)
4) Cover with soil, water well and set into a sunny, warm spot.
It’s been quite the summer and I’m excited to be back into the swing of things….
We are so excited to announce that Oakridge is expanding. It’s a modest expansion, but we think it will add so much to the experience of coming to Oakridge. It is technically another greenhouse that we’re adding, with the added bonus of additional retail space for The Garden Store and Cafe. It will also open up into the main retail area of the Garden Centre, making it extremely customer friendly. We have a new vision for this space and you’ll have to experience it once it’s complete.
