Rice's Nursery Garden Center

2010-12-12T08:06:00.001-08:00

Rain before the snow... I hear anything from 6-18" for the next few days. Luckily our Christmas Trees are under cover!

2010-11-28T07:36:00.001-08:00

Just a reminder... Saturday is Santa at NOON! Bring your friends and family to see him arrive on a FIRETRUCK!

2010-11-27T07:53:00.001-08:00

What a perfect today to pick out a perfect Christmas tree. Stop out and see us!

2010-11-24T14:32:00.001-08:00

We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! We are closed tomorrow but will be back open on Friday at 8am.

2010-11-24T10:26:00.001-08:00

Don't forget about Rice's Gift Cards for the holidays! I guarantee we won't be as crowded as the mall and they make great gifts!

2010-11-23T07:15:00.001-08:00

Take advantage of the warm weather and get decorating! Stop in and get advice on what to do with your holiday greens.

2010-11-21T06:36:00.001-08:00

This is the last Sunday we will be closed for awhile. Starting on Monday, we are back to 7 days a week! M-F 8-6pm, Sat 8-5pm, Sun 10-5pm.

2010-11-11T07:59:00.001-08:00

You can also follow us on Twitter at @ricesnursery for more updates!

2010-11-10T14:04:00.001-08:00

Our first load of Poinsettia's are HERE! Now the store really looks ready for the holidays. They last forever so pick one up now!

2010-11-09T05:49:00.001-08:00

Our first load of "GREENS" just arrived. We'll be spending the day sorting and pricing. Is there anything you are looking for?

2010-11-06T12:35:00.001-07:00

Pruning Tip: Cut back your butterfly bush to about 3 feet now, and then to about 8" to 12" around Mother's Day.

2010-11-06T08:21:00.001-07:00

The Amaryllis bulb: Start now for big bold holiday blooms, watch it grow http://exm.nr/dBGMzU

2010-11-04T14:35:00.001-07:00

Last minute tree deals going on at Rice's! We have some crabapples, hawthorn, maples and a few other varieties that we are dealing on.

2010-11-04T14:16:00.001-07:00

If you are thinking about getting grass to germinate its to late. Try dormant seeding right around Thanksgiving if you have bare spots.

2010-11-03T08:04:00.001-07:00

Knockout Roses : Cut them down to 18-24" now and then to 4-6" around April 15th. If they are exposed, mound them a little bit with leaves.

2010-11-01T14:32:00.001-07:00

One more thing - All crabapples are between $50 and $75 a piece! We still have some great trees left!

2010-11-01T14:23:00.001-07:00

I'm watching our first artificial tree going up in probably 8 years in front of my office!

2010-11-01T12:26:00.001-07:00

We're painting and primping in the store this week for the holidays. We're also moving everything around to make room for our holiday goods!

2010-11-01T06:04:00.001-07:00

Now is a GREAT time to transplant any trees or shrubs that need to be moved. Make sure you water them once a week until the ground freezes!

2010-10-31T07:57:00.001-07:00

What a great Sunday... Coffee, newspaper and bacon. Only thing missing is Browns football today.

What's Happening @ Rice's this week...

2010-01-16T07:04:00.001-08:00

If you were to walk into the store right now you would think a bomb went off! In an effort to re-invent ourselves every year we spend the winters painting, moving, building, fixing, etc. Currently we are painting the back section of the store to match the red in the "Garden Inspiration Area". We also have some new display pieces coming that we purchased at the Americasmart Show in Atlanta last week.

Speaking of Americasmart, you're going to see our gift selection increase throughout the season. We have some really unique items coming in the next couple of months. We've decided to bring back the gift shop feel inside the store. With the addition of new fixtures, lighting, new paint and possibly new flooring you should experience a slight transformation taking place. We're excited about the changes coming!

Feel free to stop in anytime from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday to see what's going on. Just be careful where you step!

Steve
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Planning for next year

2009-12-15T18:37:00.001-08:00

It's about 20 degrees outside right now, but in my mind it's about 75 and the greenhouse is overflowing with plants. In front of me is one of next years tropical orders and I am slowly perusing the pages of new and unusual plants for next year. I've amped up the order for citrus plants and patio tropicals with a bit of guilt knowing some may end up at my house at the end of the season.

We are fortunate in our profession that we escape one season in anticipation of the next. Even though Christmas is an important part of our business, it's an early business for us. Meaning the most profitable part of it happened two weeks ago. At this point we are just hanging on until the end of the season. We still have a few poinsettia plants and a couple of lonely Frasers left. One more week and this year is officially over for us.

But, in my mind it's just gearing up for another wonderful season!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Planting Trees-HGTV

2009-10-11T10:23:00.001-07:00

Great video on how to plant a tree.

Rain, Rain Come our Way!

2009-09-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

I find it amazing that here it is September 26 and we are finally getting the first real rain in many days. We can usually count on fall to be cool and wet. Well - not this year. It seems that every season has been a little off lately.

Since it has been so dry, PLEASE remember to water your plants. I know perennials and shrubs I had planted back in April were looking VERY thirsty. For those of you who planted trees, make sure you are watering at least once a week but no more then twice a week. Give them a good drink - 2" caliper trees or larger could easily be watered for 30-45 min. at a very slow trickle. New perennials and shrubs should be watered at least 2-3 times a week with enough water to soak the plant and the ground around it. Once the leaves fall off the trees and shrubs (and I mean when they are supposed to fall off) cut back the watering to once a week to once every two weeks.

Also, remember to get out and fertilize your trees, shrubs and perennials. Plant-Tone and Holly-Tone work great right now. Just be sure to use half the rate that you would have used in the spring.

With all the fall activities going on this year, don't forget to decorate your doorstep. We have LOTS of fall decorations and plenty of gourds and pumpkins to choose from.

Enjoy the rain!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Fall is for Decorating

2009-09-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

It wasn't to long ago that Fall was known for planting. It is still one of the best times to plant, however we've discovered its more FUN to decorate! We've got a great selection of our own farm grown pumpkins and gourds to choose from. Some of them are beyond description - which makes it so much fun!

We also have cornstalks, straw (mini and regular), and all sorts of Halloween decorations. Don't forget about the mums and other colorful fall plants that freshen up those tired summer containers.

And YES it's still a great time to plant. Cooler weather and additional moisture makes planting trees and shrubs a "no-brainer". Even though the last week has been exceptionally dry, the cooler weather is a huge advantage for new plants. We have some great prices on trees at the nursery right now. Also, don't forget about the Farm Tree Sale the first two Saturdays in October. We'll have some great prices on the trees that were dug this year, and of course you have first pick on the trees to be dug this fall and spring.

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

2009-07-21T12:26:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to an exciting Summer at Rice's Nursery. Come out and see what you are missing!

The beetles are coming! The BEETLES are COMING!

2009-06-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

Oh no!!! It's that time of the year again when those pesky Japanese Beetles escape from the ground and descend on trees, shrubs and perennials in our gardens. The question of what to do, and what NOT to do is a hot topic in the garden center right now.

We are not big fans of the beetle bags since they attract LOTS of beetles that feed continuously until they reach the bag. Then, the bag can only hold so many so often the remaining beetles keep feasting away on your plants!

We have a couple recommendations that will kill and keep your beetles away. EIGHT which is a product produced by Bonide does a great job. It kills the ones that are there, and then remains on the leaf 3-4 weeks keeping beetles off your plants. This product seems to be the most effective.

Spinosad which is the ingredient in Captain Jack's (also from Bonide) is supposed to also kill the beetles and is listed for organic gardening. If you are protecting veggies and herbs - this is the product for you!

Both of these come in a hose-end attachments, a ready to use spray bottle, and a concentrate for your pump-sprayer. All of which can be purchased at the nursery right now.

Get them early, otherwise they will do significant damage to your plants in a very short period of time!

Avoid "Killing your plants with kindness"

2009-06-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

Now that summer is officially here we need to be concerned about watering. Often, we become concerned with OVER WATERING, or killing plants with kindness! Even though this seems to go againest what most people think, overwatering is more dangerous then underwatering. Here is a breakdown of what we recommend for watering your plants:

The roots of newly planted trees and shrubs must not dry out completely. This is especially the case during the first growing season, since such stress may kill the plant. Here are some tips on how and when to water your newly planted trees & shrubs.

HOW
- Remove the nozzle from your hose and place it approximately six inches from the stem or trunk.
- Apply small stream of water (1/4”) to soak the ground for 3 to 15 minutes depending on plant size.
- Or, use a Gator Bag watering device for each tree and fill every 3 days (ask about this time saving watering device)
- Shade, pine and spruce trees all require different amounts of water:
- Shrubs 3-5 minutes
- Ornamentals (Flowering Crabs, etc. ) 10-15 minutes
- Evergreens (6’ ht) 15 minutes
- Deciduous (2 1/2” Cal.) 15-20 minutes (add 15 minutes to every additional inch of caliper)
WHEN
As a quick reference (under normal conditions):
April 15 - May 15 (Water once a week)
May 16 - Sept 15 (Water twice a week)
Sept 16 - Oct 31 (Water once a week)
Mid-November - Early December (Water once when the soil is not frozen)

POTTED PLANTS
Water once a day especially if they are in full sun. The best method is to lift the pot or use a water meter to be safe.

CAUTION: MORE TREES AND PLANTS ARE KILLED BY TOO MUCH WATER THAN TOO LITTLE.

Sping is in FULL swing!

2009-05-17T05:39:00.001-07:00

Well, it's official! Spring is in full swing at the nursery. The greenhouse is completely full and overflowing with fresh flowers and foliage for you to choose from. The hanging baskets are full and colorful and awaiting a home. We have some great deals on hanging baskets when you buy two or more.

The perennials we've grown this year are looking perfect and are being moved from the greenhouses to the tables. They are now buy 4 get the 5th one free for the rest of the season. Stop out and talk with our one of our perennial experts - Linda, Karen or Jeanine - to find the right plant for the right place in your yard.

If you are looking for a new tree or shrub, or looking to re-do a section of your yard stop out and see Ken, Steve or Derek. You can also bring in pictures, or the whole digital camera and we can give you some suggestions on what and where to add a little spark of color into your landscape. We are continuing our Spring tree sale so stop out and ask to see some of the specials we are offering.

As always, our famous jumbo stock geraniums are full of color and are 3 for $27.00. Don't wait until the end of May because they might be gone!

If you have never been out to see us, please do. May is the BEST month to see everything in all its glory. Pictures can't describe how beautiful the plants look, and how helpful the staff is. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

The Signs of a Tough Winter...

2009-04-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

During this past weekend I received a lot of questions about ugly evergreens. Mostly broadleaf, such as boxwood, holly, rhododendrons and azaleas. Typically what we are seeing is winterburn. Winterburn occurs when the root zone becomes frozen and the plant sustains constant cold winds. When this happens the leaves can no longer take up moisture and they begin to dry out. If this condition continues, the entire leaf may dry and die.

In order to prevent this a couple things can be done. Either provide a wind break such as a burlap fence, or use Wilt-Pruf in the fall and winter. Wilt-Pruf is a sticky type substance that adheres to the leaves and prevents the winds from drying them out. It is important to do this at least twice during the fall/winter months.

The big question is, what can you do with the plants now? At this point a little pruning and feeding can go along way. Holly-Tone is a great fertilizer that can be applied right now to help the plants recover from that tough winter. If you do not see any new leaves sprouting in the next few weeks you may have to do some pruning to remove any dead wood.

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Now is the time to PLANT!

2009-04-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

Wow! We've spent the last few weeks digging trees out at our tree farm and they look incredible. Some of the dwarf crabapples we currently have in are very full with near perfect shape and are in my opinion the best we have had in a long time. The pears look great and are all budded up and ready to bloom. The maples are here with more on the way this week.

The weather is absolutely ideal to plant trees and shrubs at your house. I know I will be working on a few projects this week that I have been putting off for way to long. I plan on creating my own "green screen" of sorts to create some privacy in my backyard. I am very anxious to get out and get things done!

I'm very excited for the next few weeks ahead because of all the great plants that will be arriving daily at the nursery. If you have a spot at your home or busines that needs a few new plants or trees, bring in a digital image and we can help figure out what would work best for you. You could even email the images to my address below and I can offer some options and email it back!

Hope to see you soon!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Take the time this weekend...

2009-03-18T04:46:00.000-07:00

This Saturday at 9:00am we start our Spring series of seminars. I can't believe it is already that time of the year. The weather has been very cooperative the past couple of weeks and it has been wonderful to see all the familiar faces coming in the door.

Alot of the questions we've been hearing will be discussed in our first session on Saturday - "Spring Cleanup:Preparing your Beds for Mulch" at 9am. This seminar will offer advice on preperation, tools and techniques on getting the beds ready for Spring.

The second session will be on "Getting a Jumpstart: 4 Steps to a Greener Lawn" at 11am. It's that time of the year to get the first step (Crabgrass Preventer) on your lawn. We will be discussing the timing, and the importance of doing a 4 Step fertilization process.

Please visit our website for the other seminars that will be coming up. SEMINARS

We also have pansys on sale and some really unique trees in shrubs in right now. Things are certainly warming up at the nursery!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Spring has SPRUNG!

2009-03-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

Spring has SPRUNG at Rice's Nursery this week. We've potted all of our 2000+ roses and 10,000+ perennials, and the semi's have started rolling in with plant material. At least half of our dogwoods are in, and some really unique shrubs and trees have arrived from the west coast.

A lot of our staff are now back from the loooong winter and the greenhouse is starting to take shape. The new line of fountains are arriving today, and the pottery and containers are finding homes in the greenhouse.

We anxiously await the best part of Spring however... And that is YOU the customer! Our shelves are getting stocked, the plants are growing and the hardgoods are here.

Keep an eye out on our website and your mailbox for the seminar listings for the year. The March newsletter should arrive within the week with April's soon to follow.

Spring has SPRUNG!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

"A View to a Thrill"

2009-02-28T07:47:00.001-08:00

As I sit drinking coffee while looking out into my greenhouse I get very excited of what's to come. I know I will be starting our seeds very soon with the help of my youngest daughter. She not only enjoys the thrill of planting, but the anticipation of what's to come. She just reminded me the other day that it is getting close to that time again.

The big question is what to plant and when? I like to plan my garden on the vegetables we consume. However, since I like to experiment I often will pick tomatoes that look different just to have fun. We usually end up giving some of our veggies away to friends and I like to give them the most unusual. Purple or yellow tomatoes, ones with stripes and some that look more like a science fiction character.

In order to do this correctly, you should look at the days to maturity on the seed pack. You can visit our website to learn more about that... Seed Starting Times

I know the thrill for us is watching and nurturing the little plants until they make it to the garden. I would encourage you to get thinking about it - especially if you have children. It's a fun way to get them involved in gardening!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Cabin Fever

2009-02-23T10:43:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I have recently been overcome with "cabin fever". I long for those days of getting home from work, grabbing a cool beverage and getting comfortable in a chair on the back patio. I usually will sit for about 30 minutes before I start a fire and light the grill. Extended daylight, warm breezes and the sounds of birds chirping. I know I am ready!

So - what can you and I do now to get over this feeling? I would recommend picking up a bright spring flower from us to help chase the grey away. Or, spend a few minutes looking at our seed collections and plan that garden you've been thinking about.

As I stare out my office window I see all the new things we will be selling this year. Despite what you see on MSNBC, CNN, FoxNews, etc. we are getting ready for a GREAT Spring.

Get over that "cabin fever" by getting over here to see a bit of Spring and all the great things to come.

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Facebook Experiment

2009-02-13T12:29:00.000-08:00

Lately I have become fascinated with Facebook. I have been using it for probably 6 months now and until recently I hadn't noticed how many people I know that are on it. It seems that my list of "friends" has exploded lately. I think partly because of the long winter and pure boredom. But also because this is the an easy way to communicate with our peers, friends and family.

The reason I bring this up, is because of Rice's Nursery Facebook Fan Page. We started this to help communicate some of the new and different things we are doing. The difference between this and a website are the notifications. If you sign up for our fan page, (and I hope you do) you will get notifications when content or events change. You can also signup for our seminars online through the fan page.

Also this gives some people an opportunity to try out Facebook to see how it works. If you get the chance stop by Rice's Nursery Fan Page and signup!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Was that the sun???

2009-02-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

After such a dreary, snowy few weeks I was very happy to see the sun the other day. I think what we need now is a good melt, and then start over with a fresh coat of white powder.

Believe it or not snow cover is a good thing for plants in our yard. Snow insulates the roots and keeps moisture in the ground especially during those periods of wind and cold. So as most of us curse the constant snowfall, our plants relish it.

During these cold times don't forget to feed the birds! When the snow is deep, it can be difficult for finches to eat the seeds from your cone flowers or Black-eyed Susans that you may have left standing through the winter. It's a good idea to setup a thistle feeder for times just like this.

If you are looking for something to brighten up your day don't forget to stop by and pick up a flowering plant for your office or kitchen. Even a little African Violet can brighten up a room!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Winter Pruning

2009-01-11T07:37:00.001-08:00

As I helped out with snow removal this past storm, I couldn't help but notice all the trees and shrubs that could use a little winter pruning. I saw junipers, yews, perennials and trees all covering walkways and/or driveways. Now is a good time to do some "safety" pruning.

Even though the timing may not be ideal for some trees and shrubs because of flowering time, it is a good time to prevent hazards. Yews, junipers or any sprawling plants should be trimmed away from sidewalks to keep people from tripping or trampling these plants under the snow. Tree limbs reaching out over sidewalks or driveways should be trimmed back to prevent your vehicle from being scratched or an eye poked out!

Salt can also injure many plants around your home so please use caution when applying. It is important to create a safe path to your door or garage but keep in mind the overuse of salt or calcium can lead to headaches in the Spring/Summer.

If you are still unsure on whether or not to prune something, send me an email and I will see if I can help!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Getting Ready for the Holidays

2008-12-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

As I have been getting ready for the holidays, I’ve had to make the journey through the mall area. I wonder how bad things are when I see traffic jams, full restaurant parking lots and just general mayhem. I am curious what our customers will be doing next year? All I can say is we will be ready and anxious for the first warm day, and the first load of flowers on our dock. Before you know it the crocuses will be poking out of the snow looking for the warm rays of sunshine.

We are looking to make next year one of the best through creativity, hard work and servicing our customers the best way we can. As we prepare to shutdown the store for the next 12 days, I am personally looking forward to spending more time with my family. For most of us here it’s a time to relax the mind and body for the next season ahead. From everyone at Rice’s we hope you enjoy the holidays and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Steve
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Winter Projects - "We Plan... You Plant"

2008-12-22T13:37:00.000-08:00

I know I enjoy planning ahead for spring when I am sitting at home on a cold winter day. Sometimes I will go through magazines that I didn’t get a chance to read last spring and pick out a few projects that I would like to attempt when the weather breaks. If you are a like me, why not take advantage of a service we offer during the winter months. We have something called “We Plan… You Plant”. We ask you to bring in photographs (on a digital camera, memory stick, CD, etc.) and some measurements of the area you would like to work on. We will then discuss some of the plants, colors and styles that you prefer. We will then get to work on a ‘plan’ for you to ‘plant’ in the spring.

The advantage of doing this in the winter months is we can get it done quickly. With all the pictures available on the web we can even give you a ‘tour’ of the plants in your future garden. Call to setup an appointment with one of our garden center designers today.

Steve
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

To Kill or Not to Kill - That is the question with Houseplants

2008-12-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

For many, bringing in houseplants after a warm season outdoors can be a certain death sentence. What I have found to be the problem is death by kindness often attributed to overwatering. Watering houseplants or any plants for that matter is relatively simple. For small to medium sized containers lifting the pot when dry and then again after a watering can give you a good 'feel' for what dry is. Sometimes just looking at the soil or poking a finger in the soil isn't enough.

I water most of my plants once a week since I have an area that is very humid. For homes or rooms that are dry, it may be more then that. It is possible to purchase a water meter for larger plants or for those who are unsure.

It's also good to know the particular requirements for your plants. Visit this link to determine the specific needs of your plant. Or, if still unsure call us at the nursery (330) 499-9622 and we will see if we can help.

Steve
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

What do you do all Winter?

2008-12-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

This is one question that all of us in this industry love to address. Some take vacations, some travel to trade shows, but most of us work on spring. The spring season is make-or-break time for us in the Garden Center. It takes months of preparation to be ready for April-May-June. You will often find us working on displays, painting, tagging and pricing hard goods, potting new plants, working on marketing or even training.

Here are a few items we are looking forward to getting in soon:
At home irrigation kits for shrubs, trees and containers
New ESPOMA Holly-Tone, Plant-Tone and Tree-Tone (Now 100% Organic with root stimulants) - On a side note, check out Espoma's New Plant Food Recommender
Twist & Shout Everblooming Lacecap Hydrangea - Link

I know most people assume that it slows down in the winter and it does in one respect. We have less customers coming in the store. But, we manage to keep busy with the preparation.

Since we will be open this year, we encourage all our customers to stop in to see what's going on in the store. We also would love to see another smiling face besides the ones we see every day!

Stop in and say 'HI' this winter!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Rice's Nursery Garden Center

2008-12-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our blog! Every week we are going to work on answering questions we are receiving at the Garden Center. If you would like to ask a question, please email us at questions@ricesnursery.com and we will do our best to respond as quickly as possible. Some of the questions will be posted in this blog in hopes of helping our fellow gardeners around Stark County.

The first question we are going to answer is, "What are your hours this winter?"
We will be closed from December 24 - January 4th but will reopen January 5th. From then on we will be open 9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Question #2
Can I still buy bird seed at your store?

Answer: Absolutely! As a matter of fact, we are offering Curbside Service for our customers. You can stop in our store or download a menu here. You can then call ahead with your order and we will have it ready for pickup. You won't even have to leave your car, because we will be watching for you! We will bring it out to your car when you arrive and you can pay by credit card, check or cash. We encourage you to take advantage of this service especially during the cold and wintry Ohio days!

Stop in and see us!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com