Great resource!

While trolling on the internet for garden-related resources, I found a great site which links gardening blogs! Check out www.digindirt.com for a comprehensive collection of eclectic garden journals from all across the country. We might be on there too!

We're going to the IGC show!

River Bend is going to the Independent Garden Center show in Chicago next week! This three-day expo hosts independent garden centers only, no big box stores, and is specifically tailored to address the needs of our unique retail environment. We are very excited to meet with other independent garden centers from around the country to get new ideas and strategies for the upcoming seasons. We will post pictures! Plus, Charlie Daniels of "Devil Went Down to Georgia" fame will be playing a free concert while we're there. Nothing wrong with a little southern flavor...

Getting caught up!

River Bend has gone through some drastic changes in the last couple of months, the major one being we had to close our floral department. Unfortunately, due to the bad state of the economy we could not afford to keep a full time floral designer on staff. So we no longer do fresh cut flowers for weddings or other events. However, we still have a huge selection of trees and shrubs, as well as hard goods like pottery and arbors that are available for rental, and we offer design consultations for anyone looking to create a unique look for their function. We will post pictures of installations as they are completed.

In other news, rose bushes are 50% OFF! If you've ever longed for a rose bush to brighten a sunny spot in your garden, now is the perfect time to come on in and browse our great selection of climbing and landscape shrub roses. We have a nice variety of colors to choose from, and our knowledgable staff will make sure you choose the right plant for your needs. Roses can be somewhat finicky to care for, and they do require maintenance to look their best. Compost, fertilizer, proper drainage, good all-day sunlight and judicious pruning can make a rose explode with gorgeous blooms that not only look beautiful, but attract good insect pollinators to your garden. We can help you get everything you need, and walk you step by step through the world of rose parenting!

Oh, and lest we forget--our popular BLOOMIN' BUCKS redemption program starts this week! Through the month of August you can redeem your Bloomin' Bucks that you collected with purchases in May and June. Get great deals on furniture, plants, supplies, and anything else you need for your home and garden! Come on in and find something fun!

Ring in Spring!

With colorful plants! We have a fantastic selection of gorgeous spring plants in stock! Primroses, african violets, Easter lilies, gerber daisies, kalanchoe and lots of mixed planters to adorn your Easter table this year! We can send a cheerful plant to someone special in the area, or make up a cut flower arrangement with tulips and daffodils to brighten someone's day. Give a burst of color to banish the end-of-winter blues. Come down and browse our warm greenhouse for some inspiration...

Snow, snow, here to stay?

Winter just won't quit here in New England, where another four inches of snow fell today. Yesterday it was warm and sunny, and tomorrow will be around 4o degrees. Mud season is here! Don't forget your Muck Boots and Yaktracks, because even if winter is slowly releasing its hold, there are still slippery spots. What are your signs of spring? One of our favorite signs that winter is leaving are the birds, which around River Bend are plentiful and loud this time of year, as well as the colors of tulips and daffodils our florist uses in her spring arrangements. Soon Easter will be upon us, with white Easter lilies, red azaleas, pink hyacinths, purple crocuses, fragrant gardenias, and more. What's your favorite sign of spring?

Spring is...well, not here yet.

But it's on it's way! Even though we just got two more inches of the white fluffy stuff last night, some of our seed packets have arrived and more will be coming soon. We're getting a great selection of organic seeds for folks to start planning their gardens, as well as starting a few things inside on a sunny window. Having tasty organic herbs at your fingertips in the kitchen during the last waning days of winter is a real motivator for growing tomatoes, beans, lettuce, etc. later in the spring, since parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, sage, and whatever herbs you like to grow will continue to flourish throughout the growing season adding tons of flavor to your dinner table. River Bend has Jiffy Peat pots, planting trays, fertilizer, and germinating mix to get you started. Why use germinating soil mix instead of potting soil? Germinating soil mix is lighter and fluffier than potting soil, and drains quicker. So more of your seeds will start popping, and are less likely to mold. One trick to get certain seeds to start is to nick the shell with your fingernail. This will help the shoot push out of shell quicker. A great way to start seeds is to use Jiffy greenhouses. Simply fill the holes with germinating mix, push your seeds into the soil and water very gently. Place the plastic top and set the tray on a warm spot in your house (but not hot!). Make sure to keep the tray moist but not soggy, and your seeds will sprout very quickly. Jiffy greenhouses make it easy to start multiple kinds of seeds without a lot of mess, and if cleaned and disinfected after use, can be reused year after year. Come on in and get started on spring!

Welcome!

Welcome to the RiverBend Home & Garden blog! Here you will find all sorts of information on gardening, floral design, and anything else we can think of. Enjoy!