An Invitation to use Heirloom Gardensback to top

Heirloom Logo I’d like to take this moment to let you know what’s new around here. I often hear from our friends in the garden center, “You guys have grown so fast.” Your continued patronage is the reason. We are doing our best to bring you a list of what is available in our ever so changing industry. Unlike the big box stores, we have more options to offer. We are known for the "not so regular" items. Our independence is your gain. From hard to find plants to favorite organics to a unique selection of gardening accessories to custom garden accents, we hope you remember to trust Heirloom as your home accent and garden supply store.

With every changing season, Heirloom Gardens is at the forefront. Our Fall & Christmas Design Elves are steadily at work. Changes inside and out are taking place daily. We are greatly anticipating a glorious season and want to share it with you all. The kids are sure to love our Oceanic Christmas Wonderland. Please come inside, beautiful new ideas and inspirations await you!

New Service: Lawn Maintenance back to top

Mowing the Lawn We know many of you are already entrusting out newest service. However, we hope to inform the rest of you that we now offer a complete lawn maintenance department. From basic weekly mowing to sod management (such as feeding, fungal & insect care). We have programs both reactive and proactive in nature to fit your needs. We continue to offer bed weeding and complete landscape installation and maintenance.

Give James a call to schedule a free consultation. Let this “Good ol’ boy” with 10 years of experience be of assistance to you. There are many reasons to use a lawn service company. When you decide it’s time, please give us a call. (979-695-2944)

Look to the last page of this newsletter for a great mowing offer

Stop and Smell the Flowers back to top

The management and staff at Heirloom Gardens and The Flower Shoppe are committed to providing top quality floral arrangements, plants, and related gifts to make your occasion wonderful. We are truly dedicated to delivering your heart-felt sentiments. We always want to make your shopping enjoyable and convenient and strive to give you the personal attention that you deserve. Be sure to visit us out back in the Flower Shoppe and check out our selection of houseplants, fresh flowers, and vases galore.

Big Announcement!!! It is that time of year again! Football season is in full swing and homecoming is right around the corner. Place your mum orders by October 1st. Do not forget to place your fall and Christmas orders to make your holiday experience more convenient. Poinsettia orders may also be placed early. Visit our Shoppe and let our sales associates assist you. The Flower Shoppe hours are Monday-Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Orders placed after 2:00 P.M. will be on the next day’s delivery schedule.

Please visit our website and Shoppe on-line at www.heirloomgardenexperts.net and learn more about us. Make complete purchases from the ease of your computer.

“Hey Heirloom, What Should I Be Doing Now?” back to top

Fall brings not only seasonal changes, but new problems and concerns for the landscape as well.

Be sure to use Terrachlor for fungal problems in your lawn from mid September and again in mid-late October. Never fertilize lawns when you have a fungal problem. Treat the fungal issues first and fast.
Do fertilize with a regular application of 21-0-14 in September and as late as mid October. After this point, use a winterizer up to the second or third week of November. Do not use weed & feed. (See store for details)
Shrubs and trees should not be fertilized after September (unless it is a root feeding plan) The “Live Oak Formula” is a great design. It is used for hardwood (slow growing) trees. It tells you what to do every single month! For a copy, stop into the store and ask. It can also be found on our website in the information section at www.heirloomgardenexperts.com
Start to feed winter food to your koi in mid November.
Treat nut grass with Image and again in 30 days. Trying to weed by hand increases the nutsedge problems.
Treat Bermuda weeds in bed now, trying to weed by hand only increases the problem. Use a High-Yield Grass Killer, available at Heirloom.
Pre-emergents are necessary to prevent all those pesky weeds that come up in the fall and over winter in your lawn and flower beds.
Remember to use “Weed Free Zone,” a Fertilome product to kill any broadleaf weeds in your lawn that have come up.
Prep your beds for winter hardy plants. Pansies should not be purchased before October 1. Long leggy foliage will occur if planted to soon. Gather your other favorites now. Use cabbages, kale, calendulas, stock, dianthus, snapdragons and even trust petunias in most of our winters here in the BCS region.

Sights & Sounds of Water back to top

Water Lily Heirloom Gardens is working hard to provide you with the largest product, plant, and fish lines available to you for purchase in the Brazos Valley. Every season seems to bring new products and ideas, we try to pick up as many of those concepts as possible.

The disappearing fountain idea has evolved to new features, basins and auto fill valves.

Bog gardens are now available as floating islands that can be filled with soil and planted with your favorite bog plants.

Green soupy water is pretty much a thing of the past. There are so many ways to operate a clear and clean water system.

Be sure to check out our outdoor fire pits. These guys are not only functional, but look like a piece of art sitting out by your relaxing spot. We have really neat brass units in right now.

Heirloom Gardens has also bought to you directly from the Caribbean a new and talented water feature designer. Come in and check out his work. He also designs many hardscapes such as patios, columns, fountains, retainer walls and just about anything having to do with concrete. It is our newest addition to our exterior landscape here on site. We also have a local bridge designer who set us up with a display for your viewing and convenience.

One In a Million back to top

by Anastasia Thrift

An article from Koi World and Water Gardens 2007-2008

Koi captivate us with their colors and character. In between the first blush of love for a platinum ogon and a solid appreciation of kohaku, however, one might wonder why koi cost so much. Prices can reach up to a few thousand for koi that are only two years old. Why?

Consider this: this beautiful koi you found in your retailer’s above-ground tank is probably the best out of its graduating class of 200,000.

Japanese koi breeders, who still produce the most highly regarded specimens, subject their fry to strict standards. Of the first batch that they harvest from the mud ponds every October, only 10 percent are considered worthy of keeping for another year. The rest are culled.

Once their first birthday comes around, another large selection of koi, often about 70 percent, do not make the cut to the next level.

After the first year, you can begin to see what colors and patterns will stay with the koi. You can determine if markings are clear or if they go too far onto the head of the lower half of the body, two things that mar otherwise perfect examples of some varieties

The remaining koi have fought pretty good odds, and continue on to retailers— often after a trans-Pacific trip. There they sit in your pond store awaiting a good home. If owners knew about their journey, from mud pit to near extermination they might have a better understanding of why there’re so valued. They’re they cream of the crop.

Soil Builder back to top

Willie Wiggles Says…

Here are the Key Facts

About Soil Builder™ Earthworm Castings:
Naturally Organic and Odor Free

No perfumes or scents added or chemically removed. The organic matter consumed by the worm is changed both physically and chemically by the worms digestive track and is actually homogenized. It can be used directly from the bag on indoor plants.

Will Not Burn:At any concentration, even the most delicate seed or bedding plant is safe. This means no fear or problems caused by over-use or misuse.

Improved Soil Structure and Aeration: Castings consist of thousands or durable cylindrically shaped pellets that resist Packing & Keep Soil Loose. This allows oxygen to permeate and remain in the root zone where it is vitally needed. The drainage is also improved by this non-packed environment.

Significant Microbial And Bacterial Activity: These free living nitrogen fixing bacteria promote healthy “living” soil that provide an optimim plant growth environment.

Plant Growth Hormones: Castings contain “Auxins and Cytokinins”, which are growth hormones for bigger and more fibrous plant roots. roots can easily grow fast, full, and fibrous.

High Availability: The trace elements combined with its structure and high microbial activity allow it to out perform what is expected of a low analysis ( NPK) fertilizer.

The key facts mentioned above are what allows Wiggle Worm Soil Builder™ to dramaticall exceed expectations.

Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed or your Money Back

see coupons for discounts

New Texas Certified Nursery Professionals back to top

It always gives us great pleasure to introduce our newest certified team members. Our most recent addition is Mrs. Laura Cargill. She really “aced the exam” and is ready to assist you all here at the store. Exams were held in Houston in June. The three hours of testing really tries one’s knowledge of plant identification, landscaping, disease and insect id and control methods for said identifications. Many attempt the exam and only 1/3 of the testers actually pass the rigorous exam. Laura is a Bryan native and really knows local plants and problems.

We at Heirloom are thankful she is part of our team and look forward to you all visiting. Congrats again Laura!!!

Don’t Forget About Our Holiday Photo Opportunities! back to top

Kids with Truck & Pumpkins Come in at your convenience, bring your family and camera and take advantage of our beautiful displays. Many use these picture settings to create personalized cards and jpgs for fall and Christmas.

Photo compliments of the Menn Family.

This was a Photo Op in '06.

Hardy Fall Bulb Program is Back back to top

We have brought heirloom species of bulbs back at your request. Stop in and see what we have available:

Monal: This variety was a big surprise at the Mercer Arboretum Daffodil Trail. It was the hands-down winner! Huger flowers are brilliant golden yellow with orange cups. Overlapping petals give the flowers a rounded appearance stunning combined with blue pansies or lobelia. Excellent cut flower. Very weather resistant. Blooms over a long period of time.
Naturalizing Daffodils & Narcissus: Bulbs can be used in the garden like any other perennial- as long as you choose your varieties based on their ability to naturalize, or perennialize, in your climate. Plant in a good garden soil with proper drainage. Most will do fine in bright shade, but can also take full sun. It’s OK to over plant with winter annuals-just make sure not to damage the bulbs by digging. Beds can also be top dressed with mulch. Feed the foliage as it comes up every fall with a liquid or granular blooming plant food. Make sure to keep granules off the foliage. Feed again after the blooms fade.

We also have bulk special orders available. Great pricing on chilled tulips, daffodils and such.

Holiday Open House in October back to top

INVITATION

Heirloom Gardens invites you to join us for our

Open House

October 18, 2007

6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Refreshments will be served. Be sure to sign up for a special door prize to be drawn at the evening closure.

Demo Workshops:

Bow tying seminars throughout the evening for 30 minutes each
Table Swags and Garland demo and many more

Holiday Consultations

Truely Enjoy the holiday season with family abd friends this year! Let Heirloom Gardens and our talented staff do all your decorating for you. You can choose a simple, yet unique accessory for thr table, or a themed complete room makeover. Call us today, 979.695.2944.

Heirloom Gardens is your premiere Christmas Showroom in the Brazos Valley. Also remember, we offer a wonderful fresh flower shop and Poinsettia bookings. Whether it is your home or office, your outdoor lights, or office lobby, we can put you and your surroundings in a true holiday spirit.