The Plant Zoo

03/30/2025

GONE GONE GONE

THANK YOU!

03/20/2025

Happy First Day of Spring!

Back in the day I used to throw a first day of spring party. You see it’s very close to my birthday and was me throwing my own party. Everyone would get a flowering plant, or possibly some more because it’s evidently not stealing if we’re friends?

All I needed was a gaggle of goons to announce it’s my birthday to everyone and the party is over, forever. It was fun the first 10 years.

03/06/2025

02/28/2025

02/25/2025

Worn out again from reading everyone’s posts, and reposting, and re-re-reposting. Some from 2016 because people don’t even read what they share. I’m not going to see how this plays out. I don’t care what your political affiliation is, just so long as you pull your head out of the sand (or compost) and work together to stand up for yourselves. Remember 911? Be that person! (I’m not naming them. If you want to use any, feel free.)

02/20/2025

When I listed wholesale nurseries I forgot a favorite!

Kind Earth Growers

https://www.kindearthgrowers.com

02/14/2025

LIVE TREE STAKES & WHIPS – Yeah, Baby!

What in the world are they? If you know you know (btw, I hate when people post with IYKYK, because I never know).

Live tree stakes & whips are stems from trees and shrubs that you cut and plant directly in the soil, or pots. An extremely cost-effective way to go for restoration projects, or even just one or two for your own garden. Old Cheapy McCheap loves propagating plants this way (that’s me). February and early March in our hoods is when you would do it, or in fall. Success rate is about 70% for most, and hardwood trees a bit lower.

It’s really simple. You cut branches from other plants that have a stem about the thickness of your thumb (1/2 inch to 2 inches). The bottom of the stem should be angled. Some folks just use a hammer to plant them. I use a piece of rebar and then plant into that hole. You do not need rooting hormone. You plant the live stakes so that 2/3 is in the soil and has nodes on it (leaf buds). Make sure they do not dry out after planting. One way to help is to dribble some wax on the top wound, or some craft paint. It's been years since I have done this, but I use different colors of craft paint because sometimes a stick looks like a stick in winter. You’re finished. In 6 to 8 weeks your plant should be rooted. If not, don't give up. Patience please.

What plants can you grow with this method? Welp, they are mostly wetland plants, and should be poked into those types of soils or pots that can be grown on the wetter side (in no particular order):

Coralberry
American Sycamore
American Beautyberry
Any of the native shrub Dogwoods
Silky Dogwood (now has a different Latin name)
Smooth/Speckled Alder
Blueberry
Button Bush
Hydrangea arborescens
River Birch (some along the road I live on)
Elderberry
Ninebark
Red or Silver Maple
Snowberry
Spicebush
Sweet Pepperbush
Arrowood Viburnum (dentatum)
Willows

There are more, and google has those answers!

There are a lot of sources for live tree stakes online (CHA-CHING), and locally I would recommend Harmony Hill Nursery in Downingtown PA (You are allowed to namedrop me)- They sell them in fall. https://www.facebook.com/eatsleeptrees/

If you want to locate more info on the internet you need to call them live tree stakes or you'll end up seeing pages and pages of wooden and metal poles.

THE END

02/13/2025

Folks who belong to Master Garden groups, or those who are starting their own businesses, here is a list of sources for plugs. There are plenty to choose from in the USA, but these are a 2 to 3 day ship, and may allow pick ups. There are usually initial minimum purchase requirements.

pic to get your attention (geez I was fat)

Brokers:
McHutchison https://www.mchutchison.com/

Eason Horticultural Resources https://ehrnet.com/

Plug Growers:

Walters Gardens (Huge Grower of the newer stuff) https://www.waltersgardens.com/

Emerald Coast Growers https://ecgrowers.com/

Creek Hill Nursery https://www.creekhillnursery.com/

North Creek Nursery https://www.northcreeknurseries.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.main/index.htm

Hoffman Nursery https://hoffmannursery.com/ (Grasses)

Taylor Creek https://www.taylorcreeknurseries.com/

Stonehouse Nursery https://stonehousenursery.com/

New Moon Nursery (I worked there for 9 years - don't name drop me unless you'd like to be banned from purchasing from them too) https://www.newmoonnursery.com/

Agristarts - https://www.agristarts.com/

Kurt Bluemel https://www.kurtbluemel.com/

Pizzo Native Plant Nursery https://www.pizzonursery.com/

02/11/2025

The Plant Zoo has been permanently closed since September 2024 due to me being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in July. (& given 3 weeks to live - fooled ya grim reaper)

I haven’t closed the page because some folks might want to search it for plant bios and honestly I think of my previous customers as good friends.

So with that said, I am not open for spring. I will be giving away the rest of my supplies in March if I’m alive.

Thanks for continuing to follow the page. It really helps me when I’m feeling down or lonely.

Happy Valentine’s Week!

You are loved by at least one old goober.

02/10/2025

I just need a break from bigotry ridden posts about the halftime show. (If you’re complaining then you’re probably part of the problem).

PLUS over shared political posts. Find your own voice and share that, sheeple!