A Note from Scott and Marsha
October 6, 2022
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We hope you are enjoying a magical week, having survived the unpredictable rainy weekend we had. We made the most of it in every way we could and will continue to shine our pumpkins and be on-hand, ready to help you with your fall planting needs!
Judy, one of our amazing and wonderful Plant Coaches, made a suggestion a few months ago. She suggested I write more about the history of FGS; surely I have Before & After pictures somewhere. Hhhhhmmmm. I thought this could fun.
We tend to have tunnel vision seeing it all on a daily basis. I think we become blind to change. I sent Lizzie on the hunt for past pictures, not realizing she would have to search Facebook and 7,000+ pictures. Once I realized this, I knew I could find them lickety-split, so into the vault I went. What a trip down memory lane!
We will start with the above image: where we are in 2022. Pumpkins galore in our Shade Lane structure. I mean, how adorable is this? We absolutely love flipping this space from summer to fall. There is just something about the crisp, cool air that makes everyone walk a little lighter after the very, VERY HOT and humid summer. I am not into triple digit temperatures - who's with me on that? This year, the space is magical and I love what our team has done with the decorating. I swear, they don't even need me!
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Throw back to maybe 2015? Scott and I were working for Mrs. Davis and it may have been my second year. This was my idea of a pumpkin display. This may have also been in the very early years of Pinterest, or before Pinterest even existed!
When I found it, I actually chuckled. I think I may have stressed Scott out as I navigated finding pumpkins and the risk of buying essentially "fresh" produce. Mrs. Davis thought it was a wonderful idea and loved it, so "we" won. I think I vaguely remember the discussion and it may have been hostile. "How am I supposed to have a magical display on a $200 budget, Scott?!" SMH. Joy-kill.
Mrs. Davis, Andrew (her assistant), and Max (her dog), would love to stop in and pick out her mums and pumpkins for her porches. They enjoyed rolling from season to season with us, even if they weren't involved on a daily basis. If they didn't pick them out, we sent them with Scott when he had his weekly lunch with her. Those really were some good times. As we roll from season to season, we are reminded how much we miss them, their smiles, and their encouragement.
Please note in the image there are ZERO structures leading to the indoor space. That is what made me laugh the most! What also makes me laugh is how many times Scott has said "no," and, well, here we are!
We are reminded how grateful we are for the task at hand. Since taking ownership in 2016, we made a "few" changes over the years. You'll just have to walk this with me over the next month. You, too, can laugh with us because when I showed Scott some of the pictures, his response was, "Stopppppppp. What were we doing?" To which I replied, "It's pretty obvious we didn't know what we were doing." LOL!
What are you doing today? I hope FGS is included in your adventure this week because like we say, "You've never shopped for plants at a place like this." Or at least we hope not!
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CONEFLOWER SALE!
BUY 2, GET 1 FREE
Besides spring, fall is the best time to plant coneflowers! They bloom in spring and early summer, but can last into early fall. They are a perennial you can enjoy for years to come!
Coneflowers make excellent cut flowers for floral arrangements. They also attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making them a great choice for pollinator gardens!
Stop by for your coneflowers and make sure to plant them before the first frost! Discount is automatically applied at the register. This sale will last until they are gone!
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AFRICAN VIOLETS
African Violets are an easy-care plant. They will let you know when they need water; when the plant is too dry, the leaves wilt. They love bright, indirect sunlight and can also grow under flourescent lights. Make sure they have proper drainage and you'll be set! They are also pet-friendly and if you fertilize them regulary, they will produce a larger quantity of blooms.
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BIRD BATHS
If you are a lover of all kinds of creatures, you definitely need a bird bath in your garden! It can brighten up an outdoor space while providing a crucial water source for your woodland friends. You'll be able to bird watch while they take a dip.
Bird baths also attract beneficial insects, so the overall health of your garden will improve - sort of like a natural pest control system. Or, if you have a pollinator garden, you can fill a bird bath with marbles or stones before adding in water, and all sorts of pollinators will have a safe place to land and enjoy a drink.
Our new arrivals will add the perfect touch of fall color to your garden!
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BURNING BUSH EUONYMUS
The best thing about this time of year is the changing colors, and nothing screams fall more than the color crimson! The Burning Bush Euonymus adds a burst of color to any landscape. Its foliage and unusual fruit begin to turn bright red in October, providing gorgeous autumn interest. There is little required when it comes to caring for Burning Bush, as this plant is versatile, hardy, and can tolerate full sun.
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Weekends from Sep 16 - Oct 30
Raise your hand if you’re ready for fall! The leaves changing colors, pulling out cozy sweaters and blankets, lighting candles, decorating or carving pumpkins, delicious seasonal food and drinks – what’s not to love?
You’ll find everything you need for fall gardening, decorating with pumpkins, and planting fall flowers (pansies, mums, and more!) right here at the Garden Center! We’ll have MORE extended-hour Fridays so you have even more time to shop and enjoy a drink or Sunset Slush while you’re at it.
That’s not all: this year we are fully embracing the fun, the vibes, and the season of change. We’ll have a wide variety of events, classes, workshops, and more so you can enjoy autumn at For Garden’s Sake!
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Trivia Night
Friday, October 7, 5PM-8PM
Location: The Garden Center
Sharpen your trivia knowledge and grab your friends because we are putting another twist on For Friday’s Sake with a Trivia Night! Teams of 2-4 players can expect a game show style event with fun trivia that covers a variety of topics. We’ll do three rounds, each on the hour, so if you can’t arrive right at 5PM, no sweat! You’ll still be able to play. There will even be small prizes awarded to the FGS fans with the sharpest trivia knowledge! Come test your skills, grab a drink, and shop at your favorite Garden Center.
The Garden Center will have extended shopping hours with pumpkins, mums, pansies, houseplants, and more until 8PM! The Potting Shed will be open late as well, with seasonal drinks and Sunset Slush.
Presenter: Del Johnston
Admission is FREE for participants and audience members! You don’t need to register to play. Please limit teams to 2-4 players.
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Saturday, October 8, 10AM-11AM
Location: The Potting Shed
Did you know that caring for your houseplants during winter looks very different than caring for them in the summer? If you are wondering about how to best care for your plants in the dormant months, then this class is for you! We will talk about light, water, and humidity for your plants.
Fee is $15/person, includes a river stone hydration tray
PAYMENT AT TIME OF REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to hold your spot.
Registration without payment will be disregarded.
Instructor: Debbi Barrett, FGS Plant Coach
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Saturday, October 8, 2PM-3PM
Location: The Potting Shed
Create a colorful Fall container garden that you can show off all season long! Learn care tips and simple design techniques and unleash your creativity. Select your favorite colors with greenery and flowers to create that stunning “fill, spill, THRILL” look to complete your fall aesthetic.
Fee is $55/person, includes all necessary materials and supplies, a mimosa, and light snacks
PAYMENT AT TIME OF REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to hold your spot.
Registration without payment will be disregarded.
Instructor: Debbi Barrett, FGS Plant Coach
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Sunday, October 9, 10AM-4:30PM
Location: The Garden Center
The autumn weather is putting Petunia’s Gnomies into a mood of mischief! They’ll be hiding throughout the Garden Center and it’s up to you to find them and solve their all-new riddles! They’ll be hiding all day on Sunday, October 9th.
The clue sheet will be located within The Little Free Library. Make sure to stop there first, and check out the books inside while you’re there! This Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided event, which you can take at your own pace. If you have any questions, our events staff is here to help! We’ll be stationed at The Potting Shed area all day.
Let us know you’re coming by CLICKING HERE to register! This is a FREE event open to all ages (geared towards ages 6-10.)
Have some books you’d like to donate? Bring a bag of books and receive a coupon for $2/off Sunset Slush! All genres and age ranges welcome.
Questions? Contact Sydney Johnson, Events & Marketing Assistant
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For Garden's Sake is looking for new team members! If you like to work hard and have fun at the same time, these positions could be for you!
Full-Time Positions:
- Landscaper - Installation Crew Member/Driver
- Landscaper - Maintenance Crew Member/Driver
These are full-time, year-round positions that include the following benefits: paid holidays, matching 401k, discounts at the Garden Center, PTO, and health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Part-Time Seasonal Postitions:
- Bartender at The Potting Shed
CLICK HERE to see the full job descriptions and apply!
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Landscape Design and Installation
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We are problem solvers! Whether that means solving a drainage issue, identifying specific ways you can properly utilize your outdoor space, or updating your landscape design to fit your current needs, we've got you covered!
The dormant months are the perfect time for hardscape projects like patios, walkways and pathways, raised beds, stone walls, and more! We are ready to help you make the transformation from house to home.
Ready to get started on your new project? We have available appointments in early December!
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Tip of the Week: WELCOME, OCTOBER!
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It's fall, y'all! We should be done with all those "false falls," which means we can finally enjoy the sweater weather, apple cider, and pumpkin everything without sweating through our scarves.
With the gorgeous weather forecast this weekend and the frost date coming in hot, we wanted to remind you of some October gardening tips and to-do's to get your garden ready for the dormant months while laying the groundwork for spring. Don't forget to stop by this weekend to get your pansies, mums, and other fall plantings!
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Will You Leave us a Review?
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If you love us as much as we love you, could you take the time to leave us a review? We would really appreciate it. If you can't leave us a great review, please let us know why. We love your feedback! THANK YOU!
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We post daily to Instagram @fgsdurham (Garden Center) and @fgslandscapes (Landscape and Lawn Maintenance) and Facebook to keep you up to speed with the latest information about what we're up to, what's in stock, or all the fun we're having!
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For Garden's Sake | 919.484.9759| www.fgsdurham.com
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