Tips & Inspiration
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- Laura Hammond
- From Al's Experts
If you've been searching the web for "garden store near me" and thinking about upgrading your yard or garden, you've come to the right place. Many people find great satisfaction in gardening as a hobby -- in fact, the entire home and garden market was worth over $270 billion in 2017.
But before you visit your local plant nurseries or home garden center, there are some things you should know. Read on to discover three things you should learn before starting your backyard garden project.
Is your yard prone to pests?
Few things are more discouraging than walking outside to find that your new plants have been eaten by local wildlife. Before you invest in new plants, find out what kinds of garden pests live in your area. That way, you can choose plants that those critters don't like to eat. If you regularly see deer or rabbits in your neighborhood, you'll know to avoid planting anything they enjoy eating.
What's your soil type?
Before you purchase any plants, you should take the time to do a quick soil test. It isn't as difficult as it might sound -- in fact, the whole thing can be done in about 15 minutes. Better yet, you can usually purchase a soil testing kit for under $20.
A soil test will tell you if the dirt is more acidic or alkaline. You will also find out what your soil's phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen levels are. Knowing the makeup of your soil will enable you to choose plants that thrive in your soil type. It's a smart way to give your landscaping and gardening projects the best chance of success.
How much extra space do you have?
It's easy to go overboard when you're shopping for home decor, and shopping for plants isn't much different. You could assume you have plenty of room for everything you find at the store only to discover that it barely fits in your yard once you get it home. Even more disheartening is learning that your plants are too large once they reach their full size.
Before googling "garden store near me" or purchasing plants, it's important that you know how much space you have in your yard or flower beds. You should also be careful to calculate the size of the plants you choose once they mature. A little shrub may grow a lot more than you expect.
When you're ready to improve your yard, rely on the garden store Portland trusts: Al's Garden Center.
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- Laura Hammond
- From Al's Experts
According to statistics, you will find at least one houseplant in 30% of all households. The primary reason most homeowners keep houseplants is for decorative purposes. Houseplants can add color and give your home a fresh, natural look.
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- Chad Darnell
- From Al's Experts
Al's annual Evening of Lights is almost here: our fun and festive kick-off to the holiday season. This magical event is an Al's tradition, bringing you the familiar comforts of Christmas. But we're also always looking to add new traditions to our seasonal showcase. This year, there are some exciting new additions to our Evening of Lights that you won't want to miss!
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- Laura Hammond
- From Al's Experts
Gardening may be a pastime dominated by older generations, but more and more young people are starting to shop at the plant nursery and develop their green thumb as gardeners.
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- Laura Hammond
- From Al's Experts
Nothing complements a home like a lush outdoor garden. This is no secret — in 2017, over a third of all Americans engaged in some form of gardening. For a space to feel truly comfortable, it needs those natural forms to which we all gravitate. This is why it is so hard to see those plants wither away during the long, harsh winters.
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- Aaron Rivera
- From Al's Experts
We really enjoyed the bright blooms of summer flowers (and all that sun), but are undoubtedly looking forward to the fall season. We’ve already talked about how fall is perfect for planting in order to produce strong plants next spring, but what about when we want to make our yard and garden look great right now? There are many trees and shrubs that provide cool and unique foliage colors and textures this time of the year. Here are a few of our favorite trees and shrubs that look great in the fall, available now at all Al’s locations!
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- Jessica Petersen
- Garden Recipes
This is a great soup that you can make the day before for a company potluck or dinner with the whole family. Place in a crockpot, set to low. Once people taste it they will demand the recipe!
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- Judy Alleruzzo
- From Al's Experts
Gardening is a great way to add character to your house, whether the plants are in your backyard or within your home. You can create a beautiful English garden or a tropical landscape no matter where you are just by taking a visit to one of the many garden centers in your area. The gardening market is constantly growing, so much so that it was worth $272 billion in 2017.
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- Laura Hammond
- From Al's Experts
Did you know that while younger generations are recently taking an interest, older generations continue to dominate the gardening participation?
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- Chad Darnell
- Garden Recipes
Our own Jessica Petersen recently shared a couple of her favorite scone recipes and we thought they were so good, we had to pass them along! Even though they share most ingredients, the bold flavors of Lavender and Lemon Thyme respectively, give these two scones unique and wonderful flavors!
