Landscape, Lawn & Garden Feed

Start plants from seed rather than buying starter plants - Bachelor on the Cheap

Mike Thayer 2016 (2)By Mike Thayer

The seed purchases I made through catalog and online orders back in December are starting to arrive in my mailbox.  Why such a delay?  Most seed companies don't ship until it gets close to planting time and they take starting seed indoors into consideration.

Starting plants from seed is a great way to not only save money vs. buying over-priced starter plants in the spring, but you get to customize what will be in your garden.  You get to choose what goes in your garden rather than having to settle for what a garden shop has in stock.

Every spring, you see all those pop-up garden centers being put up in parking lots, whether at the local grocery store or Walmart.  I still frequent those, but they are limited in plant variety and even bonafide garden centers might not have a particular plant variety you're looking for.  And again, you'll pay a premium for starter plants, it's spring time after all....

20180211_074647Enter seed packets.....

I received an order from Park Seed the other day.  My order included:

  1. Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
  2. Italian Large Leaf Basil
  3. Salad Bowl Mix Organic Greens
  4. Peppermint
  5. Radish Park Beauty Blend
  6. Dill
  7. Greek Oregano
  8. Chives
  9. Organic Arugula
  10. Organic Roma Tomato
  11. Cilantro Calypso

That total for that order cost me just $15.94 and that includes shipping costs.  I would have spent at least five times that amount for starter plants and I wouldn't have found all those varieties in just one garden center location, pop-up or otherwise.

via bacheloronthecheap.com


Olson Bros Sodding & Landscaping - Marion

Olson BrosAs a locally owned and operated family business, you can expect honest pricing and quality workmanship from Olson Bros Sodding & Landscaping. We pride ourselves on giving you the best finished product.

Olson Bros Sodding & Landscaping has been in business since 1977 and they will put their nearly 4 decades of experience to work for any of your commercial landscaping projects in the Cedar Rapids Area.

127 Hindman Rd
Box 188
Marion, IA 52302

319-377-5877

via olsonbrossodding.com


Hardy Lawn Furniture - Iowa City

Hardy Lawn FurnitureThe Amish have a tried and true quality of craftsmanship that is unbeatable. They have developed a reputation for turning out beautiful woodwork that withstands the test of time.

Their attention to detail allows them to create masterpieces that are both beautiful and functional.

Our products are built specifically for you! This allows for customization and guarantees a brand new product.

At Hardy Lawn Furniture we carry only the finest!

2370 Naples Ave, Iowa City

(800) 557-2157
(319) 688-9482

via hardy-lawn-furniture.com


Sanders Creek Company - Iowa City

Sanders CreekAt Sanders Creek Company, we treat every project like it is for our own yard.  We want to give you what YOU want, not what we have to sell.  At Sanders Creek Company, we work hard to make all of your landscaping and concrete dreams a reality, and if you don't know what you want, we can help you with that too.  

With over 50 years of experience combined in the landscaping and concrete industries, we strive to provide you everything you want installed at a standard few hold in the industry. We use the best materials and use our years of experience to make your yard exactly how you imagine it.

At Sanders Creek Company, we strive to keep our zero incidence rating with our insurance company.  We are fully licensed and insured, and you can rest assured that when we are in your yard, we are doing everything we can to protect those things valuable to you.  We stand behind our work 100%.   

319-936-3992 

sanderscreekco@hotmail.com

3018 Prairie du Chien Road NE
Iowa City, Iowa 52240

via www.sanderscreekcompany.com


Tompkins Lawn Care, Inc. - Solon

TompkinsIs your lawn and landscape the envy of others or is it the neighborhood's dirty little secret? Are you tired of spending your valuable time and hard earned money to achieve mediocre results at best? Have you ever caused injury or created more work by trying to do something yourself? Put your installation and maintenance needs in the experienced hands at Tompkins Lawn Care, Inc.

For the past 20 years, we’ve been the smart choice in the area for elite landscape management services. We don’t employ seasonal workers—our staff is comprised of salaried individuals who care about your property as if it were their own.

Phone: (319) 331-9357

via tompkinslawncare.com


Blue Grass Enterprises, Inc.

Blue Grass EnterprisesBlue Grass Enterprises opened in 1969 to satisfy a demand in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas for quality nursery grown sod. Since then we have worked hard to establish professional working relationships throughout Iowa and to provide the best sod, seed and turf products possible. As a result of our hard work and knowledgeable employees, Blue Grass Enterprises has earned our reputation as your turf solutions expert.

We encourage our customers to visit Blue Grass Enterprises to experience the quality of our products. Just as there are different grades of carpet there is a wide range of quality in grass. And unlike carpet, it is unlikely you will replace your lawn in 15 years. Choosing the best quality now represents an investment in your future.

You can either choose years of enjoyment or a lifetime of work.

3965 C Ave Ext.  Alburnett, IA 52202

319-842-2165 

via www.bgsod.com


Aqua Pro Turf Irrigation Systems - Iowa City

Aqua ProAt Aqua Pro Turf Irrigation Systems, we provide sales, service, new installation, and maintenance of existing irrigation systems and more. We also help enhance your water savings and efficiency.
 
We service turf and landscape irrigation systems of all brands. Call us at 319-351-5356 for FREE estimates.
 
Aqua Pro Turf Irrigation Systems
 
PO Box 465
Iowa City, IA 52244
 
319-351-5356

via www.aquaproturfirrigationsystems.com


DDM Landscape & Irrigation - Marion

Ddm irrigationDDM aims to install both residential irrigation and commercial projects which include athletic fields. DDM was started in 1987 by two siblings Dan and Dave. They inception of the company happened following the completion of their college educations. Dan has a degree in Horticulture and Geography while Dave has a degree in business administration.
 
DDM is a family owned, and privately-owned company, and it has been around for 30 years. DDM has been entrusted in the field for our exemplary work.
 
We take pride not only in irrigation installation and design but also in our quality services ensuring that our system installation is meticulous. Customer satisfaction is our priority, and we walk with our clients through the whole system ensuring that they get what they want or even more.
 
640 51st St., Marion
PH: 319-377-9139

via www.ddmirrigation.com


Forever Green - Coralville

Forever GreenMike Hershberger

Owner and Founding Partner
mikeh@forevergreengrows.com

Year started with Forever Green: 1982

Education, licensing, certification, and specialties: I am a Master Conservationist

Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping and kayaking, anything to get outdoors, especially if I can take my grandkids along.

Fun Fact: I can’t resist a restoration project. Lucy and I have restored four properties, including adding a pond and 10 acres of prairie to a neglected farmstead. Our current project is restoring two acres of woods overgrown with invasives.

Lucy Hershberger

Owner and Founding Partner
lucyh@forevergreengrows.com

Year started with Forever Green: 1982

Education, licensing, certification, and specialties: Associates degree in Horticulture from Kirkwood Community College. I am a Master Conservationist, have certifications in native plantings, rain gardens, and stormwater harvesting.

Hobbies and Interests: I love spending time with my family, especially our three grandchildren. I enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, biking, hiking, camping, anything I can do outdoors.

Fun Fact: I started my gardening career at a young age pulling weeds for my mom and 25 cents for a bucketful.

125 Forevergreen Road
Coralville, IA 52241
Landscaping – 319.626.6770
contact@forevergreengrows.com
Garden Center – 319.626.2774
gardencenter@forevergreengrows.com

via forevergreengrows.com