The days are longer, it’s lighter outside later, and we’re pining for spring. Greenhouse growers are preparing for go-time on Mother’s Day and landscape professionals are planning early spring projects to leverage milder days. Homeowners are counting down to patio days

 Meanwhile, across most of the country, a much colder winter than usual is the reality. The infamous Groundhog’s Day prediction seems to be coming to fruition. But frigid temperatures and “white stuff” don’t change this important planning part of the year when we gear up for high growing season. Plus, there are all kinds of late-winter and early-spring décor ideas to brighten up glum days.

Ready to feel inspired, reinvigorated and out of the winter rut? The JRM Soil Moist team has you covered.

High Gear in the Greenhouse
Plant propagation is in full gear at greenhouses that are focused on high-efficiency, expedited production to meet consumer demand in late spring through summer. As with any professional environment, an aim to do more with less can be achieved by reducing labor-intensive tasks such as watering. Growers that incorporate Soil Moist polymer into soil as an amendment reduce plant waterings by 50%, along with minimizing transplant shock—which means fewer losses when planting cuttings.

>>Grow Smart: Feed rooted and unrooted cuttings with highly active beneficial bacteria that contains only pure microbial cultures. E-Z Root improves root initiation in all plants, flowers, vegetables and ornamentals. For an extra punch of plant nutrition, the Transplant Plus Formula includes fertilizer.

OMRI-approved Water Aide reduces water and fertilizer runoff, and improves irrigation efficiency. A study conducted by North Carolina State University compared Water Aide to traditional sphagnum peat moss with perlite. Soil water content increased by more than 195% when plants were irrigated with water treated by Water Aide. 

Pro Tip — Sell the Value of Water Savings
Late winter thaw offers opportunities for landscape professionals to get a leg up on spring prep with pruning and cutting back compromised tree limbs. Now is also prime time for outdoor living project planning, from plotting enhanced landscape beds, replacing shrubs and perennials, along with designing gardens and patio spaces.

>>Plant ‘Insurance’: You have lots of options for reducing maintenance of plant beds and containers, while providing customers a level of “insurance” that the plants you install will thrive. Soil Moist Plus water-storing granular polymer is a 7-7-7 time-release fertilizer that lasts eight to nine months. It’s available in sugar grade and powder grade for plugs and small seed trays, and convenient spikes can be tucked into containers with a 5-5-5 fertilizer that lasts up to four months.

Sell your clients on long-lasting plant health by letting them know you use Soil Moist Disks in containers. We offer handy tags that highlight the value of working with a landscape professional that is eco-minded and helps customers reduce irrigation requirements.

Fighting Erosion
While the Northeast and Midwest face colder-than-usual weather, the opposite is true in California, with devastating wildfires that swept across the landscape, destroying infrastructure and greenspaces, leaving grounds vulnerable to erosion. In the wake of traumatic losses from intense, persistent burning, barren grounds will eventually require erosion control. There are a number of methods to accomplish this, including preparing soil to re-seed with native plants that can improve soil stability. But this takes time, and without interim support, especially steep slopes could present landslide risks.


 >>Mitigate Erosion In conjunction with structural erosion controls, you can reduce soil and silt loss with broadcast applications of soil erosion polymers. Its anionic polymer is shown to reduce fertilizer and water runoff, and decrease soil loss by up to 97%. The material also enhances water infiltration, which aids in new plant growth, ensuring water reaches roots rather than running off. One pound covers a 1-acre application mixed with 12,000 gallons of water.

Decorate Your Days
Fire, ice and overall temperamental weather patterns feel like the “new normal.” Why not brighten the days with an indoors project — a STEM project to keep the kids busy on a snow day or a colorful centerpiece that offers an excuse to throw a party. Deco Beads and Deco Cubes enhance and preserve fresh flower arrangements, along with adding a visual pop of color to candle and silk arrangements. Plus, there are loads of fun projects that have nothing to do with flowers, from creating a sensory jar to teaching osmosis.

>>Bright Ideas: Looking for Deco Bead inspo? Check out our JRM floral design contest winners. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about Deco Beads. And why not add some good scents to your early spring crafts with Deco Beads in a variety of fragrances, including white gel beads that diffuse a relaxing lavender aroma? 

 

 

 

Follow Us, Visit Us, Share with Us 

Keep up with JRM during our travels and stay on top of the latest news by following us on Instagram @jrm_inc. Also, tap into our library of resources for guidance, ideas and news. We’re pleased to introduce our latest catalogue, and contact us any time.