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Spring is Here! Garden Essentials 101

April 6, 2024 hardwarelifewife 1 Comment

April is here and the Gardening season is upon us! I have prepared for y’all a quick list of TEN basic gardening essentials that are selling quickly AND are just all around good to have basic gardening supplies. All of these items are found inside the hardware store as the 2024 gardening season begins.

Spring Garden Essentials 101

1. Pair of new Gardening gloves

Why replace those old, dirty, grungy gloves??? First of all, the wear and tear factor of your old gloves, notice any holes??? You probably need to get rid of them. Then you must consider the dirt itself… soil does what is does… soil has bacteria and fungi that are constantly breaking down organic matter, wearing gloves just makes good sense as you garden. Been fighting in the weeds already??? Notice a patch of poison ivy? Definitely replace your gloves after the exposure. It’s definitely a good idea to get rid of those old ones for a new pair. I must admit I’m guilty about this one!!! I haven’t replaced my gloves 🧤 lately so this will be on my to do list first 2024!

**These basic garden gloves start at about $3.00 a pair at Wilkes County Hardware**

2. Potting soil– Get growing with a fantastic growing medium. Baccto is definitely in order to refill your pots this Spring. Our repeat gardening customers love this potting soil AND it is a fantastic value!!! Other potting soils price their bags per quart or by Cubic foot(based on volume of product and additives) but not this brand! It’s priced by the gallon, making this a very affordable option and a much better value for quality potting soil! As a FULL service hardware store, we load these heavy bags into your vehicle for you!

**This potting soil is “the workhorse of potting soils” and hands down my favorite! The price point is well above the competition priced at $8.99 for 25 pounds, NOT per quart like the box store!!!!**

3. Fertilizer– As you are planting, add a bit of fertilizer it will go a long way to help you during the growing season increasing the bloom potential for your flowers and adding nutrients to your plants.

**Sprinkle into soil, mix well and water well.**

4. Deer repellent- This is a vigilant and necessary action in our area. It is also very frustrating for homeowners who have a high deer population in their areas to work so diligently for months on creating a beautiful landscape to wake up the next morning to find their hard work all eaten up by 🦌 deer. Ugh!!!

In order for this product to work well, you MUST reapply after a rain storm, or weekly to keep those pesky deer out of growing gardens.

FYI: On a personal note, I have had to switch methods from using pods to sprays/ granular to keep deer activity to a minimum in my yard. If one method doesn’t seem to work well, don’t feel guilty about moving to another method to see if you can minimize the damage to your plants.

**Wilkes County Hardware has a variety of Deer Repellents available for purchase**

5. Water hose/replacement sprayer nozzle – If you water frequently during the spring and summer months, you need to evaluate the wear and tear on your water hose and also consider the consistent sun exposure on your water hose! Did you accidentally leave your water hose outside during the winter season??? It might be a good idea to replace the old worn hose or stop by to pick up a new hose washers, or replacement sprayer.

**I highly recommend the Zero-G water hose! It is a lightweight hose and easy to water gardens without dragging a heavy hose.**

6. Weed control spray– As the weather warms up the weeds seem to grow better than flowers 😳enough said right ??? We keep a variety of different type of ready to go sprays and concentrate weed killers suitable for your specific needs. Stop by to chat with us about your garden care needs soon!

**A variety of weed control products are available at Wilkes County Hardware from earth friendly, 2-4D, to total vegetation control.**

7. Long handle Gardening Tools– Shovels, rakes, hoe, weeding tools…My goodness!!! The list is long!!! It’s now time to check and evaluate your gardening tools. Do they need to be sharpened, OR do you need a new handle???? Before you begin the gardening season, consider the cost of a replacement handle or purchasing a new tool. Wilkes County Hardware can help you with tool sharpening, replacement handles or finding a new tool.

**Scuffle hoes have become quite popular with our customers and sell out frequently**

**I love this long handle tool to get into a smaller space or help with weeding**

**Can’t find in the hardware store? Ask us to order it for you!**

8. Hummingbird feeder- Hummers are on the way back to your yard in April. That’s right… these birds are repeat customers in your yard so be prepared! Hummingbirds are migratory birds & they will be eager to find a full feeder. Hummingbirds will return to the same source of food each and every year, if it is readily available. Be ready with a full feeder for your busy little hummingbirds.

**Hummingbird feeders beginning at less than $10**

Creating A Hummingbird Habitat: A Few Tips for a successful season

A. Hummingbird feeders ideally should be placed 15-20 feet from a window. Shrubs and trees nearby for resting areas for hummingbirds as they feed, and a have water source close by like a bird bath or a fountain.

B. Hummingbird Feeders should be cleaned out every few days as the temperature begins to warm up and feeder should not be placed into full sun.

C. Hummingbirds will be attracted to all the beautiful colors in your yard/garden. Yes, you can plant certain flowers that will attract hummingbirds. Vines, certain perennials, and tubular flowers are welcome sources of nectar.

D. Your Hummingbird feeder should be easily visible for your enjoyment and easy to spot by the hungry little hummingbird. Ideally the same location each year!

E. Lastly, use clear nectar in your feeder only. Yes, hummingbirds love the color red, but nectar is clear in its most natural form…the beautiful red, tubular flowers that hummingbirds love to feed from in nature. If you wish to attract more hummers, then go for a red hummingbird feeder and clear nectar.

9. Hand clippers- I cannot tell you how many times I have misplaced my handheld clippers that I frequently carry around as I’m working in the garden. It’s always good to have an extra pair!

10. Watering Can- Watering is a task that is ongoing the entire gardening season. Treat yourself to a new watering can from Wilkes County Hardware

11. Bonus : Some of y’all might be saying, she can’t count, she only said TEN.. but I HAD TO throw in a bonus… The Gorilla Cart– easy to maneuver, pneumatic wheels, durable tub, dump cart feature. This cart is on my shopping list too y’all!

Something about digging in the dirt is just good for the soul each and every Spring. Watching those beautiful blooms create new life and seeing the colors abound in the garden, simply a pleasure and brings a smile to my heart. My hope… this blog post gets you excited and ready to garden. We are ready and waiting for you to stop in and pick up a few gardening essentials all the while, sharing a few stories about your upcoming projects and goals for 2024 Gardening season. Let’s get Growing!

April, blogging, flowers, garden, gardening, hardware store, Hardware Store Life, Home, hummingbirds, Natural World, old hardware stores, photography favorites, recipe, seaonal change, Shop Local, southern living, Spring, Spring Gardening, stew

April

April 3, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

April, preparing her “green traffic light”… April, a month when Spring moves from a quiet, slow, slumber to a full blown reality. The trees fill out with abundant green leaves almost overnight, and the grass greens up. The last of the cooler nights are a short- lived phenomenon and the warmth of a lasting Spring has arrived.

**No Fooling Around**… April 1st sunrise was absolutely stunning.

**Solar Eclipse sunrise**… lots of clouds in view

April 12th… This series of 4 photos were taken the morning after the brief tornado touchdown in our neighborhood. We are fine, no damage to our home. The skies were dramatic this quiet Friday morning.

Blooming in the Garden during the month of April

***Peony buds are beginning to show signs early this year. Normally my peonies are in full bloom around Mother’s Day.***

**Solidarity among the purple blossoms**

**In full bloom along the front sidewalk**

New Recipe Alert 🔔

**Pork Stew and cornbread on a rainy April Sunday afternoon view complete recipe here…** Pork Stew

In the Wild

**Wispy Wildflowers along the Greenway**

**First signs of strawberries** 🍓 **beginning to ripen**

**These sweet horses walked up to have picture taken near Shiloh General Store**

Finished Creative Pieces

**Poppies are glazed and ready to enjoy!**

Happenings inside the hardware store in the Month of April

**New on the blog.. the Spring is Here** MUST HAVE itemshttp://Spring is Here! Garden Essentials 101 April is here and the Gardening season is upon us! I have prepared for y’all a quick list of TEN basic gardening essentials that are selling quickly … https://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/04/06/spring-is-here-garden-essentials-101/

**New locally sourced products arrive during the spring season**

**Hummingbird season is here!** Hummingbird Season

**April 22nd -Earth Day-** Earth Friendly products found inside our hardware store

**Oh no Wally!** Our Front windows received a fresh update this month

**Open doors and empty chair ready for you!**

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Forsythia, Spring is Here!

March 6, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

One of the happiest and brightest shrubs in the Southern landscape has to be the Forsythia. You may also know Forsythia as “Yellow Bells”, due to the shape and color of the blossoms . I think the first time I ever heard the term “Yellow Bells” reference to a Forsythia, came from my Granny many years ago when I was growing up.

**Complete Spring** … Forsythia has 4 petals on each bloom… Forsythia blossoms from the spring are produced on the old wood from previous year. The remaining buds overwinters… the leaves are a gorgeous reddish color in the fall season. A complete bush in all four seasons.

Once the Forsythia breaks into bloom, Spring is not far away. Maybe that is why I consider it to be a “happy bush”. The sunny, vibrant, buttery-yellow blooms signals my brain that the spring gardening season is not far away. That in itself is JOY.

*Forsythia is native to China and other parts of Asia*

I recently read that the word Forsythia is related to anticipation. Yes, I get that… the anticipation of SPRING… Beautiful, joyful things yet to come.

What can we learn from the Forsythia??? The blooming Forsythia maybe our slumbering winter wake up call. The arrival of these vivid blooms definitely launches me into a spring planning and gardening clean up mindset. Rightfully so, because it is truly the time to begin focusing on some key elements for your lawn and garden maintenance, taking our cues directly from Mother Nature via the blooming Forsythia.

*Forsythia is a fast growing shrub but if you must trim it wait until after blooming has been completed.*

Once the forsythia finishes blooming, pre-emergents (for weed control) can be used in your lawn. A Pre- emergent is used to help prevent weed growth in your lawn… before the weeds actually begin!!!

If you use the “gardening cues” from the golden blossoms of the Forsythia, and apply your pre-emergents on time, it should then be re-applied three months later, so think about another application in June.

A multi-tiered approach may occur at your home… the focus on the garden… starting seeds indoors or even beginning to think about planting cool season crops once the Forsythia blooms are fading all the while working towards a beautiful, green, and healthy lawn. Whatever you decide to plant or grow this year, just enjoy it, savoring the season.

As you are reading this, the time to begin your lawn care maintenance is upon you! In a few short weeks, your actions will be futile if you delay using Pre-emergents and other actions will be necessary in order to avoid weeds in your lawn in the form of post-emergent weed killers like these in the photo.

*Post-emergent Weed control for lawns: 2-4D works well to reduce weed growth without damaging lawn*

*Forcing Forsythia inside can be a lovely way to brighten your mood on those cool, rainy, foggy days in March*

Within a few days these blooms are opening up! Use a knife to slice the bottom of the stems to open them up so more water can flow into woody stem and make sure to remove bottom blooms in place in warm water.

The Forsythia is legendary to hold medicinal qualities in past centuries. I believe that still holds true for me… maybe not so much in the traditional medicinal sense. The vibrant yellow hues are medicine to my soul, gearing up for another sensational Spring. Happy Spring Y’all!

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March Photo Favorites

March 3, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

Scripture for March :

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

I took a series of photos on the morning of March 1st during this spectacular sunrise. I posted a few of these directly on my Facebook page without edits. My mom and dad noticed the eagle in the background in a few of the pictures from the series of shots. She had texted me about the pictures I had posted and told me to go look for it… A few other Facebook friends commented on the eagle as well… It was a very sweet surprise for me and maybe a message that It’s Time to Soar in the Month of March.

A HUGE thank you to all who continue to support my blog by reading and sharing. An even bigger blessing, my family and friends who are consistently the wind beneath my wings offering endless support, love and encouragement. Thank you.

I hope you enjoy the photos from my day to day activities in the month of March.

**Searching for Signs of Spring**… Piper and I always use this Willow tree as a reference for the arrival of spring along the Greenway. The first tiny leaves are forming as we walked on March 2nd.

March 5th! What a difference a few days make!

**All Damned Up…** a huge pile of brush and tree limbs are pushed up against this tree, beaver 🦫 busy at work or excessive rain????

**“Leafing Up**” By March 30th some trees have a good base of leaves

**Green Acres… well probably not like the tv show** 😂**. Planting in progress on the fields along the Greenway Trails**

**Hiding In the Mist**… a foggy Sunday morning March 3rd

**Drop In**… Rain has been fairly abundant in the month of March.

**Awakening**… March mornings often bring a crisp, cool feeling that brings you awake immediately after walking outdoors.

On the Home Front…

**Hello Buttercup…** My mother-in-law always called these yellow daffodils buttercups. These mini daffodils are in full bloom in early March in my front flower garden.

**Forcing branches of Forsythia bloomed almost immediately! Will definitely do this again next year!**

**In case you missed this earlier blog post…** https://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/03/06/forsythia-spring-is-here/

**Tomato, lentil and vegetable soup** (keeper recipe)

**First attempt at making a Burnt Cheesecake, no crust on bottom! Delicious and easy. Will definitely make again!**

**Reinventing the BLT… Bacon, spinach, avocado, tomatoes and ranch(out of mayo** 🤪**) I asked Benjamin if he wanted me to make him a sandwich, he said no… it had too many vegetables on it**😂

**Pineapple Casserole for Easter… Thank you Ashley Frazier for sharing your recipe for Pineapple Casserole! It was simply delicious!**

**Hey Bud! I**t’s a beautiful sight to see the our trees beginning to bud out

**Time to plant**… getting my hands dirty again and putting these in my planters in March

**Finding Clover** https://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/03/17/finding-clover/

**Spring has replaced the winter gloom, with abundant blooms… Bradford Pears in full bloom everywhere!**

**The Pick of the Crop… Annual Tulip picking trip** 🌷

**Opening** **and closing act… once tulips fully bloom and open, the flower petals don’t last much longer**

**Cookie and Joy: These two always enjoy #Nationalpuppyday March 23rd**

**Bunny building…, it has been fun creating new Easter pieces for this Easter season**

What’s have we been streaming in March???

1. Apple TV: Finished Masters of Air, began Manhunt, and Palm Royale.

2. Max- The Great Pottery Throw Down, you don’t have to be a lover of all things pottery to enjoy this show, it’s a fantastic competition based show with amazing art in progress

3. Hulu Live: March Madness… basketball games! 🏀, The Food That Built America, Lady Bird Diaries, and also streaming our favorite weekly shows.

4. Netflix: The Gentlemen

At the Hardware Store…

**Chopping Wood still a necessity on the cooler days of March**

**Beautiful afternoons in March… front door open to let the fresh air and sunshine inside**

**Adding a bit of color to the ladder wall**

**Stacking out new merchandise for Spring and Summer**

**Count Me In! The jellybeans are counted and ready for your guess! Congrats to Jane Will for winning the hummingbird feeder!**

**Did you know that you can shop our shelves at Carolina Treasures on Main??? You can find me there checking on the shelves regularly**

**Who’s ready to dig into the dirt????**

Wayne announced his retirement on March 25, 2024.

Wayne Matherly has been an amazing asset to our business as well as a mentor to both of us for the last 8 1/2 years. It’s simply hard to imagine life without him at Wilkes County Hardware.

Richard and I have been blessed with Wayne’s leadership and presence, as he shared and we received a small part of his knowledge. He taught us both so much about various areas of the hardware store. His vast experience with locks and keys, plumbing,and Wayne’s knowledge of lawn and garden has not been wasted… we have soaked up all the time and experience we could with Wayne.

They say that “Age is a just number”but, I know when the numbers begin to grow in size, our bodies often tell us to slow down a bit. Wayne, we definitely honor your wishes to slow down.

So what do you do when a piece of your heart goes home??? I’m not sure… but we plan to celebrate this new milestone of retirement with Wayne soon, honoring his wishes on how he chooses to do so.

Congratulations to Wayne, on a long career in the hardware industry. You will surely be missed dearly by all of us and hoping that you know that you have left a legacy of hardware excellence behind. We love you always! 💕

**Wayne at work through the years… 2015-2024**

As our month of March concludes, Wayne is soaring into retirement and I’m drawn back to the scripture that I began the month with for strength and courage as we begin a new chapter in our business.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

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Tutorial on How to Read The Blum’s Almanac

October 3, 2023 hardwarelifewife 1 Comment

Do you know how to read an almanac??? This is one of the those things that was passed down to me. My Granny taught me how to use and read the Blum’s Almanac. I’m very thankful that she taught me how to do this. A part of my Granny’s legacy now can live on with me as I plant each season. I do plant and transplant by the almanac signs and use the Almanac prior to planting. It’s my “Gardening Bible”.

Here’s the signs I look for to plant or transplant

Full Month view by each day complete with moon phases

The signs to stay away from when you need to plant 🪴 but these are great for weeding or trimming.

I hope this is a helpful tutorial especially if you have never done or used this before via picture format. Wilkes County Hardware keeps the Blum’s Almanac in stock each year. Last year was the first year that we debuted the garden calendar. Look for the 2024 editions to arrive in November.

This is definitely the quick version of a plant guide!!! Love it 😍

FYI: Some folks will not get a haircut, have a dental procedures, or even have major surgery IF the sign isn’t correct. I have answered many questions for people when it was a good time to can, or what the correct body sign was because they had a medical procedure upcoming.

Dental procedures… wait for a sign that is below the waist for faster wound healing.

I am a firm believer in using this as my planting guide. I haven’t ever used the Almanac to plan a surgery or a haircut, so I can not speak to the effectiveness of this expertise… the Almanac does say it does not give medical advice, but provides advice on the best days to do such activities such as gardening, and cooking. The “Zodiac man signs” are included as the 12 signs dividing the human body into parts. Ancient astrologers believed that each sign influenced a certain portion of the body, so folks have used this for years seeking the “best days” medical advice.

The Hardware Life – A wife's journey into the hardware business