5 Epic Dad's Day Gifts!

We rounded up some great gift ideas for Dads who love to be outdoors!

The backyard fire pit is where everyone wants to hang out on a summer night!

Whether you're roasting marshmallows or snuggling up in the cooler months, this gift would be the perfect memory maker.

Find a new use for something that needs a new life!

These truck succulent planters are fun and manly at the same time.

The possibilities are endless!

If you're handy with a paint brush, these pots would be perfect for anyone that's a fan 

of Star Wars and plants!

This gift keeps on giving! Give dad an endless supply of his very own limes to go with his relaxing backyard brew!

Give dad the ultimate place to relax with his very 

own putting green!

He'll be able to practice his putt until his heart's content

 right in the backyard.

5 Essential Tips For Growing Succulents

Succulents are fun and can add a fresh and trendy edge to any indoor or outdoor space!

They're easy to mix and match, since they all have similar light and water requirements.

Here are some tips to ensure your succulent growing success!

Tip #1

Use sandy, well-draining soil.

Succulents don't perform well in a traditional potting soil so be sure to look for a soil that is specifically for cactus & succulents.

Tip #2

Empty drain plate after watering.

Soggy roots are a recipe for succulent death. 

If container doesn't have holes in the bottom for water to drain out, place a layer of gravel or rock in the bottom.

Tip #3

Let soil dry out between watering.

Indoor succulents can go weeks between watering, possibly months!

Outdoor specimens will need to be watered every week to month depending on sun exposure and temperature.

Tip #4

Place them in bright direct or indirect light.

Succulents will not perform as well if placed in a shady or low light location.

Tip #5

Make sure there is adequate airflow surrounding plants.

Terrariums are a fun way to display succulents, just remember to keep the top of the container open to allow air to the plants.

Succulents are one of the easiest and forgiving plants you can grow and they make great gifts too!

Have Fun!

Here Are 5 Super Sweet Ways To Celebrate Mom!

Nothing warms a mother's heart more than a thoughtful and personal gift!

Here are some ideas that are sure to be a hit:

The Herb Garden

Give her the herb garden of her dreams in an assortment of pottery to suit her style. 

A Hanging Basket of Flowers

An easy way to dress up any outdoor space without taking up a lot of room.

A Succulent Planter

Succulents are so trendy and so easy to care for that it makes a perfect gift for even the not-so-green-thumbs!

Roses

Why not trade in your traditional gift of cut roses for roses that she can plant in her garden? 

A Houseplant

To elevate her style and air quality. Add a pretty decorative to give it your personal touch!

For more great Mother's Day Ideas, visit your local Star Nursery!

3 Foolproof Valentine's Gifts That Are Way Better Than Cut Flowers

Real Roses

Ditch the long stems in a vase for stems with a root base!

Cut roses will only last a few days, but rose bushes last forever.

Flower Seeds

What better way to show how much your love continues to grow?

You can watch your futures bloom together!

Succulents

Easy enough for even the not-so-green-thumbs to take care of.

Add a cute personalized touch to the pot to make them even more special.

www.starnursery.com

3 Things That Are Killing Your Houseplants!

We've all been there. 

You buy a beautiful houseplant and put it in the prettiest pot and it makes you so very happy.

 It's one of the quickest and easiest ways to brighten the mood of any space.

Then, almost as quickly as it came, that happiness fades 

with the wilting and eventual death of your cute little desktop plant. 

::Play sad violin tune::

Here are the three things that you need to do to end this plant killing cycle:

Your Living Room Doesn't Know It's Winter

Making a resolution to get healthier? Well don't forget to add cleaning up the air in your home to your get-healthy checklist.

Houseplants are a great way to add some peace and tranquility, not to mention personality and style, to your living space. You can find a plant for just about every corner of every room.

Take this Mother in Law's Tongue that you see above. There are many different leaf variations of this species. They are low light loving and drought tolerant making them one of the most fool-proof plants to buy. Not to mention the dramatic spires that this prolific multiplier send out, could really be used to make a bold statement in your room.

If the more traditional houseplants aren't really your style, 

then consider the vast world of succulents and cacti.

Most people don't realize that these can be grown indoors with direct sunlight and are really great for adding a unique twist. With so many options to choose from, it's hard to pick just one. 

Don't worry though, these plants with their contrasting colors and leaf shapes, actually look better when they are paired with multiple varieties.

For more ideas and information check out the houseplant and cacti/succulent section at your nearest Star Nursery!

Super Succulents!

Blue Rose Echevaria

It's no wonder succulents have been so loved over the past few years. Their spike in popularity has run parallel with the need for drought tolerant plants in the landscape. Though, they're not only admired in the southwest. People from all over are adding the unique and versatile succulent to everything from in-ground landscaping, to container gardens and even growing indoors as houseplants.

Campfire Jade

The color palette runs from vibrant rich tones to very pale or dusty to black. This assortment of colors lends to endless possibilities for layering and mixing to create compliments or contrast when planting.

It's fun to place pale grey sedum against a bold red jade and see how the two allow each plant to shine even brighter.

Coppertone Sedum

The wide variety of structures you'll find with succulents adds a  symmetrical and geometric patterned element into the landscape that you rarely get with shrubs and trees.

Variegated Elephant's Food

Combine all the aesthetic attributes with the fact that these well rounded beauties can take heat, sun, drought and some cold, and you have yourself a recipe for one of the most effortless and striking plants you can grow.

Make sure that wherever you plant your succulents, you use a well draining soil. If there's one thing they hate, it's soggy soil. Also, don't water too much. Remember that these are drought tolerant specimens and will suffer with excessive watering.

#starsummerlovin

This Saturday, May 9th!

Come down to Kids Garden Club this Saturday for and extra special Monther's Day project!

All Star Nursery Locations @ 2pm!

Pancakes are Delicious

And these tiny syrup jars can house more than the maple-y goodness that dons your Sunday morning indulgence.

This little planting pleasure started with a cup of coffee and a fantastic breakfast at Eat, the downtown breakfast and lunch spot that's been featured on The Cooking Channel's show, Road Trip with G. Garvin.
After a few weeks and more than a few stacks of pancakes, I finally worked up the nerve to ask Natalie, the restaurant owner, if I could come pick up some of her jars for a project.

Succulents are a good pick for this small of a growing space. Since there's no way for the water to drain out of the soil in these jars, you really can't water very much or very often. Succulents are so drought-friendly that you can get away with watering only once a month and still have a nice green addition to your space.

What you'll need:

• small glass jars for planting (jam, jelly, syrup or pretty much anything that strikes your fancy)
• cactus and succulent soil mix
• a tiny cactus or succulent (cuttings from other succulents would work wonderfully)
• ribbon or twine for decoration (optional)

How to:

Make sure to thoroughly clean your jars to avoid growing something that you did not intend to. 

If you're growing from a cutting, let the piece that you've cut dry out on the bottom for at least a day before putting it into the soil. 

Fill up your jar to a half inch from the top (maybe a couple tablespoons of soil). Place your cutting, cut side down, into the soil and use a couple pinches of additional soil to help fill in around the cutting. 

Water in with about 2-3 tablespoons of water and mark your calendar to water again one month from the day.

If you'll be planting a new succulent or cactus make sure to purchase as small of a container as possible. A 2" size is usually the smallest you can find. Pull the plant out and lightly tap some of the soil away from the root ball. You'll have to do a little squeezing into the jar but you probably won't have to add any additional soil. Again, be careful not to water more than once a month indoors or twice a month outdoors in an area sheltered from too much wind or sun. (Avoid afternoon sun entirely)

Get creative and jazz up your jars with ribbon or twine to add your own touch. These also make great gifts!

Happy Planting!