Rockett's Blog

Hey There! Rockett here. ok, I hope you did not think I would be showing clothes. You know me, Black tee short and jeans are my fashion. ok, ok,ok, now for gardening. The cooler temps are coming and you might want to change some of your flower pots. So, I thought about two great plants for the fall and winter. Sky Pencil Holly and Crippsii Cypress. The Holly is very narow and shinny and being that it is a holly, very tough as long as you water it. The Crippssi cypress is a golden color and is also tough but will be shorter and if you are not careful, will get overtaken with flowers, this is why it is great for the winter because pansies and violas will not cover it up. Both ahve there addition to any container so plan ahead and try to decide the location before picking one.  You can plant either of these even if you still have other flowers in the container, just be careful when planting it.  I really love the crippsii in a glazed blue pot. it really looks great. I would imagine that a lot of the nurseries have planty of these plants but remember, you can call me anytime, 205-981-11851, email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or just go tomy site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com . You can use other plants to highlight your container. I have several containers at my house so we are always experimenting with containers to see what works and what doesn't work. If you are reading this but did not watch the segment, go to the GDA& receipes tab and click and look for Bill and Me. Then you can see the plants and what thery look like planted. Thank you for watching, listening and surfing Fox 6 and Good Gay Gardening! Have a wonderful day! Alkalizi8ng and Energizing     Rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. I have really not focused on some of the plants that I love to use when we  landscape. Osmanthus -Varigated False Holly and the Bridalwreath Spirea. Oh my gosh, what a neat group of plants. Both have specific uses but when you have that specific case, then these work well. The Oamnathus - Varigated False Holly 'Goshiki'.  It grows 4 to 6 feet and spreads 6 to 10' wow. neat color, very slow grower. plus you can use cuttings off the plant at christmas time for live decorations, all you floral creative people know what I am talking about, cool plant. Now the other, Bridalwreath Spirea, blooms in the spring, beautiful, way cool. the reat of the year it has a whispy growth to it, not corse or tight and goes great mixed in with evergreens that are corse or tight. It grows 4-7' tall, very cool plant and esy too. Both are tough and not many pest problems and are very drought resistent once they get established. Always feed with the Lady Bug Brand and Hastgro organic fertilizers, why? because they are low cost and they work. way cool too. Hannahs Garden Shop, 205-991-2939, has the plants I had today but I other great garden centers will these too and I am sure they are getting in thier fall selection as we speak because with all the rain, it just makes me want to go gardening. ok, Please call me if you need me, 205-981-1151, email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or just go to my site and have fun, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com . And hey, just so you will know, my attitude of gratitude is to say thank you for all of you who have emailed me with just kind words of praise. Thank you for all of your encouragement, (no I am not sick), these words are from people that had questions and I have tried to help them, except for the kind woman with the tree that I could not tell her what kind it was, (frustrating) I am awesome as usual in health, mind, body and spirit. (Thank you God) ok, Thank you for watching, listening and surfing Fox 6 and Good Day Gardening. ok, lastly, I will be on this Saturday with Tiffany B. at 7:48 am on Saturday Good Day Gardening talking about Begonias and the ones that make for great house plants too. Have awonderful day! Alkalizing and Energizingsm          Rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. "Will you please come back out on stage and give us another Encore Mr. Rockett?" ok,ok,ok, I know that is aweful but I have been trying to write something cute using the word 'encore', I guess I need to keep on trying, but....Encore Azaleas, how neato they are. just look at the pretty colors, (oh, yeah go to the GDA and recipes tab and find my segment and you can see the pretty colors) oh, you already did that, so I will move on.  These are really neato azaleas because they bloom possibly 3 times a year, how neat is that, awesome. oh, yeah, email me for more info, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or call me, 205-981-1151 or go to my site www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com Ok, now these azaleas come in different sizes and mature heights so always read the tag. I got these from Hannas Garden shop on 280 and they had a great selection, 991-2939. Now, below are some tips on planting and maintenance.

+plant in a well dug hole, mix some soil conditioner (really fine bark) in with your existing soil.

+Plant them with about 1/4 of the root ball out of the ground and bring the soil up to but not on top of the rrot ball. When you mulch, that will cover the mounding effect. and if your hole is full of water, then do not plant there until you fix that challenge first.

+Pine straw or bark, either one unless you have a slope, then maybe pine straw for sure.

+use the Lady Bug Brand  and hastagro liquid organic fertilizers, why, becuase they work and are inexpensive too but they work.

+water your new plants in thoughly, maybe 5 gallons or more per plant. then water as needed but it is very hard to get on a system because some plants dry quicker than others.  you will need to be involved along the way to help them to get established.

+Now, maintenance, in may and in july or august, at least twice per year, spray them with Orthonex. I know it is not organic but it is all about balance. This would be for Lace Bug that sucks the life out of the plant. easy to spray and it works.

+ok, I hope this help you, but remember, azaleas are picky and like me, they require more maintenance than other plants so be prepared to help them a little more than others, but when they bloom it is worth the trouble. Have a wonderful day and thank you watching, listening and surfing Fox 6 and Good Day Gardening. Oh yeah, email me at rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or go tomy site for help, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or just call me, 205-981-1151. I would love to try to help with your gardening questions. Alkalizing and Energizingsm        Rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. Are your roses tired and have yellow leaves? Do you have long, leggy stem with bloom on the ends and you just know you need to cut it but ae afraid to? Well, today, Bill and I hopefully coverd what to do and below are some easy simple steps to take care of your roses and still get some great blooms from them .

+Get all of the yellow leaves off. pluck them off and throw them away, not on the ground.

+begin spraying with Orthonex, a fungicide and insect spray together, easy to use, follow the label and do this consistently. be persistent too. oh yeah, call me if you nned to, 205-981-1151, email me rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com.

+prune--don't be bashful, make all cuts at an angle, why, you ask, because it looks better and about an inch above a node or leaf. and yes, you can go low just not below the big knot at the bottom, this is the graft.  you might need to call or email me on this one? oh yeah, make all of your cuts at different levels. do not cut the whole bush straight across, not good. also, spring blooming roses do not get cut right now. summer bloomin' is ok.

+When you have a Hybrid Tee rose and you get multiple blooms, pinch all but one, I know, I know, you hate to take off blooms when you went so many days without none, now you have many, but they will be small. but...if you have a Floribunda or grandiflora rose then leave it alon on just this part. So, you need to know what type rose it is.

+Feed with what? LadyBug Brand Organic fertilizer and Hastgro fertilizers. awesome and they work and you can apply now without burn, way cool.

+water deep and not often, 10 min. everyday is awful.

*ok, I think I have pointed out the simple easy steps but remember, call me, 205-981-1151, email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com  or just go to my site. www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com. Thank you for watching, listening and surfing Fox 6 and Good Day Gardening. Have a wonderful day! Alkalizing and Energizing     Rockett:)

 

Hey there! Rockett here. Did you know that is hot and sticky outside? well, did you also know that feeding your tired flowers, along with some pinching and cutting may revive them. I know mine took to the Hastgro organic fertilizer that we use here at Bug Juice Land. It is awesome stuff, low costs and it really works. Easy to use and did I mentione, it works. There is no chance of burning too. Use it and you'll see what I mean. But of course, if a flowers is so tired, using the best fertilizer may not bring it back, so it may be time to get a few fresh flowers and plug them in. Sometimes, you do not have to trash the whole pot to bring it back around. call me and I can explain, 205-981-1151 or email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com . Todays segment, Wed. 6:50 am 8/6/08. I am showing you before and afters of how to revive some tired pots. I think all of the garden centersare getting in fresh flowers and would love for you to come get some because if your pots look bad, you may feel bad too, so don't go down that road. Remember, just adding a little new something can make a big impact on the pot. and of course feeding with Hastgro Organic Fertilizer and regular water will make even a bigger impact. and remember, call me if I can help, 205-981-1151, email me, rocketts@bugjuicegardens.com or just go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com. have a wonderful, cool day! alklaizing and energizing   rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. Screening room, what screening room. I know, I know, its silly but today, I am writing about using plants to creat a natural fence or a buffer or a 'Screen', to hide something or soften something up. There are a lot of plants to use to make a natural fence and sometimes a straight row of the same thing is good, but then most of the time, it is better to use several plants to creat a fence. It all really depends on the application or situation. Please call me, 205-981-1151, or email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com  if you need help. I would love to help if I can. Below are some plants that I would consider for this fence.

+Nelli R. Stevens Hollies. Mary Nell, Emily Brunner, Auburn. These all would make for nice fences. It depends on the mature height that you are going for. Some have a mature ht. of 25 feet.

+Wax Myrtles. A neat plant but it does get wide as tall so space is an issue. They can be trained to be small trees or hedges.

+Emerald Green Arborvitae - a neato plant, 10-14 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. my favorite plant to use.

+Little Gem magnolia -- Blooms up to December, blooms smell great, stays small and tight 25 feet tall and 10-15 fee wide. Yes, it does drop the brown leaves but it is not as bad as the bigger magnolias.

+Column Juniper -- 12 feet tall and a pretty green but not to dense at the top but very hardy.

ok, There you go. Some screening plants.  Remember, call me, 205-981-1151, email, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or just go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com Have a wonderful day! and thank you for watching, listening and surfing Fox 6 and Good Day Gardening.        Alkalizing and Energizing    Rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. I just love to sit under my cabana canopy at my pool and as I sit there looking back across my calm, cool pool waters while havein a great glass of wine, I am so taken back by the landscape that I planted. I have this really pretty wax myrtle that has a great multi trunk tree shape to it and next to that are three Miscanthus grasses that are about 6 feet wide by 5 feet high. They look like a mushroom shape but really soft and flowy(is this really a word, 'flowy', don't know but it is now). The grasses are so soothing on my eyes and they are just so inviting to look at, of course if you know grasses, they reallly are sharp like tiny razors but at a distance, they are soft looking, but just awesome. The only maintenance is to prune them in Jan. to the ground, thats it. awesome. You can go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com and take a free tour of my backyard oasis and see some of the grasses. Not to be arrogant but to inspire future ideas. just click on the 'how to videos and more' and scroll down, you should see it.  Also, please call me anytime if you need to, 205-981-1151 or email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com and I can help. THere are lots of grasses to chose from. Some for containers and some for plantings in the front with taller plants behind. Well drain soil helps and always feed with the Lady bug Brand Organic food and Hastgro liquid. They eat this stuff up everytime. I had several different ones on the show today, Wed. 7/23 just so you could see the uses of them. I use some form of Fountain grass when we landscape because they really can enhance the look. Remember, please call me, 205-981-1151, email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com . have a wonderful day! Alkalizing and Energizing    Rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. Wow, ain't it cool outside?!? well, just because its cool in my world does not mean for one minute that it is that way in my garden, no sir wee, its hot, like you need to be reminded, but it is and the insects and fungal critters seem to love it too. So lets 'Dive' right in (get it Dive, cool pool, sittin' out by the pool)ok, I know that was a stretch.

+Orthene does wonders right now. a systemic insecticide that gets absorbed into the plants that help get the bad insects. I am not a big fan of chemicals but this stuff really works. Great for jap. beetles, lace bug spider mites etc. always read the label and do not apply in the heat of the day. You can call me, 205-981-1151, email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com

+Thuricide-- a great little biological killer for chewing critters. again read the label before applying and I don't think it isafe for veggies.

+There are organic insecticides but you need to be consistent and patient and what, read the label before applying.

+fertilize your plants with Hastgro Medina liquid fertilizer. Why, it is hard to burn the plants and it works and is awesome.  Just visit my store and look how pretty the flowers are. we use it weekly and it is safe, yipppeeeee.

+Dollar Spot is happening now, just use a high nitrogen fertilizer and soon, it will go away. Small little tan spots dotting your lawn. water it in and its gone. If you do not do it, it will spread and will not look good. We all want thet green grass for the summer.

+rot -- because on watering, we know its hot but sometimes flowers wilt because of heat and you think it is dry so you water more and more and cause rot. not good. You will need to drench with a fungicide for Root Rot and or replace the soil to replant. Do not replant with drenching the soil with a fungicide or totally replacing the soil. it spreads easily.

+Prune your azaleas if need to, you have until July 15. It is just a cut off date that a grower of azaleas told me, but it is pretty good to remember.

I am sure I am missing more tidbits but if you have a challenge, call me, 205-981-1151 and I will help. email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com Have a wonderful day! alklaizing and energizing    rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. let me tell you what I just love the most to do at the end of a long, hot, physical day. I like to get a great glass of wine and sit by my cool pool and listen to fountain flowing over. You can go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com and watch the rockett oasis video for free to see just how cool it is. But back to my topic, the soothing  sound of water, it is so relaxing and awesome to hear. Just like the segment today, which you can watch anytime on the GDA$receipt tab, you can have a fountain, like mine, or a flowing waterfall into a nice big pond, depending on the $$ you want to spend. Some tips on having a waterfall are as follows:

+There is some maintenance involved. It is not maintenance free.

+When talking to a professional installer, ask to see past jobs. Not just anyone can do this. But you can do it yourself but you need to talk to a professional first and even contract them on a consultation. I have seen too many bad jobs. There is a method to the type pumps and liners, stacking rocks and types of fish.

+On fountains, I would take a picture with you when you go to a dealers place of your spot where you want to put a fountain.

+you will need electricity. and do you want it on a timer?  a remote? is there a water spigot nearby, they do evaporate with hot weather.

Remember, you can always contact me for help, 205-981-1151, email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com. Here is one site that might help you, www.voughtwatergardens.com. Lee put one in for my store, neato. ok, There is some tidbits for you, now, I must go to my oasis and have that glass of wine, which by the way, we sell now, wow, go fiqure. Have a wonderful day and thank you for watching, listening and surfing Fox 6 and Good Day Gardening.     Alkalizing and Energizing    Rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. wow, where have I been? well, to the beach, yipppeeee and man, was it a blast, am i going back? you ask, well, sure am, and soon too, me likey. okokokok, now, back to good day gardening. Do you have shady places and find yourself asking, 'what can i plant here'? well, let me roll off a few items:

impatiens, and how about double impatiens. big blooms and they take up a lot of space, groovy. any time you need me just call, 205-981-1151 email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or visit my site www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com

Caladiums, wow, just neato when planted with green leaf begonias or used as the tall plant in  a planter.

Dragon wing Begonia, awesome, you just have to see it to appreciate it.

creeping jenny, cool plant used great for containers. really neato.

of course any green leaf begonia, such a staple plant yet so pretty and great for containers.

Polka dot plant, sort of like a calidium but no big floppy ears, really neat, red, pink and white.

Potato vine, I know, who would have thought it for the shade, does great.

ok, hope these help and there are more ideas, but only had time to mention these. please call me, 205-981-1151, email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or visit my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com for more info or just to chat. I do not mind you calling because I know it is tough to get honest or straight forward advice that makes sense, so contact me. Have a wonderful day!              Alkalizing and Energizing   Rockett:)

Hey There! Rockett here. Soon the crapes will begin blooming and I thought this might be a good time to discuss the selection and location of these crapes as a means to stop crape murder in the winter. Below are some tips to this:

-Remember to chose an area that will give the crape some room to grow.

-Always look up when planting a crape or any tree. Are there any utility lines above that may be in the way?

-Try to make your crape stand out as a speciman and not mass them in like you would Dwarf Yaupon hollies. make them a special plant.

-look on the tag and see what the mature height will be so you do not plant it in front of a window and later constantly prune on it as not to block the view.  Some tags do not have that info on them, so ask the salesperson and if they really don't know,(and you can usally tell if someone is making that stuff up) be patient and go online and research) it is better to wait than to mess the plant up on prunning. just call me if you need to, 205-981-1151, or email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com

-Always call me, 205-981-1151 or email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com for advice.

-water the plant heavily for a while so as to get the roots to grow deep. an irrigation system may be easy but it may also not be the best to get the plant drought tolerant.

- Use the Lady Bug Organic brand fertilizer for excellant growth potential.

-On varieties, I am not mentioning too many because I may say a type and the nurseries may only carry what they can get, so, Natchez is awesome, tough but a big one, White, grows 30-35' ht. 15 ft width. awesome. Hardy lavender almost  grows the same but a pretty lavender. And there are dwarf varieties too, some are 6 feet in mature height, cool.

ok, hope this helps you on your next purchase of Crape-Myrtles. Have a wonderful day and thank you for watching, listening and surfing with Fox 6 and Good Day Gardening! Alkalizing and Energizing   Rockett:) By the way, Bill says hi!              and I have a pix of a beautifull Natchez crape here at bug juice land. Its in the photo album.

Hey there! rockett here. Man, do I love spring, the flowers are just awesome and the colors are brilliant and the choices are just incrediable. I do love certain perennials (suppose to come back year after year)and then add some annuals(just a one time thing) to add some punches of color. There are some many varieties and instead of listing plants that  may not be found, I thought I would hit the important things to mack sure they do come back and you can call or visit your local garden center for the varieties they carry.

Tip 1- plant in very well drained soil. add admendments to the ground and dig a nice fluffy hole, not one just big enough to hold the pot.

2- always use the lady bug brand organic fertilizer, www.ladybugbrand.com and use Hastagro liquid fertilizer too, www.medinaag.com or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com for more info.

3 water the newly planted plants in thoroughly and repeat heavy watering until they get established better. try not to use the irrigation all the time. you can call me for questions on watering anytime, 205-981-1151, really, call me, I love to help.

4 use bark or pine straw or something to muclh the plants.

5 try to place the tags in  with the plant as not to forget what they are down the road.

6 don't be bashful on cleaning them up in the fall but always ask for help as to when to cut back for winter, 205-981-1151. this can be tricky, such as Lantana does not need to be cut back, just left alone.

7 plant in odd numbers and in mass if possible. one of this and one of that sometimes does not look good but 3  or 5 will look better. 

Remember, email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com , call me 205-981-1151 or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com.

Thank you for taking time to read this as many do and I am humbled, but ain't gardening cool?!?! Thank you for watching, listening and surfing Fox 6 and Good Day Gardening. Have a wonderful day! alkalizing and energizing    rockett:) 

Hey there! Rockett here. man o man, it is that time of the year to get ready to 'clone' your hydrangeas. it is so easy but delicate and patience takes some of your energy but so easy and fun because if you follow the guidelines, you will have more hydrangeas, yipppeeeeeee. First, (I must hurry, American Idol is coming on and must see this one) I have a free downloadable 'how to'video on my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com go to 'how to videos and more' and scroll down to the video and watch it. The supplies you will need is some Root Tone, a rooting agent, fluffy potting soil, water for six weeks and some shade, how easy is that?!?!. oh yeh, please call me if you need to, 205-981-1151 or email me rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com because it is terrible to go six weeks and wait for nothing to happen. Hey. www.aldridgegardens.com is have Eddie Aldridge give this very talk, I think in June 15? so that is pretty cool too, you can call them, 205-682-8019 to get more info. Ok, must get supplies for the gig on Fox for Wed. see you then or hope you will see Bolen and Myself. Thank you for watching, listening and surfing with Fox 6. Have awonderful day! Alkalizing and Energizing    Rockett:)

Hey there! Rockett here. Going Organic! Yipppeeeee. my favorite, why you ask, becasue they work and they are safe, well for the most part, you see, not all organic products are safe, yes, they are organic but you still need to read the label and sometimes wear protection against the chemical contact, will explain furthere down. Turkey Poop is the claim to fame, why, it works and it is awesome stuff, Lady Bug Brand Organic Fertilizer, no, it is not lady bug poop, thats funny, currently,. www.ladybugbrand.com , for more info. if your garden spot does not carry it, tell them BWI distributors can get it for them. Milky Spore for the grubs also Jap. Beetle, it a great product because you put it down 3 times this year, spring summer and fall, then 3 times next year then you are done for 10 years, yipppppppeeeeeee. awesome. it is a bacteria and can spread to your neighbors yard too, wow! Corn Gluten Meal for a pre emerge, wow! and it will give your grass 9% nitrogen too as a natural derivitative of the product. 2 times per year is all you need. a little pricey compared to reg. pre emerge but only 2 times verses 4-6 of the other pre emerge so it is cheaper and safe. after the 3rd year, it will begin to kick weed seeds tail. yahoooo. now, the insect spray, this one contains sulpher which works but certain temps are not good and if the sulpher gets into your eyes, not good, I know from experience. ouch, and the weed spray acts like round up but it works so much faster, contains fatty acids, I wish my fatty acids would dissolve as fast as this product works, haha. The Hastgro liquid organic fertilizer is of course awesome, as you know, www.medinaag.com their web site. great fertilizer because this stuff really works and it is cheap or less expensive is a better way to say it. I see our properties and the grass is so pretty and green, imagine that, organics can green up a yard with regular fertilizer, wow. Of course I like these products and because I sell them, it sounds like I am a salesperson but... they really do work. what, our website? www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com and my email, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or just call me, 205-981-1151, call me, its ok, you will not be bothering me. ok, I hope this has gotten you fired up fpr organics, yeh, me too. have a wonderful day! Thank you for watching, listening and surfing the web with Fox 6. Alkalizing and Energizing   Rockett:) oh, another great web site, www.safelawns.org watch the videos, free and educational.

Hey there! Rockett here. Are you just tired of always planting the same thing and want something hardy, low maintenance and pretty? well, at most independant garden centers and my bug juice too, we have them. Nemesia, Lobelia, Bacopa, Calituna, Angelonia, Coral Nymph Salvia, Charm Begonia and double Impatien and Begonias. But there are more, this was just to name some. I hope on the segment you get to see up close just how pretty they really are. really cool, some like to hang over and others tend to grow upright. some are for sun and some for shade. Always use Lady Bug Brand Organic fertilizers and Medina Hastogro when feeding, why, because they work. and use light and fluffy potting soil. None of that cheap, heavy stuff for me. Fafard is what we use to grow our flowers in the green houses, but miracle gro and others are fine. For pots, use a dryer sheet to go over the hole, not broken clay or gravel, they can shift and clog the hole up. Please call me, 205-981-1151 ot email me, rockett@rockettsbugjuicegardens.com or go to my site, www.rockettsbugjuicegardens.com for more info, lots of free how to videos. Man, is spring here wide open and I have never seen so many people getting into flowers like this year and I have never seen so many Awesome Fox 6 viewers get into organics and Bug juices'  belief that it is all about balance. wow, Thank you! Thank you, Thank you! Have a wonderful Day! come see us and thank you for watching, listening and surfing the web with Fox 6! Alkalizing and energizing      Rockett:)