September is the month we normally look forward to the most. It usually brings cooler days and that is much easier on plant, people, and pets than the hot months. It may take a few weeks before we actually start
August In The Garden
August is Tea Month at Blackcreek Nursery! One of our specialties are Camellia sinensis Tea Plants. Did you know you can grow your own green, black, and oolong tea right from your garden? Tea Plants were grown on our site
The Life of A Grower – Sunshine & Briars
The Life of a Grower… Sunshine & Briars People see the flowers, the edible plants, the herbs, and the Camellias and say, “I bet you love your life. I’d like to do something like this.” Little do they know that
Using AI to Design Your Garden
For the past several months, I’ve had customers calling the nursery asking for all sorts of unusual plants—many I’ve never even heard of, and certainly not ones that are available or well-suited to our area. After 35+ years in the
Sweet or Sour ~ Understanding Soil pH
I’ve heard old-time gardeners describe soil as sweet or sour. Sweet soil was used to describe alkaline soil, and sour soil was used to describe acid soils. All of these terms refer to the pH of the soil. Simply put,
Steeped In Rebellion – The Historic Role of Tea In The US
The Plant That Sparked a Revolution Before it was poured into a teacup, it was a plant. Every cup of black, green, white, or oolong tea begins with the leaves of a single evergreen shrub called Camellia sinensis. While millions
July In The Garden
Gardening Tips for Maximizing Your Summer Garden As the summer heat settles in, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and tend to your garden. July is a crucial month for garden maintenance and ensuring your plants thrive in the
Plants with Purpose: Five Ways Plants Make Our World Better
Our lives are intertwined with plants. It’s one of the most reciprocal relationships that we have. We may not all be plant lovers, but the earth and people depend on plants for our existence. When most people think of plants,
Summer Solstice In The Garden
The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer. Astronomically, the Summer Solstice occurs when the Earth’s North Pole is tilted most directly toward the Sun, giving us the greatest amount of daylight.
Pollen Poisoning: How Systemic Insecticides Threaten Bees and Other Pollinators
Every year when the Camellias start to bloom I remember learning about a devastating occurrence of “pollen-poison” while taking a commercial chemical safety class in the early 2000’s. They told us of a small city on the west coast that
Pruning Perennials in June
Summer is upon us, and the perennials are growing beautifully. But recently I noticed some of mine were getting a little leggy, especially my Black-Eyed Susans. One of the most common questions gardeners ask this time of year is: “Should
June In The Garden
June is the perfect garden month but it is a busy one. Frost and freezes are long gone. The warmer temps are bringing many plants into bloom – Gardenias, Hydrangeas, Butterfly Bush, Lantana, and other plants are just coming into
Understanding Natives, Non-Natives & Invasive Plants
One of the most important aspects of responsible gardening is understanding what plants we put in our gardens and landscapes. Every plant has a story to tell, and we should make sure – before we plant– that we know all
May In The Garden
Planting In May May is where the garden truly starts to find its rhythm. The days are longer, the soil is warm, and everything—from your vegetables to your perennials—is pushing forward with new growth. It’s also the time when small,
Eleagnus ~ Plant It Once. Fight It Forever.
Elaeagnus pungens – Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus, or Thorny Olive I can’t tell you how many calls we get each year from customers asking for Elaeagnus—also known as Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus, or Thorny Olive. You see it everywhere—behind subdivisions as a
Coreopsis Lanceleaf
Coreopsis Lanceleaf (Coreopsis lanceolata)Bright, dependable, and made for the Southern garden If you’ve ever wanted a plant that looks like sunshine and behaves like a workhorse, lanceleaf coreopsis is it. Native to much of the southeastern United States, this cheerful
The Unexpected Nature of Growing Plants From Seed
Why Seeds Will Not Produce the Same Plant When a plant produces a seed, it is the result of sexual reproduction. Pollen from one flower fertilizes another, and the genetic material from two plants combines to form the seed. Because
Chill Hours for Apples & Peaches in SE Georgia
Chill Hours and Fruit Trees in Southeast Georgia One of the most important things to consider when planting fruit trees in Southeast Georgia is chill hours. Chill hours are the number of hours a fruit tree experiences winter temperatures between
