Spring is here and now is the time to start thinking about putting in flower beds, trees and shrubs. This area is considered Zone 7, and what zone we live in says a lot about when to put certain things into the ground. Nothing should go in until after the last frost. Being Tennessee, that is not always easy to gauge, but late March to early May is when most planting gets done. But, flowers, trees, and shrubs all have different planting conditions under which they thrive best.
Flowers come in the form of bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, corms, seeds, and bedding plants. Flower bulbs, tubers, rhizomes and corms like to be planted either in the Spring after the last frost if they flower in the Summer, or in the Fall if they flower in the Spring. Begonias, Daylilies, and Gladiolus are examples of those that need to be planted now. Iris, Daffodils and Tulips are examples of Fall plantings. More information on these types of plants can be found on almanac.com.
Seeds can be planted from August through April. They actually germinate better if they are grown outside as the last vestiges of winter bring them out of dormancy. Keep them well watered during the one to two weeks it will take them to germinate. They also like lots of sunlight as they are growing. More about growing from seeds can be found at silverfallsseed.com.
Lastly, you can buy bedding plants. Bedding plants are beginning to arrive at gardening stores now. Bedding plants can be annuals that have to be replaced every year; perennials that come back every year on their own; and biennials, which come back one more year after the year in which they are planted. The answer to the question “When DO you plant bedding plants?” is “depends.” It depends on the plant, when it blooms and how it reacts to heat. Most perennials prefer to be planted in the fall, but they can be put into the ground in the early spring. Annuals will grow best when planted between April 15 and May 15.
Trees and shrubs do best if put into the ground in the Fall, but most varieties can be planted any time as long as neither the ground is frozen nor is it the hottest part of the summer.
With planting beginning now, here are seven locally owned places to go in Wilson County to get flowers, shrubs and trees, as well at herbs and vegetables,
1Valley Growers
1108 West Main Street
Lebanon, Tennessee
https://www.facebook.com/wolfrivervalleygrowerslebanon/
(615) 444-2555
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Valley Growers has all of your gardening needs. They carry annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, shrubs, trees and more. Spring is time to get your hands in the dirt. They also have lots of yard ideas and tips on their Facebook page.
2The Nursery
1714 Sparta Pike
Lebanon, Tennessee
(615) 444-8733
https://thenurserylebanon.business.site/
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
This family-run nursery carries a wide variety of flowers, plants, shrubs and trees that are healthy and beautiful. Also available are garden dirt, topsoil, and a variety of rocks, which they deliver as well. Their prices are reasonable.
3Michael’s Garden Center
8250 Central Pike
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
(615) 773-4608
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelsGardenCenter/
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Head on down to Michael’s Garden Center to get great prices and help planning your summer project with help from the most knowledgeable, kindest, fun-loving people who make you feel like part of the family.
4Jenkins Nursery and Landscaping
11663 Lebanon Road
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
https://jenkinsnursery.com/
(615) 218-7212
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Not only do they offer trees, flowers, shrubs, topsoil, and mulch in three different colors, but they also provide professional landscaping, lawn care, and a maintenance program. And they are concrete hardscape experts.
5Needham’s Nursery
4435 Sparta Pike
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
https://needhamsnursery.com/
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
It is with pleasure that the Needham family serves their customers with quality nursery stock and bulk products. On November 1, 2022, they celebrated their 35th year in business. “We plant a garden each year,” said one reviewer, “and we found everything we were looking for and more.”
6Bass Landscaping and Gardening Center
116 Jackson Brothers Boulevard
Watertown, Tennessee
(615) 642-5102
Hours: Sunday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
“My flower beds were an absolute mess,” said one reviewer, “and Bass Landscaping came in and transformed them. Weeded, mulched, trimmed hedges and cleaned up. It is so pretty now and I’m so thankful. They were upfront about a timeline and I appreciate that and it was worth it!”
7Wilson Farmers Co-op
12425 Lebanon Road
Lebanon, Tennessee
(615) 754-7076
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Part of Tennessee Farmers Co-ops, they not only offer farm equipment and an assortment of flowers, shrubs and trees. Every Co-op is a cornerstone in the communities where their retail stores and facilities are located. Locally owned and operated, they have a well-trained, dedicated staff ready to serve the needs of each and every customer.
