Southern Homes & Gardens Blog

We may not have hit the winter weather and temps just yet, but that doesn’t stop Vera Bradley from unleashing her latest and greatest in the Winter 2010 signature collection!  We’ve fallen in love with her latest masterpieces…

Baroque

A very modern print, but one deeply rooted in a romantic time of Elizabethan tapestries and Rococo fabrics.  Baroque’s contemporary feel marries traditional motifs with black, citrine, greys and warm white.  The whole effect is at once formal and very fresh!

Buttercup

These pretty posies pack a fashionable punch – they bring a light and breezy touch with their warm tones of butter yellow, coral, fresh green and chocolate.  The ideal design for the free spirit!

Twirly Birds Navy

Deep navy, the new must-have color for every wardrobe, takes flight with this whirling, twirling, whimsical design in winter white.  Why not take these fine-feathered friends for a twirl?

Twirly Birds Pink

Birds of a feather…flock to a great cause!  Twirly Birds Pink is Vera Bradley’s newest Breast Cancer Awareness design.  Twittering sweet songs of hope for a cure, these raspberry pink and warm white warblers also sing of support.

Versailles

If history is bound to repeat itself, what prettier way than with this beautiful print that whispers of rich brocade and grandeur?  The modern approach: Rich, intense color – like ruby and green, periwinkle and gold – on a pure black ground.  Try it, and see what fashion history you can make!

We love that with every new season of Vera Bradley debuts, she also debuts new signature styles to collect…go ahead and fall in love with what’s in store for Winter 2010….we did!

Caitlyn

The newest petite handbag – perfect for the youngest Vera fan or a quick trip out!

• Zip closure
• Rolled double handles
• Pretty piping around the base helps this petite pleasure stand upright
• Inside hanging pocket – just like Mom’s bag!

Squared Away

Perfectly sized satchel ideal for the busiest gal of the season!

• Two hidden pockets on front, one zip and three slip pockets inside
• Zip around closure
• Removable solid base
• Silver hardware

Perfect Pocket Tote

We love this tall open tote as it’s the perfect carryall!

• One zip pocket inside
• Two deep, front pockets with hidden magnetic closures
• Removable solid base
• Silver hardware
• Great for work, teacher totes, party carryalls and more!

One for the Money

One for the money…and a wallet that has a million things for the show!

• Closable hook for keys that tucks into inside slip pocket
• Kisslock coin, zip and slip pockets inside
• ID window on back with side opening for easy access
• Snap closure

Opera Wallet

Our favorite most-sleek Vera wallet yet – perfect to look chic during day or night!

• Fabric covered frame wallet
• Gusseted zip pocket on back for coins
• Nine card slots, one cash or checkbook slip pocket and and ID window
• Serves as cute clutch too!

 So stop by our East Montgomery (Vaughn Rd.) store location to shop the latest & greatest in the world of Vera Bradley…you won’t be disappointed!

We love the sight of mums as it is the official sign of the Fall season – however, with new fans of mums each year, it’s important to learn (& remember!) these helpful tips for long-lasting mums:

1. Mums love full sun, but also do well with at least half a day of sun
2. Mums have shallow roots, so water lightly 2-3 times per week for the first week or two after planting in the ground.  Don’t oversaturate the soil.
3. Mums in containers offer tremendous flower power – don’t be afraid to buy mums that are not in full bloom.  Buy them when they are still budding, especially if you don’t have to have immediate color. 
4. Water daily in hot weather, but only a couple of times per week in cooler temps.
5. When frost approaches, protect mums by mulching around the base to help them withstand the cold temps – and aid potential spring regrowth after the cold weather passes.
6. Fertilize monthly in the spring when the new growth develops.  No fertilizer is necessary in the fall when the plant is in full bloom.
7. Pinch off spent blooms to encourage more blooms to follow – by doing this, you’ll be able to see blooms all season long.
8. Mix colors to add more street appeal and ‘wow’ factor…even small containers of mums offer major star power!

They’re baaack!  It’s time to start scouting out your gardens and lawns for the dreaded armyworms – there have been several reports of them and it looks like they might pose a problem again this year.   However, just because they’ve come back doesn’t mean you have to wave a white flag in surrender – simply follow these tips to defeat them.

•  Know what you’re looking for. Armyworms are 1 1/2 inch caterpillars that are pale green when first hatched but then change to olive green with a white stripe later in the season. They turn into moths that are gray-brown with a white dot on the wing.  It’s easiest to detect them on foliage in the early morning or late afternoon.

Typical armyworm

• Fall armyworms caterpillars will feed on almost all forage grasses and up to 100 additional plant species, as well as corn and cotton (bad news for farmers!).  Homeowners will typically see them in the lawn and veggie gardens (they looove tomatoes).

Corn damage from armyworms

• Rake up fallen leaf debris to eliminate daytime hiding places for armyworms.  If you have a heavy infestation, look for droppings on the ground beneath your plants as well as brown patches in the yard where they are eating all of the green tissue off the grass – right down to the roots.

Rake 'em up!

• Encourage hungry birds to visit your garden to help control armyworms by setting out feeders, birdbaths or nesting material in the area where the worms are feeding.

Build it and they will come

• Attract predatory wasps that will control armyworms by planting dill, fennel, coreopsis and brightly colored flowers near the armyworm-prone plants.

Drive 'em crazy with dill

• Treat Fall armyworms when they’re small – about half to 1 inch long.  Detecting infestations when caterpillars are small gives more time for control measures to be implemented.

• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis, an organic control for caterpillars, in the late afternoon or early evening hours when you see the first signs of armyworm damage in your garden. Bacillus thuringiensis (or Bt) is actually a bacteria and is safe to use around children and pets. There are also numerous chemical sprays available to control armyworms – we recommend Liquid Sevin, which you can attach right to the end of your hose for easy application.

Ready-to-use for easy application

•  Spray during the dormant season (winter) with a dormant-season oil spray to head off recurring infestations – armyworm eggs may overwinter in fallen debris. This is a good preventative measure.

Should you continue to have issues or problems, never hesitate to give us a call…we’re always happy to help!

Fall is here!

 

FALL IS FOR PLANTING: Fall is the best season to plant just about anything.  Cooler air temperatures and warm soil encourages vigorous root development.  By the time that the next growing season rolls around, the plants you set out in the fall have had a chance to root in and become established.

Keep up regular lawn maintenance this month

• LAWN MAINTENANCE: Continue to mow, edge and water as needed.  The best time to mow is in the evening when the grass is dry and temperatures have cooled.

Enjoy the sounds of silence

• ORNAMENTAL GRASSES: These versatile plants provide four seasons of interest and are often at their best during the fall when their “plumes” appear.  They are durable, low maintenance plants and are rarely affected by insects or diseases.  Looks aren’t everything.  Not only do they add distinction to the landscape, they also add an aspect of motion and sound.  The gentle waving motion of the grasses, and the accompanying sounds create a peaceful atmosphere.

Remove spent blooms and be rewarded with more!

• CRAPE MYRTLES: Continue to remove spent flowers and you may be rewarded with repeat blooms before frost. 

The official taste of Fall

• COOL SEASON VEGETABLES: Sow seeds or set out bedding plants of broccoli, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard, spinach and turnips. 

Treat these beauties right and be rewarded

• ROSES: As summer’s heat decreases, roses begin to perk up.  Apply a water soluble fertilizer (20-20-20) to the plants and you should get a last hurrah of blooms before frost.

Fall mums offer a big 'wow' factor

• GARDEN MUMS:  Chrysanthemums should be available in mid September.  These colorful fall perennials can be enjoyed in containers or planted in the ground.

Got other gardening or planting questions?  Call, click or visit us today to get your questions answered – we love to help!