ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — As Mother’s Day approaches, flower shops in Ohio are bustling with activity, marking the unofficial start of the gardening season.
“At least in Ohio, this is about the time of year when it stops dropping below freezing and sometimes even below 40,” said Bea Lendon, a grower at Lendon’s Floral & Garden. “So most plants are hardy until that. So if you put them out beforehand you always run the risk of frost.”
Lendon plans to start her own garden next Wednesday, noting that the timing varies for everyone based on temperature and availability.
Lendon’s Floral & Garden in St. Clairsville is experiencing one of its busiest times of the year.
“This year we really tried to diversify the varieties we have and the different species,” Lendon said. “We’ve got lots of hanging baskets, porch pots, beautiful flowering stuff, lots of herbs and vegetables if you’re looking to start your garden or if your mom’s a herb enthusiast.”
Lendon shared some gardening tips for the upcoming season, such as intermixing herbs to naturally deter pests. She also offered advice on cost-effective fertilizing options.
“Fertilizing is always important,” Lendon said. “You can always buy a store-bought one or you can go online and find some really cool homemade ones if you’re a little short on cash or just want to save some money. Especially if you like coffee, you can use coffee grounds. If you have bananas you can use banana peels, egg shells, a lot of homemade fertilizers, and pest repellants, you can use a lot of stuff from home.”
Lendon encouraged gardeners not to get discouraged, regardless of their level of expertise, emphasizing that gardening takes time but is well worth the effort.