Our favorite new lighting system: 1-2 Glow

Decorating a Christmas tree with lights has never been so easy. 1-2Glow only takes 5 minutes, then you’re done! Sorry, 1-2Glow is not available in Brighton and Chelmsford. 1-2Glow is LED Christmas lights that you can put on your tree in 2 simple steps:

1. Hang the light set over the top of your tree
2. Wrap each section around the tree!

Simple Tips for Designing and Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs

Bulbs are the gateway to the garden. Plant them now and forget about them. By the time spring rolls around, the garden will be full of buds ready to blossom. And, with cooler temperatures, fall is the best season for planting. Whether you’re beginning a garden for the first time or tending an old one, planting flower bulbs has never been easier. Bulbs are a fantastic way to start or maintain a garden because they spring back up each year without any effort. But the key is to plant them correctly now. Don’t worry! The hardest part is deciding which flowers and a color scheme to use.

bulb-tone for planting bulbsPlanting Bulbs

Planting the bulbs is simple. Follow the steps below to create a flawless garden.

  1. Dig a hole 3-4 times deeper than the bulb height.
  2. Set bulbs firmly in place, following spacing guidelines.
  3. Sprinkle in a fertilizer made for bulbs such as Espoma’s Bulb Tone
  4. Cover with soil.
  5. Water thoroughly.
Design ideas

Remember when planting bulbs, plant more than you think you need and avoid the temptation to plant in single rows.

  • For the most natural look, group them in a pyramid, rectangle or circular shape.
  • For a camouflaged look, plant low bulbs in front of high. As the high ones die back, the low will cover the dying foliage.
  • For a layered look, plant small bulbs in the same hole as large bulbs.
  • For an entire spring of color, stagger bloom time by planting early, mid and late-season varieties together.

Flower bulbs are a low-maintenance way to expand or start a garden and create a stunning look year-after-year. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful array of color that pops up in the spring.

Buy spring flower bulbs now to prepare for the upcoming fall-planting season.

 

Come in to any one of our 7 locations to check out our bulb selection, or shop online!

Celebrate Earth Day!

celebrate earth dayWhile Earth day is April 22, everyday is Earth Day at Mahoney’s. Our commitment to finding you the best products to beautify and sustain our earth has been our passion for over 50 years. From organic lawn-care programs to locally-grown plants, tasty edibles, natives and so much more, here are a few tips and ideas to celebrate earth day right at home.

1. Grow your Own

What’s better than picking fresh veggies and herbs from the garden? Grown locally in our Woburn greenhouses, our house brand of Uncle Mike’s herbs and veggies are grown specifically for the best performance in our Boston area climate. We’ve selected the best varieties for top-performance. Non-GMO and grown with Integrated Pest Management (the good bugs eat the bad bugs) so you can feel good about growing organically at home.

2. Clean the Air

Airborne toxins such as formaldehyde, TCE and benzene are present in every home and office. That’s because these compounds are found in many products that we use everyday: paints, varnishes, plastics, rubber, insulation and particleboard. These all contribute to the quality of the air you breath. Houseplants like bamboo palm, ficus trees, and Chinese evergreens fight air pollution by absorbing these harmful contaminants. NASA researchers discovered that certain houseplants can reduce indoor pollutants by 87 percent in 24 hours! So, why not add several plants to your home and office? You’ll love the look and breathe easier too.

3. Feed organically

From lawn-care to plant care, we’ve been sourcing fertilizers and soil amendments before “organic” was even a thing. We pride ourselves in stocking the most contemporary chemistry out there in our lawn and garden products. From seaweed-based Neptune’s Harvest fertilizers to organic 4-step lawn programs, lobster compost soil amendments and chicken manure- our buyers are always focused on bringing you the best in organic garden care.

4. Plant a tree

Trees help purify the air, give wildlife a home, and could save big on energy costs. Large deciduous trees planted on the east and west sides of your home create shade from the hot sun and reduce summer air conditioning costs.

5. Bee Friendly

Plant pollinator friendly annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs to create a haven for pollination in your yard. Flat or shallow blossoms such as daisies, sunflowers, alyssum, zinnias, asters, petunias, echinacea, butterfly bush and verbena will attract the largest variety of pollinators because the nectar is easily accessible. Bumblebees are also attracted to flowers with hidden nectar spurs such as larkspur, monkshood, monarda, columbine, and snapdragons.

6. Go Native

By planting native trees, shrubs, and perennials you are restoring part of the natural ecology that is a haven to wildlife and pollinators. Aside from regular watering during their first season, most native plants require little maintenance.

7. Don’t forget to Mulch!

Usually we mulch our gardens each year because it polishes up the appearance of your yard. Did you know? Mulching helps conserve water resources. Mulch insulates the soil, maintaining soil moisture and preventing rapid evaporation from the hot sun so your plants are healthier and you water more efficiently.