Gardening with a credit card
But now is the time to shop for deals at nurseries, which may be trying to clear out rough-looking plant material to make room for new fall plants.
Check the websites for local nurseries like Behnkes in Beltsville and Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, and you will see lots of sales. You might want to spend some time this weekend looking for bargains.
The plants may be looking a little rough right now, but don't worry. They should perk up with your TLC.
Marie Iannotti, who writes a gardening blog for about.com, has some tips for selecting mid-season plants. Here is her advice.
Check the plants for insects, disease and die back from lack of water. A pot with lots of weeds hasn't been well cared for, either.
Lanky growth and pot-bound roots will correct themselves in the ground.
Give your new plants plenty of water, but wait until the roots settle in before feeding them.
And don't be afraid to buy deciduous trees at this time of year. They are going to lose their leaves anyway. They should be fine with your TLC.
