Helpful How-To Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Answered by our President of Operations
There are thousands of varieties of perennials. Why don't you grow them all?Are you considering new plants?
Do you have testing grounds for new products?
What is the hardiness zone of your production area?
When is a good time to plant?
Should I change how and what I plant by the seasons?
How do you define proper watering?
How should I water new plantings?
Why should I use mulch?
What's happening in the world of plants?
Do you do all your own propagation?
What are your philosophies on native plants?
What are your philosophies on invasive plants?
Do you use chemicals in the production process?
What's in your growing media (potting mix)?
How do you handle water management?
What is your biggest problem?
What is the educational background of the owners?
Are you a publicly traded company?
Are any of your brands franchised?
What other associations or affiliates do you have?
Do you have any "causes"?
How many people do you employ?
What kind of people do you employ?
Do you provide housing for your alien employees?
Are your employees paid minimum wage?
What do you do with employees in cold weather, or on rainy days?
Why do you have two Daylily lines? What's the difference?
How do you advertise?
Why don't you sell via mail order?
Do you sell retail?
What chain stores do you sell to?
How far do you ship?
How do you manage to ship damage-free plants?
There are thousands of varieties of perennials. Why don’t you grow them all?
Certain plants are a challenge to a degree they seem destined for failure. Some gardeners enjoy a challenge but most like success without outrageous amounts of fuss. Place me in the latter group: I love gardening and have other interests that demand my time, too. We grow an array of the best plants, some slightly demanding, but we choose not to grow items that fall into that “slim-chance-of-making-it” category. Why should we waste our time and your money? This isn’t the only answer but it’s reason enough. Surely, there are other plants we’ve yet to “discover”.Are you considering new plants?
Always. We continuously introduce new plants. We annually bring in samples of new plants from hybridizers around the globe. We have a capacity to evaluate around 100 new varieties each year. Our sister affiliates can evaluate an additional 3-400. Although nearly all these plants come to us with promises of “new and improved”, well, you’ve been there and done that, and so have we. We may find that 25-75 of them are worthy of pursuit (have merit, have viable commercial potential, and don’t require a doctorate degree in biological physics to grow them).Do you have testing grounds for new products?
We use our production facilities as well as our home gardens (that real-world view). We are indebted to other organizations and individuals who perform analysis on our behalf.What is the hardiness zone of your production area?
This region of NJ is one of contrast. Along coastal regions they are a zone 7b and we see zone 8 plants growing in isolated locales like Cape May. In the Pineland bog areas one can find cold pockets where frost in June and August is not unusual. Our Bridgeton facilities are 25 miles inland and west of the Delaware Bay, 45 miles east of the Atlantic and 60 miles north of Cape May. Although older maps show us as zone 7a, we are really a 6b. While most winters go to zero F, we can experience -12 degrees.When is a good time to plant?
If planting from container-grown stock (which ours is), anytime is good. Decades ago, most plants were grown in the ground (what we call field-grown). There was no way to avoid cutting off some roots during the digging process. So, the only appropriate time to plant was in the spring, allowing a full season to overcome the shock of root elimination. All that changed with the evolution of container-growing. Container grown plants can be installed without any disturbance or loss of root system.Should I change how and what I plant by the seasons?
There are some rare products that are season-specific but for the most part, the following rules apply. Each season can be managed through it pluses and minuses.- Spring minuses: cold soil not ideal for root exploration while warm air encourages fast top growth. Spring pluses: usually ample soil moisture and a long season ahead to establish roots. Spring success action: If normal spring rains cease, begin watering to assure establishment. Fertilize normally.
- Summer minuses: heat and usually less than ample soil moisture. Summer pluses: with container grown stock, instant color gardens can be installed. Summer success action: water plants religiously until established. Recommended 2-3” per week for a couple weeks, then 1” per week thereafter. Fertilize but do so sparingly.
- Fall minuses: minimal season left for root establishment. Fall pluses: warm soil encourages root exploration, cool temperatures discourage new top growth, usually ample soil moisture. Fall success action: stay with container grown stock so no root shock occurs. Do not fertilize.
How do you define proper watering?
Tough question. I do know the way most people water is not enough at a time and too often. Shallow, frequent bursts of watering encourage stress-susceptible surface roots and discourage deep rooting. Deep rooting is what’s needed to weather the inevitable extremes. When you need to water, water deeply, then allow the roots a several-day opportunity to reach for it. Here’s what I’m inclined to do.- For shrubs and established beds apply ¾ to 1” every five to seven days.
- For turf, shoot for ½ to ¾ “ every four to seven days.
- Roses like water, however they don’t like their foliage wet for hours in succession. Water by soaker hoses, drip lines or any source where water can be directed to the roots (versus spraying tops).
How should I water new plantings?
New plantings are the most critical because their roots are not interfaced with the surrounding soil. Saturate the bed within an hour of installation. Re-saturate within 48 hours. Then soak with 1 to 2” every 4-5 days. Do this for three weeks, then back off to a strict schedule of 1” every five days until season’s end.Why should I use mulch?
The ideal mulches are life based; that is, from living tissue (as opposed to rock or plastic) such as: wood chips, bark, root choppings, pine needles, grain straws, shredded leaves, and so on. Mulch forms an insulation blanket to conserve moisture, protect roots from summer’s heat and winter’s cold. Mulch also helps suppress weeds. Aside of good watering, mulching is the single most important thing you can do to assure garden success. Recommended depth is 2 to 4” on new plantings. Over time, mulch decomposes so refresh it annually by top dressing with another inch or so. There is such an array of products available, even in colors (that some think are ugly). To each his own, I guess. One of the most dramatic looking is the dyed black. A very deep, rich look.What’s happening in the world of plants?
As a whole, plants are getting better. For example, there are now 600 known hybridizers of just Daylilies in the world. The communication and exchange is huge so the gene pool has grown to mammoth dimensions. Sure, we see new plants introduced solely because some egotistical hybridizer wants his or her name attached to it. But for the most part the industry is encountering an explosion of broader variety, more vigor, stronger pest resistance, and overall better performance.Do you do all your own propagation?
We used to propagate all our own “starter plants” (transplants, plugs, liners, seedlings). Much has changed. Sometimes we were unable to keep up with demand so we began purchasing starters. Second, the explosion of new varieties fuels the marketplace. To get access, we turn to the propagation nurseries that get hold of them first. Finally, much of the best new plant material is being patented. A patented plant cannot be propagated by anyone except a propagator specially licensed to propagate it. In order for the patent holder to monitor the royalty money associated with a patent, they generally don’t license production nurseries like us: they license strict “propagation nurseries”. So if we want these new plants we must buy the starter from the licensed propagator, paying them two fees: one for the plant and a second one for the royalty. Only then are we legally entitled to grow the plant to maturity.What are your philosophies on native plants?
We are for native plants. We are also for non-natives that perform responsibly in our part of the world. Some fanatics would like to legislate what we can and cannot plant. They are for strictly native plants. We have a problem with that concept. Limiting ourselves to non-natives is equivalent to saying only a certain kind of person should be allowed to live in this community. If we Americans had to eliminate non-natives we’d have to get rid of cats, dogs, tomatoes, potatoes, Hondas, Toyotas, and most of us! Let’s face it. We are citizens of a world community. Each nation has lots of good citizens and a few bad ones. As far as we’re concerned all people and plants that mind their manners are welcome here. I will add one more thing. There are natives that are pretty and natives that are pretty darned boring. If it isn’t appealing, people don’t want it in their yards. We don’t grow plants based on biased agendas: we grow plants that good people treasure and value, and leave the political schemes to others.What are your philosophies on invasive plants?
It’s a relative term. Invasive where? A variety invasive in Florida could be the cutest plant in Pennsylvania. And many natives grow invasively. So, I say it depends on what and where. Generalizing is an exercise of prejudice, no different than saying everyone in California is a card-carrying left wing extremist. Let’s look at the individuals, the facts and the details, and leave the generalizing to the screaming idiots of the conspiracy-theory school. Surely, if a certain plant gets placed on a state or federal “no-grow” list, we abide by the laws.Do you use chemicals in the production process?
Yes. Many techniques and materials we employ are of organic or natural origin. Where necessary, we use scientific tools, too. In certain situations on a commercial scale, chemicals remedies are our only believable options. We follow university-proven recommendations and environmental regulations governing plants in a recovery phase. The expenditures for plant remedies evolved no differently than that of human health care; prices have gone through the roof. Today’s growers don’t throw money at plants for fun. Administering pills, sprays, dips, drenches or injections are time consuming and terribly expensive. We consider each situation case by case, and take such action if and when it is necessary.What’s in your growing media (potting mix)?
In addition to enhancements and conditioners such as fertilizer, limestone, gypsum and micro-nutrients, we blend four structural elements. They are:- Peat Moss: We select a superior class of peat from Canada. Peat is an organic growing media, ideal for production of most plants. This peat has some inherent disease-fighting qualities.
- Bark: This is aged ground pine bark fines. This aids in drainage, keeping the soil surface fairly dry and weed/disease free.
- Vermiculite: A natural mineral (mica) from South Africa that is baked until it explodes like popcorn. This event changes the properties, converting it from solid stone to a multi-layered particle. These layers are the finest holders and conservers of oxygen, water and nutrients. Hence, vermiculite allows more efficient use of resources. A secondary benefit is the baking process that renders it 100% clean of all diseases and pests.
- Sand: This custom harvested, local sand serves two purposes. It acts as a ballast, adding stability to the container growing system. Second, research shows soil mixes containing a specific percentage of natural local minerals (like this one) promote a quicker, better interface when planting into native soils. In lay terms, your plant will establish itself quicker because of this special mineral in our mix.
How do you handle water management?
Our water comes from wells. What does not go to plants and surface recharge is captured into reservoirs. Subsequently, that runoff wastewater is currently used to irrigate adjacent non-crop, field-crop and pasture lands. We are in the process of installing a tailwater recovery system that we allow us to recycle 100% of our runoff and rain water for reapplication in our greenhouses.What is your biggest problem?
Wow, what a question! When you own a business like this you are required to be: a plumber, an electrician, a building contractor, an architect, a botanist, a biologist, a physicist, a psychiatrist, an artist, a typist, a writer, an ccountant, a chemist, a mechanic, an engineer, a regulator, a designer and a communicator, just to name a few. I admit to doing only a few, and a couple of those, not very profficiently. That’s why I guess you could say that the biggest problem is finding enough of the right people. Can we attract a person ........ who can get out of bed in the morning, and be depended upon to be prepared?
.... who is willing to work his or her way up to Vice President as opposed to starting out as one?
.... who isn’t going to be devastated without the latest $500 cell phone with all the gadgets?
.... who doesn’t freak out, get a headache and a stomach ache if we have to use the sprayer?
.... who can put up with awful weather conditions?
.... who can tolerate the incredible pace, as well as the occasional tedium?
.... who can set an example for others?
.... who, when he or she doesn’t understand, says so?
.... who can listen? .... who is reasonable? .... who is fair? .... who is honest?
.... who does not have to be de-trained from bad habits or previous mis-direction?
.... who is not an extremist filled with anger and hatred? .... who gets along with others?
.... who will charge Hell with a bucket of cold water, when that’s what it takes to get the job done?
Seldom does anyone have all these qualities. However, to be successful, one must have at least some of them. Yes, I would say that the biggest problem / challenge / limitation of any business is it’s ability to get and keep the right people.
What is the educational background of the owners?
Ray Blew attended National Farm School College. Denny Blew has a Bachelor of Agronomy from Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture with post graduate studies at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Donald Blew has a Bachelor of Agribusiness from Delaware Valley College. Robert Blew has a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management from Penn State University.Are you a publicly traded company?
No. We frequently get inquiries from individuals wishing to invest. We’ve chosen to stay family owned and operated. Going public would generate massive amounts of cash to feed new growth, however we are of a mind to grow at a controlled pace to maintain quality control. We also the need to retain the ability to adapt quickly. Change, when needed most, comes too slowly in a publicly traded environment. Three generations of our family are fully involved, controlling the voting stock.Are any of your brands franchised?
Yes. All our brands originated here. To expand the reach of these brands we franchise nurseries of similar size and ideals to produce our brands for other markets. They are: Sepers Nursery (NJ), Kessels Nursery (NJ), Walters Gardens (MI), Valleybrook Gardens (BC, Canada) and Valleybrook Gardens (ONT, Canada). Franchising is managed through our independent company, BrandSpanker.What other associations or affiliates do you have?
We are part owners of Jerseyflora, a privately funded botanical think tank out of Rutgers University. We’re also closely aligned to several garden retailer organizations: Garden Centers of America, ECGC and The Garden Center Group. We own BrandSpanker, a company to develop franchising of horticultural brands, and BlewLine Nursery, a field producer of starter plants.Do you have any “causes”?
We strongly support and contribute to several organizations: the Salvation Army, and on a local level the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, as well as fire and emergency services. Monies to these organizations are not squandered on administrative fees or political agendas. We even have a line of plants that are dedicated to charities: www.charityplants.com.How many people do you employ?
As of this writing we have in the neighborhood of one hundred employees, most of them full time. About five are administrative, five are department managers and fifteen assistant or field supervisors. The balance, obviously, is labor for order processing, loading, materials processing, construction, pruning and spacing, potting, propagation and all the other duties it takes to run an agricultural business.What kind of people do you employ?
At last count we have had employees from up to five continents and thirteen different nations. They come from all walks of life, education, races and religions. The biggest single group is from the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Some people frown upon immigrants. We embrace them. Immigration is the history and the strength of America. America was established because of it and continues to prosper because of it.Do you provide housing for your alien employees?
No. 99% of our employees are permanent residents. We encourage them to purchase homes of their own and become active members of their communities.Are your employees paid minimum wage?
Our people use wit and ambition and we reward them accordingly with wages in a different league from minimum wage. And they earn it. In addition to their hourly pay (or sometimes weekly salary), they get opportunities to participate in numerous bonus systems. Many produce 25-40% above their regular earnings in bonuses. Their standard of living outpaces the county averages. Come check out our parking lot. It may not be filled with Mercedes and Bentleys: neither will you find any junk.What do you do with employees in cold weather, or on rainy days?
We work anyway. Our people are tough. We supply rainsuits, gloves, tools, whatever it takes and they keep right on moving. As opposed to an office lifestyle, our workdays range from maximum misery to picture-perfection. One thing for sure, it doesn’t get boring.Why do you have two Daylily lines? What’s the difference?
Our first Daylily brand was Trophytaker. These are plants that, through research, proved better than average in bloom time, foliage quality, overall general beauty and performance. Average Daylilies bloom 21 days: for Trophytaker we set a minimum standard of double that.Later we “discovered” another unique group of Daylilies. These may not have giant beautiful blooms and broad bodacious foliage like Trophytakers, but they have this tendency toward a markedly longer bloom window. These became our Happy-Ever-Appsters. Originally we called these “continuous bloomers” or “everbloomers”. In reality, these don’t bloom continuously. Our world has become a litigious place so for the sake of absolute accuracy we are now calling them multiple repeat bloomers. They bloom a few weeks, rest a week or so, bloom again, rest, bloom, and so on. The shortest bloom on an Appster is 63 days (or three cycles). Some varieties regularly exceed 100 days of bloom! Although we have recorded bloom time up to 130 days, that is under ideal conditions and is more than should be expected.
So, if you want a better than average performance Daylily with top beauty, go for Trophytaker. If your main concern is maximum length of bloom time, go with Appster. Obviously, the multiple repeat bloom feature is a strong one. Much effort is being placed on attaching maximum beauty to maximum bloom time. When that is achieved, we will have the ultimate. We believe this will come to fruition over the next decade.
