The Garden View • Spring 2015 • www.meadowview.com Page 1

A Sustainable FutureHow Meadow View Growers is Eco-FriendlySince our founding in 1984, Meadow View Growers has strived to become the most sustainable and eco-friendly garden center in the area by adopting environmentally friendly cultural practices used to produce insect and disease-free plants. We have adopted the use of beneficial, or parasitic, insects to control pest insects that threaten damage to plants. An example of this is the “sachets” (small envelope packets) that you will find on each hanging basket that we grow. The sachet contains Amblyseius cucumeris, a beneficial predatory mite that is placed on the plants to protect them from thrip (bad insect). Don’t worry, you can’t even see them with the naked eye! At MVG, we also pay close attention to other opportunities to use eco-friendly practices such as our waste management system. When possible, our nursery/greenhouse washes, disinfects and reuses plastic trays and pots, reuses or resells pallets and all cardboard is placed into a separate dumpster for recycling. In 2008, nearly all hanging baskets were switched from traditional plastic to attractive, reusable, biodegradable, organic containers. Even our greenhouse at MVG contains the newest systems available for the utmost efficiency. The cathedral-type open roof reduces the energy usually needed for cooling, eliminating the need for large exhaust fans. Another way energy is conserved is through an energy curtain, which reduces natural gas demands during the heating season and provides cooling during the summer months. As stewards of the land and environment, the owners and staff of Meadow View Growers don’t settle for the status quo when it comes to sustainability. We are continually looking for new technologies, new equipment and new methods to make the business more sustainable and eco-friendly, always keeping the environment and our customers in mind.

April 11, 9 am-5 pm and April 12, Noon-5 pm(while supplies last) • Hanging Basket ExtravaganzaBuy one hanging basket, get one free. Limit of four free

Mid-April - May • Help Stomp Out Alzheimer’sBuy select planted purple pots and half the proceeds go to theAlzheimer’s Association (while supplies last)

April 18 • Tool Sharpening with RickTool Sharpening (hand-held only) 1-4 pm $2/tool. Limit 3/person

April 24 • National Arbor Day 20% Off All Trees

April 24-26 • Perennial Quart Sale Buy 3 quarts, get 1 quart free

May 1-3 • Pansy and Petunia Flat sale Buy 1 flat, get 1 flat 50% off and Wave petunia value paks ($2 off)

May 16 • Armed Forces Day 10% off with military ID

May 22-25 • Memorial Day Sale Special savings on select items

June 14-20 • Customer Appreciation Week Specials on select items throughout the week

June 20 • Hot Dogs with Earl Saturday 11 am-3 pm

June 20 • MVG Alumni Employee Reunion 11 am-3 pm

July 18 • AAS Bed and MVG Landscape Bed Tours 10 am-2 pm

July 18 • MVG Hosts Best Friends Bow Wow Wash 10 am-2 pm

Calendar of Events

Spring Hours: M-F 9-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 12-5 Closed Easter

May Hours: M-F 9-7 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 12-5 Memorial Day 9-1

the garden viewMEADOW VIEW GROWERS • SPRING 2015www.meadowview.com • 937.845.0093Just north of I-70 on SR 235 in New Carlisle

Container gardening is a great way to add variety to your home’s yard and garden. By mixing colors, heights and containers, you can create unique pieces to last all summer. Meadow View has a DIY (do-it-yourself) potting station during regular business hours in April and May. All garden lovers are welcome to come play in the dirt at MVG and leave the mess behind. Whether you’ve been planting for years or you’re just beginning to garden, our Creation Station is a great place to start. We provide the supplies. You can bring your own pot or purchase one from our huge selection.

Stop by our Creation Station and get your hands dirty while saving time and money. As always, our expert advice is free!

DIY Creation Station

GARDEN EXPERTISE SENT DIRECTLY TO YOU! Visit meadowview.com/eviews to sign up for our e-views email newsletter.

Annual Hanging BasketEXTRAVAGANZA

APRIL 119 AM - 5 PM

IF/WHILE SUPPLIES LASTApril 12 • 12 PM - 5 PM

Limit 4 free. Sorry, no rain checks, holds orguarantees. No other discounts apply. Call for details.

Buy 1 Hanging BasketGET 1 FREE

Bring along your friends on Wednesday.Everyone in your party will receive

10% off.* *See store for details.

Wednesday is Friends’ Day

T-Shirt TuesdayWear your Meadow View t-shirt onTuesdays and earn a 10% discount.*

If one of our staff membersspots you wearing yourMeadow View T-shirt out andabout, you could receive a

$10 Meadow View gift card.*Sorry, no further discounts, Bloomin’ Rewards or sale prices apply.

Earn 1 point for every $20 of purchases in our Bloomin’ Rewards program. Once you reach the 25 point mark, redeem a $25 credit at checkout directly off your next purchase of $25 or more or ANY TIME after that. The program is free and we track your points for you, so be sure to sign up today.

Bloomin’ Rewards

Be Selective | Be Creative | Be Inspiredbloomin’ rewards

755 North Dayton Lakeview Rd. State Route 235 NorthNew Carlisle, Ohio 45344

937.845.0093www.meadowview.comJust north of I-70 on SR 235 in New Carlisle

2015 MVG Proven PerformerEach year, the Meadow View staff chooses a ‘Proven Performer’ annual that thrives with minimal care and maintenance. These plants are chosen from varieties tested in our MVG landscape display beds and our home gardens. This year, the honor goes to the Begonia ‘Big.’

This show-stopping beauty sports three varieties: red blooms with bronze or green leaves and rose blooms with bronze leaves! It is a vigorous grower mounding 14” to 20” tall. Extremely easy to grow, self-cleaning, well-branching, tough and tolerant of hot, humid summer conditions are just a few more of its quality attributes. Equally outstanding in borders or containers, ‘Big’ prefers dappled sun, but we have planted them in full sun and shade, yielding wonderful results in both locations.

For optimum performance, we recommend applying Osmocote® slow-release fertilizer at planting to provide season-long nutrition.

Previous ‘Proven Performer’ winners include Petunia Supertunia® Vista ‘Bubble Gum,’ Salvia ‘Black and Blue,’ Petunia ‘Blanket,’ Celosia ‘New Look,’ Verbena ‘Homestead Purple,’ Begonia ‘Dragon Wing’ and Euphorbia ‘Hip Hop.’

The Garden View • Spring 2015 • www.meadowview.com Page 3Page 2 The Garden View • Spring 2015 • www.meadowview.com

Last year, MVG asked customers what kept them coming back year after year. We were so pleased with the positive feedback! Perhaps what made us most proud is that 95 percent of our customers said they would recommend Meadow View to a friend. Our sole purpose is to sell the very best products with customer service that exceeds expectations, and we will continue to make that happen. As one survey participant said: “Just keep doing what you’ve been doing - so many places have stopped being special.”

Here are some ways MVG continues to be special:

• We grow the largest selection of annuals and perennials in the Miami Valley – many garden centers, landscapers and institutions nationwide buy from us!

• Creative displays• Offer fundraising opportunities • Meadow View Growers’ Bloomin’ Bus • Host Lawn and Garden Tractor Show• Provide garden and nursery tours • School and group fall field trips• Help raise funds for charitable organizations

For more information visit meadowview.com!

Romanesco broccoli, originating in Italy, resembles cauliflower, but is light green in color. This fractal veggie produces multiple health benefits including boosting eyesight, reducing cancer risks, boosting heart health, increasing brain function and more!

Another plant that produces multiple health benefits is the hot pepper, which according to the American Cancer Society, is a great source of Vitamins A and C, can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and their antioxidant properties help fight cancer- causing free radicals. Five of the “World’s Hottest Peppers” are grown at MVG!

PLANTS OF THE YEARColeus, Gaillardia & Sweet PepperAccording to the National Garden Bureau, the Coleus has earned its way to the top this year because of its appearance in gardens of any kind. This colorful plant has varieties that will grow in sun or shade and is very low maintenance and durable. The Gaillardia is also making an impact this year because of its beauty and sun-loving nature. Also, butterflies love Gaillardia, which makes this impressive flower a great addition to your garden. With an increase in health awareness in America, the year of the Sweet Pepper couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. The National Garden Bureau states that the pepper has generous amounts of Vitamins C and E, along with many other antioxidants - all with only 29 calories! You can find many different types of Coleus, Gaillardia and Sweet Pepper at MVG.

Takes the worry out of going away!

MVG has “Weekender” hanging baskets available this spring. These baskets are eco-friendly, requiring much less water than a traditional hanging basket. “I tried this at home last year and it really works,” said Scott Robinson, vice president and retail manager of MVG. “It cut down on the watering of a very large cascading petunia basket, which I only watered every three or four days in the heat of summer.”

Cities and villages are also saving on labor costs as well as water. “We dropped our watering from seven days a week to three days a week using the Weekender baskets,” said a representative from the City of Wilmington.

These hanging baskets contain a water reservoir with wicking material. A plantable, removable liner with an overflow feature prevents over-watering. They are made in the USA and carry a 10 year guarantee!

You know it’s spring when our Garden Barn is filled with all kinds of gardening goodies. From wind chimes and birdfeeders to hang from your perches to birdbaths and statuary to accentuate your pathways, we have what you need to highlight your backyard haven. We also have expanded our miniature collection this year with more adorable selections to create ever-expanding venues for your pint-sized creations.

PROTECTING POLLINATORS:We have plants they love!The plants at Meadow View don’t only attract the attention of your neighbors and friends, they also make your garden popular among butterflies and hummingbirds. Annuals such as the Cosmos, Lantana and Zinnia bring butterflies fluttering to your garden, while the Geranium, Hibiscus and Snapdragon attract the attention of your local hummingbirds! If you are more interested in perennials, the Bee Balm, GayFeather and Hollyhock attract both admirers to your garden. Stop by our center to make your garden a home for these fascinating pollinators!

PERENNIAL OF THE YEARGeranium c. ‘Biokovo’The Perennial Plant Association has chosen Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ as Perennial of the Year! ‘Biokovo’ will look great all season, with very little maintenance. These little flowers enjoy full sun to part shade, and they have great ground-covering capabilities that will spruce up any garden. Also, geraniums offer continuous color throughout the season, with the leaves even changing to shades of red in the fall.

This special perennial is sold right here at Meadow View! Stop by our garden center to help us celebrate the year of the perennial Geranium c. ‘Biokovo’!

SPRING 2015Gardening TrendsAre you interested in trying something new to spice up your daily fruit and vegetable intake? These interesting plants have already made an impact in 2015 not only for their multiple health benefits, but also for their humorous appearance.

Kalettes are a combination of brussel sprouts and kale, tasting like a wonderful mix of fruits and nuts. This plant looks like tiny heads of cabbage and can be prepared in a variety of different ways to reap the delicious benefits of this veggie.

The White Carolina Strawberry and Mouse Melon are always crowd-pleasers, especially for children. The White Carolina Strawberry, sometimes referred to as a pineberry, looks like a reverse strawberry and is a combination of a pineapple and strawberry. The peculiar appearance of these berries catches the attention of adults and children, but not birds, which makes for safe growing! The Mouse Melon is a tiny melon-looking fruit that tastes like a combination of cucumber and lime. This little fruit is a great conversation-starter in salads, stir-fries, desserts and more! If you have limited space or poor soil, try growing your veggies in containers. It works great!

Heirloom vegetables are acclimated to growing in our area and produce very flavorful and large yields. They are open-pollinated, which means they are pollinated by insects, birds or wind. These plants have also been around for a very long time because they can be grown from the parents’ seeds. You can find all of these vegetables and more at MVG!

OUR FAVORITE PRODUCT FOR 2015 Weekender Hanging Baskets

Garden Barn

Weekender Hanging Baskets used by City of Sandusky

Why Shop atMeadow View?