Oak Hill Garden Center is a beautiful addition to the Somerset community. Our garden center offers annuals, perennials, house plants, succulents, ferns, and herbs. With three greenhouses, a vegetable garden, and a pumpkin patch, Oak Hill offers something for everyone throughout the year.
The garden center provides a service to the community and vocational opportunities for individuals with IDD who live at Oakwood and in the Somerset Community.
Barb Hettmansperger is the Garden Center Manager at Oakwood. This program provides individuals with IDD meaningful activity and engages the community.
Hours
Monday – Friday · Hours Vary
Saturday – Sunday · Closed
Off Season · Closed
Located on Oak Hill Road. Take Light 11 on US Highway 27 · 606.677.4195
Barb’s Gardening Tip – September 2024
Hello Gardeners,
Mums in the garden are a highlight of autumn. They are lovely flowers that come in a variety of colors and bloom when the rest of the summer garden is fading away. They also have few pests that bother the flowers and even hungry deer tend to shy away from them.
After growing mums for many years, the number one question I receive from gardeners is, “Are mums perennials? Are they hardy?” I always answer, “Well, it depends!” Historically, nearly all mums were perennials and would faithfully return year after year. However, modern plant breeders have “improved” these flowers with larger growth and showier blooms, which in turn has somewhat decreased their hardiness.
Considering this, there are several practices a gardener can do to increase the likelihood their mums return. First, purchase and plant mums labeled as “hardy.” If unsure, ask the staff at the garden center. Also, mums need to be planted in the garden by early September to improve the odds they’ll return. Plant mums in a hole slightly larger than the pot it was purchased in, water frequently and use mulch around the plant. Mulching keeps the weeds down, maintains moisture and offers winter protection to the root system. Plant your hardy mums early in the season, take good care of them and hopefully you will be able to enjoy mums returning every year in your garden.
Happy Gardening,
Barb Hettmansperger, Oakwood Greenhouse Manager
Barb’s Gardening Tip – July 2024
Hello Gardeners,
It’s summertime and gardeners are finally able to harvest and enjoy sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh sweetcorn and green beans. But wouldn’t it be great if our gardens would continue producing right up to that first frost in October?
Despite what many think, it’s not too late to plant new or young transplant seeds. It all depends on finding the right species of vegetables that can grow to maturity before the first frost. We have approximately 75 days before frost here in Kentucky and there are many vegetables that can be planted for fall harvest.
Most gardeners are familiar with a fall garden of cool-season cole crops like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. These young transplants should be set out now and watered frequently during hot weather until they are established. Cole crops grow quickly in late summer and mature during cooler early fall weather.
Early August is the time to plant root vegetables like carrots, beets, turnips and radishes for fall. If planted now, these plants will mature by September or October. They can even be harvested after a frost, as the soil will insulate and protect them.
Also, if you plant now, your garden can produce another bounty of bush beans, cucumbers and summer squash. Be sure to plant varieties that mature within 50-60 days. As you can see, It’s not too late to replant and extend your vegetable harvest!
Happy Gardening,
Barb Hettmansperger, Oakwood Greenhouse Manager
Barb’s Gardening Tip – May 2024
Hello Gardeners,
Finally, May has arrived and gardening season is upon us! Growing flowers and vegetables can be a fun experience and a great way to spend quality time with your family outdoors. It’s also a way to save money by eating the food from your garden throughout the summer. No matter the size, there are three basic requirements for a successful vegetable garden.
1. Good soil. Gardening success usually begins with the soil. Flowers and vegetables do best in well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. Most soils in Kentucky have a high clay content, which is a detriment to drainage and nutrient uptake. A good solution is to amend your garden with compost which will improve clay compaction.
2. Full sun. Most vegetables require at least 6-8 hours of direct sun to produce a bountiful harvest.
3. Plenty of moisture. Vegetables need at least one inch of water a week for optimal growth. Considering this, during summer dry spells, you may need to irrigate your garden. The closer you are to a water source, the easier it is to supplement with sprinklers and soaker hoses.
Planting a garden can give you the satisfaction of savoring the fruits of your labor. In almost every case, the flavor and texture of vegetables you grow is much better than grocery store produce.
Happy Gardening,
Barb Hettmansperger, Oakwood Greenhouse Manager
Barb’s Gardening Tip – April 2024
Hello Gardeners,
Are you looking to be more self-sufficient this year? Have you decided to plant a vegetable garden? Here’s a good starting point. Begin with a quick trip to your local big box or farm store and check out their seed offerings. You’ll likely find a variety to choose from and it’s easy to become overwhelmed, so go with an initial plan.
First, how much room do you have in your garden? Measure your available space and make a rough sketch of the area. Plot out the rows of vegetables you would like to grow. Also, consider that certain vegetables, like carrots, beets, radishes and potatoes need to be direct seeded into your garden soil. Other vegetables, like tomatoes, peppers, squash and melons thrive when transplanted as seedlings, after the frost-free date. You will likely need a combination of seeds and started plants. A little early-season pre-planning will ensure your garden is a success!
Happy Gardening,
Barb Hettmansperger, Oakwood Greenhouse Manager
Barb’s Gardening Tip – March 2024
Hello Gardeners,
We are starting to see the first signs of Spring here in Kentucky. It’s in the air, so to speak! And nothing says Spring like germinating your own seedlings for your garden and yard. Most gardeners are envious of a yard full of unusual and exotic flowers and vegetables. By growing your own seedlings, you can expand your garden’s variety for a fraction of the cost of purchasing ready-to-plant seedlings.
There are several benefits to growing your own plant material. Mainly, a gardener can choose from an endless variety of seeds to germinate. I belong to one horticultural organization, Seed Savers Exchange, and their master catalog lists over four thousand cultivars of tomatoes alone! Now that’s variety! Also, most gardeners feel a sense of satisfaction and empowerment when they rely on themselves to produce their own seedlings. I believe many are farmers at heart and gardening is one of the most basic human skills. Plus, seed germination comes at a time of the year when not much is happening outdoors, so it’s enjoyable to have something constructive to do about “Spring Fever,” a malady most gardeners suffer from. This is our chance to get our hands in some dirt!
Happy Gardening,
Barb Hettmansperger, Oakwood Greenhouse Manager
Barb’s Gardening Tip – February 2024
Hello Gardeners,
Crafting your own succulent wreath is a fun gardening project for the winter months. Succulents are sturdy, drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants that can thrive in a moss-filled wreath. A succulent wreath is a great way to decorate your indoor space.
First, gather a moss wreath form, scissors, floral pins and the succulent cuttings. Cut a variety of succulent stems about two inches long and remove the lower leaves. Be sure to take the cuttings a day or two before crafting your wreath. The cuttings need to be exposed to air to develop a callus on the cut ends. This callus signals to the succulent to begin developing new roots.
Next, submerge the moss wreath form in warm water until it’s fully saturated, and then lay the wreath on a flat working surface. Make planting holes in the moss with scissors and insert the cuttings into each hole. Floral pins hold the cuttings in place and keep them secure. The succulents should root easily when the moss is kept moist. A daily, light spritzing with water over the wreath should be adequate. After planting, keep the succulent wreath out of direct sunlight for several weeks and then gradually increase light levels to full exposure.
Happy Gardening,
Barb Hettmansperger, Oakwood Greenhouse Manager
Barb’s Gardening Tips – January 2024
Hello Gardeners,
I realize it’s still very much wintertime here in Kentucky. We have already dealt with snow, ice, and frigid temperatures; I’m sure more severe weather will come. But Gardeners, that’s no excuse to ” rest on your laurels”! Spring is approaching, so now is the time to start planning your next garden.
First, you need to figure out what you would like to plant this year besides tomatoes. Unless you save your open-pollinated seed from year to year, you must procure several garden catalogs or visit the company’s website online. I enjoy browsing through actual seed catalogs during the winter months, and most companies are happy to send you a free catalog if you request one.
After you’ve made out your wish list, go ahead and get your seeds ordered. It would help to have your seeds delivered as early as possible, as many vegetable and flower seeds have long germination periods. Peppers and tomatoes, for example, can take several weeks to sprout, so they will need to be seeded indoors in March. Most gardeners already have an area set aside for planting. Now is an ideal time to graph or map out how your rows will be laid out and where each type or variety will be planted. By spending some time now getting organized, you’ll be better prepared once the busy Spring season arrives.
Happy Gardening,
Barb Hettmansperger, Oakwood Greenhouse Manager
