Kevin Lee Jacobs

Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

My July Giveaway: $50 Gift Certificate from John Scheepers

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | 86 Comments

Last updated on December 2nd, 2011

I KNOW IT’S ONLY JULY, but we who garden are forward-thinking, right? For instance, if we want gorgeous color in spring, we plant lots of bulbs in the fall. And to get the best bulbs at the best prices, we order them in summer. That’s why I’ve purchased, for this month’s random drawing, a $50 gift certificate from John Scheepers. Who wants to win this shopping spree for autumn-planted, spring-flowering bulbs?

For me, bulbs have been a great investment in beauty. Most return year after year, the anemones and winter aconites exploding in blue and yellow the moment the snow melts in late winter, while pushkenia, chiondoxa, tulips and myriad other bulbs keep the garden flower-filled from April through early June.

They are marvelous in winter windows, too. Pot them in October, chill those which require it, and then you can enjoy, as I do, Iris reticulata and Snowdrops in December, perfumed hyacinths, crocuses, tulips and daffodils in January and February, and fragrant freesia in February and March.

For a chance to win this gift certificate, just do these two simple things:

First, subscribe to my weekly email newsletter.

Next, leave a comment below. Be sure to include at least part of your email address at the end of your comment, so that I can verify you’ve signed up for the newsletter. (If you post as “anonymous” and leave no clue as to your email address, I won’t be able to notify you if you win.)

Enter soon! This drawing expires on Friday, July 15, at 11:59 PM. As with all my giveaways, the winner will be chosen not by me, but by this nifty gadget.

What will $50 get you at John Scheeper’s? Well, quite a lot, actually. Have a look at their online catalogue.

Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.

Related Posts:
12 Reasons to Stay Home in April
Blooming Bulbs for February
How to Force Hyacinths in Bulb Vases
From Parking Lot to Rose Garden
The Perpetual Life of Pelargonium Peltatum

Comments

  1. 1

    Greg W says

    Alliums and Glory-of-the-Snow are some of my favorites. I enjoy reading your blog and your thoughts. Thanx Greg W at Utah valley gardens zone 6b

  3. 3

    Deborah says

    I subscribe to your newsletter: asthenight at gmail dot com (if this is a duplicate post…sorry, I keep trying and getting the 503 error).

  5. 5

    ErinFromIowa says

    Sign me up! I love growing bulbs. So much potential beauty packed in a rather homely package. blonday2u is the beginning of my addy.

  6. 6

    Roz says

    What a treat your newsletter is! It's a pleasure to bring up your cheerfully illustrated home page. I have a new greenhouse and raised beds for vegetables(that I load with too many flowers, but they're gorgeous.) I've used a lot of your advice…for garlic growing, for example. Thanks from [email protected].

  7. 7

    gold says

    You inspire me, not only with the gardening but with your upkeep with blogging. Keep it up!! sharley

  8. 8

    mary says

    love your gardening posts
    often I learn more about plants I already adore + it is always fun to learn new tips

    mary
    newsletter under cosmowinter at gm

  11. 11

    [email protected] says

    My favorite “bulb” is a Mirabilis tuber, the old fashioned 4:00's. I am in zone 6, southeastern PA. Each fall I must dig up my enormous tuber and store it for winter in our attached garage along with Callas, Cannas and Dahlias. Mirabilis comes readily from seeds and most people I know are familiar with the plant as an annual. Few of them realize it produces a tuber like a black carrot in year one, and steadily increases its girth with every replanting. I have photos of cantelope-sized tubers sitting next to my gardening gloves for scale. Right now the 4:00's are scenting the patio each evening, rising to about 4 feet tall and as wide in a vivid shade of fuchsia. Hummingbirds love these tubular blossoms, too.

    Thanks for your inspiring blog! [email protected]

  12. 12

    trillium says

    I look forward to your weekly newsletter – I've learned so much from you and am having fun applying these tips. Last week I started with “burying” some branches from favorite shrubs, and your vinegar trick (versus other options) worked famously. It's fun to pass them along to others too.

    Thanks for your great newsletter! [email protected]

  13. 13

    Nancy says

    Count me in! [email protected]. I am enjoying this website and blog very much.

    Wonder whether anyone could recommend a good place where we can purchase a wooden fence and have them install it? Need someone in MA or NH. Many thanks?

  14. 14

    brenda cole says

    I've been enjoying your newletter for some time now. The humble daffodil is my favorite bulb of late. I have an arce of woods on my property and every year I plant a couple hundred new daffodils in the hopes that someday soon I'll have a carpet of yellow come early spring time. [email protected]….

  15. 15

    SneePete says

    Wow, this is a lovely giveaway — thanks very much for offering it. We have had success with bulbs in our balcony container garden, and look forward to the fall planting season! SneePete

  17. 17

    Amy from NH says

    Hi Kevin – just wanted to let you know how useful your website has been to my husband and I. We've used it for our potatoes to our green beans and everything in between. Thanks for your help.
    [email protected]

  19. 19

    linda fradley says

    Would love to use these bulbs in N.C. in a naturalized area. Thanks! longhappytrail

  20. 20

    Nancy Shelly says

    Right now: enjoying the last lettuce, the green beans, beets, arugula, basil and herbs. Anxiously awaiting: the first cuke. tomatoes, brussels
    sprouts and the arrival of bulb catalogs.

  23. 23

    Prairiecactus says

    We in the prairie have already had 100° plus weather so often that it has been difficult to keep most things alive. Hoping for a cooler year in 2012 and many more blooms! The true survivors in my yard this year have been my butterfly bush and the red prairie salvias.
    Add us to the hopeful entrants!
    [email protected]

  24. 24

    Patty says

    With all the great timely advice you give in your blog/newsletter and on Facebook I feel like I should be giving YOU a gift certificate! I so appreciate you and your garden wisdom!
    [email protected]

  25. 25

    Donna says

    Our sloping front bank is covered with carpet roses in summer. so I planted hyacinth, muscari & crocus for spring color. They are really multiplying & filling in now. Beautiful.
    [email protected]

  28. 28

    Yvonne says

    Already subscribed. Would love a gift certificate to add to my spring bulbs. gaj4047

  29. 29

    casacara says

    I love paging through the Scheepers catalogue, and others, but the list of deer-proof naturalizers is disappointingly short! And even some of those on their list haven't been borne. out by my experience. MY deer did eat the muscari, and the foliage of the Spanish bluebells (though not the flowers). Oh well, there's always allium, and that makes up for a lot.
    caramia447

  32. 32

    Ellie says

    Add a 1/4 c. table salt and a tsp of dish detergent to your 4 c. white vinegar in a large spray bottle and you've really got a weed killer!

  33. 33

    Carolsue says

    I subscribe to your newsletter via e-mail.
    I've enjoyed looking through the catalog and reading the recipes! Thanks.
    Digicats {at} sbcglobal.net

  37. 37

    Marie says

    I'm fairly new to your blog, but loving it so far! Thanks for these wonderful opportunities!

    marie.laser [at] gmail.com

  38. 38

    donnashipley says

    Thanks so much for this opportunity to win the certificate. I ALWAYS need bulbs:)

  39. 39

    Kathleen says

    I always enjoy reading your posts, and learning new and amazing things for my garden and kitchen!
    Thanks so much, Kevin, for all of the wonderful information!
    Kathleen
    [email protected]…

  41. 41

    ladyvon5845 says

    I am a subscriber. I love bulbs, the first sign of spring. Where I live in IA, people have planted bulbs all over the small town and are beautiful and I would like to add the beauty by adding my own.

  42. 42

    Vicki says

    Who wouldn't want more bulbs? I need more spring color in the midst of all my green! Maybe some alliums, maybe some others…. And of course I get your newsletter, Kevin, it is required reading in our house… “The house with “The Fence” . Cheers from [email protected]

  43. 43

    Sharon ([email protected]) says

    I just found your blog last week via A Way To Garden, and joined your newsletter.

    In particular, I look for for bulbs that are deer resistant. Those long-necked galoots have been eating just about everything they can get their faces into this year. Thankfully they did not even try to eat grape hyacinth, daffodil, alliums, or hyacinth.

  45. 45

    Gayayyagari says

    Since I am already anew subscriber i hope I will be considered for the prize as well! Thank you.

  48. 48

    Kathlyn Dettmer says

    Anyone who lives in northern climates understands the excitement and hope of waiting for the spring bulbs. Count me in!

  51. 51

    Sylvie says

    Thanks for offering this as a giveaway. I'm a novice gardener and look forward to becoming better and better! sylversoldier at yahoo

  52. 52

    Debbie C says

    I really need some spring flowers in my yard. It's terribly lacking in that area and season.

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

  54. 54

    mkboldin says

    Very informative stuff. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to plant some bulbs this fall so I could the beauty of flowers in the spring.

  57. 57

    Tina12312 says

    I would love to try some woodland bulbs as we have a shade garden under our holly tree and it really needs some spring color.

    I subscribed (grdnldy710 AT aol DOT com). Thank you!

  58. 58

    Lisa Campagna says

    Hi Kev,

    Always loving your blog and all the great info you provide. Tthank you for sharing all your knowledge.
    Lisa

  60. 60

    Kelly K. says

    I am all signed up, thanks for the chance to win. My garden really needs some livening up and this would really help out.
    kgkiml at yahoo dot com

  73. 73

    Deb says

    I subscribe to your weekly email newsletter. Thanks so much for the great giveaway
    fairydancer40[at]gmail[dot]com

  83. 83

    carol y l says

    I subscribe spencer1953 at gmail dot com.
    Hyacinths and daffodils are my favorites!

  85. 85

    Salleefur/Jesselyn/Jesster says

    Hi Kevin. I'm already a devoted email subscriber
    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

    I do love autumn bulb that blossom into late Winter – Early Spring Blooms! Ah, the first Crocus, Daffodils, Hyacinths… Though sometimes our very clever local Squirrels have a sneaky way of re-arranging the bulbs (the ones that they don't eat!) Thanks Kevin!

    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

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