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Popular Obal Garden Center Can Help Your Garden Grow

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter ‹ all through the year, the Obal Garden Center, located at 518 Alexander Road, at the canal, has kept Princeton gardens beautiful and healthy. Owned and operated by the Obal family for more than 50 years, this popular establishment can provide all your gardening needs.

Loyal customers have come to rely on the Obals' knowledge and expertise.

As Walt Obal, Jr. says, "We do a lot of one-on-one service. We have lots of regular customers and also many referrals. People come back to us because of our knowledge. We know the soil, we know Princeton and the surrounding area, and what grows well here."

His father, Walter, Sr., has been helping customers since he joined the family business in 1959. Started by his uncle, John Obal in 1946, the garden center has become a mainstay for Princeton residents and those in the surrounding area.

After a long, cold winter, people are ready to get outside and get the garden underway, says Mr. Obal. "We're just about into our busiest season," he notes. "April, May and June. We are also getting more and more new customers, first time gardeners who need advice on what grows well here and when and where to plant different items.

"In addition, there are more people in condos today, with patios and decks. We have container gardens and window boxes especially for patios and decks."

Getting Ready

Getting the garden ready for planting is important, advise the Obals, and there are specific steps to take now that April is here.

"You can start cleaning up the beds now, and lime and fertilize your lawn," says Tom Obal. "It's hard to establish an exact date, but it is best to start crab grass prevention as soon as the forsythia is in mid-bloom. You can also prune back the roses, if it wasn't done in the fall. Most things can be pruned now, including Maple trees, and bushes, but not flowering bushes.

"Also, put mulch down anytime now and prepare the beds," he continues. "And it's a perfect time to feed evergreens with Hollytone and also to spray dormant oil on all plants, including azaleas and rose bushes. Such plants, as pansies, primrose and violas (little pansies) can be planted now. They don't mind the cold. And, cold crops, such as peas, lettuce and cabbage, can be planted now, too.

"In addition, this is a good time to fertilize trees with spikes. And now is the time to plant grass seed ‹ as soon as possible."

For plants, such as pansies, petunias, marigolds, and so many of the colorful annuals, wait until May 15, when the threat of frost is gone, advise the Obals, and that is true for tomatoes as well. Geraniums, which are hardier, can be planted earlier, however, around mid-April.

"Also, after May 15, you can plant summer blooming bulbs, including gladiolas, dahlias, and begonias," adds Mrs. Obal.

Customer Favorite

"Many people choose to start seeds indoors and then transplant them," points out Mr. Obal. A full seed selection is available at the center.

Rose bushes are a special customer favorite at Obal's, and roses of all kinds are offered, including Lenten roses.

"People seem to love our roses, and also the azaleas and rhododendrons," says Walt, Jr., who is the center's perennial and landscaping specialist. Such perennials as early phlox, primrose, and candy cup are favorites.

Many customers enjoy an ongoing eight-month seasonal garden, with different flowers and plants blooming from spring, through summer, and into October, he points out. Border plants, such as alyssum (similar to phlox) and ageratum are attractive, and myrtle and pachysandra are popular ground covers. An advantage of the latter two is their inhospitality to deer.

No question about it ‹ deer pose a continuing challenge to gardeners, and Obal's carries a large variety of repellents, including Milorganite, Deer-Out, Deer-off, Liquid Fence, and Repellex, among others. Generally, the sprays are longer-lasting ‹ 90 to 120 days ‹ but new growth must be treated regularly.

Obal's also recommends plants deer dislike, and offers the book, Gardening in Deer Country, which lists plants and shrubs deer avoid.

Top-of-the-Line

Another Obal's specialty is the big selection of bird feeders and seed. Many people feed birds year-round, notes Tom Obal. "It is good to feed them all year because they can't always find things in the summer. It is also important to have a bird bath for them."

In addition, customers will find a complete selection of fertilizers, potting soil, mulch, and peat moss, as well as all the tools ‹ rakes, shovels, trowels, and the top-of-the-line Felcro pruning shears. Hoses, sprinklers, and watering cans tend to become very popular in the summer, when there can be a shortage of rain, reports Walt, Jr.

Garden statuary, ornaments, trellises, sundials, and fountains are big sellers, and Obal's carries a full assortment of planters, including clay, ceramic, fiber glass, and redwood in all sizes. A big variety of gloves is also in stock.

Going to Obal's for gardening needs is a long-time Princeton tradition, and one the Obals hope will continue. "My mother was an avid gardener," says Mr. Obal, "and I had always been exposed to gardening. When I started working with my uncle, I found I liked it very much.

"We feel we are really a part of the community, and we want to continue to offer people our service. We always try to keep our prices reasonable and competitive, and sharing our knowledge and experience with customers is our biggest pleasure."

Adds Mrs. Obal: "I really enjoy seeing our customers come in. So many have become friends over the years. And this is such nice work ‹ seeing things grow!"

Obals's is open Monday through Friday 8 to 5, Saturday until 4, Sunday 11 to 3. 609-452-2401.