Notes From The Gardens
May 2020
Vining Plants
Do you have an area in your garden that could use a little pick-me-up? Vining perennials could be what you have been looking for. Climbing plants can create a new dimension to your landscapes. Get out your arbors, obelisks and trellises, its time to plant some vines! Some common vining [...]
Annual Planting
As you are strolling through the greenhouses and garden centers this spring, you are probably grabbing some annual plants to brighten up your home. As you collect all of these beautiful plants, you may become overwhelmed by those impulsive buys. Have no fear! Annual planting is a fun way to [...]
Scarlet Lily Leaf Beetle
Have your lilies been under attack? Are there bright red beetles munching on your prized lilies? It’s time to take action! Start treating your lilies before they are mowed to the ground by the Scarlet Lily Beetle, otherwise known as the Lily Leaf Beetle. These nasty beetles are known to [...]
Creating a Backyard Prairie
Are you fed up with mowing your lawn every week, or do you want to create a pollinator and bird paradise? You might want to consider creating a small prairie to attract beneficial insects, birds, and wildlife. Prairies have a natural look, so if you like a formal looking garden, [...]
April 2020
Hydrangeas-Which one should I plant?
Smooth Hydrangeas- Hydrangea arborescens Description: Smooth hydrangeas are native to the eastern United States, and are usually found in wooded areas. They are Cold Hardy in Zones 3-9, so they can tolerate our winters here in Wisconsin. This hydrangea can tolerate low- light conditions because they prefer morning sun and [...]
Lawn Care
It’s almost that time! Fire up your lawnmowers and weed whips, the grass is starting to green up and grow. From my experience, there are two different types of turf people, those who care about their turf and those who don’t. It is common to see pristine lawns in suburban [...]
Planning Your Vegetable Garden
As you are awaiting planting time, you are most likely already planning what you would like in your vegetable gardens. If you are like me, you are probably anxiously paging through seed and plant catalogs. Some people love to start their own seeds in their homes, but you need good [...]
The Sweet Smell of Soil
Have you ever wondered why soil smells like it does? Organic compounds in the soil are called Geosmins. That earthy smell is produced by a certain bacterium in the soil. Imagine a whole world of microscopic organisms eating organic matter in our soils creating a bouquet of earthy smells. All [...]
March 2020
A Spring Tradition
As long as I can remember, collecting pussy willow branches for spring decoration has been a tradition in my family. To this day, I scout the ditches on our family’s property for budding pussy willows. Once I see the first sight of those silvery buds, I call my Grandma and [...]
Get Your Hands in the Dirt!
As the snow continues to melt, our landscapes start to wake up from hibernation. You may be thinking of ways to get into your gardens, and how you could get a head start on your summer projects. With abundant sunshine and warmer temperatures, we can start digging around in our [...]
