Notes From The Gardens
September 2020
Covid-19 hasn’t slowed down our Garden additions
We haven’t heard many footsteps around the gardens, but we have heard the sound of machinery and progress. We have taken advantage of these unusual circumstances over the past few months. Now that the gardens are open again, keep an eye out for the updates made to the grounds over [...]
Garden Tips for Fall Clean-up
Now that the leaves are starting to fall and the frost is covering the plants, it is time to start thinking about cleaning up your gardens for the winter. Fall is a great time to cut down herbaceous perennials in the garden, especially if there was any sign of pests [...]
Creating the next generation of nature lovers; Nature-based preschool programs
It’s a brisk, foggy morning as I grab my jacket and run out the door to “help” my father cut wood. I am five years old and am heading straight for the ankle-deep stream that flows through the eight acres of forest behind our home. I sit at my favorite [...]
June 2020
Spreading Happiness, One Plant at a Time…
Monk Botanical Gardens announces “Spreading Happiness, One Plant at a Time” program. The Monk Botanical Gardens has partnered with Our House Senior Living and Benedictine Living Community Centers to provide a little joy to their staff and residents this summer. The program aims to immediately provide a plant to each [...]
Deer Resistance in the Garden
We all want to support the flora and fauna in our area, but sometimes they don’t always play nice with each other. For example, we love to see deer in their natural habitats, but once they start coming into our yards and mow our plants to the ground, we don’t [...]
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 [...]
