See You Next Year!
We had a great year here and we hope you did as well. As usual, we are closing up our shop through the winter months.
Seasonal Hours:
By Appointment Only until April 1st.
Have a great winter!
Wisconsin Gardner’s Seasonal Monthly Tips for July 2020
Turn down the heat!
Wow, from Winter to Summer with planting, mowing, and trimming in between. There is no time to take a break with weather changes this quick, but we will take it. We will be shoveling snow before long. So, let us look at some tips for your garden for the month of July.
We understand with some state guidelines still in place that it may be a bit more difficult to get out and get the products you need to get your garden going but with keeping safety in mind, you can get this done and we can help you along with your project. Our staff can provide information and designs to get your project moved along in the heated part of the season and show how to maintain all the work that you accomplished in the Spring.
Stop in and visit us at Heritage Hill Nursery in Cedarburg, WI where the plants are growing, and the staff is eager to help you out.
Perennials
Some tips we would like to share with you involve perennials and what you should try to do with them come July.
How To Prune Your Perennials For The Summer Season
Flowers, plants, trees have all had a good Spring to get stabilized and now we enter part of the season that can prove to be brutal if the temperatures and moisture do not cooperate. What you should do with your perennials is to remove the dead flowers!
As flowers fade you should get out and remove them as soon as you can. While doing this, remove both flower and stem. Some plants produce a stalk that is separate from the rest of the foliage. That stalk should be removed as well.
Cut the perennial back to unopened buds or cut back to a good set of leaves.
You should also shear the plant anywhere from 25 to 50%. Also, look at the perennial and selectively remove any tired foliage. This helps your perennial to flourish without carrying so-called “dead weight” through the hot season.
Shrubs
Bushes or shrubs that flower in the Summer bloom on growth that is coming from the present growing season. These bushes or shrubs should not be pruned in the Summer before blooming has begun because this would remove the buds that are just about ready to bloom.
You should always prune these types of bushes or shrubs in the Spring before any new growth begins or during the Winter season. But for the month of July, the heart of the Summer season, let them be, no pruning required at this time.
Trees
Here are some tips on how to maintain your trees in the heat of Summer.
Help keep trees cool. How? Well, pay attention to what landscape materials you use under a tree. For example, hard materials such as rock or decomposed granite can cause heat to reflect or radiate which in turn puts undue stress on a healthy tree.
How about paying attention to what your tree is telling you. If leaves fall off during July your tree may be telling you that it is reacting to soil compaction, saturated soil, you’ve planted a shade loving tree in the sun (or vise verses) or you are simply experiencing drought conditions and it needs water.
And if you must prune in July, keep it to a minimum. Dead branches or branches that may be able to cause damage to your home or other structure should be trimmed out, including broken ones. However, try not to do any major pruning of trees until late Fall or Winter.
Lawns
For lawn care in July, continue to mow the lawn as needed. Make sure the lawn gets about an inch of water per week. Mulch clippings to aid in cooling and feeding your lawn. Edge planting beds for a clean look.
If you are inclined, maybe plant some warm-season grasses and make sure you keep them watered. Stop fertilizing your lawn in mid-Summer as this could burn the grass out. And make sure your lawnmower or tractor blades are kept sharp to make a clean cut and a great looking lawn. With these simple tips your lawn will look great into the Fall season.
Wisconsin Gardeners’ Seasonal Monthly Tips for May
With so many new varieties of plants out there, it’s hard not to impulse buy. However, it’s important to remember that some plants will give short-term color while others will add interesting appeal throughout the season. Take the time to research a prospect before making that purchase. Not all areas of your yard will be able to accommodate the plants that you may want. As silly as it may seem, on the next sunny day, take note of how much sun each area of your property receives.
Another thing to consider is the amount of wind exposure. Thus, doing a little research now and knowing beforehand can save you money and headaches down the road.
Don’t have that artistic skill? Stop in at Heritage Hill Nursery Inc. and see what our design team can do for you.
Perennials
Plants purchased at Heritage Hill Nursery, Inc. can stay in the containers they are purchased in. However, it’s important to water each pot thoroughly until the water visibly runs from the bottom; repeat this step every day until planted.
When ready to plant, use a 50/50 mixture of existing soil amended with a good planting soil (HHN sells planting soil by the bag). Hold off fertilizing for a year because they typically will have already been fertilized. Existing perennials, however, can benefit from either slow-release or liquid or organic fertilizers (all of which can be found at HHN). Once the plant is in the ground, you will need to water daily. Watering in the morning helps prevent wilting in the afternoon and allows the plant to thoroughly dry before nightfall. Sometimes it may be necessary to water twice a day if it’s really hot outside. Moisture probes are inexpensive and usually accurate ways to check when watering is needed.
- Bring out the peony cages and other plant supports and position them around the plants that will become top-heavy.
- Guiding new stems into the squares is easier than trying to carefully squeeze big flower heads into them later.
- Newly purchased perennials are usually safe to plant this month. Although, if the temps have been unseasonably low, wait another week.
- Place the pots outside during the day and bring them into the garage or into another protective environment at night.
Shrubs
Sprinkle a slow-release fertilizer (Heritage Hill Nursery, Inc. offers a vast selection of organic and regular fertilizer) around the base of the plant. Proactive measures against damaging insects and fungus should be taken early in the month before a problem arises. A brand that has worked well at the nursery is called, Bonide Systemic Insect Control and Bonide Infuse Systemic Disease Control.
Both of these products are liquid concentrate that can be safely mixed together and used on a wide range of plants. Since these products are both a systemic, the liquid is absorbed into the plant, so you can water plants freely without washing off the product.
Trees
Hold off on fertilizing trees that were purchased at Heritage Hill Nursery, Inc. last season as they were treated with a two-year slow-release fertilizer. If you are going to fertilize established trees, we recommend using Nutri-Pak (3 yr. slow release) as its safer for the environment, easy to use, and cost-efficient; it can be found at HHN.
Be on the lookout for tent caterpillars later this month. Not only are the large, pulsating masses unsightly, but these insects can also do damage to new foliage.
Before the caterpillars emerge, either uses a systemic insecticide spray, or you can prune the tent out of the tree and submerge it into a bucket of soapy water. Heritage Hill Nursery, Inc. used Bonide Systemic Insect Control because it absorbs into the plant and won’t wash off.
Lawns
Take proactive measures against crab grass towards the end of April/early May by applying a pre-emergent herbicide. However, new grass seedlings will also be killed. Due to this, it’s extremely important to not apply a pre-emergent now if you’re planning on seeding your lawn later in spring.
When the ground is dry, rake out or thatch any dead grass. Mowing shouldn’t begin until the grass reaches at least 2.5”, better if the grass reaches 3-3.5.” Furthermore, longer grass results in deeper root systems that have a better chance at warding off disease.
To achieve an even healthier lawn, first mow by cutting left to right. When it’s that time to mow again, now mow the lawn up and down in rows. Keep using this rotation throughout the season as it will help prevent unwanted wear patterns from developing.
BIG End of Season Sales!!
Special Offers! 
Your Garden Center in Cedarburg, WI! Check here often for special web offers for garden center items and other discounts!
BIG End of Season Sales!! For November!
It’s nearing the end of the season. You still may have some fall cleanup to finish in November, but we’re looking at wrapping it up about now.
Since we need to clear out inventory, we’re passing on incredible savings to all Wisconsin homeowners and gardening lovers.
Take advantage of a whopping 50% OFF of Garden Art and selected varieties of shrubs, trees, and perennials!
Visit us during the weeks and start getting ideas for next season. And thanks for your patronage and support!
Questions about planting, feeding and watering? Take advantage of our knowledgeable horticulturist & owner, Jason. He is here to help you make good decisions on what will work best and how to properly tend to your new plantings. Visit the Heritage Hill Nursery and garden center now! We are conveniently located, close to Cedarburg, Jackson, West Bend, Slinger, WI.
[coupon couponid=”1314″ coupon_align=”cctor_aligncenter” name=””]
50% off Selected Varieties of
Tree, Shrubs & Perennials
Through November!