June is an excellent time to rejuvenate your perennial garden. Start by dividing and replanting perennials like Hostas and Daylilies, which can become overcrowded over time. This not only helps to promote healthier growth and more abundant blooms but also gives you the opportunity to spread your favorite plants to new areas of your garden. Be sure to water the newly divided plants well and mulch around them to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Adding compost to your perennial beds can significantly improve soil structure and fertility. Work the compost into the top few inches of soil around your plants, being careful not to disturb their roots. Compost provides a slow-release source of nutrients that will feed your perennials throughout the growing season, resulting in stronger, more vibrant plants. Regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and maintain the neat appearance of your garden.
Shrubs
For spring-flowering shrubs such as Lilacs and Forsythia, early June is the ideal time for pruning. Pruning right after the bloom cycle helps maintain their shape and encourages healthy new growth for the next season. Remove any dead or damaged branches to improve air circulation within the shrub, which can help prevent disease. Also, consider thinning out older branches to allow more sunlight to reach the interior parts of the plant.
Consistent watering is crucial, especially during dry periods. Mulching around the base of your shrubs helps conserve moisture and provides a barrier against weeds. Use organic mulch like wood chips or shredded bark, which will also decompose over time and enrich the soil. Regularly check your shrubs for signs of pests or diseases and treat them promptly to ensure your plants remain healthy and vigorous.
Trees
June is a crucial month for inspecting your trees for any signs of stress, damage, or disease. Look for broken or dead branches and prune them to prevent any potential hazards or the spread of disease. Ensuring that your trees are free from structural issues will help them withstand summer storms. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your trees, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.
Watering your trees deeply and infrequently promotes deep root growth, which helps them withstand drought conditions. Fertilize with a slow-release formula to provide essential nutrients throughout the growing season. This is also a good time to check for any signs of pests, such as unusual leaf discoloration or holes, and address these issues promptly with appropriate treatments.
Lawns
Maintaining a healthy lawn in June requires a balance of proper mowing, watering, and care. Set your mower to a height of about 3 inches to ensure that your grass remains thick and resilient. Cutting your grass too short can stress the plants and promote weed growth. Sharpen your mower blades regularly to ensure clean cuts, which help reduce the risk of disease.
Water your lawn deeply but infrequently, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. Early morning is the best time to water, as it reduces evaporation and allows the grass to dry before evening, minimizing the risk of fungal diseases. Aerating your lawn, especially in compacted areas, improves root growth and enhances the lawn’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. Regularly check for weeds and use a targeted herbicide to keep them under control.
Start this month by dividing overgrown perennials; this not only helps manage their size and shape but also invigorates the plants, encouraging more robust growth. After division, enrich the soil around both new and existing perennials by adding a healthy layer of compost.
This practice boosts soil fertility, improves drainage, and enhances the overall vitality of your garden. It’s an excellent way to ensure that your perennials continue to bloom abundantly and maintain health throughout the growing season.
Shrubs
May is the perfect time to prune your spring-flowering shrubs right after their blooms have faded. This not only helps to maintain an aesthetically pleasing shape but also promotes healthier, denser growth for the next season.
Additionally, it’s crucial to start a regular inspection routine for pests and diseases; early detection and treatment are key to preventing these issues from damaging your shrubs. Consider an integrated pest management approach that includes mechanical barriers, organic pesticides, and encouraging natural predators.
Trees
Tree care should focus on maintaining structural integrity and overall health. Begin with a thorough inspection, looking for any signs of damage or disease on branches, trunks, and leaves.
Prune away any damaged or diseased limbs to prevent potential hazards and encourage healthier growth. To support their continued growth and resilience, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer around the drip line of each tree. This gradual nourishment complements the natural spring growth spurt, ensuring trees remain robust and well-fed.
Lawn
With the active growth phase of grass in spring, regular mowing becomes essential. Ensure your mower blades are sharp to make clean cuts, which help prevent disease from entering the grass blades.
Set your mower to cut no more than a third of the grass blade height at a time to avoid stressing the grass. If your lawn shows signs of compaction, especially in high-traffic areas, aerating the soil can be highly beneficial. Aerating improves oxygen, water, and nutrient flow to the roots, which helps in developing a lush, healthy lawn.
As the remnants of winter fade and the earth reawakens, early-blooming perennials begin their journey through the last season’s mulch towards the sun’s nurturing warmth. Assist these pioneers by gently clearing the mulch aside, enabling their stems to reach the sunlight more easily.
Despite the hopeful signs of spring in Wisconsin, the threat of frost lingers; keep a supply of mulch ready to protect these tender plants if needed. Now is also the opportune time to divide and relocate perennials that have outgrown their spaces.
Clear away any weeds that have taken hold over the winter and refresh your garden beds with a layer of finely shredded mulch to encourage a healthy start to the season.
Shrubs
As the climate begins to soften, unveil your rose bushes, though remain vigilant and prepared to shield them again should an unexpected chill threaten.
Early spring offers a safe window for transplanting shrubs. Remove weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture, and apply a generous 2-3 inch layer of shredded mulch around the base of your shrubs.
When mulching, ensure it tapers off near the stem to avoid moisture buildup that could lead to disease.
Now is also the perfect time for transplanting any shrubs before their new growth emerges fully.
Trees
An annual inspection of your trees can significantly contribute to their longevity and vitality.
Examine the base for signs of animal activity, which, if minimal, typically heals without issue. However, extensive damage to the bark may compromise the tree’s health. Prune any broken branches or those growing at odd angles to prevent future issues.
With the arrival of consistently warmer temperatures above 40 degrees, apply a dormant spray to crabapple trees to manage pests.
Remember to remove any winter protections, such as wraps or guards, to allow your trees to breathe and grow unencumbered.
Lawn
The April rains, while a boon for blooming flora, can also lead to waterlogging in your lawn, especially in areas where the ground has settled.
Extended saturation may harm the grass, creating unsightly bare patches. Should you notice persistent pooling, consider consulting with Heritage Hill for the installation of discreet underground drainage systems. These innovative solutions divert excess water away from your lawn, preserving its health and aesthetics.
This proactive approach ensures your lawn remains a lush, vibrant foundation for your garden’s beauty.
Damaged bark of a small fruit tree stripped by rabbits and small animals during the winter. High quality photo
As the cool November breeze sweeps across your garden, the season beckons for a transition. It’s time to prepare your green sanctuary for the impending winter, ensuring a vibrant renaissance come spring.
Perennials
Collecting Seeds
November is prime time for seed enthusiasts. Gather seeds from perennials like coneflowers and black-eyed Susans, ensuring a bounty for the next season.
Drying and Storing Seeds
Once collected, allow your seeds to dry thoroughly before storing them in labeled envelopes, setting the stage for an organized spring planting.
Anticipating Spring Growth
Savor the anticipation of spring as you safeguard the essence of your garden. Seed saving is a rewarding step towards self-sufficiency, promising a colorful bloom with the first signs of spring.
Shrubs
Winter Covering Essentials
Shield your newly planted woody shrubs with breathable coverings like straw or leaves to ward off the winter chill, ensuring their survival through the frost.
Types of Coverings
Explore various covering options—straw, leaves, loose soil, or mulch, each offering a different level of protection, ensuring your shrubs remain robust, ready to flaunt their foliage post-winter.
Post-Winter Spectacle
The effort invested now will pay off as your garden bursts into a spectacle of colors and foliage, showcasing the resilience and beauty of nature.
Trees
Wrapping Young Trees
Winter burn is a menace to young trees. Wrapping them deflects harsh sunlight and protects them from critters, ensuring they thrive through the cold months.
Long-Term Investment
Trees are a testament to the garden’s legacy. Ensuring their survival during juvenile years is pivotal for a mature, healthy garden in the future.
Damage Check and Prevention
Regular checks for girdling and other damages are crucial. Prevention now will ensure a legacy of green, standing tall in your garden for years to come.
Lawn and Equipment
Transitioning Focus
With your lawn prepped, it’s time to show some love to your gardening tools. November is ideal for cleaning and maintenance, promising a smooth transition into spring.
Prepping for Spring
Scrape off dried grass, sharpen those blades, and ensure your equipment is in top-notch condition. Your future self will thank you as spring gardening becomes a breeze with well-maintained tools.
As you wrap your garden in a warm winter blanket, you’re not just bidding adieu to the lush greenery of summer. You’re setting the stage for a glorious garden renaissance. As winter’s white mantle gives way, your garden will burst into a vibrant palette, echoing the meticulous care and preparation invested during November.
We Can Help!
As you embark on this November garden journey, remember, you’re not alone. The transition to winter can bring about a host of questions and perhaps some uncertainties. At Heritage Hill, we share your passion for nurturing gardens and are here to assist. Should you have any questions or need advice on winter garden prep, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call Heritage Hill, and let’s ensure your garden not only survives the winter but thrives into a magnificent spring spectacle. Your lush, vibrant garden come spring will be a testament to your November efforts.
October is a pivotal month for gardeners, offering the perfect window to prepare your perennials, shrubs, trees, and lawn for the upcoming winter season. In this edition of our monthly Garden Tips blog, we’re diving into the must-do tasks for each of these four garden elements.
Caring for Perennials
October is your last call for planting perennials before winter sets in. These plants need adequate time to establish their root systems, so it’s best to get them into the ground early in the month. If you’ve been meaning to divide and replant your peonies, wait until the first frost has killed off the tops. Here’s how to go about it:
Dig Carefully: Excavate around the plant, ensuring you don’t damage the underground roots.
Divide: Cut the clump into smaller pieces, each containing at least 3-5 eyes.
Soil Preparation: Enrich the top 12 inches of soil with compost.
Replant: Set the divisions back into the ground, keeping the eyes 1-2 inches below the soil surface.
Shrub Maintenance
Fallen leaves are a gardener’s treasure. Spread them around your shrub and perennial beds for an extra layer of winter protection and a natural source of nutrients as they decompose. However, diseased leaves should be discarded or buried to prevent infecting new growth in the spring. For potted shrubs, consider moving them to an unheated garage or an enclosed porch for the winter.
Tree Planting and Transplanting
October’s cooler temperatures make it an excellent time for planting or transplanting trees. Aim for a time when the tree has shed its leaves and entered dormancy. If you’re dealing with large or special trees, it’s wise to consult a professional who can handle the task with the proper equipment and expertise.
Lawn Care Tips
Your lawn is far from dormant, even if it appears that way. In fact, the grass is busy developing a more robust root system. Capitalize on this by:
Leaf Mulching: Use your lawn mower’s mulch setting to shred fallen leaves and enrich your lawn.
Late Fertilization: A late-season fertilizer application will help your lawn store the energy it needs for the winter months ahead.
By following these October garden care tips, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring a vibrant and healthy garden come springtime.
Expand your garden horizons this season with confidence. Now is the perfect time to give your iris poppies and other spring blooming perennials a fresh start by digging and dividing them. Enhance the health of your perennial gardens by mulching them, using evergreen needles to maintain a cool and moisture-rich environment.
Remember to skip fertilizing to ensure their survival during the winter months. Watering is crucial, especially for new plantings, so aim for about an inch of water per week. And don’t forget to continue deadheading to prevent reseeding and extend the blooming period. Embrace the possibilities and nurture your garden’s growth.
Shrubs
September is an opportune time to strategically plan for a vibrant fall color palette in your garden or landscape. Consider incorporating shrubs with rich hues, such as Barberry, Burning Bush, and Viburnum for shades ranging from red to orange. For a touch of purple, Dogwood is an excellent choice, while Roses and Witch Hazel can add a burst of yellow to your garden.
To maintain a healthy environment for your shrubs, it’s essential to clear out your shrub beds. This not only eliminates habitats for unwanted animals but also minimizes the risk of damage to adjacent plants. Make sure to remove fallen leaves and dead foliage, as this proactive measure can help prevent disease in the upcoming growing season.
For rose enthusiasts, allowing the blooms to remain on the plants can offer added winter protection. However, it’s advisable to refrain from fertilizing any newly planted shrubs until the following spring.
Explore the diverse selection of shrubs available at Heritage Hill Nursery today to enrich your garden with captivating fall colors.
Trees
As with shrubs, if mulch hasn’t already been spread now is a good time. Mulching helps prevent moisture loss and since August is usually a hot month, applying a 2-to3-inch layer around the base of your trees, making sure that you taper the mulch away from the base, will be beneficial.
Allowing the mulch to pile up against the bark, otherwise known as the volcano effect, causes the bark to stay moist. The softening of the bark as a result of the constant moisture can lead to disease and eventually kill the tree. Although the addition of mulch will help prevent moisture loss, sometimes it may be necessary to lay a hose with a slow but steady water flow, about a foot away from the trunk, for about 20-30 minutes.
However, wilted leaves aren’t always a sure sign that a tree needs water if the tree has been watered on a regular basis. As the temperature and humidity change, leaves draw water from the root system to release through their pores. When the sun gets too hot, leaves can’t take up and release water fast enough, and they wilt.
Lawn
Looking to Sow Grass Seed? September is Your Ideal Month! Whether you’re starting a new lawn, patching up bare spots, or renovating an existing lawn, September offers the optimal conditions for grass seed planting. The combination of cooler temperatures and warm soil creates an ideal environment for quick germination and strong root establishment before winter arrives.
However, it’s advisable to complete your planting by September 20th. Planting later than this date is considered late-season sowing, and the grass may not have enough time to establish itself before winter, risking potential damage or loss.
Take advantage of September’s favorable conditions to give your lawn a lush, healthy start.
Don’t miss out on these gardening tips and our special offers for June at Heritage Hill Nursery, Inc. Visit our garden center and start enhancing your outdoor oasis today.
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