Seasonal Tips Archives - Page 7 of 13 - Heritage Hill Nursery, Inc

Wisconsin Gardner’s Seasonal Monthly Tips for May 2021

With the new year started and the planting and gardening season getting underway, we have tips for you here at Heritage Hill Nursery that may make your garden go a little easier.

Take a little time and research before just diving into your new or existing garden. A little planning will make a substantial difference during the season and all through to the end of fall.

Stop in and see our wide selection of plants, trees, shrubs, and bushes. We will be glad to assist you and can arrange installations and even help design your gardens.

Enjoy 2021 with a variety of items from Heritage Hill Nursery in Cedarburg, WI.

Perennials:

What are some good perennials to plant in May?

Some may know and some may not. Here are just a few of the perennials that can make your garden “pop” this spring season.

Hardy Geraniums – Hardy Geraniums can be planted in many ways in your garden or landscape project. Some make good border plants, and some are great for woodland gardens and partly shaded areas. Few hardy geraniums bloom just once while most will start blooming mid-summer and repeat throughout the growing season.

Delphiniums – Delphiniums grow best in moist but very well-drained soil in full sunlight. Keep in mind that Delphiniums are tall plants and that they should not be planted in a spot where there are high winds that could damage them. They do well at the ack of a sunny border, like a backdrop.

Aquilegia– Despite being a delicate looking plant, Aquilegia are tougher than their appearance. Sometimes short-lived (2-3 years) they self-plant seeds very well and will last years, cross-pollinate for a variety of colors provided you plant several types. They are a terrific addition to your spring garden.

Shrubs:

In the month of May, you can begin to plant tender shrubs, such as Azaleas.

Try to keep all newly planted shrubs well-watered if you have dry weather. Wisconsin is usually well-balanced moisture-wise, but you never can tell.

If you have established shrubs, you can use a general fertilizer added around the roots or you may water them with a liquid feed.

Trees:

May can be a suitable time to prune out frost-damaged limbs to your trees. This can or could have occurred from experiencing a harsh winter, and we in Wisconsin are familiar with that.

You may also do an overall check of the shape of your tree to see if it may require some re-shaping of sorts. Some parts of trees may grow out of sequence and make your trees look lopsided.

Lawns:

Established lawns can benefit from a yearly 4-stage maintenance application plan. Using a good fertilizer that already has crabgrass control in it, apply the first application as soon as the Forsythia bloom. This first application is extremely important for controlling those pesky weeds that were seeded last fall, from appearing in May.

The second application should be applied in mid-June before the heat of summer kicks in with the third application being applied in late August.

With the season winding down, you might question the need for applying the last application. You do not see any weeds and mowing season is almost over right? However, the fourth application is just as important as the first one in April. The last application will prevent any weeds that would otherwise possibly pop up, from coming to seed before the first frost.

If you have any doubts or lawn care questions, stop in and talk to a Heritage Hill Nursery representative.

Wisconsin Gardner’s Seasonal Monthly Tips for April 2021

Seasonal Tips

Welcome to the second-most wonderful time of the year! Spring!

As we approach May, you may have gotten out into the garden and you might find that your garden plants have begun their spring growth. But in addition, you may find that your weeds have been just as busy over the past few months.

April is the time to really start prepping. As soon as the ground thaws, you can consider planting shrubs, like Spirea. Shrubs are an important feature in a landscape. Evergreen shrubs become anchors of permanence and deciduous shrubs (like Spirea) add interest with their changing foliage and blossoms throughout the seasons. They add scale and structure to the garden in conjunction with trees and other perennials.

Other things to keep in mind for April:

When annual beds can be worked, turn over green manure crop such as annual rye in beds for annuals and vegetables. If none was planted, top-dress with compost or rotted manure.
Remove mulch from spring flowering bulb beds.
Container grown or balled and bur lapped trees and shrubs can be planted at any time during the growing season.
Divide perennials and pot for the PCMG plant sale by the end of the month. This will provide roots time to get established.
Prune and fertilize all bush fruits and grapes. Fertilize fruit trees as soon as possible after ground thaws but before blossoming.
Plant rhubarb and asparagus as soon as ground can be worked.
Remove rose cones when soil thaws. Gradually remove soil mound from around rose plants.

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.

Wisconsin Gardner’s Seasonal Monthly Tips for December 2020

Seasonal Tips

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year!

Some love it, some hate it. We all must face it and with living in this region of the country we must usually put up with cold and snow.

With that said, we are not the only ones that put up with the cold and snow. Wildlife also must deal with the elements. What we are going to discuss is how to protect and provide Winter feeding for our little friends who must brave the cold and snow so they can survive and return in the Spring.

You may know already that the winter can be difficult for our birds. The weather, being so cold, requires them to boost their appetite so that they can stay warm. This combined with snow cover on the ground makes it much more difficult for them to find the food that they need. Therefore, it is especially important for us to do our part and help feed the birds throughout the Winter season. You can help by following these tips and do your part to help our little friends outside.

First, use high energy foods when feeding birds in the Winter. When the nights are extremely cold it becomes crucial for birds to be able to refuel quickly.

May we suggest that you use foods such as peanut pieces or sunflower chips. Foods of this nature are high in fats that birds require and are fairly easy for the birds to eat quickly and without effort.

Second, continue to feed birds even if you cannot get to your feeders. When snow and ice keep you back or away from your feeders, that does not mean you still cannot feed the birds. A bird of any species will find food.

Just try tossing some seed out on to your patio, deck, or unused part of the driveway. You can also just throw it in the yard on top of the snow if it is not too deep. Almost any bird will seek out food even if it is lying on the ground.

Third, do not forget the water! Food is important to birds but what is more important to them this time of year? Water. Water is the lifeline for birds, animals, and humans. We do not realize it, but Winter brings the freeze to a bird’s water source. Areas such as rivers, ponds or lakes will freeze over and suddenly birds are unable to get water.

If you have an outside bird bath, consider getting a heater for it or even purchase a heated one that birds can access water throughout the Winter season. If you do have or are getting one that is heated do not forget to check it weekly to make sure it is clean water for them. A nice bird bath is a nice addition to your garden, patio, or deck. So, consider getting one or two.

Some additional tips for keeping your backyard birds healthy and hearty are to make sure you clean off feeders and brush the snow and ice so they can access what you have stocked them with.

Be sure to stock your feeders daily if you are able. A good time to do this is in the late afternoon to get the birds a little boost just before they go in for the night. Another reason to stock daily is that if feeders are empty a few days the birds will abandon them and look elsewhere for food.

Placing feeders in your backyard is also crucial to the bird’s safety. Predators can use your feeders as a “dinner table” if you will for their own source of nourishment or even just play toys. Make sure the feeders are at variable heights in or around tree and shrub areas. This will increase bird traffic as they will find where they are dining is also a safe area to be in.

Providing a variety of foods will attract a greater variety of birds. But one food to offer all Winter long is suet. This is the absolute best way for a bird to get a quick energy boost and it builds up fat reserves for those long, cold nights.

Follow these suggestions for keeping your birds happy and healthy in your backyard this Winter. You will be glad you did, and the birds will thank you for it. Happy birding!
Remember, Heritage Hill Nursery has Christmas trees now in stock in a variety of species and sizes. Go or call them to arrange your pickup of a beautiful holiday tree today!

Wisconsin Gardner’s Seasonal Monthly Tips for November 2020

Seasonal Tips

‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’… well maybe not quite yet. However, Christmas tree shopping is just three short weeks away!

At Heritage Hill Nursery we offer some of the finest Wisconsin Northern Grown Christmas trees in both Washington and Ozaukee Counties.

Our lot this year will consist of Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Colorado Spruce and White Pine.

Each variety will be broken down into three different grades – Premium, Victorian, and Economy – otherwise known as the ‘Charlie Brown’ tree.

Having many options is great, however sometimes too many can be daunting especially for the inexperienced. Traditionally, Christmas tree shopping marks the start of the yuletide season and should be a joyous time spent with family, friends, or even a cherished pet. That is why here at Heritage Hill Nursery, we will help break it all down.

Premium

Expertly sheared, perfectly cone-shaped, bottom pruned, and stand ready. These are the finest trees you will find.

Victorian

Hearken back to Colonial Days with these lightly sheared, more open trees. Available in balsam and Frasier fir. Sturdy branches and lots of open spaces make these trees ideal for your ornament-loving customers.
Economy – Trees that do not meet the tough standards of our top two grades. These are marketable trees at rock bottom prices, allowing you to have a tree for every pocketbook.

Economy

Trees that do not meet the tough standards of our top two grades. These are marketable trees at rock bottom prices, allowing you to have a tree for every pocketbook.

Still unsure what to get? Do not fret, our friendly staff will be ready to assist.

Visit the Heritage Hill Nursery and garden center now! We are conveniently located, close to Cedarburg, Jackson, West Bend, Slinger, WI.

Wisconsin Gardner’s Seasonal Monthly Tips for October 2020

Lawn Care, Perennials - Care, Planting, Seasonal Tips, Shrubs & Bushes

Crisp mornings, cooler temps, brilliant colors and foliage, early morning fog, pumpkins, squash and more. What is that all add up to? Must be Fall.

This to some is truly the most beautiful time of the year. There is something about Fall that makes us feel more at ease and that some of the Spring and Summer pressure is finally off. It is time to take a step back and reflect. It is also time to keep your garden and yard in check so it is well maintained and ready for the long Winter’s nap so it can flourish again next season. Here are some tips for the month of October that you can apply to your own property.

Heritage Hill Nursery can get you and your garden/yard ready to put on that Fall display and get prepared for the Winter season ahead. Check with them for detailed questions you may have.

Our Monthly Tips

Perennials

Get your planting done early as perennials will need time to establish themselves. If you wait until later in the month they could be damaged by the Winter season.
Keep planting for more hardy perennials as they do well in harsh conditions.
Lets talk Peonies! Dig up and divide your Peonies after the tops have been killed by the frost. Dig your hole well around the plant to avoid damage underground and cut the clump into smaller pieces leaving at the minimum 3 to 5 eyes per division you have made.
Prep soil by adding many inches of compost to the top 12 inches of soil then replant the divisions. Make sure you keep the eyes no more than 1 or 2 inches below the surface of the soil.

Shrubs:

October is a good time for special care for your shrubs.
Take and rake up your leaves for your compost pile or simply recycle your fallen leaves. They can be a great source of nutrition for your shrubs or your lawn. Shred them up and leave them lay, it is that simple.
Diseased leaves are another story. however. They should be discarded or buried as they can cause infection to growth or new growth the following season.
If you have shrubs in planters, take them inside to an unheated garage or on an enclosed porch.
The use of hay bales is recommended to insulate shrubs that will be left outside during the Winter.

Trees:

Make sure you are watering evergreens and newly planted trees thoroughly before the ground freezes. This will make Winter damage limited.
Continue to recycle the leaves into the lawn or spread them out into the garden.
Winter prep is vital for healthy trees or tree growth next season.
October is a great time to get things prepared.
You can also plant trees in October due to the soil being warm and temps are cool.
And if taken advantage of, the October time on the calendar is perfect for trees to get a good start in the Spring.

Give Heritage Hill Nursery a call to see what they can do for you for preparing your trees or getting new trees in the ground for next season.

Lawns:

It has been mentioned in previous paragraphs, but we are going to push it now.
Do not rake up all those leaves! Break out the lawnmower and hit the mulch button and shred those leaves to let them go right back into the lawn. Your lawn will love you for it!
And if you have an abundance of shredded leaves, spread them out into the garden.
Again, they are a great source of nutrients for the garden as well.
Your grass is still growing this time of year also so do not stop cutting. It grows deeper than the top side, but it is still growing.
Your grass is spreading and developing additional root systems that are deeper and more established in the ground. You may not see it, but your lawn is expending a lot of its energy in October.

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Wisconsin Gardner’s Seasonal Monthly Tips for September 2020

Seasonal Tips, Lawn Care, Perennials - Care, Planting, Shrubs & Bushes, Trees - Planting & Care

With the dog days of Summer behind us, the gardens are filled with color, beauty, and habitat.

It won’t be long before that first frost comes so do not forget to take a picture or two just to show off the work you have done and Mother Nature’s amazing beauty.

Some items to check off your list this month may include the following:

Divide and replant peony roots, but not too deeply.
Sow snapdragons, cornflowers, and other hardy annuals a couple of weeks before the first frost.
Remove all weeds from your garden before they go to seed.
Aerate the lawn between 60-70 degrees.
Stop planting evergreens by mid-September.
Keep in mind that early September is the latest to plant any Spring flowering shrubs.
Also watch for an early frost, cover the garden if one is predicted and keep the gardens watered so the growth is maximized, and it helps protect against frost.

Heritage Hill nursery can help you with your September and early Fall needs for your garden to prepare it for the upcoming season. Check with them for detailed questions you may have.