Lawn Care, Perennials - Care, Planting, Seasonal Tips, Shrubs & Bushes, Trees - Planting & Care
The Dog Days Of Summer
Some say that the dog days of Summer are in August. Us here at Heritage Hill would like to think of it as an opportunity to keep your gardens, yards, and landscaping projects moving right along!
Here are some tips to help you get through those dog days and make an impact on your outdoor look.
We continue to keep safety in mind so that you can get this done; and we can help you along the way! The staff here is willing to assist with any of your late Summer needs.
Stop in and visit us at Heritage Hill Nursery in Cedarburg, WI where the latter part of Summer is warming up with helpful hints and sale items.
Perennials
August is a great time to separate perennials in your garden such as Hosta’s, Irises’ and Daylilies. When digging up, make sure you do not damage the root ball of the plant, separate with a small knife or spade and replant in other areas.
Next, get out there and get the weeding done! August is a perfect time to do this because it is the end of the planting season and perennial weeds can produce thousands of seeds that hamper the growing season next Spring and they can be difficult to eliminate. If possible, it is best to get weeding when the soil is moist after a good rain.
Also, in August, plant some new perennials for next season. Perennials such as sedums, peonies, lilies, and hydrangeas get a good grip into the soil in the cool Fall weather and come out shining in the Spring.
You will be glad you did all this when the beauty of Spring bursts out loud and your garden looks fantastic.
Shrubs:
For shrubs we look at August as a great time to plan and plant what kind of shrubbery you want to get started for next year.
A small reminder as to why shrubs are valuable and why get them ready in August are for these reasons.
- They provide landscaping solutions such as privacy, visual interest, and physical separation.
- Many provide fragrance that other plants do not. Take lilacs and how the scent fills the air when properly poised near a patio or open window.
- Shrubs can be a fragrant, uplifting experience in your garden or yard.
So, plan in August to add some for the next season. How about the empty space that somehow just looks like a void that needs “something.”? Well? How about some shrubs to make that spot stand out?
Check out the selection at Heritage Hill Nursery today.
Trees:
Much like shrubs, late August can be a wonderful opportunity to plant new trees.
Many people think that Spring is the only time a tree should be planted. Well, that is not always the case. Spring is a great time for planting trees but late August, which is the beginning of Fall is a great time as well.
Successful planting occurs this time of year if you wait till the leaves have fallen. In Wisconsin, this can happen about this time, unlike other parts of the country.
The roots will continue to grow if the ground has not frozen yet. This lets the tree get a good hold for good growth come Spring.
Lawns:
August is a perfect time to prepare your lawn for the long Winter season. Here we have a few tips for lawns in August.
- Pull weeds out of the lawn if you see them. A couple of weeds here and there will not hurt but that couple can turn to multiple and starve your lawn for water.
- Mow your lawn on the highest setting so the grass does not get burnt out in these hot days.
- Water your lawn 2 or 4 times a week depending on how much rain you get in August.
- Have your lawn aerated to keep moisture flow into the roots of your grass.
- Apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer after the lawn has been watered to help the grass continue to grow.
- Seed in bald spots in your yard in August.
- Let the grass clippings from the mower fall back onto the grass to help feed the lawn.
These tips will help you maintain a healthy lawn and prepare it to survive the harsh Winter and be ready to flourish in the Spring.
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Garden Decor, Lawn Care, Perennials - Care, Planting, Seasonal Tips, Shrubs & Bushes, Specials, Trees - Planting & Care
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.
Perennials - Care, Planting, Lawn Care, Seasonal Tips, Shrubs & Bushes, Trees - Planting & Care
Just when you think Winter is never going to let us out of its grip, the sun appears, the ground thaws, the snow quits falling (we hope) and we look at the calendar and it is June. Well, it is that time of year again and we want to see if you are prepared for the growing season.
We know that with challenging times and stay at home orders 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.
We have a wonderfully trained staff that can provide information and designs to get your gardening project headed in the right direction. 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
We would like to share with you 4 perennials that could help boost your garden and make it a delight to work on this season. These will be familiar to most but new to some. Let us look:
- Columbine: This is a plant grows well in zones 4 and 5. It has a lovely bloom that produces a sweet smell that really attracts Hummingbirds and Butterflies. Full sun and well-drained soil are their preference and their blooms can be seen usually from April to May.
- Yarrow: Sandy soil, full sun and very warm temperatures are this plant forte. If you are in areas that are prone to droughts then the Yarrow will have no problems with this. If you like a plant that spreads quickly and makes an impact then this may be something you want.
- Balloon Flower: This beautiful purple bloom puffs out before it opens. It can do well in the Wisconsin area, which is zone 4 and 5, and it grows 18 inches to 24 inches tall. You may want to stake this plant, so it stands up straight and tall. When doing that it is a delight and charm to view.
- Aster: Are you still looking for more Butterflies? Or maybe other pollinators that can help the garden grow? How about this? In slightly moist soil and with some extra care, the Aster could grow as tall as 6 or 8 feet. It likes any type of light so that is not an issue. Maybe this is your choice.
Shrubs:
I remember being in school and when June was mentioned it meant one thing. The beginning of Summer vacation. As you know in the gardening world that is not the case. We are still technically in Spring and planting season is thriving. This is still a good time to add mulch to bases of shrubs for landscaping purposes. Chewing up soil with shovels and rakes is greatly beneficial to where the shrubs are planted. When replacing mulch around shrubs, be careful not to mound it up around the trunk and create a “volcano” effect. This could harm or even kill the shrubs.
Trees:
June is still a good time for planting trees that will give you pleasure for many years to come. People are very much into the “decorative” or “ornamental” trees instead of simply basic ones such as Oak, Pine or Maple. Here are some particularly good and popular trees for your decorative garden:
Evergreens include Spruces, Pines, and Arborvitaes.
Ornamentals include Weeping Cherry, Flowering Crabapple, Hydrangea Tree Form (TF), Lilac (TF), Ninebark (TF), Eastern Redbud, Japanese Maples and Magnolias.
These are great examples of smaller more decorative trees. Check with Heritage Hill Nursery to see if we have them in stock or may be able to order one for you.
Lawns:
Some think that one application of lawn fertilizer is enough but that is not necessarily the case. Applying a late spring fertilizer once between April and June 6 to 8 weeks after the early spring feeding is recommended. This will help your lawn grow strong roots while killing dandelion, clover, and other listed weeds. Also, keep that tip in mind from last month about changing patterns when mowing the lawn. It really does keep wear patterns from forming and makes for a more attractive lawn after you have mowed it.
Garden Decor, Lawn Care, Perennials - Care, Planting, Seasonal Tips, Shrubs & Bushes, Trees - Planting & Care
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.
Seasonal Tips, Lawn Care, Perennials - Care, Planting, Shrubs & Bushes, Trees - Planting & Care
For most of us in Wisconsin, spring always seems to be long overdue. Some years, it feels like we move from winter right to into summer, causing yard work to get behind. Forego the unneeded stress and headache of trying to get everything done on your own by contacting Heritage Hill Nursery. We’ll set up an individualized spring cleanup service that’s tailored to your specific needs. We’re here to help if you let us.
Dates do fill up quickly, so if you think you might be interested, it’s advisable to call soon.
Perennial Care
As the snow melts and the ground begins to thaw, you’ll notice the early risers trying to poke their way through the layers of mulch. You can help these new plants along by moving the ground cover to the side, allowing the stems easy access to the warmth of the sun.
Unfortunately, spring in Wisconsin doesn’t necessarily mean that the cold has moved on. Therefore, keep extra mulch handy in case there’s still the possibility for frost.
Any perennials that needed dividing last season can safely be divided and transplanted to a new location. Pull any remaining weeds from last season and top-dress beds with freshly shredded mulch.
Shrub Care
Uncover rose bushes as the weather warms but be ready to recover them if the temperature is supposed to drop significantly.
If pruning wasn’t done last fall, go ahead and prune. However, it’s important however not to prune any shrub that produces an early flower such as lilacs. Pruning early flowering shrubs before their finished blooming for the season won’t kill the plant but will result in a flowerless shrub.
Pruning doesn’t have to be a scary task; stop by the nursery and pick up a free Heritage Hill Nursery pruning guide (HHN offers pruning services as well).
Any shrubs that need to be transplanted can safely be done at this point. Pull any existing weeds and top-dress beds with 2-3” of shredded mulch. When spreading mulch, be sure to taper away from the base of the plant. Too much moisture can weaken the outer layers, making the plant susceptible to disease.
Any shrubs that need to be transplanted can be safely done until the buds begin to open.
Tree Care
Doing an annual tree inspection and taking corrective action if needed can help maintain overall stability. During the inspection, pay close attention to the base. If there is some critter damage, the tree will heal itself and be fine.
However, if a large section or a complete ring of the bark has been removed, it’s likely that the tree will eventually die due to disease vulnerability.
Broken branches, branches that are rubbing against each other, and branches growing at weird angles should be pruned.
When temperatures consistently stay above 40 degrees, apply the dormant spray to crab trees to control overwintering pests. Make sure to remove any winter protection from around the trees such as cloth, plastic tubing, stray, etc. At some point, before the temperatures get too high, redress existing mulch with at least 2-3” of freshly shredded mulch (Heritage Hill Nursery has several types to choose from). When spreading mulch, make sure to taper from the base outward. It’s extremely important to not have a thick layer of mulch right up against the tree. Not only does mulching add beauty to the overall look of your yard, but it also helps the tree retain its moisture.
Lawn Care
Dead spots? No problem! When the ground has completely thawed, rake the area with a hand rake, removing dead grass and breaking up the top layer. Amend the existing soil with good topsoil, (Heritage Hill nursery sells bagged topsoil) making sure to overlap from the dead areas into the healthy. This overlapping will help blend the area together.
If you’re not sure what type of grass seed to use, stop by HHN and speak with a knowledgeable staff member. They can show you which type will work best for your lawn and if you provide the sq. footage that’s being repaired, they can calculate how much seed will be needed for the job.
For even coverage, use a handheld seed spreader. Lightly rake the seed into the top of the soil with just enough to cover; don’t “overwork” the area.
Afterward, to protect it from the hungry birds and the hot sun, lay down a covering of choice. At HHN, we use straw and can provide you with enough for the job.
Next, water the area completely by using a sprinkler. Keep the newly seeded area moist, but not saturated. Mow around the area until the seedlings have reached a mature height.
Seasonal Tips, Trees - Planting & Care
- Water plantings, especially new ones, thoroughly before ground freezes.
- Protect plants from rodents and rabbits with hardware cloth, or animal repellent spray such as Natures Mace (can be purchased at Heritage Hill Nursery).
- Plants especially favored by rabbits include: Burning Bush, Japanese Maple, and Clethra.
- Wrap young and thin bark trees to protect from sun scald and animal damage (rabbits love fruit trees) but remember to remove in spring.
- As the weather turns colder, begin dormant pruning of ornamentals. If you’re unsure what, when or how to prune, stop at our nursery and ask for a pruning guide.
Don’t forget to take advantage of our November Special Offers!
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