If mulching is on your spring to-do list, there’s one extra step that can save you a lot of weeding later. It adds about 20 minutes to the job and costs a few bucks.
The step: apply a pre-emergent herbicide to your soil before you lay your mulch.
We talk about this with customers at the nursery all the time. The ones who try it almost always come back saying the same thing: their beds stayed cleaner all season with a fraction of the usual weeding.
What Pre-Emergent Herbicide Does
A pre-emergent herbicide prevents weed seeds from germinating. It creates a chemical barrier in the top layer of soil that keeps seeds from sprouting. No sprouts, no weeds. That’s the idea.
Timing matters here. You need to get it down before weed seeds start germinating, which in Southeast Wisconsin is usually early to mid-spring. If you can already see weeds pushing through, the pre-emergent window has passed for those seeds. Pull what’s there first, then apply the herbicide to catch the next round.
Why It’s Worth Doing
The short version:
Fewer weeds competing for water and nutrients
Less time on your hands and knees pulling them
Cleaner, better-looking beds all season
Mulch works harder when it’s not fighting weeds from below
Mulch on its own does solid work. It holds moisture, keeps soil temperature steady, and blocks some light from reaching weed seeds. But mulch alone doesn’t stop everything. Plenty of weeds are stubborn enough to push through a mulch layer if the seeds are already in the soil underneath.
That’s where the pre-emergent comes in. The herbicide handles the seeds in the soil. The mulch handles everything above. Together, the two are far more effective than either one alone.
How to Apply It
1
Choose the Right Product
Pre-emergent herbicides come in granular and liquid forms. Both work well. The key is matching the product to your plants and the weed species common in your area. Different products target different weeds, so read the label. If you’re not sure what to grab, bring in a photo of your beds or describe what you’re dealing with. We can point you to the right product pretty quickly.
2
Prep the Area
Pull whatever weeds are already there and clear out leaves, sticks, and debris. If the soil surface is hard-packed, loosen it up so the herbicide distributes evenly. Consistent coverage across the whole bed is what you’re after.
3
Apply Evenly
For granular products, use a handheld or push spreader. For liquids, a pump sprayer works well. Follow the application rate on the label. Putting down too much can stress plants, and uneven coverage leaves gaps where weeds will find their way through. Take your time here. The difference between a bed that stays clean and one that gets patchy by June usually comes down to how evenly the herbicide was applied.
4
Water Lightly
After applying, give the area a light watering to activate the product and help it bond to the soil. You don’t need to drench it. Just wet the surface enough to get things working.
5
Add Your Mulch
Once the pre-emergent is down and activated, spread your mulch on top. A 2-3 inch layer works well for most beds. The mulch locks in the herbicide, adds its own layer of weed suppression, and keeps soil moist and temperature-regulated underneath.
A Caution About New Plantings
Watch out around anything planted in the last year.
Plants installed recently are still developing their root systems. Pre-emergent herbicides can interfere with that process, especially around tender new roots. Use the herbicide lightly in those areas, keep it away from the plant base, or skip it entirely and hand-weed instead. A little more work now protects your investment in those new plants.
Not sure if your plantings are established enough? Come talk to us. We can look at what you’ve got and recommend the right approach.
Stop By and We’ll Get You Set Up
We carry pre-emergent herbicides, mulch, spreaders, and everything else you need to get your beds ready for the season. And if you want a second opinion on your plan, that’s what we’re here for.
THIS MONTH’S SPECIAL
25% Off Donald Wyman Lilac
They bloom earlier than most lilacs, the fragrance is outstanding, and they handle our winters without trouble. Good time to get one in the ground.
Spring is finally shaking off its grip in Southeast Wisconsin, and the nursery yard is filling up fast. We’ve been unloading fresh stock all week, and the smell of damp soil and new growth is hard to beat. If you’ve driven past our Cedarburg location lately, you’ve probably noticed the color coming back. It’s happening.
April Special: 25% Off Donald Wyman Lilac
All month long, we’re offering 25% off Donald Wyman Lilac. These are some of the best-performing lilacs we carry for Zone 5b. The Donald Wyman was bred for fragrance and disease resistance, and they deliver on both counts. Compact enough for smaller yards, sturdy enough to anchor a border planting, and they bloom early, right when you need that first big burst of spring color and scent.
Donald Wyman Lilac Quick Facts
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3-7 (perfect for our Zone 5b)
Bloom Time
Early to mid-spring
Fragrance
Strong, classic lilac scent
Disease Resistance
Excellent (bred for mildew resistance)
Size
Compact; great for smaller yards
Please note: the discount applies to Donald Wyman varieties only. Other lilac varieties remain at the regular price. Excludes Online; All Sales Final orders; All sales final.
Why Lilacs Belong in a Wisconsin Garden
There’s a reason lilacs show up in almost every established garden around here. They’re tough, long-lived, and they ask very little of you once they’re established. A mature Donald Wyman Lilac will reward you with weeks of bloom every spring. Plant them near a window or along a walkway where you’ll catch the fragrance on a warm afternoon. They also make excellent cut stems for the kitchen table.
Quick Tip: Pre-Emergent Herbicide Before Mulching
Before you lay down fresh mulch this spring, consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide first. This simple step blocks weed seeds from germinating under your mulch layer, which means far less hand-weeding through the summer. Timing matters: you want to get it down before soil temperatures hit about 55 degrees consistently. We wrote up a detailed guide on this if you want the full rundown: Pre-Emergent Herbicide Before Mulching.
Stop by Heritage Hill Nursery this April and grab a Donald Wyman Lilac while the selection is strong. Our staff can help you pick the right variety for your spot and give you planting tips specific to our local soil conditions. We look forward to seeing you out here.
April Special
25% Off Donald Wyman Lilac
All month long at Heritage Hill Nursery. In-store only. All sales final.
Thank you for being part of another wonderful season here at Heritage Hill Nursery! We truly appreciate your support and trust in us.
As we move into winter, please note that starting November 1st, we’ll be open by appointment only through the season. However, our team is still available for landscaping projects, so feel free to reach out at 262-305-4045 to schedule a consultation or project.
Looking forward to serving you through winter and into the next season!
We want to inform you about an important change regarding our skid-loading services for the rest of the season. We cannot guarantee that a skilled skid loader operator will be available on-site during all business hours.
If you require assistance with loading mulch or trees, we highly encourage calling ahead to confirm the availability of an operator. This will help us ensure that we can meet your needs efficiently and avoid any inconvenience.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to check availability.
Spring is officially here!! Unfortunately, so is the start of road construction projects. For those customers that have physically visited our Garden Center, you know that our property is near the intersections of Pleasant Valley Rd, Hwy NN (aka Washington Ave.) and Granville Rd (aka Hwy Y). Over the years, that intersection has been the source of numerous accidents ranging from minor to fatal. It had been decided last year to put up stoplights and then close down the small section of Pleasant Valley Rd that intersects Hwy NN, next to Weir Financial.
The project will begin Monday the 10th with the estimated completion date, sometime in September. What this will mean for our customers that use either Hwy I to connect to Cedar Sauk or Pleasant Valley; or Granville Rd (aka Hwy Y) to Hwy NN (aka Washington Ave) or Pleasant Valley Rd; or for customers taking Hwy NN (aka Washington Ave) out of Cedarburg to Pleasant Valley Rd, will be caught in the detour.
Below is a picture of the detour. If planning on visiting the Garden Center during this time, please refer to the map and to find the best alternate. According to Google Maps, the detour as listed will re-route customers an additional 4.9 miles / 6 mins. from the closed intersection.
Construction is always a pain, but the end results are often worth it and in this case having a safer corner, reduced speeds, and less accidents, will be worth a little hassle.
Stop in today to check out our Christmas Trees and Wreath selection!
Starting today, you can stop in and buy Christmas Trees and Wreaths. Only available while supplies last.
Which Tree Is Right For You?
While it may not seem like different varieties of Christmas trees have many differences there are many benefits to each individual type.
The most popular genus around the holidays is (of course) the fir tree. Heritage Hill carries three of the most popular fir trees Balsam, Fraser, and Canaan. While all fir trees have strong branches capable of supporting most ornaments there are a few key differences.
Balsam Fir trees have a beautiful dark green needle with hints of silver and a strong fragrance.
Fraser firs have a lighter yellowish hue, a strong fragrance, and are often favored because they hold onto their needles making clean-up easier.
Canaan Firs are often referred to as a hybrid of Balsam and Fraser firs. They also hold onto their needles, yet a deep yet warm green color, and lighter smell than other firs making it perfect for people who don’t want to be overwhelmed by the smell of their tree.
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