Rob Zimmer

Garden pests can wreak havoc on plants in winter

Published by kjpasson on Wed, 11/27/2024 - 2:01pm

Depending on the severity of the winter, rodents, such as rabbits and voles, can pose problems for certain plants, notably woody trees and shrubs.

Hungry rodents, depending on food availability, may begin to nibble away at the fresh, tender bark of trees and shrubs, creating a girdling effect that, eventually, could kill the plant.

For this reason, many gardeners choose to protect trees and shrubs over the winter season in a number of different ways.

Now best time to divide your garden perennialsrb

Published by admin on Wed, 11/06/2024 - 7:10am

This is the best time of the year to divide perennials in the garden. Perennials are those that come back year after year, often growing larger and larger with each growing season. As they become overcrowded, often they flower less and less. To keep perennials vigorous and in full flower, it is often necessary to divide them.

Dividing perennials simply means digging them up and separating clumps into smaller divisions that can be transplanted back into the garden or given away to friends and family.

Orange will dominate gardens this fall

Published by kjpasson on Sat, 10/26/2024 - 4:20pm

There is still a lot of garden time left, and one of the classic colors of the fall season is orange.

Orange steals the show all the way until Thanksgiving, really. Depending upon our frosts and freezes that line up over the next 6 to 8 weeks, the color orange may just be a garden centerpiece for many weeks to come.

Of course, there are pumpkins and squash in the color orange, many different shades, but there are also a great many garden blooms that continue to put on a spectacular show.

Bumblebees benefit from autumn leaves in yards

Published by kjpasson on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 8:18am

As the heat of summer has faded and the cool nights of autumn are in place, bumblebees continue to be active and seek out sources of sustenance.

Here in Wisconsin, we may encounter up to 12-14 different species of bumblebees. Providing them with sources of food and nutrition late in the season is vital, as some hives are still active and late season survival mode kicks in.

Gardens can produce food for migrating birds

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 10/01/2024 - 9:40am

Growing food sources for wild birds is a great way to help these winged wonders during their peak fall migration season, already underway for many species.

Robins and bluebirds are flocking up, roaming the countryside and backyard gardens looking for fruiting trees and shrubs.

Many varieties of warblers, vireos and thrushes are migrating through, even as we speak. Fall migration is underway.

September the time to give gardens a lift

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/17/2024 - 8:58am

So much to do and see and enjoy in the September garden. Extending the gardening season to last beyond Labor Day has been the goal of more and more gardeners. With garden centers fully stocked with colorful annuals, perennials, shrubs, grasses and more, it’s a great time to give your garden a September update.

Panicle hydrangeas ideal for Midwest gardens

Published by kjpasson on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 8:01am

If you are new to hydrangeas and looking for the best varieties to grow here in the northern half of Wisconsin, or a lifetime expert searching for something new and exciting, the panicle hydrangeas are the ones that do the best here in the our area. They are built for Midwest gardens.

Panicle hydrangeas are those that form cone-shaped clusters of blooms, some quite exaggerated. Some of these conical flower clusters may be a foot in length on some of the larger varieties.

August showcases dynamic, dramatic blooms

Published by kjpasson on Mon, 08/12/2024 - 3:45pm

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The colors of August are now showing. Some of the most dynamic and dramatic blooms of the year show off their brilliant colors and elegant forms during the month of August. From native wildflowers and prairie grasses to voluptuous flowering shrubs, August is a spectacular time in the yard and garden.

Annabelle provides blooming enjoyment in gardens

Published by admin on Tue, 07/23/2024 - 2:32pm

One of just about everyone’s favorite summer blooms is the classic hydrangea. Among the easiest hydrangeas to grow here in northern Wisconsin are the many varieties of smooth hydrangeas.

Smooth hydrangeas are those in the same family as the classic Annabelle. Many of the smooth hydrangeas are of this type of “mop head” hydrangea. Many of the classic, old hydrangeas are in the smooth hydrangea family.

Petunias double up on flowering efforts

Published by admin on Tue, 07/09/2024 - 1:46pm

With hundreds of varieties of petunias to choose from as you visit different garden centers throughout the area, some of my favorites are still the old-fashioned, heirloom double-blooming petunias.

These are the types of petunias that my grandma used to grow, filling containers and hanging baskets with their beautiful, rose-like blossoms. She always loved these more than the single blooming petunias, as they provided a lusher look and more exotic appearance. They elevate petunia gardening to the next level.