Garden Center Blog

fall for your garden

At long last. It’s time to take a deep breath because a lot of the physical work, and often frenetic pace of the growing season is winding down. Even though the warm weather means that there is still raking to be done, not having a million things to accomplish in the...

give me pumpkin to talk about

If we were able to solve a couple of the great mysteries of gardening, we would not want to know if a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. But we might be sure to ask if there really is a difference between a squash and a gourd. Squashes generally refer...

fall into gardening

Now that we’re getting ready to turn the calendar from summer to fall, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. Cooler temps. Lower humidity. And so many other reasons to love autumn! But a gardener’s work is never done. Let’s start by acknowledging that cold...

chill to thrill

Let’s start by saying that the word forcing may sound like a lot of work. It really isn’t. What you’re doing is tricking a bulb into thinking that winter is over and it’s time to flower. You could call it a little sleight of hand. And you reap the rewards of spring...

dig in for spring

Are you confused when it comes to fall-planted bulbs? Lots of gardeners are. What are bulbs, and how, and when should they be planted are questions that we often hear at the Plant Desk in late summer and early autumn. Adding bulbs to your borders is simple and...

bringing in the green

September can be such a transitional time, especially for gardeners. Our garden borders seem to teeter on the edge of a climatic cliff. Colors will begin to morph from deep green foliage to mellow butter yellow and fiery scarlet. Branching forms reappear as deciduous...

second chance vegetables

So many of you planted fruits and vegetables again this spring and we hope that you’ve been happy with the results. After all, there are few things more delicious then a tomato eaten right off the vine. And you may find that you’ve got some empty spots where spring...

rake, rest and reset

Weather factors can make gardening in our area mighty interesting. We’ve experienced 10 days of over 90-degree temps, a very dry July and though we have a few more days to make the difference, a dry-ish August. The Autumnal Equinox is just 27 days away and the first...

prairie much in love

“To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee, One clover, and a bee, And reverie. The reverie alone will do, if bees are few.” Emily Dickinson Mother Nature has been a bit stingy with rainfall this summer, making this a tricky growing season many of us. Couple...

rooting for late summer

It sure has been a sultry summer. Fireflies light the warm evenings and katydids and crickets sing us to sleep. It’s a fact, sad but true though, that summer is winding down. The season of extended days never seems long enough, but it’s time for gardeners everywhere...
be our palentine

be our palentine

written by Lisa Briggs
Valentine’s Day, as well as the more inclusive Pal- and Galentine’s days, are next week and everyone at the Bruce Company wishes you and all of those you love a great day!

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a flower in time

a flower in time

written by Lisa Briggs
Even though it’s barely started, you may find yourself getting a bit sick of winter. The damp, gray days contribute to cases of cabin fever and longing for the sight of some swelling buds. Either we need to take a tropical vacation or direct some of this untapped energy towards an indoor gardening project.

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is it spring yet jimmy?

is it spring yet jimmy?

written by Lisa Briggs
Next weekend will find many a modern gardener checking the sky as soon as the alarm clock rings. Why? It’s Groundhog Day! While Punxsutawney Phil may be more famous, in Wisconsin Jimmy rules. Let’s explore the origins of this quirky American holiday. Spoiler alert though. Perhaps the whole thing began with a badger!

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winter pruning abc’s

winter pruning abc’s

written by Lisa Briggs
The frenetic pace of the holidays has given way to calm contemplation of mid-winter, making it a great time to settle in, plan for and nurture some spring gardening projects.

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where’s our snow?

where’s our snow?

written by Lisa Briggs
Have you seen the snow cover map? The white stuff is everywhere. Except on Wisconsin ground! And our plants would certainly appreciate the extra snowy blanket.

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gardening in winter

gardening in winter

written by Lisa Briggs
Gardening projects in this season don’t have to be large and they don’t need to be complicated. Simpler is better as far as we’re concerned.

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rock around the christmas tree

rock around the christmas tree

written by Lisa Briggs
Before I started working at a garden center, late autumn could be a bit depressing. When colder mornings and cloudier skies are combined with leaves falling and perennials withering, I felt more than a twinge of sadness.

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light up the darkness

light up the darkness

written by Lisa Briggs
Now that Daylight Savings Time has had us all resetting our clocks, the shortening of each day as we head toward the Winter Solstice becomes more and more apparent. The term winter solstice marks the day when the earth’s axis tips us, and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, the farthest from the sun, so that the sun appears at its lowest and weakest point in the sky.

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