The Bruce Company Blog

be our palentine

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! Have you wondered why red roses are the go-to flower for Valentine’s Day giving? Or why white...

your own jack in the beanstalk

It is a bit early for most seeds, but if you’ve already started, those baby seedlings may be growing like Jack’s beanstalks. Be sure that you check them every day and observe their progress. Water whenever the soil surface is dry to the touch and feed them every other...

a flower in time

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...

is it spring yet jimmy?

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...

winter pruning abc’s

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. This weekend’s forecasted storm will certainly encourage introspection. Preferably indoors,...

where’s our snow?

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. Up to now the 2024-25 winter has been fairly uneventful though I heard a rumor that an Alberta Clipper may...

she-holly or he-holly?

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. The sun appears at its lowest and weakest points in the sky on the 21st. We know it simply as the shortest day of the year. At...

gardening in winter

Winter snowstorms have a wonderful way of slowing everything down, forcing us to live in the moment. All of the distracting details of daily life that ordinarily occupy every moment of your time are suddenly moved to the back burner. Your mind clears as you focus on...

rock around the christmas tree

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. But not anymore. From design plans and buying...

light up the darkness

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...
light the winter gloom

light the winter gloom

written by Lisa Briggs
I love the bustle of the winter holidays. If I regret taking on extra projects, the sight of family faces around the table at Thanksgiving makes all of the work worthwhile.

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fall for autumn clean-up

fall for autumn clean-up

written by Lisa Briggs
The crisp, white frost that we’ve seen on our lawns a couple of times is a sure sign that the planting season is waning. If you have the energy, you don’t have to put away your wheelbarrow, rakes and shovels yet. There are lots of important tasks to accomplish in the garden before we’re done for the year.

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hola la nina

hola la nina

written by Lisa Briggs
Wow. We’re more than halfway through October and though some outlying locations have seen low temps close to freezing, we haven’t experienced a killing frost in any of the in-town areas!

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to LED or not to LED

to LED or not to LED

written by Lisa Briggs
It’s a perfect time to add some tree lighting to this weekend’s chore list and hang your Christmas lights! These beautiful, late fall days are perfect for getting a jump on outdoor holiday decorating.

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trick your bulbs

trick your bulbs

written by Lisa Briggs
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.

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fall is for planting

fall is for planting

written by Lisa Briggs
Now that we’re getting ready to turn the calendar page from September to October, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. Cooler temps. Lower humidity. And so many other reasons to love fall!

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delayed gratification

delayed gratification

written by Lisa Briggs
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.

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