The Bruce Company Blog

a tale of rabbits in the garden

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter. They lived with their Mother in a sand bank, underneath the root of a very big fir tree. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter I’ve been seeing so many...

dream a little dream of spring

There are great reasons to grow your vegetables from seed because you have so many more choices. Let’s start with taste and depth of selection. Ordinarily, the Garden Center has 50 or so varieties of tomato seedlings on order. If you look at seeds though, you can...

happy vernal equinox

Happy Vernal Equinox! Given the recent weather, not exactly what I was hoping for the first day of spring. The month of March, thus far, has felt fairly mild and if you looks at Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, known affectionately...

dance of the butterflies

Learn About Butterflies Day was last week and the day always reminds us that the battle between strength and fragility is not better illustrated more clearly than by a butterfly. About 130 of these brightly colored beauties can be spotted during the spring and summer...

is it time to re-pot?

Haven’t the mild temperatures and sun been marvelous? We hope that you had a chance to get outside and enjoy those beautiful days. And even though, these steps forward into early spring will be followed by a few that are headed back into late winter, days are...

spring of deception

As winter recedes, each sign of spring seems more symbolic than the last. And this year’s seesawing temperature swings have made all of us more than a little crazy. By my count, we’ve weathered winter, fool’s spring, second winter and are currently in the spring of...

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...
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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if at first you don’t succeed

if at first you don’t succeed

written by Lisa Briggs
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.

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vive la difference!

vive la difference!

written by Lisa Briggs
What a difference a wet growing season makes! Weather factors can make gardening in our area mighty interesting. But the Autumnal Equinox is just 30 days away and the first frost is usually a few weeks later. It’s time to think about preparing for the cooler weather to come.

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add some color to your summer

add some color to your summer

written by Lisa Briggs
Seesawing temperatures are one clue that summer is on the wane. Long-range weather forecasters predict that we can expect more moderate temperatures this weekend through the end of the month,

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late summer planting

late summer planting

written by Lisa Briggs
As summer wanes and autumn approaches, birds congregate in the trees and on overhead wires. The air is sweetly scented with ripening fruit. The light changes, becoming more golden. Everything seems ready to burst. Not in the tender, life-is-beginning way of spring, but in a more poignant manner that hints life in the garden will soon fade.

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