Wordless Wednesday

"Fanciful Gardens" have arrived! Great dwarf and miniature shrubs for containers or rock gardens.

Here We Grow Again!

Springtime has arrived at Vander Giessen's! Our first loads of shrubs and trees are arriving, and the plants look great! Check out our wonderful selection of heathers, hellebores, nandina, rhododendrons, azaleas, bareroot fruit trees, periwinkle, and a lot more. New stock is rolling in daily, so be sure to check out our Facebook page for the latest information and pictures of what's coming in--or just stop by if you can't wait for our latest updates.

Just some of the great color available now at Vander Giessen's!

Tips for Early Spring Pruning

I almost hate to say it, but it’s sure starting to feel a little bit like spring! Of course, this weekend's forecast includes the potential for snow, so winter's not over just yet. But with several beautiful days recently, it’s easy to think that spring is coming early. And after last year’s miserably cool, wet spring, I think we’re all hoping for a nicer season ahead. So as the plants in your yard start to wake up from a winter’s rest, what tasks can or should you get started on outdoors?

First, let me offer a word of caution. Without trying to put too much of a damper on your hopes of spring, remember the last few years? We’ve had some very cold weather in February and even well into March, so please don’t think that a couple of days of sun mean spring is here. If you’re determined to work outside, great—after all, around here you take whatever sunny days you get to do a little yard work! But don’t feel too rushed on some of your early spring tasks; there will be plenty of time in early March to get them done. 

That said, late winter is a great time to prune many of the shrubs and trees around your yard. If you have fruit trees to prune, try to prune as late in winter as possible to avoid any damage from late freezes. When pruning, remove any water sprouts—fast-growing, upright branches—and branches that rub together or compete for space. Also, actively work to thin the branching in your trees to keep an open form, remembering that fruit trees will be healthier and have better fruit production when given proper sun exposure and air circulation. Don’t be timid about pruning too hard when trying to achieve open branching—as a popular saying goes, “When in doubt, thin it out!” 

As for other ‘treatments’ for your fruit trees, I don’t recommend using wound sealer after pruning. Too often the sealer can still allow water in and then trap it, causing more rot damage than if pruning had been done properly in the first place and the wound had been allowed to heal out in the open. Now is, however, a good time to apply a dormant spray to combat any diseases that may have overwintered, and if you’re sick of battling suckers at the base of your fruit (or other) trees each year, stop in at Vander Giessen Nursery for a bottle of Sucker Stopper, an easy-to-use spray that utilizes plant hormones to prevent growth of suckers.

If the thought of so much pruning has your hands hurting already, maybe it’s time for a new pair of pruners. After all, a whole year of gardening lies ahead, and that can mean a lot of pruning. If your hands fatigue easily or if you suffer with arthritis, it’s worth it to try a pair of ergonomically-designed pruners like the Fiskars Powergear bypass pruner. Built to work with your hand motion instead and with a built-in gear that increases your pruning power, you'll be amazed how the Powergear bypass pruner keeps your hands from pain or fatigue.

While honest-to-goodness spring is still a couple months away, now is a great time to take stock of what projects you need to accomplish to start the season right. Whether it’s a pruner for your trees, advice on the best pruning techniques, or just a few primroses to brighten your front porch, now is a great time to stop in at your favorite local nursery and see what’s in store for spring.

    

Wordless Wednesday

Potted hyacinths now available!

Spring Hours are Here!

Bring on spring! While the official change of season may be more than a month away yet--and don't get me wrong, we still could get a winter blast--now is a great time to get started with yard clean-up and early spring maintenance.

To serve you better, we're now back to our normal hours of Monday-Saturday 9:00-5:00. Currently, we're stocked with pansies and primroses, bulk and bagged topsoil, compost and bark mulch and our selection of roses will soon be available. In the next couple of weeks, our selection of shrubs and trees will arrive, too!

If you're battling moss in your lawn--and just trust me on this one, you are--please stop by to pick up a bag of ferrous sulfate and a couple bags of Super Sweet lime to knock it out and keep it from coming back. This winter has been a bad one again for battling moss, so get an early start on the battle and keep a step ahead so you can enjoy your lawn. 

Wordless Wednesday

Our first shipment of perennial starts has arrived!

Wordless Wednesday

Primroses have arrived!