each season leads to the next
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.
we’ll light up your life
written by Lisa Briggs
There’s no snow forecasted in our immediate future. So why not add some holiday decorating 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.
fall into winter
written by Lisa Briggs
Wow. We’re more than halfway through October and no sign of a hard frost! The old saying goes “No frost until after the full moon in October.” The long range forecasts do predict some pretty chilly temps next weekend. So we’ll see if the adage is true.
let sleeping ponds lie
written by Lisa Briggs
Colder weather is certainly on its way making it time to get your ponds and water features ready for the frosty temperatures to come.
time to slow down
written by Lisa Briggs
At long last. It’s time to take a deep breath because the physical work, and often frenetic pace of the growing season is winding down. Not having a million things to accomplish in the garden may find some folks feeling a bit bereft, but most of us are pretty happy for the break.
the art of forcing bulbs
written by Lisa Briggs
Let me 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.
the gentle slide into autumn
written by Lisa Briggs
Now that we’ve 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!
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.
wonderful world of houseplants
written by Lisa Briggs
We’ve had a couple of chilly nights under our belts, with the night temps in the mid 50s. It won’t be long before we’re experiencing lows in the 40s. So it’s time to make a plan for any houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors.
be prepared!
written by Lisa Briggs
What a difference a wet July makes! The Madison area’s rainfall is less than an inch under average from March 1 thru July 31. And the average monthly temperatures have been running a bit higher. Weather factors can make gardening in our area mighty interesting.
