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The Bruce Company Blog

a taste of spring

Happy Vernal Equinox! We certainly had a beautiful day for it. And remember March 1st? Mild temps. Sun. Definitely lamb weather! And despite a few chilly, windy days and tonight’s forecasted snow, the month so far has held to that gentle, lamb-like vibe. Wisconsin’s...

why plant a butterfly garden?

Learn About Butterflies Day was last week It 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 in...

bring the spring inside

A beautiful vase of flowers is a perfect remedy for chasing away the late winter blues when all we really want is to see is the light of spring at the end of winter’s tunnel. So how can you add the color and fragrance of flowers to your home without breaking the bank?...

now you see spring-now you don’t

As winter recedes, each sign of spring seems more symbolic than the last. And this year’s teasing tone has made all of us more than a little crazy. Personally, I’m longing for thunderstorms instead of snow showers. The sandhill crane’s raspy call or the melodious song...

february is the cruelest month

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

patience is nature’s secret

I've checked all 10 of my favorite weather apps and forecasts seem to agree that March will be coming in like a lamb. Finding consensus about past weather events is tricky because our memories can be so subjective. All in all, it’s been a quiet winter. The biggest...

if life hands you dirt, plant seeds!

It’s a bit early, but if you’ve already started some seeds, 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 week...

will you be our valentine?

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 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 calla...

more than a gramma’s flower

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...

better call jimmy

Next week 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...
we’ll light up your life

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.

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fall into winter

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.

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time to slow down

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.

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the art of forcing bulbs

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.

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the gentle slide into autumn

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!

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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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wonderful world of houseplants

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.

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be prepared!

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.

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if at first…

if at first…

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. And you may find that you’ve got some empty spots where spring crops have been harvested.

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Organic seedling or sapling lettuces in the field, lettuce cultivation, green leaves

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