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let the growing begin

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...

be our valentine

Valentine’s Day, as well as the more inclusive Palentine’s and Galentine’s days, are this weekend and everyone at the Bruce Company wishes you and everyone you love a great day! Have you wondered why red roses are the go-to flower for Valentine’s Day giving? Or why...

a flower blooms in winter

Even though it’s barely started, you may find yourself getting a bit sick of winter. My guess is that the recent super cold days have contributed to many cases of cabin fever and a longing for the sight of some swelling buds and tender green shoots. I see two choices....

duck. duck. groundhog?

Monday will find many a modern gardener checking the sky as soon as their alarm clock rings. Why? 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 though....

get ready for seed season

What a difference a year makes! Last year, snow was found everywhere. Except in south central Wisconsin. Mother Nature has been more generous, but I sure wish that it would stay put! Our plants would certainly appreciate the extra snowy blanket. So far, the 2025-26...

winter pruning dos and don’ts

The frenetic pace of the holidays has given way to the calmer contemplation of mid-winter, making it a great time to settle in, plan for and nurture some spring gardening projects. The little bursts of snow certainly encourage introspection. Preferably indoors, under...

winter’s hush

Winter snowstorms have a wonderful way of slowing everything down, forcing all of us to live in the moment. 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...

to everything a season

The term winter solstice marks the day when the earth’s axis tips up, putting the rest of the Northern Hemisphere 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...

a garden under snow

“There’s a garden under that snow. / Deep in cozy soil, stretch, unfurl. / Plants need privacy, did you know? / Yes, there’s a garden under that snow. / Plants carry the light required to grow, / While winter sky is all storm and swirl.” Winter Garden by Irene Latham...

christmas time is here

The often melancholy days of November are upon us. Snowflakes may gather on the grass and in the garden as the last of the brightly colored autumn leaves fall, leaving the trees bare. Some of you might think that this is the end of gardening for the year and there is...
winter pruning abc’s

winter pruning abc’s

written by Lisa Briggs
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.

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where’s our snow?

where’s our snow?

written by Lisa Briggs
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.

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gardening in winter

gardening in winter

written by Lisa Briggs
Gardening projects in this season don’t have to be large and they don’t need to be complicated. Simpler is better as far as we’re concerned.

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rock around the christmas tree

rock around the christmas tree

written by Lisa Briggs
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.

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light up the darkness

light up the darkness

written by Lisa Briggs
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 Hemisphere, the farthest from the sun, so that the sun appears at its lowest and weakest point in the sky.

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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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