The Bruce Company Blog

How-To Videos

Plant Care Tips

Plant Care Tips

Q & As

Have a Question?

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...
time to take a breath

time to take a breath

written by Lisa Briggs
At long last. It’s time to take a deep breath because a lot of the physical work, and often frenetic pace of the growing season is winding down.

read more
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.

read more
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!

read more
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.

read more
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.

read more
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.

read more
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,

read more
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.

read more
Skip to content