Spring is here!

It looks like spring came early this year. That means it's time to get a jump on your landscaping projects. Also, don't miss the big news! The biggest announcement from Vande Heys this year is the introduction of our new line, VHC Pools. That's right, we're now installing, repairing, and maintaining pools. Check out our new site to find out more.


Also, stop in our retail center which is back up and running for the year. You can pop in ask questions, get advice, and pick up everything you need to make your yard spectacular this season.

October Maintenance Tips & Tricks

• Finish planting Spring flowering bulbs.
*Stop in to our nursery to see what bulbs we have in!
• Start winterization of plants materials.
• Aeration of lawn to promote root growth.
• Start lowering the mowing height, continue to mow lawn until it stops growing.
• Wrap trunks of young or thin barked trees such as Ash, Honeylocust, Maple, and Linden with tree wrap.
• Continue to collect/mulch leaves from lawn areas.
• Remove debris and leaves from planting beds.
• Cut back all perennials except ones with some winter interest (grasses, sedum)
• Take snow removal equipment into repair center for tune up, so equipment is ready for the first snowfall.
• Spray crab trees with dormant oil to help control apple scab next summer.

Perennial Cut Back

To cut down or not to cut down that is the question many gardeners ask once fall has arrived. In other words they’re asking, “Do I cut back my perennials and seasonal plantings in fall or spring?” The answer is an emphatic yes depending on what you want from your landscape during the winter months.

If your concept of the perfect winter scene is an uninterrupted pristine blanket of snow, plan on cutting back and clearing out the perennial border each fall. However, if you are hoping that your landscape will continue to provide interest right up to spring, schedule that bed work for early April.

By keeping the foliage of ornamental grasses and perennials such as autumn joy sedum in place you allow your landscape to continue to provide color and movement right up until the arrival of deep snow. Besides the show, keeping the foliage in place for the winter helps to accumulate snow over the plants. This blanket of snow is nature’s protective mulch against the extreme cold of a Wisconsin winter. Another benefit is that dried and dead foliage helps mark the plant’s location come the warm weather of spring - A simple way to avoid damaging the plants while working in the yard in early spring.

September Specials

"Do not be afraid to go out on a limb...that is where the fruit is!"

Here is a list of our new Fall specials & be sure to stop in the retail center and nursery to see what other deals we have going on!

* 50% OFF
Perennials
Evergreens
Fruit Trees
Red Oaks
Crabapples

* 60% OFF:
Autumn Blaze Maples
Crabapples
Hackberry
Mugho Pine
Forsythia
Honeysuckle

* 75% OFF
Newport Plum

Cut flowers for Fall arrangements

Many of our garden perennials can be used to brighten up the indoors in various arrangements. For some perennials you may get weeks of enjoyment from a cut bouquet. For others it may be a matter of days. Experiment. Try different combinations. Add personal touches from things you find around the house.

The following is a list of perennials that can be used to extend the growing season (at least indoors) and bring some autumn color into your home. The first name will be the Latin name followed by the common name. Latin names are used because people may know the plant by several common names. However, there is only one Latin name for each plant.

If you are interested in ideas for putting together Fall flower arrangements, stop in and talk to David in the Design Center - he'd be more than happy to help you put something together. Enjoy!

- Aster (Aster)
- Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) pods can be used in dried arrangements
- Chelone (Turtlehead) also for dried arrangements
- Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)
- Echinacea (Coneflower) also for dried arrangements
- Grasses-many different species are good for cut & dried flowers
- Hedera (English Ivy) foliage
- Physostegia (Obedient Plant)
- Sedum (Sedum)
- Solidago (Goldenrod)
- Tricyrtis (Toad Lily)

September maintenance tips

We know you may not be ready to embrace the tips of the Fall months just yet, but be prepared - September is just around the corner!

September:
• Divide Spring and Summer flowering perennials now. These include peonies, daylilies, irises, phlox and others. Note: perennials that are flowering should NOT be divided at this time.
• Prune “bleeder” trees such as Maple, Elm, Birch.
• Fertilize lawn with a slow release fertilizer, spot spray broadleaf weed control.
• Plant Spring flowering bulbs (Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, Hyacinth)
• Last month to plant evergreens until next spring.

Ask the expert - Lawn repair

Question: Some of my lawn died this season from the dry, hot weather. Do I still have time to seed in the dead areas or do I have to wait until spring?

Answer: Lawns have once again started to green up due to recent rains. With this, dead and insect damaged areas have also once again become noticeable. The month of September and the early portion of October are the BEST times for starting a new lawn or renovating an old one. Cooler temperatures, more reliable rain patterns and our lawn’s propensity to establish strong root systems in the fall are the reasons we strongly recommend fall lawn renovation. Remember that for proper germination grass seed must be in good contact with the soil, not be buried too deeply in the soil as light is also required for proper germination and it must remain moist. Good luck with your project & let us know if we could be of assistance!

Have a question for the expert? Leave a comment below and we'll feature your question in one of our upcoming posts.