Main Location, North Branford 203.488.2110
Garden Mart, Guilford 203-204-1540
Garden Mart, Milford 203.298.0716
Garden Mart, Old Saybrook 860-339-5345
Christmas Picture Time
It’s that time of year at the garden center when we peek through the holiday greens on the patio and spot families trudging through our tree fields. Decked out in their Sunday best, bags of pre-wrapped gifts in hand. In search of the perfect spot to take the annual family photo. Christmas card photos are […]
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Caring for your Tree
It’s that time of year again. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle that accompanies the holiday season, we somehow manage to find the time to continue the time honored tradition of selecting and decorating the perfect Christmas tree. But after we have found that perfect tree, what to do next? How do […]
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BIRD FEEDING BASICS & the best houses!
Each year as the cooler temps roll in I stock up on a few things for our feathered friends. I know it may seem somewhat dull but I really do enjoy watching the birds visit each morning. Year after year it seems I appreciate the calm natural beauty they bring to my yard more and […]
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Live tree planting and care
The holidays are upon us, and nothing brings that festive spirit out more than getting your Christmas tree. For many families, this means gathering up the family and traveling to cut a tree down. But for others, this means going to a nursery to pick out a live tree. While it may seem intimidating at […]
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Why are my pines turning yellow?
One of the most common questions we get here in the fall at Van Wilgen’s is, “Why are my pines turning yellow? Are they sick?” The answer is, thankfully, no. All trees and shrubs renew their foliage annually in the spring and summer, and shed old, unneeded foliage in the fall. While this is most […]
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Many Hands make Light Work
We have so few fall days to get outside and enjoy the little bit of warmer weather we have left. Grab the whole family and finish up the last of the fall chores together. Working as a family will make all the work seem lighter. Heck, have some fun while you do it. And…of course, […]
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Perennials: What not to cut back in Fall
Nothing says fall is fully here like realizing that mornings start with a frosty car and cranking the heat to get the windows clear. Unfortunately for your plants, there’s no heater to keep them warm, and right about now, your perennials are probably looking pretty sad. If you’re like many gardeners, that means it’s time […]
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Fig Tree Winter Care
As the days get shorter it is now time to start thinking about what we need to do to over-winter our plants. While your plants have enjoyed being outside this summer they need to come in before the temperatures dip below 50 degrees consistently. Now that covers most plants. But, there is one plant that over- […]
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Citrus winter care
As the days get shorter it is now time to start thinking about what we need to do to over-winter our plants. While your plants have enjoyed being outside this summer they need to come in before the temperatures dip below 50 degrees consistently. The proper way to handle the transition is to slowly inch […]
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ASTER ‘PURPLE DOME’
With the end of summer’s heat comes the beginning of fall’s color. I love asters and fall brings lots of them. A favorite of mine is Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome.’ Nova-angliae is botanical Latin for New England where this aster is most happy. The flowers are a clear rosy-purple and the foliage is a healthy deep green. Height […]
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