Our selection includes many varieties of Apple trees as well as other popular fruit trees as well as bushes that include, but are not limited to Blueberry, Raspberry and Blackberry.
Van Wilgen’s, along with other Garden Centers, was recently featured in the March issue of Connecticut Magazine to add our VanWisdom on the best fruit picks.

Taking a new tree home? Don’t forget to check out our Watering and Planting Guides…..and don’t forget the Mulch – a vital ingredient that helps retain water and keeps weeds out.

One of the many questions we usually start hearing this time of the year is “Can I still plant in the summer?”
We understand why people may be nervous but the answer is an overwhelming YES!
Our nursery yard is filled with beautiful specimens waiting to beautify your landscape.
Here are a few easy tips to follow before you get started:

1) Choose the right plant for the right space

If you have a sunny, dry spot you’re looking to fill, choose trees, shrubs, or perennials that will be happiest in those conditions. Similarly, avoid sun-loving plants for those shady areas.
Not sure about plant requirements? Come pay us a visit and we’ll gladly work with you.

2) Start Digging

Dig your hole twice the width of the root ball and no deeper than the height. (You want the top of the root ball either at ground level or slightly higher.) If you’re planting a container plant, make sure to score the roots first. If you’re planting a tree with a wire basket take off all the burlap as well as the basket. In both cases, this will prevent girdled roots from developing.

3) Amend your soil

Mix together Van Wilgen’s Premium Planting Mix with your existing soil. If you only add new soil, without any native soil present, the roots will stop dead in their tracks once they outgrow the pocket of nice new soil.

4) Place your plants

Place your plant into the hole you dug, making sure you’re happy with the placement and orientation. Backfill the hole with your soil mixture, tamping the soil as you go, to eliminate any air pockets.

5) Fertilize

Add Van Wilgen’s JumpStart fertilizer or our organic option, Van Wilgen’s Root Boost to the hole when planting. (Just make sure it comes into contact with the root system.)

6) Mulch

Add a 2-3” layer of Van Wilgen’s mulch around the base of the plant, in your preferred color. Be careful to leave the stem or trunk flare exposed. Over-mulching can lead to its own set of problems!

7) Water, water, water!

Water the base of the plant thoroughly while avoiding overhead watering. Your new plants will need a deep soaking two to three times a week for the first season, though with the summer heat we’re currently experiencing, you might have to water more frequently. Click here to reference our watering guide.
Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy your new plantings and some warm summer weather!

One of the questions we seem to get virtually year-round is “Is it okay to plant?”, and this time of year is no different. With the upcoming warm weather, many of you may be nervous to put new plants in the ground, but we promise, you can ABSOLUTELY plant!

Still nervous? Here are six easy tips to follow before you get started:
  1. Choose the right plant for the right place. If you have a sunny, dry spot you’re looking to fill, choose a tree, shrub, or perennial that will be happiest in those conditions. Not sure about plant requirements? See a Van Wilgen’s plant expert and we’ll gladly work with you.
  2. Proper planting technique is crucial. Dig your hole twice the width of the root ball and no deeper than the height. If you’re planting a container plant make sure to score the roots first. If you’re planting a tree with a wire basket take off all the burlap as well as the basket. In both cases, this will prevent girdled roots from developing. For additional recommendations, be sure to reference our planting guide.
  3. Add Van Wilgen’s Jump Start starter fertilizer or our organic option, Van Wilgen’s Root Boost to the hole when planting. (Just make sure it comes into contact with the root system.)
  4. Mix together Van Wilgen’s Premium Planting Mix with your existing soil. If you only add new soil, without any native soil present, the roots will stop dead in their tracks once they outgrow the pocket of nice new soil.
  5. Backfill the hole with your soil mixture, tamping the soil as you go, to eliminate any air pockets. Add a 2-3” layer of mulch around the base of the plant. Be careful to leave the stem or trunk flare exposed. (Over mulching can lead to its own set of problems!)
  6. Water the base of the plant thoroughly. Avoid overhead watering. Your new plants will need a deep soaking two to three times a week for the first season, depending on water. Click here to reference our watering guide.
Now it’s time to sit back, and enjoy your new plants and some warm weather!

How to plant has always been a frequently asked question at the garden center. What do I do if my plant is in a pot…How do I plant a burlap tree? Does the basket stay on or do I take it off? These are all questions we will cover in this Planting Guide.

Regardless of whether your plant is in a pot or balled and burlap, big or small the first step is to dig a hole 2-3 times the width of the root ball. Your hole should be no deeper than the root ball is in height. This is very important. If any plant is planted too deeply it may lead to failure. If your plant is in a container remove the pot and score the roots with a sharp knife or scratch the roots with a 3 or 4 pronged hand cultivator. Now add Van Wilgen’s Premium Planting mix to your existing soil from the hole. Place your plant in the hole making sure the top of the root ball is either at ground level or just slightly higher. This step will ensure the plant isn’t too deep or over-mulched. Now it is time to apply either apply Van Wilgen’s Jumpstart or Organic Root Boost directly to the root system of the plant. The next step is to backfill the hole with your mixture of Van Wilgen’s Planting Mix and existing soil. Lightly tamp the soil to remove any air pockets. If you are planting a balled-in burlap tree or shrub follow the same steps as mentioned above. Instead of removing the container take off all burlap and the wire basket. This will ensure your plant doesn’t develop girdled roots.

Once your plant is backfilled you can apply a 2-3” layer of mulch to the base of your new planting. Be sure to keep the mulch at least 3’’ away from the stem of any plant. Mulching will not only give your planting a beautiful finished look but it will help retain moisture for the root system.

The last step is to thoroughly water in the plant. Typically, infrequent deep-watering is better for root development than short infrequent watering. Please ask a Van Wilgen Team Member for a Van Wilgen Watering Guide for more detailed directions on watering.

JASON SCIRE, Nursery Manager