Although we still should expect some cold starts before Easter, people are itching to get outside and are turning to their winter-ravaged lawn and asking:

When should I seed my lawn?
The soil temperature needs to be about 50 degrees in order for grass seed to germinate. We recommend seeding in spring when the soil temp reaches 50 degrees. The key to germination is water, water, water.

Don’t forget to check out our Watering and Planting Guides

Should I Fertilize?
Yes! There is a fertilizer for every seed, every plant, and for every time of the year. We don’t love fertilizer just because of our jobs, we love fertilizer because it helps your plants and the environment. Regular fertilization ensures your Veggie gardens will give a much greater yield; annuals will push out more bloom; trees will establish deeper root systems, and shrubs will be less prone to disease.

What about the deer in my neighborhood ?
When a deer is hungry there is almost nothing you can do to stop them. We offer a well-rounded selection of repellants as well as choosing plants that are known to be deer resistant. A quick rule of thumb includes anything fuzzy, fragrant or sharp. Look to our deer-resistant tree and shrub list as well as shop our deer-resistant perennial bench.

Is it Dead?
“Survey Says….:”…by far the most asked question at the garden center recently. Our advice to all…don’t panic! With the up and down weather temperatures typical of early spring it is often too soon to tell. Please resist the temptation to prune your plants to the ground since this may cause your plants to not flower this year and next.

You probably don’t need us telling you this, but it’s been HOT outside. With those sun rays beating down on your plants, it’s important to give them a little extra TLC to keep them happy; especially those that have been recently planted. So how do you protect your plants in the sizzling heat? Simple: Water, water, water!

With new plants especially, we always encourage folks to reference our Watering Guide for basic watering instruction, but when it comes to extreme temperatures, there are a few extra things you should keep in mind.

Timing is Key

Early morning is the best time to water since it gives the plant time to absorb the water and dry the leaves making them less susceptible to plant diseases and heat scorch, which is where the plant actually burns from the water sitting on the leaf. If you wait to water during the heat of the day, about half of the water can be lost due to evaporation.

Shady Plants Need Love Too

You might think that plants that are under large trees and in the shade won’t need to be watered as frequently as those in the sun. However, these plants can actually dry out due to the larger trees absorbing the water that’s in the soil, so it’s equally important to give those shaded plants a drink too.

Recovery Mode

Even toward the end of summer, with cooler temperatures and rain on the way, it’s important to remember to apply some recovery nutrients to replenish what was used by the plant during this stressful period. We have a full line of plant fertilizers and the team at Van Wilgen’s can help choose the right product for your specific need. When in doubt, give us a call. We’re here to help!

Well, we all made it through one of the rainiest spring and early summer seasons we have ever seen. Mother Nature was a huge help to us keeping all of our plants wet with minimal hand watering. With summer now winding down, things are now showing signs of drying out.

As we get into the fall planting season make sure that all plants are properly watered going into the winter season. Plants that are dry in the winter have a greater chance to sustain winter injury. Nighttime temperatures are now getting lower so plants won’t dry out as quickly. Please refer to our Van Wilgen’s Watering Guide to help you through the process.