e-Newsletter                         March 12, 2019

Tending to Winter Damage
Freezing temperatures of the polar vortex, the ice storms, and the strong winds can cause damage to your landscape. This e-newsletter gives you some advice in treating some of the issues you may be facing as you start to venture into your yard this time of year.

Broken or cracked branches in trees and shrubs are best pruned out
 before the plant breaks dormancy. Remember the cuts need to be made flush with the nearest main stem. 

As I drive down the road I notice many arborvitae and evergreens with Winter Burn - browning of the needles. Give 
winterburnyour evergreens the best chance for survival by fertilizing them with Holly Tone ™ as soon as the ground thaws.


Salt is hard on lawns, perennials and shrubs. Damaged lawn will have to be removed, soil may need to be added, and then seed or sod can be installed. 
Perennials and shrubs may need some compost and/or fertilizers to help them recover quickly this spring.

Barb Kindinger
Feel free to stop in and  let our certified landscape or nursery professionals help you find the solution to best fit y our unique situation.
Common Fix Ups for Winter Landscape Problems
Here are some common landscape problems that many of us will face.

Rabbit Damage: Rabbits have their favorite p lant just like deer. Be aware which of these you have. Chemical or physical barriers are your only options.

Deer Damage:  These animals are everywhere this winter. Food is an issue for them and they are foraging in our landscapes. Sprays, repellents or physical barriers are the only answers. Be aware of which plants they prefer and watch for damage.

Arborvitae Damage: Wet snows have caused the arborvitae to split, lean and sometimes break. We always need to be proactive to protect them from winter damage. That means, in the fall, giving them some support. Simple twine roped around the main stems will help the stem support each other. If you are repairing, try the same method. Be gentle. Knot a main stem and then loop the twine around the other stems that are drooping. A green twine will be less visible.

Mechanical Damage: The snow plow could have damaged shrubs or lawn along drives and walks. For shrubs, some pruning or removals maybe needed. For lawn, you can sometimes re-position uplifted patches of the yard and put them back into place. It will start to fill in as the weather improves. Otherwise new seed or sod needs to be installed.

If you are looking for a spring cleanup or a new look to your landscape, call or email us today! 
 
Pruning Tips - the general rules of thumb:

If a plant flowers, prune it right after it flowers.

If a branch is dead, remove it right away.

Prune evergreens as they are finishing their new growth in early June. Look for the candle stage on pine and spruce.

Cuts should be by an outward facing bud.

Fruit trees should be pruned in dormancy. Apples, cherries, and pears in winter. Plums and peaches in late February/early March before sap starts to run.

Perennials should be cut down to within 12" of the ground in the spring.

Rose bushes should be cut back in March before they break dormancy. Cut the dead (brown black) canes back to where the stem is green.

Click here for KC's pruning handout, call or come on in and see us so for proper pruning and care of your landscape. 
On March 8, in honor of International Women's Day we pulled two ladies names from our fish bowl to win one dozen roses.
Congratulations
Maggie Cambora (above) and Shelly Voight (below)!

Stop in the Flower Shop to see all the fresh looks for spring. Silk arrangements, faux succulents and beautiful giftware are found just inside our doors.

Don't forget to drop a business card in the fishbowl. You could be our next Dozen Rose Winner!
Check out these NEW seeds! These are seeds from heirloom plants and other hard to find varieties that we offer as a seedling but have never had available in seed form for sale.

Stop in for the best selection of seeds we've ever had!

If you missed Michael's presentation on seed starting,  click here for a power point of the presentation.

Mark your calendar for our Free Seminar, "Vegetable Gardening" with Michael, on Saturday, April 13. Be sure to  register to be entered into our prize drawing.
The greenhouses are starting to fill up with everything from annuals to perennials and roses.
Our vegetable seeds have been sowed!
All signs that spring will be here soon!

Mark your calendar for our Free Seminar, "Best New Plants for 2019" with Kim Hartmann, on Saturday, April 13. Be sure to  register to be entered into our prize drawing.
As the weather gets nicer, there are lots of things to do outside in March. Check out our calendar for suggestions.
Countryside
Flower Shop, Nursery & Garden Center
5301 E. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake
815-459-8130
Open Daily 9-6, Sunday 10 -5
Like us on Facebook