Blog
There’s more than one way to benefit from my tried-and-true best practices.
Below you’ll find my blog posts on all things horticulture, from personal musings and gardening tips to quick DIY guides that will help you spruce up your landscapes. My goal is to build a greater sense of inclusion and camaraderie with all who share my passion for gardening and planting.
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What Makes Dried Flowers so Special?
Dried flowers, also known as everlasting flowers, capture the fleeting beauty of fresh flowers. They are known to last months…
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Fall Planting for Spring Blooms
Do you know what time it is? It’s time to plan for spring! Many people don’t realize that to get…
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Our Hummingbird Friends
It is nearing the time to say goodbye to our Ruby-Throated Hummingbird friends for the season. They’re building up their…
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My Top 5 Favorite Fall Bloomers
My top plant favorites usually change from season to season and from year to year. This year my favorites are…
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Easy Seed Viability Test
An easy way to check for seed viability is through a seed viability test. There are several tests you can…
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Why Natives?
What defines a native plant has been debated for many years. An acceptable and widely used definition of Midwest natives…
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The Pesticide Label
It is important to read the pesticide label and have an understanding of what you read if you choose to…
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You and Poison Ivy met, now what?
It is often underplayed how much poison ivy can be spread after the initial contact. It isn’t the poison ivy…
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Creating a Low Maintenance Landscape
When designing a landscape, a key consideration is how much maintenance you would like to take on. All plants require…
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Basics of Landscape Design Part 4: Selecting Landscape Plants and Materials
Here is what you have been waiting for. It is time to choose the plants. Not so fast! Make sure…
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Pesticides Demystified
What is a pesticide? A pesticide is any substance used to reduce or eliminate pest damage or control pest populations….
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Beloved garden plant or invasive invader?
It’s late May in Wisconsin and the weather is comfortable. It’s a perfect day for a walk. As my dog…
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Caring for Lilacs
Many plants benefit from pruning each year. Lilacs are no exception. However, it is typically desirable to time your pruning…
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Tree Planting Tips
September and October are the premier times for tree planting. The ground is warm and the air is cool encouraging…
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Basics of Landscape Design Part 3: Landscape Design Principles
Landscape design includes elements and principles of importance. There are certain landscape design principles that are present in successful landscape…
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Basics of Landscape Design Part 2: Evaluate your Needs
The second step in developing a landscape design is to consider your needs. How will the area be used? Who…
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Splitting Dahlias
With my cold zone 5b, it is necessary to dig up my dahlias in the fall and store them over…
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Hellebore, Spring’s untapped Perennial
Oh my Hellebores how do I love thee!!! While many refer to these perennials as Lenten Rose because of their…
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Basics of Landscape Design
Part 1: Assessing your site Start out by gathering some supplies: After you have gathered your supplies, draw a base…
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Easy Flocked Pinecone Wreath
All you need for this easy wreath craft is … Directions… Set up cardboard, newspaper, or other type of working…
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Easy Winter Planter
When creating planters at home, and for customers, I often use what is already available. I love the natural look…
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Fall Evergreen Care
Fall is a great time for plants. The soil warmed throughout the summer provides the ideal condition for plant root…
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Why Buy Local Flowers?
They are Grown Truly Locally Did you know almost 80 percent of fresh flowers sold in the United States and…
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Sunflower Q & A
1. Are Sunflowers Annuals, Biennials, or Perennials? It depends on the variety you are using. Many plants are commonly referred…
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Renewal Pruning
To renew a large overgrown shrub, remove 1/3rd of the oldest and/or largest branches near the base of the shrub….
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Top 5 Summer Flowers
Strawflower – Xerochrysum bracteatum I fell in love with this flower from the moment I grew my first seed. Easy…
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Houseplants in outdoor containers
I forgo most of the expensive annuals for my planters and instead primarily use foliage plants (aka houseplants). Not only…
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What’s in a name
My flower farm is on ½ acre. In such a small growing area, thoughtful use of the space is very…
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Ornamental Tree Sucker Management
What are tree suckers and why do they form? There are many trees that develop tree suckers. Ornamentals such as…
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Effective Watering
Watering practices vary widely, with effectiveness varying across methods. The frequency and duration of watering are determined by a variety…
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Ornamental Grasses
Types of Ornamental Grasses Cool Season Grasses The most common type of cool season grass is Karl Foerster Feather Reed…
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Seedling Care
General Care- Once the seedlings have germinated (typically 80% of plants at least), I remove the lid, remove them from…
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Easy Plant Propagation
What is Propagation? Simply defined, plant propagation is the process of creating new plants. There are many types of propagation….
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Annual, Biennials, and Perennials
Annuals The easiest way to think of annuals is to think of them as plants that go from seed to…
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Steps to Seed Starting
Containers, seed starting mix, and labels Make sure to have all your supplies ready. To see the supplies I use,…
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Bring on Spring! (indoors)
Forcing blooms Once the holiday lights are down, my house really starts to look a bit dark and boring. I…
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Get Planning to get Growing!
Seed choices galore! The first step to starting seeds is to have a plan. With all the choices, it is…
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Brighten your Home All Year Round with a Flower Subscription
Why Opt For a Flower Subscription? Flower subscriptions serve as a personal gardener, delivering fresh, beautifully arranged blooms to your…
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The Fundamentals of Landscape Design: How to Beautify Your Outdoor Space
We all know that the beauty of a home is not confined to its interior. At Shawn L. Vieth LLC,…
