Piala's Nursery Garden Variety

October, 2010

2010-10-11T09:44:00.002-05:00

October, 2010

Fall has officially arrived, and here in southeastern Wisconsin the colors are beginning to change in the native vegetation with the arrival of this month. Colors are also changing in our nursery stock, so if you have been holding out purchasing plants until the last minute, now is an excellent time to come and visit us. You can see what trees, shrubs, and some perennials look like in the fall, and thus give nice accent colors to parts of your landscape this time of year.

While most perennials are sliding into dormancy, there are some which come into their own in the fall, and now is a great time to see which those are, and visualize where they would work into your “estate.” Since most nurseries (including Piala’s) sell plants in containers, relocating perennials to your site this time of year is no problem. The same holds true for shrubs and trees. Although some nurseries are clearing out of stock, and hence the selection may be limited, other places like Piala’s endeavor to maintain a nice selection of shrubs and trees through the fall season. It is a perfect time to make yard improvements; remember the hordes of mosquitoes that descended on you during this summer when you ventured outside? They are gone now, and so is the oppressive heat and humidity that stymied many a gardener’s enthusiasm. The added benefit is that you can see the fall color of the specimen now, and plan where such an addition would give you the best seasonal accent.

The dry weather we are experiencing should remind you that your plantings still need water this time of year, especially if they were put in this season. Newly established plants are quite susceptible to drying, now is not the time to drop your guard. Plants should not be under stress from lack of moisture going into winter. Keep them watered until the ground freezes solid, which is well beyond killing frosts. Any other concerns? Stop out and see us, we’ll be happy to address your questions.

Dr. Tom Honeyager

Pottery, Not Just for Growing Any More

2010-09-14T13:31:00.002-05:00

Since ancient time pottery has often been the gauge of a civilization’s style and technological sophistication. While this may not be as accurate a measuring stick of technological advancement today, pottery still has a major role in determining one’s own sense of style. Be it traditional, ethnic, contemporary, or even modern, pottery c an bring your own personal taste not only into your garden but throughout the household.

Non-traditional uses often allow for surprising architectural elements that are not only fun but quite useful. Consider using pottery as bulk storage containers for potatoes or onions. Planters, especially but not limited to vase types, are also good containers to hold feathers or seasonal cuttings in living spaces around the home. Fun accents or splashes of color can be added in the bathroom to hold towels, soap, and toothbrushes. Some types of pottery with the correct types of glazes can even be used for cooking but ensure they are so designated. The uses are only limited by your imagination.

So this fall when you bring in your potted planters and pottery, don’t just throw them in the corner of the garage, but think of all the design elements you could be taking advantage of. Stop by the shop and see our wide selection of in stock pottery and take advantage of our fall pottery sale where all pottery and planters are 25% off until October 31st, 2010.

September

2010-09-10T13:48:00.000-05:00

September, 2010

Although it is not officially fall until the latter part of September, the early part of the month still feels like fall has come. Perhaps because the Labor Day holiday causes us to mentally shift our minds into that mode at the beginning of the month. At any rate, change is coming, as the barn swallows that nest under the overhang in the back of the shop have made a mass exodus, and the stillness they leave behind is immense. They certainly had a good year, as mosquitoes were in great abundance for much of the season!

A reminder is warranted here, that it is not too late to plant perennials, although some varieties are declining in showiness. The plants are growing in pots, so planting them now will enable the roots to get established, despite how the top of the plant looks. Just do not forget to water them occasionally, so that they can become established. Some perennials, like Autumn Joy sedum and asters, are just coming into prime showiness now, so be sure to consider them if you are looking for plants that add interest into the fall.

We had an abundance of rain this summer (hence the bumper crop of mosquitoes), but do not let that lull you into a sense of horticultural well being. The last couple weeks have been relatively dry here in southeastern Wisconsin, and the winds have aided that state. As a result, newly established plants need supplementary watering. I’ve seen several “year ago” transplanted honey locusts that had dropped their leaves already, because of lack of moisture. The owners thought the trees were established enough to go it alone, but the soil was so dry they went into shock. Those of you that may have put in sod this summer need to be mindful of the moisture situation as well. Sod needs a thorough soaking (through rain or watering) on a regular basis, so that it will knit to the surface it was placed on. If the water is not making it through the sod and into the ground beneath, the grass roots will not grow into the new substrate, and the sod will not “knit” to it. As a result, the grass will dry out very quickly if the moisture supply wanes. I observed this very problem at a customer’s home where sod was installed almost two months ago. Patches of the yard were brown, and when I checked the grass, it lifted as if it had just been put down (the soil was bone dry underneath). Those areas had never received enough moisture to soak through the sod and into the ground. Well watered sod should begin to knit within two weeks, so this problem was not of recent creation.

Another tip, go visit your local nursery now and pick out that large shade tree or evergreen tree that you have visualized in your yard. Fall digging of field grown trees and shrubs is upon us, so get your choices picked out now so they can be dug when the time is right. Piala’s has a fine selection of field grown or heeled in evergreen and deciduous trees, just waiting for you to “adopt”. See you soon.

Dr. Tom Honeyager

The Fungus among Us

2010-08-26T14:20:00.003-05:00

August 26th 2010

Danger, danger, there is a humongous fungus among us. Just kidding, but we have been getting more and more reports of various types of fungi and blights from our customers lately. Thanks to the heat and wet weather we have been experiencing, different fungi and blights have been given prime growing conditions. We have seen many different problems including tomato blight, apple scab, and powdery mildew.

Some of the fungal problems that you may be experiencing in your garden have no real “cure” at this time during the growing season. You can stop the fungi from spreading, but you are not going to be able to fix what damage has been done.

A good example is apple scab, a common fungus found on apple and crab apple trees. The best time to treat this disease is in spring, just before the tree buds, by using a dormant oil or liquid sulfur spray. This is when fruit trees are most susceptible to primary infection. After the tree has blossomed apply a systemic fungicide. If your tree continues to be infected, applying a regiment of dormant oil in fall, and again in the spring in combination with a systemic fungicide may help clear the problem up. This regiment may have to be followed for a couple of years to completely treat the disease. Note that systemic fungicides are to be used on ornamental plants, using a systemic fungicide on fruit bearing trees may lead to human consumption which may be harmful. On fruit bearing trees consider using a natural product such as neem oil for similar results.

Blossom end rot on tomatoes is another problem many customers have been experiencing this growing season. The application of a yield booster before the plant begins to fruit is often the most effective solution. Another good prevention technique is to whenever possible keep the foliage dry and have enough room between plantings to promote good air circulation.

Powdery mildew is also very common problem this year. This white powdery fungus is most effectively handled by applying a copper liquid soap. With proper application copper soap will control this disease quite effectively. If at all possible it is best to be proactive next year and treat your affected plants by applying three applications of copper soap before you notice signs of powdery mildew next season.

When applying any fungicides in the garden read all application directions thoroughly, certain fungicides may cause damage to your plants if it is over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, also many fungicides are not intended for human consumption. If you have any questions or problems not mentioned today please come on down to the shop where any of our experienced sales staff will help you find a solution to what ales your garden. Don’t forget to bring fresh samples and pictures if possible for an accurate diagnosis.

Japanese Beetles, Ugh!

2010-08-12T12:11:00.001-05:00

August 12th, 2010

Welcome to our new blog! It isyet again been a busy year for us at Piala’s Nursery & Garden Shop. This summer we have made a few user friendly changes to our website and blog that we hope you enjoy. Those of you who are familiar with Dr. Tom’s gardening tips do not worry, he will still be a regular contributor to our blog.

Summer is almost half over and our construction division is still going strong and is busier than ever! Quinn felt his attention to detail and quality control required him to spend more time in the field so we added an additional designer to the staff this year. To be able to keep up with the work load, we also brought additional staff to our construction crews.

The retail division also is having a great year. The Shop got a facelift this past winter to help display our new product lines, and it looks better than ever so stop by and check it out. We also added some new staff that have been helping us out with product displays but there are still some very familiar faces working throughout the nursery. If you still find that you have those hard to answer questions lingering in the back of your mind our knowledgeable sales staff is always available to help.

Now for the topic of the week Japanese Beetles!!

Ugh, they are back, I am sure all of you with roses, birch, linden, and vegetable gardens know that yet again the Japanese Beetle has emerged from the soil and is now devouring your favorite trees and plants. Never fear there are many remedies for this problem. If you really, really, hate these little guys mark your calendar today for a spring time regiment that your favorite Piala’s sales associate can get you on. The unfortunate truth is that you might be a little late for the most effective treatments; however you still have some options available. An application of pyrethrins to your vegetable garden will treat the Japanese Beatles on your plants but this may only be effective for a short period of time. Also be aware that spraying any chemical, if it is over eighty degrees Fahrenheit, could cause damage to your plants, so please read all application directions thoroughly. For plants that you are not going to consume such as shrubs and trees, the application of a systemic insecticide is the most effective treatment. Since it takes some time for it to become effective, it is best to apply this product earlier in the season. Your last line of defense is the infamous trap. They do work! They work very well actually, but can be a little messy. Be sure to place the trap an adequate distance from your trees or beds as directed on the packaging. One of the most common mistakes of placing it in, or too close to the plant the Japanese Beetles like to consume.

Well, that is all we have for today. Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy our new blog. Any questions or comments can be forwarded to sales@pialasnursery.com or feel free to stop by, we are open seven days a week.

May 1, 2010

2010-05-10T17:47:00.000-05:00

May 1, 2010

The spring has been intriguing so far this year, fluctuating between warmer than normal and cooler than normal. Of course if you think about it, that is normal! Averaging the extremes together, creates the average, which by definition should be the norm! (Great way to start off an article, by confusing everyone.) Native plants are breaking dormancy, some are even flowering (e.g., American plum, some serviceberries, crab apples), so that should be a visual reminder that spring is progressing. Horticultural plants are going great guns- magnolia blossoms are beginning to wane already, but rhododendrons are taking over the show, and other species are queuing up for their turn. Go to your favorite garden center and see what is going on, this time of year the visual stimulus changes frequently.

Incidentally, the last Friday in April is the official date that Wisconsin celebrates Arbor Day, so if you were unawares, mark it on your calendar for next year. If you are reading this and it is past that date, you can still purchase a tree and plant it (better late than never!) If /when you purchase a tree, keep in mind its mature size when you select something, so that it will fit the site you have in mind for it. It is money wasted if five years from now you have to cut it down because it outgrew the spot you planted it in.

Last time we were discussing container gardening and the wonderful accents that can be wrought by well placed container plantings. Once you have selected a /some container(s) for your landscape, the next decision that you will have to make is what to put in them. Because of the vagaries inherent in Wisconsin’s weather, I would not recommend anything other than annual plants. You certainly can use perennials (or small shrubs), but do not expect them to survive Wisconsin’s harsh winters if left outside. The freezing and thawing that would occur in above ground plantings during the cold months, is usually fatal to otherwise durable plants. This is why Piala’s does not guarantee ANY plant grown in an above ground container. Since perennials (or small shrubs) are more expensive than annuals, save your money buy purchasing the latter. If you have your heart set on a perennial (such as a trailing strawberry) in a container, no one will stop you from buying it, but realize that for all practical purposes it will last the current growing season only.

The current cool spell has put a damper the availability of annuals which are traditionally available around Mother’s Day, but it will warm eventually (?) and the more colorful, but temperature sensitive bedding plants will make their appearance. If you are impatient for the appearance of impatiens, come out to your favorite garden center and see what is available, and perhaps you’ll discover something different. Piala’s will be happy to advise you if you have any questions when you come to visit.

Earth Day 2010 - But Why?

2010-04-22T10:07:00.000-05:00

“Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for Earth’s environment.” – Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia
Earth Day was originally (ca. 1968) celebrated in conjunction with the Spring Equinox and is still observed on that day by the United Nations. However, in the United States the observance day was changed to April 22nd (ca 1971) because it was concluded that throughout the majority of the country the weather is much more agreeable later in the year and more people would be willing to be outside doing things in observance of the day.
But why is Earth Day important?

The answer is simple: Our Children!

It is widely observed that if we do not re-learn to care for our planet and environment there will be nothing left for our children. What is better in life than seeing the simple, pure happiness of an innocent child? I can think of nothing.

Let’s make this Earth Day a day of celebration, yes, but not in the traditional sense. Let’s celebrate by teaching our children to appreciate our environment, let’s get them excited about the world they will inherit!
Dancing in the rain, digging in the dirt, climbing trees, flying a kite…any of these things will get us outdoors with our children, breathing fresh air.

Take a step outside, breath deeply and be thankful for our Earth.

Guest Post, by Office Administrator Tami

Container gardening

2010-04-09T17:13:00.001-05:00

April, 2010

Welcome to Spring, and welcome to another season of musings and information that you may find of use or help!

Although it is officially spring and we have had a spate of warm temperatures, we have also had some less than seasonable days, so don’t let your pent up desires for gardens get the better of you yet. Enjoy the forsythias that are doing their bloom thing now. It is too early yet to be thinking of setting out garden vegetable plants here in southeastern Wisconsin (unless it is onion sets), so be patient. If insects have been a problem with your trees and shrubs in the past, now is a good time to hit them with a dormant oil spray. It wil help to eliminate any insects that may have overwintered on your woody plants. Do not (as I saw an overeager homeowner doing last week), apply liquid herbicide for lawn weed control quite yet. The temperatures are not settled enough for consistent plant growth so that the herbicides will be their most effective, so do not waste your time or money. Wait a couple weeks . Instead, do some planning for your landscape now. Perhaps this is the year to let your lot “go to pot”.

I thought that might get your attention enough to follow me to the next paragraph! What my comment was referring to was not to neglect your yard, or to even begin the cultivation of Cannabis sativa , but to consider the aesthetic benefits possible with the use of container gardening (i.e., pots). The vessels available today are not limited to only the reddish-orange clay containers of times past (although those venerable classics are still present), but are found in myriads of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Many are interesting enough to be appreciated on their own merits, hence one can add appeal to a dark corner or difficult setting with the choice of an appropriate pot. As such, they are very low maintenance as well! In addition, those of you with a limited amount of space (small or no yard), or who rent, might find a container a means of bringing a bit of nature/color to you.

To most, container gardening implies plants, and many people enjoy having a living plant growing in the container, as it can contrast/compliment the container and further enhance the landscape setting into which the container is placed. If that sounds appealing to you, check back here in a couple weeks when I’ll discuss appropriate plants for container gardening. In the meantime, why not come out to Piala’s and view our large selection of decorative pots/containers, they can help stir your imagination to visualize a setting where one (or several) would look just right.

Dr. Tom Honeyager

"Leaf Drop" in Evergreens

2009-08-15T12:39:00.000-05:00

The weather continues to be dry, and many established plants are beginning to show stress from lack of adequate precipitation in July. It is all the more important to keep an eye on any newly transplanted trees and shrubs (i.e., anything moved in the last year), and make sure they are getting a good watering twice a week.

DO NOT (as I’ve mentioned numerous times in the past) use a lawn sprinkler to water trees and shrubs, they are inefficient and do not get moisture down to where woody plants have their roots. Place the hose end next to the plant and let the water slowly run so that it soaks into the ground and does not run off.

If you have any pines in your estate that are looking “leggy”, you can trim them up now, so that in the years to come they will look fuller. If they are over eight feet tall, this may be a problematic undertaking.

The process is referred to as “shearing”, and is what Christmas tree growers do to make their pines (White, Red, and Scotch are the most common) look more robust. The down side with shearing is that you are removing ½ to 2/3 of the current years new growth.

“ Why on earth would you do that ?”, some of you are undoubtedly asking.

The answer is that pines (and pines only) set buds on the ends of those sheared branches, and as a result look fuller in following years. Hence most Christmas tree growers shear their pines every year. True, it takes longer for a tree to reach a certain height if you keep removing a portion of its new growth each season, but the net result is a very dense looking tree. Commercial growers use shearing knives to prune their pines, but if you have only a couple trees, a hedge clippers will work ok. The idea is to shear the tree so that it looks like an inverted pointy ice cream cone, with a “leader” (a stem, or central branch of the tree) that sticks up about 6 to 8 inches above the apex of the “cone”.

If you are going to do this, do not delay, July and early August are good times to do this, so that the tree has ample time to form those lateral buds for next years growth.

Some customers are experiencing Japanese Beetle problems now. If you are not noticing those metallic green insects, good for you. Leave well enough alone. If they are a problem, you might want to try a granular insecticide that you apply to your lawn. It works to kill the grub stage of the beetle that feeds on the roots of plants. This solution will not eliminate the beetles that already exist, but it will eliminate their offspring and grubs still in the ground. It will benefit you next year, rather than this year. Insecticides labeled for Japanese Beetles may be of some help eliminating current infestations, but it is best to use the spray only where you find them congregating.

Get the most bang for your buck, that way. A last resort is the Beetle trap. They do work, but remember they function by attracting beetles to the trap, so they could make a mild infestation worse by luring more beetles to your yard. Use only if the critters are abundant. Better garden centers, such as Piala’s , have personnel that can address your needs and give you specific recommendations on any of your insect problems. Stop on out.

Watering During a Midwest 'Drought'

2009-07-15T12:42:00.000-05:00

Welcome to summer! Since the Summer Solstice has passed we are officially in summer, although the past couple days feel more like spring as far as temperatures go. Do not worry, this being Wisconsin, we’ll be roasting soon.

The bad news, from a geographical perspective, is that length of daylight is now on the wane - i.e. the daylight portion of each 24 hour period grows progressively less (sigh) until Dec. 22. So get out there and savor the photoperiod!

Things are beginning to dry out, as the last deluge was intense but brief. If you have planted anything in the line of trees or shrubs this year, be diligent during the next two months to insure that the root balls get adequate moisture. You do not want your prized specimens suffering from water shortage.

Remember, just because it rained sometime or another, does not mean that adequate moisture made it down to the roots. Check the soil moisture, and if necessary give the plant a good slow soaking once in a while.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of actually checking the soil moisture condition around the plant roots. This may get your hands dirty, but not to fear, it washes off! You may have to move the mulch aside (if present) to get an accurate assessment of the situation, but again it is important that you know the soil condition, not the hydration of the mulch. (The soil should be damp, but not soggy.)

It is okay to let the soil dry a bit once in a while, but if the leaves on the plant start looking flaccid, the soil has reached what is referred to as the “wilting point”, which means there is no more moisture available for plant use.

Let me illustrate my point with a recent case. A customer had several plants in a mulched planting bed that were losing leaves as they were drying up. Outside the planting bed the grass was lush, and the ground was wet. I brushed aside the mulch beneath one of the afflicted plants and discovered the soil was dry to the point of being dusty.

How could this be?

The lawn sprinklers were hitting only the grass, and not the planting beds. This is normally fine, as grass needs much more water than shrubs.

In fact, we advise against watering planting beds with lawn irrigation systems, as they get excessively wet. However, the homeowner forgot that the plants in the planting bed DO need a drink of water once in a while! Here were two extremes in soil moisture conditions, less than one foot apart!

Will the plants recover? I suspect some will, but others were so severely dehydrated that only time will tell. (Plants can releaf to recover from losses due to dehydration, but that depends on the overall vigor of the plant.)

The point is this: Be cognizant of the environmental factors at work in your yard so that the plants you put in your piece of paradise thrive. Remember, plant guarantees that nurseries (including Piala’s) extend to you when you purchase green stock do not cover customer neglect. When in doubt, give us a call!

Shade Trees and Locusts

2009-06-15T12:45:00.000-05:00

How is spring progressing in your part of the world? Have you taken time to notice? Black Locusts are finishing up their blossoming time and perfuming the local atmosphere. They really put on a show this year, and were hard to ignore along the roadsides.

Some of you even called to ask what the trees were and if Piala’s sold them. We do not sell them, mainly for the reason that all those fragrant flowers produce seeds, and most people do not want their lawns covered in Black Locust pods. They are also somewhat thorny, so that detracts from their appeal as well.

Since most plants are seriously engaged in growing right now, my overtures in past weeks to moving field grown trees is no longer valid. If you procrastinated this long, you will have to wait until fall now. However, all is not lost. Many nurseries carry a nice supply of heeled in stock, i.e. larger trees that were dug during dormancy and have a root ball attached. The root ball is wrapped in burlap or wire mesh and then covered with wood chips or some other mulch. Hence the plant can still be moved relatively safely at this time of year.

Piala’s has a surprising array of plants in this category (referred to B&B, balled and burlapped), as well as smaller specimens growing in containers. So if the urge hits you to put in a tree this summer, you can indulge yourself.

Instant shade!

One area of potential concern I have been noticing too frequently this year relates to the use of wood chips (colored types) and shredded bark. As the mulch decomposes, more needs to be added to keep the planting beds looking nice. That is fine (and necessary), but occasionally some of the older, underlying material must be removed, or the build up becomes excessively thick.

The problem with excessive build up is that insects and rodents can begin to take up residence within the mulch, and wreak havoc on the plants. Later in the summer, the excessive mulch build up can serve as a reservoir for fungal diseases. As a result of those infestations, you might find yourself using more pesticides than in the past. That costs money, and takes more time away from other summer pursuits you’d rather be doing. Be aware, and save yourself headaches down the road. Talk to you again.