Cynthia Reinert, Author at Van Wilgen's Garden Center

Are you considering planting a new lawn or just filling in your existing one? You might have noticed some insect, heat, and fungal damage from the summer, leaving brown patches in your yard. Fall is the perfect time to seed and fill these sections because the soil is warm and nights are getting cooler, leaving a nice coating of morning dew.

important TIPS

Test Your pH: One of the most important things to start with is to grab a soil tester and figure out what the pH of your soil is. The ideal pH is somewhere between 6.2 and 7.2. This will result in optimal conditions to maintain a beautiful, deep green, and lush lawn.
Apply Lime (For Low pH): If your soil pH is below 6.2, apply lime. Low soil pH prevents plants from absorbing nutrients efficiently. The result is weak, thin grass with bare spots and weeds. How low the pH will determine how much lime you’ll need.
Address Lawn Stress: Whether you’re dealing with grubs, fungus, weeds, or other problems, it’s a good idea to figure out the cause of your lawn stress and take the necessary steps to remedy it. You don’t want to head into winter with unhealthy grass since that will affect it come spring!
Overseed: Filling in bare or brown spots in the lawn will help keep out weeds and improve the overall look. Break up the ground a bit and rake on some quality topsoil before spreading your grass seed. Be sure to take note of light and growth requirements before picking out a seed mix!
Fertilize: A fertilizer can aid in summer recovery and help new seed grow faster and establish strong roots.
Water: Grass seed needs to stay moist every day. Morning is the best time to water, but the afternoon is acceptable too (Do not water in the evening!). New seed does not need to be watered long, 30 minutes is usually sufficient. However, you may need to water both in the morning and afternoon. The sunnier the spot is, the more water it needs. Areas along driveways, walkways, curbs, and slopes tend to dry out quicker.

Product recommendations

Weed, Fungus, and Grub Control:

Fertilizer for Summer Recovery – Apply around Labor Day:

For Seed Starting:

Premium Grass Seed Mixes

Want to make your neighbors green with envy when they spot your beautiful, lush lawn? Our Van Wilgen’s Premium Grass Seed comes in nine unique blends meant to cover any type of lawn condition. VW Grass Seed is sourced locally and made sure it is from the top 1% of all grass seed and custom blended for Connecticut lawns.

Full sun to part shade

This is a great all-around mix that has a little bit of everything so it blends extremely well with existing grass. Get the best of all the different types of grass. It’s like diversifying your stock right?

Sun and shade

Tolerates salt and drought. We get a lot of questions about what lives along the ocean and SURVIVES, so we blended this mix to be specially formulated to handle salt spray and drying out from the wind. Once established, this will take the abuse of the shoreline.

Sun to part shade

Can handle wear and tear, Fescue’s are tough as nails. This blend will bounce back after heavy traffic with no problem! Known again to be tough and very cold-tolerant as well.

Full sun to part shade

Best suited for the summer heat! Once established this blend will require the least amount of water and the least amount of fertilizer to function and look good.

Sun to part sun

Rye grass is always the quickest to germinate so it is great to get a lawn up and going the fastest… especially if winter is knocking at the door. Our blend is all Perennial Rye, not to be confused with Annual Rye, which is MUCH less expensive and will germinate quickly but does not give you a long-term solution for a lawn.

Full, full sun

Golfer’s delight! The sod we carry is 100% KBG. KBG does require a lot of sun and more water than any other type of grass. Take a long time to germinate, sometimes over 14 days! Be patient.

Can handle light shade

Can tolerate as little as 3-5 hours of sun.

Deep Shade

Perfect where nothing else grows. Have that tough spot in the shade that won’t grow grass? Try our under-the-tree mix… specially blended with only the toughest shade-tolerant grass there is.

Sun to Part Shade

You’ll only need to mow the lawn a few times per year with this new mix! Excellent eco-lawn option and extremely low maintenance.

Fall is here in the store! Are you as excited for autumn to be here as we are? Dig in and get a head start on decorating with eye-catching new items.

CERAMIC pumpkins

Say hello to our brand-new ceramic pumpkins! Grab a colorful limited edition hand-painted jack-o-lantern or opt for a more traditional approach with solid white and orange pumpkins. These are awesome for adding some character to fall displays!

PUMPKIN DECORators

Pumpkins and gourds will be here before you know it! If you’d rather not deal with the mess of carving them, try one of these metal pumpkin decorators to customize your pumpkins instead.

decor

Add a finishing touch to your decorating with cute fall-themed figurines! From bows and owls to gnomes and pumpkin lanterns, you’ll find tons of new festive items to choose from.

heated bird baths

Cooler weather is on its way… birdbath de-icers and heated birdbaths are now available to prepare for that shift in temperature. Get the birds in your local area acclimated to your new bird bath before the temperatures get too low. Plus, take advantage of 30% off all birdbaths before they’re gone!

The overwhelming amount of rain and plant stress from the heat has caused some common fungal diseases like Black Spot and Powdery Mildew to pop up around our gardens. It’s important to double-check any plants that are especially prone to these issues like roses, hydrangea, dogwood, and veggies. If you notice signs of fungus, be sure to remove affected leaves and treat them with fungicide as soon as possible. Left untreated, these issues can spread and affect the plant’s overall health, even infecting nearby plants.

Signs to look for:

drooping or wilting
white spots or ashy-looking leaves
reddish or black spots that turn orange/yellow
raised orange spots

After diagnosing fungus as the cause of your problems, we recommend applying Captain Jack’s Copper Fungicide! This is a great option for both preventing fungal diseases and attacking them as they arise. It’s organic and proven to treat common fungal issues like Powdery Mildew, Blight, Rust, Leaf and Fruit Spot, and more.

Application instructions:

For best control, begin treatment 2 weeks before disease normally appears or when weather forecasts predict a long period of wet weather.
Alternatively, begin treatment when disease first appears and repeat at 7 to 10 day intervals for as long as needed.
If possible, time applications so that 12 hours of dry weather follow the application.
For concentrate, dilute at a rate of approximately 1 ounce per gallon of water, apply 1 to 2 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet

If you need an easy plant that doesn’t mind harsh conditions, try an ornamental grass! Ornamental grasses are low maintenance and tough, making them excellent picks to withstand common issues like salt, rough wind, poor soil, and drought. They are perfect for fast-growing privacy screening, backdrops for colorful perennials, borders and ponds, and even containers! This year we have our largest selection of grasses ever… from elegant maiden grasses to dwarf fountain grass. Try these top 5 popular varieties!

Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’

Fountain grass with unique rose-purple plumes that bloom from June through fall. Upright habit reaches about 3-4 feet with flowers and 3-4 feet wide. Excellent for background planting, borders, cottage gardening, foundations massing, and as a specimen!

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’

Dwarf fountain grass with fuzzy, wheat-colored flower heads that bloom June through late Fall. Arching, compact habit matures to 2-3 feet high and only 18-24 inches wide. Resistant to insect and disease problems. A great choice for mixed borders, cut and dried flower arrangements, rock gardens, and around ponds or streams.

Schizachyrium ‘Standing Ovation‘

A little bluestem variety featuring wide leaf blades and a rigid upright habit of bluish-green foliage with red tips. Purplish-bronze flowers appear in August followed by fluffy white seed heads that can last into winter. This plant puts on an amazing show of oranges, reds, yellows, and purplish-browns in the fall! For winter interest, wait to cut back until early spring. ‘Standing Ovation’ looks best in groups placed along borders and in cottage and prairie gardens. Matures to around 2-3 feet tall and 15-18 inches wide.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’

Long and fine-textured variety of maiden grass with a graceful appearance. Grows in a dense cluster, reaching around 5-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Dramatic silvery plumes appear in late summer that turn golden-bronze after frost. Great for fall and winter interest! Most often utilized as an accent plant, along borders, in privacy screens, or by the water. Excellent pest and disease resistance!

Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’

Our favorite thriller in fall containers! This more tender, annual fountain grass demands attention with its deep reddish purple foliage topped with soft red-burgundy flower plumes. Blooms last from July through frost. In addition to containers, ‘Rubrum,’ is used in borders, cottage gardening, foundation planting, and as a focal point. Reaches 3-5 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. Drought tolerant and deer resistant!

This has been an amazing Hydrangea year! Because they bloomed earlier than normal, it may seem like the flowers are passing faster. Continue reading for some Hydrangea dos and don’ts relevant to our current growing season.

Dos and Don’ts

DO Deadhead: If you notice flowers that are drying up and turning brown, cut them off below the flower head but above the leaves. This will encourage rebloom and keep your Hydrangeas looking amazing! In the case of Panicle Hydrangeas, you can deadhead to encourage new blooms but leave the spent ones from the Fall blooming period on to add winter interest.

DON’T Prune: Pruning Macrophylla Hydrangeas takes next year’s blooms off! Make sure to take off only spent blooms and bits of dead wood. Panicle hydrangeas will continue to bloom through fall so the best time for major pruning is late Winter/Early Spring while still dormant.

DO Fertilize: Regular fertilizer will help keep your Hydrangeas healthy and blooming. We recommend using Holly Tone for blue Hydrangeas and Plant Tone for pink Hydrangeas.

DON’T Overwater: Overwatering can lead to root rot which is the cause of many declining plants. While it is important to keep up with watering, it is possible to water too frequently. Look for signs including yellowing, browning, spotted leaves, and wilting – these can all be signs of overwatering.

Follow these simple tips to keep your Hydrangea fresh and enjoy their blooms again!

It’s always best to choose the right plant for the right place. Please visit us so we may help choose the best hydrangea for your specific site/location.

Are pesky voles and rabbits nibbling on your favorite herbs at flowers? Stay on top of the problem with repellents! Regular applications can effectively deter these animals and protect your garden. Keep your plants thriving with these popular repellent picks!

Messinas Animal Stopper

A favorite of Van Wilgen’s and very effective at deterring rabbits! All natural, plant extracts that are dry clear, and odor-free. Repels groundhogs, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, and other garden animals. Available ready-to-use in both liquid and granular form.

Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent

This product is great for keeping deer and rabbits away. The repellent works through scent and therefore is harmless to animals and the plants it’s applied on. Offered in sprays and concentrate with hose hook-ups.

I Must Garden Mole & Vole Repellent

Ultra-strong mole and vole deterrent! Simple to apply, rain-resistant, and pleasant smelling. Earth, people, and pet-friendly with all-natural ingredients.

Connecticut is home to a diverse range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and the lesser-known bunch… moths, flies, beetles, and wasps! Pollinators play an essential role in our world, as many plants rely on them to transfer pollen from one flower to another. Understanding the different types of pollinators commonly found in CT and how to attract them to your garden is a great way to support them directly!

bees

Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, Carpenter Bees, and Mining Bees

Bees prefer flowers that are purple, blue, or yellow, many of which reflect UV light in their center. This helps bees find the nectar within the flower! Blooms with a landing pad are the most attractive since bees land before collecting pollen. Try planting Monarda, Baptisia, Black-Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, Lobeila, Catmint, and Sunflower. It’s also a good idea to put a water source nearby, like a birdbath.

flies

Hoverflies, Common House Flies

Hoverflies often get mistaken for bees due to their coloring… but they are not! However, like bees, they are great pollinators and feed on nectar. Daisies, Queen Anne’s Lace, Alyssum, Cosmos, Lavender, Zinnias, and mint are great options for Hoverflies as they prefer small, flat flowers when the pollen is easy to access. Other flies, like common house flies, are attracted to dull colors and strong scents that tend to smell bad to people.

WASPS

Yellow Jackets, Paper Wasps, Mud Daubers

Though wasps are mainly carnivorous, they need to supplement their diet with nectar and do visit flowers! Their flowers of choice are usually white or yellow with unusual order and exposed nectar. Some flowers that wasps tend to feed from are Yarrow, Fennel, Goldenrod, and Rudbeckia.

moths

Hummingbird Moth, Banded Woollybear Caterpillar Moth, Adjutant Wainscot Moth, Milkweed Tussock Moth

As the sun goes down, moths take over pollination duties! They are just as important, and often more efficient than bees and butterflies. Plant white or pale red, pink, and purple flowers with ample nectar, and include host plants like ferns, grasses, and shrubs. Light colors reflect moonlight, making it easier for moths to locate them in the dark. Some good options for moths include Petunia, Honeysuckle, Morning Glory, Tobacco, Yucca, and Gardenia.

butterflies

Monarch, Cabbage White, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Silver-Spotted Skipper

Butterflies collect pollen on flat, open, or clustered flowers with landing pads and a pink, purple, orange, red, or white flower hues. Adding some stones or pebbles can attract butterflies, as they need sunny spots to rest and recharge. Some great plants to include are Lilac, Milkweed, Joe-Pye Weed, Goldenrods, Tickseed Sunflower, and Aster.

birds

Hummingbirds, American Robin, Northern Cardinal

Hummingbirds have long beaks and tongues that allow them to reach nectar from long, tubular flowers, which is their preferred shape. They can see the color red, unlike bees, and are drawn to bright shades of red, orange, purple, and pink. Other types of birds can help spread seeds by eating the berries of many plants. Flowers like Monarda, Foxglove, Cigar Plant, Salvia, and Agastache, are great for Hummingbirds while Inkberry, Vibernum, Crabapple, and Blackberry bushes will attract songbirds.

Sources & Info:

Butterfly Pollination. www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/butterflies.shtml.

Hansen, By Jolene. Draw Pollinators Like Bees, Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden. www.gardentech.com/blog/garden-and-lawn-protection/gardening-for-bees-birds-and-butterflies.

“Moths-The Forgotten Pollinators (Monroe County).” Master Gardener, extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/monroe/news/moths.

“Pollinator Information.” CT.gov – Connecticut’s Official State Website, portal.ct.gov/caes/publications/publications/pollinator-information.

Regional Butterfly and Moth Information | Butterflies and Moths of North America. www.butterfliesandmoths.org/identify/region/Connecticut.

Wasps, Surprisingly Cool Pollinators – Maryland Agronomy News. 31 Aug. 2020, blog.umd.edu/agronomynews/2020/08/31/wasps-surprisingly-cool-pollinators.

Summer may be a fun time for us… but it can be harsh on your grass! High summer temperatures and humidity, aggressive weeds, and pests commonly cause a decline in lawn appearance and health this time of year. Keep an eye out for browning, crunchy texture, wilting, and curling – these are all telltale signs of stress. Below are some recommendations to ensure your lawn doesn’t get to this point.

1. Water: Your lawn needs a minimum of 1 inch of water per week. If Mother Nature does not provide this, it’s time to set up some sprinklers! During the summer, it is more important to give your lawn a deep soaking. Instead of running your sprinklers for 20 minutes per day, try every other day for a minimum of an hour. This way, water will seep deeper into the soil, encouraging deeper grass root growth. Water in the early morning to avoid evaporation and disease promotion caused by late-day watering.

2. Mow your lawn high: Keep your grass at least 3 inches long. The taller your grass blades are, the softer, cooler grass you have to run your toes through, and the better the chances of your lawn’s survival. A taller grass blade has more surface area and provides more shade for the grass below, therefore, the ability to retain moisture is better. Also, don’t mow your lawn if the temperature is over 90 degrees!

3. Let the clippings fall: Grass is approximately 80% water. If you leave the clippings on the lawn, they give back moisture and act as a “green” fertilizer, providing a gentle Nitrogen feed for your lawn.

4. Keep your mower blades sharp: Believe it or not, the sharper your mower blades, the softer the grass will be. Grass cut by dull mower blades is more vulnerable to diseases and drying out. Don’t mow off more than a third of a grass blade at a time. If you mow off more, you will stress out your lawn, making it much more susceptible to burnout.

5. Treat for grubs: Now is the time to apply Bayer’s Season Long Grub Control. Grubs will be hatching and lurking beneath your feet, eating the roots of your lovely lawn. Don’t wait! Apply Bayer’s Season Long Grub Control through mid-August. Be sure to water it in or apply it before heavy rainfall. The more rain it gets, the better it works.

6. Fertilize: Give your lawn, a non-burning summer feed! Milorganite is a great choice. It is organic, non-burning, and has Iron for quick green-up. Espoma also makes a nice, organic Summer Revitalizer, perfect for this summer heat.

7. Green Up: Boost the appearance of your lawn with Earth Science’s Fast-Acting Iron or Iron Pro! We recommend these because they will not stress out your grass during the summer heat and work in just days without burning or staining.

Visit our solution center at Van Wilgen’s. We would love to help!

It’s that time again when the famous cheery yellow blooms of Sunflowers begin popping up everywhere! These plants are a staple of early summertime and look amazing on the patio. Have you seen Sunfinity Sunflowers around and wondered what makes them different from the loved traditional sunflower? Continue reading below as we point out some of the benefits of going with a Sunfinity plant.

What’s the Difference?

Sunfinity Sunflowers improve upon the traditional blooms in many ways. Did you know the blooms of traditional sunflowers only last about 7 to 10 days? Sunfinity plants offer similar large, bright yellow flowers that continue to rebloom all summer! Each plant is capable of producing over 100 blooms in one single season. This makes them versatile and perfect for cut blooms and flower arrangements. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about deadheading since these amazing plants are self-cleaning. Don’t worry because you won’t miss out on all the pollinators! Sunfinity plants provide rich nectar, ‘buzzing’ all summer long.

Learn more about Sunfinity Sunflowers at https://mysunfinity.com/why-sunfinity and pick up yours today at your nearest Van Wilgen’s location!

‘American Pride’ – Proven Winners Container Recipe – Photo courtesy of Proven Winners – www.provenwinners.com

Get creative this Independence Day with your own red, white, and blue containers! What better way to celebrate than to spend time outdoors making the patriotic plant mix of your dreams? Pick out a plant or two of each color with similar soil and light requirements and varying textures for best results.

Not sure where to start? We always recommend the tried and true “thriller, filler, and spiller” method. Start by choosing a plant with some drama and height (thriller), add in a mid-height companion plant (filler), and then complete the arrangement with a hanging plant that will spill over the side of your container rather than grow upright (spiller). This method works well to give the appearance of a full arrangement. Just keep in mind the size of your container when choosing the size of your houseplants. You don’t want to have too much excess space or squeeze plants into a small container. You’ll also want to think about the mature size and shape of the plants you’re choosing.

Check out our list below for some of the best plant options in each color category for patriotic mixes!