March 7, 2023
winter to spring transition plants food for local wildlife before spring comes ftimg

Winter to Spring Transition: On the Cusp

At first glance, Wisconsin in late winter might seem like a world frozen in time, hibernating under a white blanket, but there is more than meets the eye! Slowly, but surely, nature is starting to make moves. The following are some plants that will help carry wildlife through late winter, just before spring has finally sprung.
December 29, 2017
garden goals johnson's nursery menomonee falls landscaping ftimg

Garden Goals

Garden Goals Months of monochrome landscape dormancy caused by low light and cold will soon give way to swelling buds, warming winds, muddy boots, greening grass, and ever-increasing birdsong. Oh, the anticipation! What will my garden be like this year? What to grow? What to change? What should remain? The […]
April 9, 2017
deer resistant plants ftimg

Deer Protection, Buck Rub & Resistant Plants

Deer Resistant Plants, Buck Rub & Protection Deer resistant plants is a very common topic in Wisconsin, especially in fall. It\’s often an initial question on new landscape projects of all sizes. Deer resistant, repellent, deterrent, and deer proof can all be used synonymously with the topic. Ultimately, fencing is […]
March 13, 2017
tapping maple syrup aaron ftimg

Tapping Maple Syrup

Tapping Maple Syrup “It’s what’s on the inside that counts when tapping maple syrup.” How often have we all heard that saying? When most people are enjoying the majesty of our state tree’s handsome shape or the breathtaking colors that the chills of autumn bestow upon its leaves, what’s on […]
February 18, 2017
forcing tree stems ftimg

Forcing Tree Stems

Forcing Tree Stems We are smack in the middle of a long cold winter and that darn groundhog says it won’t be over soon. Today I’m going to show you how to bring a little spring indoors by forcing tree stems. Cutting stems of spring flowering trees and bringing them […]
February 11, 2017
winter crabapples for birds ftimg

Winter Crabapples for Birds

Winter Crabapples for Birds Depending on how long spring holds out on us, February means either we are in the homestretch of winter, or smack in the middle of it. About this time is when certain birds, like Cardinals, really appreciate something to eat besides seed in the feeders. Lots […]
January 17, 2017
proper snow removal ftimg

Proper Snow Removal

Proper Snow Removal Instead of telling you to lift with your knees, it’s all about saving the branches of your trees. Contrary to what you might have heard, it is important after a heavy, wet snowfall to remove what has accumulated on certain plants like arborvitaes, boxwoods, and pines; basically […]
December 15, 2016
sleeping-gardens-ftimg

Six Best Things For A Sleeping Garden

Top 6 Things To Do While Your Garden Is Sleeping Do you have a sleeping garden? I love winter! I get excited to break out the warm coats (I may have too many in the closet) and put on a pot of hot tea. These gray months of cold and […]
December 2, 2016
winterizing evergreens ftimg

Winterizing Evergreens

Winterizing Evergreens Just because winter is here, doesn’t mean ignoring the garden. The freezing process draws moisture out of a plant. The “polar vortices” of Wisconsin’s winters can be hard on certain evergreens, especially if they don’t get enough water in fall. When hit with repeated cycles of very cold […]
May 12, 2014
milwaukee browning evergreens csi mike yanny ftimg

CSI: Milwaukee – Browning Evergreens

CSI: Milwaukee – Browning Evergreens What happened to the evergreens? The last three weeks I have been on assignment. I am leading an important investigation for Johnson’s Nursery on browning evergreens. Why are they brown??? Who or what caused this death of foliage? How could this happen? What was involved? […]
December 11, 2012
understanding cold hardiness mike yanny ftimg

Understanding Cold Hardiness

Understanding Cold Hardiness The hardiness of Wisconsinites is seldom matched. We can take whatever nature throws at us and revel in it. We bask in our cold, snowy winters. Heck, some of us even take off our shirts in freezing temperatures at Packer games in Lambeau Field in January. We […]