Burlington Garden Center

July 1, 2011

Dear Gardening Friend,

I hope I'm not the only one out in the garden spending most of my time weeding. Ugh! I finally seem to be making some headway. The best tip I can pass on to you is after you weed, put down a pre-emergent granular. Then stay on top of any other weeds that pop up from the roots that stubbornly held their ground. The little ones are easier and quicker to kill with an herbicide than those that tower above.  

The vegetable plants are growing well, although some of you have told us you are having trouble with your carrots and beets. Give it another go and sow another row for a fall crop. Read below for more vegetables to start from seed now.  

The first Japanese beetle of the season has just been spotted here at BGC. Keep an eye on their favorites in your yard. Sevin (carbaryl) works well on contact. We also have some organic suggestions such as Captain Jack's Dead Bug (spinosad).  

Time to announce our "Plant Your Junk" winner: the customers' favorite winner is Pam Magruder's "Something from the Past" entry of 4 white enamel containers. The BGC Best Overall Design was awarded to the mother/daughter team of MaryAnne and Danielle Vesely's planted birdcage. Congrats! and thanks to all who participated. You can see all the entries here.  

Please note our new summer hours below and that we will be closed Monday, July 4th. Have a fun, safe weekend enjoying your gardens.  

Happy gardening,

Tracy Hankwitz

American Beauty: 'Henry's Garnet'      

American Beauties is a collection of native plants that are tough, durable, easy to grow and environmentally friendly.  

'Henry's Garnet' Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) puts on a flower show in early summer with it's fragrant white flower spikes that attract butterflies. The show continues into the fall when its leaves turn scarlet and crimson.  

'Henry's Garnet' grows well in full sun to part shade and will mature at 3-4 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide. As a native, it tolerates a wide range of soils from boggy to dry. Create a butterfly haven by planting it with other butterfly magnets such as Lo & Behold 'Bluechip' butterfly bush, butterfly weed (Aesclepias tuberosa). 

Stained Glass in the Garden    

Acclaimed by some to be the best new hosta to hit the market in the last decade, and described as a 'hummingbird celebration', this hosta has definite garden-art qualities worthy of a spot in your shade garden.     

'Stained Glass' hosta has beautiful brilliant gold leaves with dark green margins and veining through the leaf that makes it look like stained glass. This award-winning hosta (2006 Hosta of the Year) has fragrant lavender flowers that rise on 30" scapes in late summer above the 15" high x 48" wide mound of foliage. This hosta is tolerant of sun which seems to bring out the gold even more, but keep it out of hot afternoon sun.  Don't live another day without this hosta - truly a work of art.

Sow Another Row 

Get the most from the space in your garden by replanting for a fall harvest. It's a good time to sow another row of:

beans

beets

carrots

lettuce

peas

radishes 

spinach

If your broccoli went to seed too quickly this spring, you may have better luck with a fall planting. You won't have as many pests to contend with or the summer heat that causes bolting. Start your seeds 12 weeks before the first average fall frost date and transplant them into the garden 8 weeks before. Be sure to mulch with straw.  This may also work with cabbage and cauliflower. BGC staffer Sharon Schwartz says planting broccoli now may be iffy, but if you are up for a bit of experimenting, go for it.  Walt says if it's a long late fall, you can get away with a lot of stuff. 

BTW  - determining our average first frost date is a bit tricky. Click here to see data gathered here in Burlington. October 15 is a good date to use for the broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. A light frost will actually enhance their flavor. 

Organic Mosquito Repellent      

 Did you know mosquito eggs hatch in 3 hours?  

 Did you know mosquitoes are more active after dark?

 Did you know only female mosquitoes bite people?

Don't let them ruin your July 4th party this weekend. St. Gabriel Mosquito Repellent kills mosquito eggs and repels mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, and ticks for up to 4 weeks using natural organic ingredients. The Mosquito Repellent is made of garlic juice, citronella, and white pepper. It is easy to use - just spray the lawn with the hose-end container. It is safe to use on your plants and around pools, streams, and pets.  

Looking for a personal organic mosquito repellent? We have that, too.  Now you can enjoy summer outside with peace of mind and no buzzing in your ears! 

Summer Classes at BGC      

Lovely Lavender 

Saturday, July 9 at 10 AM

Learn all about lavender - growing, harvesting, and using it. Sample recipes and make a lavender sachet.  Abby Lippmann, of Serenity Soaps, will join our herb lady, Marge Koenecke, for this presentation. RSVP at 262.763.2153 or burlingtongc@sbcglobal.net.  There is a cost of $8 for this class.    

Fairy Garden Workshop

Saturday, July 16 at 10 AM & 11 AM 

Plant an enchanting fairy garden in a basket to take home. Adults and children are welcome. The workshop fee ($20) will cover basket, plants, and a few miniatures. Visit our fairy corner in our gift shop for additional wee things available for purchase to add to your fairy garden.  RSVP at 262.763.2153 or burlingtongc@sbcglobal.net. 

This is a popular class so we are offering two sessions, one at 10 AM and one at 11 AM. Please indicate which one you will be attending when you RSVP.  

Kids' Nature Walk & Craft

Saturday, July 23 at 10 AM

Kids of all ages are invited to go on a nature walk led by staff members of Bong Nature Center. After the walk, we will make a nature craft.  Cost for the craft is $5 per child. RSVP at 262.763.2153 or burlingtongc@sbcglobal.net.  

Around B-Town   

This pretty perennial garden was spotted in Burlington yesterday. Garden's owner, Chris Voss, has done a super job of arranging a colorful palette with continuous bloom. The painted chair reflects the lavender asters adding permanent color when the asters are finished blooming.  

Seeing other gardens is inspiring. Don't miss your opportunity to be inspired on Sunday, July 10 at the Burlington Area Garden Walk. Sponsored by the Burlington Area Garden Club, you can learn more about it here. Advance tickets are $8 and available at BGC. 

Daily Garden Tip on Facebook   

We are excited to announce our daily garden tip on facebook. Every day you can learn a useful tip for growing herbs, vegetables, flowers, and fruits or it maybe a birding tip. These tips are timely, pertaining to what is going on in our gardens here in the Burlington area.  

You can receive the BGC daily garden tip by becoming our fan on Facebook. You will need your own Facebook page which is easy to set up. All you need is an email address.  

Become a new BGC fan on facebook between now and Saturday, July 9 and we'll enter your name in a drawing for a $25 BGC gift certificate! Read today's tip here.  

July Hours

Monday - Friday

9 AM - 5:30 PM

Saturday 9 AM - 4 PM

Sunday 10 AM - 2 PM 

"Flowers are great, but I consider them an embellishment for plants with fantastic foliage, the accessories that set off that basic black dress."

                                      ~Judy Glattstein