December 16, 2019: Thank you for these amazing 41 years in business! Get those last minute gardening gifts! Not only are our Christmas Trees and decorations 50% OFF, we also included EVERY single houseplant, succulent, garden tool, biological/chemical, garden accessory, lawn ornament, pottery, decorative display item, rugs, and soils to the special pricing!

This offer does not include poinsettias or Christmas cactus.

This is the perfect time to use up your ABF Dollars and any gift cards with remaining balances! Dig them out of the drawers!

*Limitations may apply based on supplier requirements.

Black Friday Savings

November 25, 2019: Set your alarm clocks for our super special BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND! We are doing something we have never done before. Starting at 9am Friday, November 29 and lasting until 5pm December 1, EVERY single garden tool, biological/chemical, garden accessory, lawn ornament, pottery, decorative display items, rugs, and soils are 50% off!

This offer does exclude Christmas items, all houseplants/succulents, and floral items.

Perfect time to use up your ABF Dollars and any gift cards with remaining balances!

BOGO Miniatures and Fairy Gardens 

November 4, 2019: Good things come in small packages. Every better small things come in pairs! ALL miniatures are BUY ONE GET ONE FREE.

Pink Ribbon Bromeliads

October 7, 2019: Bromeliads are the survivors of the plant kingdom, so what could be more appropriate as a gift that helps raise funds for breast cancer research and treatment? Pick up this beautiful flowering Pink Ribbon Bromeliad and we will donate $3 of every purchase to the Breast Cancer Recovery Organization.

As an epiphytic bromeliad native to Central and South America, this “silver vase plant” actually creates its own offspring in the same pot, so it is a gift that will in effect last forever! It arrives in its flowering state and will eventually be replaced by its own offspring, which will take three years to produce a bloom that will last about 8 weeks. Definitely a fascinating and long-lasting treasure.

The Breast Cancer Recovery organization is the only non-profit organization in Wisconsin and the first in the nation to offer retreats to women at all stages of breast cancer so they can begin to heal emotionally.

Incrediball® Hydrangea

August 5, 2019: Incrediball® Hydrangea has the largest snowball flowers of any hydrangea on the market. This improved “Annabelle” has stronger stems and larger flowers than the original to help in eliminating flopping flower heads. An increased amount of florets and the mammoth flowers make this a welcome upgrade on a classic plant for the garden. Mature size is around 4-5′ tall and wide. Our designers suggest using this as a hedge in the landscape, naturalizing and make for a dramatic cut flower! For the biggest, most abundant blooms and strongest stems, plant where it gets at least six hours of sun each day (warmer climates can get away with a bit less)
This shrub tolerates a wide range of conditions but does not grow well in soggy soil

Rudbeckia

July 30, 2019: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) is a member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and has similar daisy-like flowers. If any plant could be the poster child of late summer it would be Rudbeckia. The brightly colored flowers in cheery shades of lemon-yellow, orange, and gold bloom for weeks with minimal care. They also attract a continuous procession of pollinators. Black-Eyed Susan plants are deer resistant once their leaves become coarse and hairy, but tender young growth may get nibbled.
Rudbeckia is easy to establish, naturalize well, and require little maintenance other than deadheading. Regular deadheading of the faded flowers will keep the plants in bloom longer. You can let the last flowers of the season remain on the plants to go to seed and feed the birds, but you will also get a good deal of self-seeding, which might not be a bad thing.
You will get the best flowering from your Rudbeckia in full sun, but the plants can handle partial shade. Keep the plants well-watered their first season, to get them established. Once established, they will be quite drought resistant. Also, go easy on the fertilizer. Too much will result in weak stems and plants. A light dressing of compost should be all they need.

Coral Bells

July 22, 2019: Once you start growing Coral Bells, you won’t be able to stop! They are among the most underused plants in the garden. These charmers are shade tolerant, their foliage is striking and their blooms attract hummingbirds. They sport airy flower spikes on wiry stems above low-growing, often dramatic foliage.
Coral Bells make stunning ground covers. They have delicate flower spikes that won’t obscure the plants behind them, making them a good choice for the front of the border. Foliage colors include red, purple, silver, as well as green, and some varieties sport marbled or patterned leaves. Foliage height ranges from 6 to 18 inches; flower spikes can reach 24 inches tall.
Try teaming up Coral Bells with lacy-leaved plants, like the fringe-leaf bleeding heart or thread-leaf coreopsis, to highlight their form.

Milkweed 

July 15, 2019: Milkweed(Asclepias)is a beneficial wildflower. Planting the right species of milkweed for your area can be a huge help to monarchs and a number of other species. If you have been reading the papers recently, you are aware that Monarch butterflies have arrived in Wisconsin after a 1,000-mile journey from the southern U.S. and are looking for milkweed to lay their eggs on.
In fact, Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on just one type of plant, and that’s milkweed. In addition, Monarchs caterpillars only eat milkweed. If monarch eggs are laid on plants other than milkweed, the caterpillars cannot survive and ultimately starve to death. Monarch caterpillars rely on milkweed plants and that’s why female monarchs choose to lay their eggs on milkweed plants.
Adult monarchs need nectar plants to feed on too. Fill your garden with species that are native to Wisconsin and provide nectar for monarchs from spring to fall. The monarchs produced in late summer will need to fuel up on nectar for their journey to their winter grounds in Mexico each fall.
In our region, these four milkweeds are recommended: Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, and Whorled Milkweed. We have several different colors of blooms available as well!

Astilbe 

July 8, 2019: Astilbes brighten shady gardens with brilliant midsummer color. They are also known as false spiraea, false goat’s beard and meadowsweet. They hold their plume-like flowers high above attractive, deep green foliage. Flower colors vary from white, pink and deep red, through soft lavender and violet, and all are attractive to butterflies and beneficial insects.

There are many different Astilbes, with compact varieties growing just 12″ high and others producing 3 to 4-foot tall flower spikes. The larger varieties can hold their own in a shady woodland garden or in informal plantings at the side of a pond or stream. Smaller Astilbes are ideal for tight spaces or the front of a flower border. They also grow well in containers. Like most perennials, Astilbes look their best in groups of three or more plants of the same color. Astilbes like consistently moist soils and they will suffer without it.

Bee Balm 

July 1, 2019:

Monarda (Bee Balm) is a great addition to a pollinator garden. Available colors range from bright red to lilac to shades of pink and white. Its fragrant blossoms attract bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. In addition, Bee Balm has a long history of medicinal uses. As a tea, it was used to soothe cold symptoms, including congestion, headache, and sore throats. Inhaling the fumes of steamed leaves was credited to help clear sinuses. Bee Balm has also been used for stomach issues such as gas, nausea, and vomiting, to reduce muscle spasms, and as a diuretic.

Bee Balm is a member of the mint family. It prefers moist soil that is rich in organic matter. When planting, space the plants 18 to 24 inches apart and water in very well. Like other herbs in the mint family, Bee Balm is considered to be a bit invasive. It will easily self-sow and also spreads by underground rhizomes. If you give it plenty of room in your garden, you will be rewarded with a beautiful display of bright blooms each year. 

It is recommended to divide the plants every 2 to 3 years, if the center dies out, or if the plants spread further than you want. Bee Balm is easy to dig up in spring when growth first emerges, divide, and replant in another location or share divisions with your friends and neighbors.

Coreopsis 

June 24, 2019: If you're looking for low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, long-blooming and cheerful plants for a flower border or a filler, Coreopsis is a perfect choice. Its common name, "tickseed," is supposedly for the seeds' resemblance to ticks.

Even so, birds (particularly Goldfinches) love to snack on the seeds during fall and winter. Bees and butterflies are drawn to them too.

Their daisy-like flowers range in colors from bright yellow and orange to pink and red. Coreopsis form upright clumps and have a moderate growth rate.

Plant them any time from early spring to fall; most varieties will start blooming in early

Weigela Shrubs 

June 17, 2019: Weigela is an old-fashioned beauty that blooms profusely and is low maintenance. A tough and hardy shrub, Weigela care involves planting in a full sun area with moist, well-draining soil. Mature bushes benefit from the removal of older interior branches in late winter to improve the shrub’s vigor and bloom the next year. All varieties attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are deer resistant.

A few of our favorite varieties include:

Wine & Roses: Rosy pink flowers appear in late spring and often rebloom in summer. Rich, dark purple foliage all summer. Season-long color.

Snippet Dark Pink: Thick, deep green foliage that perfectly sets off the vivid pink blooms. They appear in late spring along with other weigelas, but then they continue to bloom all through summer with waves of fresh flowers. No deadheading required! 

Sonic Bloom Red: The lipstick red flowers are remarkable enough to make this a choice selection, but a burst of flowers in May followed by waves of rebloom until frost makes it a must-have shrub.  Deadheading is not needed to keep the plant blooming. 

Pizza & Salsa Gardens 

June 10, 2019: Pizza is already at the top of most folks’ favorite foods lists, so just imagine how much more delicious each slice would be if it were made with ingredients harvested fresh from your garden — think Roma tomatoes (the very best for making sauce), peppers, and herbs. 

And forget jarred salsas! It doesn’t take much room to grow your own fresh ingredients for spicy sweet homemade salsa.

America's Best Flowers has planted up these special gardens just in time for Father's Day! Pick up one or two for only $24.99 !

Pizza Garden

Tomato: La Roma is a great variety because it's compact, so you can tuck one or two in the garden without it taking over.

Bell Pepper: Chop up a bell pepper or two for your pizza and add this vegetable's great flavor and high nutritional value to your meals. 

Walla Walla Onion: A must-have ingredient, onion imparts zesty flavor to pizzas and a great texture to gardens.

Italian Oregano: Introduce a rich Italian flavor to your garden with oregano. This easy-to-grow, quick-spreading plant will create a carpet of color in your garden. Use it to flavor your tomato sauce or chop it up and sprinkle it over the top of your pizza.

Basil: Tomatoes and basil are one of the most classic flavor combinations. Chop up basil leaves and incorporate them into your tomato sauce or sprinkle them over the top of your pizza.

Salsa Garden

Tomato: La Roma is very meaty and not very juicy. They may not make the best fresh eating, but they make a thick and satisfying salsa.

Lady Bell Pepper: Sweet bell peppers mature a bit more slowly than hot peppers. You can harvest them green for maximum yield per plant or wait until they ripen red and develop maximum sweetness.

Jalapeño Pepper: Jalapenos are the only pepper that isn’t allowed to fully ripen and change color before being picked.Onions: Onions require only 5 hours of sun each day. Give them plenty of compost; whenever their root globes shove themselves up out of the ground bury them up to their green stems in compost.

Bonide Pest Busters 

June 3, 2019: Ah, the weather is finally providing more outdoor activity options. Nothing ruins a picnic like a line of ants. Nothing ruins a barbecue like a swarm of mosquitoes. And nothing ruins a morning like spotting a bunch of Japanese Beetles munching on your rose bushes.

America's Best Flowers has a special bundled insect control pack to help you get those pests under control. Get all THREE products for $29.99 from now until June 15th.

1. Japanese Beetle Killer 32oz Ready to Use spray

Contains pyrethrum for quick and easy kill of Japanese Beetles.

2. Mosquito Beater® Granules 8oz.

Effectively repels for up to 3 weeks. Non - toxic, biodegradable and pleasantly scented. Easy to use shaker applicators. Enjoy mosquito free surroundings, any place, anytime

OR

Bonide Mosquito Beater Yard Fog

Contains Tetraperm Triple action insecticide which is a combination of tetramethrin, permethrin, and PBO (piperonyl butoxide) to provide lightning fast knockdown, quick kill, and residual control of listed pests both indoors and outdoors. The specially designed can has an actuator that will create a large fog with just a single burst to cover more area quickly. Bonide Mosquito Beater Yard Fog kills most biting and stinging insects and will help keep your patio, yard, and garden ready for enjoyment.

3. Repels-All® Granules 1.25lb

A convenient granular formulation of our popular Repels All® liquid. Triggers genetically and biologically ingrained fear and flight responses in a multitude of animal intruders - without harm. Lasts up to 2 months. Protects plants and property - year round. People & Pet Safe when used as directed. Made with natural ingredients.

Pollinator Planters

May 27, 2019: Pollinators are an essential part of our ecosystems, but they need our help! Pick up a Grab-n-Go Pollinator Planter and create a vibrant and healthy habitat for our pollinator friends with annuals and perennials. As an added bonus, you’ll have attractive flowers to add color, beauty, and variety to your garden and that will attract local wildlife, including butterflies and hummingbirds, for you to joyfully observe. 

Pollinators cause plants to make fruit or seeds by moving pollen from one area of the flower or plant to another. Acting as a fertilizer, the pollen is an important step in the plant creating fruits or seeds, a step which isn’t possible without the help of a pollinator species. The most common types of pollinators are bees, hummingbirds and some species of butterflies – like the Monarch.

Bees often get a bad rap, and it seems that many people confuse them with yellow jackets. The truth is that bees are responsible for pollinating a huge number of food crops, so if there’s a pollinator you want to attract to your edible garden, bees are it. Butterflies and moths pollinate a large number of flowers, and in some areas, bats pollinate plants that have nocturnal flowers.

So how can you do your part to create a hospitable garden for our pollinating friends? America's Best Flowers has a wide selection of pollinator-friendly plants and flowers, and to make it even easier, you can pick up a ready-made pollinator pot!

When creating your pollinator-friendly garden, it’s important to pick plants that are rich in nectar or pollen as this will be an attractant to the various pollinator species. Anise and Milkweed as known to attract hummingbirds, Sage, Purple Cone Flower, and Tickseed are popular with butterflies and Yarrow, Bee Balm and Blanket Flower are bound to make the bees happy. Cosmos, Zinnias, Alyssum, Oregano, Fennel, and Lavender are also commonly planted in pollinator gardens, and all can be easily found at America's Best Flowers.

Hummingbirds

May 20, 2019: Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating and flashy fliers you’ll ever see. Yet they’re also some of the most misunderstood. If you want to attract them and keep them coming around (and don’t we all?) you might not be sure how to get started. After all, a lot of information is out there, and it’s a little overwhelming trying to decide what to believe or try. Now through May 30th - Get a FREE  Friends of Flight 8oz concentrate pouch of Hummingbird Nectar with any $50 purchase (while supplies last) 

“USE RED! IT REALLY DOES WORK.”
In North America, the flowers best adapted for hummingbird pollination are bright red blooms with a tubular shape. Hummingbirds instinctively watch for red things and investigate them.

“KEEP IT CLEAN.”
Sugar water that has started to grow moldy can be dangerous to birds. If you’re going to put out feeders, it’s essential that you keep them clean and replace the mixture regularly—at least once every three or four days, more often in hot weather. If the mixture starts to look cloudy, clean the feeder and replace the nectar immediately.

“GIVE US A LITTLE EXTRA SPACE.”
Goldfinches and some other songbirds may feed together peacefully, but hummingbirds often fight around feeders, chasing one another away. Hummingbirds are adapted to feeding at flowers, which will produce only limited amounts of nectar, so they instinctively protect their food sources even when they’re at feeders with an unlimited supply. Try putting up two or more feeders that can’t be seen from one another. Even the toughest little hummingbird can’t monopolize multiple feeders if he or she can’t see them all at once.

“WE’RE CREATURES OF HABIT.”
If the hummingbirds returning in spring seem to remember where you had flowers or feeders in previous years, they probably do. As tiny creatures that rely on specialized food sources in a big, big world, they have to be good at finding their way back to the best spots. They have a highly developed sense of what scientists call spatial memory. This is a good reason to work extra hard at attracting hummingbirds. Once you get them established, they’ll be back for more.

Now through May 30th - Get a FREE  Friends of Flight 8oz concentrate pouch of Hummingbird Nectar with any $50 purchase (while supplies last) 

Gerbera Daisy

May 13, 2019: Gerbera Daisies are super-easy to recognize, with their brightly colored flowers and compact stems. The sea of red, orange, coral, pink, and yellow blooms in the greenhouse aisles are simply stunning! 

Plant Gerbera Daisies with good drainage and full to part sun. They thrive in sandy, well-drained soils. They look amazing in containers and actually work well in office environments to help purify the air. 

They will keep growing and blooming best if you deadhead them regularly. Here’s how: As soon as the flowers have faded and shriveled, cut the stalks back to where they meet the base of the plant (an area called the “crown”). It’s also a good idea to keep your entire plant tidy by removing old, dried up, or damaged leaves whenever you see them.

Nonstop® JOY Yellow Begonia Baskets $19.99

May 6, 2019: Bring happiness to your shade areas with our featured hanging basket: Nonstop® JOY Yellow Begonia Baskets in a decorative yellow basket are $19.99 until May 15th (or supplies run out).

These Nonstop® Begonias are a beautiful clear yellow that’s perfect for hanging baskets. They grow 8-9″ tall with a well branched mounded habit. An abundance of large, bright yellow double blooms adds bold color to the basket all summer long until the first frost falls. The strong, well-branched growth of the Nonstop® JOY Begonia means it is resistant to breakage and wind damage and does not require deadheading.

Care:

Watering: Allow to dry slightly between watering.

Light: Nonstop® JOY thrives in shade and partial shade. For shade gardeners looking for something more than pretty foliage, the flowers on Nonstop® begonias are high impact.

Stone fruit trees are best planted on a gentle slope which will allow the cold air to sink into the adjacent lower areas around the trees. Plant the tree in a fertile, slightly acidic (pH of 6 to 7), sandy loam soil. There should be good drainage in the ground since the tree will not grow well if its roots are wet. Choose a location that receives ample sunlight. 

Fruit Trees are in!

April 29, 2019: Fruit Trees are in! This year, we have several varieties of apples, cherries, peaches, and plums for you to choose from.

Pollination

Pollination is vital to the successful production of fruit trees. Often, inadequate pollination is the reason why trees produce poorly or don’t bear fruit at all. To create the best pollination environment for your tree, make sure that you check our descriptions to see which pollinating varieties our experts recommend.

Some trees are self-pollinating.  However, we always recommend planting another compatible variety that blooms at the same time for optimum fruit production.    

Tree Placement

Apple trees are best planted in full sun for optimal growth and production of fruit. It is important for the trees to get the early morning sun as this helps to dry to early morning dew and lowers chances for diseases.

Stone fruit trees are best planted on a gentle slope which will allow the cold air to sink into the adjacent lower areas around the trees. Plant the tree in a fertile, slightly acidic (pH of 6 to 7), sandy loam soil. There should be good drainage in the ground since the tree will not grow well if its roots are wet. Choose a location that receives ample sunlight. 

Regal Geraniums

April 22, 2019: Expand your geranium horizons with this cool-season member of the family: the Regal Geranium (also called the Martha Washington Geranium). This group of geraniums features richly colored blooms. The petals have a lovely ruffled effect that enhances the luxurious feel. The top 2 petals often have a bolder color or a contrasting pattern. Overall, Regal Geraniums grow roughly 12 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide.

Regal Geraniums are pretty bloomers that grow best when air temperatures are below 60°F. They set their flower buds when night temperatures hover in the 50- to 60-degree range. These geraniums make a beautiful gift or can be used in containers or garden beds. As a result, they’re popular as spring plants, most often bought as gifts for Mother’s Day. 

Light: Place indoor plants in direct morning sunlight, for at least four to six hours a day, avoiding hot afternoon sun, which may burn the tender leaves. Place outdoor plants where they will get full morning sun and afternoon shade.

Water: Water indoor plants thoroughly twice a week, but don't soak the soil. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, allowing the top 1 inch of soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Cut back on watering after flowering, but don't allow the roots to dry out completely.

Pansy Bowls

April 15, 2019: Did the latest round of snow bring you down? These cool weather loving pansies are here to save the day and provide that pop of color you are craving for your landscape and gardens.

Our freeze-proof synthetic containers are perfect for the colder months and provide air flow and proper drainage so the pansies don't get wet feet.

We have several color combinations potted up and ready to go home with you for only $12.99, now until April 30th! 

Garden Prep Pack

April 8, 2019: Gardeners know the best time to clean your flower bed is in the early spring, before flowers are planted and begin growing. We put together a Gardener Prep Pack to help you this year!

For $19.99, you get your choice of one each of the following:

• Bloom Kneeling Pad
• Bloom Household Shears
• Bloom Gardening Gloves
• Bloom 20 Gallon Collapsible Gardening Bag

Save $2 on all Purple Cow Organics

April 1, 2019: Do you want to get a strong start in your garden this year? Look towards the nutrients of the soil you used in garden beds and containers. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants and, ultimately healthy people.

Did you know that overusing soil year after year in your garden beds can deplete soil of the proper pH, minerals and beneficial microbes? The good news is that you can replace organic components by amending your soil with organic gardening materials from Purple Cow Organics, such as Purple Cow’s Activated™ supercharged compost, Potting Mix or Tomato Gro. These organic amendments not only leave soil healthier but also make gardens low maintenance. Even better: garden organically is easier than people think, because it’s essentially more about replacing nutrients and organic matter to soil instead of loading it up with chemical fertilizer.

Get $2.00 off any Purple Cow Organics purchase between April 1st-15th.

Purple Cow Activated Compost

March 25, 2019: Soil: it’s not a dead pile of dirt! Did you know that overusing soil year after year in your garden beds can deplete soil of the proper pH, minerals and beneficial microbes? The good news is that you can replace organic components by amending your soil with organic gardening materials from Purple Cow Organics, such as Purple Cow’s Activated™ Compost, Seed Starter, Potting Mix or Tomato Gro. These organic amendments not only leave soil healthier, but also make gardens low maintenance. Even better: gardening organically is easier than people think, because it’s essentially more about replacing nutrients and organic matter to soil instead of loading it up with chemical fertilizer.

Product uses:

• Replenish Garden Beds (food crops or flower beds)
• Improve Topsoil/Garden Soil
• Bolster Trees & Shrubs
• Potted Plants (indoor or outdoor)
• Maintain Existing Lawns
• Perennial Beds/Mulch
• Lawn Repair

Join us Sunday, March 31st at 11am  for "Getting Started with Organic Gardening" with the Purple Cow Organic's team on hand to answer any of your questions. We will be offering a $2.00 discount on all Purple Cow Organics products all day.

Bird Feeders & Houses

March 18, 2019: Bird feeding is most helpful when birds need the most energy, such as migration and in late winter or early spring, when natural seed sources are depleted. Two exceptions to this rule are hummingbirds and goldfinches. Offer your hummers nectar in feeders to help fuel their high metabolism, and provide seed to your goldfinches because they nest later than other birds. 

It is also helpful to provide a source of water for drinking and bathing. Be sure to keep feeders and baths clean to help prevent the spread of illness or disease.

We carry bird feeders and decorative bird houses at both our Cottage Grove and Edgerton locations.

Shamrocks

March 11, 2019: So many shamrocks! Create a St. Patty's Day tablescape or green up a windowsill. Come May, tuck them into a shade planter for texture. You don't need luck to keep shamrocks looking good. Just allow soil to dry slightly between waterings and feed monthly with an all-purpose fertilizer spring to fall. You can keep shamrocks (a.k.a. oxalis bulbs) year to year, but cut them a few months' slack. Reduce watering when they start dying back naturally, then begin again when they sprout anew.

Forced Spring Bulbs

March 4, 2019: Forced Spring bulbs let you enjoy the colors and fragrance of spring indoors when it's freezing cold and snowy outdoors. We have a large assortment of Crocus, Hyacinths, and Muscari popping up and ready to brighten your home. They are currently snug in our floral coolers. Stop in to either our Cottage Grove or Edgerton location and pick up a few.

Once you bring your bulbs home, allow two to four weeks until to bloom time. Wake the bulbs gradually, starting with about two weeks of indirect sunlight and 60 degree temperatures. When shoots are three to five inches high, move the pots to a 68 degree environment and a bright, sunny window. Once buds color, move the pot to indirect light again to prolong bloom.

Seed Starter Special

February 25, 2019: Just in time for the Planting Seeds Indoors and Companion Planting Class to be held at the Cottage Grove location, we are offering a discounted bundled kit to get you started with any seed purchase for only $14.99:

Mini-Greenhouse:

NK Lawn & Garden's 72 Cell Mini-Greenhouse with the hexagon shape to eliminate circular roots which stunts seedling development.

Seed Starter Soil:

8 Qt bag of Espoma Organic Seed Starter Premium Potting Mix.

Offer runs until March 15th.

Growing Seeds Indoors

February 18, 2019: It’s never too early to start planning for this season’s garden.  If you are planning a vegetable, herb or flower garden, bring your seed list out to either our Cottage Grove or Edgerton location. We have a huge selection of Livingston seeds for you to choose from.

Seed Starter Trays:

To help with your seed planting project, we have several types of seed starting trays available in our Garden Center:

Traditional Seed Starter kits:

• 18 cell extra large pots designed to grow vegetables with strong roots.
• 36 cell or 72 cell greenhouse kits with the hexagon shape to eliminate circular roots which stunts seedling development.

 Biodegradable Peat Pot Seed Starter kit:

• 50 cells of 1-3/4" square Jiffy Pots which are 100% biodegradable peat pellet made of Canadian sphagnum peat moss which allows abundant aeration, uniform drainage, and easy root penetration. Perfect for organic growing.

Seedling Heating Pads:

Have you tried using a germination heating mat yet?  You simply place the mat under seeding trays for quicker germination and to encourage strong root growth.

 Grow Lights:

When using a grow light, seedlings can be nurtured along from February through August to produce a steady supply of sturdy seedlings for the spring garden, as well as for succession planting in late Spring, Summer, and even Autumn. Stop in to see our selection of grow lights and get tips on timing and placement of the lights from our garden experts.

Cyclamen

February 11, 2019: Cyclamen blooms from January till March when the air is cooler, then rests during the warmer summer months. Even with Valentine’s Day on the horizon - it's STILL gloomy outside. It will be hard to NOT cheer up when you bring this bright blooming plant into your home.

A Cyclamen’s leaves are dark green, shaped like a heart, and its surface usually bears a striking pattern marked in a lighter green or white shade. The flowers are up-swept and come in a variety of pastel hues.

The regular Cyclamen grow anywhere from 12 to 18 inches, while the mini cyclamen types reach a height of around 7 to 8 inches.

Growing Instructions:

Light: Cyclamen is quite sensitive to heat, so make sure to place this lovely plant in a cool location. Otherwise, the high temperature may cause the flowers to prematurely wilt and wither. If possible, place the Cyclamen in a bright window with indirect light, facing north. Optimal temperature should never go above 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water: Watering your Cyclamen requires a careful approach. Don’t just pour water above the tuber as it can spoil the buds, leaving the plant to rot. It’s best to water from the bottom in the saucer, or around the edge of the pot.

Spider Plant

February 4, 2019: The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is considered one of the most adaptable of houseplants and the easiest to grow. With long, slender leaves that arch from a common central crown, these house plants work well in hanging baskets or atop shelves and tables to allow for their trailing habits to be on full display. They provide numerous benefits such as producing oxygen and purifying the air in your home and office, by absorbing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and xylene. They are safe for pets and as such can be displayed just about anywhere in your home and office spaces, even on the floor in a beautiful cluster with your other indoor plants.

Growing Instructions:

Light: Spider Plants prefer nice, bright light. However, they tend to burn in full sun or afternoon sun. Yet, Spider Plants are adaptable, and will do fine in lower light conditions. In our experience, they won’t produce as many babies without natural light.

Water:Water them when they’re almost dry & be sure to let the water drain all the way through the pot. Depending on how warm & bright your house is, this might be every 10-14 days. If your water is high in salts, consider using distilled water. Water them well but do not allow the plants to become too soggy, which can lead to root rot. In fact, spider plants prefer to dry out between waterings.

Kalanchoe

January 28, 2019: One of the most versatile succulents, Kalanchoe, is prized for its pretty foliage and boldly colored flowers.  Because Kalanchoe is a succulent, you only need to water it when the soil feels super dry to the touch.

Kalanchoe branches are tender and break easily, so be careful when moving or transplanting. Many people discard the plants after the bloom is over, but this isn't really necessary. Simply cut off the flowering head, let the plant rest with reduced water, and resume its normal care. 

Growing Instructions:

Light: Kalanchoes like bright, natural light. A medium to high light is best. Keep them out of any hot windows because the leaves will burn. During the winter, consider a south-facing window.

Water: Kalanchoes need good drainage. Water yours well, let it drain, empty the saucer & then water again when super dry. Reduce watering in the winter (the plant can almost dry out ) as they thrive in the low humidity of winter households. The foliage is very dense & fleshy, which is why you don’t want to mist or spray this plant. Watch the fleshy leaves for signs of water distress.

Potted Succulents

January 21, 2019: Come out to our Cottage Grove location to get out of the snow and feel the warmth of the greenhouse! Do you know what also loves the warmth of our greenhouses? Succulents! Kayla has paired up several versions of the succulent family in these really cute 3 inch pots and saucers from Chive Pottery. 

About the Plants:

Succulents are a diverse group of plants that include stiff, upright cacti as well as sprawling and trailing plants that are well-suited to hanging baskets and window boxes.

Most succulents like bright sunlight and are content to spend their days outdoors in the baking sun or indoors in a sunny, preferably south-facing window. Succulents will lean towards the sun, so rotating them will help them stand up straight. (Leaning may also be a sign that they need to be in a sunnier spot.)

About the Pottery:

Decorative pots with drainage holes seem to have vanished over the past decade. This makes watering more difficult as far as how much water to give your plants. Drainage holes in these pots allow you to see when you've watered enough. These colorful and fun little cups with matching saucers are perfect for succulents! 

Scarlet Star

January 14th: Bromeliads, also known as guzmanias,  make great houseplants and are not only easy to maintain but very colorful. This particular one is popular because of its large, star shaped bloom. What sets it aside from many of the other bromeliads is that it is available in a wide range of flower colors.

Overview:  Guzmania lingulata is one of the most popular species of Guzmania. Its common name is the scarlet star. The scarlet star has long, flat, glossy-green leaves with smooth margins. The leaves come together to form a star shape in the center.

What is commonly mistaken as the flower is actually a grouping of modified leaves, called bracts. Guzmania lingulata is most famous for its brilliant pink or red flower bracts but can also be found in shades of yellow and orange depending on the variety.

Growing Instructions:

Light: Like the other bromeliads, Guzmanias prefer, and are happiest, in bright, natural light.  An east or west exposure would be best. Just be sure they avoid exposure to any direct, hot sun, because they’ll burn. 

Water: Guzmanias have a central well that the flower stalk rises out of, which is how they collect the water they need. You want to keep that well about 1/4 full. Because moisture is collected through their leaves, they’d appreciate a spraying or misting once or twice a week.

If you have hard water, consider using distilled or purified water.  Don’t over water your bromeliad – they don’t like to stay constantly wet.

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Prayer Plant

January 7th: This week we are featuring a hardy, indoor plant that earned its common name from the fact that the leaves tend to fold together at night, like a pair of praying hands.

Overview: The Maranta leuconeura is a low, spreading plant that's often grown in hanging baskets, but will also grow horizontally along a tabletop or other surface. It's a slow grower, so no matter where you grow your prayer plant, you don't need to worry about it growing out of bounds.

Most types of prayer plant have variegated foliage, adding to the plant's overall interest. It does produce flowers, but they're not large or particularly showy. 

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