It's spring for real now folks.

The snow is gone, the bulbs are popping. Yes I heard there is a chance for snow this weekend but this time of year it's just fluffy rain. Don't sweat it.

It's time to do some clean up. Other than the obvious, for me, surprise dog poop, it's time to get the last of the old leaves up and out of the beds. It's also time to rake that lawn to fluff it and rake off any snow mold that may have grown there. If you live in the burbs and see the little race tracks that the voles left just rake up the lawn and it will take care of itself.

I saw crocus flowering in Wauwatosa yesterday. Yeeee ha.

Spring is springing.

Can you feel that? The sun is actually warmer. Can you hear that? Birds are singing. The forecast for today is 42! The snow piles are withering away.....dog poop is sprouting up everywhere. On a walk in the woods yesterday I saw small green sprouts poking up in the bare areas that are warmed by the afternoon sun.

The phone is ringing and schedules are out and being filled. Now is the time to sit down and have a look at those plans from last year. The spring planting seasons comes on fast and just keeps everyone busy. Planning now gets ahead of schedule and think about this; early planting means you get the most out of the spring growing season.

It's also a great time for early season pruning of some of your plants. Not sure which ones? Give me a call. 414-778-0104

Waukesha Home and Landscape Show

McKay Nursery will once again be at the Waukesha show at the Expo. Stop by Saturday from 2 - 5 and say hi to me.

Do you see that?

Do you see that? The sun is out and it actually feels warmer. This morning I saw a couple of cardinals and I'm betting in a couple of weeks the robins will be back. As the snow melts be on the lookout for rodent damage. Not sure what to look for? Give me a call at 414-778-0104.

It's Spring

I know I know it's cold and snowy out. Spring is right around the corner though. This morning I heard a couple of cardinals singing. Have you noticed how late dusk is coming now? The sun is a little warmer and the phones are starting to ring. Believe it or not in five or six short weeks the McKay trucks will be on the roll delivering plants to the smart people who planned ahead.

The McKay Nursery Company winter incentives are about to run out so let's meet soon to go over spring ideas and take advantage of the specials and beat the spring rush.

HEY! Spring is coming.

I know I know it's still January. It's always amazing how spring catches people off guard though. As I sit here with my coffee looking out at the snow I'm also looking at a calendar that is starting to fill with appointments of people planning ahead.

Believe it or not construction starts in less than 12 weeks. I know from experience those weeks tick off pretty quickly. If you have a project that you'd like done this spring planning ahead saves you money and saves you lots of time. Plant deliveries are scheduled as orders come in. Construction projects are set up the same way. Getting things on the schedule now gets things rolling early and takes advantage of ALL of the growing season.

It's not too early. Even with the cold and snow landscape plans are being done. Estimates are being prepared. The best part is that we have a little more time to look at options.

Right now McKay Nursery Company has some winter incentives. Give me a call or email me and I'll tell you all about them.

Let's meet now for a no cost or obligation consultation.

New Slideshow

I know this is the landscape side of my world but.....new home, blank walls? I just put this slide show together to show some of my latest work. I love it and I hope you do too. Enjoy.

http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbRadv6oYko

Winter Notes From McKay Nursery Company

December Landscape and Garden Notes from McKay Nursery Company

“Last chance to beat the weather"
By Tim Flood


Not much left to do in the yard anymore, except to plan for next year. Now is the absolute best time for your local McKay Representative to come over and measure you up for a new side or back yard, or maybe you are ready for a whole new you in the front as well – before the snow flies! Now is a great time for these professionals to put together a great new design for you.

Last chance to plant any spring flowering bulbs if your ground has not frozen yet. Plant them at the correct depth, and give them a drink of water, and forget them until spring.

Last chance to get that mulch around your rose bushes and Hydrangea macrophylla types. Don’t cut the rose canes; just mound the bottom with some mulch for great winter protection. Any extra mulch can be added to your perennial beds. Any evergreen branches from your Christmas tree can be placed over perennials or anything liking a bit more winter protection.

Lawn care is now done. Be careful not to walk on frozen turf without any snow cover, as it does damage the grass plants, so when installing Christmas lights or getting to your bird feeders, wait until the sun take the frost off, or go around the grass areas until you get some snow covering on those turf areas. You can run the gasoline out of your lawn equipment, or add fuel stabilizer to the tank. The newer formulation of gas does not last well in the tank.

Road salt is a killer for so many plants. If you use salt on your sidewalks or driveways, be sure to use it carefully…or maybe try using an alternative like sand or kitty litter, or maybe Milorganite fertilizer. Milorganite is black and attract the heat from the sun to melt the ice, and does not hurt any plants.

Heavy, wet snows on evergreens or other dense shrubs should be brushed off soon after it falls to prevent damaging the form of the plant. If you have topiaries or evergreens that you want to protect the form, you may want to use some twine to tighten up the shrub to help it stay in form if there is a snow load on it.

Some natural evergreens branches, Viburnum or Holly berries, and maybe some dried flowers can be put in window boxes or containers for Holiday decorations, and for the winter months. If the soil is already frozen, you can pour some warm water in the soil and then press the stems into the soil. Maybe you have a small evergreen or a deciduous tree that is the focal point in your back yard landscape that you should consider lighting to enjoy for the Holiday season? We see the lights in our back yard more than the ones in the front yard.

December

December 2009

Greetings,

During the cold dark days of winter there is nothing more refreshing than planning for your spring planting season. Now is the best time to start making plans.

Right now, it’s time to think spring! Planning early saves you time, saves you money and gets you on the early schedules to get your work done during the best of the season, before the summer heat. It’s going to be a busy spring. Plan early.

Consider this: The biggest mistake a homeowner makes can with regard to landscaping, is not spending too much or too little,,,,but failing to plan properly.

My name is Jerry Cahak, and I’m your local McKay Nursery landscape designer and sales representative. I’ve been working in your area for the past 24 year and I would love the opportunity to sit down with you and show you how I can help.

Let me show you how to plan ahead and take advantage of HUGE savings. Whether you need a single tree, flowering shrubs, planters or a new walk or patio now is the time to sit down and begin the planning for your spring projects.

Plan ahead and save. On orders placed before February 1st you’ll receive:

Free Delivery
10% Discount on Spring 2010 plant material


Need a gift? How about a McKay Nursery gift Certificate?

Contact me for a free, no obligation consultation.

Sincerely,

Jerry Cahak
Mckay Nursery Company

Phone: 414-778-0104
Email: jcahak@juno.com

water water water....water water water

18 days without any good rain. You'll notice some trees starting to change now. That's a definite sign of dry soil. Plants are starting to shut down. You may notice early fall color, Hydrangeas browning up, flowers getting ugly. Water is VERY important RIGHT NOW. Not only is the water they get now important right now, it's the water the root systems will need over the winter to keep the plants alive. Without good water now and through winter plants may not survive to see spring.

That being said this is also the best time to be adding to your landscape. Soil temps are perfect. Cool nights and warm days mean the plants will take hold and come spring look awesome.

It's a little early for major pruning but it's certainly time to start cutting back some of the perennials and cleaning beds up.

Questions? Give me a call. 414-778-0104

Chilly Night Ahead

We have a could night ahead or just did depending on when you get this but in any case it will be cold again. Don't let it worry you. Soil temps are still great. Perfect for planting landscape plants and new lawns. There is a lot in full bloom like this Knockout Rose and lots still to come. Sedum are starting to flower and I've see Asters starting to get some color. I have been seeing lots of powdery mildue and the Asian Beetles are out in force. Mildue is something to address. Remove the affected leaves and get rid of them. The beetles are kinda cute. Controlling them is tough. Need help? call me at 414-778-0104

Late summer is here

Feel that nice cool air at night? The next 8 to 12 weeks are awesome for getting things done in the yard. Lawns take really well. Plants respond incredibly well and then pop up early in spring. It's a great time to take care of plant problems and corrective pruning.

August Notes

Well it's nearly mid August. Have I mentioned that you need to be watering? There is a lot being done right now. Planting is in full gear. Lots of projects going in. With proper watering there is very little to worry about. You may see some stress but once the plants get going they will soar.

A little pruning can be done any time. Dead heading will encourage new flowers. Also people, if you have a plant or tree with some ugly out of place branch, cut it off. Don't listen to the "you can't prune now" people. Don't worry about cutting off some nice roses. In my opinion better to have a nice shaped plant and a couple fewer flowers.

Summer is in full swing

Summer is here and we just got some much needed rain. Not enough though. This is not a bad time to be planting and working in the yard. As a matter of fact it's a great time to get some plants established and enjoy the last half of summer. Proper mulching and watering are critical though. The mulch will keep water in the soil and keep soil temps more even. To water there is no substitute for hand watering. Sprinklers and irrigation systems just won't do it. Don't believe me? Set your sprinkler out and water for a good half hour. Then go out and see just how deeply the water has penetrated. Or after a rain do the same thing. The best way, and the most water efficient way, to water is to walk around with a hose and water each plant individually. Another way is to invest in soaker hoses. They will put the water just where it's needed. Plants need deep watering to establish deep roots. Water well at least once or twice a week and keep it up through fall.

Photography

My second Gallery Night exhibit is coming up fast. If you like flowers or art in general you really need to stop by. I will have 8 all new, very large canvas prints on display. Stop by and see me.

Pinch For New Growth

During this active growing month I am always pinching off new growth in areas that are full to let the areas that are a little lacking fill in. The more you pinch and prune the more you will get growth in areas that need it.

Keep your eyes open for larvae feeding on the candles (new growth) of Mugo Pine. They are very well adapted to hide there and very hard to see. When you do see them you'll be amazed at how many are there and how quickly they can clear a plant of it's growth. They are easy to kill though and any generic insect spray will work.

Water your trees.

Water, Water, Water

Plants need water. This is the time of year where damage begins that isn't seen till late summer and sometimes even fall. Established plants need an inch of water per week. An inch of water is not some rain one day last week. Next time it rains go out afterward and dig down a bit. You'll see how little actually gets to the roots of the plants. The best way to water is to soak the plants once or twice per week. A long slow soak.

New plants require a little more attention. Without an established root system they are more likely to be damaged by not enough water. If you aren't sure if they need water dig down a bit and feel the soil. It should be moist but not like mud.

Questions? Give me a call. 414-778-0104 or e-mail me jerry@mckaylandscaping.com

Lots To Do

We are in full spring in case you haven't noticed. I've been busy and not keeping up here. There is lots to do in your yard....besides cutting the grass.

All of your perennials should be up and growing. Some more than others. You should have cut off all of the old growth from last year to make room for the new stuff.

Roses should be showing new growth. Cut off all of the old stuff that isn't sprouting and died back over winter.

Mugo Pines are starting to candle. (that's the new growth) Now is a good time to prune the candles to control the amount of new growth. Take a good look at them.... a real close look. I saw my first little worms starting to eat away at them. They are small grey and black guys that need to be sprayed with insecticide.

Fluff up your mulch. Don't add more unless you are too thin in areas. Most of you can just take a rake and fluff it up to renew the color and make it last longer. It also helps keep some of the weeds from getting a foot hold.

Great time to plant. If you need help selecting plants or coming up with a great plan let me know.

Lots To Do

Lots going on in the yard now. Bulbs are popping in earnest, buds are swelling and opening, grass is growing. There is a lot you can do now to make the spring better and promote lots of new growth. All ornamental grasses should be cut back to the ground. The old top growth is just in the way. You should see the buds on your roses now. Cut them back to remove anything that died back over winter. If you don't see any buds cut them down pretty low and watch for new growth. Dead wood on roses is dark brown and not green like live wood. Spirea and Potentilla get a good cutting now too. You can cut them back to about 6 inches. Remove any dead branches on evergreens. If it's brown now it's not coming back. Last years perennials get cut back to the ground now too. It's also a good time to apply any pre-emergent to the beds. Doing this now will promote new growth, clean things up and make late spring more enjoyable.

Spring Has Sprung

From here on out it's fast and furious. If you were smart and planted bulbs last fall you will be starting to see things. In cooler areas of the yard they are just coming up. Warmer hillsides are full of colors. Every week things will change. It goes fast. Enjoy.