We hope you are enjoying this fabulous summer. Our big summer sales event starts next week.  For you, our newsletter readers, we are starting the sale early -- this weekend.  Come out and enjoy 50% off all perennials, 25% off trees, conifers and shrubs. In addition, if you are in the market for a gorgeous stone fountain, bird bath or garden art, we have a coupon below for 20% off those items. But hurry, the coupon is only good for two weeks. Leaf casting has become very popular with us over the summer and we have plenty of classes coming up that you can participate in.  What a great way to get your friends together and enjoy a very fun group activity.   Make a party out of it by bringing snacks and beverages -- we'll even provide the stemware!  You can create lasting works of art for your garden or home.  Or they make unique gifts for family and friends. Sign up today -- Link to our leaf casting site  Finally, it appears that late blight, a fungal-like disease that affects tomato and potato crops, has appeared again in Wisconsin this year.  Please see the UW Vegetable Pathology website for up to date information.
Hope to see you soon!
 
David Waugh, co owner

Morningwood Farm Nursery

Mount Horeb, WI

 

will establish themselves quickly and you'll have instant blooms.  Not only are our perennials going on sale, they are in large containers which promotes health and vigor.  And don't overlook a second planting of annuals. Adding some sun loving coleus will rejuvenate your garden.  Plus, all our annuals are on steep discount at the nursery.

 

Water
An appropriate level of water is important to any planting, but it takes extra importance during the summer. With arid temperatures your plants will naturally demand more moisture. Even if you're planting in damp soil or drizzly weather, new plantings should receive a good soaking when they go into the ground. This initial soaking will settle the soil around the roots and expedite the time it takes for the plant to start drawing water from the ground on its own. Continual watering after the plant is in the ground (typically 2-3 times a week) will ensure that your root structure will grow and establish in its new soil. By following this pattern, most plants will begin to establish themselves within a week after being put in the ground.

 

When to Plant
Choose the day you plant carefully and know your limits. Planting in the mid-afternoon on a hot summer day won't do your plants or yourself any good. The best days for summer planting are cloudy ones. Without the sun blazing down, you and your new plants will have a more pleasant planting experience.

 

Enjoy Your Garden!
Summer planting provides you with an opportunity to get out in the garden and enjoy your plants when they're looking their best. The growing season in Wisconsin is fairly short, so why limit it to the springtime? By carefully watching the weather and making sure your plants are getting the water they need, you can extend the gardening season and find new ways to enjoy your plantings.

Butterflies in the garden are a special treat this time of year.  If you like them as much as we do, then perhaps you might like to start planning for making your garden especially attractive to these magnificent flying beauties.

 

Shrubs

Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet)
Daphne
Forsythia
Fothergilla
Rhododendron
Rosea (Rose)
Spiraea (Spirea)
Syringa (Lilac)
Viburnum
Weigela

Trees

Amelanchier (Chokeberry)
Catalpa
Cornus (Dogwood)
Cercis (Redbud)
Crataegus (Hawthorn)
Malus (Crabapple)
Prunus (Cherry or Plum )
Salix ( Willow )
Sorbus (Mountain Ash)
Tilia ( Linden )

 

Common Butterflies and Their Host Plants

 

The following is a list of 14 common butterflies and moths and some of their larval plants:

Monarch Butterfly - Milkweed; Ascelpias
Mourning Cloak - Willow; Birch; Poplar; Nettles
Red Admiral - Nettles
Spring Aure - Dogwood; Viburnums; Spirea
Tiger Swallowtail - Willow; Cherry; Linden; Birch leaves
Black Swallowtail - Dill; Carrot; Parsley; Queen Anne's Lace
Painted Lady - Pearly Everlasting Daisy; Hollyhock
Buckeye - Snapdragon; Plantain; Stonecrop
White-lined Sphinx - Virginia Creeper; Grape
Hummingbird Clearwing - Viburnum; Hawthorn; Honeysuckle
Fritillary - Violets
Luna Moth - Hickory; Maple; Oak; Birch
Cecropia Moth - Silver Maple; Maple; Oak; Cherry
Polyphemus Moth - Oak; Hickory; Elm; Maple