Wasco Nursery - Plant Speak

Successful Day Despite Rain!

2010-04-24T16:23:00.001-07:00

Thank you to all who made it out today for our Spring Fling Open House! We had a wonderful crowd of folks who enjoyed visiting with all of our staff and vendors! We are very grateful to have such wonderful customers who enjoy coming back time and again as well as new faces that greet us each day. Congratulations to our prize winners - those were some awesome prizes!!! Thanks to all of our vendors who supplied some great things!

Make sure you stop in to see our newly remodeled office and the new amazing photos on the wall! MaryEllen Malinowski of The Infrared Light Gallery has displayed some beautiful and unique photos using infrared photography. Her images are truly stunning!

Aquascapes has some great new products in our Pond Shop - look for some summer programs on pond building!

Stay tuned for our next event on Thursday, May 6th......

'Have A Glass In The Garden" - stroll the bursting sales yard and greenhouses with a glass of wine and visit with your girlfriends here at the Nursery! Our staff of "girlfriends" are putting together a wonderful evening full of fun so don't miss it. Call the Nursery to reserve your spot (630-584-4424) and bring your friends! Nothing beats a girls' night out at the Nursery sans children! :)

Celebrating 85 years...

2010-04-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

Wasco Nursery is celebrating its 85th year this year! Keep an eye on our blog, our Facebook page, and our email VIG (Very Important Gardener) Garden Club for news, events, specials, and fun things all summer! We have many activities planned with one of our first - our Spring Fling Open House - occuring this coming Saturday, April 24th from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Come visit with our Sales Staff, our Landscape Designers, and our vendors and suppliers. We'll have representatives from Graf Tree Care, Monrovia Growers, Midwest Groundcovers, Campania International, Ceramo Pottery, Moonscape Lighting, Hoffie Nursery, Collegiate Landscaping, Schmidt Growers, Mariani Nurseries, and more!

FIRST PLACE AT SCARECROW FEST...and an 1148 lb. pumpkin!

2009-10-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who attended and voted for our Monster Truck Scarecrow at St. Charles' Scarecrow Fest! We placed first in the St. Charles Business category! Come visit our scarecrow here at the Nursery. While you're here, make sure you stand in awe at Tom McIllvaine's 1148 lb. pumpkin! He grew his pumpkins (we used the "small" one @ 800 lbs. for our Scarecrow) here at the Nursery. Tom took 3rd place overall at the Great Pumpkin Weigh In! Congrats to Tom and thanks for letting us use your "little guy" for our Monster Truck!

LABOR DAY PLANT SPECIALS!!!

2009-09-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

Weekend Specials - SATURDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY (9/5/09-9/7/09)

Fireball Select Dwarf Burning Bush $39.99 (reg. $62)
Variegated Redtwig Dogwood $29.99 (reg. $42)
Red Knockout Roses $17.99 (reg. $38)

35% off all Pottery, Fountains, Patio & Garden Furniture
15% off all Maples
15% off all Perennials
30% off all Arborvitaes

SEPTEMBER EXTREME VALUE!!!
THE FOLLOWING ARE ON SPECIAL THE ENTIRE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER:
40% off all Magnolias
50% off Birch and Redbud
33% off all Crabapple
25% off Dark Knight and Summer Sorbet Caryopteris
SELECTED SHRUBS $9.99 and up

FALL MUMS AND SPRING FLOWERING BULBS HAVE JUST ARRIVED! LOTS OF NEAT THINGS - GIANT ALLIUM, VARIEGATED TULIPS, DWARF DAFFODILS!!!

NOTE: SALE PRICES apply to in stock items only. No other discounts, coupons or special offers apply. Sale prices do not apply to previous invoices. Planting fees are not discounted.

Using Herbs from Your Garden

2009-08-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry! Due to a lack of response we have to cancel our Tuesday, Aug. 18th Seminar on Cooking with Herbs. Sorry for any inconvenience. Please check back to see our upcoming seminars for fall!

Thanks!

Creating a Healing Garden at Home Seminar

2009-07-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

Nature has the power to heal your heart and soul and nurture your spirit. Join us at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 11 as Deb Marqui from Healing Gardens in St. Charles tells how working in nature helped her overcome cancer and find healing through gardening. Deb found gardening to be a renewing of her spirit and a way to forget about her sickness. Deb has used metaphors in nature to help her through cancer, such as pulling weeds and imagining that she was pulling the cancer cells from her body. Deb will tell her story and show you how gardening helped her overcome adversity and become a survivor.

Learn how to create your own healing garden at home with plants that inspire you, theme gardens, and maintenance in the garden. Meagan Provencher, Illinois Certified Nursery Professional at Wasco Nursery will explain how to garden safely and how to use the latest ergonomic tools. Gardening can be a great form of exercise. Learn how to get the most benefit from your gardening activities without causing injuries. Come learn how to surround yourself with beauty and relaxation.

Call 630-584-4424, email sales@wasconursery.com or stop in at the garden center to reserve your space. Proceeds from the $5.00 attendance fee will support LivingWell Cancer Resource Center and Healing Gardens at Stone Hill Farm.

You NEED a Tree!

2009-06-13T18:50:00.001-07:00

Now is an excellent time to plant trees. Don't worry about the weather - it's not too hot. Actually, this cool, wet weather is perfect. Even if it gets warm quickly, you can still plant trees. We plant from spring until at least Thanksgiving and all months in between. There is very little extra care needed if you plant in July versus planting in May.

Why not plant a shade tree by your patio so you can actually sit out and enjoy it in the afternoon sun? Plant a flowering tree now so you can enjoy its blooms next spring...or its fruit for the fall and winter interest. Evergreens make excellent specimens and help make our winters not seem so long.

Stop out today and see our huge selection of healthy, great looking trees - from shade to ornamental, evergreen, unusual and old favorites! Our professional installation crews can plant your new tree too, so all you have to do is hang out with some lemonade and a lawn chair under your new living umbrella!

A Spring Open House Invitation

2009-04-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

You are invited to a full day of activities planned for Saturday, April 25 to celebrate Arbor Day, to kick off the spring season, and provide you with informative presentations, demonstrations, and specials. We will have Arbor Day specials, Arbor Day giveaways, raffles, displays, and planting demonstrations throughout the day. We will also have representatives from companies such as Bailey Nurseries, Graf Tree Care, Aquascape, Moonscape Landscape Lighting, Midwest Groundcovers and others available to help you answer your questions and provide information. Programs during the day will include:

New Plants for 2009	Presented by Matt Zerby, ICN pro and co-owner of Wasco Nursery (free)	9:00 am
Vegetable Gardening	U of I Extension Staff ($5.00 fee)	10:00 am
Container Gardening	Interview with Bill Aldrich, publisher of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine	1:30 pm
Demonstration Planting Party	Wasco Nursery staff Fee $25.00 and up	2:00 pm 2:30 pm

There is no charge if you just want to attend the interview and demonstration part of the presentation. Cost of the planting party will vary depending on the container and plants you choose. You may also bring your own container.

Please join us on Saturday, April 25 to celebrate the arrival of spring. Please call 630-584-4424, email sales@wasconursery.com, or stop in at the garden center to reserve space for these programs. You may also sign up the day of the event if there is space available.

Spring Brings...Backyard Bugs

2009-03-27T06:20:00.001-07:00

We will present a seminar at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 4 about good bugs, bad bugs, and diseases that affect your plants. Learn which bugs are beneficial for your yard, which bugs can do real damage to your plants and which bugs really don't do any long-term harm. You will also learn how to identify symptoms of common plant diseases and how and when to treat them. This program is designed for the average homeowner with information everyone can use; not too technical that you will think you are back in biology class.
We want to encourage people to treat insect and disease problems in their yard with the correct product at the proper time rather than spraying the whole yard a couple of times a year. That way we can cut down and possibly eliminate the amount of chemical products added to our environment. Not everything needs a control. If one is needed, often there are natural or organic options that are much safer for you, your family, your pets, and ultimately our planet.
Call 630-584-4424, email sales@wasconursery.com, or stop in at the garden center to reserve your space for this interesting and informative program which will be presented by Matt Zerby, who is an ICN Pro and co-owner of Wasco Nursery. Proceeds from the $5.00 attendance fee will be donated to H.E.L.P. (Homes for Lost and Endangered Pets).

Think Spring with Two March Landscaping Seminars

2009-03-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 am we will host a Landscape Design Seminar featuring basic design principles presented by our own landscape design staff. Some of the topics will include sprucing up the landscape, how to plan landscape phases in a budget-friendly way, how to choose the right number of plants, adding color and new & unusual shrubs.

Saturday, March 21 at 10:00 am we will host a Hardscapes Seminar presented by Unilock, featuring basic information about walls, walks and patios.

Call 630-584-4424, email sales@wasconursery.com or stop in at the garden center to reserve your space for either of these programs. Proceeds from the $5.00 attendance fee will be donated to the Fox Valley Wildlife Center.

Starting Seeds Indoors

2009-03-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

Garden experts are saying that 2009 will be the Year of the Vegetable Garden. Many folks are intimidated by the whole veggie garden process so we'll be offering some tips throughout the year on bringing your own "Victory Garden" to your backyard. I will also writing a separate blog on how a busy, working mother-of-two plants, maintains, and harvests a vegetable garden in our suburban backyard. (That link will be up soon so visit again!)

Starting seeds indoors for spring planting isn't as hard as it may seem. You only need a few supplies, a calendar, and a sunny window.

Timing is very important when starting seeds. You don't want your seedlings ready too early or they risk being damaged by late frosts. If your seedlings spend too much time in the house, they may become leggy or even die off in their tiny pots. It's important to pay attention to the germination information on seed packets. Usually they will have general instructions on the back of the packet to help you count backwards from our last frost date. Traditionally, the last frost date around here is May 15th, however, we've had frosts around Memorial Day the past few years so pad your dates a bit just to be safe. For example, the 'Ace' Bush Tomatoes that I am going to start inside say to start inside about 6-8 weeks before last frost. That puts the sowing date around April 6th or so. Each seed type that you start may have varied start dates so pay attention to the recommendations on the label.

As far as supplies go, a few simple items are all you need. Of course, you need seeds. (We carry a great selection of Botanical Interests seeds so stop in soon!) Remember, there are sometimes tons of seeds in a pack and sometimes only a few - it depends on the plant. You will end up culling out a few seedlings so don't be afraid to plant them all. You can sow the seeds in the shallow flats that nurseries use to sell annuals. Just fill them with a light seedling soil (**Use seedling soil not garden or potting soil which are too heavy) and sow the seeds in small rows. A flat can hold several varieties of seedlings so it's the most space effective. Thin out the seedlings as they age, keeping the quantity you need plus few extras just in case. As they age and get larger and get their first set of true leaves (the ones that look like a mini version of the plant) then you'll need to transplant them into larger pots to grow until it's time to go outside. If you only need a few tomatoes or peppers for example, you can direct sow them into small pots to avoid a transplanting step. You can buy special seed starting kits or you can use recycled household items like butter tubs, plastic cups, or pots leftover from last years gardening. Be sure and sterilize any pot you use with a bleach/water solution before planting.

Once you have your containers, just sow the seeds in the soil (follow any depth instructions that are on the seed packets). You can cover your containers with a plastic cover or plastic wrap to act as a mini-greenhouse. Just be sure and leave some air holes and also take it off once you begin to see sprouts. Find a warm, sunny place and wait for some signs of life!

Check your seeds every day. Once they sprout, make sure they are getting plenty of light. If you do not have a consistently sunny window, invest in some gro-lights. Light is the MOST IMPORTANT part of starting seeds and if you don't have enough, you'll be disappointed in your seedlings.

As I mentioned before, you'll thin out many of the seedlings and only keep the best. Transplant the seedlings you keep gently into a larger pot. Peat pots are perfect for this as then you can plant the whole peat pot right in your outdoor garden. Peat pots are inexpensive and very easy alternative to plastic pots - plus they are "green" as they degrade in the soil!

When it's time to move things outdoors, check and double check the weather. You don't want Mother Nature to ruin all your fun! Make sure your garden is prepared, amended (compost will do) and ready to go. The soil should be warm to your touch and the temperature HAS to be above freezing. If in doubt about the temps, just wait a few more days or give us a call and ask our opinion on the weather situation!

Once your little guys are outside, protect them from critters if needed (chicken wire collars work well and can be left on all summer) and watch them grow!

I am looking forward to joining you on this process so make sure you check back and read my other blog. I'll discuss the process of seed starting, garden prep, weed/pest control, harvesting, gardening with children, and even a recipe or two! I will have it up and running in a week or two when it's closer to seed starting time! It will be linked from this page, probably up at the top. Check back - it will be fun!

Remember...seed starting is a trial and error process that isn't right for everyone. You can certainly skip that step and purchase pre-started vegetables and herbs in our greenhouses in the spring. I will do both this year and see how it goes! Please don't hesitate to call or stop by for more detailed information and supplies for starting seeds!

Meagan Provencher
Landscape Designer

Captivating Conifers

2009-02-24T09:50:00.000-08:00

From towering Spruce trees to low, spreading junipers, the spectrum of conifer shapes and sizes varies almost as much as the weather here in Chicagoland. It has been a long, cold, snow covered winter here and some might say dreary. I however enjoy winter. It provides a period of rest for plants and soils and allows for conifers to make their presence known. Conifers (cone bearing plants) are mostly evergreen and provide year round interest in the landscape. They can be found in just about any shape and size and can find a home in any garden. Many people get turned off by the term evergreen (or conifer) because it conjures up memories of a 1950's brick ranch house with overgrown Yews or Junipers blocking the view to windows and doors (for many this is not a memory but a current reality). However, the evergreen category has so much more to offer than Densiformis Yews and Sea Green Junipers.

Come to the garden center to hear Alan Craig of Iseli Nursery on Saturday, February 28th at 10:00am speak about some of the more unique or less known varieties of evergreen that can be incorporated into your landscape. Iseli Nursery is a wholesale grower of rare and dwarf evergreens and Japanese Maples located in Boring, OR.

Decorate your home for the Holidays!

2008-11-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

Holiday greens and trees have arrived!

Dress up your planters with cut balsam, douglas, noble, and silver fir, white pine, cedar, redtwig dogwood, curly willow, winterberry, and our favorite - magnolia tips. Cut bundles of greens start at $3.50 per bunch.

Decorate with garland around your front door, your mantle, or your stair railings! We have pre-cut bundles of garland ranging from 25 feet per roll to 75 feet per roll depending on the type of garland. We can also custom cut all of our garlands to the size you need. We have mixed cedar/fir, balsam fir, and white pine garland.

We also have a nice selection of wreaths ranging from the simple balsam that can be decorated to your taste to a pre-decorated Multicone Pepperberry. We also have Boxwood wreaths this year that are excellent indoors. Decorating Tip: You can use them flat as a candle ring in the center of your dining table.

A hand-picked selection of Christmas Trees are located in our sales yard. We have Canaan, Fraser, and Douglas Fir as well as White Pine. Sizes range from 6' to 10' depending on variety. If you are looking for the perfect artificial trees, you must see our life-like Pre-Lit Colorado Spruces. They are absolutely gorgeous and easy to assemble.

We have planters with greens pre-made for purchase or you can see our ideas and create some of your own! Planters are priced individually. We can also custom create your planters if you'd like. Please see us for pricing.

DON'T FORGET THE GARDENER IN YOUR LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS - OUR GIFT CARDS MAKE AN EXCELLENT GIFT! We also have a selection of garden tools, pruners, gloves, and more that make wonderful stocking stuffers!

We are open year round with the exception of the week between Christmas and New Years Day. Please call for hours.

Winter Bird Feeding & Identification Seminar

2008-11-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

Did you know that over 100 bird species in North America supplement their natural diets with birdseed, suet, and fruit obtained from feeders?

Join us for a popular seminar and learn how to provide food, water, and shelter for birds in your yard throughout the winter.

Jerry Hope, a longtime member of the Kane County Audubon Society, returns to the Nursery for a slide show presentation and a Q & A session. Jerry has a wealth of knowledge and an evident passion for birds. All those who attended his earlier seminar greatly enjoyed it and we are very happy to be able to welcome him back.

Our staff will suggest varieties of trees and shrubs to plant in your yard to provide food, such as berries and crabapples, as well as shelter for birds which help to attract more birds to your yard.

Saturday, November 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Call 630-584-4424, email sales@wasconursery.com, or stop in at the Garden Center to reserve your space. A $5.00 donation is requested to be contributed to the Kane County Audubon Society. Refreshments will be served.

The Great Pumpkin...

2008-10-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

Tom McIllvaine, assistant manager here at the Nursery, has grown a giant. His pumpkin (so famous now it needs its own secretary!) weighs in at 709 pounds. It's Tom's biggest pumpkin so far and he has goals of growing a 2000 pounder someday. He's been growing big pumpkins for 12 years now. He beat his own previous record of 591 lbs. (2004) this year even though he had some setbacks due to the weather (cold & rain). He grows his pumpkins here at the Nursery in a secluded part of the fields and tends to them daily to check on moisture, growth, and health. It can gain 40-50 pounds PER DAY in the peak of its growing season!

He placed 10th at the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Didier Farms in Lincolnshire this fall.

You can visit the pumpkin here at the Nursery until Halloween as then it will be carved by Tom. He will also look at the seeds and insides to gain insight for next year's crop.

What do I do with my roses in winter???

2008-10-15T12:55:00.001-07:00

First, come to our seminar as described below in post...

After that, do the following:

1. Save a bucket of mulch in your garage (about 1/2 bucket per rose).
2. When the ground is completely frozen (usually after Thanksgiving), mound up a pile of mulch at the base of each rose. Clean up around the plant first - remove trapped leaves, dead branches, etc. - as disease can overwinter in old leaves.
3. Leave the mulch on the plants until the weather is consistently warm in the spring.
4. Remove the mulch and cut any dead growth on the rose bushes off. In some years, roses will die completely back to the ground, in other years, they may only have a few inches of dead growth.

DO NOT COVER KNOCKOUT TYPE ROSES WITH ROSE CONES!!! Not only are they ugly (the cones that is) but they can heat up in the spring and cause the rose to be fooled into thinking it's warm out. Knockout Roses are tough and meant to grow in this climate. There is no need to protect them from the elements other than with a light layer of mulch as described above.

Come spring, we'll post what to do with the roses as spring arrives!

Fall is for Maintenance

2008-10-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

Our October seminar will address many fall maintenance issues. You will learn when and how to fertilize your lawn and plants; when and how to prune your trees and shrubs; when and how to cut back perennials; when, what, and how to plant in fall. Matt Zerby, one of the Wasco Nursery partners, a landscape designer, and an ICN Pro will help you learn what needs to be done in your yard this fall.

Call 630-584-4424, email sales@wasconursery.com, or stop in to reserve your space. We ask for a $5 donation to be contributed to the Tri-City Health Partnership Free Medical Clinic.

Saturday, October 18th, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Refreshments will be served

Fall Needle Shed

2008-10-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

At this time of year we receive numerous phone calls from worried homeowners claiming that their "evergreen tree is dying". More often than not these callers are experiencing something that we call "fall needle shed". FNS is characterized by needles (typically those closest to the center of the tree) turning yellow, gold or brown and eventually falling off. FNS is not a disease or insect problem but actually just the process of shedding out old or unnecessary needles. Since most evergreen plants don't shed their foliage in the fall as deciduous plants do, they must periodically shed some needles to make room for next year's spring growth. FNS is more evident in certain types of tree, specifically Arborvitae and White Pine. Some years FNS may seem more dramatic than others, but it is generally nothing to worry. Although needle shed is a natural (and regular) occurrence, keeping evergreens as healthy as possible with good watering practices, fertilization and insect control can lessen the amount of needles lost. Lastly, remember to water those evergreens well late this fall. This will help prevent damage to the root systems during the winter.

Matt Zerby

co-owner - Wasco Nursery

It's not over yet...

2008-10-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

Many folks think it's too late to plant or work in the garden. Au contraire...now is the perfect time to plant new things. It's also a great time to think about fall and winter decor and even next spring!

First, the plants...we are tagging trees in the field that can still be planted this fall. We often plant well into November and sometimes December if the ground isn't frozen. What does this mean for you? You get the pick of the fall litter by tagging trees in the field. We'll let you know when they are ready to harvest and we can arrange for pick up, delivery, or installation by our professional crews. We also have all of our pre-dug stock on sale right now so you can find some great plant bargains too. Don't be afraid to plant this fall - just because a plant doesn't have leaves, doesn't mean it isn't still growing or it's not healthy. Plants planted in the fall can take advantage of the warm soil temps and more reliable rainfall to establish their root systems. Look past the lack of leaves and treat yourself to that plant you've always wanted!

As far as fall decor - we have the neatest fall gourds. Shaped like pumpkins, witches, scarecrows and ghosts, they are unique and we are the only ones around here who have them. Some of them even light up!

This is also a great time to work with our Landscape Designers. If you aren't ready to plant until next spring, work with one of our talented designers NOW to get a jump start on spring. Once spring comes, you can be at the top of the list and ready to go. We can certainly still install landscapes this fall but if you are planning for spring we can take care of the "paperwork" now.

Meagan Provencher
Landscape Designer - Wasco Nursery