You haven’t seen your family together since school ended, your husband is immersed  in work at the office or at home, and you would like to enjoy your property while the kids are still around to share it with you. 

What to do?  OLSGC has some terrific ideas for you.  Oconomowoc Landscape Supply carries a wide variety of pavers and stone to create the patio firepit of your dreams.  What a fun way to enjoy an evening together!  From crisp spring days, cool summer evenings and wonderful fall get-togethers, your three-season patio and firepit will be a practical and value-added addition to your home.  Come in, see our lines and talk to our friendly expert staff.  We can help you create the atmosphere that fits your needs perfectly!

As the "dog daze of summer" descend upon us, try to keep your cool. Remember, this too, shall pass. Grab a glass of something cool, set yourself down, and let Oconomowoc Garden Center take you to a happier place for a few moments. YES, it's hot! And while you're feeling the heat, remember to beat the heat, here are a few quick tips: 

1. Water your plants in the morning, if at all possible. When in a rush, take a few ice cubes and place them around the root base. The water is easily toted, and the moisture will slowly sink in during the course of the day.
2. Keep water off the foliage. During the hot months, various fungal spores have a field day (pun intended) on your lovely plantings, and the conditions are right for attack from diseases and pests. Remember, plants draw moisture from their roots.
3. Ignore damage done by the dreaded Japanese Beetles. The havoc they wreak is ugly, but not fatal. Cut off the affected parts and don't look, for about three weeks. Watch the refreshing changes, as the seasons change, as well!
4. Snip your herbs regularly. If you are harvesting more than you can use quickly, try drying your bounty, or in the cases of mint, basil, lemon verbena, etc., place in ice cube trays and freeze as you normally would. Once frozen, the cubes can be stored in freezer bags. The seasonings are easily added to beverages, soups, and desserts.
5. When grilling, wrap your fare in freshly cut herbs. The scent is marvelous, and the flavor divine. Instead of the usual skewers, try using strong stems of rosemary. The difference is astounding, and the presentation is everything!

Most of us tend to think of shrubs as convenient and compact bushes or ornamental trees for the garden. And that they are, but shrubs for the most part, will grow fairly extensively .For the home gardener primarily, pruning once carefully is enough.  Even so, shrubbery can get out of hand. Going with the dwarf varieties is a perfect solution. Our experts in Landscape Design can help you create the atmosphere and efficiency that you desire.

Strictly defined, dwarf shrubs often top out at about two to three feet. This makes them ideal for situations where height (or lack of it) is critical--under windows, for example, or under ornamental trees, around the edges of tennis courts, within flower beds, and the like. Not only do they entail less careful pruning, but they tend to be denser in both foliage and blooms. Plant with plenty of room between plants unless you're sure you want a thicket hedge. 

Great choices available at OLSGC are:  ‘Slowmound’ Mugho Pine, Dwarf Norway Spruce, Bird’s Nest Spruce and ’Hetz Midget’ Arbor Vitae (pictured below).

Many dwarf shrubs have flowers, small fruits for wildlife, and beautiful autumn coloration. Some deciduous varieties also have ornamental bark or branching habits that are attractive in the winter too.  Other varieties available at Oconomowoc Garden Center are:  ‘Miss Kim’ Manchurian Lilac, ‘Tinkerbelle’ Lilac,  Mugho Pine, and Globosa  Blue Spruce.

Dwarf shrubs can cut your utility bills year-round. The sillplate on the foundation is the area of greatest air leakage into most homes. Planting dwarf shrubs near the house, especially evergreen varieties, can block the force of the cold winter winds and reduce this leakage. 

As a windbreak ramp, dwarf shrubs can be planted to the northwest side of taller shrubs and trees. These begin directing the cold winds upward toward the taller trees. The upward wind path continues over the top of your home.

In the summer, dwarf shrubs cool the air near your house with shade and by a process called transpiration. As plants give off moisture to the air, the air cools. This is a similar process to the way perspiring cools you. The air temperature can be as much as 10 degrees cooler by the shrubs.  Plant an area of dwarf shrubs near your house on the south and west sides to create a cooling buffer. This buffer blocks the indirect heat radiating from hot patios, sidewalks and driveways.

Give the dwarf varieties a try late summer or early fall.  You’ll be happy you found them at Oconomowoc Garden Center, with expert staff to find just the right plant material for you!

The importance of a good landscape or perennial garden design should not be underestimated.  Outdoor designs should accentuate your surroundings, add value to your property, and be fairly easy to keep the space looking good for years to come.

• Too many places are merely planted, and lack charm or interest.
• Many simply plant without care for traffic patterns, future elements, activities.
• Texture, color, and placement are so important for a beautiful yard or garden.
• Growth patterns and schedules keep gardens interesting all year.
• Why not enjoy your outdoor spaces as well as your indoor rooms?

Ask about our August Landscape and Perennial Design Specials at Oconomowoc Garden Center!