Got Japanese Beetles?

Now is the time to put down Bonide Grub Beater.  One bag will cover 1/4 acre. 

Also, treat your lindens, ash, and any other trees or shrubs that they like with Bonide's Annual Tree and Shrub Protector.

Both these products will protect your plants from those annoying Japanese Beetles.

Try some today!

Save Your Trees!!

Talk to Prairie View's Growers

Kelli Goff

Grower

Ever walk into a garden center and wonder if the people answering your questions really know what they are talking about.   At Prairie View , the people who grow your plants are the people answering your questions.  Just ask for us.

Since your questions don't always come to mind when you are here, here are some helpful links.  Or if prefer, you can

Annual Questions:

Visit Proven Winners at

Perennial Questions:

Visit Hoffie Nursery at

Shrub and Tree Questions:

Visit Bailey Nursery at

Visit Willoway Nursery at

48W130 State Route 72

Hampshire, IL  60140

847-683-4970

Tip of the Month

"He who holds the watering wand has the power."

Many years ago, my husband told me that is what his boss told him.  You know what? His boss was a very smart man.  Overwatering is just has harmful as underwatering.  Plants will wilt and turn yellow under both conditions so it is hard to tell just by sight if a plant needs water.  It is always best to stick your finger in the soil or actually lift the basket to determine if it needs water or not. 

Remember you have the power!

Frequently Asked Questions 

When should I prune my flowering shrubs?

All flowering shrubs should be pruned within 1 month after they  are finished blooming.  If you wait too long, you will affect your bloom count for the next year.

What type of fertilizer should I use in my containers?

I recommend Jack's Classic All Purpose Fertilizer. It is a water soluble fertilizer similar to our professional blend.  Use it once a week for  beautiful results.

What if I am the type of person who forgets to fertilize?

Pick one day to fertilizer your plants...like FERTILIZER FRIDAY.  It is easy to remember.  But in case of those occasional slip ups, I recommend using Osmocote.  It is a time release fertilizer and will fertilize your plants for approximately 4 months. You can still use Jack's Classic All-purpose Fertilizer with Osmocote.  

How do I make my  hanging basket look as full as it did when I  left your greenhouse?

Plants  benefit from  an occasional haircut.  Just like your own hair, taking the scissors to your plant will get rid of the scraggly ends.  Don't be afraid! On cascading plants, like petunias, you can take your scissors and cut your plant back up to about 2 inches below the bottom of the pot.  On more upright plants, like verbena, cut about 2" off the top of the plant.   It will begin to fill in from the top again giving you that nice full look the plants had when they left our greenhouses.

Do I really need to deadhead my annuals and perennials?

You don't have to deadhead them if you don't care how fast they rebloom.  But they sure look a lot better if you do.  And they will rebloom alot faster too.

Why aren't my hydrangeas blooming?

Stop Pruning Them!  Most hydrangeas bloom on old wood.  Even the new varieties, like Endless Summer, bloom more profusely on the old wood than the new wood.  If you need to prune them, try doing it in the spring.  Then only trim off the dead branches or shape the plant.  Once the plant begins blooming, deadhead and trim to maintain their shape.

When should I cut my perennial back?

I recommend you cut your perennials at the end of March - beginning of April.  I use a weed whacker to trim them back to about 1 to 2 inches above the ground.  By waiting till the spring, the old foliage will protect the roots throughout the winter and the birds will enjoy the seeds.

If you can't stand having a bunch of dead plants in your garden, it won't hurt to trim them back after they die back in the fall.

Should I really cut the blooms off my annuals before I plant them?

Cutting the blooms off your annuals helps the plant grow bigger and stronger faster.  The plant will in turn will reward you with more blooms.  If you have a big party coming up,  realize it may take up to 3 weeks for your plant to rebloom.  So I don't recommend you cut off the blooms until after the party.

Visitor Counter

How many bags of mulch do I need?

      2 cu ft.3 cu ft.

Depth   bag covers   bag covers

1" Deep      24 sq. ft.      36 sq. ft.

2" Deep      12 sq. ft.      18 sq. ft.

3" Deep        8 sq. ft..     12 sq. ft.

4" Deep        6 sq. ft.        9 sq. ft.

My math teacher always said I would need to know how to calculate square feet.  Glad I listened! 

My Favorite Plants of 2010

Annuals

Bidy Gonzales Bidens

Cape Town Daisy

Cervesa n' Lime Plectranthus

Henna Coleus

Sun Patiens - impatiens for the sun

Perennials

Penstemon Dark Towers

Banana Creme Leucanthemum

Brunnera Jack Frost

Heuchera Miracle

Shrubs

White Diamonds Hydrangea

Twist n' Shout Hydrangea

Ash Leaf Spirea

My Monet Weigela

Tiger Eyes Sumac

Little Henry Sweetspire

Trees

Royal Frost Birch

Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac

Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple

Showy Mountain Ash

Sunburst Honeylocust

What are your favorites?

Top 10 Herbs

Basil

Cilantro

Dill

Mint

Oregano

Parsley

Rosemary

Sage

Tarragon

Thyme

Farmer  Dan's Recommended Tomato Varieties

Although we carry Big Boy, Better Boy and all their friends, there are better varieties out there. The newer hybrids are less prone to cracking and disease. 

These are the varieties we grow and sell in our own farm market.

Celebrity

Mountain Fresh

Sunbeam

Look for these in our vegetable house  located between our market and greenhouse.

Bon Appetit

Prairie View Fun Fact

At Prairie View, we love sharing fun facts.

Did you know that too much water will cause your tomatoes to turn black on the bottom?

This condition is called blossom end rot.  It happens when tomato plants get too much water while setting fruit.

But don't worry.....back off the water and your next batch of tomatoes will be fine.

I Want Blue Hydrangeas!

Hydrangeas need acidic soil to bloom blue.

In our area, the soil is alkaline, therefore our hydrangeas will bloom pink.

To get beautiful blue hydrangeas, you will need to change the PH of your soil. To do this, I recommend adding aluminum sulfate to your soil.  You can get this product at our garden center.

Cheryl Linnemann

Owner & Grower