Everyday Outdoor Living

It Snowed Again

Lisa and Shawn talk the weather (naturally), what you can start, what should hold off on, what the Bruce Company has in stock (pansies), hiring opportunites, patio furniture, and stuff you can put in the garden that isn't flowers.

Happy First Day of Spring

Lisa and Shawn talk about patio furniture, what you can start, what you probably shouldn't start just yet, and Lisa answers your question about maple tapping and lawn spray.

We Have No Potatoes

With St. Patrick's Day coming up, Shawn asks if you can start the holiday staples: cabbage and potatoes. Lisa has the answer along with more seeds you can start, outdoor furniture at the Bruce Company, and open positions available.

On You Marks! Get Set! GROW!

Spring is Coming...Eventually

Lisa talks about what seeds to at least think about starting right now, how to handle a rootbound plant, what's going on at the Bruce Company this week, hiring opportunities, and what you can do right now for your houseplants.

Spring Prep

Spring is envitable, even here in Wisconsin. Lisa and Shawn talk about patio furiture pre-orders, spongy moth egg sacs, the Great Backyard Bird Count, the UW Arboritum here in Madison, and hiring oppourtunites at the Bruce Company.

Seedy Situation

The Landscape and Garden Expo was this past weekend and Lisa has an update for us - including how many seed packs that were sold. Also, when you should order your outdoor furniture and how to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Six-More Weeks of Winter

It's post-Groundhog's Day and Lisa is optimistic about 6 more weeks of winter. She and Shawn talk about pruning, the Garden Expo, outdoor furniture, National Birdfeeding Month, the Great Backyard Bird Count, and Valentine's Day. Plus, Lisa answers your questions on amaryllis.

Cold Snap

Lisa and Shawn talk about every gardener's favorite subject - the weather. Lisa tells you what you might see with your evergreens thanks to the cold and the importance of the an isulating blanket of snow. Plus, what you can start indoors right now, what's available at the Bruce Co.'s garden center, and the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Clawing Back Into Spring

There's still snow on the ground and will be for awhile, but spring stuff is making an appearance at the Bruce Company - like really good outdoor furniture. Also, we talk Squirrel Apprication Day, hiring opportunites, the upcoming Garden and Landscape Expo and workshops.

Waiting On Snow

Lisa is already prepping for Christmas 2023, but for the rest of us life is more about the upcoming Garden Expo (including The Bruce Co.'s seminar on pollenators), the weather, upcoming sales at the store, jobs available at the store, and upcoming events.

Looking Toward ALL of 2023

Lisa joins us to talk what's up at the Bruce Company: Christmas stuff up to 90% off, an upcoming pollinator talk, workshops for kids with Sprouts Club, workshops for adults, hiring snow removal, the upcoming Garden Expo and Lisa answers your question on hibiscus.

Make the Holiday's Perfect with The Bruce Company

What's Trending: Xmas 2023 Edition

Lisa is back from her Christmas shopping trip to the Netherlands for 2023. She and Shawn talk about what's trending, 2022 Christmas stuff on sale, and how the reindeer visit went.

Talking Pollinators

Standing in for Lisa today is Dr. Reid Maier, the Bruce Company's resident entomologist, who's here to talk about pollinators.

O Tannenbaum

Lisa and Shawn talk about all the Christmas stuff going on the at the Bruce Company - including Christmas trees, ornaments, the Treewalk, and an upcoming visit from some reindeer.

Holiday Stuff

All the holiday stuff is going at the Bruce Company, including a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Plus, Lisa answers your questions on hostas and coral bells.

Christmas Trees

Lisa and Shawn talk about all things going on at the Bruce Company in the near future: family photo day, the tree walk, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the store's Christmas trees, some weekly flash sales, and, naturally, the newsletter. Also, they're still hiring for snow removal.

Leaf Collection

Lisa and Shawn talk what to prune, what to plant, and what to clean up in the garden right now. Plus, there's all kinds of events going on a the Bruce Company and Lisa answers your questions on hydrangeas and roses.

Leaf Peeping

Happy Halloween! That means we get to talk about...Christmas? Lisa and Shawn talk about all the stuff going on at the Bruce Company this week (and there's TONS going on), job opportunities, and answers your questions about cleaning up dropped seeds in the garden and planting grass where a tree used to be.

Check out Our Calendar

It's the Great Pumpkin

Today, Lisa talks about Charlie's Pumpkin (now at the Bruce Company), mums, blubs, the upcoming Artesian Fair, and hiring opportunities. Also, she answers your questions on watering ornamental grasses, storing blubs, and planting peach pits.

A Butterfly Garden for Years to Come

Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Squirrels

With the weather shifting into fall, Lisa and Shawn talk about what to do in the garden right now, what's going on at the Bruce Company (it's Fall Fest time!), and it's, of course, Squirrel Appreciation Month.

Fall Color

Lisa and Shawn talk fall color, Fall Fest, and new positions open at the Bruce Company. Lisa also answers your questions about relocating rhubarb, overwintering ponds, getting poinsettias to bloom, covering your outdoor plants and what to do before bringing your plants inside.

Inconsistent Forecasting

Looking at temperatures in the 40s this week for the fall equinox and talking Fall Fest, Christmas ornaments, hiring, bulbs, and weather apps. Plus, Lisa answers your questions on pruning perennials. powdery mildew on peonies, and cutting back hydrangeas.

Heavy Rain and Other Soothing Sounds

It's not just raining - it's pouring. Lisa and Shawn talk about the best plants for those wet spots in your yard, what's new at the Bruce Company (more Christmas ornaments), and answer questions on blueberry bush pruning and not-red-but-ripe tomatoes.

Summer - Fall - Christmas

Lisa and Shawn talk about the end of summer sales, fall planting, fall décor, and Christmas stuff. Also, Lisa answers a listener question about ground bees.

Zucchini For Charity

The Bruce Company is collecting produce for donations - no questions, no judgment. Lisa and Shawn also talk what's growing now, Japanese beetles, fungi, and answer a listener question about blooming flowers that aren't blooming.

Village of Plant Experts

The Bruce Company is hiring for their outdoor team. Also, Lisa and Shawn talk weather, trivia, the plant desk, and answer a question about lawn weeds.

Treetime

Lisa and Shawn talk about what's going on at the Bruce Company (they're hiring) and Lisa answers your questions about apple trees, maple roots, and monstera plants.

Plays Well With...

Lisa and Shawn talk about what's up at the Bruce Company, including their tree and shrub sale. Plus, Lisa explains what plays well with black walnut (spoiler: not tomatoes).

Butterflies and Beetles

Lisa and Shawn talk about what's up at the Bruce Company, butterflies, beetles, caterpillars, and pollinator plants. Lisa also takes your questions on asparagus and tomatoes.

We Need a Bigger Calendar

Shawn and Lisa talk about all of the events coming up at the Bruce Company. Also, we answer your questions on thistles, sunpatients, elderberry, beetles, holly, and lilacs.

Trust the Signs

Lisa and Shawn talk about what makes plant tags at the Bruce Company unique. Also: how to manage mosquitoes and Japanese beetles, the Bruce Company's rhododendron and azalea sale, and listener questions on roses, crabapple, and hydrangeas.

Squirrel-Proof

It's hot, it's humid, and we talk about galls, aphids, the Bruce Co.'s pollinator weekends, the success of Let's Eat, fruit trees and flash sales, and an in depth discussion of squirrel-proof birdfeeders.

Not So Fun-gus

Lisa and Shawn talk weather and fungus. Also we talk morels, Japanese beetle treatments, Bruce Co. Pollinator Giveaways, Bruce Co. Trivia, Weber grills, hostas, and the busy, busy weekend they've got coming up at the store.

Please Leave a Message

Lisa and Shawn talk about watering your plants (or about getting your plants enough water, seeing as how it's raining), new plants and new plans at the Bruce Company, grow bags, Weber grills, and what to do when calling the plant desk.

Chilly

The growing season is still a little behind and there's another chilly day in forecast. Lisa and Shawn talk weather, hibiscus, floating row covers, Japanese beetles, and the Bruce Company's pollinator giveaway.

Magic Color Changing Plants

Lisa joins Shawn to talk about all the cool stuff the Bruce Company is up to - including some free giveaways! (Check out the Bruce Company's Facebook page for more info.) She also answers your questions about perennial plants for shady spots, what might make a pink crabapple turn white, and what might make a white orchid turn purple.

What the HECK?!?!?!

Wisconsin seems to have skipped spring and gone straight into summer. Lisa and Shawn talk about the weird weather, a foul flower, too tall tomatoes, and leafless lilacs.

FINALLY Spring

Spring is finally here, so...now what? Lisa and Shawn answer that question; talk about grass seed, crab grass, and open positions at the Bruce Company; and answer your questions about moles/voles, spraying apple trees, and new garden beds.

Peony Talk

Lisa and Shawn talk peonies, answer peonies questions, and talk about the upcoming weather. There's also stuff about ornamental grasses, bunny repellant, dandelions, lawn alternatives, and Lisa answers that pressing question: what the heck are these little purple flowers popping up in everyone's yards?

A Dash of Winter

Gardeners...Start Your Tomatoes

Lisa and Shawn answer the questions you want to know - what you can start, what you can do, what's happening with your plants and trees, what the Bruce Company is hiring for, what they just got into the store, and, everyone's favorite topic, what's going on with the weather. Plus, Lisa answers questions about roses, puffball mushrooms, grass, and dandelions.

Flawning Over Spring

It's spring! Yes? No? Maybe? Why is there snow on the ground? Lisa joins Shawn in the studio to give us an update on what you can plant, what you can start, and when you can move your plants on to that three season porch. Plus, there's an update about the newest and coolest things at the Bruce Company...and something about a produce called "Flawn."

Now Hiring

Lisa and Shawn talk weather, bulbs, seeds, and take your question about treating plants for blight and fungus. Plus, the Bruce Company is hiring! Listen to find out more!

When the Grass Isn't Always Greener

Lisa and Shawn talk grass - keeping it, killing it, and growing more. Plus, Lisa gives us an update on what's new at the store.

Is It Spring Yet? Is it Spring Yet?

Is its spring yet? Yes? No? Maybe? Lisa and Shawn talk about when to plant what outside, what should be getting a little fresh air at this time of year, what's going on at the Bruce Company this week (hint: it involves fudge), and the new "collector" plants that have arrived at the store.

Falcon Chicken

Lisa and Shawn talk about the weather (natch), answer a complicated question about fruit trees, and touch on the benefits of having a hungry chicken.