Second Window is Open — Big Time

A growing season in Wisconsin consists of two parts: the first window, largely built around the months of April and May and limited only by the type of spring that Nature is bestowing. It is here that most people jump to get the garden in, plant trees or shrubs, and set about the tasks of putting their yard in good shape.

But there is a second part of the growing season in Wisconsin: the one that starts at the beginning of August, as day-length shortens, soil temperatures decline and the weed pressure recedes. This second window is actually a GREAT TIME to get the yard and gardens in better condition for fall, winter and the following spring.

Sure, annual plants only have a couple months left before they get frozen out. So, don’t look at them. But, if you are a long-term gardener, there is an almost infinite set of opportunities to do special things starting RIGHT NOW — with all the non-annuals: native plantings, shrubs, trees, and every perennial flower you have ever dreamed of.

The gardening advantages are substantial: lower weed pressure, lower soil temperatures, less heat, plenty of growing season left, and, my favorite: unlike in Spring where there is a lot of guess-work about what’s coming up, in August there is great visibility of existing plants and garden plots. Visibility is key because it lets gardeners know how tall things are, what their spacing needs look like, their colors, growth habits, amount of spread — the works.

Starting at the beginning of August, gardening opportunities are even better than spring with a full, hard look at what has already unfolded, where Nature takes the space, and what could be added to optimize what exists.

Don’t pass on the second window. This has been a perfect summer season in Wisconsin and the chances to get ahead of the game — the fall die-back, winter’s long rest, followed by the spring rush — that opportunity awaits. Plant prices are at clearance levels, tree and shrub sizes are easy to imagine, the homestead is showing its true colors.

Time to get growing and see what dreams are yet to be realized,