Spring Gardening Tips

Let’s Make This Your Best Season Yet!

Spring is almost here, and if you’re anything like us, you’re itching to get your hands in the dirt! 🌱 But before we dive into planting, let’s take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and dream a little about the garden we truly want this year.

Last year had its ups and downs, right? Maybe your tomatoes thrived but your cucumbers struggled. Maybe your flower beds were a showstopper, but the rabbits had a feast on your lettuce. Or maybe—just maybe—you felt a little overwhelmed and want this year to be simpler, more joyful, and more successful.

Whatever your experience, you are not alone—and that’s why we’re here.

🌿 Thomas Greenhouse & Garden Center, located in Mukwonago, WI—near Waukesha and Lake Geneva—is your go-to gardening resource. Whether you’re a first-time gardener or a seasoned pro, we LOVE helping you grow a thriving, beautiful, and productive garden!

Step 1: Celebrate Your Wins & Learn from Last Year

Before making big plans, let’s pause and think about:

🌼 What Made You Smile?

• • Did your peonies bloom bigger than ever?
  • Were your zinnias an explosion of color?
  • Did you have the best tomatoes of your life?

😩 What Was Frustrating?

• • Did pests or diseases ruin a few plants?
  • Were some flowers in the wrong spot (too much sun? Not enough?)
  • Did you run out of time or energy to care for everything?

🌟 Here’s the good news: Every season is a chance to adjust, improve, and try again. Gardens teach us patience, resilience, and the joy of discovery.

Step 2: Plan for a Healthier, Happier Garden

🌱 Right Plant, Right Place

One of the biggest garden game-changers? Putting plants where they’ll thrive.

• • Sun-lovers (6+ hours of sun): Tomatoes, peppers, lavender, sunflowers
  • Partial shade (3-6 hours): Leafy greens, impatiens, begonias
  • Shade (less than 3 hours): Hostas, ferns, astilbe

🌿 Not sure what to plant? Stop by our Mukwonago location for personalized recommendations based on your yard’s sun exposure and soil conditions.

🌿 Healthy Soil = Happy Plants

• • Was your soil too hard, sandy, or compacted?
  • Did your plants yellow or struggle despite regular watering?
  • Were you constantly battling mold, fungus, or poor drainage?

Step 3: Pest & Disease Prevention – Because No One Wants a Garden Disaster

If last year’s garden was a battleground against aphids, mildew, or wilting plants, let’s be proactive this time:
✅ Crop rotation – Avoid planting the same veggies in the same spot each year.
✅ Companion planting – Marigolds deter pests, and basil helps tomatoes thrive.
✅ Proper spacing – Give plants room to breathe to prevent disease.
✅ Organic & natural pest solutions – We’ve got great options for common garden troubles!

🚨 Pro Tip: Don’t let last year’s struggles keep you from planting something new! We’ll help you find solutions that work for YOUR garden.

Step 4: What’s on Your Wish List? Let’s Dream Big!

🌸 Want more color in your flower beds?
🍅 Want to grow your own food for fresh summer salads?
🦋 Want to attract butterflies and hummingbirds?

If you struggled with fussy plants last year, consider going native! Native Wisconsin plants are tough, beautiful, and thrive with less maintenance:
✅ Black-Eyed Susans – Pollinator-friendly & long-blooming
✅ Purple Coneflower – Great for bees & butterflies
✅ Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm) – Adds height & attracts hummingbirds
✅ Prairie Dropseed Grass – Low-maintenance & gorgeous

🌟 Feeling confident? Take on a challenge! Try your hand at:
🌿 Delphiniums – Stunning but need staking and rich soil
🌿 Peonies – Breathtaking but require patience before blooming
🌿 Ornamental Grasses – Gorgeous texture but need division every few years

✨ No matter your skill level, we’ve got plants, tools, and advice to help you succeed.

Step 5: Let’s Make This the Best Gardening Season Yet!

Gardening is about more than just plants—it’s about connection, joy, and learning. Whether you’re planting your first tomato plant or designing a full backyard oasis, we are here to help.

🌿 Come visit us at Thomas Greenhouse & Garden Center in Mukwonago, WI—near Waukesha and Lake Geneva!
We’ll help you:
✅ Pick the best seeds, soil, and plants for your space
✅ Solve tricky garden problems (we love a challenge!)
✅ Find the perfect flowers & veggies for YOUR yardYour best garden yet starts here! 🎉

Next in the Series: Spring Garden Clean-Up!

Next we tackle how to refresh your garden beds, prune properly, and prep your soil for success!