Blog

At Earl May Garden Center, we don't just sell trees - we grow the trees that will thrive in your landscape! Our trees have deep roots in the Midwest, beginning their journey at our farm in Shenandoah, Iowa. Here, our tree experts carefully pot, train, space, and hand prune each tree as it matures, ensuring it receives the care it needs to flourish in our customers' yards. We take pride in our process, so you can take pride in your purchase.

As temperatures begin to drop and the crispness of fall sets in, it's the perfect time to think ahead to spring - by planting fall bulbs! These little powerhouses will be your garden's first burst of color, emerging from the ground when most other plants are still in their winter slumber. The best part is they'll keep coming back the following years!

As summer winds down, your lawn has likely endured some stress from heat or even patches of disease, causing unsightly brown spots. Fall is the perfect time to give your lawn the boost it needs to fill back in and prepare for the winter ahead. Fertilizing in the fall offers numerous benefits, ensuring your lawn not only survives the winter but thrives next spring.

Maintaining the garden year-round is dear to a gardener's heart, and year-end upkeep is an essential part of the cycle. When the shadows lengthen, and the air grows cooler, it's time to prepare your garden for winter.

In the Midwest, the months of September, October and November offer the perfect conditions for planting a wide variety of plants. As the temperatures cool above ground (reducing stress through the leaves) the soil remains warm, allowing the roots of plants to keep growing until the ground freezes. This is important because plants will then head into spring with a much more established root system and will have a higher survival rate as you try to get them through the first critical summer.

As fall approaches, Earl May Garden Centers are bursting with vibrant, seasonal colors, especially mums! Adding these cheerful blooms to your front door, patio, or landscape is the perfect way to welcome the autumn season. But with mums widely available, why should you choose Earl May mums?

August through September is the BEST time to over-seed a lawn. Warm soil and cool temperatures at night make the perfect growing conditions. Here are 5 expert tips on doing it right!

Low-maintenance bushes and shrubs are the unsung heroes of the gardening world, offering vibrant beauty with minimal effort. They are best utilized in beds, borders, entrances, and foundation plantings, providing structure and year-round interest. Their drought tolerance, pest resistance, and adaptability to various soil types mean they can flourish in many environments, from sunny to partially shaded areas.​

Knowing when to start planting seeds is important for a successful garden. Whether you’re cultivating vibrant flowers, juicy fruits, or a bountiful vegetable harvest, understanding the optimal planting times is essential for creating a thriving garden. Should you plant in the fall or wait until spring? How do you ensure that perennials and cool-season vegetables establish strong roots while avoiding frost damage to your warm-season crops and delicate annual flowers? The variables are numerous: soil temperature, frost dates, plant hardiness zones, and specific plant requirements.

We see them. We love them. Hydrangeas. Gorgeous blooms in varying hues of white, pink, and blue. Not to mention the big leaves in a deep shade of green. But what's the difference? How do you know which one to choose? There are several different types of Hydrangeas: