Ka-Bloom Coming Soon

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Eight o seven thirteen ten WIBA and Everyday Outdoor Living
brought to you by the Bruce Company Online Bruce coompany
dot com. That's all one word, Bruce Company dot com,
Facebook and social media that also includes a place like Instagram, Pinterest,
all the cool places you'll find the Bruce Company there,
Max Website, Bruce Company dot Com. I haven't mentioned the
best thing to do, which is always just get on

(00:20):
in the Milton Gardens under the Bruce Company right at
twenty eight thirty par Registreet. That's twenty at thirty Parmed Street.
Joining me in study this morning is Lisa Briggs from
the Bruce Company. Lisa, how you doing this week?

Speaker 2 (00:29):
I'm good? How are you y? It's a happy place
over there.

Speaker 1 (00:32):
I have a hard time believing it's there's a down
day there. It's always happy.

Speaker 2 (00:36):
It's like, uh, this time of year particularly.

Speaker 1 (00:38):
It's like Santas Village. There's always stuff. Oh you're not alone.
This week I brought friends.

Speaker 2 (00:47):
I am not.

Speaker 3 (00:47):
I brought Marybeth Thompson. She is our furniture department manager
or home goods as we now call it, Yes, so
she's responsible for the new look in the furniture department.

Speaker 1 (01:00):
Well, good to see you, Mary Beth.

Speaker 4 (01:02):
Good, thank you and thank you for having me today.

Speaker 1 (01:04):
Real quick, as Lisa mentioned kind of the new look
for the furniture department. I know this year the Bruce
Company undertook a pretty big shuffling and kind of layout redesign,
and you were very much involved with that. Let's talk
a little bit about what's new at the Bruce Company.
When it comes to kind of the little more, it
seems very much welcoming, more conducive to kind of comfort

(01:28):
and see. The furniture area gets a little bit better,
a little more space, doesn't it.

Speaker 2 (01:32):
Well.

Speaker 4 (01:33):
I yes, we definitely did take over a little more
real estate on the showroom floor, but I think overall
we've integrated with other departments and so it's a much
more interesting, creative looking place to visit. We've added more
color this year, some of the same vendors we've had
for many years, but lots of new items on the floor,

(01:54):
which has been fun. I really enjoyed having a chance
to pick out the new items, and I'd really try
to think about our customers and have in mind what
their needs were for their backyard areas, because you know,
this is Wisconsin. We all know that we're not California.
We're going to have different ideas on design, a little

(02:16):
more conservative. But keeping that in mind, I tried to
choose something that was fun and really inviting, so somebody
was going to be really inspired.

Speaker 1 (02:25):
Interesting. You mentioned too that we're not California. One of
the things too about Wisconsin is you get a little
of everything or a lot of everything. Summers are hot,
winters are cold. If it's outdoors, it's got to be sturdy.
And I know one of the obviously important things is
style and design, but also that it's that build form
follows function. The stuff you guys carry, the products you

(02:46):
carry at the Bruce Company need to be durable, need
to be very very high quality in order to endure
what it's like to be in Wisconsin.

Speaker 2 (02:55):
For sure.

Speaker 4 (02:56):
You know there's so many different materials you can choose
when using for outdoor furniture, and we have so many
different price points, but quality is what's really important for us.
We don't want to sell somebody something that's going to
fall apart. So you may pay a little bit more upfront,
but it's a really good investment. We're looking at things
that are even heirloom quality furniture. And you know, like

(03:19):
I said, many different materials. We have some beautiful woods
like teakwood and epay. We have aluminum which is a
great you know, it doesn't rust, it's powder coated. We've
got great products that are also made with plastics like
recycled polymers and things like that. So there's wicker, so
many different things to choose from. So there are many

(03:40):
different looks you can achieve when you come and chop
with us.

Speaker 1 (03:43):
And talking about the plastics, Pollywood, let's talk about the
polywood products and a little bit about what you guys
have to offer. The Bruce Company from Pollywood.

Speaker 4 (03:50):
Yeah, Pollywood is having their spring sale right now, which
we usually have our Pollywood meeting. What's on the web,
but we also have things that are unique just to
us that you can't get on the web. And right now,
Hollywood's having their spring sale, which would be select items.
They do have many Adironducks right now, they're featuring the

(04:10):
Chippendale collection, Wovendale and Acadia is part of their collections
that are on sale, which includes two a few set prices.
So if you're interested in looking for furniture, come see us.

Speaker 2 (04:23):
These sales.

Speaker 4 (04:23):
We're going to go on from it started on the
tenth and you'll go through the twenty eighth. And it's
a pretty quick turnaround too.

Speaker 1 (04:30):
I'm going to ask you so the turnaround on those
and that's one of the things too. I know, as
we're kind of every day we kind of get a
little closer and a little closer, and there's other days
are like I wish summer we're here right now. Turnaround
is important this time of year, isn't it.

Speaker 2 (04:43):
It is?

Speaker 4 (04:44):
You know, people are thinking about Memorial Days coming up soon,
so they want to plan for that at graduations. So
if you get in, we're seeing a pretty quick about
maybe two to four weeks, depending on what you're ordering
and how big your order is. And it does come
as a flat pack, so you can opt to have
it picked up and put it together yourself. We can

(05:05):
assist you on that. We do charge a fee for that,
and we do have White Glove delivery within the Madison
area and Dane County area.

Speaker 1 (05:13):
Oh, that is absolutely fantastic talking this morning with Mary
Beth as well as Lisa from the Bruce Company. Of course,
learn more online Bruce Company dot com. That's Bruce company
dot com. If you've got a question, love you have
you joined us this morning? Phone lines or open six
soh eight three two one thirteen ten. That's six so
eight three two one thirteen ten gets you on the
air with your question. And Lisa, I know obviously you
were very much involved in the in the reorganization and

(05:35):
layout of well I I.

Speaker 3 (05:38):
What we did this year was we sort of had
the team come up with the ideas and then we
all sat down together and worked it out together. And
not only you know, how we wanted to look and
how we wanted it to be easier for the customers,
but also we didn't do every single thing that everybody
wanted to because we have a time issue. So I

(05:59):
think we're happy that we've gotten really good feedback from
the customers about the sort of relocation of some of
the departments. And it's just fun for everybody to be involved.
And I think everybody learned about departments that are not
necessarily theirs.

Speaker 1 (06:14):
Oh yeah, so it was.

Speaker 3 (06:16):
It was an excellent sort of secret cross training process.

Speaker 4 (06:20):
I totally agree with that for that too.

Speaker 1 (06:25):
And we talk about some of like the integration of
things is I think sometimes I think of when I
go even just to the and I guess these sound
like an old fashioned guy, But like you go to
like a department store, you're looking at clothes and you'll
see like outfits put together on mannequin's kind of helps you, Oh,
absolutely picture And I've got to guess this helps a
lot of fun with it.

Speaker 3 (06:44):
Some of the sets are a little not isolated, but
highlighted in a way where you can sort.

Speaker 2 (06:50):
Of imagine it in your own space.

Speaker 3 (06:52):
Yes, and you know, sometimes there are some people that
are really quick to see that in their mind's eye,
they can see how it's going to look, and other
people that's not their forte.

Speaker 2 (07:02):
So we're there to help them out with that.

Speaker 1 (07:04):
And there's always great folks at the Bruce Company. Great data.
Get on into the Middleton Garden Center right at twenty
eight thirty Parmenter Street. That's twenty eight thirty Parmed Street,
great data, order that order that furniture for your outdoor
patio space, your outdoor living. Of course, get on in
today to the middle Gardens and the Bruce Company right
at twenty eight thirty Parmed Street. That's twenty eight thirty
Partment Street. You can learn more online Bruce company dot

(07:24):
com that's Brucecompany dot com and of course Facebook and
social media, the Bruce Company, and so Mary Beth when
we talked to about about the different materials, of course talked.
We talked about the great special going on with pollywood,
and that's that's that's a poly.

Speaker 4 (07:40):
It's a polylumber. So it's made with recycled material. Yes,
they take all that recycled plastic that you put in
your trash or I should say in your recycling. Then,
because if you put it in your trash it's not
going to work. They chop it up, they mix it
with colorant and u V protectant, and then they put
it through this thing called the NIXT. So basically it's

(08:01):
forming it into lumber pieces and then from that lumber
they build the furniture.

Speaker 1 (08:05):
I had a Plato playset that had an extruder was
a same oh, I remember that.

Speaker 4 (08:09):
That's my That's how.

Speaker 2 (08:11):
I explained it to people.

Speaker 4 (08:12):
And they ever had that fuzzy pumper barber shop or
whatever it is, and you made those long extruded pieces
of Plato.

Speaker 2 (08:18):
It's basically like that.

Speaker 1 (08:19):
That is fantastic. What about wood options You mentioned Teak
and others out there, I mean, wood is always a
very it's obviously a natural product, a classic look as well.
And I've got to guess a lot of folks, you know,
we talk about woods like teaks and others. That's a
really good option as well for for somebody that's that's
looking for that very natural look.

Speaker 4 (08:39):
Isn't it It is? Teak is just a classic. You know,
they've been using teak for so many things. They were
making boats out of it thousands of years ago, so
you know it's going to hold up. And then we
have the epay wood, which is also Brazilian walnut, and
it is absolutely gorgeous, so ipe yes, ipe, And it's
just it's a hardwood. It's like sadly high on that

(09:02):
Janco scale. So it's just it's a really good choice.
It's heavy. They use it for decking. If you've ever
been to New Jersey and walked to the Atlantic City boardwalk,
that's made out of epay wood.

Speaker 1 (09:13):
Oh, learn something new today.

Speaker 2 (09:17):
When did they install it.

Speaker 3 (09:17):
In like the thirties thirties, And it was there until
a hurricane sort of did some damage and they went
ahead and they rebuilt it, rebuilt it with the same products.

Speaker 1 (09:26):
That is absolutely amazing talking this morning with Lisa Briggs
as well as Mary Beth Thompson. Of course, they come
to us from the Bruce Company Online, Bruce Company dot com.
That's Bruce Company dot com. Great day to get on
in of course, talked a little bit earlier about the
Hollywood Special other great stuff going on as well at
the Bruce Company. Great day to get on in the
Middleton Garden center of the Bruce Company right at twenty

(09:46):
eight thirty Parment Street. That's twenty eight thirty Parament Street Online,
Bruce Company dot com. That's Bruce Company dot com. We'll
talk about some of the upcoming events. We'll also talk
about all the things. It seems like there's just a long,
long backup of trucks slowly all morning, lawn dropping more.

Speaker 2 (10:04):
Stuff off of there not there, Yeah, but we will
be sure.

Speaker 1 (10:06):
If you get ready for something, we'll get the details
on all of that and so much more. Don't forget
as well, if you've got a question, love to you.
Have you joined us this morning, Tephen, I'm gonna get
on the air six oh eight three two one thirteen ten.
That's six oh eight three two one thirteen ten. More
of every day Outdoor Living with the Bruce Company. It
comes your way next right here on thirteen ten wib
A eight twenty three thirteen ten wi b A and

(10:27):
every Day Outdoor Living brought to you by the Bruce
Company online Bruce Coompany dot com. That's all one word,
Bruce Company dot com. Stop on it. I'd love to
see you right at twenty eight thirty Parma Street. That's
where you'll find the Middleton Garden Center of the Bruce
Company against twenty eight thirty Parma Street. Phone lines are
open as well. Six oh eight three two one thirteen ten.
That's six soh eight three two one thirteen ten. Hanging
out with Lisa bre Briggs and Mary Beth Thompson of

(10:51):
the Bruce Company. Changing things up on me. I get
you get in those like routines and you're like, oh
my goodness, you've got to add an extra name this week.
And it's a little you know how I keep you
on your toes the weather.

Speaker 2 (11:02):
I told you that I was bringing somebody.

Speaker 1 (11:04):
Yeah, I know, you give me the very last minute
keeping on toes weather, not to as a matter of fact,
not to toe.

Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's not totally bad.

Speaker 3 (11:15):
But so this is where we talk about that push
pull at this time of year comes in. We have
got trucks coming in like nearly every day with nursery stock,
trees and shrubs, some that are dormant.

Speaker 2 (11:30):
Some things are coming from the West Coast today that.

Speaker 3 (11:32):
Will definitely not be dormant. Also, perennials are coming in,
annuals are coming in, and we have really nice days
with very clement temperatures, and then we have.

Speaker 2 (11:43):
That those dips at night.

Speaker 3 (11:45):
So this is a time of year for the garden
Center that's kind of chaotic because at night we're jamming
everything that we possibly can in the greenhouse, in the
production building, like all over the place in on racks,
rolled into this door to protect things, and so that's
a you know, so luckily we have big.

Speaker 2 (12:05):
Spaces and things on recks.

Speaker 3 (12:06):
But what folks need to do when they're succumbing to
a little plant lust, and we know everybody is.

Speaker 2 (12:11):
I have already tagged the magnolia and myself.

Speaker 3 (12:14):
You need to remember that the farther along plants get,
the more possibility there is for them to be damaged
if we get cold weather.

Speaker 2 (12:24):
So just have a plan.

Speaker 3 (12:26):
If you've got a garage, you can move things in
and out of the garage. If you're doing bedding plants,
like you've started peas or something like that in your
raise beds, make sure you have a couple of floating
rope covers on hand.

Speaker 2 (12:36):
They're really inexpensive.

Speaker 3 (12:38):
They have multiple uses. One of them is this to
protect your plants from frost.

Speaker 1 (12:43):
Do we have any speaking of floating roll covers, any
indication of how the Japanese beetles fared over winter yet?
I don't know.

Speaker 3 (12:51):
Gail was saying all winter, when we were all lamenting
about the lack of snow cover, Gail was saying, you know,
but I think the frost is going to get really
deep this year, and so we'll maybe kill off some
things like grubs.

Speaker 2 (13:06):
So I don't know. It remains to be seen. Last year,
knock on.

Speaker 3 (13:09):
Wood, there's none.

Speaker 2 (13:10):
Oh, here's some way over here was not too bad.

Speaker 3 (13:15):
We did not hear very many reports of people's yards
being inundated.

Speaker 1 (13:20):
Yeah, that was. It was because I'm so used to
creeping Charlie phone call ye, the what is it? My arbor?
Vity is this? Yeah? And the what do I do
about Japanese vehtles?

Speaker 2 (13:31):
And we also had a.

Speaker 3 (13:35):
Fairly easy time last year with spongy moth because the
spring was kind of wet, so that was great. So
there shouldn't be too many egg masses on your house.
If you see those by the way, there's sort of
a pale buff color, looks like a little bit of
insulation foam. You want to scrape those up and put
those into a ziploc bag, a seable bag and throw

(13:58):
those away.

Speaker 2 (13:58):
Those are cases for spongy moths.

Speaker 1 (14:02):
They also if you've got if you're allowed to have
a little fire right now, again, burn restrictions aren't placed
some areas, they're nice to throw in there.

Speaker 3 (14:08):
Yeah, although this year is dry, so I don't know,
make sure you have those permits and are speaking with
a professional. We are sort of teetering on the edge
of a moderate drought. So I see in the forecast
that we maybe have some thunderstorms Thursday and Friday. And
you know, as much as we like having it be
really beautiful during the day so that customers could come

(14:31):
in and not be dodging rain drops, we really need
the rain.

Speaker 1 (14:33):
So what's as far as nursery stock that's around right now?

Speaker 2 (14:36):
Do we So what did we get in? We got
in a lot of fruit trees.

Speaker 3 (14:38):
Oh so if you're looking for apple trees that kind
of thing. Eastern shores coming this week, and that's where
like the peach trees and the cherry trees will come from.
We did get some early ornamental trees, some crab apples,
a few fancy pants red buds, magnolias of course, not

(14:59):
a of shrubs, but that looks like it may be
rectified a little bit this week.

Speaker 1 (15:04):
Okay.

Speaker 2 (15:05):
The perennials we have.

Speaker 3 (15:06):
Are in our early blooming perennials, some hellibores, pass flowers,
not too many native things yet.

Speaker 2 (15:14):
That'll probably be the next couple of weeks.

Speaker 3 (15:16):
And then as far as annuals are concerned, definitely, we're
working right now on cool weather annuals, petunias, stock, snapdragons,
of course, pansies.

Speaker 1 (15:26):
You know, as we get closer to the end of
the month and we start thinking we're going to have
Memorial Day soon and spring is getting going, yep, Kabloom
gets going as well. And what's that the twenty six
this year?

Speaker 3 (15:37):
Yeah, Caabloom's to twenty six. That's from eleven to four,
I'm sorry, eleven to two. And it is just sort
of our kickoff. It's a low key thing. We invite
some vendors. The folks from Purple Cow will be there
to talk about their products.

Speaker 1 (15:50):
With Purple Cow, they happen.

Speaker 3 (15:52):
Yeah, Violet, well, yeah, she's I thought she was going
to be delivered last week, but she didn't, so I'm
assuming sometime this week, so Violet will be on hand
for photos.

Speaker 2 (16:01):
She is a camera hog.

Speaker 1 (16:02):
That Violet.

Speaker 3 (16:05):
And then some other vendors, also some of our own
some of our own staff who have expertises on one
thing or another. Dave is going to hang in the
bird area and talk about, you know, beyond hand answer
questions about backyard birding.

Speaker 2 (16:19):
So it's just it's it's an easy thing. We're just
really excited.

Speaker 3 (16:24):
I think the puppies will be there again from Fletch
nice so they were here yesterday.

Speaker 4 (16:28):
Landscape architect too as well.

Speaker 3 (16:30):
Yeah, but I I think we only have a couple
of spots left, so until I make sure that I
can finagle a second architect or a second designer. Yeah,
we need to hold off on that. Sorry about that.
That's become a very popular one.

Speaker 1 (16:43):
Well, and I was going to ask too with I know,
the uh with kabloom during that same time, still got
the Hollywood special going on as well, and that's a
great chance for folks to get in and you know,
looking for making a day of it. Just get in
check out the great, the Great outdoor furniture, patio furniture.
Also check out all the all the different nerves.

Speaker 2 (17:02):
Because it's it's Earth Week.

Speaker 4 (17:03):
Next week it is Earth Week, and so Pollywood fits
right into that idea of recycling and reusing.

Speaker 1 (17:10):
So we'll have.

Speaker 3 (17:12):
Some specials going on in the store to all that week.
So pay attention to social media for that kind of
notice of that that kind of thing.

Speaker 1 (17:19):
One week from tomorrow is Earth Day if I.

Speaker 2 (17:21):
Remember, yes, and then our bor Day is on Friday. Wow,
it's a whole week of a full week.

Speaker 1 (17:28):
At least you mentioned too before the show the phrase.

Speaker 2 (17:31):
Water damage and their winter damage.

Speaker 1 (17:33):
Winter. Why did I write water? That's why. That's why
I'm like, I don't know what she's She's got.

Speaker 2 (17:38):
Something, no winter damage, So we have.

Speaker 1 (17:41):
I know that I can trust it.

Speaker 2 (17:44):
You know, I just make this stuff up, right.

Speaker 3 (17:47):
So we've been getting a lot of calls and questions
and photos at the plant desk about winter damage on evergreens,
and so sometimes it could be like low growing.

Speaker 2 (18:00):
Evergreen.

Speaker 3 (18:01):
Groundcovers like finca are showing like, you know, dead patches.

Speaker 2 (18:06):
That's due to lack of snow cover.

Speaker 3 (18:08):
And then at this time of year also it was
a we had some pretty a few periods where it
got pretty cold. We had a lot of wind this winter,
and again not a lot of snow cover to sort
of insulate things. So we're seeing damage on evergreens, okay,
and so just first of all, look at the damage.
If if it's browning on the inside of an evergreen,

(18:29):
that's natural fall needle drop that will clear itself up.
If it's on the outside, on like doorfelbird of spruces,
brush it, brush the needles off carefully, and then you're
just gonna have to wait to see if the buds
were damaged or just needles were damaged.

Speaker 2 (18:47):
And if buds were damaged, it'll cover it up. So
just be a little patient, little.

Speaker 1 (18:53):
Patient as well. Bulbs, what's in stock.

Speaker 3 (18:56):
We get some summer bulbs are ten percent off now,
so that's you know, Begonia's, kalilies, Dahlia's for sure. Dahias
are like such a fun thing to plant. I wish
I had sun I know they're great because you plant
them and they make beautiful cutting flowers, and as long

(19:19):
as you keep cutting, they keep blooming, and so you
get like, you know, sort of a constant all summer
long supply of really beautiful flowers.

Speaker 2 (19:32):
And a lot of them are very architectural.

Speaker 3 (19:36):
So you know, there's that sort of rule about ratios
and yes, and dahlias, some of the dhalia varieties, especially
the globe shaped ones, illustrate that perfectly.

Speaker 1 (19:46):
I saw on your Facebook page, sod and doing some
clean up thing. Can we start doing low and stuff
at all?

Speaker 4 (19:51):
Right?

Speaker 3 (19:52):
Now?

Speaker 2 (19:52):
Is there?

Speaker 3 (19:52):
Is it?

Speaker 1 (19:53):
You know?

Speaker 3 (19:54):
I think that if you've got spaces in your bed,
in your borders where you want to leave the leaves
a little bit longer, if there's so a lot of
that will harbor beneficial insects for your lawn, go ahead
and break be gentle with it. And now is the
time to apply like a step one fertilizer, sort of

(20:16):
a fertilizer with a pre emergent, especially if you've had
some crabgrass issues.

Speaker 2 (20:22):
If you are planning to seed.

Speaker 3 (20:26):
At the same time or close to the six weeks
that the pre emergent is active, you're going to need
to get a particular pre emergent product from Scott's for
new seeds, so it's a little more selective.

Speaker 1 (20:40):
And you have one, two, three and all that stuff
and four and four.

Speaker 3 (20:43):
If you buy yeah, and if you get it now,
you get a discount, you get a discounted price, and
then you also get an instant in store rebate, so
you save a lot of money if you do all
four steps. And then you can just store it in
your garage because it's granular, so unless it gets wet,
it's fine.

Speaker 1 (21:03):
What a fantastic day to get into the Bruce Company. Absolutely,
that's awesome. And you've got more hours, more time.

Speaker 2 (21:09):
Oh yeah, yeah, so much going on today. Thanks for
writing all this down.

Speaker 3 (21:14):
Yes, our spring hours start today, so we're open Monday
through Saturday from nine to six and on Sunday from
ten to five. So every day got two hours longer
for us.

Speaker 2 (21:28):
It's the weirdest daylight saving time ever.

Speaker 3 (21:30):
Yes, and just a reminder everybody that we are closed
on Easter Sunday. So if you've got some if you're
if you're not celebrating, or you are celebrating by doing
working dr yard, get all the shopping that you need done.

Speaker 1 (21:45):
By Friday.

Speaker 2 (21:46):
Do yet Friday and Saturday.

Speaker 1 (21:48):
Yeah, definitely fantastic stuff. It's a great day to get
into the Middleton Garden Center of the Bruce Company. Stop
on in, Say hi to Lisa, say hi to Mary Beth.
Check out of course, all the great stuff going on
at the Bruce Company. Right at twenty eight thirty par Registrate.
That's where you'll find the Middleton Gardens cerner the Bruce Company.
It's twenty to thirty Partment Street. Follow them on Facebook
and social media as well as the website Bruce Company
dot com. That's Bruce Company dot com. All sorts of

(22:10):
great stuff going on to the Bruce Company. Again, if
you follow them online and can keep up to date.
Of course, you can always listen to the program as well. Lisa, Marybeth.
Great to see both of you guys. Have a great day.

Speaker 2 (22:18):
You have a great day too.

Speaker 1 (22:20):
Let's see. Oh we got news co My goodness, Robin's
going come on Bribel time time time, We've got news
now here on thirteen ten Wiba