Carson's Nurseries

When planting container-grown plants, it's easy to focus on digging the perfect hole and choosing the right location. But one of the most important steps happens before the plant ever goes into the ground: checking the root ball. In this week's How-To Friday, Luke demonstrates how root pruning can encourage healthier root development and improve the long-term success of your plants. What Are Circling Roots? Plants that spend time growing in containers often develop roots that

Have you ever spotted an insect on one of your plants and immediately reached for an insecticide? Before you spray, take a closer look. Not every insect in your landscape is a pest. In fact, many insects found throughout Missouri are actually helping your garden by controlling harmful pests or pollinating flowers. Beneficial Predators Some insects work behind the scenes by feeding on common garden pests like aphids, mites, caterpillars, and other insects that can damage your

Every summer, bagworms begin appearing throughout southwest Missouri, especially on evergreens like arborvitae, junipers, and cedars. Right now, many are still small—around ½ inch long—which makes this one of the best times to catch them before they can cause significant damage. What Are Bagworms? Bagworms are caterpillars that build protective bags around themselves using silk and pieces of the plant they're feeding on. These bags help camouflage them, making them easy to ov

Many perennial flowers benefit from occasional pruning and deadheading throughout the growing season. Not only does this keep plants looking tidy, but it can also encourage additional blooms and healthier growth. In this week's How-To Friday, Katie shares a few simple pruning techniques for some of the most common perennial flowers found in Missouri landscapes. Understanding Plant Families Different perennials respond differently to pruning. Plants in the mint family, includi

Planting a tree is one of the best things you can do for your yard—and for the environment. But here’s the part most people don’t realize: Planting the tree is only half the job. Watering it correctly is what keeps it alive. Every year, we see healthy, beautiful trees struggle simply because they weren’t watered properly after planting. So for Arbor Day, we want to make sure you set your tree up for success from the start. Why Watering Matters So Much When you plant a tree, i

Planting a tree is an investment — in your home, your landscape, and the future. But what many people don’t realize is that how you plant matters just as much as what you plant. At Carson’s Nurseries, we want every tree you take home to thrive long-term. That’s why we don’t just sell trees — we guide you through planting them the right way. In fact, our landscaping team uses the same three support products on every single tree we plant. These aren’t upsells — they’re part of