And so it begins… I checked some of my squash plants the other day and there they were as happy as can be. Two squash bugs enjoying their afternoon on the leaf of a buttercup squash. Upon further inspection, I found a cluster of their reddish-brown eggs nicely stacked on a stem. This is the […]
Gardening is a great way to connect (or reconnect) kids to nature but it can offer so much more! Gardens allow children to interact and get curious about the natural world. Figuring out what a plant needs to grow. How does the temperature affect your garden? What happens if it doesn’t rain for a while […]
Gardening offers many benefits. For many, it’s an enjoyable form of exercise and provides activities that help increase strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. Just being outdoors surrounded by greenery can reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. Plus, there are the added benefits of having easy access to fresh, nutritious produce and the satisfaction of having […]
Every year, new community gardens are created through the efforts of churches, hospitals, and countless other organizations and individuals. There are many benefits of gardening at a community site. It provides an opportunity for those who do not have the space or the desire to garden on their own. Such gardens create access allowing more […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension Growing up, I remember we always had a very large vegetable garden in the backyard. Mom was a marvel in the garden. I don’t remember a time when we didn’t have fresh vegetables to eat throughout the summer. Over the years, the popularity of […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension Why garden for wildlife? The basics for a wildlife friendly yard: So, if you are considering adding some plants to your landscape this spring, think about selecting plants to benefit wildlife. Make sure to plant a diverse mixture of vegetation so wildlife will have […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension Add a Touch of Autumn Splendor to Garden Containers Soon nature will be surrounding us with beautiful, warm tones. Celebrate the season’s change by creating fall containers that capture autumn’s colors. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Have fun experimenting with different textures […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension Harvesting the Fruits of Your Labor Some of my favorite childhood memories are of summertime picnics in the backyard with my family. Good food, good laughs and, come August, lots of watermelon. It was just the right treat at the end of a hot […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension Soldier Beetles in the Garden A wonderful thing about the community garden I garden in is that together with vegetables, garden plots are often peppered with an assortment of flowers. As I wandered through the garden the other day, I couldn’t help but notice […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension As we finish out July and head into August, gardeners are looking forward to harvesting their tomatoes. Tasting that first, freshly picked tomato is a joy every tomato grower knows. But this is also the time to keep a look out for some common […]
Much to my chagrin, I have been noticing quite a few Japanese beetles in my gardens. Japanese beetles feed on the leaves and flowers of more than 300 types of plants. In my garden, they are currently favoring my basil and zinnias. Leaves fed on by the Japanese beetle are often left with a lace-like […]
