University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hollyhocks are a classic flower. While they aren’t as common in gardens today, they can often still be found growing alongside older homes and on established farmsteads throughout the Midwest.In recent years, though, there has been a renewed interest in growing hollyhocks, which makes me happy – I’ve long been a fan. As a child, […]
A traditional favorite, Easter lilies are often given as gifts or used in decorative displays during the weeks leading up to Easter. Throughout history their beautiful, white trumpet-shaped flowers have been a symbol of joy, hope and life. As spring approaches, Easter lilies become widely available. Growers carefully time their blooms to coincide with Easter. […]
Add some leafy greens to your garden this spring Growing up, my mom always told me to eat my greens because they were good for me. She actually said that about a lot of vegetables if she saw them just sitting on my plate. An avid gardener, mom always had various leaf lettuces, spinach and […]
🌱 What will you learn at the Healthy Water Summit? The summit will cover a wide range of topics impacting our local water resources, including:• PFAS and other emerging contaminants• Groundwater, aquifers, and soil health• Nutrient and nitrogen management• Water conservation at home and on the landscape• Protecting water quality through community and student involvement […]
The week of February 23rd is National Invasive Species Awareness Week. This past gardening season, I had several questions about two invasive critters that plagued gardeners: 1. Jumping Worms – Jumping worms are invasive earthworms first confirmed in Wisconsin in 2013. They feed on organic matter, such as leaf litter and mulch, and within the […]
As we move forward into a new planting season, there are several steps gardeners can take to make their gardens more sustainable. The definition of sustainable landscaping can vary but generally speaking, it means to use resources in a way that will meet our needs today while preserving environmental health and resources for future generations. […]
It is estimated that about 66% of all households in the United States decorate their homes with at least one houseplant. This is not surprising since houseplants add beauty and interest to our indoor space as well as provide a boost of green cheer through the long winter months. When it comes to the winter […]
Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Extension (https://extension.illinois.edu/christmas-trees/christmas-tree-facts)
· Apples are a member of the rose family of plants, along with pears, peaches, plums and cherries. · The science of apple growing is called pomology. · Apples come in all shades of red, green and yellow. · Most apples are still picked by hand. · It takes about 36 apples to create one […]
· The name pumpkin comes from the Greek word ‘pepon’, meaning ‘large melon’. · Scientifically speaking, pumpkins are fruits (they contain seeds) but when it comes to cooking, they are often referred to as vegetables. · Giant pumpkins can be grown for competitions, with some weighing over 1000 pounds! · Pumpkin plants feature both male […]
Time to Plant Hardy Bulbs I love living in a northern climate. For several years, I lived in South Carolina where I was considered by many of my Carolinian friends to be crazy, since every winter I wished for snow. Now that I’m back in snow country, come March, I find myself desperately searching for […]
Add a Touch of Autumn Splendor to Garden Containers This time of year, nature begins to surround us with its striking fall colors. Celebrate the season’s change by creating containers that capture the shades of autumn. You can create a new design or freshen an existing container by adding some brightly colored fall blooms. Fall […]
