University of Wisconsin-Madison
A Few Fall Reminders for the Home Gardener October is a busy month for gardeners. Fall clean-up alone can be a daunting task. It usually includes raking leaves, removing plants from the vegetable garden, and pulling out annuals done in by frost. When it comes to perennials, I sometimes get asked whether it’s better to […]
Thursday, July 3, join Horticulture Educator Margaret Murphy at the Altoona Public Library for an evening program of planting containers for the library. We’ll create flowerpots and discuss best practices for caring for a container garden. Start time is 6:30 p.m. Contact the Altoona Public Library for details. Altoona Public Library Saturday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m., […]
Having trouble remembering where the car keys are? Grab a sprig of rosemary. It has a reputation for improving memory. Like most herbs, this Mediterranean native has a rich history in folklore. In the Middle Ages rosemary was used to protect against evil spirits. If placed beneath your pillow, it would ward off bad dreams. […]
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 […]
Discover the benefits of native plants in your garden while learning how to attract and support essential pollinators. “In the Garden with Native Plants and Pollinators” offers practical tips, expert insights, and inspiration for creating thriving, eco-friendly garden spaces. Location: Dunn County Government Center3001 US Highway 12ERoom 101Menomonie, WI 54751 Day: June 19, 2025Time: 6:30 […]
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 It’s February and that means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Florists across the country are preparing for one of the busiest times of the year. According to the Society of American Florists, in 2022, 22% of Americans bought fresh flowers or plants […]
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 It is estimated that 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 […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension If you are thinking of adding a new houseplant to your home, here are some helpful tips on how to select plants and keep them healthy. Before you bring home a new houseplant give some thought to where it is going to be placed. […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension Christmas is just around the corner. After that, New Year’s Day. A day for making new year’s resolutions. It seems every year the popular resolutions are to exercise more, eat healthier and improve one’s overall well-being. Of course, one could just resolve to plant […]
Margaret MurphyHorticulture Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, & Eau Claire CountiesUW-Madison Extension A few years ago, a friend of mine was out in the back yard and noticed one of his trees had some odd orange growth all over its trunk. He was worried that the tree had become engulfed with some tree-eating fungus. Well, it […]
