2020 has been a challenging and unusual year. The gardening season was unusual as well, as I encountered considerably more fungi than I have seen in the past. While none of these fungi are pathogenic (disease-causing), they are a site to behold, and worthy of discussion.

The WDNR puts the 2019 deer population between 1.2 and 1.5 million deer. As their habitat overlaps with gardeners more and more, there is bound to be conflict.

A chill is in the air, gardens are dwindling, and it is time to close things up for the season. Gardeners should clean, sharpen, and store tools properly in the fall. Keeping your tools in good, sharp working order is an excellent step in making them efficient at the job they were designed to do.

Do you want a lush green “lawn” under that black walnut tree where turf will not grow? How about good-looking vegetation to soak up run-off rainwater from the low spot that perpetually floods? Then a sedge is the right choice for you.

So how do you decide when to pick your apples? One would think it would therefore be easy to tell when they are ripe, unfortunately this is not the case. In Wisconsin apples ripen from August to October. A complicating factor is the difference between maturity and ripeness.

Oaks are unequivocally the most widespread hardwood, growing in essentially all 48 contiguous United States. They are prized for their beauty, shade, wildlife contributions, and economic value.

Dealing with weeds does not need to be labor intensive, expensive, nor fraught with mind-bending chemical application.

The Dodge County Master Gardeners announce their 2020 Board.

Soon we will be celebrating Independence Day. The symbolic colors of our flag speak to our better angels: red for hardiness and valor, white for purity and innocence, blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. A patriotic plant trio, cardinal flower, American mountain mint, and great blue lobelia, has grown in North American moist meadows, along rivers, and at woodland edges for millennia.

Who can resist blossoms that are the yellow-orange hues of the rising sun? Not many of us, which accounts for the popularity of rudbeckias in gardens of all sizes and all attitudes from formal to free-wheeling.

A good garden is full of color and blooms. A great garden incorporates different textures, fine, medium, and bold, weaving throughout the space. One plant that gives some variety of texture is the soft, attractive Lamb’s Ear.

With the Dodge County Master Gardener Help Line starting its season, the Help Line will begin to receive inquiries about “bumps” on the leaves of maple and oak trees. Many people assume the trees have a disease and want to know what is necessary to control the problem and restore the tree to good health. Surprisingly enough, these noticeable bumps are not a disease, but are insect related and are called galls.

These small orchid-like flowers are not deserving of their somewhat unattractive name. The mottled coloration may make some think of a toad, but this charming flower is more than meets the eye.

Bromeliads are gaining popularity in the houseplant market, with good reason. Grown for their unique foliage, these amazing plants make a good addition to most homes.

Deicing compounds present challenges for landscape plants that might surround those structures. Most are not environmentally friendly and can easily mean the demise of existing plants.

Mistletoe is a well-known Christmas decoration that has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. It has been a magical, mysterious and sacred plant of European folklore. Ancient cultures believed mistletoe had healing powers, associated it with fertility, or that it bestowed health and good luck.

Was there a plant that you particularly liked and want to try again? Did you save some seeds? Saving seeds is a good indication that you have joined the ranks of the serious gardener.

Fall is synonymous with pumpkins, squash, falling leaves, cooler weather, and apples. A trip to the orchard is a great family tradition and a good opportunity to sample the many varieties of apples available.

If you are looking for a tree that provides all-season interest, is not bothered by insects, disease, deer, salt-spray, or pollution, and will live in most conditions, look no further than the ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba).

Terrariums are making a resurgence and are more beautiful than ever due to an ever-widening availability of spectacular plants.

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second-best time is now.” The benefits of trees and shrubs cannot be overstated. While spring is the best time to plant a tree, many can still be planted in the fall.

Now is the time to add to or develop that plan for a beautiful array of spring blooms. Spring flowering bulbs must be planted in the fall in order to have those glorious blooms appear on cue.

Although it doesn’t seem possible, summer is fast waning and we have already moved into August. There is still much that can be accomplished, including both planting and harvesting.

I recently watched a child discover an earwig and play with her new friend for several minutes. Unencumbered with any preconceived notions, she was enthralled as she watched it scoot back and forth and wasn’t the least bit worried about any danger.  She had the right attitude and could teach many adults to have a […]

Gardeners deal with a plethora of insects as they tend to their duties. This year, the tick has people legitimately concerned. Ticks are very active now, so precautions should be taken to protect yourself.

Having short plants, medium plants, and tall plants, give pollinators the opportunity to flit from one plant to another and get to all of the blooms without interference from the leaves and stems. Adding a climbing flower, like the Scarlet Runner Bean, gives that little extra that the pollinators will appreciate.

Succulents are popular and trendy lately. One dramatic, stunning and hardy to zone 4 plant for your outdoor landscape is the Adam’s Needle yucca.

Sweet corn ripe from the garden is one of the best summer treats, yet is one of the most difficult for home gardeners to pull off.

Try a lemon garden this season with these spectacular and easy to grow plants that will freshen the air with their tempting aroma.

We have been on a wild ride this year with the winter weather: snow, ice, polar vortex, high winds, and more snow. How has this effected the landscape plants and invasive insects? There is good and not so good news.

Basil, Ocimum basilicum, is one of the most popular culinary herbs, often referred to as the “king of herbs.”

“Why do YOU like to garden?”.

If you are a person of a certain age, are related to Peter Rabbit, or are in the younger generation and follow a health conscience regimen, you have likely had a cup of chamomile tea to soothe you at one time or another.

Myths abound concerning snakes, contributing to the generalized fear of these amazing creatures. Wisconsin is home to 22 different snake species, but not all are common and not all are found in the southeast portion of the state.

Although best used fresh, dill can also be dried or frozen for winter use. This herb is definitely the “real dill.” Try it, you will like it.

Currants, gooseberries, and elderberries are native to Wisconsin and can often be harvested in the wild. However, they are easy to grow in an urban landscape and provide not only highly nutritious fruit, but also are a beautiful landscape plant.