Articles
Gardening Articles
Research-based horticulture information to help keep your plants and gardens thriving.
Milkweed and Milkweed Toxicity
To increase monarch populations, people are increasingly planting ornamental types of milkweed and encouraging common milkweed to grow wherever it occurs in uncultivated areas. While milkweed is beneficial to monarch populations, people need to be aware that it is toxic and can be lethal to animals, particularly horses and other equines.
Common Crops for Community Gardens – People + Plants
Want to maximize your garden’s productivity and minimize potential crop problems? This publication will walk you through the basics of the most common crops grown in community gardens.
Growing Pumpkins and Other Vine Crops in Wisconsin
This publication has detailed information for growers of vine crops such as pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, gourds and squash, including selecting, planting, managing and harvesting in Wisconsin.
Growing Carrots, Beets, Radishes, and Other Root Crops in Wisconsin
This detailed publication provides practical information for organic and conventional growers of root crops including carrots, radishes, beets, parsnips, rutabagas, and turnips.
Growing Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, and Other Cole Crops in Wisconsin
This detailed publication is packed with practical information for organic and conventional growers of cole crops, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and kohlrabi.
Espalier
Interested in getting higher yields of fruit, want a fruit tree but don’t have much space, or just want an interesting plant as a focal point? Read this article to learn more about the classic technique of espalier…
Vegetable Varieties for Containers
Growing plants in containers (referred to as container gardening) is an easy way to grow and maintain vegetables. Find suggested varieties suitable for container gardening here.
Home Vegetable Garden Fungicides
While cultural methods are the preferred options for disease management in vegetable gardens, fungicide treatments are also an option. This guide identifies some of the common, and most suitable, fungicides.
Boxwood Blight
Boxwood blight (also known as box blight and boxwood leaf drop) is a devastating disease of boxwood (Buxus spp.) that can cause leaf loss and eventual death of affected shrubs. This factsheet covers symptoms and management.
Mukdenia, Mukdenia rossii
Grown for its showy foliage and airy flowers, mukdenia is an uncommon herbaceous perennial for the shade garden. The glossy green, fan-shaped leaves are attractive throughout summer, but when they transform to bright red starting at the tips they become a stunning statement in the garden. Learn more about this introduced ornamental plant in this article…
Croton, Codiaeum variegatum
One of the boldest houseplants around, croton offers fabulous foliage marked with bright yellow, orange, red, and even near black. These eye-catching plants add a tropical touch to indoor décor or make a dramatic focal point as a seasonal plant outdoors during the growing season. Learn more about this Asian plant distantly related to poinsettia in this article…
Sea thrift, Armeria maritima
Sea thrift is a profuse spring and early summer bloomer, with pink or white flowers on low mounds of dense foliage. Coming from mountainous and coastal areas, it needs excellent drainage and lean soils to thrive so can be a challenge to grow in wet Midwestern climates. Learn more about this clump-forming evergreen perennial in this article…
