Winter is a great time to plan for the next growing season. Below you’ll find articles that will help you think about planning your garden and landscaping for next year. Also there are some gardening tasks you can do in the winter such as tool maintenance and pruning of trees and shrubs. You may also want to turn your sights to gardening indoors by growing houseplants.
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Fungus gnats (Family Sciaridae) are insects commonly associated with overwatered houseplants. They can become a nuisance when they are present in large numbers and fly around inside a home. In most situations, fungus gnats are a cosmetic problem. However, on occasion, fungus gnat larvae can cause plant damage.
Starting your garden from seeds might be easier than you think. Check out this article to get practical tips on starting your plants from seeds.
When it comes to digging in the garden or pruning trees and shrubs, having high quality tools that are cleaned, lubricated, sharpened and otherwise properly maintained, makes any outdoor job simpler and more efficient. Learn how to maintain your garden tools in this useful factsheet.
Crop rotation in the home vegetable garden involves changing the planting location of vegetables within the garden each season. Crop rotation is used to reduce damage from insect pests, to limit the development of vegetable diseases, and to manage soil fertility. Learn the basics in this factsheet.
W.L. Gojmerac Revised: 1/24/2012 Item number: A2135 Approximately 1000 species of spiders are found in this country, living almost anywhere. Learn about the dangers and problems and control of some spiders. Download Article
Helen C. Harrison Revised: 10/10/2011 Item number: A2801 Here are answers to the questions gardeners ask most often about growing vegetables. From asparagus to watercress, this guide covers over 50 vegetables plus other basic gardening topics (37 pages). Crops included: asparagus, beans, beets, broccoflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chard, chickory, chickpea, […]
Laura Jull, UW-Extension Revised: 8/13/2012 Item number: A3877 This publication focuses on recognizing and preventing plant damage caused by deicing salts, evaluates the pros and cons of alternatives to rock salt, and provides an extensive list of salt-tolerant plants. Download Article
Amy Gibbs* and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology Revised: 5/11/2010 Item number: XHT1033 Where do I put my houseplant in my home? Two of the most important factors in placing a houseplant in your home are light and temperature. Know both the light requirements of your plant and the sources of light in your home […]
Dan A. Wilson, Thomas J. Wilson, Wayne G. Tlusty Revised: 5/10/2010 Item number: G1923 This publication explores landscape planning: putting the plan on paper; selecting, placing, and planting trees and shrubs; and maintaining the home grounds. Download Article
Laura Jull, UW-Madison Horticulture, UW-Extension Revised: 8/13/2012 Item number: XHT1014 Why prune trees? Pruning is important for a variety of reasons. Pruning can help control the size of a tree, direct growth, influence flowering or fruiting, or maintain plant health and appearance. Pruning can also increase the safety of a tree by removing broken, diseased, […]
Ann Joy and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology Revised: 3/9/2012 Item number: XHT1144 Wisconsin gardeners do not have to give up growing flowers during the long winter months. Many plants grown from bulbs (also those grown from corms or rhizomes) can be forced to bloom indoors during the winter by giving them the combination […]
Amy Gibbs* and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology Revised: 4/26/2010 Item number: XHT1034 What are African violets? African violets (Saintpaulia spp.) are popular flowering houseplants in the Gesneriad family (Gesneriaceae), native to Tanzania in East Africa. Their compact forms make them ideal for use on tabletops, windowsills, and hanging baskets. There are many varieties of […]
