Mulches for Home Gardens and Plantings
Boost your garden’s production with mulches. This publication shows when to use organic mulches, like bark or leaves, and synthetic mulches, like plastic sheets, and teaches how to apply them.
Planting, Care & Maintenance
Espalier
Are you interested in getting higher yields of fruit, want a fruit tree but don’t have space for a regular-sized one, or just want an interesting pruned plant as a focal point in your garden? There is a horticultural technique involving pruning and training that can accomplish all of these goals. Read this article to learn more about the classic technique of espalier…
Reducing Soil pH
Sherry Combs, formerly of the UW-Madison Soil and Plant Analysis Lab Revised: 10/27/2007 Item number: XHT1151 Is your soil pH too high? Probably not, although the popular press urges most gardeners to question whether their garden soil pH is ‘right’. Only a soil test for pH can indicate whether the pH is ‘right’, and ‘right […]
Drought and Watering of Ornamental Plants
Laura Jull, Woody Ornamental Specialist, UW-Extension, UW-Madison Revised: 7/13/2012 Many of our established woody ornamentals can survive periods of prolonged drought. In response to drought conditions, some of our woody ornamentals, both native and exotic, can start the annual fall leaf defoliation a bit early during prolonged drought conditions. Leaves can also turn brown and […]
Wood Mulch and Tree Health
Jane Cummings-Carlson and John Kyhl, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Gina Foreman and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology Revised: 8/13/2012 Item number: XHT1121 What are the benefits of wood mulch? Wood mulch is typically available as chipped wood, or shredded or chunked bark, and can contribute to tree health in many ways. When high quality, […]
Proper Tree Planting Techniques (B&B)
Vijai Pandian, Horticulture Educator, Brown County UW-Extension Revised: 8/13/2012 Adopting proper tree planting techniques ensures long survival and good health of your trees. This publication is intended to guide homeowners, landscapers and individuals through the steps of proper tree planting techniques. This brochure shows you how to correctly plant balled and burlapped trees and shrubs. Download Article
Pruning Deciduous Trees
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, […]
The Basics of Micro Irrigation
Micro irrigation has numerous advantages over sprinkler irrigation and can be used in greenhouses, orchards, vineyards, fields, lawns, and gardens. Learn about the components that comprise a micro irrigation system along with the benefits (reduced water usage, reduced potential for foliar diseases, reduced energy costs, etc.) and drawbacks these lower pressure systems provide.
Pruning Deciduous Shrubs
Laura Jull, UW-Madison Horticulture, UW-Extension Revised: 8/13/2012 Item number: XHT1015 Why prune shrubs? Pruning is important for a variety of reasons. Pruning can help control the size of a shrub, direct growth, influence flowering or fruiting, rejuvenate old, overgrown plants, or maintain plant health and appearance. Pruning also encourages growth below the pruning cut. In […]
