Extending the Garden Season
Cold frames and hot beds, hoop houses, cloches, and floating row covers allow gardeners to grow plants earlier in spring and later in fall. Get ideas that will work for you in this factsheet.
Other
Dodder
Dodders are parasitic plants that can affect a variety of plants, including vegetables, herbaceous and woody plants, and even weeds. Learn what dodders look like and what to do if you find them in this factsheet.
Fruit Flies in the Home
Phil Pellitteri, UW Insect Diagnostic Lab Revised: 4/27/2004 Item number: XHT1102 What people commonly call fruit flies are flies from the genus Drosophila. Also known as pumice or vinegar flies, they range in size from 1∕16 to 1∕8 inch long, and are light to dark brown in color. Some of the common species of fruit […]
Rain Barrels
Mike Maddox, State Master Gardener Program Manager & Darren Lochner, Formerly of the UW-Extension Lower Chippewa River Basin Revised: 2/5/2008 Item number: XHT1157 What is a rain barrel? A rain barrel can be any large container designed to collect rain water. Typically, rain barrels are placed at the bottom of downspouts in order to collect […]
Dead Man’s Fingers
Dead man’s fingers is the name of a mushroom-like fungal growth that can be found at the base of dead or dying trees and shrubs, as well as wood objects. Learn about this distinctive fungus in this factsheet.
Sowbugs
Phil Pellitteri, UW Insect Diagnostic Lab Revised: 5/25/2010 Item number: XHT1110 Sowbugs and related pillbugs are harmless soil inhabiting creatures that occasionally are found in high numbers in and around the home. These hard-shelled, multi-legged, segmented isopods feed on decaying organic matter in the soil. Sowbugs often collect under flower pots, outdoor rugs, and boards, […]
Slugs
Phil Pellitteri, UW Insect Diagnostic Lab Revised: 5/25/2010 Item number: XHT1040 Slugs are legless, soft-bodied creatures that resemble snails without a shell. Slugs feed on a wide range of plants including ornamentals, vegetables and fruits. A number of species of slugs are found in Wisconsin, but gray and spotted garden slugs are the most common, […]
Identifying grasses in Wisconsin
R.C. Newman Revised: 5/11/2010 Item number: A1827 Click here to view this 12-page publication that help you identify the 30 most common grass species in Wisconsin turf. Download Article
Black Walnut Toxicity
Black walnut trees produce a toxic substance (called juglone) that prevents many plants from growing under or near them. Learn more about this compound and how to work around it in this factsheet.
Using Manure in the Home Garden
Manures are a good source of organic matter that can also be used as a fertilizer. To learn more about using manure in the home garden, read this article…
The Basics of Micro Irrigation
Micro irrigation has numerous advantages in greenhouses, orchards, vineyards, fields, lawns, and gardens. Learn about components of micro irrigation systems and benefits and drawbacks these systems provide.
Using Wood Ash in the Home Garden
Wood ash can provide certain soil nutrients, and can be used to raise soil pH. However, if used incorrectly or excessively, problems can occur. Learn more in this factsheet.
