Foliar Nematodes
Foliar nematodes are microscopic worm-like organisms that live in and on leaves (and other above-ground plants parts). Learn what to look for and how to manage foliar nematodes in this factsheet.
Vegetables
It’s easy to grow fresh, nutritious and tasty vegetables in your own yard, community garden plot, or even in containers on a deck or patio. The University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension offers home vegetable gardeners a tremendous number of resources to learn how to grow vegetables, as well as how to prevent and control diseases and insects. Browsing our publications and fact sheets will help you be successful in achieving a bountiful harvest.
Featured Vegetable Articles
Supporting Native Bees: Our Essential Pollinators
This free publication describes the importance of bees in pollinating major food crops, how to attract and support native pollinators, and how to construct, place, and maintain nests.
Making and Using Compost in the Garden
Making your own compost is an easy, practical, and satisfying way to make use of yard waste and table scraps. With this publication, designed for the home gardener, you’ll be composting like a pro in no time!
If you’re unable to find the information you need, please submit your gardening question here:
Articles
May/June Beetles
May/June beetles or “Junebugs” are native insects common throughout Wisconsin often be seen near lights on early summer evenings. Learn about these large beetles and their larva in the soil in this factsheet.
Insect Pest Management for Greenhouses
This handy chart lists pesticides that are most effective against common greenhouse pests such as aphids, scales, leafminers, spider mites, and thrips. Formulation, effectiveness, cautions, and other details are provided.
Bacterial Soft Rot
Bacterial soft rots are diseases that damage succulent plant parts including fruits, tubers, stems and bulbs. Learn how to identify and avoid problems with bacterial soft rot in this factsheet.
Common Corn Smut
Common corn smut is a fungal disease that affects field, pop and sweet corn, and forms swellings (galls) on ears, kernels, tassels, husks, leaves, stalks, buds and even aerial roots of the plant. Learn more here.
Huitlacoche
This mushroom-like mass found on the ears of corn and corn relatives can be a problem for corn growers (i.e., “corn smut”), but is also often a culinary delicacy! Learn more in this factsheet.
Black Rot of Crucifers
Black rot is a serious bacterial disease of cruciferous plants including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, rutabaga and turnip. Learn about identification and management here.
Home Garden Fungicides
While cultural methods are the preferred options for disease management in home vegetable gardens, fungicides may occassionally be warranted. Learn about options here.
Starting a Community Garden—How to Put Your Plot on the Path to Success
Learn how to determine what type of community garden to build, identify resources and tools, manage volunteers, educate gardeners and forge community connections in this publication.
Black Cutworm
Black cutworm larvae are active nighttime feeders, clipping seedlings at or below the soil line. Find out when to monitor and control this pest to limit damage in this publication.
Caterpillar Pests of Cole Crops
This factsheet covers the imported cabbageworm, the cabbage looper, and the diamondback moth. Scouting tips and effective means of control are highlighted.
Corn Earworm
Corn earworm can cause serious economic damage to commercial and home-grown sweet corn and hybrid dent seed corn, as well as tomatoes, lettuce, peppers and beans. Learn more in this factsheet.
