Webinars for WI Gardeners
Join us for our FREE webinar series! These engaging mini-webinars are 30 minutes including Q&A. Mini-webinars are free, but registration is required. Please click on the topics below to register. Webinars will be recorded for later viewing. For questions about the webinars contact us at: horticulture.webinar@extension.wisc.edu
2023 SERIES 5: Houseplant Myth Busters, Tool Ideas, and Succulent Spotlight
Debunking Houseplant Myths
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 31, 12:00 p.m.
Description: It can be hard to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to plant care and pest prevention. Join us to discuss common misconceptions about your indoor plant care and learn the correct strategies to keep your indoor greenery thriving and healthy.
Presented by: Johanna Oosterwyk, DC Smith Greenhouse Manager, UW-Madison
Soap recipe to help manage houseplant pests, from Johanna Oosterwyk and PJ Liesch.
*** Remember to test on a small area and wait 24 hours to evaluate for any damage such as phytotoxicity!
Combine 1 Tablespoon mild dishwashing liquid and 1 gallon of water and shake well.
Test on a small area and wait 24 hours.
Spray to thoroughly cover pests (the solution acts as a contact insecticide).
Repeat as needed every 7-10 days.
Adaptive Gardening Tools: What to think about for success next season
Date/Time: Thursday, November 9, 12:00 p.m.
Description: Here are some ideas of gardening tools that will make your life in the garden easier and extend your time outside enjoying the weather. By using adaptive gardening tools you can care for your plants while reducing the chance of injury.
Presented by: Ann Loper, Chairwoman of the Lifelong Gardening Project, SouthEast Wisconsin Master Gardener (SEWMG) Association.
Growing Adenium (Desert Rose) – The Flamboyant Succulent
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 14, 12:00 p.m.
Description: Adeniums, or “Desert Roses,” are popular houseplants because of their structurally interesting shapes and abundance of flowers available in a diversity of colors. But, as succulents, they have special cultural requirements for care and maintenance. Join us to learn how you can successfully grow these plants and keep them thriving at home!
Presented by: Dan Mahr, Emeritus Professor and Extension Entomologist, UW-Madison, and Honorary Fellow and Past President, Cactus and Succulent Society of America
Our presenter has shared the following two handouts:
Desert Rose – The Flamboyant Succulent by Dan Mahr
Photos of Desert Roses by Dan Mahr
2023 Past Programs
Soil Testing – Why, When, and How
Description: Don’t guess about adding fertilizer or lime to your lawn or garden. Test your soil! Join us to learn when and how to test your soil, where to send it for testing, and what a soil test will tell you.
Presented by: Kristin Krokowski, Commercial Horticulture Educator, UW-Madison Extension Waukesha County
UW Soil and Forage Lab for Homeowners (Lawn and Garden Samples)
From Scraps to Soil: Composting Basics
Description: Have you ever wondered about making your compost? In this overview of composting basics, find out the do’s, the don’ts, and what happens to compost over winter so you can successfully recycle your lawn, garden and food waste.
Presented by: Julie Hill, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension Walworth, Rock and Jefferson Counties
Resource handout: https://go.wisc.edu/v9d346
Growing Garlic in Wisconsin
Description: Whether you are a garden enthusiast, a foodie, or both, garlic is well known around the world! Join us to learn techniques for growing garlic from planting to storage.
Presented by: Darrin Kimbler, former Agriculture Educator for UW-Madison Extension Iron County and Garlic Farmer, Michigan
Hydrangeas: Know Them and Grow Them
Presented by: Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension Dane County
Description: Learn about the different species of hydrangeas that you can grow in various parts of Wisconsin and everything these beautiful plants need to bloom and thrive.
Beyond Birdfeeders – How to be a Bird Friendly Gardener
Presented by: Julie Hill, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension, Walworth, Rock and Jefferson Counties
Description: Creating a bird-friendly yard goes beyond filling the bird feeders. There are many benefits to both wildlife and people when you prioritize the needs of birds where you garden. We will talk about gardening practices you can do to provide the food, shelter and nesting sites that birds need.
Gardening for Pollinators
Presented by: Susan Carpenter, Native Plant Garden Curator, UW-Madison Arboretum
Description: Communities are eager to help pollinators. Discover which pollinators live in your garden or landscape and how you can foster them. Considering the stressors they face, learn gardening practices to support pollinator habitats and health.
This presentation will be longer than our mini-webinars.
Spotted Lanternfly: an Invasive Insect Knocking on Wisconsin’s Door
Penn State University, Bugwood.org
Presented by: PJ Liesch, Assistant Faculty Associate & Extension Entomologist. UW-Madison Department of Entomology
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect that was first reported in North America in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since that time, this pest has spread through neighboring states, reaching parts of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. With spotted lanternfly (SLF) poised to appear in Wisconsin, this webinar will cover how to identify this invasive pest, its biology, and management approaches used in areas with established SLF infestations.
This presentation will be longer than our mini-webinars. The presentation will be about 30 minutes followed by time for Q & A.
Understanding Your Garden Soil
Presented by: Doug Soldat, Soil Extension Specialist/Faculty, UW-Madison
Soil is the foundation for a healthy and productive garden. Join us to learn what soil characteristics are important for gardening. We will also discuss how you can determine organic matter and fertilization needs and how you can improve your garden soil.
This presentation will be longer than our mini-webinars. The presentation will be about 45 minutes followed by time for Q & A.
Bee Lawns: Using Your Lawn to Provide Food for Pollinators
Presented by: Kristine Moncada, University of MN, Department of Horticultural Science
You may have heard of “No-mow May” with the goal of not mowing lawns in May to allow early-season flowers to bloom for pollinators. Because turfgrass alone doesn’t provide food for pollinators, an even more proactive way to provide food resources for pollinators is to intentionally incorporate flowers in your lawn that have the right type of nectar and pollen for bees – a “Bee Lawn.” In this presentation, you will hear from University of Minnesota researcher Kristine Moncada on the research behind bee lawns, about the best bee lawn plant species, how to establish and maintain bee lawns, and much more.
This presentation will be longer than our mini-webinars. The presentation will be about 45 minutes followed by time for Q & A.
Indoor Plant Care During Winter
Presented by: Johanna Oosterwyk, DC Smith Greenhouse Manager, UW-Madison
Description: Join us to learn how you can keep your indoor plants thriving through late winter. You will learn how to recognize common pests on indoor plants and management options. We will also discuss maintenance practices that you can use to minimize indoor plant problems and keep your plants growing healthy.
Rejuvenating Neglected Apple Trees
Presented by: Darrin Kimbler, Agriculture Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension Iron County
Description: Do you have old and overgrown apple trees that need some attention? Then make sure to join us to learn about how to properly prune these neglected apple trees to support fruit production and prevent diseases. We will discuss correct pruning techniques including timing and encouraging proper tree structure.
Planning for a Seed Saving Vegetable Garden
Presented by: Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension Dane County
Description: Saving seeds is a great way to keep your favorite garden vegetables for next year, but there are some things you need to know before you plant. You will learn about the different plant life cycles, preventing cross pollination, and which crops are the best for home gardeners to grow for seed saving.
Archived 2022 Webinar Videos
View the recordings below
Pruning Apple Trees to Maximize Healthy Fruit Production
Presented by: Amaya Atucha, Associate Professor/Fruit Crop Specialist, UW-Madison
Description: Late winter is an excellent time to prune your backyard apple trees and proper pruning helps your trees to produce high-quality apples! Join us and learn about proper pruning techniques and how the structure of your apple tree supports healthy fruit production.
View Webinar Recording
Identification, Management and Control of Major Apple Pests
Presented by: Diana Alfuth, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension
Description: Be prepared to combat common pests on your backyard apple trees! Join us to learn about the major insect and fungal pests that can cause damage to your apples and the timing of different management strategies to help you be successful this season!
View Webinar Recording
Growing Strawberries in Containers
Presented by: Darrin Kimbler, Agriculture Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension Iron County
Description: Did you know that you can grow your own fresh strawberries in containers? Join us to learn how! We will talk about what you need to know to successfully grow strawberries in containers, including selecting the right variety, soil, watering and fertilizer and how to overwinter them.
Best Practices for Watering Yards and Gardens
Presented by: Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension
Description: Do you know that there is a right way and a wrong way to water your plants? Join us to learn about the water requirements for most plants, how proper watering practices can prevent plant diseases, and different ways to conserve water for your yards and gardens.
Strategies for Identifying and Managing Insect Pests
Presented by: PJ Liesch, Assistant Faculty Associate & Extension Entomologist. UW-Madison Department of Entomology
Description: Even though insects can cause damage to our plants, not all of them are bad! Learn how to look for signs of insects, why identification is required to know if an insect is beneficial or a pest, and what you can do about it! We will also talk about different control methods and options.
Strategies for Identifying and Managing Plant Diseases
Presented by: Amanda Gevens, Chair, Professor & Integrated Extension Specialist, UW-Madison Plant Pathology Department
Description: Plants can be affected by fungus, bacteria, viruses and other factors. Join us to learn about how to look for symptoms of plant disease and what you can do. We will also talk about different control methods and options.
Yard and Garden Cleanup with Diseases and Insects in Mind
Presented by: Andrea Ackerman, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension Brown County
Description: Be prepared to approach your garden and yard cleanup with a better understanding of strategies you can use to benefit your yard, keeping in mind plant diseases, insects, winter interest and wildlife food.
Fall “Lawndry” List
Presented by: Paul Koch, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, UW-Madison
Description: Fall is a good time of year to give your lawn some TLC. Join us to learn more about lawn fertilizer requirements and recommendations for this time of year, aeration and overseeding, and the basics of weed control.
Bringing the Garden Inside
Presented by: Darrin Kimbler, Agriculture Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension Iron County
Description: Get ready to continue enjoying your garden by bringing your plants indoors. You’ll learn about which plants can come in, the requirements for growing plants indoors after they have been outside all summer, and how to properly transition them to their new indoor home.
Links to resources mentioned in the webinar, “Bringing the Garden Inside:”
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/light-for-houseplants.html
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6515
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/bring_plants_indoors_now_but_leave_the_pests_behind
https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/bring-houseplants-indoors-first-frost
Tips for Getting Landscape Plants Ready for Winter
Presented by: Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension, Dane County
Description: Even though the days are getting shorter and winter is around the corner, your gardening tasks are not done yet! Join us to learn about how to protect susceptible plants from snow and cold damage. We will also talk about proper mulching and watering to help your plants through the fall and survive the winter.
Protecting Young Trees from Animal and Other Damage Over Winter
Presented by: Diana Alfuth, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension Pierce and St. Croix Counties
Description: In winter, young trees are prone to a variety of hazards. Be prepared to mitigate that damage by learning how to protect young trees from potential wildlife damage and how to effectively protect trunks from winter sunscald damage.
Maintaining Your Festive Houseplants
Presented by: Janell Wehr, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension Wood and Marathon Counties
Description: Festive houseplants are common gifts that you may give or receive. Learn how to keep a poinsettia, Christmas cactus, Norfolk Island Pine and other favorite gift plants thriving. We’ll cover requirements including light, watering, fertilizer, and humidity.
View/download resource handout for “Maintaining Your Festive Houseplants”
