Horticulture Posts

Question: Our lawn is not in great shape-with lots of dead spots throughout with the various droughts this summer. This has happened in previous summers, but it has always come back ok. What should we do? Answer: Repeated droughts can take turfgrass plants over the edge, even if they have recovered in years past. In […]

Question: How do I get rid of these worms and tents in my trees? (see photo below) Answer: At this time of year, I have also seen the presence of fall webworms, especially at the tips of tree branches. Fall webworms construct these nests (aka silk tents or webs) and the caterpillars feed within the […]

Question: What’s going on with my tomato plants (see picture)? Answer: If your tomato plants are starting to look like the one in the picture, do not panic. Fungal infections are VERY common for tomatoes in Wisconsin, especially given our weeks of high humidity and periods of heavy rain lately. There are two common diseases […]

Question: Do plastic trunk protectors help protect trees from deer damage? Answer: Yes, but not year-round. Any sort of plastic tree protector is only supposed to be on the tree for the winter. These are not supposed to be left on year-round as heat and humidity can get trapped and cause problems or decay for […]

Question: We were told we didn’t have to remove the burlap or wire basket around the root ball when we planted our trees. Is this right? Answer: Unfortunately, leaving the burlap, wire basket, and/or any other cordage or other materials on the root ball is an improper planting practice and will eventually cause BIG problems […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of June 8 Last week we were talking about how dry it was, now we’re talking about severe storms. This week we feature some resources to help you with gardening for these wacky weather extremes and what to do for trees that experience storm damage. If […]

Question: What else can I do to support pollinators in my yard? Answer: Pollinators need three core habitat features: Food, Shelter, and Protection – especially from chemical insecticides. A healthy pollinator habitat provides a mix of flowering plant species that bloom at different times throughout the growing season. Therefore, planting native species that support insect […]

Question: Small caterpillars or worms have completely devoured all of the leaves on one of my bushes (see photo below). What can I do to stop them and should the bush be removed? Answer: Those are the larvae of viburnum leaf beetles (VLB for short). VLB larvae typically appear in early to mid May and […]

Question: I’m noticing that my tree’s roots are growing at the surface of my lawn. What should I do? Answer: Some tree species are more prone to doing this, but it can happen with almost any tree. It’s important to remember that the majority of the tree roots are within the top 8” of soil. […]

Question: I’m having a problem with perennial weeds in my yard. No matter how many times I pull or cut them, they keep coming back! Answer: Ugh! Thistle, creeping bellflower and other perennial weeds can be really challenging to get a handle on because of their underground structures that can store a large amount of […]

Question: I’m noticing a lot of weeds in my lawn, what do I spray on them to kill them? Answer: Well….do you absolutely need to spray and kill them? A lawn that is maintained well through best practices like planting and maintenance like mowing and proper fertilization, will outcompete weeds. A “weed” just means that […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of April 27 Question: When should I spray my apple trees for pests? Answer: For any fruit crop, it’s important to utilize an integrated pest management plan to help minimize damage from pests (like disease or insects) and maximize fruit production. In order to do this, […]

This Week in the Garden BONUS BONUS Last week we shared a picture of something unknown on a clematis branch. If you didn’t see it yet, check out the photo in this post. Did you look? What do you think? Those are katydid eggs. Katydids are more closely related to crickets than to any type […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of April 20 Question: I’m getting my vegetable garden ready, can I add manure? Answer: Manure can be used as a soil amendment in the home garden, which helps improve soil structure and drainage, adds organic matter, and provides some nutrients. However, do not apply fresh […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of April 20 Question: I’ve heard I shouldn’t prune my oak trees this time of year – why? Answer: Try to avoid pruning any oaks from now until at least July 15. The reason is that we are currently in a HIGH RISK period for OAK […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of April 13 As you’re headed out to your yards after the storms and rain earlier this week, we need you to be on the lookout for a new invasive plant making its way through Wisconsin… Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), is an invasive plant spreading across […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of April 6 Question: It’s starting to get nice out, when can I plant my vegetable crops? Answer: Some veggie crops need a head start indoors and some can be planted directly outside. Keep watching the weather and remember that soil temperatures are still cooler than […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of April 6 With warmer temperatures beckoning us outside, you might be anxious to start gardening! Check out this week’s tips and resources. Question: Where can I get my soil tested? Answer: A basic soil test gives you information about the chemical make-up of the soil. […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of March 30 Those warmer temperatures earlier in the week had us thinking about lawn care! Good lawn care practices rely on proper timing to keep that turf growing well. A healthy turf can also outcompete weeds. Question: What seasonal applications are recommended for my lawn? […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of March 23 Spring is here and the gardening questions are starting to come in. Here are a few highlights and quick answers to help you in your own yard! Question #1: When planting trees, should we add some compost or soil amendments to the planting […]

This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of March 23 Question #2: Can I grow blueberries in my yard (in southern WI)? Answer: It is very challenging to grow blueberries in in-ground garden locations in southern WI because our soils are too alkaline, meaning the soil pH is too high, typically above 7.0. […]

 Julie Hill, Horticulture Outreach Specialist (Ongoing) A year-long activity/service for residents of Walworth County to provide research-based answers to their horticulture questions. The goal of this effort is to educate individuals of Walworth County so they can implement best practices in their landscapes that will positively affect the environment and their communities.

Are you seeing these caterpillars on your trees or hiding underneath things left lying around the yard? They are spongy moth caterpillars (formerly known as gypsy moth) that are busy eating and getting bigger and bigger until they get ready to change into their adult moth form. The spongy moth has escalated into one of […]

The WiBee App (pronounced wee-bee) is publicly available for anyone to use, whether you are a gardener, grower, student, or just interested in bees. The goal of the WiBee App is to observe and collect data on the abundance and diversity of wild bees visiting blooming crops on your farm. With the app, you complete […]

I really love this time of the year as plants emerge once again after their long winter naps.  I also love the fact that I now get to start looking once again for some of my favorite plant diseases.  At the top of the list at this time of the year are the rust diseases.  […]

Warmer temperatures mean that Wisconsinites are spending a lot more time enjoying the outdoors with activities such as gardening, hiking, picnicking, and camping. However, spring also happens to be a season of peak tick activity in the Midwest. Ticks may be small but can have big health impacts as they carry diseases such as Lyme […]

Our lakes are vital to where we live, work and play. But they need our help! Lesser celandine, Phragmites, and knotweed are three invasive plants in southern Wisconsin that grow in wet areas, such as shorelines, and have significant impacts on our lakes. Learn how to identify them, their affects, and how you can take action […]

Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak and guidelines from Wisconsin Department of Health Services, UW-Madison, and federal agencies our office will have limited availability and access. Our staff are working remotely and many of our events have been postponed. WALWORTH.EXTENSION.WISC.EDU or call (262) 741-4951 for more. For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Wisconsin […]

Do not miss this incredible FREE opportunity! Explore science, engineering and what UW-Madison has to offer! This three day weekend is exploding with an amazing range of different sciences and engineering! Talk with researchers and UW scientists! Visit research labs, libraries, and field sites! This open house is FREE and open to all! 3 days! […]

The 2019 Prairie Walk has been scheduled on Tuesday July 23 in Burlington. Registration will begin at 8:30AM followed by our program at 9AM. We have some very special guests this year that will speak on pollinators and conservation. This year we will meet at Jeff and Molly Keller’s property on Spring Prairie Road. W775 […]

Our goal in offering the Tractor & Machinery Safety Certification Course is two-fold. First, it provides parents with an opportunity to meet State and Federal mandates for children who will be operating farm equipment. Second, and equally important, our efforts are meant to keep our children safe on the farm and the busy highways we deal […]

Interested in improving soil health? You’re invited to attend the Soil Health Workshop in Fort Atkinson on March 5th from 4:30-8:00pm with registration at 4:00pm. REGISTER HERE! Soil Health Event Postcard Agenda:  4:30-6:00 pm Soil Health: The What, Why and Hows: Hear from local farmers about how they are using cover crops and no-till to build […]

UW-Extension and the WI Department of Natural Resources brings you several tree planting workshops happening this fall. Community public works, park employees and others should be very excited about these informative workshops. The workshops consist of classroom instruction and outdoor demonstrations on planting techniques, tree species, post-plant maintenance and treatment, nursery stock inspection and more! […]

What is it? Bronze Birch Borer (Agrilus anxious) is a serious pest of birch trees in the Midwest. It can severely injure or kill most birch species; European white birch varieties are particularly susceptible. They are commonly found on ornamental white birch trees in neighborhood areas. Bronze birch borer attacks stressed trees, and the source of […]

Have you heard of the Emerald Ash Borer? You should if you have ever been to a camp, park or trail location in WI and across the United States and Canada. Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive, wood boring beetle. It kills ash trees (Fraxinus spp) by eating the tissues under the bark. […]

June is a critical moment during the year for Gypsy Moth control. In June, gypsy moth caterpillars can be seen on tree trunks, sides of buildings, benches, playground equipment, or any outdoor furniture. The UW-Extension office has already received multiple samples of gypsy moth caterpillars from citizens that are unaware of the problem that they […]

Walworth County Volunteer Services needs your help! There are parks in Walworth County that you can call hidden gems. Volunteer Services needs help maintaining the parks with trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and park improvements. Enjoy the rewarding opportunity to spend some time outdoors at any of these beautiful parks and know that you made […]

The 2018 Prairie Walk is right around the corner! There is a very exciting and interesting theme this year. This year’s theme is WETLANDS, WOODLANDS and WILDLIFE. The walk will take place on Century Oaks Farm in Burlington, WI by Dyer Lake. This event will occur rain or shine so dress appropriately for the weather. […]

At the start of the new year, the centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Food and Drug Administration announced an investigation into toxic E. coli infections in the U.S. Since November, 58 people in the U.S. and Canada have become ill from a dangerous strain of E. Coli. Two people have died […]

Ever been curious about what is growing in the backyard? Have you ever wanted to learn more about plants or flowers, bugs/insects or even lawn care and gardening? Join the elite and become a Master Gardener! Level 1 Master Gardener training will be in the Spring for Rock and Walworth Counties. Mandatory Orientation will be […]

Many people may already possess a “green thumb” but to be successful beginning growers need to make smart decisions about business planning, marketing, pricing, capitalization, and labor…especially in today’s crowded marketplaces. This intensive, 3-day workshop provides a comprehensive look at what it takes to start and operate a sustainable business growing and selling fresh vegetables. The program emphasizes organic […]

Start planning now for home canning, food preservation season UW-Extension website offers recipes, how-to videos and more When it comes to flavor and taste, few things compare to home-canned produce fresh from the garden. The home canning and preserving season will be here before we know it, so now is a good time to start […]

As the days get longer and the temperature rises, it’s the perfect time to think about gardening! Please join us on Thursday, April 27th at 6:30 pm  for a special program to help you get started, and to attract some beneficial animals to your yard. Library staff and Master Gardeners, Lisa Selje and Lisa Lynn, will […]

Emerald Ash Borer, a serious pest of ash trees has been confirmed Walworth County and several other counties of Southeast Wisconsin. Homeowners can take steps to provide their trees with a measure of security but it must be done proactively.

Have you seen these moths around? They may be more harmful to your trees than you think! Find out more at the Gypsy Moth in Wisconsin website.