This time of year the tops of the leaves of many plants and shrubs become covered with a dull white dusty substance called powdery mildew. This frequently happens to roses, lilacs, phlox, honeysuckle and zinnias, but many other plants, shrubs and even trees are affected. This fungal disease usually occurs during periods of cool [Continue]
When the seedlings pop up they first develop cotyledons, which look like leaves but are really food storage cells. Next a set of true leaves will form. At this point, the seedlings need fertilizer. Use a half-strength fish emulsion, compost tea or manure tea for the first three weeks. After that, use full strength fertilizer [Continue]
I am an organic gardener, so you will never see me write anything in this column about applying pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. There is an alternate organic method for solving just about every garden problem. There is, also, the alternate mind set. For example, my lawn is not full of weeds; it is a [Continue]
When you buy transplants for your garden and flower beds this spring there are several things you should know before exchanging your hard-earned green dollars for green plants. First, I strongly recommend that you do your buying at a local greenhouse rather than at a department store. Prices for plants are comparable at a greenhouse [Continue]
Our Wisconsin growing season is too short for some vegetables to ripen or flowers to bloom if you wait to plant them outdoors in May. They need a head start indoors. Starting seeds indoors is easy to do and doesn’t cost much. Start with a sterile soiless mix – you can get a [Continue]
Our Wisconsin growing season is too short for some vegetables to ripen or flowers to bloom if you wait to plant them outdoors in May. They need a head start indoors. Starting seeds indoors is easy and doesn’t cost much. Use a sterile soiless seed starting mix and a container that drains well. [Continue]
Wisconsin gardeners may look with envy on their neighbors to the south whose growing season extends year round. But if you’re like me, you feel a little sadness at the first hard frost each fall, and then breathe a secret sigh of relief that a well-deserved few months of rest are ahead. Then around [Continue]
My husband and I are very lucky when it comes to winning door prizes at various banquets and holiday parties we attend, and sure enough, he won the poinsettia that was the beautiful centerpiece on our table at the Winnebago County Master Gardener Christmas party this year. Although I do keep a few token houseplants, [Continue]