DATCP Guidance on Unsolicited Seed Packages Release Date: July 28, 2020 Media Contact: Grace Atherton, Communications Director, (608) 224-5020, Grace.Atherton@wisconsin.gov MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has been notified that some Wisconsin residents have received unsolicited packages in the mail containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. […]

The March 14 and March 21st Intro to plant diagnostic training program is cancelled due to the coronavirus COVID-19 threat. We apologize for any inconvenience.

With snow on the ground and the forecast temperature in 20’s F, it’s not best to plant any leftover perennials in the ground for the season. However, you can overwinter any container perennials in an unheated garage or cold basement. Place the container plant inside a bigger container or wooden box. Use straw, leaves, hay, […]

Article was written by Leigh Presley, Agriculture Extension Educator.  Originally published in the Kenosha News. A shortage of wild-caught yellow perch from Lake Erie is threatening the Wisconsin fish fry as we know it. The cause of the shortage, like the fish, seems hard to find. Warmer water temperatures and predation by larger fish might be […]

By Vijai Pandian, Horticulture Extension Educator for Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine Counties. As the growing season comes to end, it is time to clean and put your garden to bed for the winter.  A good fall cleanup provides multiple benefits for gardeners – reduces weed populations and disease, minimizes plant insect pests, prevents rodent infestation, […]

By Vijai Pandian, Horticulture Extension Educator for Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine Counties. Wasps often have a scary reputation for their painful sting, but they are highly beneficial insects in the ecosystem. They predate on many flies, caterpillars, and young insects that damages crop plants, and to a certain extent they also help in pollination.  Yellow […]

By Vijai Pandian, Horticulture Extension Educator for Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine Counties. Wild Cucumber Invasion There is a timing for all plants including weeds to be conspicuous at a certain season in natural landscape. In autumn, one such attractive weed that has begun to catch attention in southeast Wisconsin is wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata).  Native […]

Article by Vijai Pandian, UW Madison Extension and PJ Liesch, UW Madison Entomology Established in Wisconsin in 1990’s, the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a voracious defoliator of many landscape and garden plants. Roses, birches, lindens, grapes, raspberries, Norway maples, beans, apples, plums, crabapples, elms, beech, asparagus and rhubarb are some of its favorite plant […]

By Vijai Pandian, Horticulture Extension Educator for Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine Counties Summer is a great time to explore Wisconsin’s rich natural resources. When you camp, bike, or hike you may encounter diverse trees, shrubs or vines but none are as easily recognizable to “Poison Ivy” (Toxodendron radicans) with its distinct three leaflets. Poison Ivy, […]