Margaret Murphy

Every year, new community gardens are created through the efforts of churches, hospitals, and countless other organizations and individuals. There are many benefits of gardening at a community site. It provides an opportunity for those who do not have the space or the desire to garden on their own. Such gardens create access allowing more people to grow their own food, which in turn, allows them to stretch their grocery dollars while enjoying fresh, healthy food at their fingertips. Plus, participating in a community garden brings the added bonus of having others nearby for gardening support, sharing tips, and sometimes produce and making new friends. Community gardening is as much about community as it is about gardening.

Community gardens come in many forms. There is the collective community garden where participants plant and tend one garden and all share in the harvest. The allotment style community garden is probably more widely known. This is where the garden is subdivided into individual plots that are often rented for a small fee to help pay garden expenses such as water. Plots in allotment gardens are individually planted, maintained, and harvested by the renter.

Community gardens can also be established with a particular objective in mind. Often community gardens are used to grow produce for food pantries or other food recipient organizations to help address food insecurity in the area. Community gardens can also be designed for a particular group like youth or seniors. So, if you want to start a community garden or join one, consider what type of garden would best suit your needs.

April is Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month

Damon Smith and Shawn P. Conley

The WI Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) sponsors free nematode testing to help producers stay ahead of the most important nematode pest of soybean, the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Eggs of SCN persist in the soil between soybean crops so a sample can be submitted any time that is convenient. The soil test report indicates the number of eggs in the sample and is useful for selecting the right variety for the next soybean crop. Retests of fields planted with SCN-resistant varieties over multiple years shows how the nematode population is responding to variety resistance and provides an early warning should the nematode population adapt to host genetics.

In the spring of 2012, the WSMB expanded the nematode testing program to include other pest nematodes in addition to SCN. These nematodes are less damaging to soybean than SCN but can cause enough yield loss to warrant treatment. As is the case for SCN, there are no rescue treatments for nematodes so the primary purpose of this year’s soil test is to plan for next year’s crop. Soil samples collected in corn for nematode analysis have predictive value for explaining yield if they are collected before the corn V6 growth stage. Sampling early in the season will provide information about the risk potential for the current corn crop AND the next soybean crop.

Training manuals are only available for purchase through the University of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training state office in Madison. Local county extension offices do not have manuals for sale for any training category. You need to purchase your training manual from the state office https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/collection/private/17 and scroll down to the Private Applicator Training section and then “General Farming”, “Fruit Crops”, or “Greenhouse and Nursery. If you need to order via a paper form to order your manual, please contact the Extension Office.

Cost is $43.00 for the training manual. When you receive your training manual, you will also be provided more information about training options. These training options are also listed below. You must purchase the manual before taking any training or testing options.

1. Online Video Training. These online videos can take the place of in-person or ZOOM training for the General Farm category. They will cover the same material as the in-person sessions. You will need to have a computer, a good internet connection, email, and audio capabilities. You will be sent a link to the training. Once started you have 14 days to complete the training. You will receive one completion certificate that must be shown to the test proctor to be graded at 50%. You will need to take the Exam in person at a participating County Extension Office or online with Pearson VUE (see item 4.). You can register at here and need to have purchased the manual https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4DVfjmVBmP1ZRA You have 14 days to complete the training once you start the training.

2. A self-study option, is also available. For this option, you need to order the manual and when ready to take the test, contact a county extension office to set up an appointment to take the certification test. This option requires a passing score of 70%.

3. If interested in taking the test online, an option exists with a private company. Pearson Vue provides your results immediately and you get your credentials within 3 business days. Tests with Pearson Vue are $45.00 per test. https://patstore.wisc.edu/secure/collection/private/17

Seed Balls

Margaret Murphy

What is a seed ball? It is a mixture of soil, clay and seeds that is formed into a ball and then dried. Then you simply "toss" the ball anywhere suitable for the seeds to grow and watch Mother Nature do her magic! Seed balls are a fun way to add a little more "green" to your environment without hurting your back! Bonus - the birds can't eat your seeds either! Grab your gardening gloves and come play in the dirt with Margaret. 

Date: April 25th   Time: 6 - 7:30pm   Location: CF Middle School   Fee: $15

Growing an Herb Garden

Margaret Murphy

Join UW-Extension Horticulture Outreach Specialist Margaret Murphy as she shares her tips and tricks to growing your own herb garden.

This program is free and open to the public. At the Augusta Memorial Public Library on Monday April 29th beginning at 1 pm.

Irvine Park Native Wildflower Sanctuary

Sign up for Wisconsin Ag Climate Outlook Emails

go.wisc.edu/EXTWIClimateOutlook

Soybean and Soil Health Study

go.wisc.edu/ExtSoybeanSoilHealth

UW Crop Enterprise Budget Tool

go.wisc.edu/ExtCropBudget

Sign up for Insect Pest Text Alerts

forms.gle/msgPGvD2H8aRWmi57

Farm Technology Days

Looking for more gardening information? Or want to ask a gardening question?

Visit Wisconsin Horticulture – Division of Extension website at https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/ or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinGarden.

An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.