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Greetings gardeners,

June marks the official start of summer and peak growing season for many plants. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even some beetles and flies are out in full force. It’s no coincidence that June is National Pollinator Month. It's a great time to show some love to these tiny garden helpers. Check out our online collection of pollinator resources to find simple ways to make your yard and garden a welcoming place for these creatures all year long.

No sun? No problem. Hakone grass is a beautiful shade-loving plant with vibrant color and flowing texture. 

Proper watering of your plants is key to help them grow well. In this video, you will 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. Read more...

Tomatoes are among the most popular crops grown by Wisconsin gardeners. The flavor and nutritional benefits of homegrown tomatoes make them well worth the effort. Understanding a few basic characteristics of tomatoes can help increase success with your tomato crop this year. Read more…

Lead in garden soil can pose health risks to gardeners and to those who eat the garden’s produce. This article shares information on how to reduce contamination and submit samples for analysis. Read more…

Regularly checking the nutrient levels in fruit crops and the soil they grow in is key to creating long-term, sustainable growing practices. This article explains how to collect soil and plant tissue samples for analysis. Read more…

If you love digging in the dirt, growing plants, volunteering in your community, and sharing knowledge with others, then the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program is right for you. The process to join starts in fall. Learn what it takes to become a Master Gardener.

A weekly column of horticulture education and activities for Wisconsin gardeners. Read the latest articles from this past month.

▶ Watch: New and Unique Plant Varieties
PBS Wisconsin | Featuring Allen Pyle

Wisconsin hotspot for Lyme disease spread as tick activity increases
WXPR | Featuring PJ Liesch

▶ Listen: Midges, ticks and other bugs; the value of wetlands
The Larry Meiller Show | Featuring PJ Liesch

▶ Listen: Nitrogen, Growth, Traffic and Organic Matter
TurfNet | Featuring Doug Soldat

Smoke-like swarms of midges may be ‘eerie,’ but completely harmless expert says
Channel 3000 | Featuring PJ Liesch

More Extension Horticulture in the news →

Not all bees are yellow! Brush up on your bee identification skills with our Wisconsin Bee ID Guide.

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UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program

Find articles, resources, educational events and more at hort.extension.wisc.edu

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