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Greetings gardeners,

During the holiday season, we strive to make our homes as colorful and joyful as our gardens are in the growing season. As 2024 winds down, we’ll share tips on winterizing your garden tools, caring for holiday houseplants and greenery, and protecting your landscape plants from deicing salt injury. Don’t forget to take time to appreciate the beauty of Wisconsin’s winter landscapes—this is nature’s way of resting before the growing season begins again. There’s still plenty happening in Horticulture during December to stay connected to nature. Let’s keep the gardening spirit alive, even in the heart of winter!

Dead stalks of grasses and wildflowers not only provide winter interest in the landscape, but also support principles of being a bird-friendly gardener. 

Do you know the right way to water a holiday cactus? Or get a poinsettia to successfully rebloom? This recorded presentation offers practical tips and discusses common pitfalls to avoid for your festive plants to stay healthy and vibrant beyond the holidays. This presentation focuses on Norfolk Island Pine, holiday cactus, and poinsettia. Don’t let your holiday greenery fade—set your plants up for success year-round! Watch now...

As the holiday season wraps up and you begin to put away your decorations for the year, be aware that certain perishable holiday items need to be disposed of properly. In particular, be careful of how you dispose of holiday wreaths and other garlands that contain boxwood sprigs. Holiday decorations containing boxwood foliage can be a source of disease for boxwoods in our landscapes. Learn more…

During Wisconsin winters, deicing salts are used extensively to melt ice and snow on roadways and sidewalks. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is the most commonly used deicer due to its effectiveness, availability, and low cost. However, it poses significant hazards to the environment. This article focuses on preventing plant damage caused by deicing salts, alternatives to NaCl, and recommendations for salt-tolerant landscape plants.  Read more…

When it comes to digging in the garden or pruning trees and shrubs, having high quality tools that are cleaned, lubricated, sharpened and otherwise properly maintained, makes any outdoor job simpler and more efficient. Learn how to maintain your garden tools in this useful article. Read more…

Plant Diagnostics: The Step-by-Step Approach to Identifying Plant Problems 

Course dates: Feb. 1–April 30, 2025 
100% Online | Self-Paced

Prepare yourself for next year’s growing season by learning the process of identifying plant problems. This course explains the basics of the plant diagnostic process in an easy-to-understand way. Gain a deeper understanding of insect and wildlife damage, plant diseases and disorders, and management options.

▶ LISTEN: Garden Talk: Putting your garden to bed for the winter; Forcing bulbs for indoor blooms | WPR | Featuring Laura Jull

How to identify common pine species | Northwoods Yard & Garden | Featuring Bruce Spangenberg

Praying mantis sightings spiked this fall in Wisconsin | WPR | Featuring PJ Liesch

Tips for managing moss problems in lawns | Northwoods Yard & Garden | Featuring Bruce Spangenberg

More Extension Horticulture in the news →

With brightly colored flowers in shades of pink, red, white and more, blooming holiday cactus plants, Schlumbergera spp., are a welcome sight this time of year.

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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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