Checking in on Garden Tomatoes |
As we finish out July and head into August, gardeners are looking forward to harvesting their tomatoes. Tasting that first, freshly picked tomato is a joy every tomato grower knows. But this is also the time to keep a look out for some common disease and disorders that may show up on tomato plants.
One common disorder is blossom end rot. Blossom end rot is characterized by a sunken, dark area at the blossom end of the tomato. It often occurs on developing fruit during times of hot, dry weather. It tends to have the greatest impact on the earliest-maturing fruit. Blossom end rot results from the plant being unable to provide enough calcium to the fruit as its growing. Calcium can become deficient when there is a wide fluctuation in soil moisture. Although blossom end rot means that the plant does not have enough calcium within the developing fruit, it does not mean, necessarily, that there is a lack of calcium in the soil.
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Eggplants are ready for harvest! I have already eaten my first of the season and it tasted delicious! The cultivation of eggplant is thought to have originated in India domesticated from a wild form. This nightshade has a colorful history. Folks in medieval times believed it to have properties of a love portion. In later years, the eggplant was held with suspicion as it was thought to cause madness.
The first varieties grown were not the familiar purple eggplant so commonly seen today but rather produced a small, egg-shaped fruit – hence the name eggplant. Today, the fruit of eggplants comes in many different shapes, sizes and colors. You can select cultivars with fruit that is long and thin, pear-shaped, globular, or small and oval. Fruit colors include white, deep purple, brown, green, pink, and striped. Certain varieties have become favorites based on the type of cooking one is doing. Long, narrow eggplant is often used in stir-fries as it holds its shape and texture better. The larger round or pear-shaped varieties absorb flavors well so are commonly used in dishes with sauces.
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2025 Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic Plant Disease Talks
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Each month in 2025, the UW Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC) will sponsor a Zoom presentation on a plant disease-related topic. The presentations are free, but registration is needed. For descriptions and to register, go to PDDC Plant Disease Talks.
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Looking for more gardening information? Or want to ask a gardening question?
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How well will the quality of my hay fit my animal's needs? |
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In this report, we present the 2024 Wisconsin custom rates to facilitate negotiations because many farms rely on custom agricultural services. These rates are based on the 2024 Wisconsin Custom Rate Survey of Wisconsin farmers, farm managers and custom operators. This online survey launched in March 2025 and had 161 respondents who performed, hired or had knowledge of 2024 custom rates in Wisconsin. On average, 48% of respondents performed custom work, 31% paid for it, and 21% had knowledge of it. For this report, we excluded custom operations with insufficient responses and dropped survey responses from other states. The custom rates reported in this survey include fuel cost unless otherwise stated. In these tables, Average is the simple average of all reported rates, Range is the minimum and maximum reported values, and Responses is the number of usable responses.
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Revisiting Mycotoxins and Silage – How to Feed the Dairy |
Damon L. Smith, Professor and Extension Field Crops Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Harkirat Kaur, Assistant Professor and Extension Corn Agronomist, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Preventing mycotoxin contamination in corn silage requires a multi-pronged approach, including field management, proper harvesting, ensiling techniques, and strategic feeding practices. Now is a good time to consider some in-field management to reduce deoxynivalenol issues in your silage crop. Note that foliar fungicides have had mixed results when it comes to reducing deoxynivalenol in Wisconsin over the years, but might have greater likelihood of success on highly susceptible hybrids.
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Nitrogen Management & Water Quality Field Day |
Join Chippewa County Extension for an engaging field day at Triple T Farms as we explore the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program funded by DATCP.
This is a great opportunity for producers, conservation professionals, and ag advisors to stay informed and connected!
Questions? Contact Chippewa County Extension at 715-726-7950
We hope to see you there!
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Yellow River Soil Health Field Day |
This event is FREE and sponsored by UW–Madison Division of Extension, USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Services, Chippewa County Land Conservation and Forest Management and Conservation Professional Training Program.
Register by August 7: go.wisc.edu/YellowMoon25
Or call Amber at 715-726-7950
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Join us on August 25 at 6:00 PM at the Dunn County Government Center in Menomonie, WI, for “Gardening for Life.” This engaging session will explore how gardening can remain a lifelong activity that supports your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether you're just starting or adjusting your routine, learn how to keep gardening a joyful and fulfilling part of your life.
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UW - Madison Division of Extension Cow-Calf & Fall Forage Twilight Meeting |
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Make plans to attend the UW-Madison Division of Extension Cow-Calf & Fall Forage Twilight Meeting on September 9, 2025, from 5 –7 pm at Wolf Creek Angus, 35431 100th St., Stanley, WI. Together, our host farm, the North Central WI Cattlemen’s Association and Extension Educators will discuss Selecting Herd Replacements: considerations including using phenotypes and genomics to build your herd, and Fall Forage Management: from fall fertilizer application, soil sampling and feed inventory.
This event is free, but RSVP is required by calling Extension Taylor County at 715-748-1413 by August 18 so we can plan materials and snacks. Please come prepared: this is a rain or shine event with walking involved: bring rain gear and your own lawn chair for seating. Wear clean, washable footwear and you will be expected to follow the farm’s biosecurity regarding footwear and travel/walking on the farm.
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Save a Calf, Save a Cow calving school for dairy and beef producers |
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Connect with us on our websites to learn more, stay updated and get in touch!
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The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.
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