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Greetings gardeners,

May is here, and it’s finally time to dig in—literally! Shoots are sprouting, buds are breaking, and lawns are greening up across Wisconsin. As warmer days come our way, now is a great time to fix dead spots in your lawn. While “dog spots” and vole damage are frequently noticed this time of year, lesser-known problems like snow molds are just as common. Aside from cleaning up winter debris and prepping garden beds, there is a lot happening in horticulture this month! Read on for timely articles, upcoming webinars, and other news from Extension.

When we say “No Mow May,” this is what we mean! It’s not about the length of the lawn, it’s about providing vital pollen and nectar sources in early spring.
Photos by Doug Soldat.

Starting a vegetable garden may seem overwhelming to a first-time gardener. And although things probably won’t go perfectly for the first couple years, a few simple best-practices will set you up for long-term success. Read more…

Container gardening—that is, growing plants in pots or raised beds—is an increasingly popular way to grow vegetables, particularly when gardening space is limited. You can grow just about any vegetable in containers, but these tips and tricks will set you up for success. Read more…

In our rapidly changing climate, a calendar date is not a reliable method to choose when to plant your vegetable garden. A better method to determine when to put seeds in the ground is to test soil temperatures. Read more…

Heirloom vegetables are old, open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down from generation to generation. They are living artifacts and living history exhibits. They also are a reservoir of genetic diversity. Read more…

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

Wisconsin could be in for ‘a big year’ for Lyme disease as tick bites soar 
Wisconsin Public Radio | Featuring PJ Liesch

Trusted Research. New Ways to Connect. 
Morning Ag Clips | Featuring Bruce Spangenberg

Public invited to UW Family Gardening Day on May 2
UW-Madison CALS News | Featuring Johanna Oosterwyk

▶ Listen: The vertical farm revolution fizzled, but some farms have sprouted in Wisconsin Wisconsin Radio Network | Featuring Johanna Oosterwyk

More Extension Horticulture in the news →

Picturesque? Or major pest? This polarizing perennial plant provokes plenty of debate!

UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program

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

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