Clean Air and Houseplants
Clean Air and Houseplants The winter season may find you spending a greater share of your time indoors and with that, the potential for greater exposure to indoor pollutants. Indoor pollution has become more common as a result of improvements in home insulation and...
Hardwood Trees and Shrub Sale
Hardwood trees for planting this spring 2015 Green County Land & Water Conservation Department is offering 10 varieties of trees, and 2 varieties of shrubs, for landowners interested in planting trees next spring 2015. The tree varieties are: Bur Oak, Red Oak,...
The Wisconsin Hop Craze
The Wisconsin Hop Craze by MGV Ann Marie Ott For a short decade, between 1860 and 1870, growing and drying hops became a major industry in southern Wisconsin, particularly in Sauk County. Crop failures in New York State, most likely resulting from aphid and mold...
Sources for Seeds & Gardening Accessories
Submitted by Ann Marie Ott, MG If you planted seeds early and they didn’t germinate or haven’t gotten into the planting mood given the cool weather, you may find yourself needing to purchase seeds. This list certainly does not represent all possible sources...
My Truce with Dandelions
Submitted by MGV Becky Wegmueller - Dandelions-Everywhere! They poked umbrella like through the narrow cracks in my brick sidewalk. Using a sharp old steak knife, I stabbed and tugged, stabbed and tugged, the long tap root resisting, mocking. I spent a whole 96-degree...
Definitions Applying To Seeds
Definitions Applying To Seeds by Mary Nelson, Master Gardener Pelleted seed - Pelleting improves the shape, size, and uniformity or raw seeds for more accurate sowing by hand and precision-sowing by machine. The pellets are made of inert materials which dissolve as...
Growing Grapes for Winemaking
Growing Grapes for Winemaking by MGV Ann Marie Otto The Wisconsin Winery Association claims that the American wine industry was born in the rich soil of the Badger State. Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian immigrant planted a vineyard and established the first winery in...
Plant Propagation References
Plant Propagation References by MGV Ann Marie Ott While the wait for warmer weather continues and a chance to get outdoors to prepare your outdoor garden spaces is delayed, you may want to visit the public library and select some books to increase your knowledge...
Selecting Seeds
Selecting Seeds, by MGV Ann Marie Ott As you peruse garden catalogs and seed packets in the stores, you will notice a number of seed terms that are important to consider as you make selections for your garden. Each type of seed presents potential benefits for the home...
Potato Varieties for Wisconsin Gardens
Potato Varieties for Wisconsin Gardens by MGV Ann Marie Ott Folklore and family tradition may find you planning for potato planting on St. Patrick’s Day or Good Friday. Given our recent winter weather and deep frost line, you won’t have an opportunity to plant on St....
Orchid Care
Orchid Care by MGV Ann Marie Ott With winter apparently continuing without end, you may be tempted to bring a bit of the tropics into your home by purchasing an orchid. An easy to maintain variety is Phalaenopsis, also called the moth orchid because of the shape of...
Garden Mysteries
Book Review by Ann Marie Ott Author Ann Ripley, an organic gardener and former newspaperwoman wrote a series of gardening mysteries between 1998 and 2006. Several titles are found on the shelves of the Monroe library and others may be waiting for you in other South...