Current News!
Buying Discounted Plants the Smart Way
Dan Brandt, Iowa County Extension Horticulture Intern, (608) 935-0391
You see the signs everywhere: "50% off all plants". Now is the time of the year when the stores are discounting their plants. Be smart when buying those plants!, I have included a few tips on how to buy smart when it comes to buying end of the season plants.
Buying plants are a very important process. How do you know if the plant will work right for the area you want to plant it in? Most garden centers today have fact tags or tags on the plants with information. These can be a great resource to you. These tell how tall and wide the plant is supposed to grow. They tell the recommended amount of light a plant should receive and also they show pictures sometimes as well. If you cannot find a tag on a plant, ask the people working in the garden center. These people can be of great resource as many have gardens themselves and know what works well where. They may also offer plants that you may have looked over.
When it comes to buying annuals in July there are a few tips to remember. Unless you are willing to provide considerable care to annuals, stay away from the “End of Season” sales. Best results now are from potted plants which are four inches tall and stronger with a better root system, which means less care. Frequent fertilizing keeps existing plants vigorous and producing. Potted plants lose moisture quickly, and nutrients pass out of the drainage holes. Try to avoid drought stress, which can jeopardize months of long hard work.
When it comes to buying shrubs and trees, try and look for healthy plants for a good buy. If some trees and shrubs do not have leaves on them at all the plant may still be fine. From having plants to close together in the garden center it cuts of circulation so the plant does not get adequate air flow and thus the plant drops its leaves trying to conserve energy and nutrients to help it survive until it can be planted in someone’s lovely yard. The last and most important step is to always ask if the year guarantee that most places offer on plants still applies to clearance or discounted items as well. For more tips on buying smart in the garden center you can contact your Iowa County UW Extension office at (608)935-0391.
The Local Fare project is dedicated to a regional vision of increasing access to local foods in Southwest Wisconsin and is a partnership between UW Platteville and UW Extension Continuing Education along with local producers. The project puts out a periodic newsletter, Local Fare Hotsheet with information on upcoming regional events.
 Updated Local Producers' Guide Available (publication)
Last year, our summer horticulture intern, Dan Brandt, developed a guide to local foods and related products produced on farms and small businesses in and around Iowa County. The publication debuted at the Iowa County fair, and is now available online by clicking the "publication" link in the title above. Dan recently updated the guide for 2008 and it now has a map! Thanks to all of the producers for providing us your information!
Master Gardener Programs in Iowa County
To learn more about Master Gardener program activities in Iowa County, please contact the Iowa County Extension Office: 608-935-0391, or go to the Iowa County Master Gardener Association website:
Iowa County Master Gardeners Association
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT UW EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER PROGRAMS
Master Gardeners are individuals interested in horticulture who have taken Master Gardener training offered by UW-Extension. The trained volunteers share their time and expertise with others by helping communities better understand horticulture and their environment. The goal of the program is to educate and encourage volunteers to help the public with their horticulture inquiries. Benefits of the program include new interests, exploration, skills, opportunities, friendships, recognition, self-confidence, leadership and education.
The purpose of the Wisconsin Master Gardener program is to provide unbiased, research-based horticultural information to the citizens of Wisconsin through the Master Gardener volunteers.
To become certified as a Master Gardener, you must attend the designated training sessions, pass a final exam, and then fulfill a commitment to volunteer a minimum amount of time to your community. To remain certified, each year you will be expected to take 10 hours of continuing education and volunteer 10 hours of your time.
Volunteer hours can be donated to:
- extension demonstrations and community gardens
- clinics and educational programs
- educational displays at county and community fairs or public libraries
- horticultural therapy programs at nursing homes
- farmers' markets
- volunteer at county extension office
- youth groups such as Boy Scouts or 4-H
- many other horticulture projects
RELATED HORTICULTURE LINKS OF INTEREST
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