Brown Bag Programs
offered by the MG Program Office
The Brown Bag Horticulture Programs are educational programs offered generally the last Friday of each monthly except holiday months (ie. NOV and DEC and sometimes other months with key holidays) when the program is held one week earlier than the holiday weekend: note dates). The programs are designed for statewide Master Gardeners and other persons interested in horticultural topics. Each program is from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Anyone who is interested in participating in these programs
should call ahead (715-627-6236), so that we can prepare a sufficient number of photocopies/handouts for each session.
2010 Schedule
January 29…2009-Fruit Production: The Year In-Review
Dick Weidman, Superintendent Peninsular Agricultural Research Station will share his observations on the performance of various fruit crops during the 2009 growing season. He will also share the observed effects and impacts of the wet spring, followed by the cooler than usual 2009 growing season on certain fruit cultivars. The Peninsular ARS has been testing and evaluating cultivars for Wisconsin for years. Join us for an update on fruit crop performance.
Reference information:
Home Fruit Crops for Southern Wisconsin (A2582)
Apple Cultivars for Wisconsin (A2105)
Rootstocks for Fruit Trees in Wisconsin (A3561)
Home Fruit Crops for Northern Wisconsin (A2488)
February 26… Emerald Ash Borer: Planning Ahead
Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Michigan in June 2002, Wisconsin in 2008 and Minnesota in 2009. It is a species of metallic wood boring beetle (Buprestidae) that attacks ash (Fraxinus), usually killing trees in one-three years. Since the find in Wisconsin, many printed educational resources and web sites have been developed. Join Dr. Robert Tomesh and others in a discussion about the pest problem, where information can be found, sources of educational materials and what you can do to assist your community.
March 26… Understanding and Managing Late Blight of Tomato and Potato
The program will offer insight into the 2009 late blight epidemic in the United States and Wisconsin. Attention will be given to the following topics: how did late blight get here?, biology of the late blight pathogen, what do we know about late blight from 2009?, managing late blight at the end of the season and the beginning of next, and the risk of late blight in 2010. Join Dr. Amanda Gevens Extension Plant Pathologist in Potato and Vegetable Crops, UW-Madison
April 23…Bagging Apples and Pest Management in the Fruit Orchard
There are many types of insects and diseases that reduce the quality of the fruit that is produced in the home orchard. Bagging apples, pears and large plums serve as an organic means to protect fruit from pests. Join Bob Tomesh in a discussion for the annual planning and implementation of pest management using a combination of organic and chemical approaches.
May 21… Invasive Species
There are many non-native, invasive pests that threaten Wisconsin’s environment. Prevention, early detection, control or eradication of these pests is key to preventing their establishment Commercial producers and home gardeners alike should be vigilant to help keep our environment free of these potentially damaging pests. To help in this effort, join Kelly Kearns from the Wisconsin DNR to review the efforts and educational materials available.
June 25…Container Vegetable Gardening
Container gardening has many advantages for a show of color and texture around the outdoor living space of a home, allow apartment dwellers a chance to garden, and can be included on the deck or patio. Containers can also be used to extend the growing season. Join us in a discussion on the care and cultural management of container vegetable gardening.
July 30…Using the Vegetables Grown in Your Garden or Purchased at the Farmers’ Market
We often have grown both the usual and some less common vegetable types in our gardens and also have a chance to purchase many different types at the Farmers, Market. To help with nutritious and healthy preparation suggestions for both common and less common vegetables, join Sherry Tanumihardjo, UW Extension Nutrition Specialist for a review of preparation suggestions and sources of food recipes.
August 27… Curing and Storage of Vegetables
Many home-grown vegetables lend themselves to storage. Storing vegetables can be quicker, easier and more economical than fermenting, canning, freezing or dehydrating. Storage facilities can be constructed at little or no cost. Stored vegetables can represent considerable savings in food dollars.
September 24… Winterizing the Yard and Garden
With the arrival of autumn colors comes the time to schedule and complete the outside garden and landscape chores. To avoid getting caught unprepared, plan tasks just ahead of nature's time-table and feel satisfied that you put your garden to bed for the winter. Join Bob Tomesh to review the yard and garden winterizing issues.
October 22…Beneficial Insects
There are lots of “good” bugs just waiting to help us with pest control. Learn about predators and parasitoids, and some of the major groups of beneficial insects. We’ll discuss ways to encourage these natural enemies in your yard and some of the best options for biological control in the backyard. Join Dr. Susan Mahr to review the issues which can lead to assisting beneficial insects in your garden.
November 12… Growing Currants and Gooseberries
The harsh climate of the northern Great Lakes has made successful berry production a challenge. But to meet this challenge, new cultivars with better hardiness have been developed. This, with proper site selection and cultural management opens the potential for fruit production. Currants and gooseberries are often overlooked and home berry crop. Join us to review the issues which can lead to adding another fruit crop to your garden.
December 17… Growing Alliums
Most of us are familiar with the edible varieties belonging to the onion or allium family, which include garlic, chives, leeks, onions and shallots. The bulbous onion and its numerous relatives belong to the Lily family. Some of these alliums are distinctly ornamental; a few others, notably garlic, leek, Welsh onion, and chive, are common vegetables. All of the edible forms have related flavors and odors that are due principally to a volatile, irritating substance. Fortunately, the different alliums are relatively easy to grow in the home garden. The most difficult decision may be deciding what kind of allium to plant since there are plenty of varieties from which to choose. Join Bob Tomesh in a discussion on growing alliums.
Podcasts of some previous programs are posted at http://fyi.uwex.edu/brownbag/.