Barron County Master Gardeners Offer two $ 150 Grants
Barron County Master Gardeners are offering two $150 dollar grants for worthy community garden projects. Projects must be gardening related and located in Barron County. The applicant must be a non-profit group or organization.

Include the following information on your application:
- Name and location of the group or organization
- contact person’s phone number
- email and mailing address
- description of the project and expected accomplishments
- Include a simple plan if appropriate
Please print and fill out the application and mail to: Kim Grover, Barron County Extension Office, 335 E. Monroe Avenue, Barron ,WI 54812.
Here is the link to the application: Barron County Master Gardener Grant Application
Deadline to apply is April 10, 2023.
Barron County Master Gardeners Offer a $500 Dollar Scholarship

The Barron County Master Gardeners offer a $500 dollar scholarship that is available for an eligible Barron county student interested in pursuing an education in horticulture, landscape design or turf management. Interest students should obtain an Application form from the Student Service Department of their local high school or here is the link to the Application for the scholarship, but you must turn it into your local student services office in your local high school.
This is the criteria for the scholarship:
- Must be in a horticultural program, landscape design, or turf management.
- Must be a Barron County high school Senior or have graduated from a Barron County high school and are attending an accredited 2 or 4 year school.
- Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Provide a transcript.
- Should be or have been an active participant in school and community activities.
Scholarship Application: Barron County Master Gardener Scholarship Application
Deadline to Apply is April 10, 2023
WEBINARS FOR WISCONSIN GARDENERS
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE EARTHY
Spotted Lanternfly: an Invasive Insect Knocking on Wisconsin’s Door
Date: April 26
Time: 12:00 pm
Presented by: PJ Liesch, Assistant Faculty Associate and Extension Entomologist. UW-Madison Department of Entomology
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect that was first reported in North America in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since that time, this pest has spread through neighboring states, reaching parts of Onion, Michigan, and Indiana. With spotted lanternfly (SLF) poised to appear in Wisconsin, this webinar will cover how to identify this invasive pest, its biology, and management approaches used in areas with established SLF infestations.
This presentation will be longer than our mini-webinars. The presentation will be about 30 minutes followed by time for Q and A.
Registration: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/webinar/register/WM_ifZoHLDBReGNspj5yuMd2g
FLOWERS AND GARDENS
Container GardeningMulches for Home Gardens and PlantingsCover Crops for the Home GardenGrowing Perennials
Sampling Lawn and Garden Soils for Analysis
Making and Using Compost in the Garden
Evaluating and Judging Flowers and House Plants
How to Grow Tuberous-Rooted Begonias and Gloxinias
Biological Control and Insects and Mites
Biological Control of Insects and Other Pests of Greenhouse Crops
Gladiolus Disorder Virus Complex and Aster Yellows
Gladiolus Disorder Fusarium Yellows and Bulb Rot
Geranium Bacterial Stem Rot and Leaf Spot
Deciduous Tree and Shrub Disorder Skeletonizing by Rose Chafer
COMPOSTING
LAWNS
Sampling Lawn and Garden Soils for Analysis
The Basics of Micro Irrigation
Lawn Establishment and Renovation
Identifying Grasses in Wisconsin Turf
Organic and reduced risk Lawn Care
Do It Yourself Alternative Lawn Care Lawn Fertilization
Calibrating and Using Lawn Fertilizer and Lime Spreaders
Turfgrass Nutrient Management Planning
Supina Bluegrass for Lawns, Golf Courses, and Athletic Fields
FRUITS – BERRIES
Growing Strawberries in Wisconsin
Growing Currants, Gooseberries, and Elderberries in Wisconsin
Growing Raspberries in Wisconsin
Cover Crops for the Home Garden
Raspberry Pest Management for Home Gardens
Raspberry Disorder Fire Blight Spotted Wing Drosophila Invasive Pest of Soft skinned Fruit
Home Fruit Cultivars for Northern Wisconsin
Fertilizing Small Fruits in the Home Garden
Strawberry Pest Management for Home Gardeners
Strawberry Disorder Black Root Rot
Strawberry Disorder Angular Leaf Spot
Evaluating Cold Hardy Wine Grape Maturity Cranberry Pest Management in Wisconsin
Cranberry Pest Management in Wisconsin
Grape Pest Management for Home Gardeners
Cranberry Disorders Fungal Leaf Spot Diseases of Cranberry in Wisconsin
Cranberry Disorders Cranberry Stem Gall
FRUITS – TREE FRUITS
Apple Disorder Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck
Apple Pest Management for Home Gardeners
Plant Growth Regulator Use in Apples
Planning and Establishing Commercial Apple Orchards in Wisconsin
Apple, Pear, and Related Trees Disorder Fire Blight
Determining the Optimal Apple Harvest Date
Growing Apricots Cherries Peaches and Plums in Wisconsin
Training and Pruning Apple Trees
Rootstocks for Fruit Trees in Wisconsin
Orchard Floor Management for Fruit Trees
Home Fruit Cultivars for Northern Wisconsin
Spotted Wing Drosophila Invasive Pest of Soft skinned Fruit
Apple, Flowering Crap, Hawthorn, Juniper Disorder Cedar Rust Complex
DECIDUOUS TREES AND SHRUBS
Planning and Designing your Home Landscape
The Basics of Micro Irrigation
Selecting Woody Landscape Plants for Fall Color
Winter Salt Injury and Salt-Tolerant Landscape Plants
Shade Trees Disorder Decline Dieback and Early Senescence
Maple Decline Collar Rot and Basal Canker Complex
Woody Ornamentals Pest Management in Wisconsin
Scorch and Related Problems in Trees and Shrubs
Plant Injury Due to Turfgrass Broadleaf Weed Herbicides
Effects of Flooding on Woody Landscape Plants
Deciduous Trees Disorder Sprintime Weather Injury to Foliage
Deciduous Trees Disorder Miscellaneous Causes of Decline
Preserving Trees During Construction Mountain Ash Disorder – Sunscald Fungal Canker Complex
Mountain Ash Disorder Fire Blight
Maple and Other Trees Disorder Cottony Maple Scale
Honeylocust Disorder Canker Diseases in Wisconsin
Gypsy Moth Identifying and Managing Gypsy Moth Egg Masses
Deciduous Tree and Shrub Disorder Skeletonizing by Rose Chafer
Honeysuckle Disorder Honeysuckle Leaffolding Aphid
Honeylocust Disorder Plantbugs and Leafhoppers
Gypsy Moth Selecting a Pesticide for Gypsy Moth Control
EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS
Planning and Designing your Home Landscape
The Basics of Micro Irrigation
Colorado Blue Sprue and Conifers Disorders Rhizosphaera Needle Cast
Woody Ornamentals Pest Management in Wisconsin
Pine Disorder European Pine Sawfly
Preserving Trees During Construction
Pine Needle Diseases Brown Spot and Lophodermium Needlecast
Colorado Blue Spruce and Conifers Disorder Cytospora Canker
Winter Salt Injury and Salt-Tolerant Landscape Plants
Effects of Flooding on Woody Landscape Plants
Pine Disorder Dothistroma Needle Blight
VEGETABLES
Mulches for Home Gardens and Landscapes
Cover Crops for the Home Garden
Sampling Lawn and Garden Soils for Analysis
The Basics of Micro Irrigation
Commercial Vegetable Production in Wisconsin
Homegrown Tomatoes for Wisconsin
Storing Fruits and Vegetables from the Home Garden
Harvesting Vegetables from the Home Garden
Storing Fruits and Vegetables from the Home Garden
Growing Carrots Beets Radishes and Other Root Crops in Wisconsin
Growing Vegetables at Home Questions and Answers
Growing Broccoli Cauliflower Cabbage and Cole Crops in Wisconsin
Growing Onions Garlic Leeks and Other Alliums in Wisconsin
Growing Salad Greens in Wisconsin
Growing Pumpkins and other Vine Crops in Wisconsin
Growing Beans and Peas in Wisconsin
Growing Tomatoes Peppers and Egg Plants in Wisconsin
Exhibiting and Judging Vegetables
Biological Control and Insects and Mites
Tomato and Pepper Disorder Bacterial Spot and Speck
Tomato Disorders Fusarium and Verticillium Wilts
Tomato Disorder Physiological Fruit Problems
Vine Crops Diseases Phytophthora Blight
Tomato Disorder Early Blight and Septoria Leaf Spot
Managing Insects in the Home Garden
Vine Crops Disorder Powdery Mildew
Vine Crops Disorder Bacterial Wilt
Vine Crops Disorder Anthracnose
Tomato Disorder Post Harvest Fruit Diseases
Potato Disorders Common Scab and Powdery Scab
Onion Disorders Botrytis Leaf Blight Leaf Fleck and Neck Rot
LANDSCAPING
Planning and Designing your Home Landscape
Mulches for Home Gardens and Plantings
Cover Crops for the Home Garden
Sampling Lawn and Garden Soils for Analysis
Making and Using Compost in the Garden
Evaluating and Judging Flowers and House Plants
How to Grow Tuberous-Rooted Begonias and Gloxinias
Biological Control and Insects and Mites
Biological Control of Insects and Other Pests of Greenhouse Crops
Gladiolus Disorder Virus Complex and Aster Yellows
Gladiolus Disorder Fusarium Yellows and Bulb Rot
Geranium Bacterial Stem Rot and Leaf Spot
Deciduous Tree and Shrub Disorder Skeletonizing by Rose Chafer
BARRON COUNTY SPRING GARDEN EXPO, APRIL 1 2023
Barron County Spring Garden Expo will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Northwood Technical College, 1900 College Drive, Rice Lake, WI 54868. Registration will begin at 8:30 am to 9:00 am.
Registration Fee: $50 or $35.65 for people 62 and older.
Registration Link: https://northwoodtech.edu/continuing-education-and-training/conferences-and-events/spring-garden-expo
Register by Phone: 715-234-7082
Register by Mail: use the address above.
Speakers:
Lisa Hinzman Howard – will present “Cheap Tricks: “cause you don’t need to spend a fortune for fabulous” – explore using found irtems in unique, beautiful, funky, and whimsical ways in the garden. Learn how to follow the seasons sharing tricks to use in your garden all year round. Lisa is an Iowa Master Gardener, an author, speaker, and consultant. She helps gardeners – from pros to dabblers to wannabes – experience the joys of gardening. As the founder of Midwest Garden Gal, LLC, she designs classes, both in-person and web-based. Lisa also conducts in-person and online yard and garden consults for home and business owners.
Lisa Hinzman Howard – will present “Clematis, Queen of the Vines” – everything your need to know about growing clematis in your garden; from when to prune, where to grow and how to help them flourish. Clematis is a great attractor of pollinators.
Diana Alfuth – “Garden Pests” – she is a UW-Extension Horticulture Outreach Specialist for Pierce and St. Croix counties, has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota’s with a focus on plant pathology and landscape design. She has been helping people in Western Wisconsin and training Master Gardeners for over 22 years. She will talk about garden pests, from Japanese beetles, to squash borers, and from powdery mildew to tomato blight.
Dora Wood – “Edible Perennials” will provide ways to enjoy beauty and bounty from the same space, with edible perennials. Dora resides near Chippewa Falls on Home Oasis Farm which uses sustainable, organic farming practices. She shares her solar powered homestead farm with her husband, youngest daughter, cat, dogs, free range chickens and Belted Galloway beef cattle. She enjoys gardening – growing numerous fruit trees, grapes, kiwi, mushrooms, various berries, vegetable and flower gardens, which are part of what lead her to become a Chippewa Valley Master Gardener.
Schedule for the Day:
8:30 am – 9:00 am – Registration
9:00 am – 9:15 am – Welcome and Announcements
9:15 am – 10:15 am – “Cheap Tricks Gardening – You Don’t Need To Spend a Fortune For Fabulous”
10:15 am – 10:30 am – Break
10:30 am – 11:30 am – “Clematis, Queen of the Vines”
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Lunch and time with vendors (lunch is included with the registration fee)
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – “Garden Pests”
1:30 am – 2:45 – “Edible Perennials”
Vendors will be selling garden items and providing educational materials. The Barron County Master Gardeners will also have Raffle items to support their programs.
GET READY TO GARDEN AGAIN – FREE WEBINARS
INDOOR PLANT CARE DURING WINTER
Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Presented by: Johanna Oosterwyk, DC Smith Greenhouse Manager, UW-Madison
Join us to learn how you can keep your indoor plants thriving through late winter. You will learn how to recognize common pests on indoor plants and management options. We will also discuss maintenance practices that you can use to minimize indoor plant problems and keep your plants growing healthy.
Register here: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9YSYwk1lS56sA9xUKql2UQ
REJUVENATING NEGLECTED APPLE TREES
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Presented by: Darrin Kimbler, Agriculture Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension Iron County
Do you have old and overgrown apple trees that need some attention? Then make sure to join us to learn about how to properly prune these neglected apple trees to support fruit production and prevent diseases. We will discuss correct pruning techniques including timing and encouraging proper tree structure.
Register here: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lzav64T8Q2OHcALwvBci5w
PLANNING FOR A SEED SAVING VEGETABLE GARDEN
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm
COST: FREE
Presented by: Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Outrreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension Dan County
Saving seeds is a great way to keep your favorite garden vegetables for next year, but there are some things you need to know before you plant. You will earn about he different plant life cycles, preventing cross pollination, and which crops are the best for home gardeners to grow for seed saving.
REGISTER HERE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O4PQVZQlTOWZZoc3T8AFxQ
TOPICS OF INTEREST
- Avian Influenza Information
- Tree Care Following Storm Damage(1 page, 9 KB)
- Flowering Crabapple Selections (2 pages, 35 KB)
- Moss in Lawn (2 pages)
- Creeping Charlie Control (2 pages)
HORTICULTURAL LINKS OF INTEREST
- UW – Department of Entomology Insect Diagnostic Lab
- UW – Extension Horticultural Publications
- UW – Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest
- UW – Plant Disease and Diagnostic Clinic
- UW – Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory
- UW – The Wisconsin Gardener – Public TV
- UW – Urban Horticulture
- UW – Urban Horticulture Updates
- UWEX – Wisconsin Native Plant Sources
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Wisconsin Master Gardener Program
- University of Connecticut Plant Database
- Ohio State University PlantFacts
- USDA Plants Database
- Weed Science Society of America
- Wisconsin Phenological Society