Master Gardener Association - Outagamie County

08/25/2026

He’s all the buzz!

A new bumble bee species has recently been observed in Wisconsin for the first time!

The Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevandensis) has a historic range including the Western United States and Canada, but was observed in Minnesota and Chicago in recent years. Last summer, this species was first documented in Wisconsin when a female was recorded in Sauk County.

Closely related to the black and gold bumble bee, this species is distinct in its large size – especially among queens and females.

Wisconsin is home to 21 additional species of bumble bees, and you can learn more about identification and contribute by reporting sightings at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/BumbleBeeBrigade

08/15/2026

Small but mighty! Register today!

Don't forget to pre-register!

Make a Mini Meadow in Your Tiny Yard
--with The Seed Man: Mike Lizotte

Thursday, August 27 at 7:00 pm via Zoom

This free virtual talk is sponsored by Ozaukee Master Gardeners. Registration is required. Visit www.ozaukeemastergardeners.org to sign up.

“With as little as 50 square feet and less than $20, gardeners can plant a colorful meadow that demands little in the way of space, mowing, or maintenance, uses less water than a traditional lawn, and provides habitat for pollinators — not to mention a natural exploration space for children,” reports Mike Lizotte, aka ‘The Seed Man”. Lizotte will be presenting “Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere Around Your Yard!” on Thursday, August 27 at 7:00 pm via Zoom.

The word “meadow” conjures images of wide expanses of land, but a mini meadow – a kind of informal flower garden started with seed sown directly into the soil – can be any size; plus, it’s fun, easy to grow, and good for the planet. From choosing the right variety of seeds, preparing the soil, sowing evenly, and watering well, Lizotte will take attendees through the process of successfully creating a miniature meadow that suits their climate, soil, and growing goals, whether planting to beautify a hell strip, halt erosion, fill a boggy spot, or establish a nesting area for bees and butterflies. He will discuss the keys to creating, caring for, and reaping the rewards of thriving meadows through the seasons, year after year.

Lizotte, owner and managing partner of American Meadows, has been slinging flower seeds for over 30 years. He’s had the pleasure of speaking to hundreds of thousands of gardeners from across the world, helping them grow the wildflower meadow of their dreams. Author of “Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere around Your Yard”, he has been featured on national tv shows such as Growing a Greener World.

This free virtual talk is sponsored by Ozaukee Master Gardeners. Registration is required. Visit www.ozaukeemastergardeners.org to sign up.

08/13/2026

FROM Extension Outagamie County:

With the recent storm that came through the Fox Valley, damage to trees and shrubs has been immeasurable due to wind, hail and other debris damage. It can be difficult to assess what to do in the aftermath, here are a few things to keep in mind when triaging your yard:

1. Safety first. Look for obvious hazards to people or property, and utilities. Do not approach trees near utility lines. Damaged trees are often unbalanced and can become hazardous quickly. This is especially true if the tree was in poor health prior to the storm event, as wood could be especially brittle and break more easily. Fallen trees and branches are under extreme force and will quickly be unbalanced creating the potential for injury.
2. Damage to large branches or the trunk of the tree is usually fatal, and the plant should be removed. This includes splitting or bark removal on over a third of the trunk circumference of the tree. If over 30 -50 % of the branches and trunk are severely broken it is unlikely the tree will recover. Broken side branches or topping injuries do not typically put the tree at risk. Trees that have been uprooted or tipped should almost always be removed, as most of the time a significant part of the root system is severed and will have extensive damage.
3. A disfigured tree may be able to be saved, but the extensive wounding is likely to reduce the lifespan of the tree. Trees do not “heal” like a human does, they only grow new tissue over old wounds. The wound point will always be within the tree and will be a weak spot. Tree wounds and cuts make them more vulnerable to insect and disease pressure, especially during the active growing season.
4. If limited damage, try to clean up the wound by making even cuts and remove any bark or branches that are ripping, jagged or uneven. Do not use any kind of wound tar or paint, this can slow down the tree closing the wounds. With larger trees and shrubs, you will likely need to contact a certified arborist to have the plants properly removed or salvaged.
5. After a storm, proper plant maintenance is critical. Prevent improper pruning such as topping or heading back as these can weaken the tree structure. Support plants with proper water and fertilizer to promote overall tree health and alleviate stress.
Be aware of people claiming to be “tree specialists”, these companies often have little training, no insurance, and will likely do more harm than good. Discover more information on how to find a certified arborist: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/finding-the-right-certified-arborist/

08/08/2026

Flexible learning on your path to certification as a Master Gardener

📣 Last chance for Early Bird registration rates! 📣

Join us online this fall to learn key concepts about growing and caring for plants in Wisconsin—from trees to houseplants to vegetables (and everything in between)!

“Foundations in Gardening” is a 14-week online course for gardeners of all skill levels to learn at their own pace. The course also serves as an approved learning opportunity for the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener program.

Find additional course details and get the Early Bird registration discount (a $50 value!) here - go.wisc.edu/cf3459

08/06/2026

Beautiful tomatoes and a generous library to share with the public.

08/06/2026

Did you know that the Weather Channel website can give you a gardening forecast? It has a planting calendar and daily forecasts as it relates to gardening. https://labs.weather.com/labs/home-and-garden?c=gardening-email&source_caller=ui&utm_source=consumer&deep_link_value=twcthor%3A%2F%2Fshow%3FpageKey%3DActivityHub%2520Page%26selectedSubTabId%3Dgardening&af_dp=twcthor%3A%2F%2Fshow%3FpageKey%3DActivityHub%2520Page%26selectedSubTabId%3Dgardening&af_xp=social&shortlink=b95x2oet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gardening_080526&pid=gardening

08/04/2026

PETERSEN FARMS COMMUNITY GARDEN
WEDNESDAY 9 AM - 11 AM

Everyone is welcome to participate in garden work days on Wednesday’s from 9-11am. This collaboration of MG’s, volunteers from St Joseph Food Pantry, and community volunteers are making this possible. Many hands make light work. The produce grown will go directly to St Joseph Food Pantry for distribution to fight hunger in our surrounding communities.

5410 N Ballard Rd, Appleton - The entrance to the garden is off JJ, east of the Kwik Trip. Gravel driveway around the garden area

07/28/2026

Wanna check out the Garden Walk in Door County? Today is the day!!