MAMGA - Madison Area Master Gardeners Association

08/15/2026

Butterfly Gardening (Part 3)
Butterfly Life Cycle
— Larvae go through several instar (phase between molting)
— Molting (shedding its outer skin) as they become bigger
— Then they form a chrysalis (pupa)
— Some overwinter as pupa, some as adults or larvae

08/03/2026

If you've been thinking about signing up for Foundations in Gardening, this is the week — Early Bird pricing (and scholarship applications, for those who qualify) close Aug. 9. A great option whether you're new to gardening or looking to dig deeper!

📣 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

08/01/2026

Butterfly Gardening (Part 2)
Butterfly anatomy & reproduction
— Front & back wings
— Front, middle, & back legs
— Compound eye
— Proboscis
— Spiracles (pores acting as external breathing holes)
— Veins
Butterfly life cycle
— Larvae go through several instars (developmental phases)
— Then they form a chrysalis (pupa)
— Some overwinter as a chrysalis, others as larvae or adults

07/27/2026

Missed our July Zoom presentation? We’ve got you covered!

“Bulbs as Companion Plants” with Brent and Becky Heath (3rd-generation bulb growers from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs) is now on YouTube for anyone who couldn’t join us live.

Brent and Becky shared how to pair bulbs with perennials, annuals, ground covers, and flowering shrubs for a garden that looks good in every season — whether you’re starting from scratch or adding to an established bed.

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/qyUcMpMyIVg

What bulbs are you planning to add to your garden this fall?

07/21/2026

Registration is officially open for Foundations in Gardening! Whether you're looking to build your gardening know-how or curious about becoming a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener, this is a great place to start.

Know someone who'd enjoy it? Share the word — early bird pricing runs through Aug. 9.

Want to be a better gardener? Whether you're new to gardening or looking to deepen your skill set, “Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening” is the course for you!

Registration is open for the Fall 2026 course, which runs from Sept. 6-Dec. 12. This online, self-paced course covers the fundamentals of growing and caring for plants in Wisconsin. It also serves as an approved learning opportunity to become a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener.

Learn more and get an Early Bird registration discount at: go.wisc.edu/cf3459

07/18/2026

Butterfly Gardening (Part 1)
Overview
— Butterfly anatomy & reproduction
— Wisconsin butterflies
— Butterfly decline & loss of diversity
— Planning a butterfly garden
— Where to plant
— Features to include
— Native and nativar plants

07/08/2026

Keep your eyes out for a new invasive species that is threatening monarchs! Photo by Joshua J. Cotten

https://wtmj.com/news/2026/07/07/invasive-pale-swallow-wort-detected-in-wisconsin-for-first-time/

07/06/2026

Nearly 40 members joined us on June 27th for a guided tour of the Dane County UW-Extension Teaching Garden, led by horticulture educator Lisa Johnson, and subsequent picnic luncheon.

We’d like to extend a big thank you to Lisa and the Teaching Garden volunteers for welcoming us so warmly, and to everyone who came out and made this such a great event. This is one of our favorite summer traditions, and this year’s turnout made it extra special!

Were you there? Share your favorite moment in the comments!

07/04/2026

Growing Tomatoes in Dane County Part 8
Harvest and Storage
— Store only ripe, well-formed, blemish free tomatoes
— Remember heirloom & beefsteak tomatoes are often irregular in shape
— Never refrigerate tomatoes – won’t fully develop flavor after harvest
— Ripen unripe fruit in a brown paper bag out of direct sunlight
— Concentrates ethylene gas fruits produce and hastens more uniform ripening
— Freeze, dehydrate, or can tomatoes to preserve the summer flavor