UW-Extension Walworth County

08/28/2026

Join us for the next virtual statewide program!
https://aging.extension.wisc.edu/upcoming-classes/

08/27/2026

🌱 This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of August 24

It’s nice to see some good news once in a while. Did you see the news about the Nevada bumble bee sightings in Wisconsin?! Check it out from the Wisconsin DNR:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hhu57MA54/

❓Question:
How do I get rid of these worms and tents in my trees? (see photo below)

🌳Answer:
At this time of year, I have also seen the presence of fall webworms, especially at the tips of tree branches. Fall webworms construct these nests (aka silk tents or webs) and the caterpillars feed within the nest. DO NOT PANIC. Fall webworms are native insects.

The defoliation and presence of large webs is not attractive, but this damage is generally not significant on healthy, well-established trees. Fall webworms are rarely numerous enough to completely defoliate trees. By the time the leaves are being eaten, trees have already stored enough energy for their survival so fall webworms’ impact on trees is usually pretty minimal. There is no need to intervene. Wind and rain will usually eliminate webs over time.
While fall webworms might look similar to other tree pests, their impact is much different than the threat posed by spring caterpillars, such as the eastern tent caterpillar, forest tent caterpillar or spongy moth. Because these emerge in the spring, they can cause more damage to trees as the caterpillars eat the newly emerged leaves. Another difference: Forest tent caterpillars build smaller, flat silk mats, not large webs; spongy moth caterpillars do not create webs at all.
Do NOT attempt to burn the webs off. This will cause more harm to the tree. If you absolutely need to remove the nests, carefully prune out the nest - only if pruning will not affect the health of the tree.

🔗 Learn more:
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/fall-webworm-hyphantrea-cunea/

💬 Have a question of your own?
Reach out—we may feature it in an upcoming post!
You can reach Julie, your local horticulture educator by calling 262-741-4958, Text 262-374-4191, email [email protected] or use our online form: go.wisc.edu/PlantQ

📷Fall webworm

08/18/2026

Join your local horticulture educator, Julie, at the Lake Geneva Farmer's Market this Thursday morning. Julie will be available at our Extension booth, answering gardening questions and sharing credible and reliable resources. (No AI robots here). Then stick around and check out all the rest of the fresh produce, flowers and other vendors that the market has to offer!

Every Thursday you can visit the Lake Geneva Farmers Market and ask qualified Master Gardeners your gardening questions!

📅Thursdays through September
🕰️8:30 to Noon (ish)
📍Entrance to Horticultural Hall, 330 Broad Street, Lake Geneva

08/14/2026

🌱 This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of August 10

When we have a lot of humidity and periods of rain, we often start to see some disease symptoms on our plants. What are you noticing in your gardens?

❓Question:
What’s going on with my tomato plants (see picture)?

🍅 Answer:
If your tomato plants are starting to look like the one in the picture, do not panic. Fungal infections are VERY common for tomatoes in Wisconsin, especially given our weeks of high humidity and periods of heavy rain lately. There are two common diseases that affect tomatoes called Septoria leaf spot and early blight and their symptoms are very similar. The only way to confirm which disease is present would be by sending a sample to the UW-Madison Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic (PDDC) for further testing. That being said, the focus for managing these diseases is on prevention.

🌧️ Fungal diseases thrive in moist or damp, humid conditions. Make sure to have good airflow around the plants - don't overplant or crowd them, use selective pruning, use supports, etc. You can carefully prune out the diseased leaves and dispose of them (put them in a garbage bag and landfill them). You don't want to prune them and leave them laying in the bed as that is a source of the pathogen. And if there is any other careful pruning you could do to open up some airflow around the plants as they look crowded.

🚿 Avoid overhead watering - e.g. do not shower the plant when you water or use a sprinkler. Only water at the soil level. Avoid splashing any water on the leaves or any splashback from the soil onto the leaves.

🌱 Mulch around the plants to help prevent splashback. But don't apply too much mulch that would create too moist of an environment.

🔄 If possible, rotate crops. I know that can be hard in a raised bed situation. Were all the tomato plants in one bed last year? Could they be planted in a different bed from year to year? At the end of every season, make sure to remove all plant material and mulch out of the beds so that the spores have less to overwinter on. Fungal spores can overwinter on leftover plant debris in the soil. These fungal spores are also present in the environment and are airborne.

🧴There are no soil treatments. Fungicides labeled for use on vegetables and containing copper or chlorothalonil may also provide control of either of these diseases IF they are carefully applied very EARLY in the course of the disease (before symptoms develop is best) and on a regular basis throughout the rest of the growing season. If using any sort of fungicide, make sure you read and follow the label.

🔗 Learn more:
Septoria leaf spot - https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/septoria-leaf-spot/

Early blight - https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/early-blight/

UW-Madison Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic - https://pddc.wisc.edu/

💬 Have a question of your own?
Reach out—we may feature it in an upcoming post!
You can reach Julie, your local horticulture educator by calling 262-741-4958, Text 262-374-4191, email [email protected] or use our online form: go.wisc.edu/PlantQ

📷Cherry tomato plant

08/05/2026

We're looking for an AmeriCorps Member to join our Walworth County 4-H team!

Make a Difference with Walworth County 4-H!

We're looking for an AmeriCorps Member to join our Walworth County 4-H team!

This three-quarter-time (1,200-hour) position runs from October through the end of August, averaging 27 hours per week. It's a great opportunity to gain leadership experience, serve local youth, and build professional skills while making a positive impact in your community.

💚 Living Allowance: $15,000
🎓 Education Award: Available upon successful completion of service

This opportunity is open to anyone age 18 and older. Whether you're a recent graduate, changing careers, retired, or simply looking for a meaningful way to serve your community, we encourage you to apply. This position is not just for young adults!

📅 Deadline to submit your interest and resume: September 2, 2026

If you're passionate about youth development, community engagement, expanding access, and creating meaningful experiences for young people, we'd love to hear from you!

For more information or to apply, contact Janel Heidelmeier at [email protected].

🌟Please help us spread the word by sharing this post!

07/06/2026

COMING UP....Gardening for Hummingbirds

Join us to unravel the secrets of attracting the "jewels of the garden". We will dive into the hummingbird's world to learn how your garden or yard can meet their needs.

📅Wednesday, July 8, 2:00 p.m.
📍Jefferson Public Library, 321 South Main Street, Jefferson

📷Ruby-throated hummingbird visiting Cuphea Vermillionaire flowers

06/30/2026

Extension has multiple offerings in finical education programs this coming Summer and Fall. Learn more and register:https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/files/2026/06/Financial-Ed-Class-Flyer-July-September-2026-1-Maria-Nelson.pdf

06/30/2026

Register today for FREE Virtual Financial Education Workshops From UW Extension.https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/files/2026/06/Money-Matters-Live-2026-Flyer-Maria-Nelson.pdf

06/30/2026

Register today and make your renting experience better.

What you’ll learn:
• To manage monthly expenses
• To find and maintain affordable housing
• To complete applications and understand tenant screening
• To build positive relationships with landlords and neighbors
• The responsibilities and rights of landlords and tenants

https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/files/2026/06/Rent-Smart-SummerFall2026-Flyer-FINAL-Maria-Nelson.pdf

06/30/2026

Register for the Rent Smart Train the Trainer!

https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/files/2026/06/Rent-Smart-TTT-Flyer-Summer-2026-1-Maria-Nelson.pdf