Jefferson County UW Extension

10/15/2026

🌱 This Week in the Garden: Your Questions Answered, Week of October 12

Did you know that you still have time to plant garlic? This week we look into some common planting mistakes. Make sure to check out our linked resources for even more help with your garlic!

❓Question:
I’m growing many different kinds of hardneck garlic, but my garlic bulbs just keep getting smaller. What am I doing wrong?

🧄 Answer:
Planting time - You have these last two weeks in October until the 1st of November to plant. You want the garlic to start to grow some roots before going dormant without a bunch of top growth. Make sure you choose a variety of garlic that will grow well in Wisconsin. The varieties grown in California (most commercially produced garlic and garlic from the store) do not adapt well to our climate. Select the largest cloves for planting (and just eat the smaller ones). Check out the article below for a list of varieties that can grow well here.

Depth / Spacing - Plant each clove 2" deep (basal plate down), spacing the cloves about 6-8" apart and space your rows at least 12" apart, however I've seen recommendations for spacing rows 18-30" apart. Overcrowding could certainly lead to more competition and smaller cloves. If they are planted sideways, upside down or too deep, that could lead to smaller or misshapen cloves too.

Mulching - Spread a layer of straw mulch should be about 4-6" deep for winter protection. Leaf litter is okay as long as you're not getting a lot of matted up leaves. When you plant, make sure to label each hole. When growth resumes in spring, the mulch should be raked off of the emerging garlic. It can be left between the rows to help with w**d suppression.

Scapes - In the spring, remove the scapes in the curl stage to help increase bulb size.

Watering - Garlic needs consistent moisture, especially from April to June, and then you can cut back 3-4 weeks before harvest (but don't let them dry out). Water stressed plants will not produce well. If using an overhead sprinkler, they might not be receiving as much water as you think they are getting. Plus, that water has to get through the mulch layer and down to the plants, and the water isn't going directly to each plant. If you want to continue using a sprinkler, check the ground (in multiple areas) after 10-15 minutes and see if it's saturated. You might need to run the sprinkler longer and more often (more than once a week, depending on the weather and your soil). Sprinkler irrigation provides less control, so you might find it better to water the plants manually or invest in drip irrigation.

🔗 Learn more:
Growing Garlic in Wisconsin - https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/garlic-allium-sativum/

Growing Garlic in Wisconsin YouTube Video -
https://youtu.be/S2Oud9LmvRY?si=LZUNLnNRbGpSKSw4

💬 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

📷 Picture of garlic bulb

10/15/2026

There have been a lot of questions on canning and food preservation lately. If you have questions you can call 866-540-4636 Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

Looking for answers to food preservation or home safety questions? Get reliable answers from trusted Extension experts!

Wisconsin residents can call or email the Wisconsin AnswerLine to get answers to common questions about food safety, home food preservation, household management, and more. This service is part of a partnership between UW–Madison Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The information provided is based on the latest research and is free to the public.

Phone: 1-866-540-4636
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00–4:00 p.m. CST
Closed on holidays.

You’ll speak with a real person. No bots or call centers.
You’ll get reliable, unbiased information based on the latest science and Extension research.
If your question can’t be answered right away, they’ll follow up.

10/13/2026

Help Shape Future Leadership in Jefferson County
Jefferson County is exploring the development of a new Leadership Academy to strengthen new leadership and expand community engagement.

We are looking to hear from residents who are interested in making a positive difference in their community in Jefferson. Your participation in our survey will help design the Leadership Academy. The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Thanks in advance!

Survey link: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ebMybCNo5ceGBMy

For more information: https://jefferson.extension.wisc.edu/leadership-academy/

10/12/2026

The “Shoebox to Strategy” virtual workshop series from University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension is designed to help farm owners tackle a complicated yet essential task.

We guide participants through organizing and analyzing important documents and asset information over a series of weeks. In the event of an untimely death or accident, you will be able to return to your completed “Shoebox to Strategy” binder and spreadsheet to find the information that is key for continuing the farm’s legacy.

You will also run a variety of transfer scenarios to analyze and compare possible distribution plans for farm transition.

Learn more and register today: go.wisc.edu/shoebox

10/09/2026

Are you an employers seeking solutions to workforce challenges related to childcare access. a community and economic development professional working to strengthen rural economies, or a policymaker or public official interested in expanding childcare options in their community? Then this webinar is FOR YOU!

This webinar is FREE but does require registration.
Register here: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/Q5_APNRIRhioZzowjdqBXg

Want more information or see other dates? Find them here: https://uwcc.wisc.edu/cooperative-childcare-solutions-webinars/

10/07/2026

Protect your farm from legal and financial risks with University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

When planning for succession, understanding the legal risks is key to ensure a smooth transition for the next generation. As part of the "Cultivating Your Farm’s Future” workshop series, Farm Law Outreach Specialist Kelly Wilfert helps families learn the basics of business and estate planning tools, including wills, trusts, and various business entities.

Gain the legal clarity you need to make your future meetings with an attorney more efficient and productive.

🗓️ Fall Workshop Series starts: Nov. 12, 2026
📌 Registration deadline: Oct. 23, 2026

Secure your spot for the Fall series today at go.wisc.edu/cyff

10/06/2026

Lots of events for Jefferson County Parks.
https://parks.jeffersoncountywi.gov/

October is a busy month in Jefferson County Parks! 🍂

Save the dates and visit our website for more information on each event. We hope to see you out in the parks this fall! 🌳

https://parks.jeffersoncountywi.gov/

10/05/2026

Grant Writing Basics
Are you a nonprofit, business, or government leader in Wisconsin in need of grant writing skills? Sign up for this informative and hands-on virtual training on grant writing.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Organizational & Leadership Development has put together this class for those in need of learning more on grant writing.

During this informative and hands-on virtual training on grant writing, you will learn:

✅The outline of a common grant proposal.
✅Where to look for funding for your organization.
✅The most common grant writing mistakes.
✅And MORE!

Register HERE:
Monday: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/4JjCLCzvTVS4NYBbh3fOQA
Tuesday: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/K12YFdaDTquUeJ6aUYT9Qw

This event will be conducted in English.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.