Purdue Extension Hamilton County

A healthy boxwood can go from green to losing its leaves in a matter of days when boxwood blight strikes. If you have boxwoods in your landscape, now is a good time to learn the signs and how to help prevent its spread. Learn more from Reportinvasive. https://ag.purdue.edu/reportinvasive/species/boxwood-blight/

Here is what's going on around the grounds this month. Questions about hosting your own event? Contact us at (317) 776-0854, or go to our website at https://silos37.com/

Today’s Chef University menu: fresh fruit salsa and quesadillas! 🌮🍓 Our young chefs practiced their cooking skills, tried new flavors, and had a great time in the kitchen.

Chef University SPARK Club members got hands-on in the kitchen making corn salsa bean dip and pretzel bites🥨🍴

HHS Extension Impact Report HHS Extension Impact Report

Our office will be closed for Memorial Day on May 25, 2026. We hope you enjoy your holiday and take time to remember those who have served our country.

Ever spotted a plant in your yard or along the road and immediately thought, “Uh oh… is that poison hemlock?” You’re definitely not alone.

Native angelica and invasive poison hemlock can look surprisingly similar, but there are a few key differences that make identification much easier. Poison hemlock has purple blotches along the stems and fern-like leaves, while native angelica has solid maroon stems and much larger compound leaves.

Important: BOTH plants are toxic, so avoid touching or ingesting either one and keep pets and children away.

Learning these look-alikes helps protect our native plants while stopping invasive species before they spread. Want to learn more about invasive species in southern Indiana? Visit sicim.info

Help us welcome our Summer Assistant, Sophia! We are so excited to have her on our team this summer and can’t wait for all the great things she’ll bring to Hamilton County 4-H!

The “Chelsea Chop” is a simple late-spring pruning technique that helps many native perennials grow shorter, sturdier, and bushier — with fewer floppy stems and longer-lasting blooms later in the season.

By cutting back plants by about 1/3 to 1/2 around late May through June, gardeners can:
• reduce flopping
• encourage branching
• stagger bloom times
• create a tidier, fuller look

Learn more: mtcubacenter.org/chelsea-chop/