Post by Janice Peterson A volunteer at Rotary Botanical Gardens recently suggested I write about wild parsnip. He had noticed a lot of it along the bike path and was concerned path users wouldn’t know what it was. He is right to be concerned – this is one weed you definitely want to, Read More
Posted by Janice Peterson Gardening is considered a healthy occupation, full of fresh air, exercise and Zen-like moments of contemplation. But there’s a dangerous side to gardening: accidents, injuries, allergies, insect stings, sunburn, dehydration and infections. With good judgement, most of these hazards are preventable. The following are a few infections gardeners should try, Read More
Post by Patrea Wilson. When I was a child, my mom told me that the warm, calm days of early summer were “butterfly days” in Wisconsin, and I believe that to be true. But, this year, during a rare 70⁰ F day in February, I was astounded to see a white butterfly merrily flitting, Read More
Post by Janice Peterson At the recent Spring Plant Sale at Rotary Botanical Gardens, I was discussing tomatoes with a couple of women. One told me she’d like to try several indeterminant varieties but didn’t have enough space. She complained that when she plants and cages just one tomato plant it takes over her, Read More
Post by Patrea Wilson. Despised by many American gardeners as a tenacious weed, purslane is not only edible, but exceptionally nutritious. It is high in Vitamin E and an essential omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Purslane provides six times more Vitamin E than spinach and seven times more beta carotene than carrots., Read More
Post by Janice Peterson When I visit botanical gardens I always appreciate a “what’s in bloom” display. This is an educational display that can be as simple as a vase with cuttings from the garden and the plant names. I like to see if I know the plants before I read the labels! Rotary, Read More
Weed of the Week Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata Post by Janice Peterson Every spring I scout my yard for garlic mustard. I found several rosettes last weekend, which I promptly removed. I have many spring ephemerals in my wooded areas, and garlic mustard is a danger to them. We have battled garlic mustard at, Read More
Earth Day Began in Wisconsin Earth Day Founder Gaylord Nelson Post by: Marsha Mood Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson was born in Clear Lake, Wisconsin on June 4, 1916 and died on July 4, 2005. Nelson served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1949 to 1959, as Governor of Wisconsin from 1959-1963, and, Read More
Post by Patrea Wilson One of the benefits of working at Rotary Botanical Gardens is meeting visitors from around the world. I’ve welcomed travelers from Spain, Canada, China, Japan, Scotland, England, Germany, and all across the U.S. Some of them had discovered the Gardens on Trip Advisor or another online resource and included us, Read More