UW-Madison, Division of Extension Rock County

09/04/2026

Join us for an Eating Smart Being Active! class starting in October. Scan the QR code to register and attend. You'll learn how to meal plan and build healthy habits for you and your family, and take home free kitchen tools too!

09/01/2026

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

08/27/2026

The deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance is August 31st, 2026. If you were impacted by the April 2026 storms and flooding, don’t wait to apply. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for FEMA assistance and learn more about available resources.

Need help applying? Visit the Disaster Recovery Center for in-person assistance M-F 8am-6pm at the Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Resource Center (DWRC), 1717 Center Avenue Janesville, WI 53546.

Apply today—don’t wait until the deadline!

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

08/17/2026

❗Last chance — register today❗

“Foundations in Gardening” is a 14-week online course designed for gardeners of all skill levels to learn at their own pace. The course teaches practical gardening skills along with easy-to-understand explanations behind why and how they work.

This course is only offered once per year, so don’t miss out! Register now at go.wisc.edu/9v9t76