Accent on Natural Landscaping

Donna VanBuecken

Wildfires

  In the last 15 years, the US Department of Interior (USDOI) has exceeded its wildfire suppression budget six times. That’s because catastrophic wildfires, which account for only 2 percent of fires, consume 30 percent of budgeted funds for fire suppression. This creates a catch-22 … [Read more...]

Hogweed — Newest Invasive of Concern

There's been much hype lately about the invasive plant species commonly called giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Although from a different family, it has similar toxicity to the wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) which is so prevalent in this part of the country. Please be aware of the … [Read more...]

Toxicity of Landscaping Chemicals

Now is the time of the year we are working frantically to control invasive weeds. Here in my yard I am dealing with garlic mustard, buckthorn, goutweed, canary reed grass and crown vetch besides all those other pesky garden-type weeds. Although I've dug and pulled a lot of these weeds, in some cases … [Read more...]

Problem Road Crossings for Turtles – Wisconsin Citizen Science

Citizens of Wisconsin are being asked to submit information about problematic road crossings for turtles to either WDNR conservation biologist Andrew Badje 608-785-9472 or Rori Paloski 608-264-6040.  Or you can register sightings directly on-line which includes an opportunity to upload photos of … [Read more...]

Garlic Mustard

I've been "managing" garlic mustard since April and I am amazed at where I am finding it. It's showing up in places I've never seen it before and I am getting just a little discouraged. Now that the ground is getting dried out, it is more difficult to get past the s-shape of the root to dig them … [Read more...]

Highly Invasive Spring Scilla

Last week during the Larry Meiller Garden Talk (Wisconsin Public Radio) program, a woman called in to ask what she could do to get rid of Scilla aka Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica). This invasive non-native plant was taking over her lawn and was now moving into her woods. My ears perked up … [Read more...]