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In this issue for JULY 2007:
A NEW “GARDENER” PROGRAM
MID-SUMMER LAWN CARE FRESH VEGETABLES FROM YOUR GARDEN TO YOUR FREEZER RECIPE FROM THE WISCONSIN GARDENER COOKBOOK 3 FEATURED BROADCAST PROGRAMS ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE A NEW “GARDENER” PROGRAM 
Trying to keep a garden beautiful year round is a challenge, especially in Wisconsin. Most plants only flower for a short time and hardly anything is in bloom, well … say in January. Our newest episode of The Wisconsin Gardener focuses on foliage which does provide color and interest year round. Winter gardens rely on evergreens for color so I travel to Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery in Avalon to look at what’s new and hot in the world of evergreens. Wait until you see some of these unusual trees. As usual, I think I need a bigger yard! Foliage isn’t very attractive if it’s diseased, or worse, missing entirely. UW Plant Pathologist Brian Hudelson shares some of his favorite fungal diseases and tells us what to do about them. It's always fun to chat with Brian; I've never seen anyone get so excited about fungal issues. In Gotham we learn about growing cover crops. It’s a great way to improve soil and keep the weeds down. I'll definitely be trying this in my own garden. Astrid Newenhouse is my guest for this segment. She has been on The Wisconsin Gardener, and has been my friend, since the very first show. In fact she was my very first guest 15 years ago! I think it's wonderful that we're still friends and still gardening. We will also explore the colorful world of coleus with Rick Halbach at Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses in Madison. Now that there are varieties for both shade and sun, coleus has become an incredibly versatile foliage plant. They’re easy to grow too! Be sure to watch closely during the “bumpers” or transitions between each segment. I visited a wonderful insect display at Chazen Museum of Art in Madison. It was created by Wisconsin artist Jennifer Angus and, thanks to her, I'll never look at insects in quite the same way again. What fun! I hope you'll watch. Shelley This new installment of The Wisconsin Gardener airs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 29. MID-SUMMER LAWN CARE You can maintain a healthy lawn throughout the summer with a minimum amount of care. Keep mower blades sharp. Dull mower blades tear the grass rather than cut it. During hot, dry weather, mowing may only be needed every 7 to 10 days.The cool season turf grasses we use in Wisconsin naturally turn brown in summer in response to drought and heat. Summer dried lawns do not need fertilizer, unless the lawn has been irrigated all summer. Then a light fertilization might be necessary. If you want to water your lawn, do it before the grass turns brown. Watering after the lawn turns brown will not be as beneficial. It is better to give it one good soaking a week rather than frequent light waterings. FRESH VEGETABLES FROM YOUR GARDEN TO YOUR FREEZER Blanching homegrown vegetables before freezing assures a good quality frozen vegetable. To blanch vegetables in water, place water in a large kettle or vegetable blancher and bring it to a rolling boil. You need a gallon of water per pound of vegetables. Clean and cut vegetables and place them in a wire basket or the perforated blancher insert and immerse in the boiling water. Start timing as soon as you put vegetables in water. The time required varies among vegetables. Keep the blancher covered. As soon as the time is up, remove the vegetables and immediately put vegetables in ice-cold water. Chill until completely cold, drain well and package for freezing.RECIPE FROM THE WISCONSIN GARDENER COOKBOOK 3 Zucchini Pancakes1-1/2 cups fresh zucchini (not frozen), grated Mix all ingredients together and fry like pancakes (approximately 3-inch diameter) in lightly greased skillet or griddle until golden. Serve as a side dish with any meal. Makes approximately 6 servings. To order a copy of The Wisconsin Gardener Cookbook 3, visit The Wisconsin Gardener Web site. Cookbooks are $5 each plus shipping. FEATURED BROADCAST PROGRAMS 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29The Wisconsin Gardener "Focus on Foliage." This brand-new program explores things to experiment with in the garden, coleus and unusual evergreens. It also deals with weeds and fungus, offering ideas on ways to avoid and address these banes of the gardener. The Wisconsin Gardener Funding for The Wisconsin Gardener is provided, in part, by Ariens Co. 10:30 a.m. Saturdays (except Aug. 4 and 11) 2 p.m. Sundays (except Aug. 5 and 12) 7 p.m. Sunday, July 29
7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2
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7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1 and 10 p.m. 