|
June is Pollinator Month: Why It Matters More Than Ever
When we think of pollinators, we often picture bees buzzing from bloom to bloom—but pollinators are a diverse group that also includes butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, and even bats. These creatures are the quiet workforce behind much of our food and flower production. By transferring pollen from one plant to another, they help fruits set, seeds form, and flowers flourish.
But pollinators are in trouble. Across Wisconsin and beyond, many pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and climate change. Species like the monarch butterfly and the rusty patched bumble bee—once common sights—are now at risk of disappearing altogether.
Their loss would be devastating. Pollinators are essential to more than 75% of flowering plants and a third of the crops we eat. In Wisconsin alone, they contribute over $55 million to agriculture each year. Their decline threatens not only ecosystems, but our food security and economy.
The good news? We can all take steps to support pollinators, starting in our own yards and neighborhoods. Here are a few simple ways to help:
- Plant native flowers that bloom from spring through fall
- Avoid pesticides, especially those harmful to bees
- Leave some wild space—undisturbed patches of soil, leaf litter, and old stems offer nesting spots
- Support local ordinances that promote pollinator-friendly landscaping
Right here in Green Bay, the Green Bay Conservation Corps and Green Bay Botanical Garden are teaming up to continue building a vibrant Pollinator Corridor—a connected chain of native plantings that help bees, butterflies, and birds move safely through our city. Originally launched in 2011 and officially recognized by the city in 2019, the project scaled up in 2024 with the planting of over 10,000 native plants in local parks. Five more sites are planned for 2025!
Want to be part of this movement? Join one of the upcoming volunteer planting events:
🌱 June 12 at Firemans Park, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
🌱 June 19 at Danz Park, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
🌱 June 24 at Farlin Park, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
🌱 June 26 at 8th Street Park, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
RSVP here .
Together, we can create a safer, healthier world for pollinators—and a more beautiful and resilient community for everyone.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
| |
|
Understanding Pepper Pollination:
Tips for the
One Seed, One Community Program
Growing sweet Pepperoncini peppers for the One Seed, One Community Program can be rewarding. To keep your peppers true to type, it's important to understand pepper pollination and use simple isolation techniques.
Peppers primarily self-pollinate but are still at risk of cross-pollination, which can alter seed genetics if pollen from another variety reaches them. Isolation ensures your peppers stay true to type. By isolating blossoms, you prevent cross-pollination. Use pollination bags to isolate blossoms. Here's how:
- Spot the Blossom: When you see a blossom forming, act quickly. Use the Pollination Bag: Place a bag over the blossom to block unwanted pollen. These bags let light and air through while keeping out foreign pollen.
- Watch the Growth: Leave the bag until the pepper forms, ensuring self-pollination.
- Reuse the Bag: After the pepper develops, reuse the bag on another blossom.
- Mark isolated peppers: Once matured, peppers are ready to harvest. Use string or a twist-tie to identify them.
Harvest and enjoy other peppers as they ripen. The isolated ones will provide seeds for future crops and support our local seed library.
Happy gardening!
🌱The One Seed, One Community Team 🌱
Submitted by Peggy, N.E.W. Master Gardener
| | |
Your Guide to Exhibiting at the Brown County Fair
Have you ever dreamed of showcasing your prized produce or beautiful blooms at a county fair? The Brown County Fair, happening from August 13-17, offers the perfect opportunity to share your horticultural accomplishments with the community. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice with a passion for plants, the fair’s open class welcomes everyone.
How to Enter
Mark your calendars! Entries open on June 1 and close on July 15. This period gives you ample time to prepare and perfect your submissions. The entry process is straightforward, and anyone interested can participate in the open class. With the fair’s “straight style” judging, only four placings are awarded, which adds a competitive but friendly edge to the event.
Preparing for the Fair
Once you've decided to exhibit, plan to bring your items on either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Judging kicks off on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. If exhibiting isn't your thing, you’re still invited to join in the fun by watching the judging process. Plus, entry to the fairgrounds is free on Tuesday, making it an ideal day to experience the excitement and camaraderie.
Why Exhibit?
Exhibiting at the fair is more than just a chance to show off your hard work. It’s an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge about your craft, embrace a new challenge, and enjoy the pride that comes with accomplishment. Additionally, you might meet fellow enthusiasts and make new friends who share your interests.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're eager to learn more about exhibiting, consider attending our classes on June 10 or June 17. These sessions will provide tips and guidance to help you make the most of your fair experience.
Every county hosts a fair, and we hope to see you at ours! Whether you're an exhibitor or a spectator, the Brown County Fair promises a fantastic experience for all. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to Eileen at erueden@tds.net.
Join us in celebrating the beauty and bounty of nature at the fair!
Submitted by Eileen, N.E.W. Master Gardener
| | |
Book Review
An Onion in My Pocket
by Deborah Madison, format: book and ebook
As a grower, Author Deborah Madison, shares that it is completely normal to empty her pockets and find an onion, or a seed, among the other contents. An Onion in My Pocket is a memoir that is paced well by her family background and adventure stories. You may know her from her cookbooks and other food writing. This work is Madison’s exploration and reflection on her relationship with food.
Submitted by Jennifer, Brown County Central Library Associate and N.E.W. Master Gardener
| | |
Fireflies: Nature’s Nighttime Light Show
On quiet, warm summer evenings, tiny flashes of light flicker through the trees. These magical lights come from fireflies, also known as lightning bugs—glowing beetles that light up the night.
Fireflies belong to a family of about 2,000 species found mostly in humid regions of Asia and the Americas. While many adult fireflies may feed on plant pollen and nectar—or sometimes may not eat at all—their larvae are carnivorous and live in moist soil, feeding on snails, worms, and other small insects.
Interestingly, some species of fireflies even eat other fireflies! For example, fireflies in the genus Photuris mimic the flashing signals of females from closely related species like Photinus to lure and devour the males. However, adult fireflies rarely eat other insects, and scientists are still learning about their exact diets.
The light fireflies produce is called bioluminescence. Special organs in their abdomens mix oxygen with a substance called luciferin to create a cool, greenish-yellow light without heat. Fireflies use this glow mainly to communicate during the summer mating season. Each species has its own unique flashing pattern. Males fly near the ground flashing every few seconds to attract females, who usually can’t fly but respond with their own light signals.
This glowing also serves as a warning to predators like birds, toads, and spiders. Fireflies produce toxic, foul-tasting drops that discourage these predators from eating them.
Fireflies thrive in humid environments with moist soil, forests, fields, wetlands, and plenty of leaf litter or natural debris where larvae can live safely and find food. Unfortunately, firefly numbers are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution—bright artificial lights at night that interfere with their flashing signals and make mating harder.
| | |
Adult fireflies usually live about 3 to 4 weeks, making it difficult for scientists to track their populations. However, protecting their natural habitats, reducing pesticides, and limiting outdoor lighting can help ensure these beautiful beetles keep lighting up our summer nights.
What can we do to help fireflies?
- Preserve wetlands, forests, and fields where fireflies live.
- Reduce pesticide and chemical use in gardens and farms.
- Limit outdoor lighting at night, especially bright or constant lights.
- Leave leaf litter and natural debris in gardens for larval shelter.
- Plant native vegetation that supports healthy ecosystems.
Ready to see how much you know about these fascinating glowing beetles? Take the quiz and test your firefly knowledge! Click here for Answer key.
Learn more about fireflies at https://www.firefly.org/
Submitted by Melissa and Annette, N.E.W. Master Gardeners
| |
|
Calendar of Local Garden Related Events:
June 3, 1pm - 2:30pm ($)
Water Gardening in a Container
Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
June 7, 10am - noon (free)
Summer Reading Kickoff/Ask a Master Gardener in the Children's Garden
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
June 10, noon - 1pm (free)
Native Trees and Shrubs for Proactive Planting
Virtual, University of Minnesota
June 10, 6pm - 7pm (free)
Growing and Showing Blue Ribbon Produce & Flowers
333 N. Broadway, De Pere
June 12, 8am - noon (free)
Pollinator Corridor Project planting day
Fireman’s Park, 1701 W. Mason St, Green Bay
June 14, 9am - 1pm ($)
Food, Climate, and Policy: How to Help in Times of Change
2701 Larsen Road, Green Bay
June 14, 9:30am - 10:30am (free)
Container Gardening with Native Plants
Virtual, Wild Ones
June 17, 11am - noon (free)
Planting with Pat: Herb Gardening for a Healthier Life
615 Main Street, Wrightstown
June 17, 5:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Grassroots in the Garden: Growing Community
Seymour Park Food Forest, 314 S. Ashland Ave, Green Bay
June 17, 6pm - 7pm (free)
Growing and Showing Blue Ribbon Produce & Flowers
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
June 19, 8am - 3pm (free)
Pollinator Corridor Project planting day
Danz Park, 2120 Basten St, Green Bay
June 23, 1:30pm - 2:30pm (free)
Ask Your Gardening Question: LIVE
Virtual, UW Extension
June 24, 8am - noon (free)
Pollinator Corridor Project planting day
Farlin Park, 1510 Harold St, Green Bay
June 25, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)
Vegetable Diseases
Virtual, UW Extension
June 26, 8am - noon (free)
Pollinator Corridor Project planting day
8th St Park, 508 8th St, Green Bay
July 1, 5:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Grassroots in the Garden: Growing Community
Seymour Park Food Forest, 314 S. Ashland Ave, Green Bay
July 8, noon - 1pm (free)
Planning a Perennial garden
Virtual, University of Minnesota
July 15, 5:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Grassroots in the Garden: Growing Community
Seymour Park Food Forest, 314 S. Ashland Ave, Green Bay
July 15, 6:30pm - 7:30pm (free)
Planning & Planting a Rain Garden
Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St, Green Bay
July 19, 9am - 3pm ($)
Gardeners Club of Green Bay Garden Walk
7 gardens in Brown County
July 21, 1:30pm - 2:30pm (free)
Ask Your Gardening Question: LIVE
Virtual, UW Extension
July 23, 10:30am - 1:30pm ($)
Intro to the Bumble Bee Brigade
Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay
July 23, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (free)
Diseases of Herbaceous Ornamentals
Virtual, UW Extension
| |
Oregano
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb in the Origanum family which also includes Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana) and Pot Marjoram (Origanum onites). Oregano is more aromatic and pungent than marjoram. It is a flowering plant with olive green leaves and pale violet to purple flowers.
Oregano is native to the Mediterranean regions and has been a culinary herb since the time of the Romans. It was introduced to North Americans in the twentieth century when soldiers returning from WWII brought back with them a taste for the “pizza herb”. It has become one of our most widely used cooking herbs. Oregano has an earthy, warm and slightly bitter taste. It’s a staple in Italian, Greek and Turkish cooking. It’s most often used in tomato, eggplant and lamb dishes, and of course on pizza. It should be added towards the end of the cooking to retain its pungency. Like many herbs, oregano’s flavor is more intense when used dried than fresh.
There are many types of oregano cultivars including the popular Green and Italian varieties. Oregano can be grown from seed or from purchased starter plants. The Brown County Seed Library offers Common Italian oregano seeds. Oregano prefers full sun and dry soil. It may grow to be a foot tall and two feet wide. It’s also easy to grow in pots.
Submitted by Mary M., N.E.W. Master Gardener
| Photo by Peggy, N.E.W. Master Gardener | | |
Fresh Oregano Potato Salad
Ingredients:
1 lb potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1 inch cubes
3 c fresh Oregano, leaves only, roughly chopped
1 small white or yellow onion, finely diced
¼ c extra virgin olive oil, to taste
1/2 c fresh lemon juice, to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Boil potatoes just until tender, but not falling apart. Drain.
- Rinse oregano while on the stem, pat dry with a towel and then de-stem the leaves. Roughly chop leaves.
- Mix oregano leaves, finely diced onion, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add hot potatoes to mixing bowl and combine. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
Submitted by Melissa, N.E.W. Master Gardener
| | This newsletter is brought to you by: | | |
With assistance from AI technology
Disclaimer:
Although brand names of products are mentioned in this newsletter, NEWMG and BCL do not endorse any particular brands. These mentions reflect individual experiences and should not be interpreted as endorsements or recommendations.
| | | | |
