Since 1968, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) has been funded by he United States Department of Agriculture and is an integral part of the UConn Extension. Currently, it is one of the federal government’s longest running educational outreach programs targeted to low-income families. Specially trained EFNEP Nutrition Assistants, who know their communities well, work with program […]
Gardens
Making A Worm Bin
Making A Worm Bin (Vermicomposting – Indoor Composting with Worms) By Dawn Pettinelli, Associate Extension Educator, PSLA. (Written 2014, updated 2025) Looking for a low-tech way to recycle kitchen scraps while at the same time creating a great soil amendment, right in your own home? If so, vermicomposting, or in layman’s terms, composting with worms […]
Ten Tips for the June Gardener
Lightly cultivate soil after a heavy rain to avoid compaction. A layer of mulch reduces the soil crusting and compaction caused by raindrops. Check container plants daily during hot weather, they will need water often. Check for small holes that signal flea beetle damage on tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. There is still time to sow […]
Soil Testing at UConn
The University of Connecticut Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory has been serving the farmers, greenhouse growers and residents of Connecticut for over 80 years. Our Goals The Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory has three major objectives. First is to provide an inexpensive means for both agricultural producers and home owners to test their soil fertility and receive […]
Effects of Fungicide Timing and Tillage on Resistant Pumpkins
By Jude Boucher, UConn Extension Educator, Commercial Vegetable Crops Introduction (Current Fungicide Program) Before I can talk about this experiment, I need to remind you of how and why we use specific fungicides on pumpkins. I’ve talked about fungicide sprays on pumpkins before and mentioned how there are four annual diseases that we can protect […]
Are You Ready For Late Blight?
By Jude Boucher, UConn Extension Educator, Commercial Vegetable Crops Recap of 2012 Outbreak in Connecticut During the week of June 20, 2012, a Prospect, CT homeowner brought late blight (LB) infected tomato plants to the CT Ag Experiment Station diagnostic center. The homeowner had purchased the plants from a local supermarket, but when contacted, the […]
Daffodil Labyrinth
Located at the Tolland County Agricultural Center is the Daffodil Labyrinth, a spring labyrinth made from flowers. When the yellow daffodils of spring appear in late March so does the labyrinth. As the daffodils fade in April violet grape hyacinths appear to hold the pattern into May. As summer arrives the labyrinth is mowed and […]
10 Tips for the May Gardener
UConn Extension’s Home and Garden Center offers you more tips to grow on: Ten Tips for the May Gardener: 1. If you want to get a head start on the season, plant container gardens and be ready to bring them indoors on cold nights. 2. When transplanting annuals and vegetables, be gentle with the root […]
Not Too Late To Start Tomato Seeds!
by Dawn Pettinelli As much as I try to accomplish tasks in a timely manner, life just seems to get in the way and things occasionally get done later rather than sooner. So it is this year with starting my tomato seeds. Here it is April 16th and I have just planted the seeds in […]
Proper Planting of Strawberries
Mary Concklin, Extension Educator – Fruit Production & IPM Proper planting of strawberries should include making sure the root system is not curled or ‘J’ planted. A study conducted in California showed an 18.5% reduction in fresh fruit yield with ‘J’ planted strawberries versus those planted correctly. If the root system is too long, you […]