Dane County Extension Horticulture
The Dane County Extension Horticulture program provides research-based gardening information, services and resources to Dane County residents so they can keep their plants healthy while protecting the environment.
Local Horticulture Programs
Classes and Presentations
Offering online and in-person classes accessible to both the public and green industry professionals, designed to enhance gardening knowledge and skills.
Answers to Gardening Questions
The Horticulture Helpline and Horticulture Educator are both resources to help with garden problems online, by email, by phone, walk-in advice/ID service appointments.
Dane County Extension Teaching Garden
The Teaching Garden is a public educational resource surrounding the Dane County Extension Office building.
Community Horticulture Programs
Dane County Tree Board, Tree Canopy Collaborative, and Heritage Oaks Project
The Dane County Tree Board is composed of members in different tree-related disciplines and
appointed by the County Executive to bring information and public education.
Answers to Gardening Questions
*During especially busy times of the year, responses may take a few days*
- Services
- Email photos for plant, weed, disease, and insect ID
- Recommendations for garden areas
- Recommendations to manage garden issues such as diseases
- Info and contacts
- Horticulture Helpline: 608-224-3721 and horticulture@danecounty.gov (9am to 12 pm, May thru Oct)
- Contact Lisa Johnson at 608-224-3715 and johnson.lisa@danecounty.gov (contact Lisa Johnson for a tour of the Garden)
Further Resources and Lab Services
| Lab Links | Insect Diagnostic Lab Plant Pathology (Plant Disease Lab) UW Soil and Forage LAB Turfgrass Diagnostics Lab |
| Gardening Publications | UW-Extension Horticulture UW-Extension Horticulture Learning Store |
| DNR website info | Department of Natural Resources Plant Native Plants to Help Nature Rain Gardens Spongy Moth |
| Soil Testing | The UW Soils Lab |
Meet the Educator
Lisa Johnson grew up in Madison’s southwest side. Lisa’s mother and grandfather were avid gardeners, and her love of plant life was encouraged by high-school biology teacher Marilyn Hanson. Lisa earned her undergraduate degree in Horticulture at UW-Madison and worked at various local garden centers and nurseries before returning to the UW for a graduate degree in Agricultural Communications. She started her Cooperative Extension career first in Milwaukee County before returning to Dane County. Lisa started the Teaching Garden at Dane County UWEX in 2004 as an outdoor classroom for master gardeners, children and the general public. When not gardening, she enjoys playing folk music on guitar, autoharp and bowed psaltry and sharing quality time with her cats.
Contact Lisa at:
Lisa Johnson, Horticulture Educator
608-224-3715
johnson.lisa@danecounty.gov
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