About Our Program

Certified Arborists

These names were on the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Website.

https://www.treesaregood.org/Find-an-Arborist

They are from searching within twenty-five miles of Crown Point, IN. See their statement below.

Please be aware that ISA provides this directory based on information voluntarily submitted by the credential holder and cannot guarantee its accuracy, reliability, or completeness.

The arborists below have passed ISA’s credential testing to confirm knowledge of proper and acceptable tree care practices; however, ISA specifically disclaims any liability or responsibility for any actions or statements made by any individuals listed.

FIRST NAME          LAST NAME           BUSINESS                                              CITY                        STATE CREDENTIALS           PHONE NUMBER

Gus                         Bettenhausen       Precise Tree Care, Inc.                        Frankfort IL           ISA Certified Arborist®        (815) 464-3777

Michael                  Cieply                     Arbor ProCare                                      Valparaiso IN        ISA Certified Arborist®        (219) 617-8227

Tim                          Edmonds                Edmonds Tree ServiceValparaiso IN        ISA Certified Arborist®        (219) 406-7599

Justin                      Ellenberger                                                                           Hobart IN              ISA Certified Arborist®        (219) 945-6037

Scott                       Mattingly               Hartman Landscape                            Peotone IL             ISA Certified Arborist®        (708) 417-6381

Matthew C.           McBain                   Valparaiso Public Works                     Valparaiso IN        ISA Certified Arborist®        (219) 286-9437

Geoffrey                McDermott                                                                           Peotone IL             ISA Certified Arborist®        (708) 203-8801

Joseph                    Paffumi                  Precise Tree Care, Inc.                        Frankfort IL           ISA Certified Arborist®        (815) 464-3777

Scott                       Polster                   Forever Green Plant Health Care      St John IN             ISA Certified Arborist®        (219) 365-6778

Edbert                    Ritzema                  4 Seasons Arbor Service, Inc.             Posen IL                ISA Certified Arborist®        (708) 522-6530

Robert L.                Spaulding               Spaulding’s Tree Service                     Valparaiso IN       ISA Certified Arborist®        (219) 462-6400

Samuel                   Spaulding               Spaulding’s Tree Service                     Valparaiso IN       ISA Certified Arborist®        (219) 462-6400

Austin                     Wood                     Professional Forester                                                                                                          (940) 613-5288

NOTE: A consultation fee may be charged for any of these to come take a look at a situation.  PLEASE inquire before scheduling!

Rev. 6/2026

Edition #6                                                                                                      

November 2026

Purdue Extension-Lake County

The Gardening Gazette

Welcome!

Welcome! If you’re new here, my name is Hayley Kinley, and I’m the Administrative Assistant for Communications & Marketing at Purdue Extension-Lake County. Each edition features upcoming events, a plant of the month, and more. Stay connected and explore ways to get involved with our programs—there’s always something exciting happening!

Stories Inside This Issue:

• Meet The Team
• November’s & December’s Events
• Upcoming Events
• Horticulture Hotline
• Plant of the Month: Asters
• November Garden Task

Meet the Team!

Hayley Kinley

Administrative Assistant – Communications & Marketing

hkinley@purdue.edu

November’s Events

·         November 4 – High Tunnel Construction: We’re sharing an opportunity to support a local community build project! Volunteers are needed to help construct a 30 x 96 hoop house (high tunnel) at a farm in Michigan City, Indiana. If you’re interested in helping or would like more information, please contact Dave Barnes at (219) 874-4088.

·         November 6 & 7 – 2026 Rooted & Resilient Homesteading Conference: Join Purdue Extension at the Community Learning Center, located at 401 E Diamond Street in Kendallville, IN. This hands-on event brings together local experts and passionate homesteaders to share their expertise on everything from sustainable farming and food preservation to livestock management and business management techniques. Registration opens October 5th and closes on November 5th. Registration prices are $50 for one or both days, to learn more about this conference you can go to https://extension.purdue.edu/county/dekalb/rooted-and-resilient-homesteading-conference.html.

December Events

• No events for December

Upcoming Events

• 2027 Horticulture Programs at Lake County Extension: Schedule 2 programs from this list and get a $25 discount; Schedule for all three and receive a $50 discount. Call Lake County Extension office to get on the list 219-755-3240 speak with Rena or Dolly. Email questions to Dolly@Purdue.edu Registration will open in Dec.
  • Mondays January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22 - Get Growing: Horticulture for the Homeowner; Join Purdue Horticulturist Dolly Foster in an adventure into plants! Learn how to identify plants and take care of your landscape all in 7 sessions. Topics to be covered; Plant Science, Diseases, Lawns, Trees, Vegetables and Natives.
  • Wednesdays March 10,17,24,31 - Vegetable Gardening: The Deep Dive, learn everything you need to know about veg. gardening in your own garden or community garden. Topics covered; Planning, Planting, Pests, Diseases, Growing Vertical and much more! This program is 4 sessions.
  • Mondays June 21, 28 July 12, 19 - Pollinator School: A dive into the world of pollinator identification, native plant id, planning the natural landscape and maintenance of the garden. This program is 4 sessions.

• January 26-28 – 2027 Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference: Purdue Extension is pleased to announce that they will be hosting 2027’s Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference in Danville, Indiana at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds. Their planning committee is currently developing the program and would like input from growers and partners. They are seeking suggestions for speakers, topics, and sessions to ensure the conference meets the needs of Indiana’s diverse agricultural community. If you would like to share your ideas and feedback for the conference, you can go to https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5uT2Y1RWounYBGm.

Horticulture Hotline

Fall is here! Here at the Purdue Extension Office, located in Crown Point, hosts a Horticulture Helpline. Horticulture experts will answer questions about your landscape, gardens, tree and more! Experts are here to help you answer questions with the latest research-based information and resources you can trust. Spread the word, if you need advice for your garden, Purdue Extension is the place to ask! 

Call 219-755-3240 for one-to-one expert answers. Walk-ins welcome; bring a plant sample to the extension office for ID of plants or diseases. Our address is 2291 Main Street, Crown Point, IN; and we are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm

Plant of the Month: Asters

As the gardening season transitions into fall, asters bring color and life to the landscape when many summer-blooming plants are beginning to fade. This makes them a wonderful plant to highlight in The Gardening Gazette. Each month, we feature a plant by sharing its botanical and common names, key characteristics, and helpful growing tips to support your gardening success.

For this month, we are featuring Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), a group of flowering perennials known for their daisy-like blooms and beautiful late-season color. Asters come in shades of purple, blue, pink, lavender, and white, with many varieties featuring bright yellow centers. Depending on the species and variety, asters can range from compact plants suitable for garden borders to taller varieties that add height and texture to the landscape.

Asters are a great addition to Indiana gardens because many varieties bloom in late summer and fall, providing color as the growing season winds down. They perform best in full sun to partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil. Most varieties are relatively easy to grow and work well in perennial borders, native plant gardens, naturalized areas, and pollinator-friendly landscapes. When selecting asters, consider the mature height and spread of the variety to ensure it has enough room to grow.

One of the greatest benefits of asters is their value to pollinators. Their late-season flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects when fewer flowers may be available. Asters can also support wildlife beyond the growing season, as their seeds provide food for birds during the winter months.

To keep asters healthy, provide good air circulation by spacing plants appropriately. This can help reduce the risk of powdery mildew, a common issue in some varieties. Taller asters may benefit from staking if their stems begin to lean or flop over. Dividing established plants every two to three years in spring can help maintain plant vigor and manage spreading growth. In late winter, dead stems can be cut back to prepare the plants for new spring growth.

Did You Know?

The word “aster” comes from the Greek word for “star,” referring to the star-like shape of the flowers. Many plants once classified in the genus Aster were reclassified into other genera, including Symphyotrichum, following botanical research. Although their scientific names have changed, these plants are still commonly known as asters.

Resources:

• Chicago Botanic Garden – Aster – https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-profiles/aster
• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Linn County – Asters – https://www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/asters
• University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension – Aster, Symphyotrichum spp. – https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/asters/

We’re excited to continue our Plant of the Month feature and highlight plants that bring beauty, seasonal interest, and benefits to Indiana gardens.

November Garden Task

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)

Houseplants love being outdoors for the summer but the time to bring them indoors is fast approaching. Our weather has been particularly warm in the past month, unusually. If your houseplants are still outside, time to bring them in.  It will be necessary for houseplants to be cleaned up a little, pruned back and given a systemic pesticide so you are not bringing in any insects with your plants. Most garden centers carry a systemic made for houseplants. Follow label directions to apply.  If you are bringing in annual geraniums for the winter, they should be cut back by at least half, so they don’t get leggy over the winter. If you have houseplants indoors, consider purchasing small houseplant lights to accommodate small clusters of plants around the house. Make sure your houseplants are pet friendly. If you have new plants coming in the house for the first time, check online and make sure you have nothing that will harm your pets. ASPCA list: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)

Keep plants, especially newly planted trees and shrubs, well-watered until ground freezes.

Have soil ready to mound roses for winter protection. Do not mound or cover roses until after leaves drop and soil is near freezing, usually late November or early December. Prune roses down to 20-30” tall right before Thanksgiving when plants are fully dormant. Wait to cut them down to the ground until mid-late March.

Strawberry plants need protection from winter’s extremes, but applying winter mulch too early may cause crowns to rot. Apply winter protection when plants are dormant but before temperatures drop below 20F, usually late November or early December.

Get tree leaves off the lawn for winter. Incorporate them into the garden and landscape. Tree leaves harbor many species of caterpillar and cocoons over the winter.

Continue mowing lawn as needed.

GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)

Harvest brussels sprouts as they develop in the axils of the leaves from the bottom of the stem. Brussels sprouts will continue to develop up the stem.

Harvest pumpkins and winter squash before frost, but when rind is hard and fully colored. Store in a cool location until ready to use.

Harvest mature, green tomatoes before frost and ripen indoors in the dark. Warmer temperatures lead to faster ripening.

Asparagus top growth should not be removed until foliage yellows. Let foliage stand over winter to collect snow for insulation and moisture. Do this unless you have seen insect pests on the plants in summer.

Remove plant debris from the veg garden to protect next year’s plantings from insect and disease buildup. Compost plant refuse by alternating layers of soil, plant material, and manure or commercial fertilizer.

Have garden soil tested for fertilizer needs every three to five years. Soil test kits can be picked up at the county extension office.

Incorporate organic matter in fall to avoid the rush of garden activities and waterlogged soil in spring. Soils prepared in the fall tend to warm faster and allow earlier planting in spring.

Dig tender garden flower bulbs for winter storage. Gladiolus corms should be dug when leaves begin turning yellow. Caladiums, geraniums and tuberous begonias should be lifted before killing frost. Dig canna and dahlia roots after a heavy frost. Allow to air dry, then pack in dry peat moss or vermiculite, and store in a cool location.

Complete planting of spring-flowering bulbs through the first half of November.

Thank You

Thank you for reading Gardening Gazette! If you have an upcoming gardening event, workshop, community project, or seasonal gardening tip to share, we’d love to include it in a future edition. Email us at hkinley@purdue.edu or dolly@purdue.edu.

Stay tuned for more gardening tips, updates, and inspiration in the next issue of Gardening Gazette!

Happy Gardening!

Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend events, please contact the Rebecca Koetz or Dolly Foster at 219-755-3240 and busser@purdue.edu or dolly@purdue.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

For special dietary needs, please contact the Rebecca Koetz or Dolly Foster at 219-755-3240 and busser@purdue.edu or dolly@purdue.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact the Rebecca Koetz or Dolly Foster at 219-755-3240 and busser@purdue.edu or dolly@purdue.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

Edition #28                                                                                                       

November 2026

Purdue Extension-Lake County

Urban Ag Chronicles

Welcome!

Welcome! If you’re new here, my name is Hayley Kinley, and I’m the Administrative Assistant for Communications & Marketing at Purdue Extension-Lake County. Each edition features upcoming events, a cover crop of the month, and more. Stay connected and explore ways to get involved with our programs—there is always something exciting happening!

Stories Inside This Issue:

• Meet The Team
• November’s & December’s Events
• Upcoming Events
• Participants Needed - Focus Group
• Horticulture Hotline
• Crop of the Month
• NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant
• Local Resources

Meet the Team!

November’s Events

• November 4 – High Tunnel Construction: We’re sharing an opportunity to support a local community build project! Volunteers are needed to help construct a 30 x 96 hoop house (high tunnel) at a farm in Michigan City, Indiana. If you’re interested in helping or would like more information, please contact Dave Barnes at (219) 874-4088.
• November 6 – Small Farm Equipment Demo: Interested in gaining hands-on experience with small farm equipment? Join Purdue Extension Northwest Region Agriculture and Natural Resources Educators and Purdue Extension Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center, located at 11402 S. County Line Road, Wanatah, IN 46390, on November 6 from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. Central Time. Attendees will rotate through stations focused on weeding, planting and seeding, and bed preparation, with opportunities to try the tools and equipment firsthand. Participants will also learn about small engine maintenance and winterization. The event is free, and attendees should bring their own lunch. Registration is required. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/smallfarm26.
• November 6 – Popcorn Field Day: Interested in growing popcorn on a small farm or in your home garden? Join Purdue Extension Northwest Region Educators at Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center, located at 11402 S. County Line Road, Wanatah, IN 46390 from 4:30pm-6:30pm Central Time for a Popcorn Field Day exploring popcorn production, variety selection, and practical tips for growing and harvesting your own popcorn. Attendees can also enjoy a popcorn taste testing! Registration is required. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/PopcornFieldDay.
• November 6 & 7 – 2026 Rooted & Resilient Homesteading Conference: Join Purdue Extension at the Community Learning Center, located at 401 E Diamond Street in Kendallville, IN. This hands-on event brings together local experts and passionate homesteaders to share their expertise on everything from sustainable farming and food preservation to livestock management and business management techniques. Registration opens October 5th and closes on November 5th. Registration prices are $50 for one or both days, to learn more about this conference you can go to https://extension.purdue.edu/county/dekalb/rooted-and-resilient-homesteading-conference.html.
• November 13 – Market Ready Producers Training: Are you a local food producer or farmer interested in selling your products to restaurants, grocery stores, schools, or wholesale distributors? Or maybe you just want to explore additional marketing options? Join Purdue Extension Northwest Region for the Market Ready Producer Training Program at Region Roots, located at 1105 Fathke Road in Crown Point to gain the tools for business success This will be an all-day program that includes the training, lunch, a buyer panel, and a few words from our program partners.

December’s Events

• No events for December

Upcoming Events

• January 26-28 – 2027 Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference: Purdue Extension is pleased to announce that they will be hosting 2027’s Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference in Danville, Indiana at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds. Their planning committee is currently developing the program and would like input from growers and partners. They are seeking suggestions for speakers, topics, and sessions to ensure the conference meets the needs of Indiana’s diverse agricultural community. If you would like to share your ideas and feedback for the conference, you can go to https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5uT2Y1RWounYBGm.

Participants Needed – Focus Group

Purdue University is currently recruiting produce growers, packers, processors, distributors, food hubs, and other stakeholders involved in produce supply chains for their research study on food traceability practices and training needs among the produce supply chain stakeholders. This study is seeking to better understand the current traceability practices, and challenges that are occurring, and any training that is needed among produce supply chain stakeholders, particularly in light of the FDA Food Traceability Rule (FSMA Section 204). The study will include multiple phases, some of the phases will be focus group discussions, a needs assessment survey, and a training workshop. If you are interested in joining this focus group, please go to https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3XmS3KftxRYDmrc?Q_CHL=qr and fill out the form so the research team can contact you about relevant study activities. If you have questions about this study, please contact Hema Lingireddy (Student Investigator) at hlingire@purdue.edu or Dr. Rama Radhakrishna (Principal Investigator) at rbradhak@purdue.edu.

Horticulture Hotline

Fall is here! Here at the Purdue Extension Office, located in Crown Point, hosts a Horticulture Helpline. Horticulture experts will answer questions about your landscape, gardens, tree and more! Experts are here to help you answer questions with the latest research-based information and resources you can trust. Spread the word, if you need advice for your garden, Purdue Extension is the place to ask! 

Call 219-755-3240 for one-to-one expert answers. Walk-ins welcome; bring a plant sample to the extension office for ID of plants or diseases. Our address is 2291 Main Street, Crown Point, IN; and we are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm.

Crop of the Month

As November arrives, the growing season is coming to a close, making it an important time to think about soil health and protecting garden spaces throughout the winter. Rather than highlighting a new cover crop this month, Urban Ag Chronicles is focusing on why fall cover crops should be planted before temperatures drop and how they benefit the soil during the colder months.

Cover crops are planted to protect and improve soil when a garden or growing area would otherwise be left bare. In Indiana, many fall cover crops are planted in late summer or early fall, giving them enough time to germinate, develop roots, and establish growth before winter arrives. October is an important planting period for certain cool-season cover crops, although the ideal timing varies by species and location.

Once established, cover crops help protect bare soil from wind and water erosion. Their roots help hold soil in place, while their aboveground growth can reduce the impact of rainfall on the soil surface. Depending on the species, cover crops can also capture leftover nutrients, suppress weeds, and contribute organic matter as plant material breaks down.

By November, it may be too late to establish many cover crops successfully in northern Indiana. However, that does not mean it is too late to start planning for next year. Gardeners can use this time to evaluate their growing spaces, consider where soil was left exposed, and select suitable cover crops for planting during the next recommended window.

Did You Know?

Cover crops continue to benefit the soil even after they stop growing. Their roots and remaining plant material can help protect the soil surface and contribute organic matter as they decompose. Some cover crops winter-kill, while others survive the winter and resume growing in spring.

Resources:

• Purdue Extension – Cover Crops in the Home Garden – https://ag.purdue.edu/department/hla/extension/extension-publications-library/ext-pubs/ho-324-w.html

We’re excited to continue sharing practical ways Indiana gardeners can protect their soil, improve soil health, and prepare their growing spaces for the seasons ahead.

We’re excited to continue our Cover Crop of the Month feature and share more ways Indiana gardeners can protect their soil, improve soil health, and prepare their growing spaces for the seasons ahead.

NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant

Farmers and ranchers can apply for the 2027 NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grants to explore sustainable agriculture solutions through on-farm research, demonstrations, and education. Individual grants offer up to $15,000, while team grants offer up to $30,000. If you would like to apply, please go to https://northcentral.sare.org/Grants/Apply-for-a-Grant/Farmer-Rancher-Grant/ and apply before December 3, 2026. Applicants with questions can contact Liz Brownlee, Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, at North-central-fr@sare.org or 612-626-3658. Applicants should also contact Liz Brownlee if you need a hard copy or an email version.

Local Resources

The Times of Northwest Indiana is collecting information on local food resources throughout the Region to build a public directory of food pantries, meal programs, and assistance services. If you know anyone who would like to be apart, please share the link  https://www.nwitimes.com/forms/nwi_food_resources/.

Thank You

Thank you for reading! If you have an upcoming event, educational opportunity, community program, or urban agriculture news to share, we’d love to feature it in a future newsletter. Email us at hkinley@purdue.edu or busser@purdue.edu.

Stay tuned for the next edition of Urban Ag Chronicles—there’s always something new to discover!

Happy Growing!

Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend events, please contact the Rebecca Koetz or Dolly Foster at 219-755-3240 and busser@purdue.edu or dolly@purdue.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

For special dietary needs, please contact the Rebecca Koetz or Dolly Foster at 219-755-3240 and busser@purdue.edu or dolly@purdue.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact the Rebecca Koetz or Dolly Foster at 219-755-3240 and busser@purdue.edu or dolly@purdue.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the event.