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 #5                                                                                                      

October 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
• October’s & November’s Events
• Upcoming Events
• Horticulture Hotline
• Pear Tree Swap
• Plant of the Month: Chrysanthemums
• October Garden Task

Meet the Team!

Hayley Kinley

Administrative Assistant – Communications & Marketing

hkinley@purdue.edu

October’s Events

• October 9 & November 6 – Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing: Do you have a project idea that needs funding but are not sure how to turn it into a strong grant proposal? Purdue Extension’s two-day Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing workshop is designed for beginner and intermediate grant writers. Come with an idea and be ready to write! Whether your project is big or small, this workshop will help you approach the grant-writing process with greater skill and confidence. During Day One, participants will develop a proposal outline and receive resources needed to expand it into a full proposal. On Day Two, participants will experience the proposal-review process, learn strategies for finding funding opportunities, strengthen and polish their proposal, and receive a professional review of their work. The workshop will be held at Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, located at 2800 Colorado St., Lake Station, IN 46405, from 9:00am to 4:30pm Central Time on both days. The registration fee is $225 and includes lunch, workshop materials, and the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing manual. Space is limited, so please register by Friday, October 2, 2026. To register, visit https://web.cvent.com/event/2380e3f9-8a4d-4e31-baa2-7d1cd85f9fc1/summary. This opportunity is ideal for nonprofit leaders, board members, community organizations, local government representatives, educators, and others interested in strengthening their grant-writing skills. For questions, please contact Gina Avila at 219-465-3555 or ghavila@purdue.edu.
• October 11 – 4-H Kickoff Event: Do you know any youth in grades K-12? Invite them to come get WILD about 4-H! Purdue Extension–Lake County is kicking off the 2026-2027 4-H year with an exciting afternoon full of fun, friends, and opportunities to discover what 4-H is all about. Both new and existing 4-H members and their families are invited to join us! Come discover how 4-H helps kids build confidence, learn new skills, make lifelong friends, and have fun along the way. We are excited to welcome Humane Indiana as our special guest for this event! The kickoff will be held from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Purdue Extension–Lake County Office, located at 2291 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN. Whether they are ready to jump into 4-H for the first time or are returning for another year of adventures, there is something for everyone! Come meet new friends, explore exciting opportunities, and kick off the new 4-H year with us. We can’t wait to see you there and get WILD about 4-H!
• October 19-December 7 – Northwest Region Urban Farming Signature Program: Learn how to cultivate food safely from planting to harvest in an urban setting with Purdue Extension’s Urban Farming Signature Program. The program is scheduled at three different locations across Indiana. Purdue Extension specialists and educators will lead the course teaching you to manage pests, identify urban farming challenges and opportunities, create a comprehensive site design, and much more. This is an eight sessions in-person and virtual classes. If you are attending the in person classes, the location is the Purdue Extension-Lake County Office, located at 2291 N. Main Street, Crown Point from 5:30-8:30pm. Cost for this program will be $180 for the registration fee and an optional $52 if you would like to purchase a DIY Home Hydroponics Kit and Worm Bin. Register here at https://cvent.me/0rQOae. Registration Deadline is October 12th.

Novmber’s Events

• 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.

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

Pear Tree Swap

The Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD) is offering a Callery Pear Replacement Cost Share program to financially assist homeowners with the removal and replacement of these invasive, fast-growing tree that displaces native plants, reduces habitat diversity, harms water systems, and is also prone to storm damage. Once originally imported for their flowers and form, it now has many cross-pollinating cultivars that have spread aggressively into natural areas. Callery Pear trees and cultivars that are planning to be removed, must be located in Lake County, IN. The tree must be an ornamental in a landscape setting (a yard for example), not in the woods or field. Also, this share program limits 1 approved application and reimbursement per household in Lake County, IN. To apply for this program, please go to https://lakeswcd.com/cost-share-program/ and follow the link that will take you to the application and read more about the program. For free technical assistance in choosing a suitable replacement tree for your location, please contact Courtney McFall at (317) 650-8499 or email her at cmcfall@isda.in.gov.

Plant of the Month: Chrysanthemums

As October arrives, the growing season is beginning to wind down, with many gardens transitioning from the bright blooms of summer into the warm colors of fall. This makes it the perfect time to spotlight this month’s featured plant in The Gardening Gazette. Each month, we highlight a plant by sharing its botanical and common names, key characteristics, and helpful growing tips to support your gardening success.

For October, we are featuring Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum × morifolium), commonly known as mums. Mums are a popular fall-blooming plant and a favorite for many Indiana gardens and homes. They provide vibrant seasonal color in shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, white, purple, and many other colors when many summer-blooming plants are beginning to fade.

If you are planning to start mums from seed, chrysanthemums should be planted in early spring after all danger of freezing has passed. However, mums can be planted at other times of the growing season as long as their root systems have enough time to become established. When planting in the fall, it is best to give mums at least six weeks to establish their roots before extreme heat or freezing weather arrives.

Mums should be planted in well-prepared, fertile, loamy, or sandy soil with good drainage. They perform best in full sun, receiving at least five to six hours of sunlight each day. Mums benefit from consistent moisture, but the soil should not remain overly wet. They can be planted in garden beds, containers, or near entryways and other areas where their colorful blooms can be enjoyed. Mums can be grown from seed, cuttings, or divisions, or purchased as established plants from local garden centers.

If you decide to grow your own mums, avoid growing them in the same location for more than three consecutive years. Rotating their growing location can help reduce the risk of disease and pest problems. Chrysanthemums can be susceptible to pests such as aphids and diseases such as mildew, so providing good air circulation, proper spacing, and well-drained soil can help keep plants healthy. For the best results, space mums approximately 18 to 30 inches apart, depending on the variety.

Did You Know?

The name “chrysanthemum” is derived from the ancient Greek words for “gold” and “flower.”

Resources:

• Penn State Extension – Chrysanthemum Care – https://extension.psu.edu/chrysanthemum-care
• North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox – Chrysanthemum – https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/chrysanthemum/

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

October Garden Task

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)

Houseplants love being outdoors for the summer but the time to bring them indoors is fast approaching. September (like March) is a transition moth for the seasons and for our weather. Look for widely varying temperatures, moisture and wind. Prepare houseplants to come back in the house as overnight temps begin falling into the high 50’s. 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. 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.

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 root crops and store in a cold (32 F), humid location. Storing produce in perforated plastic bags is a convenient, easy way to increase humidity.

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.

Remove plant debris from the 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.

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.

Thank You

Thank you for reading The 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 #27                                                                                                       

October 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
• October’s & November’s Events
• Upcoming Events
• Participants Needed - Focus Group
• Urban Farming
• Horticulture Hotline
• Pear Tree Swap
• Crop of the Month: Winter Wheat
• NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant
• Local Resources

Meet the Team!

October’s Events

• October 9 & November 6 – Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing: Do you have a project idea that needs funding but are not sure how to turn it into a strong grant proposal? Purdue Extension’s two-day Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing workshop is designed for beginner and intermediate grant writers. Come with an idea and be ready to write! Whether your project is big or small, this workshop will help you approach the grant-writing process with greater skill and confidence. During Day One, participants will develop a proposal outline and receive resources needed to expand it into a full proposal. On Day Two, participants will experience the proposal-review process, learn strategies for finding funding opportunities, strengthen and polish their proposal, and receive a professional review of their work. The workshop will be held at Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, located at 2800 Colorado St., Lake Station, IN 46405, from 9:00am to 4:30pm Central Time on both days. The registration fee is $225 and includes lunch, workshop materials, and the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing manual. Space is limited, so please register by Friday, October 2, 2026. To register, visit https://web.cvent.com/event/2380e3f9-8a4d-4e31-baa2-7d1cd85f9fc1/summary. This opportunity is ideal for nonprofit leaders, board members, community organizations, local government representatives, educators, and others interested in strengthening their grant-writing skills. For questions, please contact Gina Avila at 219-465-3555 or ghavila@purdue.edu.
• October 11 – 4-H Kickoff Event: Do you know any youth in grades K-12? Invite them to come get WILD about 4-H! Purdue Extension–Lake County is kicking off the 2026-2027 4-H year with an exciting afternoon full of fun, friends, and opportunities to discover what 4-H is all about. Both new and existing 4-H members and their families are invited to join us! Come discover how 4-H helps kids build confidence, learn new skills, make lifelong friends, and have fun along the way. We are excited to welcome Humane Indiana as our special guest for this event! The kickoff will be held from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Purdue Extension–Lake County Office, located at 2291 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN. Whether they are ready to jump into 4-H for the first time or are returning for another year of adventures, there is something for everyone! Come meet new friends, explore exciting opportunities, and kick off the new 4-H year with us. We can’t wait to see you there and get WILD about 4-H!
• October 19-December 7 – Northwest Region Urban Farming Signature Program: Learn how to cultivate food safely from planting to harvest in an urban setting with Purdue Extension’s Urban Farming Signature Program. The program is scheduled at three different locations across Indiana. Purdue Extension specialists and educators will lead the course teaching you to manage pests, identify urban farming challenges and opportunities, create a comprehensive site design, and much more. This is an eight sessions in-person and virtual classes. If you are attending the in person classes, the location is the Purdue Extension-Lake County Office, located at 2291 N. Main Street, Crown Point from 5:30-8:30pm. Cost for this program will be $180 for the registration fee and an optional $52 if you would like to purchase a DIY Home Hydroponics Kit and Worm Bin. Register here at https://cvent.me/0rQOae. Registration Deadline is October 12th.
• October 28 – AG Financing Your Farm, Food & Agribusiness: Join Hoosier Heartland and Purdue Extension for an upcoming workshop that will focus on the capital challenges and opportunities that are unique to Indiana’s farm, food, and agriculture industries. This workshop is designed to help Indiana growers, makers, processors, and small food businesses understand practical financing options that will support Indiana’s vibrant agriculture and food economy. Whether you’re exploring expansion or even navigating new market demands, this workshop will help you make informed, cost-effective decisions that will help support long-term success. To learn more about this free virtual workshop and to register, please go to https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/17394.

November’s Events

• 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. Register at https://web.cvent.com/event/b37128ec-c08f-4d34-9537-5b89545948d4/summary

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.

urban Farming

Urban farming continues to make a meaningful impact across Indiana by increasing access to fresh food, creating educational opportunities, and strengthening communities. Purdue Extension recently highlighted how urban agriculture programs are expanding throughout the state and the positive difference they are making in local communities. We are proud to see Faith Farms, West Side Leadership Academy in Gary Community School Corporation, and Harrison Elementary School in East Chicago recognized for their involvement in urban agriculture, youth engagement, and community partnerships. You can read more about how Urban Farming is impacting Lake County here: https://extension.purdue.edu/news/2026/05/more-than-community-gardens-how-urban-farming-is-expanding-in-indiana.html.

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.

pear Tree Swap

The Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD) is offering a Callery Pear Replacement Cost Share program to financially assist homeowners with the removal and replacement of these invasive, fast-growing tree that displaces native plants, reduces habitat diversity, harms water systems, and is also prone to storm damage. Once originally imported for their flowers and form, it now has many cross-pollinating cultivars that have spread aggressively into natural areas. Callery Pear trees and cultivars that are planning to be removed, must be located in Lake County, IN. The tree must be an ornamental in a landscape setting (a yard for example), not in the woods or field. Also, this share program limits 1 approved application and reimbursement per household in Lake County, IN. To apply for this program, please go to https://lakeswcd.com/cost-share-program/ and follow the link that will take you to the application and read more about the program. For free technical assistance in choosing a suitable replacement tree for your location, please contact Courtney McFall at (317) 650-8499 or email her at cmcfall@isda.in.gov.

Crop of the Month: Winter Wheat

As October arrives, the growing season is beginning to wind down, making it the perfect time to start thinking about protecting and preparing your garden soil for the months ahead. This makes it the perfect time to spotlight this month’s featured cover crop in Urban Ag Chronicles. Each month, we highlight a cover crop by sharing its scientific and common names, crop type, key benefits, and helpful growing information to support healthy soils and productive growing spaces.

For October, we are featuring Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum), a cool-season grass that is widely used as a cover crop to protect and improve soil throughout the fall and winter. Although winter wheat is commonly grown as a grain crop, it can also provide many benefits when grown as a cover crop.

Winter wheat is a great option for protecting bare soil from wind and water erosion during the winter months. Once established, its root system helps hold soil in place while also contributing organic matter to the soil. Winter wheat can also capture and retain nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, helping reduce the amount of nutrients that may otherwise be lost from the soil.

Another benefit of winter wheat is its ability to suppress weeds. Once established, the crop can compete with weeds for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Its growth in the spring also helps provide additional weed suppression before the cover crop is terminated.

Winter wheat prefers well-drained, medium-textured soils and can tolerate a wider range of soil conditions than some other small grains. It is generally planted in late summer or early fall and can remain established through the winter. As temperatures warm in late winter and early spring, winter wheat resumes growth and begins taking up nutrients more rapidly.

When using winter wheat as a cover crop, it should be terminated before it produces mature seed. Depending on the growing system, winter wheat can be terminated through mowing, tillage, or other appropriate management methods. Because it develops more slowly in the spring than some other cereal cover crops, such as cereal rye, there can be more flexibility when determining when to terminate it.

Did You Know?

Winter wheat is considered one of the more winter-hardy cereal grains and can survive cold winter temperatures once it has become established. It is generally less winter-hardy than cereal rye, but it can still provide excellent winter soil protection. Its slower spring growth can also make it easier to manage than rye when preparing a garden or growing space for the next crop.

Resources:

• Penn State Extension – Winter Wheat as a Cover Crop – https://extension.psu.edu/winter-wheat-as-a-cover-crop
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education – Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition: Winter Wheat – https://www.sare.org/publications/managing-cover-crops-profitably/nonlegume-cover-crops/winter-wheat/

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. A grant application webinar will be held October 15 at noon Central Time. If you would like to register for the Zoom on October 15th, please register at https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T8uFPo3yTuiGpDUPpTeRxg#/registration. 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!

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