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 #4                                                                                                       

September 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
• September’s & October’s Events
• Upcoming Events
• Horticulture Hotline
• Plant of the Month: Asters
• September Garden Task

Meet the Team!

Hayley Kinley

Administrative Assistant – Communications & Marketing

hkinley@purdue.edu

September’s Events

• September 14 – Lost a Tree in the Storm Program: Join our Horticulture Program Assistant, Dolly Foster for Right Tree, Right Place and learn what to consider when choosing and planting a replacement tree after the storm. Topics will include choosing the right tree for your landscape, matching a tree to your site and growing conditions, and considering mature size, sun, and available space. Register fort this free workshop at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7dHLbtSVTW4JMi7QhQ0DxnftcIOBYMDATQxn1dDM4zFWiUQ/viewform.
• September 19 – Hydroponic Crop Production Workshop: Join Purdue Extension and the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture for a workshop that is a perfect opportunity to learn about hydroponic crop production for home and commercial-scale operations. This workshop will be at the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Greenhouse Complex, located at 625 Agriculture Mall Drive, Purdue University, West Lafayette. The workshop is from 8:30am to 3:30pm EST. The registration fee is $60, lunch and snacks will be provided. If you are interested in learning more about hydroponic crop production, please register at https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_26qi9wNfZNvlo1g. If you have any questions, please contact Lori Jolly-Brown at ljollybr@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.

Upcoming Events

• January 11- February 22 - Get Growing: Join Purdue Extension Educators for a 7-week program on commonly asked about garden topics. Topics will include flowers, fruits, vegetables, trees, and much more! This program is geared towards the homeowner who is looking for information on how to care for their own landscape in seven topics. Please call the Lake County Extension office to get on the contact list for registration beginning in November. Class cost $100, classes will be in person and online.
• 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

Summer is almost over and Fall is right around the corner. 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 September arrives, the growing season is beginning to wind down, with many gardens transitioning from the bright blooms of summer into the 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 September, we are featuring New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), commonly known as New England Aster. This hardy perennial is a great choice for Indiana gardens because it provides vibrant late-season color and is an important source of food for pollinators. New England Aster produces daisy-like flowers with purple, pink, or violet petals surrounding yellow centers and typically blooms from late summer into fall.

New England Aster performs best in full sun and prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil. It can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, including clay soils, making it adaptable to many Indiana landscapes. This tall, upright perennial can reach approximately 3 to 6 feet in height and works well in perennial borders, native plant gardens, naturalized areas, rain gardens, and pollinator-friendly landscapes.

One of the greatest benefits of New England Aster is its value to pollinators. Its late-season flowers provide an important source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects when many other garden plants are beginning to fade. The seeds can also provide food for birds, making New England Aster a valuable addition to gardens designed to support wildlife.

New England Aster is relatively easy to grow and maintain, but its tall growth habit may cause the stems to bend or fall over, especially when grown in rich soil. Pinching the stems earlier in the growing season can help create a shorter, bushier plant and reduce the need for staking. Providing good air circulation can also help reduce the risk of foliar diseases such as powdery mildew.

Did You Know?

New England Aster was once classified in the genus Aster, but many North American asters were reclassified into the genus Symphyotrichum. Although its scientific name has changed, gardeners continue to commonly refer to these plants as asters.

Resources:
• Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society – New England Aster – https://finder.indiananativeplants.org/native_plants/new-england-aster/
• Missouri Botanical Garden – New England Aster Plant Finder – https://plantfinder.mobot.org/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=292654&isprofile=1&basic=new%20england%20aster

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

September 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)

This summer was hard for the ornamentals in the garden. Even if you were not directly affected by the recent storms, get outside and look at all of your trees and shrubs carefully. I recommend taking photos to keep a record of your landscape in case you have a problem in the future. This will help you notice if there has been a change if you happen to be a more indoor type person.

Now is the time to think about fertilizing your lawn and laying down weed killer. September is the best time to work on your cool season grass lawn (Kentucky Blue) Here is information from Purdue Turfgrass Dept. Early to mid-September is the most important time to fertilize cool-season turfgrasses like creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall or fine fescue. September fertilization is crucial on all turf areas regardless if it is a lawn, athletic field, or golf course green, tee or fairway. Fertilization in mid-September encourages the production of new tillers and/or rhizomes and stolons that will increase the density of a turf. Fertilization in September also encourages rooting and production of storage products that will help the plant survive the stresses of winter and next year’s growing season. Once the temperatures start to cool in the first week or two of September, most turf areas should be fertilized with 1 lb. N/1000 sq ft using a fertilizer with 25-50% of the nitrogen as slow release (sulfur or polymer-coated urea, urea formaldehyde, or natural organics). More fertilizer information is available in https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-22-W.pdf.

GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)

Keep the garden well-watered during dry weather and free of weeds, insects and disease. Weeding in early September before weeds form seeds is a good way to prevent weeds for next year. If you are interested in planting mums in the garden, do it as early as possible. One way to know that a mum is hardy and will regrow in spring is to look for tiny leaves around the bottom of the flower stems. Those basal leaves are the leaves for next spring. Plant early in September so mums can get well rooted in the garden and regrow in spring.

Plan on not cleaning up the garden so meticulously in fall. Plan on leaving stems up of native plants especially coneflowers and other natives for the next year. Stems that are left standing for a second summer and that are dry are the stems that native bees Need to nest in. Here is more information of the practice and what native bees need. https://beelab.umn.edu/create-nesting-habitat

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 #26                                                                                                           

September 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
• September’s & October’s Events
• Upcoming Events
• Participants Needed - Focus Group
• Urban Farming
• Horticulture Hotline
• Crop of the Month: Cereal Rye
• Local Resources

Meet the Team!

September’s Events

• September 10 – Get The Dirt: Small Farm Conservation: Join Indiana Small Farm Conversation’s annual conference, Get The Dirt. This year is the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Get The Dirt will center around women farmers in Indiana and the conservation practices that underpin their farm operations. This is a free full-day event that is for conservation and agricultural professionals and small-scale diversified farmers and gardeners. The conference will be at Forest Park Inn, located at 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville from 9:00am to 5:00pm EST. For more information and to register at https://insmallfarms.org/take-action/events/get-the-dirt.
• September 14 – Lost a Tree in the Storm Program: Join our Horticulture Program Assistant, Dolly Foster for Right Tree, Right Place and learn what to consider when choosing and planting a replacement tree after the storm. Topics will include choosing the right tree for your landscape, matching a tree to your site and growing conditions, and considering mature size, sun, and available space. Register fort this free workshop at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7dHLbtSVTW4JMi7QhQ0DxnftcIOBYMDATQxn1dDM4zFWiUQ/viewform.
• September 19 – Hydroponic Crop Production Workshop: Join Purdue Extension and the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture for a workshop that is a perfect opportunity to learn about hydroponic crop production for home and commercial-scale operations. This workshop will be at the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Greenhouse Complex, located at 625 Agriculture Mall Drive, Purdue University, West Lafayette. The workshop is from 8:30am to 3:30pm EST. The registration fee is $60, lunch and snacks will be provided. If you are interested in learning more about hydroponic crop production, please register at https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_26qi9wNfZNvlo1g. If you have any questions, please contact Lori Jolly-Brown at ljollybr@purdue.edu.
• September 25 – NWI Food Council’s FarmHop Tour: From Local Farms to School Cafeterias: Join us for the 2026 FarmHop Tour and discover how local farms, schools, and community partners are working together to nourish the next generation with locally grown foods and scratch-made meals! This exciting tour will showcase how regional agriculture connects to school cafeterias and classrooms across Northwest Indiana. Participants will visit De Jong Farm in Merrillville, Garwood Orchards in LaPorte, La Porte Schools, and Region Roots Local Farm & Food Hub for a behind-the-scenes look at how locally grown food makes its way from the farm to the classroom. Along the way, participants will have opportunities to connect with farmers, healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders while learning how local food can support community health, education, and regional resilience. The tour will be held from 9:00am to 3:30pm on Friday, September 25, 2026. The tour includes a thoughtfully prepared, locally sourced lunch, guided tours, and behind-the-scenes access at each stop. For tickets and more information, please visit https://tinyurl.com/52rens6v.

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.

Upcoming Events

• November 13 – Market Ready Producers Training: Save the date for the 2026 Market Ready Producers Training, this will be an all-day program to help prepare farmers for selling wholesale at Region Roots Food Hub in Crown Point. Stay turned for more information as registration will be coming soon.
• 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.

Farmers Needed

The Farmers Market at Fox Pointe in Lansing, IL runs Tuesdays from June 9 through September 22, from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, with a special evening market on August 4 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in partnership with National Night Out. They are currently seeking farmers that offer fresh produce. Booth options include the following: 

Full Season (16 markets) $275

Half Season (8 markets) $175

Weekly $25

They do have a limited number of discounted spots available for produce-focused farms to help strengthen the market's fresh offerings. Vendors can view details and apply by visiting foxpointe.org, or applying directly here: FARMERS MARKET - Eventeny. For questions or to connect directly, contact Michelle Henderson at mhenderson@villageoflansing.org or

708-832-4583.

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

Summer is almost over and Fall is right around the corner. 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: Cereal Rye

As September 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 September, we are featuring Cereal Rye (Secale cereale), a cool-season grass that is widely used as a cover crop to protect and improve soil throughout the fall and winter. Cereal Rye is a versatile cover crop that can be planted in late summer or fall and is well suited for use in a variety of growing systems.

Cereal Rye grows well in a range of soil conditions and produces a dense stand of vegetation that helps protect bare soil from wind and water erosion. Its extensive root system helps hold soil in place while also contributing organic matter to the soil. Cereal Rye can also capture and retain nutrients, helping reduce the potential for nutrients to be lost from the soil during the winter months.

One of the major benefits of Cereal Rye is its ability to provide excellent winter soil protection. It is highly winter hardy and can continue growing during cool temperatures, allowing it to remain established when many other plants have stopped growing. Its dense growth can also help suppress weeds by competing for sunlight, water, and nutrients.

Cereal Rye can be terminated in the spring before planting the next crop. Once terminated, the plant residue can remain on the soil surface and provide additional protection while gradually breaking down and adding organic matter to the soil. Because Cereal Rye can produce a significant amount of biomass, gardeners should plan ahead when determining when to terminate the crop and plant their next crop.

Did You Know?

Cereal Rye is one of the most winter-hardy cereal grains, making it an excellent choice for protecting soil through Indiana winters. Its ability to establish in the fall and resume growth in the spring makes it a popular cover crop for improving soil health while reducing erosion and weed pressure.

Resources:
• Penn State Extension – Cereal Rye as a Cover Crop – https://extension.psu.edu/cereal-rye-as-a-cover-crop

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.