University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Guides - Water Research Guide

Gardening Links

UW Urban Horticulture
The most complete source of horticulture information for Wisconsin on the Internet.
Wisconsin Garden Facts
University of Wisconsin Garden Facts are a new publication series under development by the Urban Horticulture Team of UW-Extension. Garden Facts are designed to be user-friendly for home gardeners.
Wisconsin Master Gardener program
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who aid University of Wisconsin Extension staff by helping people in the community better understand horticulture and their environment.
The Wisconsin Gardener
Wisconsin Public Television show offers a hands-in-the-dirt approach to gardening in Wisconsin.
Oconto Community Garden
The Oconto Community Garden Project is maintained by teachers and students from Oconto Elementary and staff from UW-Extension. In addition to teaching children about tending a garden, it is also a source of fresh vegetables for NEWCAP’s food pantry.
Online Gardener
Online Gardener provides state-of-the-art website design, development and hosting services to companies and organizations in the horticulture industry.

Rain & Water Garden Links

A rain garden is a planted depression that allows rainwater runoff from urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways, and compacted lawn areas the opportunity to be absorbed. This reduces rain runoff by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground.

Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds
Information on rain gardens in Dane County. Includes links to many other resources.
Edgewood College's Rain Garden Project
With its close proximity to Lake Wingra, Edgewood College is planting rain gardens in areas with standing water in order to reduce the amount of pollution running into the lakes.
Rain Gardens: A how-to manual for homeowners
Brought to you by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and UW Extension.
USDA Rain Gardens video
A team from three universities—Rutgers , Cornell, and Virginia Tech—is touting the benefits of rain gardens for businesses and backyards to filter pollutants from storm water runoff.

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Organic & Sustainable Practices

USDA National Organic Program
The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products.
Lawn Watering
A few practices to keep a healthy lawn without using too much water.

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Related Coursework

Lawns, Society and the Environment
A New Course! Integrate your biology, politics, and environmental education in this fun, in-depth survey of political, social, and scientific issues of our urban environment.

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New Gardening Books

Here are some new books on gardening from Wisconsin's Water Library:

The garden primer - By Barbara Damrosch
Call Number: 140859
ISBN/ISSN: 0761122753
Rain gardens : managing water sustainably in the garden and designed landscape - By Nigel Dunnett and Andy Clayden
Call Number: 290253
ISBN/ISSN: 0881928267
Good bug, bad bug : who’s who, what they do, and how to manage them organically: all you need to know about the insects in your garden - By Jessica Walliser
Call Number: 281494
ISBN/ISSN: 0976763192

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Books on Rain Gardens

These books are all available from Wisconsin's Water Library. Please request through MadCat.

Rain Gardens: A household way to improve water quality in your community - By Roger Bannerman
Call Number: 240562
Design Guidelines for Stormwater Bioretention Facilities - By Dustin Atchison, Ken Potter, and Linda Severson
Call Number: 020568
Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors - By J. William Thompson
Call Number: 240544
ISBN/ISSN: 1559636467
The complete pond builder : creating a beautiful water garden - By Helen Nash
Call Number: 240532
ISBN/ISSN: 0806938676
Encyclopedia of water garden plants - By Greg Speichert & Sue Speicher
Call Number: 290230
ISBN/ISSN: 0881926256
The master book of the water garden : the ultimate guide to designing and maintaining water gardens - By Philip Swindells
Call Number: 240537
ISBN/ISSN: 0821227963
The Blue Thumb guide to raingardens : design and installation for homeowners in the Upper Midwest - By Rusty Schmidt, Dan Shaw, and David Dods
Call Number: 240567
ISBN/ISSN: 0981713106
The pond doctor : planning & maintaining a healthy water garden - By Helen Nash
Call Number: 240538
ISBN/ISSN: 0806906863

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Books on Organic Gardening and Sustainable Practices

These books show various ways of organic practices, as well as creating and maintaining an environmentally sound garden. All books available from Wisconsin's Water Library. Please request through MadCat.