Question: I read your column in December about aphids and other insects on houseplants. It didn’t mention anything about gnats in the dirt and on the leaves which are the problem in my houseplants. I read online about whiteflies. Do you think my plants are infested with whiteflies or is it a different insect? What can I do to can get rid of them? F.H.

December 31, 2015 – Kenosha News Wisconsin residents wanting to receive notice of pesticides that will be applied to lawns, trees and shrubs in their neighborhood by professional lawn care and landscape companies must join the Wisconsin Landscape Registry before February 1, 2016. The registry is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and […]

Question: I am enjoying a Victorian advent calendar that informationally states that the holly wreath could only be carried into the house by a male, since the berries appear only on male plants. I thought this has to be a gross error. So is it the female holly that has the berries or some unusual plant physiology that put berries on the male? M.P.

A full-day equine educational program will be offered by the University of Wisconsin-Cooperative Extension Service on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Kenosha County Center, from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM.

Question: I normally cover my strawberries with mulch after the ground starts to freeze. But the weather has been so warm I don’t know what to do this year. Should I still put straw over the plants? Should I wait? P.S.

Question: I brought my plants indoors in early October before we had frost. A couple of plants don’t look good. I think they may have bugs. What should I do? A.R.

Early December brings fond memories of family expeditions to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. My daughters are now adults with families of their own but they continue the tradition. You can select and cut down your own tree or choose from a variety of precut trees at local Christmas tree farms.

Here is the 2015 November/December Home Lite. Some things of interest are: Calendars for December and January; Club minutes; Information on Officer Training and Volunteer Orientation; 4-H Awards; Kenosha County 4-H Game Night; 4-H Project Discovery Day; Pinewood Derby Race; and the Kenosha County 4-H T-Shirt Design Contest

Question: This fall I brought several mums on sale at a local garden center. I left them in their pots on my deck. They bloomed beautifully but now I’m wondering if I can keep them for next year. They were labeled as hardy. Should I plant them in the ground or can I keep them in the garage? Do I pinch back, cut off the dried blooms or trim to the ground? Perhaps I should just toss them and start over next year. Is it too late to save these beautiful plants? – K.B. and E.M.

Question: I found a couple of bags of tulips and crocus on sale so I bought them. Is it too late to plant bulbs? C.L.