MUM’S THE WORD: The Reigning Blooms Of Fall

from garden centers and nurseries to big box hardware and grocery stores, mums are about as plentiful as pumpkins this time of year

Right now, Midwesterners are trading their lush green gardens and annual plants for corn stalks, pumpkins and pots of chrysanthemums. The latter, affectingly known as mums, are just as easy to come across as ready-to-carve pumpkins – but why is that? “Mums naturally bloom in the fall,” Ben Polzin of Down to Earth said. “Our climate specifically, with the length of daylight combined with warmer temperatures that cool off at night, makes for prime mum weather.” ...

Core Memories In The Making At Chippewa Falls' Applepalooza Debut

come fall 2027, the annual event hosted by Dixon’s Apple Orchard will arrive at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds

Although our hearts may already be set on the vibrant scenery and autumnal treats of this fall’s harvest season, we still have a full year of anticipation ahead before a new apple-centric celebration makes its local debut. Owners and staff at Dixon’s Apple Orchard and Autumn Harvest Winery are hard at work to bring “Applepalooza Chippewa Falls” to the community, slated for...

After Nearly 170 Years, Connell’s Family Orchard Debuts A First – Its Own Wine

three varieties are available exclusively at the local orchard by the bottle, glass or flight

For the first time in its 168 years of operations, Connell’s Family Orchard is dipping into the vino scene by rolling out its own line of wines. A new use for the longtime area orchard’s apples, three varieties were debuted in August: apple, apple raspberry and spiced apple. Connell said all three wines are on the sweet side and they may eventually add a dry variety. Right now, there’s no clear favorite from patrons, though Connell personally prefers the apple wine ...

Come For The Viral Fame, Stay For The Chocolate Zucchini Cake

get to know Helen Kees of Wheatfield Hill Organics farm, whose persona online has drawn visitors to the farm's harvest markets

For Helen Kees – grower and co-owner of the Wheatfield Hill Organics farm in Durand – most of her days begin well before the sun breaks on the horizon. She is often out early in the fields, harvesting the season’s ripe offerings from the very landscapes which raised her. For a brief moment in between pulling sweet corn, we caught up with Helen for a behind the scenes look into her virality...

Fall Festival Returns With 100+ Vendors, Live Entertainment, Dunk Tank & More

free-to-attend shindig will shut down half-mile stretch of Barstow Street on Saturday, Sept. 12

This year’s Fall Festival, hosted by Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. (DECI), marks its 37th iteration – and will introduce a new layout. The annual shindig – slated for 10am-5pm on Saturday, Sept. 12 – will see a half-mile stretch of downtown closed off from traffic, making way for over 100 vendors, two live entertainment stages, three activity zones and the anticipated thousands of attendees ...

You've Heard Of 'No Mow May,' Now It's Time To 'Leave The Leaves'

join the growing movement to help pollinators over the winter months

As Wisconsin transitions into its cooler fall months and residents prepare for winter, it’s common to see people rake away fallen leaves to “clean up” their lawns. With the “Leave The Leaves” initiative, members of ...

BREWS & BBQ: Northern Wis. State Fairgrounds Ramps Up For Fall Festivities

fairgrounds to welcome inaugural BBQ Fest on Sept. 6, Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest from Sept. 19-20

If Chippewa Falls knows how to do one thing exceptionally well, it would be Oktoberfest. Before celebrating its 22nd annual German-style, beer-drinkin’ festivities this year from Sept. 19-20, the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds venue will first bring a brand-new grub event to the area on Sept. 6: BBQ Fest ...

Pleasant Valley Farm Fall Festival Returns For First Time in Nine Years

fifth generation Elk Mound farm revives fall festivities, open now through Oct. 27

This year, the Fall Harvest Festival has returned to its roots, and is back in full swing at Pleasant Valley Tree Farm. While a spooky trail and corn maze are on the farm’s list of fall features, the fun gets bigger and better from there! Some areas are themed, like the Wild West and Lumberjack Village activity areas, while more features await ...

COLUMN: Turn of The Season Signals Harvest Time

canning, jarring, pickling, and more made for a true autumn harvest

Late summer and early fall meant harvesting crops on the farm where I spent my early years. This harvest went way beyond field crops. Our garden was huge, and preserving food, mainly by canning, was necessary to have food for winter when cows gave less milk ...

10 YEARS OF PAZAZZ: Ferguson’s Orchard Celebrates Pazazz Apple, New Additions

this season the fall family favorite marks apple anniversary, new mascots, and more

In 2001, Tom and Deb Ferguson purchased an orchard in Galesville that had first planted its apple tree roots in the 1870s. Ten years later, the Ferguson family (including children Jill, Andy, and Joe) purchased their Eau Claire orchard, a local and regional family ...