Yard and Garden News

The Buchanan County Master Gardeners were named the 2019 recipient of the Search for Excellence Award, an ISU Extension and Outreach award that recognizes Master Gardener projects that have made an impactful and innovative difference in Iowa communities.

Flooding throughout Iowa this spring has damaged farm land, public parks and recreational spots, and has caused increased pressures on drainage systems. These conditions can impact this season’s morel mushroom hunting.

Flooding throughout Iowa this spring has damaged farm land, public parks and recreational spots, and has caused increased pressures on drainage systems. These conditions can impact this season’s morel mushroom hunting.

Just in time for the summer growing season, the Master Gardener Program with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer three, one-hour educational webcasts.

Consider these tips from Iowa State University horticulturists to help ensure a successful start to the gardening season.

Pesticides and other lawn and garden chemicals should be applied in a way that is safe for both the applicator and the environment. A new publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach compares the toxicity of common lawn, garden and ornamental chemicals used to control insects, weeds and pathogens in Iowa.

When their tulips and daffodils no longer bloom, many gardeners wonder why. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists offer guidance on what to do when these spring favorites fail to flower.

The flavor of homegrown potatoes is well worth the effort. Select a variety that grows well in Iowa and has the characteristics you desire, then follow these planting tips.

Proper application material and timing will yield desired results when it comes to crabgrass control. Iowa State horticulturists offer tips on use of preemergence herbicides and non-chemical products to prevent crabgrass seed germination.

A backyard project doesn’t have to be all-encompassing and grand to have a large impact on wildlife. That is the message Adam Janke works to convey in his “Woodworking for Wildlife” publication series.

The three types of strawberries grown in Iowa home gardens differ in growth, flowering and fruiting characteristics. The best time to plant all three types is early spring.

Celebrating its 40th year in Iowa, the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will hold its core training sessions this fall for individuals interested in becoming Master Gardener volunteers.

Just in time for spring, the Siouxland Garden Show comes to the Sioux City Delta Hotels Center April 5 and 6 with educational sessions, a winter farmers market, garden vendors, family-friendly fun and all things garden related.

While modern roses are attractive additions to the home landscape, they do require good care -- from winter protection to proper planting and pruning.

Rabbits and deer have been browsing on trees and shrubs in windbreaks, home orchards and landscape plantings over the last two months because of the extended period of snow cover across most of Iowa. The prognosis for the plants depends on the extent of damage. 

An integrated pest management workshop will be held this spring to help growers, local foods coordinators, extension staff, county horticulturists and industry representatives learn about managing common insects, diseases and weeds in vegetable production systems.

One of the most important management practices for landscape trees is pruning. Winter pruning allows the tree to respond to the wounding early in the spring.

Iowa State horticulturists share information about the growth and fruiting characteristics of the grapevine to help simplify the pruning process.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program has announced 22 recipients of its Growing Together mini-grant program. This is the fourth year mini-grant funds have been available, with more than $50,000 in grant money from the SNAP-Education program being distributed across the state.

Emerald ash borer has been confirmed for the first time in Cass County. This most recent discovery involved a private property site in rural Massena. Since the first Iowa detection in 2010, the invasive, tree-killing pest has spread to 66 Iowa counties.