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AAS Winners Would Make Great 2024 Garden Plants

News Article

March is here, and we are all sowing seeds with ultimate optimism! Do you have your garden planned out? Is every little corner and crevice full? If you have room for just one more plant this year, consider one of these AAS Winners!

Growing and Selling Cut Flowers in Iowa

In recent years, the number of farms that grow and sell locally-grown cut flowers has increased.  Learn more about the reasons for the rise in flower farms across Iowa and the unique niche they are filling at farmer's markets and flower shops.

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Winter Garden Tasks

While winter is often considered a slow time in the garden, there are still several things that can be done from December through February to prepare for spring and keep yourself active in the garden even when there is snow on the ground!  Below is a list of tasks to do for perennials, annuals, trees & shrubs, vegetables, lawns, and houseplants.

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Perennials with Winter Interest

An attractive landscape requires careful planning for seasonal interest throughout the year. Since the Iowa landscape is dormant for about four months of the year, extending the attractiveness of the garden into the winter can help make the season a little more bearable. Many herbaceous perennials can help add shape, color, and texture to create interesting landscapes, even in winter!

New Plant Hardiness Zone Map Released from the USDA

News Article

In November 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated version of its popular Plant Hardiness Zone Map. 
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a standard guide to a plant’s cold tolerance.  Overall, much of Iowa is now in Hardiness Zone 5.  Learn more about the new map and how to best use it below.

Composting FAQs

Composting is the best way to dispose of your yard and garden wastes. Below are resources and frequently asked questions on composting.  

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Fall-Blooming Perennials

Great gardens are colorful throughout the growing season. Many perennials can be grown in Iowa to provide flowers and interest year after year in late summer and fall. These perennials are great additions to the Iowa garden to get plenty of late-season blooms.

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Perennials with Fall Color

Usually, we don't think of herbaceous perennials as having fall color. However, there is a select group of perennials that might surprise you with their brilliant foliage colors in fall.

Those perennials listed below have notable yellows, reds, oranges, and purples in their late-season foliage providing at least a couple weeks of good fall color every year. 

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