Frequently Asked Questions

Question:
Will applying insecticides to kill grubs help control moles?
Answer:

One of our biggest frustrations with moles is the perennial misinformation that an insecticide application to kill grubs will solve the mole problem.  This is the “lie that will not die.”  Forty years ago, it might have been true that...

Question:
Can I plant garlic cloves from the grocery store in my garden?
Answer:

Planting garlic cloves purchased from grocery stores is rarely successful in an Iowa garden.  The garlic found in grocery stores are usually softneck cultivars from warmer regions that are not well adapted to Iowa’s climate. ...

Question:
It's only February, but my garlic is coming up. What should I do?
Answer:

While not a regular occurrence, it is not unusual for the foliage of fall-planted bulbs like garlic to emerge a bit early during a mid-winter warm-up. While in Iowa garlic normally begins to emerge from the ground in mid-March to early April,...

Question:
How do I care for Gerber daisy purchased as a flowering potted plant at the florist?
Answer:

Gerber daisy is frequently sold in florist shops and garden centers during the spring and fall.  Plants prefer cooler temperatures.  Place in bright, indirect or direct light indoors.  Soil should be moist but well-drained. ...

Question:
How do I care for Kalanchoe?
Answer:

Kalanchoe grows well in bright indoor locations.  Keep at moderate temperatures (45-65 °F at night and 50-70 °F during the day).  Keeping plants on the cool side will help prolong flower life.  Allow the soil to dry between...

Question:
How do I care for a potted flowering gardenia purchased at the florist?
Answer:

Place gardenia in a brightly lit, cool location.  The location should receive bright light, but not direct sunlight.  Ideal temperatures are 55 to 65°F during the night and 65 to 75°F during the day.  Check the potting soil...

Question:
I received a potted, flowering mum as a gift. How do I care for it?
Answer:

In the home, place the mum in a brightly lit, cool location.  An ideal site is one near a window that receives bright light (but no direct sunlight) and temperatures of 60 to 70°F. 

...

Question:
I received potted forced spring bulbs as a gift. How do I care for them?
Answer:

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring bulbs are frequently available from florists and garden centers in winter.  When purchasing these potted forced spring bulbs, select those that have fully developed buds but have not yet opened...

Question:
How do I care for a potted, blooming hydrangea?
Answer:

Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is frequently sold in garden centers and floral shops during winter and early spring and features large ball-shaped clusters of blue or pink flowers. Place hydrangeas in bright, indirect light...

Question:
How do I prune trumpet vine?
Answer:

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) can be pruned at any time of the year. Although late winter or early spring when the vine is not covered in leaves can make the task easier.  Without regular pruning, trumpet vine can quickly...

Question:
How are blue orchids made?
Answer:

Occasionally a florist or garden center will have vibrant blue moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) for sale.  Blue is not a color that naturally occurs in orchids.  These orchids are typically white flowers dyed to achieve this unique...

Question:
Should I prune my rose back in the fall?
Answer:

No.  Pruning stimulates new growth.  That new growth will not have an opportunity to properly harden off before winter leaving it vulnerable to more winter damage.

Even established growth that has properly hardened off will see...

Question:
How should I prune shrub roses?
Answer:

While most shrub or landscape roses are winter-hardy in Iowa, there is still typically some branch die-back over winter.  Gardeners should prune out the dead wood just as the new buds are turning green and breaking in spring - typically...

Question:
When should I prune shrub roses?
Answer:

Old garden roses, hybrid rugosas, and other hardy shrub or landscape roses often survive Iowa's winters with little or no winter injury.  If there is any winter injury, it can be pruned back to live wood just as the new buds are turning...

Question:
Will indoor grown herbs taste the same as those grown outdoors?
Answer:

Many indoor grown herbs are not as strong or as intensely flavored compared to those grown outside. However, basil will always taste like basil whether it is grown indoors or outdoors.

Question:
How do I harvest and use herbs grown indoors?
Answer:

Harvest herbs indoors as you would if grown outdoors. Most do well with periodic snipping as they are needed in the kitchen. Leafy annual herbs, like basil, chervil, and parsley, can be cut back severely when harvested. Using a sharp knife or...

Question:
How can I provide more light for my herbs indoors?
Answer:

Providing enough light for herbs to grow well indoors, especially during the winter months when days are shorter, is difficult. Some herbs will tolerate as little as six hours of direct light a day but most want eight or more hours each day. When...

Question:
What growing conditions are best for indoor herbs?
Answer:

Light is typically the most limiting factor to successfully growing herbs indoors. Plants will need as much direct sunlight as you can provide. Most herbs need around eight hours of direct light each day when grown indoors. A south-facing sunny...

Question:
Which herbs are best for growing indoors?
Answer:

Just about any herb has the potential to be grown indoors. There are, however, a few species that do better with indoor growing conditions. These herbs tolerate the lower light levels, low humidity, and cooler temperatures indoors, making them...

Question:
What perennials are easy to grow from seed?
Answer:

While most gardeners prefer to grow perennials from established plants in containers or as divisions, transplants, or bare root, it is possible to grow many perennials successfully from seed.  The reason why perennials grown from established...

Question:
I purchased a potted hydrangea from the florist shop this winter, can I plant it in my garden?
Answer:

The hydrangeas found in flower shops are bigleaf hydrangeas forced into bloom out of season. These plants are intended to be enjoyed as a temporary potted plant indoors, much like poinsettia, and are not intended for planting in the landscape....

Question:
How do I over-winter the common fig?
Answer:

Common or edible figs (Ficus carica) are not reliably cold hardy in Iowa. The stems of ‘Chicago Hardy’ (considered one of the hardiest edible fig cultivars) are hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit and the plant’s roots are hardy to 15 to 20...

Question:
Can I grow herbs indoors over the winter?
Answer:

Many herbs can be successfully grown indoors during the winter months. The best herbs to grow indoors include basil, cilantro, parsley, chervil, rosemary, bay laurel, mint, chives, oregano, thyme, sage, and lemongrass.

Light is often the...

Question:
How do I sanitize my pruners and other garden tools to prevent the spread of disease?
Answer:

Proper cleaning and sanitization of pruners and other garden tools is important to prevent the spread of disease issues.  At minimum when removing disease-infected plant material, pruners should be disinfected between plants.  Ideally,...

Question:
Will newly emerged perennials be seriously harmed if they begin to leaf out and are then subjected to freezing temperatures?
Answer:

Some perennials emerge early in the spring.  In Iowa, it’s common to have relatively warm days in early or mid-March and it is equally common to have below freezing temperatures in April or even early May.  In most cases, early leaf...

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