Frequently Asked Questions
Astilbes perform best in moist, well-drained soils in partial shade. Plants like evenly moist soils throughout the growing season. Astilbes do not like dry sites. Their foliage will turn brown when plants don’t have adequate...
Onions are grown from seeds, sets, and plants. Flowering is most likely to occur on onions grown from sets. Sets are small onion bulbs that were grown the previous year, harvested, stored through winter, then distributed to garden...
Lungworts (Pulmonaria spp.) can be divided in late summer/early fall or after flowering in spring. Carefully dig up the entire clump, then divide the clump into sections with a sharp knife. Each section should contain several...
The small size of “baby” corn suggests that it’s a special variety. However, most baby corn is actually grown from regular sweet and field corn varieties. The ears are harvested when they are 2 to 4 inches long and 1/3 to ½ inch in...
Birds are the biggest threat to the blueberry crop in the home garden. If not controlled, hungry birds may devour most of the crop. Scare devices are sometimes helpful. However, netting is the most effective way to protect the...
The rate of decomposition depends upon the composition of the compost pile, level of management, and other factors. A well-managed compost pile (one that is watered and turned regularly) containing a mixture of shredded plant material should be...
While peanuts are grown commericially in the southeastern United States, they can be grown in Iowa. Their unique growth habit makes them a fun addition to the home garden.
Growing Conditions
Peanuts grow best in loose...
Jostaberries are a cross between black currants and gooseberries. Plants are vigorous and may grow to a height of 6 to 8 feet. Jostaberry fruit are similar in size to gooseberries and black in color. Plants possess excellent...
Noticeable symptoms of emerald ash borer usually appear in the second or third year of the infestation or later. Emerald ash borer infested trees exhibit thinning of the leaf canopy and dieback in the crown. Also, infested ash trees...
When the lawn is mowed properly, grass clippings do not need to be removed or bagged. Small clippings filter down into the turf and quickly decompose, returning essential plant nutrients to the soil. Lawn clippings do not...
The orange substance on your black raspberry leaves is orange rust. Orange rust occurs on black and purple raspberries and most varieties of blackberries. Orange rust does not occur on red raspberries.
Orange rust...
Trapping is the best way to get rid of moles. Trapping isn't easy, but it does work. Patience and persistence are required. Traps can usually be found in hardware stores and garden centers. When using traps, carefully...
The small, green “worms” are probably the larvae of the rose sawfly. Rose sawfly larvae (commonly referred to as roseslugs) have tapered bodies, may be up to ½ inch in length, and are pale green in color. The larvae somewhat resemble...
The foam-like masses on the strawberry plants were probably created by the meadow spittlebug. The meadow spittlebug is one of several species of this commonly recognized group of sap-feeding insects. Spittlebugs are familiar because...
American holly (Ilex opaca) and English holly (Ilex aquifolium) are prized for their glossy, green leaves and brightly colored fruit. Sprigs of both hollies are often used in wreaths, centerpieces, and other Christmas...
Bee balms like an even supply of moisture during the growing season. For best performance, water bee balms every 7 to 10 days during dry periods. When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Apply a mulch around...
The storage or keeping quality of onions is determined by the cultivar (variety), harvesting and curing procedures, and storage conditions.
Longer Storage Life Varieties
- ‘Copra’
- ‘Sweet Sandwich’
- ‘Red...
All perennials require some maintenance. Watering, fertilizing, pinching, staking, deadheading, dividing, and providing winter protection are common maintenance chores. Some perennials require frequent attention through the growing...
Sweet corn should be isolated from popcorn and field corn to prevent cross-pollination. The quality of the sweet corn will be lowered if it’s cross-pollinated by other types of corn. For example, sweet corn pollinated by popcorn will...
Blueberry plants should not be allowed to bear fruit in the first 2 years. Any blossoms which form should be removed (rubbed off). Removal of the flowers will maximize vegetative growth and increase yields in later years. ...
It is not necessary to add an inoculant or activator to a compost pile. A compost pile should be composed of layers of plant material and soil or finished compost. The soil and finished compost contain the microbes that will decompose the plant...
Most herbs are ready to be harvested when flower buds appear on the plants, but before the buds open. The leaves contain the maximum amount of volatile oils at this stage of growth, giving the greatest flavor and fragrance to the finished...
Currants typically ripen over a 2 to 3 week period. Fully ripe currants possess the characteristic color of the variety (red, white, or black), are slightly soft and juicy. For jellies and jams, harvest currants before the berries are...
Insecticide treatments are available to protect ash trees from the emerald ash borer. However, treatments should be undertaken only when necessary to prevent excessive and needless use of insecticides.
Insecticide treatments...
Mosses in lawns are usually a sign of poor growing conditions. Turfgrasses have a difficult time growing in heavy shade, compacted soils, or other poor sites. However, mosses are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions....
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