It is generally not necessary to fertilize newly planted trees. Most Iowa soils can supply sufficient amounts of nutrients during establishment. If trees are growing poorly 2 or 3 years after planting, fertilization may be beneficial.&
It is generally not necessary to fertilize newly planted trees. Most Iowa soils can supply sufficient amounts of nutrients during establishment. If trees are growing poorly 2 or 3 years after planting, fertilization may be beneficial.&
It is generally not necessary to fertilize healthy, vigorous trees and shrubs in the home landscape. Most landscape soils in Iowa contain adequate levels of nutrients for trees and shrubs. Plus, trees and shrubs that are growing in law
It is generally not necessary to fertilize fruit trees in Iowa. Most Iowa soils can supply sufficient amounts of nutrients to fruit trees. Check tree growth to determine whether fruit trees need fertilization. Young, nonbearing f
Ideally, you would apply fertilizer to the lawn just before a light rain. Alternatively, you can water the lawn just after the application.
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.
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 significantly
Staking is not required for most newly planted trees. However, large trees and those planted in windy, exposed sites may require staking. If staking is necessary, allow the trunk to move or sway for proper trunk and root development.&n
Wrapping protective materials around the trunks of newly planted trees is usually not necessary during the growing season. There is little or no benefit to tree wraps during this time.
Some gardeners remove the suckers believing that the sideshoots reduce sweet corn yields by diverting energy from the main stalk and developing ear. Their removal, however, is not necessary and may actually reduce yields. Suckers devel
The centers of ornamental grasses often die as the plants get older. When this occurs, it’s a good time to dig and divide the grasses. When the grasses begin to grow in spring, dig up entire clumps, cut out and discard the dead center
Greenbug aphids may be responsible for the brownish orange color of the turfgrass. Greenbug aphids feed only on plants of the grass family (Kentucky bluegrass, corn, sorghum, etc.). Greenbugs live on the grass blades and feed on sap fr
The symptoms on your bee balms (Monarda spp.) are most likely due to powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease on bee balms. Symptoms are most severe on overcrowded plants and those growing in partial shade.&nb
Cherry leaf spot is probably responsible for the symptoms on your cherry tree. Cherry leaf spot is caused by the fungus Blumeriella jaapii. The fungus produces small purple spots on the upper surface of the leaves. Event
The black sooty material is likely sooty mold. Sooty mold is caused by several different fungi. The fungi don’t infect plants, but grow on the sugary honeydew excreted by aphids, scales, mealybugs, and other insects. In Iow
The spotting and premature leaf drop on your dogwoods is probably due to Septoria leaf spot. Septoria leaf spot is a common fungal disease of dogwoods in Iowa. The disease typically causes irregularly shaped grayish spots with dark pur
In Iowa, the foliage of the river birch (Betula nigra) often turns a sickly yellow-green. The yellow-green foliage is due to a deficiency of iron. The problem is referred to as iron chlorosis.
Newly emerged perennial growth is susceptible to damage from freezing temperatures. While freezing temperatures may have damaged or destroyed the new growth, the roots and crowns of healthy, well-established perennials should still be alive.
Browning of yews in late winter or early spring is usually the result of desiccation injury. Evergreen foliage continues to lose moisture during the winter months, particularly on windy or sunny days.
Oedema is probably responsible for the lesions on the undersides of the ivy geranium leaves. Oedema is not caused by an insect or disease pathogen. It is a physiological problem. Oedema is most often encountered in greenhouses in
The caterpillars are likely eastern tent caterpillars. Eastern tent caterpillars emerge in late April and early May from eggs that were laid on small twigs last summer by female moths. The caterpillars feed on the buds and foliage of a
The holes were likely created by sapsuckers. Sapsuckers, members of the woodpecker family, damage trees by drilling holes in the trunk or large branches. Sapsucker damage is very distinctive. They drill uniform, 1/4 inch holes in
Trees have shallow roots. The vast majority of a tree’s roots are located in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. As the tree roots grow, some of the larger roots near the soil surface may emerge from the ground.
The foam-like masses in the dogwoods were probably created by the dogwood spittlebug. The dogwood spittlebug is one of several species of this commonly recognized group of sap-feeding insects. Spittlebugs are familiar because of the fr
The white material on the foliage of your African violets is probably powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that is common on indoor plants, such as African violets, begonias, and poinsettias. Outbreaks of powdery mildew o
The tiny holes are likely due to flea beetles. Flea beetles are the most common pest of eggplant in the home garden. Adults are tiny, shiny, black beetles. They possess large hind legs that enable them to jump. Flea beetles
The yellow-green bugs are probably the adults of the northern corn rootworm. The larvae of the northern corn rootworm feed on the roots of corn plants. The adults (yellow-green beetles) appear in mid-summer and are present until frost.
The large, hard growth is probably crown gall. Crown gall is caused by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The bacterial disease can infect roses, grapes, apples, raspberries, willows, euonymus, and many other woody plant
It’s likely the pile of sawdust-like material was produced by carpenter ants. Carpenter ants commonly nest inside older, hollow trees or in trees with dead limbs or branches. Carpenter ants do not eat wood. However, they excavate
Flooding during the growing season is typically more harmful to trees than flooding during dormant periods. And, the longer trees are exposed to flooding, the greater the potential for injury.
Red raspberries sucker freely. If not confined, plants will spread rapidly. Red raspberries are most productive when grown in 2-foot-wide hedgerows. If the raspberry planting is several feet wide, plant rows need to be reestablis