Frequently Asked Questions

Question:
How do I care for a jade plant?
Answer:

Place the jade plant (Crassula argentea) in a sunny window where it receives at least 4 hours of direct sunlight.  The jade plant is a succulent which stores water in its foliage and stems.  Overwatering (watering too...

Question:
How do I care for an umbrella tree?
Answer:

The umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) is native to rainforests in Australia and New Guinea.  In the home, place the umbrella tree in bright, indirect light near an east, west, or south window.  Allow the potting soil to...

Question:
What type of germination medium should I use to start seedlings indoors?
Answer:

The germination medium should be lightweight, porous, and free of pathogens.  Excellent seed-starting media are commercially prepared soilless mixes, such as Jiffy Mix.  Use a high quality, well-drained potting mix when transplanting...

Question:
When should I prune hybrid tea roses in spring?
Answer:

The upper portions of modern roses, such as hybrid teas, floribundas, and grandifloras, typically winterkill due to exposure to low winter temperatures and extreme temperature changes.  Gardeners should prune out the dead wood after the...

Question:
A hard freeze in early spring damaged the newly emerged growth on several trees and shrubs. Will the plants recover?
Answer:

Newly emerged tree and shrub foliage is susceptible to damage from below freezing temperatures. The new growth on many trees and shrubs can tolerate temperatures in the low 30s and upper 20s. Freeze damage is most likely when temperatures drop...

Question:
Do hardy geraniums perform well in Iowa?
Answer:

While not widely planted in home gardens, hardy geraniums (Geranium spp.) are attractive, easy-to-grow perennials.  Numerous species and varieties are available.  Plants typically bloom in late spring/early summer.  The 1...

Question:
Can I grow an apple tree from a seed?
Answer:

It is possible to grow an apple tree from an apple seed.  However, in most cases, apple trees don't come true from seeds.  For example, a seed taken from a Red Delicious apple will not produce a Red Delicious apple tree.  Seedling...

Question:
What should I do with my poinsettia after the holidays?
Answer:

If given good care in the home, poinsettias should remain attractive for 2 to 3 months.  Toss the poinsettia when you grow tired of it or it becomes unattractive. 

Tips to have the poinsettia bloom again:

March to Late...

Question:
What is the proper way to prune grapevines?
Answer:

Grapevines produce fruit clusters on the previous season’s growth.  Before pruning, a grapevine may have 200 to 300 buds capable of producing fruit.  If the vine is not pruned, the number of grape clusters would be excessive and the...

Question:
How do I control spider mites on houseplants?
Answer:

Spider mites are a common pest of houseplants.  Spider mites use piercing-sucking mouthparts to puncture the plant tissue and feed on the liquid within the cells.  In light infestations, the foliage appears to be speckled with very tiny...

Question:
Should I fertilize my fruit trees?
Answer:

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...

Question:
Is it advisable to paint pruning wounds when pruning trees?
Answer:

Do not apply a pruning paint or wound dressing to pruning wounds.  The application of a pruning paint or wound dressing does not prevent wood decay and may actually interfere with the tree’s natural wound responses.

Oak trees are an...

Question:
What would be a good planting site for rhubarb?
Answer:

Rhubarb performs best in well-drained, fertile soils that are high in organic matter.  Heavy, clay soils can often be improved by incorporating organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, into the upper 12 to 15 inches of soil....

Question:
When should I sow my flower and vegetable seeds indoors?
Answer:

The growth rate of the seedlings and the outdoor planting date determine when to sow seeds indoors.  The crop time (number of weeks from sowing to planting outdoors) for several popular flowers and vegetables are as follows: 10 to 12 weeks...

Question:
How should I prune hybrid tea roses in spring?
Answer:

The upper portions of hybrid tea, grandiflora, and floribunda roses typically die due to exposure to low winter temperatures and extreme temperature changes.  When the winter protection is removed from these roses in early spring (late March...

Question:
What are some important considerations when selecting a shrub for a hedge?
Answer:

Home gardeners should carefully consider their landscape needs and the characteristics of the various shrubs. For example, deciduous shrubs drop their leaves in fall and are effective screens mainly during the growing season. Evergreens provide...

Question:
What are some good, long-lived perennials?
Answer:

When selecting perennials for the home landscape, it’s important to consider their size, bloom period, hardiness, and cultural requirements.  Another consideration is their longevity.  Some perennials are short-lived.  Short-lived...

Question:
Should blueberry plants be fertilized?
Answer:

Established blueberry plants benefit from an annual application of an acid-producing fertilizer, such as ammonium sulfate.  In early spring, apply ½ to 1 pound of ammonium sulfate per 100 square feet of garden area.  Ammonium sulfate...

Question:
What is the proper care of the cyclamen?
Answer:

The cyclamen is the ideal flowering plant for a cool environment.  Place the plant in a brightly lit location.  Temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal.  Keep the soil moist, but avoid getting water in the crown...

Question:
How can I propagate a grapevine?
Answer:

While grapevines can be propagated by several methods, they are most commonly propagated by hardwood cuttings.  Hardwood cuttings are made from the dormant canes of the preceding year’s growth. Cutting material should be collected in late...

Question:
Do houseplants actually improve indoor air quality?
Answer:

Houseplants have received much attention as options for improving indoor air quality. In 1989, scientists from NASA discovered that plants could remove VOCs (volatile organic...

Question:
When should I apply a dormant oil spray to my fruit trees?
Answer:

Dormant oil sprays are highly refined petroleum products that are mixed with water and applied to trees and shrubs to control aphids, spider mites, and scale.  Dormant oils destroy pests by suffocating them.  When applied properly, the...

Question:
When should I prune my shrubs?
Answer:

The proper time to prune deciduous and evergreen shrubs is determined by the plant’s growth habit, bloom time, and health or condition. 

Spring-flowering shrubs, such as lilac and forsythia, bloom in spring on the growth of the...

Question:
When can I divide rhubarb plants?
Answer:

Early spring is the best time to divide rhubarb plants.  Dig up plants as soon as the ground can be worked in spring.  Divide each plant into sections with a large knife or spade.  Each section should have at least 2 or 3 buds or...

Question:
Do I need to purchase a heat mat to successfully germinate seeds indoors?
Answer:

Most seeds germinate best when the medium temperature is consistently 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  Placing containers in a warm location in the house, such as on top of a radiator or near a heat register, usually works fine.  In cool...

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