Damping-off is probably responsible for the collapse and death of your seedlings. Damping-off is caused by several different fungi.
Damping-off is probably responsible for the collapse and death of your seedlings. Damping-off is caused by several different fungi.
Many houseplants prefer a relative humidity of 40 to 50 percent. Unfortunately, the humidity level in many homes during the winter months may be only 10 to 20 percent.
Tall, spindly growth is a common problem when growing transplants indoors. Poor (insufficient) light, excessive watering, high temperatures, excessive fertilization, and crowded conditions are factors that contribute to spindly growth.
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
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.
The yellow-green color is likely due to a nutrient deficiency. Nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies sometimes occur when flower and vegetable seedlings are started indoors.
Poor or erratic germination of seeds may be caused by improper planting (for example, planting too deeply), uneven moisture, cool temperatures, and old seed.
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.
The black growths are probably black knot. Black knot is a fungal disease that occurs on chokecherry, European birdcherry, and several other wild and cultivated cherries and plums. The black growths (galls) can vary from a few inches t
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 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
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.
Annuals are a great way to add variety and color to the landscape and containers. As temperatures cool in late summer into fall, many of the summer annuals like marigolds, coleus and impatiens are looking “tired”.
The cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is actually a species of dogwood. It is also referred to as cornelian cherry dogwood. The cornelian cherry dogwood is an adaptable, durable, and relatively pest-free small tree. Plants c
Grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.) are spring-flowering bulbs. They produce urn-shaped flowers on 6- to 9-inch-long, upright spikes. (The flower spikes somewhat resemble clusters of grapes, hence the common name.) Flowers ar
Plants can be propagated by a number of different methods. Hardwood stem cuttings utilize shoots of the previous year’s growth on trees, shrubs, and vines to produce new plants.
Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) is a species of honeysuckle native to cold regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Other common names include blue honeysuckle or haskap. Honeyberries grow 4 to 6 feet tall. Plants prod
The Martagon lily (Lilium martagon) is one of the most widely distributed lilies in the world. It grows naturally in most of Europe and parts of Asia. It is also referred to as Turk’s cap lily.
This large tropical plant genus is divided into two major types: climbing and non-climbing.
Serviceberries are members of the genus Amelanchier. Other common names for plants in the genus Amelanchier include juneberry, saskatoon, shadbush, sarvisberry, and sugar plum.
Snap peas are an edible podded pea. Snap peas are best picked when the seeds are nearly full size and the pod walls are thick, fleshy, and crunchy. Snap peas may be eaten raw in salads, snapped and cooked like snap beans, or shelled fo
Snow peas are an edible podded pea. Snow peas are harvested when the pods are long and thin, just as the seeds begin to develop. Young pods are tender, stringless, and may be stir-fried in Chinese dishes, steamed, or cooked like snap b
Asparagus is dioecious. Dioecious plants produce separate male and female plants. Male asparagus plants live longer and are more productive than female plants.
Plant heights vary somewhat based on the growing conditions at the site. However, there are several groundcovers that are 12 inches or less in height.
Low-growing groundcovers for shade include:
Suggested onion varieties for home gardens in Iowa include:
Suggested garden pea cultivars for home gardens in Iowa include:
Several potato varieties perform well in Iowa. A list of recommended potato varieties (along with a brief description of each) is provided to help you choose the best variety for your garden.
Suggested radish varieties (cultivars) for home gardens include:
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 p
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.