The brightly colored flowers of moss phlox (Phlox subulata), oftentimes referred to as “creeping phlox,” are a common sight in many home landscapes in spring. Moss phlox forms dense, carpet-like mats. Plants are 4 to 6 inches
The brightly colored flowers of moss phlox (Phlox subulata), oftentimes referred to as “creeping phlox,” are a common sight in many home landscapes in spring. Moss phlox forms dense, carpet-like mats. Plants are 4 to 6 inches
As the name suggests, bare-root trees and shrubs have no soil around their roots. Bare-root nursery stock is dug in late fall, placed in cold storage, then shipped to garden centers or gardeners in early spring. Bare-root trees and shr
Incorporating compost into garden soil improves the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil.
These cultivars have attractive red stalks and are good choices for Iowa gardens:
The brown growths in your ash tree are probably ash flower galls. Galls are abnormal plant growths induced to form by small insects, mites, or other organisms. On ash trees, a tiny mite causes the male flowers to develop into roundish,
There are basically 3 types of strawberries grown in home gardens. They differ in growth, flowering, and fruiting characteristics.
Proper pruning of purple raspberries promotes high yields, helps control diseases, and facilitates harvesting and other maintenance chores.
The symptoms of salt injury to deciduous trees and shrubs include stunted growth, marginal leaf scorch, early fall coloration, and twig dieback.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic destructive pest that kills all native ash trees (Fraxinus). The urban tree canopy is significantly impacted by the loss of ash trees.
Yellowing, browning, and dropping of leaves is one of the most vague and difficult issues to deal with because it can be caused by a wide variety of issues.
Cool-season annuals are annual plants that prefer cool temperatures, growing best in spring or fall. Many are tolerant of a light frost often surviving down to 28°F or sometimes even 25°F with little damage to flowers or leaves.
Apples are considered self-unfruitful. While a few cultivars, like Gold Delicious, set a good crop without cross-pollination, most apple cultivars will not produce a good crop without a different cultivar nearby to provide pollen.
To obtain an earlier crop, start melon transplants indoors. Sow seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the anticipated outdoor planting date. Plantable containers, such as peat pots, work best as both plant
Cool-season annuals are annual plants that prefer cool temperatures, growing best in spring or fall. Many are tolerant of a light frost often surviving down to 28°F or sometimes even 25°F with little damage to flowers or leaves.
Leaves are an excellent resource for the garden. They break down to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil. As they decompose, they act as a mulch suppressing weeds and helping to maintain consistent soil moisture.
Most philodendron species will produce aerial roots which allows them to successfully grow on or up other trees in their native habitats. In the home, these roots can help trailing types climb a trellis or moss pole or help the plant support
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 grow
Construction of buildings, patios, garages, driveways, sidewalks, and roads often compromises the growing environment of nearby trees. The majority of a tree’s roots are located in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil and often extend well beyond
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.
Cherries perform best in moist, well-drained, fertile soils. Avoid wet, poorly drained sites. Cherries are susceptible to root rots in wet, poorly drained soils. Trees should also receive full sun. Sites must receive at lea
Onions perform best in well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soils in full sun. The planting site should receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. Heavy soils can be improved by incorporating organic matter, such as compost, in
Herbs should be harvested in the early morning, after the dew has evaporated and before the sun becomes too hot. After harvesting, rinse the herbs in cool water. Shake off excess water and place them on paper toweling to dry for a few
Proper pruning can renew or rejuvenate overgrown, deciduous shrubs. One option is to prune the shrubs back over a three-year period. Begin by removing one-third of the largest, oldest stems at ground level in late winter/early spring (
Store lawn and garden fertilizers in their original bags or containers so you will know the content and analysis of the product next season. Store granular fertilizers in a protected location where they will remain dry. Granular produc
Most flower and vegetable seeds germinate best when the temperature of the germination medium (potting mix) is 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
After cutting the material to the proper length, dip the bottom of each cutting in a rooting hormone. Gather the cuttings together (placing all the tops in one direction) and secure them with twine or rubber bands. Place the bundled cu
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
The length of most hardwood stem cuttings varies from 4 to 12 inches. However, the cuttings of some plants may be up to 30 inches in length. The diameter of hardwood stem cuttings typically ranges from ¼ to 1 inch. Each cutting s
Dig a hole that is 2 to 3 times wider than the diameter of the tree’s rootball. The depth of the hole should be 2 or 3 inches less than the height of the rootball. Slope the sides of the hole so the top of the hole is several inches wi
Prior to planting, soak the tree’s roots in a bucket of water for 1 to 2 hours. Also, prune off damaged or broken roots.