Determinate and indeterminate refer to the tomato’s growth habit. Determinate tomatoes are small, compact plants. They grow to a certain height, stop, then flower and set all their fruit within a short period of time. The harvest
Determinate and indeterminate refer to the tomato’s growth habit. Determinate tomatoes are small, compact plants. They grow to a certain height, stop, then flower and set all their fruit within a short period of time. The harvest
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma. After pollination and fertilization, fruit set occurs. There are two types of pollination. Self-pollination occurs when the pollen is transferred from the anthe
The browning of the peony buds is likely due to botrytis blight. Botrytis blight is a common fungal disease of peonies. The fungus Botrytis paeoniae attacks stems, leaves and flower buds. It is most common in cool, rainy weather.
In the past, some gardeners used salt to control weeds in their asparagus plantings. However, salt is not effective in controlling many weeds, especially grasses. Plus, continued use of salt over several years may result in high salt l
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.
Deadheading is the removal of spent flowers. While tulips should be deadheaded immediately after flowering, it is not necessary to deadhead daffodils. The vigor of tulip bulbs quickly declines if tulips are not promptly deadheaded and
Peonies do not need to be divided on a regular basis. Peonies can be left undisturbed in the garden for 50 or more years. However, large peonies can be divided if you want additional plants.
Most gooseberry and currant varieties are self-fruitful. It is not necessary to plant two or more varieties for cross-pollination and fruit set.
Cannas are normally grown from rhizomes. However, it is possible to grow cannas from seeds. Canna seeds have hard seedcoats. Prior to sowing, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Sow the seeds in a commercial germination m
After freezing temperatures, some gardeners express concerns about the edibility of rhubarb. Rhubarb is a tough plant. Temperatures in the upper twenties or low thirties usually cause little or no damage. A hard freeze (temperatu
Early in the 1900's, white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) became a serious disease problem in the United States. White pine blister rust requires both a currant or gooseberry (Ribes species) and white pine to compl
The frequency of mowing should be based on the growth of the grass.
Don’t worry. The balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is slow to emerge in spring. Other late emerging perennials include hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus hybrids), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Russia
The rose-of-sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) can be successfully grown in the southern half of Iowa.
The symptoms are those of peach leaf curl. Peach leaf curl is a fungal disease. The disease is caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Infections occur as the peach tree buds begin to swell in spring.
If the daffodils aren’t blooming, the plants weren’t able to store enough food in their bulbs in the previous year. Daffodil foliage typically persists for 4 to 6 weeks after blooming. During this 4 to 6 week period, the daffodil folia
Forsythias bloom on old wood. Unfortunately, the flower buds on some varieties are not reliably cold hardy in Iowa.
Japanese spireas (Spiraea japonica) are small shrubs that grow 2 to 3 feet tall. Plants produce clusters of small pink flowers in summer. Numerous cultivars are available. The best way to renew or rejuvenate straggly Jap
Mature potentillas are often scraggly in appearance. The best way to renew or rejuvenate scraggly potentillas is to prune them back to within 3 to 4 inches of the ground in late winter/early spring (March or early April in Iowa). The s
Excessive nitrogen, the rapid onset of hot weather, or overcrowding may produce plants that are all tops (lush foliage, little or no root development).
Red raspberries spread rapidly as they sucker profusely from their roots. To prevent the planting from becoming a wide, unmanageable thicket, red raspberries should be confined to a one- to two-foot-wide hedgerow. Shoots growing beyond
Most modern tulip cultivars bloom well for 3 to 5 years. Tulip bulbs decline in vigor rather quickly. Weak bulbs produce large, floppy leaves, but no flowers.
Some fruits and vegetables are more susceptible than others to bacterial contamination. Leafy vegetables (such as lettuce, cabbage, mustard, kale, collards, spinach, and Swiss Chard), fleshy vegetables (such as tomatoes, summer squash, and p
Carefully examine the tree for the type and extent of damage. Trees that have split trunks or suffered extensive trunk damage are no longer structurally sound and should be removed. Large trees that have lost 50 percent or more of thei
When selecting a forsythia, choose a variety (cultivar) that blooms reliably in Iowa. The flower buds on some varieties are not reliably cold hardy in Iowa. For example, the flower buds on 'Lynwood Gold' and 'Spring Glory' are hardy to
Deciduous trees that have been girdled (the bark has been removed completely around the trunk) have essentially been destroyed. The best course of action is to replace the girdled trees. Wrapping the trunk or applying pruning paint to
Purple, black, and summer-bearing red raspberries that have been badly damaged by rabbits will likely produce little fruit this year. (Purple, black, and summer-bearing red raspberries produce fruit on the previous year's shoots. First
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 sup
In Iowa, gardeners should apply lime to gardens and lawns only when recommended by a soil test. A soil test will indicate the current soil pH and, if necessary, the amount of lime to apply to the area.