A weed is any plant growing out of place.
A weed is simply a plant out of place. By this definition, any plant could be a weed if growing in a location where it is not wanted.
A weed is any plant growing out of place.
A weed is simply a plant out of place. By this definition, any plant could be a weed if growing in a location where it is not wanted.
Careful observation of your seedlings will help you determine if the light levels are appropriate. Seedlings that are not receiving enough light will stretch and lean towards the light source. Use a brighter fixture that provides more
Common or edible figs (Ficus carica) are not reliably cold hardy in Iowa.
Sow seeds 1 to 1½ inches deep and 2 inches apart. Peas can be planted in single or double rows. Double rows should be spaced about 6 inches apart. Double rows allow bush cultivars to cling and hold up one another. Place wir
Plant bulbs at a depth equal to two or three times their maximum bulb diameter. Larger bulbs like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are often planted 6-8 inches deep.
The most effective way to prevent rabbit damage in the vegetable garden is by placing chicken wire fencing or hardware cloth around vulnerable plants. Fencing material that is 2 foot tall should be adequate.
To produce your own slips (plants), select a large, unblemished sweet potato from the previous year’s harvest. Place sand in the bottom of a pot or other large container. Set the sweet potato horizontally on the surface of the sand and
Trailing types of philodendron propagate easily from stem cuttings. Stem sections 3 to 6 inches long with the lower leaves removed will readily root in water or rooting media, like perlite or well-drained potting soil. If rooting in wa
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) can be pruned at any time of the year.
High-quality spring blooming bulbs are large, firm, solid, and purchased from quality retailers, both in-store and online.
Proper cleaning and sanitization of pruners and other garden tools is important to prevent the spread of disease issues. At minimum when removing disease-infected plant material, pruners should be disinfected between plants. Ideally, t
Supplemental lights need to oriented relatively close to the seedlings to be effective and therefore need to be adjustable in height to accommodate the growing plants. For most fluorescent fixtures, the seedlings should be 4 to 6 inches from
There are three main types of peas. The garden pea is grown for shelling. Snow and snap peas are edible podded peas.
The cineraria (Pericallis x hybrida) is a flowering plant typically sold at floral shops and other retailers from mid-winter to early spring. Plants produce clusters of 1- to 3-inch-diameter, daisy-like flowers. They
The gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) is a flowering houseplant related to the African violet. Plants produce large, velvety, bell-shaped flowers that may be white, pink, red, purple, or blue. Gloxinias are commonly sold at floris
Construction of a grape trellis is similar to constructing a farm fence. The trellis must be substantial enough to carry the weight of the vines plus a heavy crop during high winds. Basically, the trellis consists of two or three wires
Forcing can be done as soon as the buds start to swell. Forsythia and pussywillow can be forced as early as February. It's best to wait until March for more difficult-to-force ornamentals, such as crabapples, magnolias, and redbuds.&nb
Asparagus crowns should be planted in shallow trenches or furrows. The planting depth depends on the soil type. Asparagus crowns should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep in light, sandy soils, but only 4 to 6 inches deep in heavier soils.&
Cut off the top of the pineapple about 1 inch below the cluster of leaves. Trim away the outer portion of the pineapple top leaving the tough, stringy core attached to the leaves. Also, remove a few of the lowest leaves. The pine
Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a common woodland and landscape tree in the Midwest.
Fruit trees should be pruned on an annual basis. Annual pruning of young (non-bearing) fruit trees develops a strong framework and desirable tree shape. Annual pruning of bearing trees maintains tree vigor, maximizes fruit yields, and
To encourage vigorous growth and abundant bloom, hybrid tea, floribunda, and grandiflora roses should be fertilized two or three times a year. Fertilizer applications can be made in early spring (immediately after pruning), during the first
In the home, Easter lilies prefer daytime temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit with slightly cooler night temperatures. Avoid drafty locations. Place the Easter lily in bright light, but out of direct sunlight.
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
Clematis varieties can be placed into three groups based on their flowering characteristics.
Gooseberries should be pruned to maximize fruit production. Gooseberries produce the majority of their fruit on two- and three-year-old shoots. Shoots 4 years old and older produce very little fruit. Pruning of mature, establishe
Three species of hydrangea are commonly grown in Iowa. Pruning practices are based on the flowering characteristics of each species.
While most shrub or landscape roses are winter-hardy in Iowa, there is still typically some branch die-back over winter. Gardeners should prune out the dead wood just as the new buds are turning green and breaking in spring - typically early
Apple trees don’t come true from seed. Grafting is the best way to propagate an apple tree. Grafted apple trees produce fruit that are identical to their parent.
In mid-March, remove the bare-root geraniums from their storage location and prune or cut back each plant. Prune out the shriveled, brown, dead material. Cut back to solid, green, live stem tissue. After pruning, pot up each plan