Annual weeds grow rapidly, flower, set seed and die in a single season. New annual weeds germinate from seeds each year. Before they die, most annual weeds produce large quantities of seeds.
Annual weeds grow rapidly, flower, set seed and die in a single season. New annual weeds germinate from seeds each year. Before they die, most annual weeds produce large quantities of seeds.
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.
In windy, exposed areas, straw mulches can be kept in place by placing wire or plastic fencing over the area. The fencing can be held in place with bricks or other heavy objects.
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
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 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
When sufficient materials are on hand, build a pile that is at least 3 feet by 3 feet square and 3 feet in height, but no larger than 5 feet by 5 feet square and 5 feet in height.
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
Early spring is the best time to plant dormant, bare-root blueberries. Soak the roots of bare-root plants in water for about an hour before planting. Prune back the plants by half by removing the small side branches and by heading back
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
This is a difficult question to answer because the growth rate of any plant depends on site conditions and maintenance. In most cases, the growth rate given for a particular plant is based on optimal conditions.
When planting balled and burlapped and container-grown trees in well-drained soils, 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 roo
Snap beans are a warm-season vegetable and should be planted after the danger of frost is past. In central Iowa, it’s usually safe to begin planting snap beans in early May. If harvested frequently, plants should produce well for sever
Cherries are short-lived trees in Iowa, especially in poor sites. Sweet cherries seldom live beyond 10 to 15 years. Sour or tart cherries may survive for 20 to 25 years. When selecting a planting site, be sure to choose a well-dr
The rate of decomposition depends upon the composition of the compost pile, level of management, and other factors.
Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a common woodland and landscape tree in the Midwest.
The frequency of division depends on the species of plant. Most fast growing perennials, like the following, can be divided every 2 to 4 years.
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 Iowa, Kentucky bluegrass lawns can be fertilized in spring (April or May), mid-September, and late October/early November. The number of fertilizer applications is largely determined by an individual’s desires or expectations for their la
Mowing frequency is based on the growth rate of the turfgrass and mowing height. As a general rule, never remove more than one-third of the total leaf surface at any one mowing. Shorter mowing heights require more frequent mowing.
The key to watering newly planted balled and burlapped and container-grown trees is to keep the plant’s rootball moist for several weeks after planting. Water newly planted trees every day for 4 or 5 days and then gradually reduce the freque
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.