February 15, 2019

2019 Morel Mushroom Certification Registration Open

Morel mushroom photo

To see all details of the morel certification workshop this year, but also future updates, visit the morel certification page at http://bit.ly/morel-cert

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Cass County

Emerald Ash Borer Map

The emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in 66 Iowa counties, where it bores into ash trees and feeds on tissues beneath the bark, ultimately killing the tree. Insect samples were collected from rural Massena (Cass County). Officials with the Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the samples positive for EAB.

Baptisias for home landscapes

Baptisia collage

Peonies, daylilies, phlox and coneflowers are common perennials in home landscapes.  Though not as widely planted as some perennials, Baptisias, or false indigos, are excellent plants for home gardens (the common name of false indigo refers to the fact that Baptisia australis and Baptisia tinctoria were used by Native Americans and European settlers to make a blue dye similar to that obtained from true indigo, Indigofera tinctoria). Baptisias are easy to grow, tough, long-lived perennials.