February 9, 2018
Beauty and Basics of Bark
A predominant feature of trees in the winter landscape is the bark. While bark doesn’t receive much attention most of the year, it is much easier to see in winter without the presence of leaves and can be quite fascinating upon closer inspection.
What is bark and what does it do?
Native Perennials for Moist to Wet Soils in Partial to Full Sun
When selecting perennials, it’s important to choose plants that are suitable for the site. Wet locations can be challenging, but they also provide gardening opportunities. The following native perennials perform well in moist to wet soils in partial to full sun. Possible planting sites include water gardens, rain gardens, pond banks, landscape beds, and naturalized areas.
Master Gardener Impact Felt Across Iowa
Growing healthier, happier and more equitable communities is at the heart of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program.
All about Raspberries
Late winter to early spring is the time to remove weak, diseased and damaged canes from raspberries to improve crop conditions and yield. However, there is a trick to pruning raspberries depending on which type of raspberry you have (summer-bearing, versus fall-bearing). Learn more about pruning raspberries in the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Yard & Garden news release from February 1, 2018.
All about Milkweed
Milkweeds are enjoying renewed interest and popularity as an attractive addition to home landscapes and as one way to benefit the monarch butterflies that depend on milkweeds for a caterpillar food source. Learn more tips about selecting and establishing milkweeds in the home landscape in the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Yard & Garden news release from January 18, 2018.
Start Tuberous Begonias and Geraniums Now for Summer Blooms in the Garden
Tuberous begonias and geraniums are popular garden plants that have to be replanted every year in Iowa. Tuberous begonias can be overwintered as tubers while geraniums can be saved as seeds, bare-root plants or potted plants. For both plants, now is the time to bring them out of storage and begin planting them indoors or otherwise get them ready to go into your garden come spring.