Publications
The ISU Extension Store offers a number of publications for purchase or in a free downloadable PDF document. Publications related to flowers, lawn care, vegetables, trees and more can be found below to help you navigate to the information you need. The drop down menu will guide you to several categories containing publications, all relating to horticulture. If you have additional questions on a certain plant or problem browse our Frequently Asked Questions!
Production budgets help to allocate land, labor, and capital. The most appropriate use is defined by the person in control of the resources and may be used to maximize profits or minimize soil loss or any other goal.
Sample budgets included in this publication are divided into five sections: total receipts, costs of planting and growing the product, pre-harvest and harvest expenses, ownership costs, and summary of returns.
The estimated costs illustrated in this publication are based on Extension professionals experience with a variety of growers in Iowa.
While African violets are relatively easy to grow, they do require consistent care and attention to light, temperature, watering, and fertilization. Find out more, including how to propagate by leaf cutting.
Tree work should be performed only by a properly trained and equipped arborist. Considerations in choosing an arborist include certification, insurance, references, contracts, etc.
Hiring a landscaper can be a daunting task. This publication provides information on professional certification and other requirements in Iowa, and topics to discuss with potential contractors.
Explains the materials needed for a compost pile and includes construction directions for building a 3-bin composting unit.
Many ash tree problems can be mistaken for emerald ash borer infestation. Before removal or needlessly treating with pesticides, use this diagnostic guide to distinguish emerald ash borer injury from other common problems of ash.
Learn how to keep an insect investigator journal and see how many of the world's one million different types of insects you can find.
Identificar y alentar a los depredadores y parásitos naturales es una habilidad de jardinería útil. Esta hoja informativa describe 10 insectos benéficos y también ofrece otros consejos para prevenir problemas de insectos y enfermedades. Spanish version of Integrated Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens.
Learn about the five cockroach species in Iowa and the management and chemical treatment possibilities.
Botanical insecticides are naturally occurring insect toxins extracted from plants. Several have been formulated for insect management in the home garden. Learn more about the pluses and minuses.
Homeowners and commercial pesticide applicators will find control measures to consider in preventing and treating the infestation of ash trees by the emerald ash borer. Includes product recommendations and evaluation of insecticide effectiveness.
A problem since the mid-1990s, find out about management strategies for crown rot.
Anthracnose is one of the most common foliage diseases of shade trees in Iowa. Find out about symptoms and management. Color photos.
Find out about disease-resistant elms to combat Dutch Elm Disease.
Several rose diseases caused by fungus, virus, or bacterium are discussed. Disease-resistant varieties also are mentioned.
Color photos help you make the right diagnosis for nine diseases. Causal agents, typical host species, symptoms, and disease spread are discussed. Also learn proper maintenance and chemical controls to keep your evergreens healthy.
Flood-stressed trees show a variety of symptoms and also become candidates for insect and disease damage. Research has found some trees are more tolerant than others.
Tips on how to identify, prevent, or reduce the stress-causing factors that lead to tree decline.
This guide provides weed identification and control information that turfgrass professionals can use to develop effective weed control programs for golf courses, athletic fields, sod farms, lawns, and other turfgrass systems. The recommendations apply to the majority of the United States, with input from experts in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Since topping trees is harmful, read about alternatives to solve site problems.
This colorful, interactive infographic provides a look into the life of a honey bee. Beekeeper Ben guides readers through information on beehives, types of honey bees, bee jobs, planting flowers for bees and harvesting honey.
Created through a partnership between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Honey Producers Association.
This publication provides a timetable for pest emergence in Iowa and what pesticides can be used in Iowa's vineyards. Designed to be printed and carried with you in the field, this publication is oriented to be folded in half to fit easily into a glove box, folder or pocket.
This reference guide helps distinguish the brown marmorated stink bug from other bugs of the Midwest. Stink bugs are common insects found in lawns, landscapes and field crops.
Are you interested in having more bees in your garden? Are wasps buzzing around your pop can? Learn about their life cycles, what they feed on, and where they nest. The behavior and biology of the most commonly encountered wasps and bees in Iowa are described in this resource available from our partners at University of Minnesota Extension.
This resource was a joint project between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the University of Wisconsin Extension, and University of Minnesota Extension.
If you suspect your house is infested with termites or if other property in your neighborhood has termites, consult this publication for information on how to make a decision for a termite service contract. Termite prevention is also discussed.
Discover the art and science of pruning with informative photos and detailed guidelines.
Know what to look for when checking pesticide labels for insecticides that can harm pollinators, especially bees. Find out about the insecticides that are most toxic to honey bees, bumble bees, and native solitary bees. Also find 10 ways that individuals can help protect bees. Includes several online sources of information.
Bug bugs are embarrassing and annoying.
This fact sheet answers common questions related to preventing, detecting and controlling bed bugs in the home.
Oak wilt, the most damaging disease of oak trees in lowa, has killed many forest and landscape oaks in the eastern and central United States. Oak wilt has not devastated its host species, however, mainly because its spread from diseased to healthy trees has been relatively slow and sporadic. Nevertheless, local outbreaks of oak wilt can kill or injure many trees. The management practices described in this publication can help minimize the risk of losing oaks to this disease.
Here are pruning tips for do-it-yourselfers or hiring hints if you bring in a professional.
Opening the flour container to find beetles crawling around the top is never a pleasant experience, but there is no need to panic. The most common pests we find in our kitchen and pantries and what we can do to manage them if they infest our food are described.
This resource was a joint project between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the University of Wisconsin Extension, and University of Minnesota Extension.
To access this resource visit the University of Minnesota Extension website.
Galls are distinctive swellings or abnormal growths of plant tissue caused by an attack of a living organism. This publication discusses tree and shrub galls caused by insects and mites. It talks about the damage galls create and how they can be controlled. It also provides a detailed list of common galls and gallmarkers that includes color photos.
Previously known as IC 0417.
There are three species of lice that can at times infest humans—the head louse, the body louse, and the crab or pubic louse. Human lice infestations can be controlled and prevented easily and effectively.
Cultural management techniques can help reduce the risk of canker diseases.
Dueños de propiedades y los aplicadores de pesticidas comerciales encontrarán medidas de control a considerar para prevenir y tratar la infestación de fresnos por el barrenador verde esmeralda. Incluye recomendaciones de productos y evaluación de eficacia de los insecticidas.
Spanish version of Emerald Ash Borer Management Options.
As hop production returns to Iowa, growers are wanting more information on producing healthy and abundant harvests. This publication discusses the best practices for designing and constructing a hops yard.
Although needed in very small amounts, micronutrients have an important role to play in plant growth and development. Most of them are involved in enzymatic reactions that are essential for plant survival such as photosynthesis and respiration. This publication highlights the major roles, deficiencies, and toxicity symptoms of micronutrients in plants and provides an understanding of the interactions between micronutrients in the soil.
Ticks can be found across the state of Iowa and are active from March through November. This publication discusses the three most common type of ticks in the state while also providing information on preventing Lyme disease and removing attached ticks.
This self-directed, online course covers all aspects of constructing, owning and operating a high tunnel. Throughout the course, you will learn how to properly select a site location, test your soils, determine what crops to grow in your high tunnel, expected costs and potential returns from your high tunnel and resources to help in the process.
Each section of the course includes a worksheet for feedback from the course coordinators specific to your own operation.
As hop production returns to Iowa, growers are wanting more information on producing healthy and abundant harvests. This publication discusses the best practices for selecting a site to grow hops and how to plant the crop.
Scale insects are tiny insects that can cause large problems for landscape plants. Despite their small size they can weaken and even kill ornamental plants. This publication provides information on identifying these insects and steps that can be taken to remove them from plants through biological, mechanical and chemical means.
Previously known as IC 0415
Use this 8-page publication filled with guidelines for examining unhealthy trees and finding expert help.
This publication provides information on tasks that must be completed to produce a healthy hop crop. Broken down month-by-month, it provides reminders and tips for growing hops. It also includes additional resources that can be helpful to hop growers.
This publication provides growers with information to use high tunnels effectively, enhance productivity and increase income. Construction and management of high tunnels is included, as well as information on crops that can be grown.
Download and use this form when submitting a plant problem (plant disease or insects/mites on plants), an insect for identification, a plant for identification, or a mushroom for identification.
This form consolidates and replaces:
PIDC 0031
PIDC 0033
PIDC 0042
PIDC 0043
Download and use this form when submitting soil samples for nematode identification and counts.
This form is for soybean cyst nematode egg counts, nematodes on corn, turfgrass nematodes, nematodes found in vegetable or fruit crop fields, as well as home gardens. Also includes instructions on collecting and shipping plant and soil samples for nematode analysis at the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic.
Many gardeners produce excess vegetables during the growing season. Some preserve their surplus vegetables for later use, while others give friends and neighbors the extras. Another option for using this excess produce could be a local food pantry. This publication discusses 13 vegetables that can be donated to food pantries and tips for growing and harvesting those vegetables.
Learn about symptoms and management strategies for this fungal disease. This pub also provides a list of susceptible and resistant species.
Easily identify common diseases and pests and how to manage them effectively.
Description and management information, plus how to submit samples for diagnosis.