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 call the Hortline at 515-294-3108 or browse our Frequently Asked Questions!
Raised beds and planters make gardening accessible for gardeners of all abilities. Use this information to decide where to put your bed or planter, the materials that will be needed, and the types of plants to consider.
Resource list for making gardening easier and more accessible, including books, organizations, web sites, and selected educational programs.
Therapeutic gardens for healthcare facilities benefit residents, staff, and visitors. Find out details of how to plan and maintain these features.
When choosing a healthcare facility, consider the outdoor environment. Well-designed landscapes provide therapeutic benefits to physical, emotional, and mental health. Here are nine features to look for.
Here are descriptions of several simple ideas and inexpensive tools that can help people continue gardening as they grow older.
Learn to properly maintain your garden all year round. Includes information on what steps to take with your lawn, fruits, trees and shrubs, flowers, herbs, houseplants, and/or vegetables in the early and late part of each season.
A useful guide to finding certified pesticide applicators who can treat for tree and shrub pests, including the emerald ash borer.
Make high tunnels more profitable for crop production by installing a system to catch, store, and reuse the rainwater from periodic rain events. The authors describe system components, give approximate costs, and detail year-round maintenance procedures. Also described is a drip irrigation system.
Water gardens are appealing to many, but the climate in the Midwest presents some specific challenges. This book examines the many considerations to building a water garden in the Midwest and includes basic guidelines for construction, maintenance, and selecting plants.
Organic production and consumption has increased over the past 20 years. Learn how to raise organic vegetables - including strategies for composting, pest management, and disease management.
New and experienced organic apple growers will find recommendations in this guide for managing insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Tips about marketing opportunities also are included.
Highlights some of the best August-flowering plants for zones 4 and 5. All listed plants have been proven performers in Iowa and Nebraska gardens.
Sustainable landscapes require less time, money and other resources.
This book provides information on creating an environmentally friendly, economically feasible, and beautiful landscape by placing the right plant at the right place.
This enterprise budgeting tool can help vegetable growers estimate the costs and revenue associated with producing a product. Growers with multiple enterprises can use total sales as the basis for estimating the cost of planting, growing, harvesting, and handling key crops with a series of worksheets.Specific crops include: Asparagus, basil, green beans, carrots, eggplant, garlic, salad greens, snow peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, raspberries, strawberries, cherry and heirloom tomatoes.
A 2-part questionnaire helping you analyze your landscaping site and to assess your family's needs and wants for the project.
Whether you want to do-it-yourself or are working with a professional, this guide offers a step-by-step approach to understanding the design process. Color photos and diagrams show how to use basic design elements to create a pleasing and functional space. Included worksheets can assist you in analyzing your site. An additional resource list and convenient index are also found inside.
An easy-to-carry guide (5"; x 8 1/2") for home gardeners and visitors to public gardens in the Midwest. Color photos and basic information about growing 300 annual and perennial flowers, Buck roses, ornamental grasses, herbs, vines, and even water plants. Symbols help to identify sun/shade requirements and indicate special uses (containers, butterfly gardens, etc).
Understand how plants grow, why pruning is necessary, and which tools to use to remove the mystery surrounding this routine horticulture practice.
More than 110 photos plus descriptions of 75 deciduous shrubs (organized by height) will simplify your hunt for the right shrub for your landscape. A comparison chart identifies those with the most ornamental value. Recommendations also are given for specific planting needs, such as dry or wet soils, shaded sites, and food for birds and other wildlife.
This gardener's guide to annual flowers includes 106 plant descriptions plus 186 color photos. A comparison chart makes it easy to choose plants by height or flower color. Recommendations also are given for specific uses, such as drought tolerance, fragrance, and cut-flower bouquets.
Several rose diseases caused by fungus, virus, or bacterium are discussed. Disease-resistant varieties also are mentioned.
Color photos and descriptions of 20 drought tolerant annuals and perennials.
Includes photos and detailed information about dahlia types, plus tips on planting, growing, and preparing for flower shows.
Hundreds of perennials prefer the bright light and accompanying heat that define sunny sites. This full color publication gives growing characteristics for more than 100 perennials that thrive in the sun in zones 3 to 5. Special features include 140 color photos, plant descriptions, specialty plant lists, and other tips.
If you think hostas are your only choice for shady gardens, think again. This full color publication gives growing characteristics, plant descriptions, and other tips for more than 70 perennials for shade gardens in zones 3 to 5. Special features include 130 color photos, bloom time comparisons, and specialty plant lists.
“Cole crops” is the general term used to describe broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, and kohlrabi. Learn about cole crop cultivars, planting, yields, care during the growing season, potential problems, and harvest and storage.
"Cole crops" is the general term used to describe broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, and kohlrabi. Learn about cole crop cultivars, planting, yields, care during the growing season, potential problems, and harvest and storage.
Tomatillos are a traditional part of Mexican cooking. Discover information on tomatillo cultivars, planting, fertilization, care, potential problems, and harvest and storage.
Tomatillos are a traditional part of Mexican cooking. Discover information on tomatillo cultivars, planting, fertilization, care, potential problems, and harvest and storage.
Grow garlic in your home garden. Learn about garlic cultivars, planting, fertilizing, maintenance, potential problems, and harvest and storage.
Grow garlic in your home garden. Learn about garlic cultivars, planting, fertilizing, maintenance, potential problems, and harvest and storage.
Cilantro or coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a
member of the carrot family, native to the Mediterranean
region, and the world’s most widely used herb. The seed
of this plant is the spice coriander, and the leaf is the
herb cilantro. The plant, in flower, can reach 3 feet high.
Find more information here about watermelon, muskmelon, and honeydew melons. Read about melon cultivars, planting, fertilizing, yield, irrigation, pollination, potential problems, and harvest and storage.
Find more information here about watermelon, muskmelon, and honeydew melons. Read about melon cultivars, planting, fertilizing, yield, irrigation, pollination, potential problems, and harvest and storage.
Plant breeders over the past decade have significantly improved sweet corn quality. Read about sweet corn types, cultivars, planting, pollination, fertilization, care, and harvest and storage plus information about growing “baby corn.”
Plant breeders over the past decade have significantly improved sweet corn quality. Read about sweet corn types, cultivars, planting, pollination, fertilization, care, and harvest and storage plus information about growing âbaby corn.â
The potato is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world. Publication discusses potato cultivars and their uses, planting, care, potential problems, and short and long-tern harvest and storage.
The potato is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world. Publication discusses potato cultivars and their uses, planting, care, potential problems, and short and long-tern harvest and storage.
Onions are easy to grow and often yield well. Learn details about cultivars, planting, maintenance, harvest, and storage.
Onions are easy to grow and often yield well. Learn details about cultivars, planting, maintenance, harvest, and storage.
Learn about different pepper cultivars, planting, potential problems, harvesting and storage, and pepper hotness in your home garden.
Learn about different pepper cultivars, planting, potential problems, harvesting and storage, and pepper hotness in your home garden.
Before investing resources into growing and selling fresh produce, use this publication to first help evaluate personal skills, market conditions, financial resources, and overall project feasibility.
Before investing resources into growing and selling fresh produce, use this publication to first help evaluate personal skills, market conditions, financial resources, and overall project feasibility.
More than 90 color photos showing 43 cultivars to match the correct tree to your specific site and personal needs. Choose from the cultivars to enjoy an avalanche of colorful, fragrant flowers each spring and a handsome, healthy tree throughout the year.
Several species of fruits can be grown successfully in Iowa. Consider hardiness and pollination when selecting varieties for home use and commercial production that are best adapted to Iowa growing conditions.
Moderate thatch formation is a normal development in lawns; however, problems can occur when the thatch layer is excessive. Learn about thatch's beneficial and detrimental aspects, causes of thatch, and related insects and diseases.
Those responsible for athletic field turf management will find 10 useful tips on how to operate more effectively and efficiently.
Home gardeners can successfully grow grapes in Iowa. Whether you are growing a backyard garden or beginning your own vineyard, basic requirements include a good planting site, hardy varieties (cultivars), and proper culture.
Also recommended Grape publications are:
RG 0502 - Pruning Grapevines
PM 1375 - Midwest Commercial Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide
Home raspberry growers will find expert advice for cultivar selection, site selection, planting, and training and trellising plants. Also included are pruning guidelines for summer-bearing and fall-bearing red raspberries and pruning guidelines for black and purple raspberries. Also find tips for managing weeds, fertilizing, and harvesting.