Publications

Introduction to growing and using this popular perennial—including plant characteristics, propagation tips, and possible insect or disease problems.

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.

Enjoy flowers all year long in dried arrangements, on wreaths, or in potpourri. Learn which plants are suitable for drying and find out about havesting and preservation techniques. Includes many color photos.

Select the best ground cover for your yard. Discover what type of plants work best in your area. Special features include 92 color pictures, 43 plant descriptions, and other tips.

Basic information about types of peonies and how to grow them—including tips on planting, fertilizing, and seasonal care.

Learn about the symptoms and management of common problems for garden and greenhouse tomatoes.

The characteristics of the tree, its environment, the cultural practices used, and the weather all affect a tree'€™s ability to begin and continue to bear fruit. This publication discusses the keys to avoiding poor fruit set.

Following proper procedures and planting high quality seed are the keys to successfully establishing a lawn. More details here.

Use this publication to make lawn fertilization decisions based on soil and turfgrass needs, as well as fertilizer content and type. Also find the benefits of fertilizer, application procedures, and necessary precautions in this fact sheet.

The production of fruit on most plants, trees, and shrubs results from pollination of the blossoms. This publication explores tree fruit pollinations including methods of pollination, blooming times, and a chart to determine which apple cultivars are suitable pollinators.

Maintain a weed-free lawn and learn about herbicides and how to use them.
 Prior to use, it is always wise to check and see if the chemicals mentioned within are allowed in your area.

Cold frames and hotbeds are used to germinate seeds of cool season crops in the early spring and to harden off plants before transplanting outdoors. Both should be placed on well-drained soils with a southern exposure. A list of needed materials plus instructions are provided.

Includes information regarding: container construction, size, and capacity; crop selection and planting density; summer care (location, watering, fertilization, tomato tips). Lists suggestions for 12 container garden vegetables (more than 40 cultivars) including: carrots, cucumber, pepper, spinach, and tomatoes.

This publication outlines recommendations and techniques for growing quality vegetables in a limited space, including planning, site selection, summer care, and space saving techniques. Lists suggestions for 16 garden vegetables (more than 50 varietals) including: cucumber, green beans, pepper, pole beans, spinach, tomatoes, summer and winter squash, and others.

Hardy vegetable crops draw upon water and nutrients in the soil in order to quickly establish their root systems and sustain rapid growth. This publication illustrates conserving water using soil mulch, hand watering, and sprinklers, and provides detailed pictures and instructions for installing a trickle irrigation system.

Provides basic how-to information, including seedbed preparation, seed selection and sowing, and using transplants. Chart gives planting guidelines for 37 vegetables.

The amount of sunlight, soil type, and other factors are primary considerations when selecting a garden site. Get the details on planning your garden.

Harvesting vegetables at the right stage of maturity results in nutritious, high quality products. Consumers can capture the peak flavors of asparagus, Brussels sprouts, melons, garlic, rhubarb, squash, tomatoes, sweet corn, and many other vegetables. This publication provides detailed information for storing more than 30 types of garden vegetables, including recommended storage temperatures, relative humidity, storage life for fresh vegetables, suggested methods for extended preservation, and types of storage facilities.

Access detailed information about growing June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral strawberries. Find suggestions for selection of cultivars, planting sites, and plant sources. Also find tips for soil preparation, planting options, mulching, disease and insect control, harvesting, and winter protection.

Explains the materials needed for a compost pile and includes construction directions for building a 3-bin composting unit.

Describes three methods of weed control for the home gardener; includes tips for using mulches effectively.

As the most popular vegetable in the home garden, tomatoes are low in calories and high in vitamin C and antioxidants. This publication addresses the variety of tomato shapes, sizes and colors with suggestions for Iowa gardens based on color, size, shape, growth habit (determinate or indeterminate), and name. Also includes detailed information about planting, spacing, fertilizing, training, yields, harvesting, and storage, including tips on how to ripen end-of-season green tomatoes.

This publication suggests two or more produce varieties suited for Iowa gardens based on characteristics including color, size, texture, flavor, vigor, and early or late harvest. Includes more than 60 crops, such as: asparagus, beans, lettuces, endives, onions, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, peas, okra, eggplant, kale, peppers, pumpkins, melons, squash, leeks, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, beets, and several others.

This guide can help northern, southern, and central Iowa vegetable growers schedule the planting of gardens so space may be used efficiently. Includes a staggered planting and harvest chart for crops grown April through October. Detailed planting directions are given for more than 25 common garden crops, such as radishes, lettuces, onions, peas, tomatoes, kale, peppers, squash, melons, and cucumbers.