Yard and Garden Information

Local News

Preparing Evergreens for Winter
(Posted on 11/17/2009)
The long, mostly dry Indian Summer is drawing to a close. To our benefit, the many bright sunny days have been beautiful and have allowed the vibrantly colored leave to linger on trees.

November Garden Chores
(Posted on 11/10/2009)
Fall is a busy time of year. Our house and cars need to be prepared for the upcoming winter season. It is also time to get our garden and landscape plants ready for winter. The following are a few garden chores that should be completed before old man winter arrives.

Secrets of Sooty Blotch & Flyspeck on Apples
(Posted on 9/22/2009)
More than 60 species of fungi are responsible for the blemishes that thrive on apples in wet years, but they can be minimized with good management of your trees

When to put the lawn mower away?
(Posted on 9/17/2009)
What are those bugs in my flowers? What is my hardiness zone location? When can I stop mowing the lawn in the fall? Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts.

Fall 2009 Commercial Pesticide Training
(Posted on 9/1/2009)

News from Iowa State University Extension

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Protecting Trees, Crown Gall and Houseplants
(Posted on 11/18/2009)
This week's answers discuss what to do to protect trees from nearby construction activity, the impact of crown gall on rose bushes and how houseplants can improve the air quality in your home.

Preparing Evergreens for Winter
(Posted on 11/16/2009)
Protection efforts this fall will help your evergreen plantings make it safely through the winter.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Rubber Trees, Begonias and Arbor Vitae
(Posted on 11/12/2009)
This week's answers discuss how to propagate a rubber tree, humidity conditions needed by rex begonias and what browning of arborvitae needles indicates.

Why You Should Worry about Your Walnuts
(Posted on 11/9/2009)
Thousand cankers disease is a malady looming on the western horizon that has already claimed many Eastern Black Walnut trees transplanted to the western states.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Perennials, Amaryllis Bulbs, African Violets and Fertilizer
(Posted on 11/4/2009)
This week's answers discuss which perennials will not last forever in your landscape, how to have amaryllis blooms at Christmas, light needed by African violets, and how to store unused fertilizer.

November Garden Chores
(Posted on 11/2/2009)
Now is the time to prepare your roses and strawberries to withstand the trials of winter.You also can do cleanup in your vegetable garden to prevent disease carryover, and protect your trees and shrubs from rabbit damage.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Vegetables, Acorns, Water Lilies
(Posted on 10/29/2009)
This week’s answers discuss how to prepare your vegetable garden to minimize disease problems next year, damage from acorn weevil larvae, and what to do with your tropical water lilies this fall.

Yellowjacket Wasps Look for Sweet Things to Eat in the Fall
(Posted on 10/26/2009)
Winter weather will put an end to invasions from yellowjacket wasps, but they can be annoying at this time of year.

Ask the ISU Garden Experts: Twig Beetles, Hostas and Magnolias
(Posted on 10/21/2009)
This week's answers discuss why leafy twigs may be falling from oak trees, whether hostas need winter protection, and how to germinate seeds from a saucer magnolia.

Staff

Matt Deppe-Regional Extension Education Director
Phone: 712-243-1132
Fax: 712-243-1133
Email: mdeppe@iastate.edu

Eldon Everhart-Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist
Phone: 712-755-3104
Fax: 712-755-7112
Email: everhart@iastate.edu