Yard and Garden Information

Local News

Lawn care

Spring Lawn Care
(Posted on 3/20/2008)
As the grass greens up, many homeowners are anxious to get out and start working on their lawns. A little patience and care at this point may reward the gardener with a fine lawn later.

Iowa Grapes

Pruning Grapevines
(Posted on 3/19/2008)
With the anticipation of the opening of a local winery comes local growers wanting to produce top quality grapes. Grapes are becoming a more popular commodity, maintaining those vines could be beneficial.

Saving Poinsettia

Reflowering A Poinsettia
(Posted on 2/3/2008)
Keeping a poinsetta alive and getting it to reflower is not easy, but with some patience and care it can be done.

News from Iowa State University Extension

ISU Extension Audio: Interviews for the Week of May 5
(Posted on 5/8/2008)
Listen to interviews about patience during planting season, La niña and corn and soybean yield, farm sector prosperity and the rural economy, and more.
Ask the ISU Extension Gardening Experts
(Posted on 5/7/2008)
This week the experts answer questions about caring garden geraniums, when to harvest newly planted blueberries and which groundcovers to plant under a large shade trees.
Looking Ahead to White Grubs in the Lawn
(Posted on 5/5/2008)
No method predicts if and where white grubs will occur in the lawn or how severe the damage will be, so put the insecticide down and step away from the sprayer. Learn about your options for white grub management.
NatureMapping Program Offered in Johnson County
(Posted on 5/1/2008)
The NatureMapping program provides hands-on environmental education to help volunteers inventory the state’s plants and wildlife.
Ask the ISU Extension Gardening Experts
(Posted on 5/1/2008)
This week the experts offer information on when to move amaryllis plants outdoors, what to do with daffodils that no longer bloom and why crabapple trees bloom heavily every other year.
Iowa’s Green Industry Is Growing -- the Economy
(Posted on 4/30/2008)
iowa's green industry -- ornamental horticulture-- is the fastest growing segment of the state’s agriculture industry, according to an ISU Extension survey.
ISU Extension Audio: Interviews for the Week of April 28
(Posted on 4/30/2008)
Listen to interviews about getting into wet fields at the start of the 2008 growing season, La Niña and potential yields for corn and soybeans, mitigating air emissions and more.
NatureMapping Workshop Offered in Scott County
(Posted on 4/29/2008)
The NatureMapping Program provides hands-on environmental education that helps keep common wildlife common.
Take a Hike in the Woods
(Posted on 4/28/2008)
Woodland wildflowers are emerging in local woodlands and should be in bloom for the next several weeks.
New Trapping Procedure for Emerald Ash Borer Announced
(Posted on 4/28/2008)
Emerald ash borer researchers have developed a new purple trap that will be used in Iowa and in 45 other states throughout the country.
ISU Extension Audio: Interviews for the Week of April 21
(Posted on 4/23/2008)
Listen to interviews about weather conditions during planting, land values, the health of manufacturing, Iowa States’ sesquicentennial and more.
Ask the ISU Extension Gardening Experts
(Posted on 4/23/2008)
This week the experts discuss the chances of importing insects when adding soil around a home and how to stop the spread of variegated bishop's weed.
Dr. Grow-It-All Provides Tips for a Great Lawn
(Posted on 4/21/2008)
Proper mowing and frequency are important aspects of lawn maintenance. In fact, many turfgrass problems can be traced back to improper mowing.
Ask the ISU Extension Gardening Experts
(Posted on 4/16/2008)
This week the experts offer advice on using zoysiagrass as a lawn, choosing strawberry varieties and when to plant cucumbers.
ISU Extension Audio: Interviews for the Week of April 14
(Posted on 4/16/2008)
Listen to an interview with a NASA specialist about living your dreams, as well as interviews about farmers’ corn planting intentions, the Clay County Fair, options for gardeners and more.
Pink in the Garden
(Posted on 4/14/2008)
There are number of plant choices in the pink palette including trees, shrubs and perennials.

Staff

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

Jack Van Laar-County Extension Education Director
Phone: (641)446-4723
Fax: (641)446-6142
Email: jvanlaar@iastate.edu

Resources from ISU Extension