Yard and Garden Information

Local News

Spring Horticulture

Spring Horticulture Programs
(Posted on 2/18/2008)
Dig up some information: Attend Miniature Plants for all Gardens. Learn of miniature & dwarf plants available for your garden. Discover plants that work in small spaces.

Emerald Ash Borer Information

Emerald Ash Borer Alert!
(Posted on 6/7/2007)
Follow this link for more information regarding the Emerald Ash Borer, a threat to Iowa's population of ash trees.

Storm Damaged Trees

Storm Damaged Trees
(Posted on 2/26/2007)
The first thing to do after a damaging storm is to carefully examine each injured tree for the type and extent of damage. Follow this link for more helpful information for dealing with those damaged trees.

Hamilton County Critters

Hamilton County Insect Identification
(Posted on 2/21/2007)
Have you found an insect, spider, tick or mite that you'd like identified?

ISU Extension wildlife website

Wildlife Questions?
(Posted on 6/20/2006)
Have a question about bird migration? How about snakes or voles? Need to find the closest Wildlife Rehabilitator? Check out the Iowa State University Extension's Wildlife webpage for alot of interesting information!

ISU web courses

ISU Horticulture Courses now on the Web!
(Posted on 6/19/2006)
Online courses help you develop and expand your skills whether you’re a Master Gardener, a homeowner, or work in a garden retail setting. Each course is one college credit (undergraduate or nonmajor graduate) or noncredit.

friends of the fair

"Friends of the Fair" Group
(Posted on 4/18/2006)
The Hamilton County Fair Board Association, in partnership with the Iowa State University Extension Horticulturalist, is looking for volunteers to assist with landscape beautification efforts at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds.

News from Iowa State University Extension

ISU Extension Audio: Interviews for the Week of May 12
(Posted on 5/12/2008)
Listen to interviews about corn planting progress, high grain costs and livestock producers, Iowa’s racial and ethnic makeup, and more.
Squinnies, Grinnies and Gophers—Oh, My!
(Posted on 5/12/2008)
ISU Extension Wildlife Specialist Jim Pease always has scientific observations and helpful suggestions. Ground squirrels, chipmunks and ground hogs are interesting but can be a nuisance in some locations.
Make ONE CALL Before you Dig
(Posted on 5/12/2008)
Flags marking buried utility linesThis phone call may be the easiest, least expensive and most important part of your planting or home improvement project
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.

Events


Horticulture (lawn, garden, trees, turf)
More Horticulture (lawn, garden, trees, turf) events

View the complete ISU Extension events Calendar

Staff

Yvonne Nilles-Extension Horticulturalist
Phone: (515) 832-9597
Fax: (515) 832-9599
Email: ynilles@iastate.edu

Resources from ISU Extension