Yard and Garden Information

Local News

The annual Project Awake Garden Walk
(Posted on 12/17/2008)
The annual Project Awake Garden Walk will be held Saturday, June 27th from 10-4 and Sunday, June 28th from noon to 4.

News from Iowa State University Extension

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Evergreens, Tulips, Barberries and Tomatoes
(Posted on 7/1/2009)
This week's answers discuss evergreens that can be planted on a slope, when to move tulips, verticillium wilt in barberries and curling leaves on tomato plants.

Postharvest Handling of Vegetables Highlighted at July Workshops
(Posted on 6/29/2009)
Sessions in Ames and Decorah to include discussions on wholesale markets and on preparing produce for market.

Summer Care of Raspberries
(Posted on 6/29/2009)

Pruning, weed control and irrigation can help ensure an excellent fruit crop during summer months.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Fertilizer, Rain Gardens and Blueberries
(Posted on 6/26/2009)
This week's answers tell how to interpret the numbers on the fertilizer bag and when to pick blueberries. The advantages of rain gardens are also discussed.

Manage Brush Effectively and Economically with Herbicides
(Posted on 6/24/2009)
Three distinct types of herbicide treatments are commonly used to control invasive woody plants. They are cut-surface, basal bark and foliar applications.

Blistered Leaves on Oak and Maple Trees – What Happened?
(Posted on 6/22/2009)
Fungi are causing this year's blister bonanza, but the unsightly spots rarely cause any permanent damage.

Ask the ISU Garden Experts: Rutabagas, Ash Rust and Cabbageworms
(Posted on 6/18/2009)
This week's answers discuss how to grow rutabagas, orange-colored growths on ash tree leaves, and methods that can be used to control cabbageworms.

Summer Lilac Care
(Posted on 6/15/2009)
Well-adapted to Iowa, lilacs thrive in sunny sites with good air circulation. Here are some tips on how to maintain your lilac plantings.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Strawberries, Potato Beetles and Rose-of-Sharon
(Posted on 6/12/2009)
This week's answers discuss when to harvest strawberries, how to control potato beetles, and hardiness of rose-of-sharon.

New ISU Extension Publication Offers Recommendations on Emerald Ash Borer Management
(Posted on 6/12/2009)
Treatments to protect ash trees not necessary until infestations are within 15 miles of your trees.

Carpenter Ants in Trees
(Posted on 6/8/2009)
Infestations by "big, black ants" often are a sign of a tree that has already been weakened by other damage.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Tomatoes, Delphiniums and Potted Plants
(Posted on 6/5/2009)
This week's answers discuss how to stake tomato plants, the challenges of growing delphiniums in Iowa and how to fertilize your potted plants.

ISU Extension Specialists Offer Recommendations on Protecting Ash Trees
(Posted on 6/4/2009)
Experts say preventive treatments require a long-term commitment and aren't needed until an infestation has been confirmed within 15 miles of the tree you want to protect.