Yard and Garden Information

Local News

Commercial Ag Weed and Plant Disease Course Set for Nov. 18
(Posted on 10/30/2009)
Plymouth County Extension Office will offer the Commercial Ag Weed, Insect and Plant Disease Management Continuing Instructional Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. The prerecorded program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment (PME) program.

2010 Garden Calendars Are Here!!
(Posted on 9/21/2009)
The 2010 Iowa State University Garden Calendars have arrived. The theme of this year's calendar is Growing Green. This 12-month calendar features beautiful photos, gardening tips, and horticulture ideas for any type of gardener.

State Officials Scouting NE Iowa for Emerald Ash Borer After Larva Found, Infestation Not Confirmed
(Posted on 6/4/2009)
ELKADER - Efforts to scout portions of northeast Iowa for the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) have intensified following the submission of an EAB larva to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The larva was reportedly from Clayton County, however no additional EAB larvae have been found and no signs of infestation have been spotted in the immediate area.

Planning & Planting a Vegetable Garden
(Posted on 3/10/2009)
It has been a long cold winter and everyone seems to be ready for spring. Along with spring comes planting seeds that hopefully turn into flowering plants, vegetables, and grains. With the nations hard economic times more and more people will plant their own vegetable garden. Whether it is your first garden or you are a pro Iowa State University Extension has tips to help make gardening easier.

Looking to Become a Master Gardener?
(Posted on 11/12/2008)
Do you want to become a master gardener? What defines a master gardener? If you are asking yourself some of these questions you should consider becoming a master gardener. The spring session for Master Gardeners is coming quickly. The local session begins January 2009.

News from Iowa State University Extension

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.

Grow Green Know How and When
(Posted on 10/19/2009)
Show a “green” attitude with a 2010 Garden Calendar from Iowa State University Extension – seasonal task prompts and earth-friendly gardening tips with space for your garden diary; printed on recycled paper using soy ink.

Growing Garlic
(Posted on 10/19/2009)
Pumpkins are not the only plants associated with Halloween. Fall is a great time to plant garlic in Iowa -- to keep vampires away and for use later in a wide variety of good-tasting recipes.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Fish, Lichens and Compost
(Posted on 10/15/2009)
This week's answers discuss what to do with the fish in your garden pond over the winter, lichens that grow on tree bark and how to avoid odor issues with compost piles.

Prepare Your Plants for Winter
(Posted on 10/12/2009)
Help your plants "harden off" and clean up the sources of disease in your yard to minimize your problems next spring.

Ask the ISU Extension Garden Experts: Beetles, Deer Damage and African Violets
(Posted on 10/8/2009)
This week's answers discuss lady beetles in your home, deer damage to your trees and how to improve the blooming of your African violets.

Staff

Carol Schneider-County Extension Coordinator
Phone: 712-546-7835
Fax: 712-546-7837
Email: caroljo@iastate.edu

Janelle Johnson-Office Assistant
Phone: 712-546-7835
Fax: 712-546-7837
Email: janelle@iastate.edu