Yard and Garden Information

Local News

Take care when pruning young trees
(Posted on 2/15/2007)
Proper pruning will help enable young landscape trees to survive and thrive.

energy savings

Smart ways to keep your heating& Cooling bills down
(Posted on 1/4/2007)
No matter how you heat/cool your home, one thing is certain; A more energy-efficient heating/ cooling system means lower utilty bills.

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.

Resources from ISU Extension