Webster County Acreage Living

The "Webster County Acreage Living" newsletter is being brought to you by the Webster County Extension Office.  This source is published bi-monthly since August, 2002.  The content provided in the newsletter addresses frequent questions asked by residents of Webster County living outside incorporated areas.  We will continue to do so and welcome your comments and suggestions for future issues.

The Webster County Acreage Living newsletters are in PDF format and you will need Acrobat Reader to access.  Download Adobe Acrobat.

  • June 2008 - July 2008
    • White Grubs in the Lawn
    • Storm Damaged Trees
    • Recycle Water for Your Garden
    • A Three Week Plan for Better Meals
    • Frequent Questions asked during the months of June & July

  • April 2008 - May 2008
    • How to Care for Spring Flowering Bulbs
    • Sowing Beet Seeds
    • Morel Mushrooms
    • Preparing for the Possibility of Flooding
    • Planting Trees on an Acreage
    • Outdoor Cleaning Tips
    • Frequent Questions asked during the Months of April & May

  • February 2008 - March 2008
    • Sidewalk Deicers
    • Longevity of Perennials
    • Smart Uses for a Tax Refund
    • First Aid Kits for Your Acreage
    • Chocolate Myths
    • Late February through March Gardening Tips
    • Magic Chocolate Pudding Cake
    • Frequent Questions asked during the months of February & March

  • December 2007 - January 2008
    • We've Moved to Our New Location
    • Accidental Invaders During Christmas Time
    • Perfect Stocking Stuffers for the Gardener in Your Life
    • Snow Thrower or Blower Safety
    • Wild Side of The Menu
    • A Gardener's Version of the Night Before Christmas
    • Helpful Phone Numbers and Web Sites

  • October 2007 - November 2007
    • Apple Tips
    • Preserving Ornamental Gourds
    • It is That Time of The Year Again to Watch for the SMV
    • Have a Safe Halloween
    • Be Careful When Picking Up Acorns
    • Get Your 2008 Garden Calendar Now
    • Questions typically asked at the Webster County Extension Office During October & November

  • August 2007 - September 2007
    • Cicada Killer Wasps a.k.a. Digger Wasps
    • Blossom End Rot
    • Watermelon!
    • Preparing for Retirement
    • The 'No Riders' Rule
    • Is it a Herb or a Spice?
    • Canning Vegetable Tips
    • Questions typically asked at the Webster County Extension Office During August & September

  • June 2007 - July 2007
    • Milkweed & The Insects That Feed on Them
    • Summertime is Perfect for Picnics
    • Sparkler Safety
    • A Fun Place to Be - The 2007 Webster County Fair
    • Endless Summer Color
    • Pernicious Lawn Weeds and How to Control Them
    • Questions asked at the Webster Co. Extension Office During the Summer Months

  • April 2007 - May 2007
    • Radon Testing
    • Dog-on-it Lawn Problems
    • The Art of Bonsai
    • How to Complain and Get Results
    • Food Safety and Power Outages
    • Morel Mushrooms
    • Planting Potatoes
    • Easter Egg Safety

  • February 2007 - March 2007
    • Sledding Safety
    • Damage to Trees and Shrubs from Snow and Ice
    • Snow Thrower or Blower Safety
    • Iowa Winter Songbirds and Woodpeckers
    • Does My Car Feel Wind Chill?
    • How to Keep Your Livestock Water from Freezing
    • A Pile of Snow Shoveling Tips
    • Gifts for Your Sweetheart
    • Pineapple Facts
    • Grilled Pineapple
    • Tree and Small Fruits Pollination Requirements
    • Tree Planting - "Webster County Planting to Grow"

  • December 2006 - January 2007
    • Poinsettia - The Holiday Plant
    • Winter Driving Tips
    • Smoking Meats for the Holidays
    • Candle Fires
    • Accidental Invaders on Christmas Trees
    • Carbon Monoxide Reminders
    • Controlling Snow Drifts
    • Staying Warm & Comfortable in Your Home
    • Winter Activities for Gardeners
    • Helping Your Pets Cope with Cold Weather
    • Cranberry Holiday Punch
    • Cranberry-Pineapple Appetizer
    • Drying Pine Cones
    • Cheese to Please
    • General Suggestions for All Space Heaters

  • October 2006 - November 2006
    • Who is Afraid of the Big Wolf Spiders?
    • Fall Garden Tips
    • The Migration Mystery
    • Harvesting Horseradish
    • Pickled Horseradish
    • October - National Pork Month
    • Detecting Air Leaks in the Home
    • Winterizing Your Lawn Mower
    • It is that time of Year Again to Watch for the SMV

  • August 2006 - September 2006
    • What is that Strange Growth on My Ash Tree?
    • Horticulture Questions Answered
    • Cicada Killer Wasp
    • Resources for Food Preservation Equipment & Supplies
    • 2006 Iowa State Fair Information
    • Grease Ants
    • Sick Oak Leaves - Serious or Superficial?
    • Excessive Heat

  • June 2006 - July 2006
    • Selecting a Horse for Your Acreage
    • Mower Blight
    • Blueberries
    • Blueberry Gems
    • Walking with Style
    • Road Construction Ahead
    • Do Not Call
    • Basic Fertilizer Knowledge
    • Livestock Safety
    • Boating with Children
    • Three Easy Steps to Gas Grilling Beef
    • Flying Dragons
    • 2006 Webster Co. Fair 4-H/FFA Schedule
    • Home Canning has Changed Greatly
    • Potpourri
    • Chiggers
    • Mowing the Lawn

  • April 2006 - May 2006
    • Serve Safe Meals in the Field
    • Moving a Small Tree in the Yard
    • Basements may Flood if Drainage is Poor
    • House Centipedes
    • Recycle Easter Baskets
    • Spring Clean Your Way to a Safer Kitchen
    • Avian Influenza - Bird flu
    • Buying Guide for Amounts to Serve 50
    • Egg and Veggie Pasta Bake
    • 15 Minute Beef Barbecue
    • Take the Scare Out of Auto Repair
    • Turkey Hunting Safety Tips
    • Internet Rumors about Termites

  • February 2006 - March 2006
    • Well Grant Program
    • Is a Tax Refund in Your Future?
    • Pruning Roses in the Spring
    • Fun Facts about Groundhogs
    • Wind Energy
    • the Importance of Hand Washing
    • Wildlife Spring Crop Damage Identification
    • Tis the Season for Garden Catalogs
    • A Home for All Ages
    • Time to Order Your Trees & Shrubs for Windbreaks
    • Love Apples
    • Irish Mashed Potatoes
    • Potato-crust Pizza
    • 2006 Tree Steward Program

  • December 2005 - January 2006
    • Carbon Monoxide Hazards from Cars
    • Getting to Know Your Woods
    • The Joy of Giving Food Safely
    • Organizing a Local Food Drive
    • Controlling Snow Drifts
    • Those Rascally Rabbits
    • Holiday Stain Removal
    • The Pros and Cons of Shopping Online
    • Christmas Safety Tips
    • Winter Weather
    • Watering Houseplants in the Winter
    • 2006 ISU Extension Garden Calendar
    • Preparing Your Home When You Leave for the Winter Months
    • Twas the Night after Xmas

  • October 2005 - November 2005
    • Tips for Reducing Gasoline Use
    • Dealing with Plant-Eating Pets
    • Cold Storage Guidelines
    • Cold Weather Dangers
    • Head Over Heels
    • Quick & Easy Eggnog
    • Amazing Pumpkin Pie
    • Cheesy Chicken Casserole
    • Slow Cooker Dressing
    • The Perfect Jack-o-latern
    • Freezing Temperatures and Apples
    • No Fail Winter Rose Protection
    • Selecting Energy Efficient Windows

  • August 2005 - September 2005
    • A Little Information about Molds, Radon, and Lead-based Paint
    • The Key to More Productive Pastures
    • Fleas
    • Harvesting and Storing Vine Crops
    • Asphalt Driveways
    • Iowa's Sales Tax Holiday
    • Overseeding the Lawn
    • Orange Shakin' Sherbet
    • Snappy Breakfast in a Mug
    • Oil Pictures
    • Word Search
    • Helping Your Loved Ones Preserve Independence in Later Years
    • Your Actions Can Lower Your Blood Pressure
    • Sharing the Road with Farm Vehicles

  • June 2005 - July 2005 (Special Fair Edition)
    • Sweet Corn & Raccoons
    • Recycled Water for Your Garden
    • Cash Rental Rates Continue to Climb in 2005
    • The New Food Guide Pyramid is Here!
    • Dealing with Honey Bee Swarms
    • Tornado Safety
    • 5 Tips for Safe Grilling
    • Hydration Tips for Kids
    • Don't Drink and Sail
    • Iced Tea Time
    • Strawberry Garden Salad
    • Rhubarb Pie
    • Chicken Enchiladas
    • Raspberry Jam
    • Guide to Common Ants in Iowa
    • Carpenter Ants in Trees
    • Soil Erosion on Your Acreage
    • Attracting Hummingbirds
    • The Do's and Don't of Making Pickles
    • Canner Testing offered June 17th
    • Pouring Concrete
    • 2005 Fair Entertainment & Extra Attractions
    • 2005 Webster Co. Fair 4-H/FFA Schedule
    • 2005 Open Class Flower Show
    • 2005 Open Class Garden Show
    • 2005 Children's Open Pet Show

  • April 2005 - May 2005
    • Asian Soybean Rust - A Disease of More Than Just Soybeans
    • Morel Mushrooms
    • Common Myths Surrounding Credit & the "Facts" Surrounding Each Myth
    • Planting Trees on an Acreage
    • Mid-Iowa Youth Farm Safety Day Camp
    • Spring is Here...It Is Time to Put Away Winter Woolens
    • Pheasants Forever Grass Seed Available
    • Dandelions - Not Just Another Weed
    • Rabies
    • Shopping for Beef - What You Should be Paying Attention To
    • Well Water
    • Common Diseases for Conifers

  • February 2005 - March 2005
    • www.iowatreeplanting.com
    • Just How Important is Water?
    • A Very Costly Way to Gain Just a Few Days On Tax Refunds
    • Welding Safety Tips
    • A Rose is a Rose
    • When to Turn Lights & Computers Off to Save Energy and Money
    • Super Bowl Quick Party Tips and Recipes
    • Conservation/Habitat Workshop
    • Ft. Dodge Area Gardener's 2005 Spring Seminar

  • December 2004-January 2005
    • One of the Most Popular Potted Flowers
    • Don't Bust your Budget on Gasoline Prices
    • Drying & Storing Firewood
    • Winter Pet Care Tips
    • 2005 ISU Extension Garden Calendar
    • Strive for Five in 2005
    • Snow Thrower or Blower Safety
    • Disposal of the Christmas Tree
    • Storing Gasoline & Other Flammables
    • Gift Selection for the Elderly
    • Common Candy Making Problems
    • Gifts from Your Kitchen
    • Webster Co. Extension Web-site Gets a New Look

  • October 2004 - November 2004
    • Winter Horse Care
    • What is the Farm Service Agency?
    • Extension Cords - Are You Using the Right One?
    • How Much Does That Pet Really Cost?
    • Selecting a Tractor for an Acreage
    • What to Look for When Purchasing a Warm Coat
    • Early Winter Garden Tips
    • Picking the Perfect Christmas Tree
    • One the Go with Apples
    • Apple Crisp Recipe
    • Carmel-Spice Apple Butter Recipe
    • Knife, Fork or Spoon - What Type of Personality are You?
    • Harvesting & Storing Pumpkins
    • 2004-2005 Deer Hunting Dates
    • A Thanksgiving Poem

  • August 2004 - September 2004
    • Appropriate Fencing for Livestock
    • 2004 ISU Demonstration Garden Field Days
    • Fall Deck Care
    • Iowa Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education Program
    • Freezing Fresh Corn
    • September - National Food Safety Month
    • Baked Goulash Recipe
    • Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe
    • Guidelines for Late August-September Garden Tips and Chores
    • Dividing Perennials
    • Rules to Remember When Using a Chain Saw
    • Tips for the New College Student
    • Food Preservation Methods
    • Fall Preparation for Tree Planting

  • June 2004 - July 2004
    • Pocket Gophers
    • Enjoy a Debt-free Vacation
    • Tips for Traveling with Children
    • Tips for Homemade Ice Cream
    • Choosing a Landscape Contractor
    • Help is a Phone Call Away
    • Flooded Gardens
    • Sun Safe Practices
    • June Bugs Prepare to Emerge
    • 2004 Webster Co. Fair Entertainment Schedule
    • 2004 Webster Co. Fair 4-H/FFA Schedule
    • Master Gardener Program Offered Fall 2004
    • Did You Know...?

  • April 2004 - May 2004
    • Vegetables & Flowers Suitable for Early Planting
    • Spring Spruce-up
    • Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Pets
    • Spring Allergy Tips
    • Fall 2004 Mid-Iowa Master Gardener Program
    • You Know You're a Master Gardener If...
    • Cooking the Perfect Steak
    • Beef & Broccoli Slaw Wraps Recipe
    • Beef Industry Trivia
    • Morels
    • The Boxelder Bug Invasion
    • Samples May Tell the Story
    • Wanted:  Bugs - Dead or Alive

  • February 2004 - March 2004
    • Country Living No Escape from Crime
    • Water Quality - Tests and Treatment
    • Liability Claims
    • Consider Problems Before Feeding Wildlife
    • Prepare Your Body for the Gardening Season Ahead
    • Midwest Bald Eagles
    • 2004 Iowa Spring Turkey Hunting Information
    • Webster County Soil Survey to be Starting Soon
    • Pruning Young Landscape Trees & Windbreaks
    • Lemony Salmon Patties Recipe
    • Driving in Snow & Ice
    • 23rd Annual Ft. Dodge Area Garden Seminar
    • 48th Annual Shade Tree Short Course

  • December 2003 - January 2004
    • Snow Fencing Decisions
    • Snowmobile Safety
    • Managing Firewood Insects
    • Tips for a Low-Cost Holiday Meal
    • Winterizing Your Home
    • Protecting Your Livestock Water from Freezing
    • Laundry Tips on Getting Out Difficult Stains
    • Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisonings
    • How to Face Holiday Parties While Trying to Lose Weight
    • Check Out These Web-sites!
    • Know Custom Rates before Hiring Others to Work on Your Acreage

  • October 2003 - November 2003
    • Rodent Control
    • Putting Strawberries to Bed
    • Stop the Static
    • Slime Flux
    • Histoplasmosis
    • Great Flight, Great Seat
    • Know the Language of Buying Firewood
    • Is Your Soil Healthy?
    • 2004 Garden Calendar
    • Caring for a Family Member? Don't Go It  Alone - 6 Numbers You Should Know
    • Identify Signs of Meth Production & Use in Rural Areas
    • Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions at the Butterball Turkey Hotline
    • Broccoli & Carrots with Oranges Recipe
    • Apple Smiles Recipe
    • Baked Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe
    • Orange Jack-O-Lanterns recipe
    • Open Burning Bans
    • Celebrating 100 Years of Helping Iowans Become Their Best

  • August 2003 - September 2003
    • Sharing the Road with Farm Vehicles
    • Woolly Bear
    • Vegetable Garden Problems - What Can You Do?
    • Keep Your Cool
    • Common Problems in Jam & Jelly Making
    • Fun & games
    • Potato, Green Bean & Tomato Salad Recipe
    • Great Lawns are Made in the Fall

  • July 2003 - Special Edition
    • Equestrian Safety
    • Cool Watermelon
    • More Flash than Cash
    • Add "insurance" to Your Summer Camp Checklist
    • Rural Water Safety
    • Dealing With It - Coping When a Pet Dies
    • Picnics:  Make 'Em Healthy!
    • Garlicky Corn on the Cob Recipe
    • Fresh Peach Chutney Recipe
    • Ice Cream in a Bag Recipe
    • French Grilled Veggies Recipe
    • 2003 Webster County Fair
    • Watering Guide for Home Gardeners
    • Harvesting & Drying Herbs
    • Fun & Games
    • ASK FISH Toll Free Call
    • How to Measure Fish Length
    • Sickle Bar Mower Safety
    • Oleson Park Zoo
    • Beat the Summer Heat

  • June 2003 - July 2003
    • Sweet Corn - An Iowa Summertime Treat
    • Everything About Bees
    • Herbal Supplements:  Are They Magic Potions for Self-Care?
    • Safe from the Storm?
    • Help! I Found a Tick!
    • A Case for A Time of Transfer Septic Inspection
    •  Tomatoes!
    • Mud Dauber Wasps
    • Mosquito Prevention, Protection and Control
    • Spraying Methods Can Reduce Pesticide Hazards to Wildlife
    • June Flower Garden Tips
    • Asparagus Casserole Recipe
    • Fun and Games

  • April 2003 - May 2003
    • Spring Lawn Care
    • No Substitute for Pumping
    • Top 10 Foods for Midwestern Birds
    • Wills for Young Families
    • Plant Veggies for Health!
    • Benefits of Walking
    • Webster Co. Soil Survey News
    • Watch Out for Sneaky Snacks
    • Goodness, Gracious, Snakes Alive!
    • Dry Winter Weather Effects on Landscape Plants
    • Home Energy Savings
    • 2003 Iowa Master Conservationist Program
    • Children & War:  What Parents Should Say to Kids - and look for
    • Fun & Games
    • 2003 Webster Co. Fair 4-H/FFA Schedule

  • February 2003 - March 2003
    • Onsite Wastewater Systems Assistance Program
    • Deer in Winter Landscapes
    • Webster Co. Zoning Ordinance
    • Mold in the Home
    • Skunks Can Be Real Stinkers!
    • Does My Car Feel Wind Chill
    • 2003 Tree Price List

  • December 2002 - January 2003
    • Bird Feeding Season
    • Trying to Stay Warm This Winter
    • Buzzing In Your Attic
    • Sidewalk Deicers
    • All Terrain Vehicle Safety
    • Why Keep Records?
    • ISU Extension Garden Calendar
    • Winter Provision Reminder for Outside Pets
    • Getting Ready for a Holiday Meal
    • CRP & Right-of-Way Maintenance
    • NOAA Weather Radios
    • The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants
    • Webster County Web-site
    • Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Sandwiches Recipe
    • 'Twas the Night after Xmas

  • October 2002 - November 2002
    • Reducing Mouse & Rabbit Damage
    • Rural Package Delivery
    • Fall Lawn Care
    • Celebrate Thanksgiving with New Batteries
    • Halloween Ideas
    • Drying & Roasting Seeds
    • Don't Forget to Vote!
    • 2002 General Election Information
    • Shhh!!! Be Very Quiet, It's Hunting Season!

  • August 2002 - September 2002
    • Watch for the SMV
    • Stretching Fuel Dollars
    • Bats in the Belfry?
    • Managing Through the Back-to-School Crunch Time!
    • Thickening Pastures
    • Livestock & Pet Safety Index for Heat

  • July 2002 
    • Moles
    • Backyard Garbage Burning
    • Black Walnut Toxicity
    • Foodborne Bacteria Don't Take Summer Vacations!
    • Happenings at the 2002 Webster Co. Fair
 Audra Fisher 10/20/2004