Yard and Garden Information

Local News

Pine Wilt
(Posted on 4/23/2008)
Pine Wilt in our area. Pine wilt is a common disease that causes browning and death of pines, especially Scots pines. Austrian, mugo, red, jack, and white pine may also be affected, but less commonly than Scots pines. Affected trees turn brown suddenly, either over the entire tree or beginning on a few branches.

Iowa State Horticulture Society
(Posted on 4/1/2008)
The Iowa State Horticultural Society was founded in 1866 for the purpose of promoting and encouraging horticulture and its related interests in Iowa, through the collection and dissemination of information concerning production, marketing and utilization of horticultural and related crops. The ISHS is involved in promoting the horticulture industry as a means of diversifying agriculture in Iowa. ISHS also supports many commercial, noncommercial, and avocational interest groups throughout the state. Currently, the Iowa State Horticultural Society serves as an umbrella organization for 24 affiliated horticulture organizations that represent and promote specific sectors of horticulture, as well as many retail businesses across Iowa.

THINKING OF PLANTING A VEGETABLE GARDEN??
(Posted on 2/5/2008)
It's time to start planning that home vegetable garden. Check out the following I.S.U. vegetable publications!

Have Questions about your bugs, trees, weeds & sick plants
(Posted on 9/27/2007)
Iowa State University Extension has consolidated three centers in one, easy stop.

Maple Bladder Galls
(Posted on 5/10/2007)
Maple bladder gall is a common and well-known leaf gall found on the upper surface of the foliage on silver and red maple trees. Galls are present every year, though the abundance varies greatly from year to year and from tree to tree.

Bagworm
(Posted on 4/20/2007)
The bagworm is an occasional pest on evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs in southern Iowa. We have a packet prepared in our office that can be picked up and help you in addressing your concerns with bagworms.

Pruning Small Fruits in Late Winter and Early Spring
(Posted on 2/8/2007)
Small fruits commonly grown in home gardens include raspberries, grapes, gooseberries, currants, and blueberries. For maximum production, small fruit crops need to be pruned in late winter/early spring. Proper pruning procedures for raspberries, grapes, gooseberries, currants, and blueberries are outlined below.

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)

This 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.

Staff

Eldon Everhart-Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist
Phone: (712) 755-3104
Fax: (712) 755-7112
Email: everhart@iastate.edu

Brad Richardson-County Extension Education Director
Phone: 712-366-7070
Fax: 712-366-7024
Email: richards@iastate.edu

West Pottawattamie County Extension