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Yard and Garden


Find current home gardening information about plant care, plant recommendations, growing & harvesting, pest management, and household pests written by Iowa State University Extension specialists in the Departments of Horticulture and Plant Pathology, Entomology & Microbiology. 


Timely Topics

picture of red flowers of holiday cactus

Trending Topics

Keep up-to-date on gardening topics. 

Learn more about what is blooming around Iowa, what are some common gardening questions, frequent pests for the week, and timely tasks for the garden and landscape.

Dickinson pumpkins.

Plants on the Thanksgiving Table - Truths Revealed

Thanksgiving staples like turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and cranberries have interesting (and sometimes misleading) histories and myths. 

Boxwood.

Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs for Iowa

Broad-leaved evergreen shrubs like boxwoods, wintercreeper, and rhododendrons add beauty to landscapes but require careful site selection and soil prep in Iowa. Learn more about caring for these evergreens in Iowa.

Bright green strawberry leaves.

Don't Get in a Rush to Apply Mulch to Your Strawberry Bed This Fall

November is often the time we think about applying mulch to strawberry beds in Iowa. While mulching in the fall is good practice, it's also something we don't want to do too early. This article explains factors to consider before mulching strawberries.

Zinnia Thumbelina.

Reminiscing on Past AAS Winners

Here's a look back at some All-American Selections winners from decades past. Whether these haven't been grown for a while, or are grown year after year, they would all be great additions to garden planning for 2025 and beyond.

poinsettia

Caring for Holiday Plants

December brings many holiday celebrations and traditions.  Poinsettia, Christmas trees, and amaryllis are just some of the plants that play a role in many holiday activities.

Here are all the resources you need to help keep these special plants healthy and attractive all season.

2025 Garden Calendar - Perennial Beauty

Featured Publication

2025 Garden Calendar - Perennial Beauty

Herbaceous perennials are some of the most colorful and beautiful additions to the landscape. They thrive in various conditions—from sunny spots to shaded areas and moist to dry soil. With a diverse range of forms, colors, and blooms, there’s a perennial for every garden.

Care for perennials, including natives, is easy. Learn more about growing and maintaining perennials in the Midwest landscape with the monthly tips featured in this beautiful calendar.

Yard and Garden News

How to Care for Holiday Cacti

Holiday cacti are a beautiful addition to the fall and winter seasons. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists offer tips for care and address common issues when growing these houseplants.

2025 Garden Calendar Features Perennials

For many Iowa gardeners, herbaceous perennials are some of the most colorful and beautiful additions to the landscape. The theme of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 2025 Garden Calendar is “Perennial Beauty,” which features these garden favorites.

Produce Safety Training for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Begins Dec. 13

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Safe Produce Program will host produce safety training for fruit and vegetable farmers beginning in December and concluding in April 2025. Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved produce safety education program for farmers growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables for human consumption with intent to enter the commercial market or public distribution.

Iowa Gardening Newsletter

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Iowa Gardening News provides timely information and reminders all year from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Garden Variety Podcast

Garden Variety Podcast

Whether you're a master gardener, just getting started or somewhere in between — there's always something new to learn in your garden.