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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

Yellow flowers of Bartzilla hybrid peony

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.

Late leaf emergence on a sycamore tree.

Late Leaf Emergence on Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

If you’re staring at a bare tree while everything else is leafing out, don’t panic; it may be perfectly normal. Some species naturally leaf out later. Other times, weather or stressful growing conditions can delay leaf out. Before you assume the worst, learn what to look for and when to take action.

Peaches growing on the tree.

Growing Peaches in Iowa

Peaches are not the easiest to grow in Iowa, but many dream of sweet, juicy peaches in their own backyard. Learn how to choose the right varieties, protect trees from winter injury, and successfully grow peaches in your landscape.

Lavender in bloom in the garden.

Growing Lavender in Iowa

Lavender is a favorite among gardeners, but they don’t always overwinter well in Iowa. Learn the keys to success, from choosing hardy varieties to providing the right soil and winter protection, to help you enjoy fragrant blooms year after year in your landscape.

Seedlings at different growth stages growing in the soil.

Using Growing Degree Days to Manage the Home Garden

Want to take the guesswork out of gardening? Growing degree days help you track plant and pest development based on temperature, so you can time tasks more effectively. Learn how to use growing degree days to make smarter decisions in your home garden.

Roundup products on store shelves.

Understanding Herbicide Active Ingredients for Home Garden Weed Management

Spring weeds seem to appear overnight, and choosing the right herbicide can get confusing quickly. This article explains what active ingredients are on herbicide labels and how they affect weeds. If you are tackling weeds this spring, understanding what the product contains can help you manage them more effectively and avoid common mistakes.

Growing Garden Peonies

Featured Publication

Growing Garden Peonies

Learn how to plant, grow, and care for garden peonies, including guidance on site selection, planting depth, division, fertilizing, watering, and seasonal maintenance. Additionally, information on different peony types, expectations for flowering timelines, and common reasons peonies fail to bloom is available.

Yard and Garden Press Releases

Bring a Tropical Touch to Iowa Gardens with Tender Perennials

Iowa gardeners looking to add bright foliage, bold flowers and a tropical feel can turn to tender perennials for fast-growing seasonal impact

A Sure Sign of Spring: Growing and Caring for Daffodils in Iowa

Few plants announce the arrival of spring in Iowa as reliably as daffodils. These hardy bulbs in the genus Narcissus light up landscapes with cheerful blooms and return year after year with little maintenance, making them a favorite among home gardeners.

Join Monthly Garden Q&A Live This Spring from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

As lawns green up and gardens come to life across Iowa, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach invites gardeners to take advantage of Garden Q&A Live, a monthly interactive program designed to provide timely help throughout the growing season.
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.