Recent News

Growing to Fight Hunger

Iowa Master Gardeners are gearing up to fight hunger in 2016. At least 1 in 8 Iowans are food insecure.

New Turfgrass Publications for Sports Field Managers

Two new publications on turf care are now available from the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Store: Preventing Compaction on Athletic Fields and Tips for Athletic Field

Butterfly / Pollinator Gardening Pamphlet Available

The recently-revised Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication, "

Fall Nuisance Invaders Are On the Move

As the days grow short, temperatures cool and plants in the landscape senesce, many insects and arthropods move to find overwintering habitat.

Yellowjacket Wasps: Fall's Busy "Bees"

Time to Test! Bacterial Leaf Scorch Testing Available

Bacterial leaf scorch is a bacterial pathogen (Xylella fastidiosa) that invades the vascular system of many plants; including shade trees such us oak, maples (r

2016 Calendar Welcomes Guests of the Garden

The 2016 ISU Garden Calendar is available now.  The coming year's calendar features guests that might visit your garden, including birds, bees, butterflies and a few less-desirable critters.

Horticulture News Releases: Grapes, Hops and Fall Lawn Care

Grapes are a delicious and nutritious part of any garden, but there are variables involved when properly harvesting and storing them. See the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Yard & Garden news release from August 20, 2015 for tips on how to get the most out of your grape harvest. 

Vascular Wilt Pathogens

The Iowa State University Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic frequently receives inquiries regarding trees with foliar chlorosis (yellow leaves), browning from the edge of the leaf in, and wilting appearance of limbs or whole sides of a tree.  Trees and ornamental shrubs can suffer from vascular wilt pathogens. These pathogens enter the vascular system that move water from the roots upwards. The pathogens then colonize the vascular system, and impeded water movement to the branches, resulting in yellowing and browning of the leaves, and the wilted look of twigs and limbs.

How Coins Help with Digital Diagnosis

One of the common recommendations when sending digital images for diagnosis of insects, plants or diseases is to include a "size reference" in the photo.

Dobsonflies: Big, Beautiful and Harmless

Diminishing Hunger: International Master Gardener Conference

The biennial International Master Gardener Conference will be held at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs on Sept. 22–25.  The conference theme “Horticultural Horizons in the Heartland” will include a keynote presentation focused on accessing fresh produce and diminishing hunger through food gardening and programs such as the AmpleHarvest Campaign.

EPA Invites Comments on Options for Protecting the Monarch Butterfly

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting public comment on potential actions or a combination of actions that would be the most effective in reducing the impacts of herbicides on the monarch butterfly. The deadline for comments is July 24, 2015.

Dusky Birch Sawfly Observations

False Japanese Beetles Present Again This Year

More samples and inquires concerning false Japanese beetle (Strigoderma arbicola) have been received this year than in the recent past.  Inquiries have been primarily from eastern and central Iowa.  As the name implies, false Japanese beetle is very similar in appearance to the true Japanese beetle.  The major difference is the coloration.  False Japanese beetles do not have the bright green and copper coloration of the Japanese beetle.

Iowa Master Gardener Growing Season Webinars

Join Iowa Master Gardeners in a three-part webinar series this summer offered at multiple locations across Iowa during June, July and August.  The two-hour courses will be offered at ISU Extension and Outreach county offices around the state.  See the news release below for a list of communities where you can attend.  Presentation dates and time vary by community.

Summer Care of Raspberries

Raspberries are an easy to grow crop for home gardeners.  Good cultural practices help insure an excellent fruit crop.  Important cultural practices during the summer months include pruning, weed control, and irrigation. 

Horticulture News Releases: Azaleas, Strawberries and Irises, Oh My!

Azaleas and rhododendrons are spectacular flowering shrubs that can brighten any yard or garden. Even though there are many species of azaleas and rhododendrons, only a small number can be grown successfully in Iowa. See the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Yard & Garden news release from June 11, 2015, for information on azaleas and rhododendrons right for Iowa.

Iowa Master Gardener News and Updates

Iowa State University Extension & Outreach now offers a Professional Horticulture Trainee certification.  This is a non-volunteer, non-credit training offered in conjunction with the Master Gardener Core Training Course each fall.

Oak Tatters Common Again This Spring

Inquiries to the ISU Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic and to Iowa DNR/ Forestry Bureau District Foresters indicate this was another year for the widespread and common deformation of the leave white oak called oak tatters.