Recent News

Concolor Fir Needle Deformities

Anthracnose Common on Shade Trees This Spring

Many homeowners are growing concerned about the health of their shade trees due to unsightly leaf browning and leaf drop.

Early Cicadas Make Appearance in SE Iowa

Pine Wilt: Death and the Pine Tree

Iowa Master Gardener Classes Start in September

Edible Landscapes Can Reap Sweet Rewards

Black Root Rot of Strawberry

Black root rot of strawberry is a disease complex of three or more fungi. Among the most damaging are Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Pythium.

Springtime Yard and Garden Safety Resources

Bed Bug Resource Available

Foliar Nematodes Lunch on Leaves

Foliar nematodes are not very common in the Iowa landscape, but the ISU Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic does receive samples occasionally. Nematodes are worm-like organisms that have a wide and varied diet. Many species are predaceous and feed on other nematodes and some species are used for biological control of insect pests. Many other species feed on fungi or bacteria. Nematodes that feed on plants are considered plant parasitic nematodes and some of these species are considered pests, including foliar nematodes.

Looking Ahead to Bagworm Season

Last week I stopped at a rest area on I-29 north of Hamburg IA, and noticed a dramatic display of the pinecone-like bagworm “bags” covering an ornamental evergreen.

Springtime Bulbs of Blue

In the past few weeks a number of people have asked about the masses of blue flowers scattered all over the campus of ISU. I look forward to this question every year because it is one of the m

Proper Mowing of the Home Lawn

Blister canker

Welcome, Two New Staff Members

Monarchs Harmed by Storms in Mexico

Dormant Oil Sprays and Backyard Fruit Trees

Clinic Fees to Increase to $20/10 in 2010

Butterflies in Winter in Iowa

A message with photograph this week from alert reader Ken Wiggers asked about a tattered butterfly seen on the ground, near the woodpile in mid-March! As shown below, the butterfly is th

Heavy Snow Accumulations May Affect Fruit Crops

This winter is going down as one of the snowiest on record and has far surpassed the record for consecutive days with snow cover on the ground. These accumulations of snow are good in moderating soil temperatures and protecting plants under the snow from exposure to extremely low air temperatures.