Recent News

Continuing instructional courses (CIC's - 1996) for commercial pesticide applicators are listed below. Continuing education courses are approved for specific certification categories.

This is an in-between time for gardening in the Midwest. Most garden crops have been harvested, the garden cleaned, spring-flowering bulbs planted, and the lawn mowed for the last time.

Nothing sends gardeners running faster than a weather forecast of FROST. Cool air, clear skies and light or calm winds are necessary for frost to occur.

Continuing instructional courses (CIC's - 1996) for commercial pesticide applicators are listed below. Continuing education courses are approved for specific certification categories.

Daffodils are a welcome sign of spring. To enjoy their beauty, gardeners must plant daffodils in the fall. There are several thousand daffodil varieties. All daffodils can be placed into one of twelve divisions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is amending the 1992 Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The two amendments will go into effect August 26, 1996.

Driving along it is difficult to imagine what it would be like without those colorful wildflowers/weeds of summer brightening up our Iowa roadsides.

Outdoor living spaces have become very popular in recent years. The furnishings that decorate these outdoor areas are usually quite durable, but most will need regular maintenance to look their best.

Fresh flowers are a beautiful part of many memorable events, such as weddings, proms, and receptions. One way to preserve the memories of these special occasions is to dry and preserve the flowers.

After a severe winter and the third cool, wet spring in a row, many home gardeners know firsthand the problems associated with growing many species of evergreens.

With the United States hosting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and the media and sports world filled with talk about "All-Americans" and "Olympic medal hopefuls", I thought now would be a good time to talk about the All Americans in the horticulture

Cherry leaf spot, sometimes referred to as "shot-hole", is caused by the fungus Coccomyces hiemalis. The disease first appears on the upper side of the leaf as small, circular, purple spots.

Many elm samples have been submitted to the Plant Disease Clinic in the last few weeks that have tested positive for Dutch elm disease.

The name grease ant is commonly used for one of the smallest ants found in homes in Iowa. These ants are technically known as thief ants. They are very small; only l to l mm (1/6th inch)long.

"Tiny, hopping specks of fuzz" is a good description of the planthoppers that are currently causing concern for Iowa gardeners.

As usual, the imported longhorned weevil and the strawberry root weevil (little insects with long names) are appearing on and in houses as a post-Independence Day surprise.

The rainy weather in May and June has prevented some Iowans from planting their vegetable garden. Fortunately, there is still time to plant some vegetables.

The removal of faded flowers or deadheading annuals, perennials, and roses is an important gardening chore. Deadheading prolongs the blooming period and increases the number of later season blooms.

Hoses are an extension of your plumbing system and should be treated accordingly. They are normally sold in lengths of 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet. Shorter hoses have greater per-foot costs than longer ones, but are easier to drain and coil.

Insect electrocuter light traps, also known "bug zappers" have been extensively marketed for the past several years with claims they can provide relief from the annoyance of biting mosquitoes and other pests in your back yard.