Asparagus plants should be allowed to become well established before any spears are harvested. No spears should be harvested during the first growing season. Asparagus can be harvested over a three to four week period during its…
Grapes are highly susceptible to damage from herbicide drift, in particular from 2,4-D and other chemically similar herbicides. Depending on weather conditions, 2,4-D herbicides can potentially affect grapes up to 2 miles from the…
Grapes are highly susceptible to damage from herbicide drift, in particular from 2,4-D and other chemically similar herbicides. Depending on weather conditions, 2,4-D herbicides can potentially affect grapes up to 2 miles from the…
Red and purple raspberries are hardy throughout the state. Black raspberries, however, often suffer severe winter damage in northern Iowa and can be reliably grown only in central and southern portions of the state. ‘Black Hawk’ (an…
Gourd seeds have hard seedcoats. To hasten germination, soak gourd seeds in water overnight or up to 24 hours. Gourd seeds can also be nicked along their edge with a file or other device.
Ornamental sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes grown in the vegetable garden are different varieties of Ipomoea batatas. The ornamental varieties are grown for their attractive foliage, while those in the vegetable garden are grown for their…
Many varieties of sweet cherry are not reliably cold-hardy in Iowa. Because they tend to bloom earlier in the season than other fruit trees, like apples and pears, they are also more prone to damage from a late spring frost. When…
Peaches are not reliably cold hardy in many parts of Iowa. The best peaches to grow in Iowa tend to have slightly later bloom times and more cold hardy flower flowers buds. Cultivars good for Iowa include
The small size of “baby” corn suggests that it’s a special variety. However, most baby corn is actually grown from regular sweet and field corn varieties. The ears are harvested when they are 2 to 4 inches long and 1/3 to ½ inch in…
White fruited pumpkins are edible. White fruited varieties, such as ‘Lumina,’ have a white skin and orange flesh. They are chiefly grown for their unique “ghostly” appearance. However, the orange flesh is suitable for cooking.…
The growth and fruiting characteristics of blackberries are similar to raspberries. The blackberry plant’s roots and crown are perennial, while its stems or canes are biennial. Blackberry canes are strictly vegetative during the first…
Whether a crop is safe to eat after accidental exposure to a herbicide depends on several factors, including the type of herbicide used, its active ingredient(s), concentration, mode of action, and other relevant considerations. The…
Whether a crop is safe to eat after accidental exposure to a herbicide depends on several factors, including the type of herbicide used, its active ingredient(s), concentration, mode of action, and other relevant considerations. The…
Whether a crop is safe to eat after accidental exposure to a herbicide depends on several factors, including the type of herbicide used, its active ingredient(s), concentration, mode of action, and other relevant considerations. The…
It is possible to grow an apple tree from an apple seed. However, in most cases, apple trees don't come true from seeds. For example, a seed taken from a Red Delicious apple will not produce a Red Delicious apple tree. Seedling…
It is possible to grow an apple tree from an apple seed. However, in most cases, apple trees don't come true from seeds. For example, a seed taken from a Red Delicious apple will not produce a Red Delicious apple tree. Seedling…
Yes, many vegetables can be grown in small plots or in containers. Consider selecting more compact or dwarf varieties of vegetables for these situations.
Vegetables That Can Be Successfully Grown in Containers or Small Plots…
It would be best to place weeds that are producing seeds and diseased plant debris in biodegradable bags and have the material picked up and composed by a municipal or commercial composting facility. The temperatures in home compost piles…
Planting garlic cloves purchased from grocery stores is rarely successful in an Iowa garden. The garlic found in grocery stores are usually softneck cultivars from warmer regions that are not well adapted to Iowa’s climate. …
For an earlier crop, muskmelons can be started indoors. Sow seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the anticipated outdoor planting date. Muskmelons can be planted outdoors in early May in southern Iowa, mid-May in central Iowa, and late…
Yes, shredded newspapers or whole sheets may be used as a mulch in the vegetable garden. Newspapers use organic inks so gardeners need not worry about lead contamination. When using newspaper sheets, place a layer of 2 to 4 sheets between…
Sweet corn should be isolated from popcorn and field corn to prevent cross-pollination. The quality of the sweet corn will be lowered if it’s cross-pollinated by other types of corn. For example, sweet corn pollinated by popcorn will…
Most vegetable seeds will remain viable for several years when stored in a cool, dry location. If properly stored, cabbage, broccoli, cucumber, squash, watermelon, eggplant, and radish seeds will remain viable for 5 years. Snap bean,…
Annual flower and vegetable plants started indoors or purchased from greenhouses should not be planted directly into the garden. The intense sun and strong winds may damage or kill the tender transplants. Plants should be “hardened” (…
Phytophthora root rot can be a serious problem in poorly drained sites. Phytophthora root rot can be avoided by planting blueberries in well-drained soils. Outside of root rots, blueberries generally have few insect and disease…
Sour or tart cherries are self-fruitful. Self-pollination occurs when pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma on the same flower, from another flower on the same plant, or from a flower on another plant of the same variety.…
Peas are members of the legume (Fabaceae) family. Through a symbiotic relationship with a soil bacterium (Rhizobium), peas are able to “fix” atmospheric nitrogen in nodules on their roots.
