The greenish worm is probably the pear slug. The pear slug is not an actual slug. It’s the larval stage of an insect (sawfly). The pear slug feeds on pear, cherry, plum, and several other woody plants.
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…
While pods that are large and bumpy are still edible, they are not nearly as tasty. Green beans (also called snap, string, or wax beans) are intended to be consumed as immature pods with small undeveloped seeds inside. When the seeds inside the…
While rhubarb leaves do contain poisonous oxalic acid, they can be placed in the compost pile. Oxalic acid, like other organic acids, are not readily absorbed by plant roots. Compost containing decomposed rhubarb leaves can be safely…
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…
Apply a mulch around landscape plantings and garden areas to conserve soil moisture. Mulching reduces the rate of evaporation from the soil surface and also limits weed competition. Organic materials, such as grass clippings, clean…
Apply a mulch around landscape plantings and garden areas to conserve soil moisture. Mulching reduces the rate of evaporation from the soil surface and also limits weed competition. Organic materials, such as grass clippings, clean…
The wort-like growths on the grape leaves were probably caused by the grape phylloxera. The grape phylloxera is a small, aphid-like insect. The grape phylloxera has a complex life cycle that affects the leaves and roots of the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
If the strawberry patch is being overrun with perennial grasses, such as quackgrass, control is not very practical. Your best option would be to prepare a new site for a strawberry bed this summer or fall and plant a new bed next spring.…
The Colorado potato beetle is difficult to control. Hand picking is a control option for individuals with small gardens. Hand-pick beetles, eggs, and small larvae from infested plants as soon as possible (practical for a few insects…
Drying peppers is a simple procedure. Harvest mature peppers (the fruit of most varieties turn from green to red at maturity), wash to remove any dirt, then allow the fruit to dry for a few minutes on the kitchen counter. Once the…
The best way to prevent birds from eating the grape crop is to place netting over the grapevines. Netting can be purchased at garden centers or through mail-order companies. When placing netting over the grapevines, make sure the…
The most effective way to prevent damage to the sweet corn crop is to encircle the area with an electric fence. A two-wire fence with one wire 4 to 6 inches above the ground and the other at 12 inches should keep the raccoons out of the…
The bee-like insects are probably yellowjackets. Yellowjackets are social wasps that build paper nests either in the ground, a log or landscape timber, or building wall or attic. The workers from the colony travel up to a few hundred…
Foliar diseases of tomatoes are a common problem in the home garden. Fungal diseases, such as early blight (Alternaria tomatophila and Alternaria solani), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), and…
