Deadheading or the removal of faded flowers is done to encourage additional bloom on hybrid tea and other repeat-flowering roses. Hybrid tea roses usually have one or two 3-leaflet leaves immediately below the flower. Next (lower down…
Dig a hole that is 2 to 3 times wider than the diameter of the tree’s rootball. The depth of the hole should be 2 or 3 inches less than the height of the rootball. Slope the sides of the hole so the top of the hole is several inches…
When planting a container-grown tree, dig a hole that is 2 to 3 times wider than the diameter of the container. The depth of the hole should be 2 or 3 inches less than the height of the soil ball. Slope the sides of the hole so the…
Carefully remove plants from plastic cell packs by gently squeezing the bottom on each compartment. Plants in plastic pots can be removed by tipping them on their sides and tapping the bottom of the pots.
Plant onion plants from early April to early May. Place plants 1 to 1½ inches deep in rows 12 to 15 inches apart. To produce large, dry onions, space plants 2 to 3 inches apart.
Plant onion seeds as soon as the ground can be worked in spring (late March or early April in southern Iowa, early to mid-April in central Iowa, and mid to late April in northern portions of the state). Plant seeds in rows 12 to 15 inches…
Before planting sets, separate the bulbs into two size groups -- those smaller than a nickel in diameter and those larger than a nickel. The larger sets often bolt (produce a flower stalk) and don’t produce good-sized bulbs. Use the…
When ready to plant, trim off the older leaves, place the roots of the plants in water for an hour, then plant immediately. Set each plant in the ground so the crown of the plant is even with the soil surface.
In March or early April, remove all small, weak canes, leaving only 4 or 5 of the largest, most vigorous canes per clump or plant. Cut back the lateral (side) branches to 12 inches in length.
Grapevines produce fruit clusters on the previous season’s growth. Before pruning, a grapevine may have 200 to 300 buds capable of producing fruit. If the vine is not pruned, the number of grape clusters would be excessive and the…
Clean, weed-free straw and chopped cornstalks are excellent mulches. Leaves, however, should not be used as they tend to mat down and don’t provide adequate protection. Apply approximately 3 to 5 inches of material. After…
There are many native woodland wildflowers that are great additions to the shade garden. Most are ephemeral with a relatively short (but impactful) bloom time in early spring before the foliage dies back to the ground in early summer.…
Mechanical control of weeds through hand pulling and cultivation as well as the use of mulches to suppress weed growth are effective organic options for weed management.
While most gardeners prefer to grow perennials from established plants in containers or as divisions, transplants, or bare root, it is possible to grow many perennials successfully from seed. The reason why perennials grown from established…
One of the first signs of spring is the emergence of crocuses, daffodils, and other spring-flowering bulbs. Several other perennials also bloom in early spring and complement these familiar bulbs.
Common or American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a unique fruit native to the eastern and midwestern United States. The easiest varieties to grow are those that are self-fruitful, although any variety will have a better fruit…
When plants produce a chemical that prevents the growth of other plants, it is called allelopathy.
Black walnut is a common woodland and landscape tree in the Midwest that produces an allelopathic compound called juglone which is…
The runways in the lawn were likely caused by the meadow vole. The meadow vole is a small, brown, mouse-like animal. Though common in Iowa, the meadow vole is secretive and seldom seen by most individuals.
Select short, stocky plants with dark green foliage. Avoid tall, spindly plants. Small to medium-sized transplants become established in the garden more quickly than large ones. Short, stocky vegetable transplants are often more…
When buying petunias, select compact, stocky plants. Tall, spindly petunias will need to be pinched to encourage the plants to spread and take longer to develop into attractive plants. If buying plants from a greenhouse, harden the…
There are many trees, shrubs, perennials, and vines that can be planted in an Iowa landscape. What you decide to plant is based on many different considerations. While selecting plants that are attractive to you is certainly a consideration…
Several species of shrubs can help get your spring off to a colorful start. These multi-stemmed woody plants vary in size and often bloom before the leaves emerge in spring.
