Care and How-To - Annuals
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Reusing plastic, clay, and other containers is a great way to save money and reduce the amount of plastic waste that goes into landfill. Plastic containers cannot be recycled in traditional single-stream home recycling programs and, unfortunately, programs to collect and recycle plastic pots are not common.
Proper cleaning and disinfecting of pots requires just a minimum amount of effort, yet can mean the difference between the success or failure of containerized plants, plus it allows you to reuse containers and reduce plastic waste. Follow the steps below to clean and disinfect used containers.
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Find a native plant well-suited for any spot in your Iowa landscape.
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Driving through Iowa, you'll find many eye-catching native and non-native plants thriving along roadsides. Here are some of the common species you'll find.
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Ideal for adding color to shaded areas in your garden, learn how to care for impatiens, from planting and watering to managing common issues like downy mildew. Explore different varieties, including New Guinea impatiens and double impatiens, and understand their growing conditions. Perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and beds, impatiens are a versatile choice for any gardener.
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Learn how to protect plants from frost and freeze damage in fall and spring. Get tips on covering plants, using cold frames, and when to bring plants indoors for the season.
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Organic mulches serve several important functions in gardens and landscape plantings.
These many benefits make the use of mulch very beneficial in a wide range of garden settings. When choosing which organic mulch to use, consider availability, cost, appearance, function, and durability.
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Germination requirements (light and temperature) vary among the different annuals and vegetables. The various crops also differ in the length of time from seed sowing until the seedlings are planted outdoors. Below is germination and growing information for commonly grown annual flowers, herbs, and vegetables.
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Proper storage conditions for seeds are essential to maintain viability and good germination at planting time. You can test the germination rate of your seeds to be sure they are viable and worth the time to sow and grow. More information about storing seeds, testing seed germination rates, and the expected viability of common vegetables can be found below.
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Drip irrigation is a water-efficient method for vegetable gardens, delivering moisture directly to roots, saving time, and reducing disease risks.
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Chrysanthemums are quintessential fall garden plants. The many colors and flower types are wonderful additions to the garden. Growing them successfully in Iowa takes some some special considerations.
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There are several Hibiscus species that grow well in Iowa. Growing hibiscus can be confusing to Iowa gardeners because the three most common species vary greatly in flower, habit, and cold hardiness.
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The late growing season is a good time to collect seeds from vegetables and flowers. Seed saving allows gardeners to preserve heirloom varieties or their favorite plants from year to year. Below are the basics of harvesting, preparing, and storing seed from your garden.
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Sunflowers are great additions to the garden. Find the best cultivars for your garden and learn how to grow and harvest sunflowers at home.
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When autumn arrives, several things can be done to prepare the garden for winter and the following growing season. Here is a list of things to do for perennials, vegetable gardens, annuals, trees, shrubs, lawns, and houseplants in the fall.
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There are many annuals well-suited for the shady areas of your garden. Learn about the options you can use in containers, baskets, and flower beds in shade and part-shade locations.
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Hanging baskets are a great way to decorate porches, decks, and other outdoor areas of the home. They make great gifts and are readily available in garden centers every spring. Whether your hanging basket has just one or many blooming plants, care is required for the best blooms throughout the growing season. Below are some tips for growing and maintaining hanging baskets.
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Bring garden flowers indoors for bouquets in spring, summer, and fall. No experience needed. Condition flowers to keep them fresh and vibrant.
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ome milkweed species are attractive additions to home landscapes, and monarch butterflies like them too. Here are some tips on selecting and establishing milkweed.
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Organic weed control relies on a combination of cultural, mechanical, and physical methods to prevent weeds from establishing and to manage those that do emerge. Common practices include mulching, cultivation, hand weeding, and organic herbicides, all of which work best when applied early and consistently.
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A healthy garden has properly spaced plants. Use this guide to help determine how many plants you need based on their recommended spacing.