Care and How-To - Edible Plants
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Here are several methods you can take to remove grass, each having its own advantages and limitations. Which method you choose depends on the time it takes, the amount of work it requires, and your personal preferences.
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Whenever sprays are applied, it is important to follow label directions. Often the product label will direct to spray at certain developmental stages in the tree’s annual growth cycle. Many of the most effective management steps occur in spring, well before the apples form and ripen.
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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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Iowa soils are diverse. Soil pH is one property that can vary widely across the state. It is also one of the most cost-effective and easy-to-manage soil properties that can be modified to improve plant health and crop production.
Learn about how to decrease and increase your soil pH below.
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Suckers are vigorous upright growing stems that form at the base of a tree or from the root system causing stems to appear inches or feet from the base of the trunk. They are problematic because they can reduce flowering and fruiting, alter the form of the tree, harbor pests and diseases, and look unsightly.
Learn about what causes suckers to form and how they can be managed in the home landscape.
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Most of the time, when we see ants, there is no need to worry; they are quite beneficial. However, if their mounds become a nuisance in the lawn or garden, then there are some steps you can take to manage the mounds (and keep the ants).
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This guide helps schedule vegetable planting for efficient space use with date ranges for sowing, planting, and harvesting in all parts of Iowa.
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Explore the essentials of growing rhubarb in Iowa! Discover cultivars, planting tips, care, harvesting methods, and how to manage pests and diseases.
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Sweet corn is one of our most popular vegetables. Learn more about this excellent summer treat and growing sweet corn the home vegetable garden.
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Strawberries are one of the best fruits to grow in the home garden. When little garden space is available or there is not enough space in full sun to grow strawberries, containers are a fun alternative. When grown in a container, plants not only produce fruit but are also ornamental, making them an attractive addition to a patio or deck.
Growing strawberries in containers takes some special considerations. Learn more below about getting the most from container-grown strawberries.
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Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are a vegetable garden staple. These vining plants are in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) and include not only cucumber, but squash, pumpkin, gourd, watermelon, and cantaloupe. This member of the "vine crops" grows on long trailing vines that can take up quite a bit of space in the home vegetable garden, so plan accordingly if you are thinking of adding them to your home garden. Cucumbers can be successfully grown on trellis systems to save space and make harvest easier.
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Growing watermelon in your garden lets you enjoy fresh, sweet fruit. Learn tips on soil, watering, and pest control for a bountiful harvest.
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Crop rotation is an important and beneficial factor when planning a vegetable garden. Problems with diseases, insect pests, and soil fertility can increase when the same crop is planted in the same area in successive years. With careful planning and consideration, crop rotation can reduce issues with diseases and pests and balance the soil's nutrients. Learn how to best rotate your vegetable crops at home.
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Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are the most popular vegetable in the home garden. There is nothing quite like a tomato fresh from your garden!
Learn all things growing tomatoes including planting, care, training, pruning, harvest, recommended cultivars, seed saving, growing in containers, and how to deal with common problems.
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Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable crop to grow in the home garden. Many diseases, disorders, and insect pests can affect tomatoes during the growing season.
Learn more about managing the common problems found with tomatoes in the home garden including blights, wilts, blossom end rot, viruses, fruit cracking, tomato hornworm, and more.
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Harvesting vegetables at the right time boosts taste and quality. Timing varies by type, with some needing daily or weekly picking. Check this guide for details.
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Tomatoes are great candidates for growing in containers. This is a great option when space is limited, a suitable full-sun location can only be found where a garden cannot be established (like a patio), or when you do not have access to an in-ground garden plot or raised bed.
Learn all things growing tomatoes in containers including planting, care, harvest, and recommended cultivars.
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Debunk the myth of cucumbers, squash, and melons cross-pollinating. Learn how pollination works in cucurbits and improve your garden's flavor!
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Learn how to prune and train apple trees using the central leader system. Discover proper techniques for each growth stage, from planting to maturity, for healthy, productive trees.
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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.