Care and How-To - Edible Plants
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Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a valuable tree in Iowa. Harvest in late September, hull immediately, dry for 2-3 weeks, and store kernels in the freezer.
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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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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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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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Garlic is a staple in the kitchen and can be easily grown at home. Learn more about planting, caring for, harvesting, and storing garlic in the vegetable garden.
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Late-summer wasps and yellowjackets damage ripe fruit and annoy pickers. Harvest promptly, remove overripe fruit, use traps early, and destroy nests when needed.
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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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Late summer and fall are great times for planting trees, shrubs, bulbs, perennials, lawns, and veggies in Iowa. Follow these tips to establish new plants in your landscape between mid-August and October.
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Proper pruning of raspberries is essential for higher yields, disease control, and ease of maintenance. Follow specific pruning techniques based on the type of raspberry to ensure vigorous growth and abundant harvests
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Mulch your strawberry plants in the fall with 3–5" of clean straw to protect them from freezing temperatures. In the spring, remove mulch after 25% of the plants show new growth to avoid frost damage. Read the full guide to protect your strawberry plants and get the most out of your harvest!
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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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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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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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Cover crops are beneficial in the home vegetable garden. They improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, and enhance soil health. Learn about all aspects of using cover crops at home, such as timing, goals, and termination methods.
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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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In order to obtain the highest quality fruit, pears must be harvested at the proper stage of maturity. Once harvested, proper storage is necessary to maximize storage life.
Learn about proper techniques for harvesting and storing both European pears (like Bartlett and Summercrisp) and Asian pears (sometimes called apple pears).
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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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Cool-season crops like broccoli and lettuce thrive in fall's cooler weather. Plan your fall garden with seeds and a calendar to extend your harvest.
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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.