Care and How-To - Environmental
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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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Wood chips and shredded bark are commonly applied to landscape areas to control weeds and conserve soil moisture. Wood chips and shredded bark are organic matter. The decaying organic matter provides an ideal environment for some strange-looking fungi or fungal-like organisms when weather conditions are favorable. Fungi that occasionally grow in landscape mulches in Iowa include stinkhorns, slime molds, and bird’s nest fungi.
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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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Several factors cause branch dieback on trees. Correctly diagnosing the problem(s) is the first step in managing an unhealthy tree. Below are some common causes of branch dieback on trees in the landscape. Use this guide to evaluate your tree and determine the likely cause of the branch dieback.
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Shedding, peeling, or splitting bark on trees in the landscape can be a concerning sight.
Understanding what is causing the bark loss is an important first step to preventing further damage.
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Roses have several disease and insect issues. When a problem comes up, identifying it accurately is the first step.
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Peonies are easy-to-grow, long-lived, and reliable performers in the garden, but they occasionally have issues. The most common issues with peonies, such as failure to bloom, powdery mildew, and flopping over, are listed below.
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When a summer heat wave arrives, it can be stressful for the plants and gardeners alike. The plants of your landscape will require a little more TLC to make it through periods of extreme heat. Below are a few tips to protect your lawn, garden, and landscape when temperatures soar.
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Many trees and shrubs thrive in Iowa's fertile, well-drained soils. Most trees and shrubs, however, don't like wet soils. Fortunately, some plants tolerate wet soils better than others.
When selecting trees and shrubs for the home landscape, gardeners should select plants suitable for the site. Wet sites can be a challenge. However, the trees and shrubs listed below will perform well in wet soils.
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Storms can damage trees through wind, ice, and snow. Proper maintenance reduces risk, while damaged trees need careful evaluation and prompt action. Many times, trees are best replaced.
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Discover how to care for succulents and prevent common issues like overwatering, insufficient light, and pests. Early detection ensures healthy growth!
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After planting a new tree, sometimes you will see decline, dieback, or even death of the young tree. When trying to determine the primary cause of the problem, several factors need to be given consideration.
Learn about the factors that you need to investigate to determine why a newly planted tree is failing.
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Iowa’s spring weather is unpredictable, with late freezes often following early spring warm-ups. These cold snaps may affect garden plants, but most plants recover. Guidance on managing potential damage to trees, shrubs, fruit trees, spring bulbs, perennials, vegetables, and other plants is provided below.
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When selecting perennials, choosing plants that are suitable for the site is important. Garden sites can vary tremendously. Some areas are hot and dry. Others are wet. Wet sites can be challenging, but they also provide gardening opportunities. The following perennials perform well in moist to wet soils.
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Common bean pests, diseases, and stress can reduce yield; proper care and timely management keep plants healthy and productive.
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Trees enhance landscapes with beauty and shade, but healthy roots are crucial for their vigor. Damage or soil grade changes can jeopardize tree health. Learn how to avoid these issues.
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Stem girdling roots happen when a tree’s own roots either completely encircle the trunk or grow tangential to the trunk on one or more sides, causing stem compression and damaging important vascular connections (xylem and phloem). Learn more about how to address this all too common issue with trees in the landscape.
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Growing indoor plants is a rewarding hobby that yields beautiful results. But when problems arise with your indoor plants, it can be difficult to determine how to fix them.
When encountering a houseplant problem, ask yourself, Are the environmental conditions appropriate for this species?
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How long can trees survive flooding before injury results? As you might expect, this has become an all too frequent question when flood events occur. Fortunately for most trees, the prospect for survival and continued growth is good.
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Home gardeners face various problems growing potatoes, including green tubers, frost damage, scabs, cracks, and pests. Effective care and proper storage can ensure a healthy, productive harvest.