Care and How-To - Evergreen
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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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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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The best time to rejuvenate large, overgrown shrubs is late winter or early spring (March or early April)
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Occasionally the need arises to move trees within the home landscape. Follow these tips to move small, young trees successfully.
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There are many options for removing tree stumps, including grinding, natural decay, or digging. They can also be left for wildlife or turned into garden sculptures. Learn all about stump removal below.
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Consistent and proper care during the establishment period is the most important thing you can do to succeed with your new tree.
Newly-planted trees need active and frequent care during the entire establishment period. Good cultural practices during this period help reduce young trees become healthy, long-term additions to the landscape.
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Hardwood cuttings is a propagation method done while the plant is dormant from the shoots that developed during the previous growing season. Learn more about this type of vegetative propagation if you want to propagate any trees, shrubs, or vines in the home landscape.
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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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To successfully establish trees in the home landscape, it's important to follow proper planting techniques. Follow this easy to follow guide to get all the basics you need to get started
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When planting in alkaline or high-pH soil, it's important to select a tree or shrub that is tolerant of soil pH above 7.0.
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Bare root is an economical way to buy trees. They need to be planted in spring before bud break. Get step by step guidelines on planting and caring for bareroot trees.
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There are so many options in the garden center, and yet some plants seem to be everywhere (and some of them are even invasive)! These recommended alternatives are a great option for a similar plant that can introduce diversity and have fewer problems.
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Young or newly-planted trees require special care to ensure their establishment and rapid growth. Young trees must be protected from the careless operation of lawnmowers and weed-trimmers, from vandals, and from harmful construction activities.
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Broad-leaved evergreen shrubs like boxwoods, wintercreeper, and rhododendrons add beauty to landscapes but require careful site selection and soil prep in Iowa. Learn more about caring for these evergreens in Iowa.
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When brown needles and branch tips show up on our conifers, it can be alarming. Learn about the many possible causes of browning and dieback on conifers, including desiccation, winter injury, disease, herbicide damage, and seasonal needle loss.
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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.
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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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Trees, shrubs, roses, and perennials are available bare root. That is, they come to you from the garden center or mail-order retailer with no soil around their roots. Extra care is required to make bare root plants survive and thrive.
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Winter showcases tree bark, often hidden by leaves. Bark serves many functions but it can also be beautiful with varied textures and colors. Learn about the woody plants in the landscape have ornamental bark.
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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.