Care and How-To - Garden Management
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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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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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Find a native plant well-suited for any spot in your Iowa landscape.
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Gardening on slopes tackles erosion and water issues but requires careful planting and irrigation strategies for success. Learn more about gardening on slopes.
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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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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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What is "well-drained" soil and how can you improve "poorly-drained" soils? Learn how to test soil drainage and what to do to improve soil drainage.
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Controlling weedy vines can be difficult. There are several tactics that can be considered to manage these weeds depending on the species including pulling, digging, cutting, mowing, and herbicides.
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Watering is one of the most frequent tasks performed in any garden or landscape. Proper watering utilizes water responsibly, reducing evaporation and runoff. There are many ways to make the process easier and better for the gardener and the plants. Use the tips below to water the perennials, annuals, containers, hanging baskets, lawns, trees, shrubs, and vegetables in your landscape.
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Trees enhance landscapes but can damage sidewalks and roads with their roots. Understanding and addressing this can prevent hazards and costly repairs.
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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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Learn how to turn garden flowers into beautiful arrangements with tips on design basics, prepping stems, choosing containers, and using simple tools to create long‑lasting, balanced displays.
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Recommended fertilizer rates can be used to determine the amount of fertilizer to apply to a garden area . Use these simple calculations to determine the amount of fertilizer needed.
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When you receive the results from your soil test, it can be overwhelming to determine what to do next. Learn how to interpret the report and use pH, CEC, organic matter, and other test results to apply appropriate amounts of fertilizer and soil amendments.
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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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Learn how to protect container plants in winter. Discover methods like burying pots, mulching, and using unheated storage to keep roots safe from cold damage.
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Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly, improve soil, and their analysis can vary by source. This article provides guidance on application rates for commonly used organic fertilizers.
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Raised beds have become popular features in the home landscape. They are both functional and attractive and can be used to grow flowers, vegetables, and small fruits.
Learn how to build your own raised beds for use in vegetable gardens and other areas in the landscape.
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Pollinator Lawns, Bee Lawns, Freedom Lawns. All of these terms refer to the same idea: creating a lawn that is more friendly to insects.
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Creating and maintaining good soil is essential to successful plant growth. Learn more about soil and how to improve it to better support plant growth. This includes information on organic matter, fertilizers, tilling, and soil pH.