Hanging baskets are a great way to decorate porches, decks, and other outdoor areas of the home. They make great gifts and are readily available in garden centers every spring. Whether your hanging basket has just one or many blooming plants, care is required for the best blooms throughout the growing season. Below are some tips for growing and maintaining hanging baskets.
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.
The diversity of summer-blooming perennials is amazing and often attracts a diverse group of pollinators to the landscape. Learn more about the many perennials that bloom in Iowa during the heat of the summer.
In spring, the cool-season lawns common across much of Iowa turn a vibrant green. Occasionally, you will notice large "dead" patches of grass. Often the brown patch of grass seems to get larger every year. Upon closer inspection of the grass, one can see that there are no spots on the blades (from fungal fruiting bodies) or darkening of the roots or crowns (the part of the plant at the soil line). These brown spots are typically caused by a couple of different environmental issues.
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.
While many woody trees and shrubs bloom in the spring, there are several great selections for Iowa that look their best in June, July, and August. Consider these shrubs to add color and interest to the garden in the summer.
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.
Late winter or early spring is the perfect time to prune grapevines. Pruning grapevines is important to obtain maximum yields of high-quality grapes. The steps for pruning are straightforward. Learn more below.
Bumpy, rough, uneven lawns are annoying, difficult to mow, and potentially dangerous. Learn about the factors that cause rough, bumpy lawn and how to manage them.
Many colorful perennials are well-adapted to shady areas of your landscape. Find the best perennial for your shade garden, whether it is partial shade or heavy shade.
Okra thrives in the heat of summer and can be successfully grown in Iowa and other Midwestern states. Learn about planting, care, and harvest of this unique vegetable crop.
Effective weed management in vegetable gardens is important and involves using multiple methods, often together. Learn about the many different options for controlling weeds in your home vegetable garden.
Silver foliage plants add sparkle, texture, and heat tolerance to sunny gardens and brighten shade spots with year-round contrast and interest. Learn about the silver foliage perennials you can grow in your Iowa landscape.
Like many seasonal houseplants, shamrocks appear in floral shops, garden centers and other retailers for a short time. While many seasonal plants are discarded after flowering, shamrocks can be long-lived houseplants with proper care.
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.
“What tree should I plant in my yard?” This is a difficult question to answer because the tree should be matched to its site. Tree lists like the ones provided are a good first step, but they must be interpreted and understood. So, if you see a species or cultivar that sounds interesting, do some research to find out what the tree needs in terms of space and growing conditions. Remember, tree lists are not like restaurant menus. Not every entrée or tree is suitable for every occasion.
Deer, rabbits, mice, voles, and other animals can cause a lot of damage to trees and shrubs over the winter months. Prevention is key to managing these garden pests. By taking steps in the fall, you can prevent damage from occurring over the winter.
Vines add interest to all gardens. They offer a wide variety of leaf forms, textures, and colors as well as attractive flowers or fruit. Perennial vines do not need replanting every year and can be used as a screen and to provide shade, fragrance, or fruit. They are often incorporated into gardens along walls, fences, trellises, arbors, or in containers to add height quickly in a limited space.
Learn about the vines you can grow in your Iowa landscape.
