Yard and Garden News

The following yard and garden news items are from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.


  • Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach answer questions about how fall color forms and provide recommendations on trees and shrubs with colorful fall foliage.
  • Iowa 4-H celebrated record-breaking participation of over 600 entries in the 4-H Horticulture Show, held Aug. 10 at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.
  • Learn safety best practices and get advice from a wildlife specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. A five-part podcast series will cover safety tips that can save limbs and lives.
  • Food insecurity is real, and it’s probably happening in your neighborhood. That’s why Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener volunteers collaborate with community organizations on Growing Together Iowa projects. Volunteers create and maintain gardens and donate the produce to local food pantries, along with recipes and tips for using the fresh produce.
  • Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has received a $100,000 grant from Iowa Total Care to support Growing Together Iowa and the Iowa Master Gardener program. With this grant, the programs will promote healthy food access for Iowans with low income, including by bringing more fresh produce to local food pantries.
  • Multiple forestry field days and wind break schools will be offered this fall across Iowa, according to Billy Beck, assistant professor and extension forestry specialist at Iowa State University.
  • Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach discuss what you can do when you encounter issues with your tomatoes.
  • The horticulture team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will show how crops can be grown in greenhouses, on acreages, on lawns and on water (known as hydroponics). Attend the Farm Progress Show Aug. 27-29 to learn more.
  • In a recent article for the Acreage Living Newsletter, a field specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach highlights the main points to consider when reviewing produce cleaning and harvesting procedures.
  • Farmers who want to gain a better understanding of their Carbon Intensity Score can take advantage of a simple calculator developed by an economist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.