Horticulture Blogs

The other day I was traveling for work and found myself near a remnant prairie with a few minutes to spare, so I had no choice but to stop for a walk. These parcels of land are incredible examples of what the landscape was before sod busting and settlement. Visiting these historic ecosystems can be...

It started as an ordinary phone call. A homeowner contacted the Extension office with a question about controlling a grassy weed in her lawn. A weed she knew was ubiquitous in lawn care. However, when she said the name “water grass,” I was dumbfounded. The voice on the other end of the line seemed...

This week, we celebrate two holidays: Earth Day and Arbor Day. Although they were inspired by different moments in history, both share the purpose of inspiring environmental stewardship. Together, their histories and modern observances reflect our ever-evolving understanding of the human-nature...

Grow what you eatI often suggest that the best things to grow in your garden are fruits and vegetables we enjoy eating. Sometimes, though, our gardens may exceed our appetites. After growing fifteen kale plants, my family determined that we could probably live off two. And ten cherry tomato bushes...

Each spring, many of us get very excited about the abundant harvest we are going to enjoy from our vegetable gardens. We plan, then plant. We weed and water. And if all goes well, we harvest an abundance of nutritious and delicious produce.In addition to carefully planning what to plant, when to...

A natural/organic alternative to spring weed'n'feedsIf you have looked for an alternative to synthetic preemergent lawn herbicides that prevent annuals like crabgrass or foxtail, you may have noticed products containing corn gluten meal (CGM). An added benefit of CGM is that it also provides a...

Early spring often brings unpredictable weather, from 80-degree days to temperatures well below freezing. While many plants are adapted to withstand cold temperatures when dormant, they become far more vulnerable once they begin to emerge from dormancy. While early‑emerging plants such as...

Pineberries are a unique, niche berry that, until recently, were only available at farmers’ markets or regionally. Commercial production has increased in recent years, thereby increasing the availability of pineberries in grocery stores. The exotic yet familiar appearance is sure to turn heads and...