Garden

All Garden Content

Perfect produce? Understanding the standards behind cabbage quality and condition from a production perspective

Learn about the U.S. Department of Agriculture cabbage grading requirements, as they are key to understanding why produce is graded to certain standards before it ends up on grocery store shelves.

Gardener holding a handful of healthy soil.

Soil Health and Why it Matters

Investing in soil health will benefit your garden or farm for generations to come. Learn how to actively manage the physical, chemical, and biological properties of your soil to optimize its long-term health.

Several small, light colored grasshopper nymphs feeding on green leaves plants. The leaves of the plants have small holes in them.

Grasshoppers Causing Headaches in South Dakota Gardens

Grasshopper populations are causing extensive defoliation around yards and gardens in our region this summer. Learn some important considerations for scouting populations and applying insecticides if needed.

Striped cucumber beetle and spotted cucumber beetle.

Striped Cucumber Beetles Are Active in South Dakota

South Dakota is home to two species of cucumber beetles that can cause severe injury to cucurbits, including squash, cucumbers, melons and pumpkins. Learn how to detect and manage both beetles before they impact your harvest.

Squash Vine Borer Activity Estimate: June 16, 2023

Squash vine borer moths will soon emerge across much of South Dakota, and their larva can cause serious damage to squash plants. See our latest activity predictions and management recommendations based on forecasted conditions from around the state.

Brown slug on a green leaf leaving behind a whitish trail of slime.

Slugs: The Slimy Defoliators

Have you noticed defoliation in your garden accompanied by distinct trails on plant leaves? The culprit could be slugs, a common pest that can be found during during cool, wet weather and in certain garden micro-climates.

a shrub-like plant green leaves and dark purple, grape-like fruit

Fruit Variety Recommendations for South Dakota

Fruit variety recommendations for home fruit growers in South Dakota

SDSU Extension to feature Midland growers at new Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day

August 07, 2023

SDSU Extension is hosting a Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day for fruit and vegetable producers from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT on Aug. 14 at Cedar Creek Gardens near Midland, South Dakota.

Tobacco Rattle Virus

Tobacco rattle virus is a common ornamental and vegetable virus characterized by ringspots on leaves. Learn what causes it, how to recognize symptoms, and how to prevent it from spreading in your garden.

Preventing and Dealing with Hail Damage in the Garden

Do you live in an area prone to hailstorms? All is not lost! Learn about some options to protect your plants when storm clouds threaten along with strategies for caring for damaged plants afterwards.