Garden

All Garden Content

Gardener holding a box of vegetables

South Dakota Produce Harvest Calendar

A resource highlighting different harvest times for common South Dakota fruits and vegetables.

Two broccoli plants exhibiting early black rot symptoms.

Black Rot of Brassica Crops

Black rot is an uncommon, but devastating bacterial disease in South Dakota that can develop during extended periods of hot and wet weather, leading to rapid and widespread crop loss.

Dark-green gelatinous masses on a patch of grass.

Nostoc in Lawns

Nostoc is a genus of cyanobacteria that form colonies in gelatinous masses. In South Dakota, it commonly appears in home lawns, notably in patches where grass is not growing, especially after periods of rain.

Wooden planks forming a raised circular garden bed with a notch in the side for access

Keyhole Gardens

Keyhole gardens combine composting, water conservation, and space efficient planting in a single raised bed design. They give gardeners a practical way to produce vegetables, herbs, and flowers when space, soil, or water would otherwise be limited.

Raised-bed style cold frame structures with brick frames and glass lids.

Cold Frames

Cold frames are structures that provide a method for extending the growing season, allowing gardeners to begin production earlier in the spring or continue later into the fall.

Person carving a pumpkin on an outdoor picnic bench.

Pumpkin Carving Preservation

Pumpkin carvers can use several techniques to slow or prevent the spread of pathogens and help their jack-o’-lanterns last longer. Learn some expert tips for getting the most out of your pumpkin carvings this fall.

Northern Corn Rootworms on sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlia flowers.

Corn Rootworm Presence in Cut Flowers

Multiple cut flower farms in Eastern South Dakota have reported corn rootworms on a variety of crops, including sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias. Careful attention to species present, their timing, and the damage they cause can help inform integrated pest management strategies.

Examples of Wild violet, Creeping Bellflower, and Ground Ivy growing on a lawn.

Perennial Weed Control in Lawns and Turf With Fall Herbicide Applications

Early fall is great time to control perennial weeds in lawns, including Wild violet, Creeping Bellflower, Ground Ivy, and Canada Thistle. Learn some expert tips selecting the right herbicides to manage these difficult-to-control weeds this fall.

Green plant with wide, oval leaves. Pink florets are arranged in a circle at the top of the stem. An orange Monarch butterfly feeds on nectar from one of the florets.

Investigate Pollinators

Lesson about the importance of pollinators and the plants they interact with.

Yellowjacket feeding on decaying produce.

Yellowjackets: Swarming decaying produce or garbage near you

Fall is here, and if you have a garden, fruit trees, or outdoor dumpsters, you are likely to encounter yellowjackets in search of food. Learn some expert tips to avoid getting stung this fall.