Garden

All Garden Content

Left: Squash bee adult. Right: Male long-horned bee.

Beneficial Pollinators: Squash Bees and Long-Horned Bees

South Dakota is home to more than 400 species of native bees. In this article, we will highlight the squash bee and the long-horned bee, two beneficial native pollinators.

A fly with a metallic body, long legs, and clear wings with smoky markings.

Flying Gems: Long-Legged Flies

Whether scouting for pests in crops or in a garden, chances are you’ve encountered a long-legged fly. These insects provide essential biocontrol of many insect pests and should be encouraged in the landscape.

Two dandelions side by side. The left has a bee foraging on it. The right has a hover fly foraging on it..

Should I Get Rid Of My Dandelions?

While there is much appeal to having a lawn that is free of other plants, there can be benefits. Some weeds that are sprayed out of lawns, including dandelions, can serve as early-season food sources for pollinators.

Why Those Dandelions in Your Yard Aren’t So Bad

While research has shown that pollinators, specifically honey bees, can’t survive on dandelion pollen alone, this doesn’t mean that the dandelions aren’t still important for pollinators.

Late-Season Lawn Care in South Dakota

Good late-season management will enhance lawn quality for the remainder of this year and set up the lawn to come out of the spring with improved density, color and fewer weed issues next year.

a hand pick an onion from a box of vegetables

CSA Benefits: A Consumer Perspective

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs can offer a wide variety of benefits to consumers.

Young mother, father, and daughter presenting freshly harvested vegetables in their garden.

Gardening Helps Promote Good Nutrition and a Healthy Relationship With Food

Growing different fruits and vegetables can encourage us to try new foods, cook new recipes, be mindful of where our food comes from, and enjoy healthy and fresh food with family or friends.

Women look through potted plants on a table in a classroom

Register now to become an SDSU Extension Master Gardener

February 03, 2025

The course is open to anyone who would like to learn horticulture skills and research-based best practices and share their gardening knowledge with others. Participants will learn which plants are well-suited for South Dakota, including trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, turfgrass, vegetables and fruits. Other topics include soils, plant diseases, insect pests and weeds.

South Dakota Virtual Vegetable Short Course

The goal of the vegetable short course is to empower South Dakota vegetable producers to improve and expand their operations.

Group of volunteers working in a garden center.

Becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer

Interested in becoming an SDSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer? Learn more about our program requirements, volunteer expectations and how to apply.