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Gardener holding a handful of healthy soil.

Learn about your backyard’s natural resources with SDSU Extension

May 01, 2024

Lawn and garden enthusiasts are invited to attend Backyard Natural Resources, a new four-part webinar series from South Dakota State University Extension.

Organic Gardening: Soil Management

Gardeners throughout South Dakota are experimenting with organic gardening. While the adoption of organic gardening methods can be daunting, learning some fundamental soil management concepts will set the foundations for success.

A wheat stem sawfly with long antennae, smoky wings, and black and yellow coloration.

Wheat Stem Sawfly Adults Observed in South Dakota

During the 2024 wheat stem sawfly survey, wheat stem sawfly adults were captured in northwestern South Dakota. Observation is used to determine areas where solid stem wheat varieties should be considered.

Bleeding heart, lenten rose and Virginia blue bell flowers.

Shade-loving Perennials for South Dakota Gardens

Selecting beautiful perennial plants for a shaded location does not need to be challenging or leave you with boring options. Learn about some shade-loving perennials that are known for their fun foliage or attractive blooms.

woman wearing gloves preparing servings of vegetables. USDA Photo Courtesy of Bob Nichols.

Disposable Gloves: Guidelines for Food Handlers

Improper handling of food and poor personal hygiene by food handlers are leading causes of foodborne illness. Disposable gloves do not take the place of good hygiene and proper hand-washing.

Three green plants that showcase A) waterhemp, B) redroot pigweed, and C) common lambsquarter.

Weeds Have Started to Flower!

Early-flowering waterhemp, redroot pigweed, and common lambsquarters show the importance of early weed control, as they can produce seeds before a delayed postemergence herbicide application.

Inspecting Grain Bins After a Windstorm

Due to their high profile and light structure, metal grain bins are highly susceptible to wind damage. View a step-by-step guide for inspecting them in the aftermath of a windstorm.

blades of brome grass with a brown to black, thumbnail-shaped growth on one of the blades.

Ergot: A Potential Livestock Poisoning Problem

Cool, damp weather followed by warmer temperatures favors grasses becoming infected with ergot bodies, which can cause a certain kind of poisoning that can affect cattle on pasture.

Corn emerging in a no-till field in late spring.

Late-Spring Frost Damage to Corn and Soybeans

Early planting may increase yield potential in some years, but it also puts crops at risk for damage caused by early-season or late spring low temperatures.

Young wheat plants showing early symptoms of drought stress.

Salvaging Drought-Stressed Small Grains

South Dakota producers often must consider whether to abandon plans to harvest small grain as a cash crop and pivot to harvesting as forage. Learn some factors to keep in mind when evaluating salvage options.