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![A grub that has an orange colored head and legs and a white body with a dark grey tip at the end. The grub is laying on top of the soil.](/sites/default/files/2021-05/W-00955-00-True-White-Grub-Lawn-Pest.jpg)
Do You Have Grubs in Your Lawn?
We’ve had quite a few calls about dead patches in lawns this spring, which could be a sign of grub activity. If areas of your lawn are not greening up or appear to be dying, it is important to scout to determine if grubs are present.
![Variety of cool-season, flowering plants, including: African Daisies, Petunias, Lobelia and Alyssum.](/sites/default/files/2021-05/W-00958-00-Cool-Season-Flowering-Plants.jpg)
Cool-Season Flowering Annuals for the Garden
Flowering annuals that thrive in the cool weather can bring a gorgeous array of colors, shapes and sizes to your garden for early-season enjoyment! Learn about some great selections for South Dakota gardens.
![Vareity of garden plants arranged on a four-wheeled garden cart.](/sites/default/files/2021-05/W-00957-02-Hardening-Transplants-Garden-Vegetables-Flowers-Seedlings_0.jpg)
Harden Your Transplants Prior To Planting Your Garden
Hardening plants is an important step that gardeners should not skip. Take the time to harden your plants properly and reap the benefits of sturdy, well-established plants throughout the gardening season!
![A picture of a lawn showing a ring of dark green grass in the middle of the lawn due to fungi in the soil.](/sites/default/files/2021-05/W-00959-01-Lawn-Yard-Garden-Landscape-Fairy-Rings.jpg)
Fairy Rings in Lawns
Seeing greener grass in circular pattern in your lawn? This is not due to uneven fertilizer application, but rather due to a fungi feeding on decomposing matter and releasing nitrogen in the affected areas.
![Two dandelions side by side. The left has a bee foraging on it. The right has a hover fly foraging on it..](/sites/default/files/2021-05/W-00969-00-pollinators-dandelions-bee-hover-fly.jpg)
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 to having some early-season diversity. Some weeds that are sprayed out of lawns, including dandelions, can serve as early-season food sources for pollinators.
![White butterfly with black markings on wings, resting on a green leaf.](/sites/default/files/2021-05/W-00975-01-Cabbage-White-Butterfly-Pest-Insect.jpg.jpg)
Cabbage White Butterflies Are Here!
Keep an eye out for cabbage white butterflies in your garden. These butterflies lay eggs on the underside of the vegetable leaves. Once the eggs hatch, their caterpillars feed on cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, turnips and radishes.
![Yellow wireworm on an orange sweet potato.](/sites/default/files/2021-05/W-00997-01-Wireworms-Pest-Insect-Garden.jpg)
Wireworms in the Garden
With warming soil temperatures, overwintering wireworms have become active throughout South Dakota. Wireworms are soil-dwelling insects that can be pests of germinating seeds, seedlings and root crops.
![Color-coded map of South Dakota’s plant hardiness zones.](/sites/default/files/2024-02/W-01000-00-USDA-Plant-Hardiness-Zones.png)
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
Winter and spring are a great time for planning new garden and landscape designs. Learn how recent updates to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones may have South Dakota gardeners feeling extra adventurous when selecting new plants for their gardens this season!
![Row of beets growing in a garden.](/sites/default/files/2020-11/W-00836-00-Beets-How-to-Grow-It.jpg)
Beets: How to Grow It
Beets are commonly grown for their bulbous roots, but their tops can also be harvested for greens, and they are an excellent source of Vitamin A as well as calcium. They grow best in the cooler temperatures of spring or fall.
![Zucchini ready to harvest. Courtesy: Mary Roduner](/sites/default/files/2020-11/W-00837-00-Zucchini-How-to-Grow-It.jpg)
Summer Squash: How to Grow It
There are many types of summer squash, including the familiar zucchini (which can be green, green-striped, or yellow), crookneck, straightneck, patty pan and more.