Fruit

Black Rot & Downy Mildew: Two diseases that can rot grapes

There are several different diseases that can infect the fruit, but two of the most common are black rot and downy mildew. Their symptoms are quite different.

Root Weevils: Accidental Invaders

The latest insects to find their way inside South Dakota homes are the root weevils, a kind of beetle characterized by a distinct snout on the front of its head.

Phylloxera: A Grape Pest

Some grape growers may notice that some of their shoots have bumpy growths on the bottom of new leaves. These bumps are galls caused by the grape phylloxera, an aphid-like insect.

Strawberry Care

Have you been enjoying strawberries from your own patch? Here are some tips for keeping your strawberry plants healthy and productive.

Melons, Melons, Melons!

Cantaloupe and honeydew are familiar to most of us, but there are a wide variety of other melons available to gardeners.

Spotted Wing Fruit Fly Damaging Fruit Crops

The spotted wing fruit fly is a new pest problem that originated in Asia and was only first identified here in the United States in California in 2008. It was first seen in South Dakota in 2013.

Fuel Up With Dairy to "Go Further with Food"

March is National Nutrition Month® and this year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages Americans to "Go Further with Food." When it comes to food and nutrition, one thing most health professionals agree on is we could all benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables.

Training Young Fruit Trees

Training is probably the most neglected aspect of growing fruit trees.

How to Plant Bare-Root Perennials

Many herbaceous perennial plants are sold as bare-root plants. A bare-root plant is just what it sounds like—a plant with bare roots and not growing in a container. Learn how to select, store, and plant these plants.

Wet Weather Leads to Tomato Problems

Most of the questions that have been coming in lately, and also earlier this summer, relate to tomato problems. Despite early predictions that this summer was going to be dry, many areas have received above average rainfall with many parts of South Dakota far exceeding typical rainfall amounts in the month of August. Many gardeners received 5 to 8” of rain or more in the first three weeks of August alone.