Garden & Yard Issues

All Garden & Yard Issues Content

Tree Pest Alert

From seasonal issues and timely recommendations to disease diagnosis and expert advice, the Tree Pest Alert is a trusted resource for selecting, planting and caring for trees and shrubs all year round.

Two pictures of green grass demonstrating their physical differences.

Preemergence Crabgrass Herbicide Decisions

The optimal application window for preemergence herbicides to manage crabgrass in turf is normally during April, and earlier in the month during warmer years.

Variety of pepper samples split open to reveal internal rot symptoms.

Pepper Internal Rot: Disease information and research updates

A new disease has been found in South Dakota pepper plants. While plants appear healthy and produce peppers that appear normal, many peppers will have a black mold growing inside. So, what’s going on with these plants?

A group of raised ground beds with crops growing in them at McCrory Gardens in Brookings, South Dakota.

Garden Hour

Make the most of your garden and landscaping with weekly insights and ideas from our team of experts.

Tree Issue Treatments

Commonly available in pesticides for Conifer and Broadleaf disease, disorder, insect and mite treatment options.

Narcissus spp. bulb with green shoots emerging from bare soil.

Warm Winter Temperature Impacts on Flowering Bulbs

Warm winters underscore the importance of temperature in regulating bulb growth, as the right sequence of warm and cold periods is critical for healthy shoots and properly formed flowers.

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.

West Nile Virus Update: October 16, 2025

As of October 16, 2025, the South Dakota Department of Health reported 86 human cases of West Nile virus from Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Charles Mix, Clay, Codington, Corson, Douglas, Grant, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hutchison, Hyde, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall, Meade, Miner, Minnehaha, Pennington, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Stanley, Todd, Union, Walworth, and Yankton counties.

green tomato with a rotten spot showing blossom end rot

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