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.
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.
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.
Gardening Workshop @ Winner
SDSU Extension will host a gardening workshop on March 17 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the SDSU Extension Winner Regional Center (325 S. Monroe St., Ste. 125, Winner, SD 57580).
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.
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.
Problems and Solutions
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Corn Rootworm Presence in Cut Flowers
Multiple cut flower farms in Eastern South Dakota have reported corn rootworms on a variety of crops, including sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias. Careful attention to species present, their timing, and the damage they cause can help inform integrated pest management strategies.