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Garden & Yard Issues

All Garden & Yard Issues Content

tall trees in the Black Hills

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.

Tulip plant with ice crystals on foliage due to frost.

Frost and Freeze Impacts on Plants

Farmers and gardeners often use the terms frost and freeze interchangeably, but the two are not the same. Understanding these differences, along with the ways frost and freeze impact spring planting, can help protect farms and gardens.

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.

Gardeners browsing a tablet computer while visiting a garden center.

SDSU Extension adds staff to 2026 Garden Hotline

June 09, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension has added seasonal staff to serve its Garden Hotline during the 2026 growing season.

Cleaned, emptied pesticide containers on a concrete workshop floor.

South Dakota Pesticide Container Recycling

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is again offering pesticide container recycling services across the state. View a complete list of 2026 dates and locations.

green tomato with a rotten spot showing blossom end rot

Problems and Solutions

Not finding the gardening or horticulture resource you need? Use the Ask Extension tool to submit your question.

External and internal ring rot symptoms on two potato samples.

Bacterial Ring Rot: Yet another devastating disease of potato

Ring rot is primarily a disease of stored tubers and seed potatoes, where it produces black or brown lines just below the surface of the potato.

A country garden with four raised garden beds.

New season of SDSU Extension Garden Hour starts May 5

April 23, 2026

The latest season of Garden Hour, South Dakota State University Extension’s popular webinar series for gardeners, will start on May 5, 2026.

Early spring lawn with noticeable weed growth.

Organic Herbicides for Lawns

Organic herbicides are becoming more common on the market due to the perception that these products as safer towards humans, pets, and the environment. For those interested in these products, there are several factors to consider.

Annual trials garden at McCrory Gardens
Jun 30

Garden Hour

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