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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.

Rhubarb plants with Ramularia Leaf spot and Ascochyta leaf spot.

Leaf Spot Diseases of Rhubarb in South Dakota

In South Dakota, rhubarb is generally hardy, but it can develop several diseases that, when left unmanaged, cause severe damage and decline of plants. Leaf spots caused by the fungi Ascochyta rhei and Ramularia rhei are the most-common diseases we observe.

Annual trials garden at McCrory Gardens
Apr 06

Garden Hour

SDSU Extension's Garden Hour will return as a limited series during the fall and winter months, occurring every other month.

Annual trials garden at McCrory Gardens
Feb 02

Garden Hour

SDSU Extension's Garden Hour will return as a limited series during the fall and winter months, occurring every other month.

Annual trials garden at McCrory Gardens
Nov 24

Garden Hour

SDSU Extension's Garden Hour will return as a limited series during the fall and winter months, occurring every other month.

A green plant with spire-like white and pink flowers.

SDSU Extension continues Garden Hour with off-season webinars

August 24, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension will continue its popular Garden Hour series with four webinars during the off-season.

Annual trials garden at McCrory Gardens
Oct 06

Garden Hour

SDSU Extension's Garden Hour will return as a limited series during the fall and winter months, occurring every other month.

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.

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.

A small spotted spurge weed in a lawn and a fully-grown mat of spotted spurge on a driveway.

A Surge in Spurge

Spotted spurge is a common, drought-tolerant weed known for its prostrate growth pattern, meaning it grows lying flat on the ground. This is one of the most-difficult weeds to control in lawns, gardens, and landscaping.