Garden & Yard Issues
What is Velvetleaf?
Velvetleaf is a large weed with soft leaves that’s normally associated with corn and soybean fields. However, we’re hearing more gardeners and specialty crop growers reporting its presence.
Handling Herbicide Injury in Specialty Crops
Learn how to handle specialty crops that have inadvertently been affected by herbicides.
Heat and Drought Effects on Cut Flower Production
Climate factors, such as drought and high temperatures, continue to pose serious challenges for specialty crop production, including cut flowers. With these challenges, farms need to take a hard look at both their business strategies and production decisions.
Japanese Beetles in South Dakota
In the last 10 years, Japanese beetle populations have remained low to absent in my garden in Brookings. However, last week I observed large aggregations of beetles feeding on smartweed that was present in my rain garden. Japanese beetles can be problematic for gardens, flowers, and trees in residential areas.
West Nile Virus Update: July 29, 2026
As of July 30, 2026, the South Dakota Department of Health indicated that West Nile Virus positive mosquito pools have been detected in Brown, Codington, Hughes, Lincoln, and Minnehaha counties in South Dakota.
Aster Yellows - Plant Pest on the Plains: How you can get involved in this important research
Aster yellows phytoplasma, best known as Aster Yellows disease or Onion Yellows disease, is commonly observed in purple coneflowers across the Great Plains. SDSU Extension is monitoring and modeling its distribution in the region, and you can help!
Community Garden Field Day @ Watertown
SDSU Extension will host a Community Garden Field Day on Thursday, August 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. CDT at the Foundation Field Community Garden (1800 3rd Ave. NW, Watertown, SD 57201).
Springtails Are Active in South Dakota
Recent reports of seemingly millions of very small insects moving around on driveways and around homes was the result of a springtail population boom. Springtails typically become a nuisance during drought conditions or saturating rains.
West Nile Virus Update: July 2, 2026
On June 15, 2026, the South Dakota Department of Health released a press release that the first West Nile Virus positive pool of mosquitos was detected in Brown County. Although much of the state is still experiencing drought, recent heavy rains will promote already active mosquito populations.
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.