Garden & Yard Issues
All Garden & Yard Issues Content
Ants Preparing for Another Busy Year
A wet growing season last year combined with a mild winter has boosted ant activity across the state, and we have already received numerous questions from both curious and concerned residents in South Dakota.
Protecting Your Home and Landscape Against Wildfires
Wildfires pose a significant risk in western South Dakota, particularly within the Black Hills region, where periods of minimal precipitation can lead to drought conditions that elevate fire risk.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.