Garden & Yard Issues

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Small black fly.

What Are Those Little Flies That Keep Biting Me?

If you have been swarmed and bitten by small black flies this year, you’re not alone. The culprits of these bites are commonly referred to as black flies or buffalo gnats. The reason we are noticing so many in 2019 is likely due to favorable spring conditions that included a lot of moisture.

Two mosquitoe samples side-by-side. The one on the left is labeled "A". The right one is labeled "B".

Know Your Mosquitoes to Protect Yourself

Mosquito trapping efforts across the state in the last seven years showed that there are over 20 species of mosquitoes occurring in South Dakota, yet only two species dominate the surveillance data: Aedes vexans and Culex tarsalis.

Tick that is dark brown to black in color with a reddish-orange abdomen.

An identification guide to common Ticks of South Dakota

A guide to identifying common ticks in South Dakota

Tractor-mounted wick applicator applying herbicide to a pasture.

Low-Cost and Adaptable Plans to Build a Wick Applicator for Herbicides

From crop fields to home gardens, wick applicators can manage weeds by applying herbicides directly to weeds growing at a set height above desirable plants. Learn how to build one yourself in this article.

A group of raised ground beds with crops growing in them at McCrory Gardens in Brookings, South Dakota.

SDSU Extension 2024 Garden Hour webinar series starts May 7

May 02, 2024

The fourth season of South Dakota State University Extension’s popular Garden Hour webinar series starts May 7, 2024.

Gardener holding a handful of healthy soil.

Learn about your backyard’s natural resources with SDSU Extension

May 01, 2024

Lawn and garden enthusiasts are invited to attend Backyard Natural Resources, a new four-part webinar series from South Dakota State University Extension.

A dark bodied insect with large wings and red eyes sitting on a tree twig. There are green leaves behind it and many tan insect shells.

I heard cicadas are having a big year. Are they coming to South Dakota?

Cicadas are making headlines—specifically the periodical cicadas in Brood XIII and Brood XIX. Both both broods are in the Midwest and are geographically close together. Find out where you can expect to see them this spring.

Two young women with watering devices inspecting a variety of houseplants.

Troubleshooting Common Problems: Houseplant How-To

Trying to figure out houseplant problems can feel daunting, but by exploring some common issues, you’ll be able to solve many problems. Learn some expert tips for getting started in this "Houseplant How-To" article.

Sun rises over a frost-dusted pasture.

Last Spring Frost Dates

Knowing the historical last spring frost dates for your area helps growers avoid the risk of frost damage for above-ground vegetation, whether it's for agriculture or horticulture.

Alternaria leaf spot symptoms appearing as brown, haloed cankers throughout the leaves of a cucurbit plant.

Cucurbit Diseases in South Dakota

Cucurbit crops grown in both the field and in high tunnels face disease pressure from many fungal and bacterial diseases. Learn how to identify and manage some of the most common ones.