Gardening Publications
All Gardening Publications Content
What to Do About Flood-Damaged Trees
Fact sheet on what to do about flood-damaged trees
Choosing Vegetable Varieties for South Dakota
Fact sheet describing characteristics to look for when selecting a vegetable variety to grow in South Dakota.
Eat What You Grow
Youth will learn the different parts of plants that we eat, and how to use drying and freezing techniques to preserve foods for later use.
Getting the Garden Growing
Introductory gardening lesson where youth will learn what plants need to grow and what fruits and vegetables grow in different seasons in South Dakota.
Fruit Variety Recommendations for South Dakota
Fruit variety recommendations for home fruit growers in South Dakota
McCrory Gardens Trial Report aids in flower selection
June 20, 2023
The 2022 McCrory Gardens Trial Report, issued this spring by South Dakota State University Extension and McCrory Gardens, helps South Dakotans choose flower varieties that do well in local conditions.
Emerald Ash Borer Life Cycle in South Dakota
This fact sheet is a general description of the emerald ash borer life cycle in South Dakota.
Growing Sweet Corn in South Dakota
Sweet corn is a delicious vegetable enjoyed by both kids and adults. It is popular in the mid-to-late summer and is often bought at stands on street corners and grocery stores throughout small towns in South Dakota. What many people don’t know, however, is that sweet corn is a remarkably easy vegetable to grow yourself. All you need are a few essential materials and some basic knowledge to grow your own delicious sweet corn.
Lawn Weed Control
Cultural weed control practices must be included in weed management programs to optimize control and inhibit re-infestation. A healthy, dense turf cover is the best overall defense against weed invasion. Some common cultural weed control practices include planting the most adapted turfgrass species for your environment (i.e. shade, full sun, or hot, dry conditions), maintaining a mowing height of 2.5–3.5 inches, watering deeply but less frequently, and proper soil maintenance including fertilization and core aerification.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is a disease that can infect apples, pears, and certain ornamental species including crabapples, cotoneaster, and mountain ash. Occasionally it may also appear on cherries, plums, Juneberry (also called Serviceberry or Saskatoon), and raspberry. This disease, caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora, can damage blossoms, fruit, leaves, shoots, and branches. If it is not controlled, fire blight may kill the entire tree or shrub. Infected tissue cannot be cured, but will need to be removed from the tree to prevent further spread.