Horticulture Research

All Horticulture Research Content

rows of leafy vegetables growing in a raised bed

Vegetables

Whether you are a beginner or have a green thumb, our tips will help your garden flourish.

variety of flowers growing in a yard

Flowers & Ornamental

Everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of flowers and ornamental plants with some simple recommendations.

A sign directs drivers to an SDSU Extension field day

SDSU Extension hosts 5th annual Specialty Crop Field Day

July 24, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce its fifth annual Specialty Crop Field Day at the SDSU campus in Brookings.

Organic cabbage and sweet corn plants at the SDSU Southeast Research Farm.

Producing Organic Cabbage and Sweet Corn with Cover Crop Integration and Reduced Tillage: Updates from the SDSU Southeast Research Farm

Research on clover cover crops grown in combination with four tillage and weed suppression methods was conducted at the SDSU Southeast Farm. Vegetable crops trialed included sweet corn and three varieties of cabbage.

black, clear and white tarps covering the middle and compost mounded around the edges with wooden pallets on top

South Dakota Vegetable Grower Experiences with Soil Tarping and Solarization during the 2024 Field Season

Research report on South Dakota vegetable grower experiences with soil tarping and solarization during the 2024 season

Clover pathways after being mowed with sunsetting in the background.

Broccolini Performance in Three Established Clover Living Mulches in Eastern South Dakota: Year Two Results

Research report determining the impact of three established clover species on weed suppression, crop growth, and broccolini yield in year two.

Left: Black soil tarp on a research plot. Right: The same research plot uncovered, revealing little-to-no weed pressure.

Early Season Soil Solarization and Occultation Impacts on Weed Pressure and Onion Yield in Eastern South Dakota: Year 2 (2024) Results

Research report on whether soil tarping can reduce weed pressure in onion yields for the second year

hand holding a head of broccoli

Integrating Living Mulch on Vegetable Farms in South Dakota: 2024 Results

Research report determining the impact of two established clover species on weed suppression, crop growth, and yield of severable brassica species.

Tulips blooming near the entrance to McCrory Gardens.

McCrory Gardens Trial Report

Trial reports for McCrory Gardens

Four blooms are shown in close-up, one multi-colored, one white, one fuschia and one orange-and-pink

SDSU Extension publishes zinnia research for cut flower producers

October 18, 2024

Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, managed the research trials. Over two years, Lang and her team monitored the growth and quality of four popular zinnia varieties: Zinderella Peach, Oklahoma Ivory, Queen Red Lime and Benary’s Giant Purple.