Horticulture Research

All Horticulture Research Content

A woman with brown hair in a braid wearing a grey T-Shirt with an SDSU Extension logo stands in the middle of a group of people at a construction site

Educational high tunnel videos now available from SDSU Extension

March 16, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is continuing its efforts to educate specialty crop producers on high tunnel assembly, management and cropping innovations with a new educational video series.

A girl with a blonde ponytail, wearing a grey T-shirt with the SDSU logo and jeans holds a microphone standing next to vegetable plots

SDSU provides updated recommendations on soil tarping

March 04, 2026

South Dakota State University has published new recommendations on soil tarping that can help producers manage weeds.

variety of flowers growing in a yard

Flowers & Ornamental

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

Rows of sweet corn growing among clover mulch in a research plot.

Organic Sweet Corn Production in Clover Living Mulch Systems: 2-Year Research Summary

Research in 2024 and 2025 in a USDA certified organic field at the SDSU Southeast Research Farm explored growing sweet corn in three types of clover grown as a living mulch.

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.

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