Black vine weevils are now showing up across the state. It is typical for the adult beetles to emerge in early summer and begin feeding on plant foliage. They primarily feed on lilacs and yews, both common landscape shrubs. Although the adults cause minimal damage, their larvae feed on the roots and can occasionally be a threat to ornamental plants, especially those grown in pots or containers.
Swarms of false chinch bugs have started appearing in South Dakota this month. Although they are typically only a nuisance pest, their populations can become magnified during cool, wet springs (like this year). In high abundances, false chinch bugs can pose a threat to garden plants, especially Brassica plants such as broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, and cabbage.
May 15, 2019
SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council are seeking South Dakota soybean growers to participate in a farmer-led On-Farm Research Program.
May 07, 2019
Throughout the state, dandelions are running a couple of weeks behind normal, but they are starting to show. If herbicide wasn’t applied last fall, there are still a few things South Dakotans can do to control the yellow-flowered weed said Paul Johnson, SDSU Extension Weed Science Coordinator.
The yellow flowers of spring are coming. Spring dandelion treatments are not as effective as fall, but they can be used to stop the yellow flowers from producing viable seed.
Learn how to grow junebearing or everbearing strawberries in home gardens.
‘Nugget’ is a South Dakota State University release of this popular shrub. This particular cultivar has lovely golden yellow foliage in the spring which fades to a darker green later in the season.
April 18, 2019
For nearly 30 years, David Graper, SDSU Extension Horticulture Specialist & Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator, has shared his horticulture knowledge and enthusiasm with South Dakotans.
Anyone that spent the weekend outdoors may have observed flies, wasps, bees, and others flying around for the first time this year. One of these insects is a familiar one, the woolly bear caterpillar.
One of the first critters you may notice in early spring or even late winter are snow fleas. These tiny arthropods can be an odd sight when they appear by the hundreds on top of snow drifts that are melting on warm, sunny days.