Plant Care

All Plant Care Content

Very young tomato plants with only two leaves growing from potting media inside of black packs.

The Basics of Seed Starting for Flowers and Vegetables

Have you ever thought about starting your own flowers or vegetables from seeds, but you don't know where to start? Learn some expert tips to start growing them at home today!

Four fall-hardy bulbs blooming in early spring: Daffodil, Glory of the Snow, Crocus and Tulip.

Prepare for Early Spring Blooms by Planting Hardy Bulbs in the Fall

Don’t put away your gardening tools quite yet! Fall is the perfect time to plant hardy, spring-flowering bulbs.

Green and brown grasshopper with two yellow lines that originate on the head and meet on the abdomen.

Grasshoppers in Gardens

Due to large populations and dry conditions, grasshoppers are moving into gardens and feeding on whatever they can find. In a normal year, grasshoppers can be a nuisance in a garden, but during an outbreak year, they can present a real threat to gardens, shrubs and small trees.

Left: Large green leaves of hosta have white and yellow discoloration on the outside edge of the leaves. Right: A green pepper with a tan spot that appears mushy.

Leaf Scorch and Sunscald in the Garden

Long stretches of hot, dry weather will upset the growing habits of all plants and will lead to some unusual symptoms on leaves and produce in the garden. July and August are a prime time to watch for leaf scorch and sunscald.

Small, black beetle with a long snout.

Headclipping Weevils in Sunflower

Headclipping weevils have been active in some sunflower fields and in ornamental sunflower throughout South Dakota. Although the headclipping weevil is considered a minor pest of commercial sunflowers, it can cause a lot of problems for individuals trying to maintain sunflowers in their yards and gardens.

Herbaceous perennials growing in a garden.

How to Plant Potted Perennials in the Garden

Herbaceous perennial plants have long been the mainstay of most gardens. Whether you are starting a new perennial garden or adding a few plants to an existing garden, planning and proper planting techniques are key.

Faded cosmo flower being deadheaded with a pair of graden shears.

Enjoy More Flowers in Your Garden by Deadheading Regularly

Deadheading is a simple activity that removes the faded or spent blooms from plants to encourage more flowers. While almost all annuals benefit from deadheading, there are also a few perennials that will bloom for a second or even third time if deadheaded.

Garden plant surrounded by a layer of wood chip mulch.

Organic Garden Mulches To Conserve Moisture and Prevent Weeds

If you want to reduce time spent in your vegetable and flower gardens watering or pulling weeds, consider mulching the soil surface with an organic material to improve plant health and your enjoyment of the garden.

Oscillating sprinkler, soaker hose and button drip emitter.

Options for Watering Home Gardens and Landscape Plantings

Ensuring that your garden plants receive adequate water throughout the growing season does not have to be overwhelming. There are a variety of water management options available to make the process easier.

Vareity of garden plants arranged on a four-wheeled garden cart.

Harden Your Transplants Prior To Planting Your Garden

Hardening plants is an important step that gardeners should not skip. Take the time to harden your plants properly and reap the benefits of sturdy, well-established plants throughout the gardening season!