Plant

Earwigs in the Garden: Less-Toxic Control Alternative

Since earwigs provide some ecological service as natural enemies, I hesitate to recommend a pesticide application to control it. As an alternative least-toxic solution, bait trapping the earwigs should work to reduce the insect’s population to the non-threatening levels.

Mulberry Trees

Every year about this time I received a few samples of mulberry trees. This is a very common tree in South Dakota, not so much from being planted by people but from birds.

Maple Trees Looking Thin at This Time

Many of our maple trees are looking thinner at the tips of their canopies. The foliage in the lower, interior of these trees is dense, but when you look up at the tops, the leaves appear fewer and there are noticeable gaps at the base of the new shoot.

Grapes for Your Garden

Grapes in the Dakotas? Given an appropriate growing site and care, grape vines can last for decades or more in our climate thanks to the efforts of grape breeders over the past thirty years.

Garden Peas

Peas are one of the first vegetables to be planted in the spring, as they enjoy cooler weather.

Apple Issues

Learn to identify and manage common apple tree issues including: apple maggot injury, apple scab, cedar apple rust, and fruit cracking.

Asparagus is In-Season

Asparagus is a favorite vegetable of many people who cultivate it in their gardens.

Harvesting Maple Syrup in South Dakota

As the weather warms in late winter and early spring sap in maple trees begins to flow. For many people that live in the Northeastern part of the United States, that means that maple syrup season has arrived.

Honeyberries: A New Fruit for Your Garden

Honeyberries, shrubs with fruit resembling elongated blueberries, are gaining in popularity in northern climates.

Planting Bare-Root Trees

Bare-root is an excellent means of planting a tree.