Content by David Graper
Forcing Tender Bulbs Indoors
Winter and early spring months can benefit from a pop of color brought on by forcing bulbs to bloom indoors. Learn about a variety of bulbs to consider for both beginning and experienced plant lovers.
Perennial Ground Covers for Shady Gardens
Shady gardens can be filled with plants of various shapes and sizes reaching heights of several feet with eye-catching foliage or blooms. However, ground covers, which are usually twelve inches tall or shorter, are an important component of the shade garden.
Garden-friendly Milkweeds to Plant in South Dakota
Are you looking to add native plants to your home garden this season? Consider expanding your garden palette with milkweed species that are native to South Dakota.
Chrysanthemums Add Color to Fall Gardens
Chrysanthemums are the quintessential fall-blooming plant that are sold all over the region, but not all mums are created equal! You need to shop carefully if you want plants that will look good this fall and also come back in future years.
Perennial Ground Covers for Sunny Gardens
Do you have any large areas of bare soil in the garden, or perhaps a location that is difficult to mow? Consider planting perennial ground covers to fill in extra space in your sunny location!
Nugget Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Nugget’)
‘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.
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.
Air Layering a Plant That Has Gotten Too Tall
I have been in lots of public places and in some homes, too, where I have seen plants that have just gotten too big for their location. In fact, the large building that I used to work in often ended up as a sanctuary or in some cases dumping ground for those plants that just got too big or too tall. Some of those plants are still in that large space but a few were moved on to the compost pile too because they had pest or disease problems on top of being too big.
Kentucky Coffeetree
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a medium-sized tree that will fit into many landscapes and provide interest all year with its bark, leaves, flowers, fruit and even great fall color, if weather conditions are right.
SDSU Extension Master Gardener Program Volunteer Policy Guide
This guide offers current and prospective SDSU Extension Master Gardeners information on: applying for the program, maintaining certification, categorizing and reporting service hours, understanding the various levels of volunteer service and much more!