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Content by Kristine Lang

Wire cage over raised bed garden.

Preventing and Dealing with Hail Damage in the Garden

Do you live in an area prone to hailstorms? All is not lost! Learn about some options to protect your plants when storm clouds threaten along with strategies for caring for damaged plants afterwards.

Orange and yellow zinnia flowers.

Beneficial Flowers for Organic Vegetable Production Systems

Learn about a wide variety of flowers that can be planted in guard rows among vegetables to attract beneficial insects and reduce pest pressure in organic vegetable gardens.

Left: Black silage tarp spread out over a research plot. Right: Clear tarp spread out over a research plot.

What is Soil Tarping and Why is it Used?

Soil tarping is a technique that uses large tarps to cover a growing space in order to reduce weeds and improve soil health before planting. Learn some expert insights into two commonly used soil tarping strategies.

Tulips blooming near the entrance to McCrory Gardens.

McCrory Gardens Trial Report aids in flower selection

June 20, 2023

The 2022 McCrory Gardens Trial Report, issued this spring by South Dakota State University Extension and McCrory Gardens, helps South Dakotans choose flower varieties that do well in local conditions.

Woodland Phlox and Dame’s Rocket.

Plant Look-Alikes: What’s the Difference Between Phlox and Dame’s Rocket?

Distinguishing between native phlox flowers and the invasive dame's rocket can be challenging due to their similar appearances. Learn some key characteristics that can help you tell dame's rocket apart before it invades your property.

Cucumber fruits showing symptoms of infection with Cucumber Mosaic Virus.

Understanding and Managing Cucumber Mosaic Virus

Cucumber mosaic virus can have devastating effects on members of the Cucurbit family, including cucumbers, squash, melons, pumpkins, and spinach. Learn how to identify and manage it before it takes a toll on your garden this growing season!

Rows of vegetable plants in a high tunnel

SDSU Extension to host High Tunnel Field Day featuring Webster-area farmers

June 25, 2024

SDSU Extension is hosting a High Tunnel Field Day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST June 5 at Waldner Farms, 522 E. First Ave., Webster, South Dakota.

Producer harvesting dahlia flowers on a flower farm.

An Introduction to Cut Flower Production

In addition to their stunning colors and beauty, cut flowers can add supplemental income to gardens and farms alike. Learn some tips for growing, harvesting and marketing cut flowers this growing season!

Many small, thin insects on a yellow background with a mechanical pencil tip for scale.

Invasion of the Western Flower Thrips

Recent southerly winds brought large numbers of western flower thrips to the eastern third of South Dakota. Learn how to identify and manage this pest before they become a problem in your yard and garden.

Three perennial trial plants: Sedum 'Rock 'N Grow® Back in Black', Ornamental Oregano (Origanum) ‘Drops of Jupiter’, and Russian Sage (Perovskia) 'Sage Advice.’

A Look Back at Top-Performing Perennials From the 2022 McCrory Gardens Trial

Are you looking for new ideas of what to grow in your garden? Take a look at six of the top-performing perennials as judged during the 2022 growing season at McCrory Gardens.