Skip to main content

Content by Robin Buterbaugh

Rows of cut flowers and vegetables
Apr 11

Cut Flower Camp @ Rapid City

SDSU Extension will host a daylong camp for aspiring and current cut flower farmers and florists on April 11, 2026, from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

A variety of cut flower arrangements displayed on an outdoor deck.
Mar 28

Cut Flower Camp @ Brookings

SDSU Extension and McCrory Gardens will host a daylong camp for aspiring and current cut flower farmers and florists on March 28, 2026, from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Campers will learn and engage in hands-on activities that will increase their knowledge of operating a sustainable farm and business.

Narcissus spp. bulb with green shoots emerging from bare soil.

Warm Winter Temperature Impacts on Flowering Bulbs

Warm winters underscore the importance of temperature in regulating bulb growth, as the right sequence of warm and cold periods is critical for healthy shoots and properly formed flowers.

A small white bird with a black head sits on top of branch

SDSU Extension publishes research on native plants for bird habitat

January 06, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension has published new research on native plants that can support birds in the state and region.

a brown bird eating seed from a dried sunflower head.

Native Plants for Bird Habitat in South Dakota

South Dakota has a range of habitats that support many bird species, and native plants play an important role in all those habitats.

Wooden planks forming a raised circular garden bed with a notch in the side for access

Keyhole Gardens

Keyhole gardens combine composting, water conservation, and space efficient planting in a single raised bed design. They give gardeners a practical way to produce vegetables, herbs, and flowers when space, soil, or water would otherwise be limited.

Gardeners browsing a tablet computer while visiting a garden center.

Home Horticulture Resources for Gardeners

Horticulture is the branch of plant agriculture dealing with garden crops. In addition to our website, there are many horticulture resources available on the web to provide research-based information to help every gardener succeed.

Freshly harvested sweet potatoes on display at an outdoor market.

Sweet Potatoes: How to Grow It

Sweet potatoes are native to Central and South America, and their tasty orange flesh is a dietary staple in warm climates. Learn some expert tips for planting, growing, and harvesting them in this resource!

Annual trials garden at McCrory Gardens
Apr 07

Garden Hour

Garden Hour will return with as a limited series during the fall and winter months.

Left: Blade of sweetgrass. Right: Patch of white sagebrush.

Sweetgrass and White Sagebrush: Native Plants with Medicinal Uses

Many native prairie plants have been used medicinally for generations by the Indigenous peoples of the Northern Great Plains. Sweetgrass and white sagebrush are hardy perennials that have a variety of uses and deep historical significance.