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Content by Robin Buterbaugh

Annual trials garden at McCrory Gardens
Aug 26

Garden Hour

Make the most of your garden and landscaping with weekly insights and ideas from our team of experts.

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.

Prairie pasque flowers blooming in early spring.

Native Plant Resources for South Dakota

As we continue to see the benefits of growing native plants in cultivated landscapes, finding the right plant for the right place requires the right resources. Learn about some available native plant sources, educational materials, and organizations serving our region.

A pile of soil and compost covered with straw

Composting Basics

The natural process of composting is aided by providing an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposing organisms (such as worms, nematodes, etc.) and produces a "Black Gold" that is rich in nutrients and organic matter.

A group of succulents
Oct 23

Bloom and Grow

SDSU Extension will host a series of workshops teaching horticulture techniques from January to October at McCrory Gardens.

Left: Holiday greenery arranged in a porch pot. Right: Homemade Christmas wreath hanging on a door.

Create Your Own Holiday Greenery This Season!

If you’re already itching to get back into the garden, holiday-themed pots and wreaths can add a fresh touch to the season and bring a little natural cheer to the holidays!

Left: Christmas trees growing at a German farm. Right: Poinsettia plant on display at a Mexican Christmas market.

Cultural History of the Christmas Tree and Poinsettia (Cuetlaxochitl)

Christmas trees and poinsettias are the two plants that symbolize the Christmas season, but why do these plants hold that place that? And where did the association with Christmas originate?

Seven different prairie flowers that have gone to seed arranged on a tabletop.

Native Seed Hand Harvest Guidelines

Hand harvest of native plant seed is a low-cost and low-tech method suitable for collecting seeds for small-scale use. Learn some important guidelines for harvesting, storing, and stratifying native plant seeds.

Gardener holding a tray of tomato seedlings ready for transplanting.

When Should I Plant My Warm-Season Vegetables?

Knowing when to plant warm-season vegetables can be a challenge in South Dakota when there are dramatic temperature swings each spring. Learn some expert tips for getting started!

Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat signs in a bed of plants and yellow flowers.

Funding Opportunities for Small-Scale Pollinator Habitats: A Guide for Urban and Home Garden Projects

Urban habitats are essential for providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds for important pollinators. Learn about some of the many funding opportunities available for urban pollinator habitat projects of all sizes and scopes.