Content by Robin Buterbaugh

Rose leaves with dark black to purplish spots throughout.

Black Spot Disease in Roses

Black spot is a recurring fungal disease in roses that will decrease the vigor and blooms of rose plants if it is not managed. Learn some expert tips for identifying and managing it in your gardens.

Left: Fireweed growing in a clearing. Right: Purple loosestrife growing in a meadow.

Plant Look-Alikes: What’s the Difference Between Fireweed and Purple Loosestrife?

Fireweed and purple loosestrife are often confused with one another due to their similar appearances, but the two plants have dramatically different impacts on the environment. Learn some key characteristics to help tell them apart.

A green lawn with many small white flowers present throughout.

Buzzworthy Backyards: How Bee Lawns Are Reinventing Green Spaces

Bee lawns integrate a variety of low-growing perennials and fine fescues that not only require minimal maintenance, but also actively support local wildlife, particularly bees

Small-flowered columbine in bloom in a wooded area.

Native Plants to Know: Small-Flowered Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla)

Aquilegia brevistyla, or small-flowered columbine, is a native, perennial, herbaceous plant in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup family) that grows in cool, shaded, canyons in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

a small cottage with a green door and weathered shingles

SDSU Extension, McCrory Gardens start summer 2024 programming with Garden Discovery Festival

May 14, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and McCrory Gardens will start its summer programming season with the Garden Discovery Festival on May 19, 2024.

A group of raised ground beds with crops growing in them at McCrory Gardens in Brookings, South Dakota.

SDSU Extension 2024 Garden Hour webinar series starts May 7

May 02, 2024

The fourth season of South Dakota State University Extension’s popular Garden Hour webinar series starts May 7, 2024.

Gardener holding a handful of healthy soil.

Learn about your backyard’s natural resources with SDSU Extension

May 01, 2024

Lawn and garden enthusiasts are invited to attend Backyard Natural Resources, a new four-part webinar series from South Dakota State University Extension.

Long, striped leaves of a green spider plant.

Spider Plants: Houseplant How-To

Spider plants are easy to grow, mature fast, help purify the air, and make a great focal point as a hanging plant. Learn how to take care of them in this "House Plant How-To" article.

Various chemical symbols for common nutrients found in garden soil over a selection of young plants emerging from garden soil.

Interpreting Soil Tests for Gardening

There are many different chemicals that make up plants. These chemicals include hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, boron, zinc, molybdenum, cobalt, and chlorine.

Jugs lined up outside with snow inside.

Winter Sowing in the Northern Great Plains

Winter sowing is a technique used to start seeds that have a requirement for cold stratification, including many native perennials. View some expert tips and a step-by-step guide for getting started.