Garden Variety

A look at the Christmas indus-tree 05.12.2025 10:35 ↓

When you buy a Christmas tree at a farm, tree lot, or store, you’re buying an agricultural product. More than 35 million Christmas trees are harvested every year in the United States, and there are approximately 200 Christmas tree growers in Iowa. DNR Forester Mark Vitosh is here to give us some insight into the industry that brings so many people joy this time of year. To further grow your garden...

BONUS: Trouble in tropical plant paradise 01.12.2025 4:13 ↓

Our horticulture experts brainstorm solutions for a well-intended caller who gifted his wife a tropical plant in a Midwestern climate.

Follow these cider house rules 21.11.2025 12:54 ↓

Storage, sauce and cider. There are a number of ways that we can continue to savor the tastes of apple season into the winter months.

Berry good winter prep 14.11.2025 12:47 ↓

It's time to get your berries ready for the cold. Your future self, and your strawberries, will thank you.

BONUS: Respect your insects 11.11.2025 5:04 ↓

Non-native insects can compete with some native species for resources, but they rarely cause extinction of native insect species.

Leaf me alone 07.11.2025 12:51 ↓

Raking leaves is a classic fall chore, but those leaves could be put to good use.

Scare your plants off 31.10.2025 12:50 ↓

How to (s)care for spooky plants.

Too bug to fail 24.10.2025 13:04 ↓

As it gets colder outside, you may notice some creepy crawly household invaders inside. Here's what you should do

Daffodil with it 17.10.2025 12:56 ↓

Digging into bulb basics and beyond with horticulture experts.

Put your vegetable garden to bed 10.10.2025 13:03 ↓

A bedtime routine is important for your plants too! We talking fall clean up with our horticulture expert.

BONUS: An acorn storm 06.10.2025 2:15 ↓

If you've been noticing more acorns than usual, you are not alone.

Fall aboard! 03.10.2025 12:56 ↓

All you need to know about changing leaves and autumn color.

Vine and dandy 26.09.2025 13:06 ↓

The best ways to protect your tomatoes from disease

Flower you doing? 19.09.2025 13:01 ↓

How to store tender perennials over the colder months.

Mighty morphing flower rangers 12.09.2025 ↓

Learn about these cool season annuals to keep your garden bright.

Lawning for the perfect yard 05.09.2025 13:06 ↓

September is here. The growing season is still going, but temperatures are cooling. It's the ideal month to get a jump-start on a great lawn for next year.

Wait until the time is ripe to harvest your fruit 29.08.2025 12:59 ↓

The visible fruits of your labor are hard to resist, but patience pays off.

Don't judge a crop by its cover 22.08.2025 13:01 ↓

Farmers who use cover crops see all kinds of benefits, improvements in soil health, reductions in runoff and erosion — they even help with weed control. Home gardeners can also harness the power of cover crops.

How to avoid an identi-tree crisis 15.08.2025 13:01 ↓

Iowa Department of Natural Resources forester Mark Vitosh shares his tips and tricks to tree identification.

Glow your own way 08.08.2025 12:38 ↓

You won't believe your eyes — how millions of fireflies light up the world.

Switch it up with switchgrass 01.08.2025 13:00 ↓

Find out which ornamental grasses could thrive in your yard.

Try out this gardening root-ine 25.07.2025 13:02 ↓

Iowa State University horticulture specialist shares how rootstocks help grow healthy root systems.

The ultimate power plants 18.07.2025 13:03 ↓

Iowa State University horticulture experts discuss the practice of combining solar energy and agriculture.

Better than all the pest 11.07.2025 12:57 ↓

Learn how plants and insects can peacefully coexist in your garden.

Tools for the turf war 20.06.2025 10:40 ↓

A horticulture specialist gives you lawn care advice.