News Releases

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Local agricultural producers currently involved in direct marketing or looking to market their vegetable produce, meat products and/or fruit production may attend their choice of three direct food marketing workshops. The March workshops will cover modern outlets for selling agricultural products and best practices, as well as maximizing profits.

Iowa State University Extension and South Central Iowa Area Partnership (SCIAP) are sponsoring Direct Food Marketing Workshops Thursday, March 18, at 1 p.m.

How do I produce my own sweet potato plants?  To produce your own slips (plants), select a large, unblemished sweet potato from the previous year’s harvest. Place sand in the bottom of a pot or other large container. Set the sweet potato horizontally on the surface of the sand and then cover with two additional inches of sand.

How can I determine if my oak tree has oak wilt?  Oak wilt is a serious disease that can infect many oak species. It is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. Red and pin oaks are very susceptible to the oak wilt fungus and can die within four to six weeks. White and bur oaks are moderately resistant to the disease. Trees can be infected by the fungus through root grafts or by sap-feeding beetles that carry spores to newly wounded trees.

In regards to cold hardiness, does it make any difference where a fruit tree was grown?

Plant hardiness is a species or cultivar trait. The location of the nursery or where the plant was grown has little or no effect on plant hardiness. For example, a ‘Red Delicious’ apple tree produced in Missouri will be just as hardy as one produced in Minnesota.

What are some good pear varieties for Iowa?

How does one care for a Venus flytrap?

The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), pitcher plant and sundew are carnivorous plants that are occasionally grown as houseplants. Carnivorous plants don’t survive solely by “eating” insects and other prey. Carnivorous plants, as all green plants, contain chlorophyll and manufacture food via photosynthesis. Insects and other small creatures are simply a supplemental food source for carnivorous plants.

Carnivorous plants have more exacting requirements than most commonly grown houseplants.

I recently purchased a ZZ plant. How do I care for it?

The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a tough, easy to grow houseplant. It tolerates low levels of light, prolonged dry periods and neglect. Plants have few insect or disease problems. Zamioculcas zamiifolia is also known as aroid palm, eternity plant and fat boy.

The ZZ plant performs best in bright, indirect light. However, it will tolerate very low levels of light. Direct, afternoon sun actually may damage the plant's foliage. The plant prefers to be kept on the dry side.

Can apricots be successfully grown in Iowa?

Most apricot varieties are not reliably hardy in Iowa. Two University of Minnesota introductions are the best choices for Iowa. ‘Moongold’ and ‘Sungold’ were introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1960. Both varieties can be grown as far north as the Twin Cities area. ‘Moongold’ and ‘Sungold’ are self-unfruitful. Plant at least one tree of each variety for cross-pollination and fruit set.

By Jeff Iles
Department of Horticulture
Iowa State University

While not an “official” resident of the state of Iowa, yet, the highly destructive emerald ash
borer has been found within a stone’s throw of our northeastern border. And if you’re
a pessimist or perhaps a realist, you might be convinced the insect is already here,
but has managed to escape detection. After all, it’s not the easiest of pests to locate.
Just ask our colleagues in southeastern Michigan. Either way, it’s probably a safe

How do I control mealybugs on a houseplant?
Mealybugs on houseplants are difficult to control. Unless the plant is particularly
valuable, it may be best to throw away the infested plant before the insects spread
to other houseplants. The standard remedies for houseplant pests can be
successful if applied with diligence and persistence. Picking off individual mealybugs
and egg sacs or dabbing each one with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab may be
satisfactory for lightly-infested plants. Similarly, syringing the plants with a forceful

What effects will construction activities have on nearby trees?
Construction of buildings, patios, garages, driveways, sidewalks,
and roads often compromises the growing environment of nearby
trees. The majority of a tree’s roots are located in the top six to 18
inches of soil and often extend well beyond the edge of the tree
canopy (dripline). Changing the grade by removing or adding soil
around existing trees can cause extensive root damage. Removing
soil can disturb and injure many of the tree’s roots. Adding soil can

Which perennials tend to be short-lived?

When selecting perennials for the home landscape, it’s important to consider their size, bloom period, hardiness, and cultural requirements. Another consideration is their longevity. Some perennials are extremely long-lived. In contrast, some perennials grow well for a few years and then decline and fade away.

Small, brown, leafy twigs are falling from my oak tree. What could be the problem?

The twig girdler is probably responsible for the falling twigs if the twigs appear as if they were neatly cut from the tree with a pruning shears. The twig girdler is a long-horned beetle about three-fourths of an inch long, stout, grayish-brown with a lighter colored band across its wings. The antennae are as long as the body.

How do I overwinter the fish in my water garden?
In the Midwest, you will need to install an air pump or heater (which can be
expensive to operate), leave the fish in the pond, or remove the fish. If the fish
are left in a pond without a pump or heater, the water must be at least four feet
deep so the pond will not completely freeze to the bottom and kill the fish. If you
use an air pump or heater, check it occasionally to make sure it is functioning
properly. If the pond is shallow, bring the fish indoors before winter and keep

How do I overwinter my gladiolus bulbs?
Carefully dig up the plants with a spade in late summer/early fall. Gently
shake off the soil from the bulb-like corms. Then cut off the foliage one to
two inches above the corms. Dry the corms for two to three weeks in a
warm, dry, well-ventilated location. When thoroughly dry, remove and discard
the old dried up mother corms located at the base of the new corms. Remove
the tiny corms (cormels) found around the base of the new corms. Save the

There are elongated, yellowish brown beetles on my flowers. Are they harming the plants?

The insects are probably soldier beetles. Soldier beetles are elongated, soft-bodied, and about one-half-inch long. Colors vary from yellow to red with brown or black wings or trim. Soldier beetles resemble lightning bugs but do not have light-producing organs. The beetles are commonly seen on late summer-flowering plants in August and September.

When can I divide garden phlox? 
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) can be divided in spring or late summer/early fall. 
In spring, dig up the plants just as new growth begins to appear.  Divide each
clump into sections with a sharp knife. Each division should contain at least two
or three shoots and a portion of the root system.  Replant the divisions immediately. 

The leaves on my lilac are covered with a white substance. Is this a serious problem?

The white substance is likely powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease. It appears as a white, dusty growth on plant foliage. Many plants can get powdery mildew. However, it is especially common on lilac, phlox, zinnia and turfgrass.

Powdery mildew is favored by high humidity, cool nights and warm days. Plants growing in partial to heavy shade are most susceptible to powdery mildew.

As more and more animal lovers and hobby farmers are looking for alternative therapies, the demand for herbal parasite control increases. One company stands out from the crowd and is making a mark in this industry sector in the USA.

Verm-X, based in the UK, is renowned for being the only company in the world that exclusively focuses on producing natural parasite control for animals, and are market leaders throughout Europe.

Why are the leaves on my hackberry turning brown and falling to the ground?

The browning of the hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) leaves is probably due to lace bugs. Lace bugs are sap feeding insects commonly found on the leaves of shade and ornamental trees in Iowa. Trees most commonly affected are hackberry, sycamore and oak. Adult lace bugs have attractive wings that are beautifully sculptured with an intricate pattern of veins resembling lace, hence the common name.

AMES, Iowa -- As part of celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week Aug. 2-8, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is urging consumers to benefit from the nation’s rapidly growing network of some 4,900 farmers’ markets now operating in every state.

How frequently should I water a perennial flower bed?

Many perennials perform best when they receive 1 to 1½ inches of water per week, either from rain or irrigation.

When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Watering frequency is largely determined by soil characteristics, weather conditions, and plant species. A thorough soaking once a week is adequate for most perennials.

How late can I plant snap beans?

Snap beans are warm-season vegetables and should be planted after the danger of frost is past. In central Iowa, it’s usually safe to begin planting snap beans in early May. If harvested frequently, plants should produce well for several weeks. The last practical date for planting snap beans is Aug. 1.

The grass beneath one of my trees has turned brownish orange. Why?

I would like to plant a low-growing evergreen on a slope. What are possibilities?

There are a number of low-growing juniper varieties, such as ‘Blue Rug,’ ‘Blue Chip’ and ‘Prince of Wales.’ Junipers require at least six hours of direct sun each day. Russian cypress (Microbiota decussata) can be successfully grown in partial shade (two to four hours of sun). Russian cypress has medium green foliage that is similar to that of arborvitae. It grows about one foot tall.

When can I move tulip bulbs?

What do the numbers on a fertilizer bag represent? 

The numbers indicate the amounts or percentages of nitrogen, phosphate and potash in the fertilizer. These three nutrients are needed in relatively large quantities by most plants. The first number refers to the amount of nitrogen, the second refers to the amount of phosphate and the third refers to the amount of potash. For example, a 10-6-4 fertilizer contains 10 percent nitrogen, 6 percent phosphate and 4 percent potash.

What is a rain garden? 

When is the best time to plant rutabagas in Iowa?

The rutabaga is a cool, long-season crop. It performs best when planted in summer for a fall crop. Sow seed at a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch from June 15 to July 15 in Iowa. Rows should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. Thin the planting within a few weeks of germination. After thinning, rutabaga seedlings should be spaced six inches apart.

When should strawberries be harvested?

Harvest strawberries when the fruit are uniformly red (fully ripe). Pick the berries with the caps and stems attached to retain firmness and quality. Pinch the stem off about 1/4 inch above the cap. Don’t pull them off.

AMES, Iowa -- The presence and new discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB) in states adjacent to Iowa has increased interest in this exotic, invasive insect and what Iowans can do to protect ash trees (Fraxinus species) on their property.

ISU Extension is collaborating with Iowa state regulatory agencies and local officials to prevent introduction of EAB into Iowa and limit its spread. For a full list of EAB detection and education activities, please visit our website at: www.extension.iastate.edu/pme/EmeraldAshBorer.html .

By Robert Hartzler
Weed Specialist
Iowa State University Extension

Iowa’s natural areas are under attack by exotic plants that degrade these valuable
spaces. Invasive plants displace native species, disrupt ecosystems and interfere
with recreational uses of prairies, woodlands and other areas.