Fall is the perfect time to give your lawn in South Dakota a little extra love. 🍂 The cooler temps and hopefully gentle rains make it easier for your grass to recover from the summer heat and get ready for…
Every garden has those plants that quietly blend into the background—and then there are the showstoppers. Castor beans and senna definitely fall into that second category. They both bring a kind of presence that makes you stop and take a…
Two vines that often fly under the radar are the Silver Lace Vine and the Sweet Autumn Clematis. Both are quick-growing plants, reaching heights of up to 20 feet. Later, they will reward you with a flush of white blooms…
We’re starting to see the Goldenrod Soldier Beetle showing up in the garden this week. Don’t worry—these little yellow-and-black bugs are actually helpful! They feed on flower pollen, and their larvae eat grasshopper eggs. So, no need to kill them.…
In the garden this week, we’re seeing more chlorosis showing up on trees and shrubs. That’s when the leaves turn yellow between the bright green veins. The stress comes from higher heat, lower moisture, and even smoke in the air.…
Adding low-watt LED lighting to your landscape is a great way to instantly boost curb appeal. The best part is, it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you’re lighting up your front walkway or showing off your favorite…
Aster yellows is a prevalent plant disease in the garden this week, caused by phytoplasmas. This bacterium exhibits viral-like behavior. It is spread by little insects called leafhoppers that suck sap from one plant and carry the disease to another.…
In the garden this week, many people are wondering why their vegetables, like tomatoes and melons, have not set much fruit. Also, why are they not ripening evenly? Why are the melons not sweet? Why do I have hollow areas…
There are a few pests making the rounds in gardens and flowerbeds in the garden this week. First up — flea beetles. These tiny black beetles hop when disturbed, and they leave little holes in plant leaves that look like…
In the garden this week, you’ll start hearing the buzzing sound of summer. Dog Day cicadas are about to emerge from the ground! Once they hatch, they’ll climb up trees and start their loud, raspy mating calls. Thankfully, these guys…
🌿 This Week in the Garden (July 22): Bugs, Blight & a New Trend 🐞 A few bugs are making their presence known this week! First up is the picnic beetle—a tiny black beetle that loves overripe fruit. Think melons,…
In the garden this week, sometimes insecticides and fungicides do not work well this time of year. The use of a surfactant helps the pesticides cling to the plant. The same with herbicide use in the fall. A few pictures…
This Week in the Garden (July 10)🌱 There are a lot of little grasshoppers hopping around in the grassy areas right now, and keeping them out of the garden is a real challenge. The best defense? Mow a 6-foot-wide strip…
If you’re seeing small grasshoppers in the lawn, keep an eye on your flowerbeds and veggie patch—they like to wander. Lawn insecticide might help in town, but it’s usually less effective out in rural areas. If they’re creeping into the…
It’s that time of year when herbicide damage starts to show up—something that’s, unfortunately, pretty predictable. If you’re noticing cupped or distorted leaves, especially on tomatoes or peppers, there’s a good chance it’s from herbicide drift. The good news? If…