With all the temperature swings in the landscape we’ve been having lately, it’s no surprise our plants are a little confused. Those warm days get things growing, and then a cold snap comes right along and nips them back. It…
With these temperatures bouncing all over the place, it’s a good time to take a closer look at your trees and lawn. One thing to watch for on evergreens is pine needle scale. They show up as hard little bumps…
In the garden this week, it looks like the trees and shrubs are coming to life with their swollen buds. The spring bulbs are coming up, and the ticks are coming out. Now’s the time to get your lawn and…
Starting garden seeds indoors is a great way to get a jump on the growing season, especially when it’s still cold outside. It’s also one of the most satisfying parts of gardening. There’s something special about watching those first tiny…
Pruning older shrubs isn’t really about making them look neat. It’s about helping them feel young and rejuvenated again. Over the years, shrubs get woody, crowded, and a little tired. They often grow thick on the outside while the inside…
Tapping a maple tree is a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. First, choose the right tree. Ideally, it should be at least 10–12 inches in diameter at chest height. Only tap healthy, strong trees, and stick with…
I once decided I was finally going to “properly” prune an old, popular tree in the yard. I had watched exactly one video online, which of course made me an expert. The guy in the video used words like structure,…
Every garden season has its hits and misses, and this year was no exception. One of the bigger disappointments was the cauliflower. It bolted in August during the heat, which meant it only formed tiny heads and never really matured.…
Everyone assumes nothing happens in a garden in winter. The plants are asleep, the soil is frozen, and even the birds seem to be on vacation. Everyone, that is… except my dog, Magdelin. Magdelin firmly believed the garden still held…
Well, this is the time seed stands are going up, and nursery catalogs are coming to your mailbox. If you’ve ever stood in the seed aisle and wondered why some seed packets cost more than others, you’re not alone. Even…
Each year, the All-America Selections vegetables program tests new plant varieties across North America and selects only those that outperform standard varieties in yield, flavor, disease resistance, and ease of growing. The 2026 vegetable winners combine compact growth, strong productivity,…
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.…