Iowa Master Gardeners

Iowa Master Gardeners Using research-based horticulture knowledge and practices to educate and promote healthy communities.

Do you enjoy learning and having variety in your work?The Iowa Master Gardener Program with Iowa State University Extens...
06/03/2026

Do you enjoy learning and having variety in your work?

The Iowa Master Gardener Program with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hiring a Program Assistant II! This role also supports the Iowa Donation Garden Network.

We're looking for:
- Someone with horticulture or gardening experience/education
- Administrative, customer service, and/or public education skills
- Passion about making an impact in the community

Sound like you? We'd love to hear from you.
Apply today: https://isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJobs/job/Ames-IA/Master-Gardener-Program-Assistant-II_R19361

Did you know composting is one of the easiest ways to reduce household waste? Instead of sending yard debris and food sc...
06/03/2026

Did you know composting is one of the easiest ways to reduce household waste?

Instead of sending yard debris and food scraps to the landfill, composting turns them into valuable organic matter that improves soil structure, boosts water retention, and supports healthier plants.

For more information and frequently asked questions on compost check out the Yard and Garden website: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/composting-faqs

06/02/2026

In just a few quick steps, you can have your own beautiful roses at home.

1. Dig a hole 2x wider than the diameter of the container they came in.
2. Lay the container on its side and loosen the soil ball. Keep the roots intact.
3. Fit the soil ball to the hole by making sure the top of the soil ball is level with the surrounding garden soil.
4. Fill in the hole with soil.
5. Firm the plant and soil in place.
6. Water well.

For more information on planting roses, visit the yard and garden website: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-plant-and-transplant-roses

When did you start harvesting your asparagus or rhubarb this year? If you started harvesting before April 15th, you shou...
06/02/2026

When did you start harvesting your asparagus or rhubarb this year?

If you started harvesting before April 15th, you should stop harvesting by early June. You can continue harvesting until mid-June if the first harvest was after April 15th. Ending the season in early to mid-June allows these plants to develop strong, healthy top growth and to store adequate food reserves in their crowns for next year’s production.

ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

Home gardeners often face decisions about whether and how to use herbicides. While some gardeners prefer nonchemical app...
06/01/2026

Home gardeners often face decisions about whether and how to use herbicides. While some gardeners prefer nonchemical approaches, there are situations where herbicides can be effective tools for managing difficult w**ds.

This article helps home gardeners understand what's in common w**d killers and how different active ingredients work. Learn to choose products wisely, avoid plant damage, and use herbicides more safely and effectively by reading and understanding the label: https://go.iastate.edu/DF4ZPX

**ds **dcontrol ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

Coral Bells = Color that lasts.From deep burgundy to bright lime, Coral Bells (Heuchera) bring bold foliage and delicate...
05/29/2026

Coral Bells = Color that lasts.

From deep burgundy to bright lime, Coral Bells (Heuchera) bring bold foliage and delicate blooms to your garden. With hundreds of cultivars available, you can find everything from silvery patterns to peachy tones, perfect for mixing and matching in any landscape.

Plus, those tiny bell-shaped flowers don’t just look pretty. Pollinators love them!

For more information on Coral Bells check out the Yard and Garden website: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2021/06/heuchera-or-coral-bells

Do you have a favorite variety of Coral Bells? Share with us in the comments.

Tomorrow is Horticulture Friday on Iowa Public Radio! Join us at 10 a.m. Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Extension Sp...
05/28/2026

Tomorrow is Horticulture Friday on Iowa Public Radio! Join us at 10 a.m.

Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist, and Jessie Liebenguth, Horticulturist, Reiman Gardens, will be talking about great new plants (trial programs AAS, ARTS, and more).

If plant shopping is on your to-do list for the long weekend, a few quick tips can help you bring home plants that will ...
05/27/2026

If plant shopping is on your to-do list for the long weekend, a few quick tips can help you bring home plants that will thrive.

- Check the overall shape: Choose sturdy, compact plants, not tall or floppy ones. Spindly or lanky plants (especially annuals and vegetables) do not transplant well. Trees should have well-spaced branches with no double leaders.
- Look at condition and quality: A few brown leaf edges or minor spots are fine, but avoid plants with heavy leaf damage. Plants should be firm and upright, not limp or wilted. Trees and shrubs should not have broken branches or trunk damage.
- Check for insects, diseases, and w**ds: Plants with these pests can negatively affect your new plant and/or other plants in your landscape.
- Do not be swayed by flowers: Blooms do not always mean a healthy plant and may be at peak, which means fewer blooms later in the season.

Taking a few extra minutes at the garden center can make a big difference once you get home. Get more plant shopping tips in this article: https://go.iastate.edu/KSWYWK

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

There is nothing like a fresh, ripe peach right off the tree! Iowans want that experience for themselves, but often face...
05/27/2026

There is nothing like a fresh, ripe peach right off the tree!

Iowans want that experience for themselves, but often face challenges due to Iowa's cold winters and unpredictable spring temperatures. Learn how to choose the right varieties, protect trees from winter injury, and successfully grow peaches in your landscape in the new article: https://go.iastate.edu/YKW54K

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

Houseplants can flourish in the warm temperatures and high humidity of an Iowa summer, and can put on a lot of new, heal...
05/27/2026

Houseplants can flourish in the warm temperatures and high humidity of an Iowa summer, and can put on a lot of new, healthy growth.

Before putting plants outside, you may need to repot some of them, but only bump up one or two sizes. You can also prune lanky or wayward stems because the ideal outdoor conditions allow them to quickly recover.

Place your plants in shadier locations because even the brightest indoor locations are only a fraction of the light intensity compared to any shady spot outside, and you don't want to shock them. If your plants are able to tolerate a bit more light, be sure to acclimate them before placing them in direct sunlight.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

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