Featured Content

Can I start my seeds indoors yet?

This time of year, we all get a little anxious for some green in our lives. But now is not quite the right time for most annuals and vegetables. Learn more about what you can do right now and the best time to start seeds for the most success.

Seedlings in a plug tray with a light above.

Garden Trivia


When is the best time to prune oak trees?



Read on to see the answer!

A shrub in a garden bed with no leaves and bright red branches.

Dogwoods for Iowa Landscapes

Dogwoods are synonymous with colorful winter stems. While some species feature bright red or yellow stems that pop against a snow-covered landscape, there are many other reasons to love dogwoods. Learn more about the many dogwood species you can grow in your yard.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

Winter is the time when many learning opportunities become available across the state and beyond. Check out some of these resources to find a gardening webinar, conference, symposium, lecture, or workshop near you!

People attending an outdoor conference with plants in the foreground.
A yellow lawn sign reading pesticide application do not enter. Do not remove sign for 24 hours.

Using Pesticides Safely in the Home and Garden

Pesticides can be beneficial and are one of the considerations when using integrated pest management (IPM) in your garden (albeit the last one!). But safety is important. Learn more about using pesticides in a way that protects you and the environment.

Other Items of Interest

Garden Trivia Answer


December to February is the best time to prune oak trees. Pruning oak trees in winter greatly reduces the risk of oak wilt, a deadly fungal disease. The disease spreads when sap-feeding beetles carry spores from infected trees to fresh wounds on healthy ones, to which the insects are particularly attracted. In winter, these insects are not active, and the fungus that causes oak wilt is not producing spores, making it the safest time to prune. Learn more in this article: Pruning Oak Trees to Avoid Oak Wilt.

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Iowa State Extension and Outreach

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