Featured Content

Featured Publication: Growing, Harvesting, and Preserving Herbs

FAQ of the Week: How can I identify the apple tree variety in my backyard?

Bloom of the Week: False Sunflower

Problem of the Week: Foliar Diseases on Lilac

Task of the Week: Aerate the Lawn

Garden Variety Podcast: Mighty morphing flower rangers

How to Harvest and Store Apples

It's apple picking season! Learn how to determine if your apples are ripe and the best methods for harvesting and storing them so you can get the most out of your apple tree.

A person picking a bright red apple off of the tree.

Garden Trivia

True or False: Mums purchased and planted in the garden in September and October become long-lived perennials returning year after year.

Read on to see the answer!

A cluster of raspberries that are smaller than usual due to lack of water.

Fall Fruit Reminders

Late-season care is critical for fruit crops in Iowa. Dry fall conditions can stress fruit crops like raspberries, strawberries, and grapevines, making irrigation and disease management essential for healthy plants and future yields.

Fall-Blooming Bulbs

When you think of bulbs you often think of spring, but there are several species of fall-blooming bulbs that are great additions to the garden. Learn more about colchicums, autumn crocuses, and many of the other fall-blooming favorites.

Buckwheat cover crop growing in the garden.

Cover Crops for Home Vegetable Gardens

Cover crops are beneficial in the home vegetable garden. They improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, and enhance soil health. Learn about all aspects of using cover crops at home, such as timing, goals, and termination methods.

Tree Pruning and Planting Workshop Offered September 23rd

The Women’s Woodland Stewardship Network is hosting an urban tree care workshop about pruning and planting. The workshop offers hands-on experience with pruning trees and a tree planting demonstration. Learn more about this workshop on September 23, 2025.

A person finishing up planting a young tree.

Award-Winning Vegetables Fuel Community Giving at Reiman Gardens

Learn about a few All-America Selections vegetables, including a vibrant pepper, a meaty tomato, and an icy eggplant, which are helping turn trial plots into generous harvests for local food pantries.

Moving Houseplants Back Indoors in the Fall

As the nights cool and fall arrives, it's time to bring houseplants back indoors from their “summer vacation.” Nighttime temperatures consistently around 50°F is your cue to start bringing them in. Learn how to best bring your houseplants back indoors and avoid issues with shock and pests.

Potted houseplants outdoors for the summer.

Other Items of Interest

Garden Trivia Answer

False. The beautiful chrysanthemums found in garden centers, grocery stores, florists, and home improvement stores right now do not overwinter well in Iowa, even the “hardy” cultivars. Mums planted late in the season do not have enough time to fully establish before winter and frequently die before next spring. Treat these beautiful plants like annuals – we do it with petunias and impatiens (both of which would be perennials if it didn’t get so cold over winter), we can do it with mums! Learn more in this article: Growing Chrysanthemums in Iowa.

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