Transplants grown either indoors or in a greenhouse need a period to adjust to the outdoor conditions before being planted in the field. If transplants are planted directly in the garden before they are adjusted to the sun, wind, rain and cool outdoor temperatures they may not survive the shock.

Caring for plants in a retail greenhouse or garden center presents a challenge to the retailer because the plants must survive the stresses of display conditions and continue to grow and thrive in the landscape.

At this time in the growing season, Iron (Fe) deficiency symptoms are appearing among bedding plants and other spring greenhouse plants. The main symptom of Iron (Fe) deficiency is Chlorosis or yellowing, usually starting at the shoot tip and newly developed leaves.

Saving seeds is a fun and economical way to produce plants for the next year.  There are concerns however when saving seeds about seed borne diseases.  Seed borne diseases are pathogens such as bacteria, fungus, or viruses that can live on the surface or interior of the seed and have the potential to spread the disease to the next season’s crop.  Seed born disease infection varies widely by crop, disease, and location.

The health of your seeds begins with the plants that produce them. Seed producing plants should be robust and disease free. Strong, healthy plants produce healthy seeds and seedlings that are larger, more viable and more-vigorous than seedlings produced by weak, diseased, drought stressed or chronically-hungry plants. Small or misshapen seeds are shorter-lived under storage conditions than larger, better formed seeds.

Planting a crop or closely related crop in the same location year after year can lead to increased incidences of disease and insect infestations. To reduce the pest potential it is recommended to rotate plant families in the garden. This means that a gardener should not plant a crop or related crop in the same garden soil season after season, but instead move the families around within the garden space. For example a tomato planting should not be followed up by a potato planting the following season.

iGrow Gardens is offering a new Ask an Expert feature provided through eXtension. 

Xeriscape comes from the root words xeric and scape. Xeric means characterized by or adapted to extremely dry habitat. This term for ‘dryland landscaping’ was established by the Denver Water company in the early 1980’s. This technique can reduce water usage, soil erosion, maintenance costs, and maintenance time. These plants will also attract butterflies, native wildlife and beneficial insects. This is an ideal technique for South Dakota’s semi-arid climate.

Gardeners and homeowners who are thinking of taking a soil sample this fall or next spring need to be aware that South Dakota State University will no longer be offering commericla testing after October 22, 2011. A list of nearby state or private laboratories that can be used for garden and lawn samples is given below. The private laboratories are not necessarily recommended or endorsed. Gardeners with questions on sampel submissions, analysis charges and recommendationss hould contact the laboratory of interest.