Muscatine County Master Gardeners

08/20/2026

Home gardeners across Iowa are reporting a wide range of tomato issues this summer. While many gardeners first suspect disease, several of the most common problems are physiological disorders triggered by fluctuating weather, uneven moisture and environmental stress.

AMES, Iowa – Home gardeners across Iowa are reporting a wide range of tomato issues this summer. While many gardeners first suspect disease, several of the most common problems are physiological disorders triggered by fluctuating weather, uneven moisture and environmental stress.

08/13/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/eYFNWzFKJCo?si=ZqNScHquP6STGkEi

That beautiful fern-like plant growing in your landscape may not be...

08/12/2026

🌱 LAST CHANCE TO BECOME A MASTER GARDENER! 🌱

Have you been thinking about becoming a Master Gardener? Now is the time to apply!

Applications for Fall 2026 Master Gardener Training are open, but the deadline is quickly approaching: 📅 AUGUST 14!

The 10-week hybrid program combines online learning with local, in-person sessions where you’ll expand your horticulture knowledge, meet fellow gardeners, and learn how you can put your knowledge to work in your community.

No matter your gardening experience level, there’s a place for you!

Applications close August 14, 2026.

Don’t miss your chance to join the next class!

👉 Learn more and apply:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/become-master-gardener

08/10/2026

Summer is in full swing, and with the heat comes plenty of garden and lawn questions! Join us as we tackle some of the most common summertime issues, including crabgrass taking over lawns, brown patches of turf, cracked tomatoes, swarms of beetles, and more!

Summer is in full swing, and with the heat comes plenty of garden a...

08/06/2026

The answer is never satisfying but here are some tips to managing Japanese Beetles.

Japanese beetles are one of the most destructive summer garden pest...

08/04/2026

Bearded irises should be divided every three to five years, as the plants quickly become overcrowded and don’t bloom well. July or August is the best time to dig, divide and transplant bearded irises.

Learn when and how to divide bearded and Siberian irises to maintain healthy, blooming plants plus tips for best growing conditions for both iris varieties.

08/03/2026

If your bearded iris clumps are blooming poorly or becoming crowded, August is a great time to divide and transplant them.

1. carefully dig up with a spade
2. cut foliage back to 1/3 height
3. wash soil off the rhizomes
4. cut rhizomes apart with sharp knife
5. discard leafless and diseased or insect-damaged rhizomes
6. plant!

Divided irises don’t bloom as much the following spring, but should be in full bloom by their second year. Get all the details here: https://go.iastate.edu/OMH5YO

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

08/01/2026

Every year, Master Gardener volunteers help beautify communities, grow food for those in need, educate gardeners of all ages, and inspire others to discover the joy of gardening.

Now it's your turn!

Applications are open for the Iowa Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Through a combination of online learning and local, hands-on experiences, you'll build a strong foundation in horticulture while becoming part of a network of volunteers making a difference across Iowa.

If you've ever thought about becoming a Master Gardener, there's never been a better time to apply.

🌱 Start your journey today:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/garden-academy

07/30/2026

In an ideal world, our deciduous trees and shrubs have beautiful green leaves from the minute they emerge in the spring until it is time for fall colors to arrive. Of course, nature and the environment will influence the longevity of those leaves depending on the weather and site history. And it appears that this year, we’ll likely see some early defoliation on our lilacs again, just like we saw two years ago.

The weather has been highly conducive to the foliar fungal disease of lilac called Pseudocercospora leaf spot. In Iowa in 2024, we experienced what I called the Pseudocercospor-apocolypse in lilacs- an overwhelming amount of this disease showing up on lilacs early in the fall, leading to premature defoliation. However, in 2024 I first diagnosed Pseudocercospora leaf spot in late July, and this year I’m seeing it more than two weeks earlier.

The weather this year has been highly conducive to the foliar fungal disease of lilac called Pseudocercospora leaf spot. Learn what you can do if you think you're seeing this disease on your lilacs in the article.

07/21/2026

🌱 **Grow Your Knowledge. Grow Your Community.**

Applications are now open for the Garden Academy Master Gardener Volunteer Track.

If you enjoy gardening and want to use your knowledge to make a difference, becoming a Master Gardener volunteer is a rewarding way to give back to your community. After completing the training, volunteers share research-based gardening information through community gardens, educational events, beautification projects, youth programming, and more.

No matter your gardening experience, if you're curious and enjoy learning, we'd love to have you join us!

🌼 Learn more and apply today:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/garden-academy