With the infestation of Emerald Ash Borer found in Dakota Dunes, Dr. John Ball, South Dakota Forester, Professor of South Dakota State University, and South Dakota Extension, says towns nearby such as Vermillion and Yankton may see Emerald Ash Borer infestations as soon as a year or so away. He suggests referring to the Home … Continue reading
Filed under Trees and Shrubs …
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day- May 15th
Welcome to Spring at Plant Exchange Blog on the Northern Plains, USDA Zone 4-5a. Recent soaking rain and 70-degree days are what deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennials have been waiting for! Native plum trees, an early sign of spring, often grow in thickets, planted mainly by birds. Fragrant flowers draw many small bees and other … Continue reading
Plants Adjust to Spring
Plants are adjusting to spring all around us. Multi-taskers (like humans), many trees, shrubs, and perennials are forming leaves and flowering. As many plants begin spring activity after dormancy, they need startup energy. Leaves use sunlight to make food. Extra energy is also required for flowering to start procreation. Plants like daffodils and tulips use … Continue reading
The Plum Tree Announces Spring
Scattered daffodils, tulips, hellebores, and grape hyacinths sing in four-part harmony as I look around the yard for the early signs of spring. It’s been a first mowing, edging, weeding, and removing more dregs of winter day. After windy, dry weather, there’s a chance of rain. Tight flower buds of the native plum tree (Prunus … Continue reading
We Appreciate Trees and Their Care Challenges
The city of Yankton soon celebrates Arbor Day. Urban forestry staff emphasizes the diversity of trees matched to growing sites and their care year-round, earning a 2023 Tree City USA designation by the Arbor Day Foundation in Nebraska. Nearby, Vermillion also meets the 2023 Tree City USA standards. Planting a tree is often part of … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day March 15th
Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog on the Northern Plains, USDA Hardiness Zone 4-5a. Today is a melting day from several snowfalls. Here, we are still in late winter, not yet showing signs of spring. Lacking a single plant in bloom out or indoors, I noticed a past local Star Magnolia tree photo that does bloom in early … Continue reading
Create a Sustainable Yard
A blanket of snow covers our yard. Before winter dormancy ends and the spring rush begins, there is time to think about parts of the yard to reinforce, add to, or change. A February 2023 Fine Gardening magazine feature shows how a professional might access their yard. It stirred some thoughts about my own yard. … Continue reading
More on the Emerald Ash Borer
Wild turkeys found some ash tree seed nourishment after the heavy winter snows. Even in winter, keeping up with Emerald Ash borer information is worthwhile. More than four years ago, Yankton heard the alert when an Emerald ash borer was identified in Omaha and Sioux Falls ash trees. With highway travel and rivers linking the cities, … Continue reading
Palms From the Land of Milk and Honey
Palms are trees that grow in the full sun of warm and dry or humid climates, such as the Middle East, northern Africa, the European Mediterranean, Mexico, California, Florida, and Arizona. Not here on the Northern Plains. Waving palm fronds at a Palm Sunday church service and eating dates in a Christmas fruitcake is a … Continue reading
Blue Spruce Defends Itself
You may find a green tree like this nearby. The Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pugens) is found in many yards and in public spaces in the region. This one is about 30 ft. tall and nearly twenty years old. Evergreen trees add green to the winter landscape, while deciduous trees have lost leaves and are dormant … Continue reading
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