This publication includes photos of all North Dakota state and county listed noxious weeds as well as "troublesome" plants such as poison ivy. Methods to identify and control each weed are discussed and why the plant is a concern in the state is explained. This is a pocket sized version of the publications W1411, Identification and Control of Invasive and Troublesome Weeds in North Dakota.
Ash trees (in the genus Fraxinus) are susceptible to attack by the emerald ash borer (EAB), a non-native insect. The first step in determining if a tree has been infested with EAB is to make certain that it is an ash tree.
This publication summarizes butterfly gardening including identification of butterflies, life cycle, how to plan a butterfly garden, planting a butterfly garden, flowers and host plants of caterpillars.
Cankerworms appear in small numbers every year, feeding on tree leaves and buds. Cankerworm outbreaks can cause severe damage, so knowing their tree hosts, the life cycle of fall and spring cankerworms and pest management can help detect and manage them.
This publication describes the most common natural enemies of insect pests that are found in field crops and gardens. Pictures of each natural enemy are provided for assistance with identification. Predators, parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi and viral diseases are covered.
Dutch elm disease (DED) has been spreading across North America since the 1920s. It first was reported in North Dakota in Mandan in 1969, and it reached eastern North Dakota by 1973. DED has been confirmed in every North Dakota county.
This document lists fully recommended, partially recommended and not recommended elm (Ulmus) species and cultivars. Recommendations are based on testing, experience and expert opinion. American elm, Japanese elm, Siberian elm, and hybrid elms are all discussed.
This publication summarizes the threat of invasive metallic wood-boring beetle, emerald ash borer, to North Dakota's ash trees. It's identification, biology, damage, and pest management strategies including cultural, plant resistance, biological control and chemical control are discussed. If you suspect that your ash tree is infested with emerald ash borer, it also tells you what to do.
One of the most important steps in establishing and growing lawns, vegetables, trees, and flowers is understanding soil health. This publication explains different soil textures and how to troubleshoot common problems. In addition, the process of taking a soil sample for testing is explained.
Leafy greens include lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, kale and arugula. They are easy to grow and prepare, and provide a wide variety of nutrients.
Many types of onions are available to grow and use. Onions are ranked sixth among the world’s leading vegetable crops. On average, people eat about 20 pounds of onions a year.
More than 5,000 varieties of potatoes are grown throughout the world. The average person in the U.S. eats 124 pounds of potatoes every year. Potatoes can be used in a wide variety of recipes.
Pumpkins are one of the colorful symbols of autumn. Most people think of using them solely for the purpose of carving and displaying, but pumpkin can be used in many ways on your menu, including soups and desserts. Try roasting the seeds for a crunchy snack.
Snap beans are delicious vegetables that are easy for people of all ages to grow. They are easy to preserve, so we can enjoy them year-round.
Sweet corn on the cob (or off the cob) is a tasty addition to meals. Corn, also called “maize,” is sold by color, not variety (white, yellow or bicolor). Corn can be preserved in different ways to be enjoyed year-round.
Botanically, a tomato is classified as a fruit because it has seeds and is derived from flower tissue. Nutritionists consider tomatoes to be “vegetables” on the menu. Tomatoes can be frozen, canned or dried, so we can enjoy them year-round.
Squash has been used as a nutritious food for thousands of years in North America. You might find buttercup, butternut, acorn and/or spaghetti squash in your local grocery store. Botanists consider squash to be a fruit, but it is used as a vegetable on menus.
While many excellent types of salsa are available in supermarkets, you can tailor homemade fresh salsa to suit your own taste buds. By following guidelines in this publication, you can safely process salsa in a water bath canner for later enjoyment.
This publication summarizes the benefits of gardening with children and provide information about basic garden preparation, tools and resources for parents/adults.
Determining how to purchase local food for retailers or businesses can be challenging. This document busts the myths of local food purchasing and selling with guidance from the the North Dakota Department of Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.
Flooding periodically happens in North Dakota. Post-flooding management decisions can help or harm trees and shrubs on their road to recovery. A list of flood-tolerant trees/shrubs, and a list of flood-sensitive trees/shrubs, are provided.
Purple loosestrife, a beautiful garden plant with an aggressive nature, was first introduced into North America in the early 1800s. The plant was sold in North Dakota by its genus name Lythrum for at least 50 years. Lythrum plants were brought to North Dakota for flower gardens because of their striking color, ease of growth, winter hardiness, and lack of insect or disease problems. The garden varieties of purple loosestrife were sold by many cultivar names including Morden Pink, Drop-more Purple, and Morden Gleam. These garden cultivars were thought to be sterile but have now been shown to cross-pollinate with the wild Lythrum type and sometimes with other Lythrum cultivars.
This publication includes photos of all North Dakota state and county listed noxious weeds as well as "troublesome" plants such as poison ivy. Methods to identify and control each weed are discussed and why the plant is a concern in the state is explained. This is a major revision since the first publication in 2010.
The Emerald ash borer is a beetle (Order Coleoptera). Beetles are recognized by having shell-like front wings called elytra. When the wings are folded, they meet forming a median line down the back. Currently, Emerald ash borer has not been found in North Dakota.
Many insects look and even sound like bees in our gardens and yards! This publication summarizes the insects that mimic bees including flies, wasps and moths, and which ones are pollinators. Some examples of bee mimics described are hover flies, bee flies, yellowjackets, hornets, paper wasps and hummingbird moths.
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a vinegar fly that was first confirmed in ND in 2013 as an invasive pest of soft-skinned fruit crops. The SWD lays its eggs in healthy, ripening fruits. Then larvae hatch from eggs and feed on the fruit causing spoilage. Identification, life cycle and pest management strategies are discussed.
This publication will help identify and manage apple scab in home landscapes.
This publication describes the major factors of why are some pollinators in decline, such as habitat loss and pesticides. Four pollinators that are poorly known are discussed including the rusty patched bumble bee, the yellow-banded bumble bee, the poweshiek skipperling and the Dakota skipper. Tips are provided on how to protect these threatened, rare or endangered pollinators.
Pines for North Dakota gives an overview of the most common pine trees in the state, explaining characteristics that will help identify one pine from another.
This publication summarizes the process of pollination in different vegetables and fruits grown by the backyard gardeners of North Dakota. Successful pollination is needed for fruit or berry production. The role of pollinators in growing vegetables and fruits is summarized as well as best management practices to attract and protect pollinators.
