Iowa's native prairies are in full bloom.

This time of year, bees are frequent, uninvited guests to your outdoor activities.

BLT's, caprese salad or just sliced and salted... With tomatoes, the possibilities are endless!

What we can do to support monarch butterflies and minimize harm from Japanese beetles.

Vegetable production specialist Ajay Nair talks about growing corn — the kind meant for your plate.

An Iowa DNR District Forester joins the show to discuss problems your trees may face, including oak and hackberry tatters.

On this episode of Garden Variety we provide guidance on selecting saplings and caring for newly planted trees.

It's harvest time for broccoli and cauliflower. On this episode of Garden Variety, all the best advice on caring for and harvesting these cool season crops.

Just gonna have to be a different plant — Brenton Arboretum's Melissa Burdick discusses the how to deal with the change of the landscape over time.

Ed Lyon, director of Reiman Gardens in Ames, helps you find the right groundcover plants for you.

On this bonus episode of the Garden Variety podcast, Charity Nebbe speaks with Doug Tallamy about the landscapes we’ve created, what the cost may be to many species and how each one of us can make a difference.

ISU entomologist Donald Lewis joins Garden Variety to talk solutions to your ant problems.

On this episode of Garden Variety, Charity speaks with ISU Extension horticulture specialist Dan Fillius about growing sweet potatoes.

From functional to fancy, container gardening can take many different forms. They are pretty, colorful, and great options for people with limited mobility.

On this episode of Garden Variety, Charity and ISU horticulturists Aaron Steil and Cindy Haynes discuss best practices for caring for peonies, irises and other spring-blooming perennials.

On this episode of Garden Variety, Charity speaks with Suzanne Slack of Iowa State University Extension about how to get your orchard off to a good growing season and handle all the problems that can leave you stumped.

Welcome to Garden Variety, the horticulture podcast for all the things you’d like to grow or grow better.

Whether you’re a master gardener, just getting started or somewhere in between, there's always something new to learn in your garden and landscape. That’s where “Garden Variety,” a horticulture podcast from Iowa Public Radio and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, comes in. On each episode, host Charity Nebbe will talk with horticulturists, foresters and other experts. We’ll learn about vegetable gardens, lawns, native plants, trees and more!“Garden Variety” is the podcast for all the things you’d like to grow or grow better. Coming soon!

When you decide to plant a backyard bramble, you have a lot of choices to make.

Not big. Not small. Something in between.

How to make the most out of your strawberry patch

ISU Entomologist Zach Schum talks all things cicadas.

The USDA plant hardiness zone map has been updated. Here's what that means for your garden.

In this bonus episode of Garden Variety, Charity talks with University of Iowa biology professor Andrew Forbes about all things cicada.

How to care for hanging basket blooms.

In this bonus episode of Garden Variety, Charity talks with ISU expert Jan Thompson about how the attitude toward Bradford Pear trees has shifted. Then, Charity talks with ISU expert Cathy McMullen about garlic mustard—and how to control it.

Some Iowans have noticed a reduction of pollinators in their neighborhoods and gardens this summer, as the state has experienced severe weather this season.

Protect the trees in your landscape during construction projects

What to keep in mind as you begin to mow your lawn regularly

The king of crab apples shares some of his favorite spring blooming trees and talk about why magnolias seem to be having an off year

Leaving plant debris in your perennial garden all winter long provides texture and habitat, but now it’s time to do some spring cleaning as the weather warms.

As the weather warms up and insects emerge, you might find yourself with some unwanted houseguests crawling around.

It will be a while before you can pick your homegrown harvest, but we can offer some guidance when it comes to picking the right fruit trees.

Many landowners and stewards in Iowa battle invasives on a regular basis, sometimes spending hours weeding plants like honeysuckle and garlic mustard.

Guidance on caring for seedlings

To get a larger plant selection conveniently sent to your home, there is an online market of bulbs, seeds and plants. But how do you know you are ordering quality plants?

If you’re going to prune your shade trees this spring, it’s time to make a plan

Experts share how they dry and preserve the spoils of their herb garden.

In this bonus episode of Garden Variety, learn about the Philadelphia Flower Show from designer Kelly Norris.

Variety is the spice of life and the key to getting the most out of your garden.

Instead of going to the grocery store this season, grow flowers for your Valentine from home.

A horticulture expert shares ways to create your own indoor hydroponics system without breaking the bank.

Horticulture experts discuss their favorite seed catalogs and picking the right plants for your garden.

In this bonus episode of Garden Variety, go behind the scenes to learn about how Horticulture Day started!

The holidays inspire many of us to bring new plants into our homes. Here's how to best care for them

Host Charity Nebbe talks with horticulturist Chris Currey about the long history of the poinsettia.

More and more people are planting gardens with pollinators in mind. How about planting something nice for birds?

Ajay Nair, professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University, discusses the finer points of growing our own carrots.

Experts discuss how to care for summer blooming shrubs — hydrangea, button bush and so many others

Daylight hours are about to get even shorter. What's your outdoor agenda this weekend?