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What is that blue flower on Iowa’s roads

If you drive on nearly any Iowa county road and many main highways, too, you’ve undoubtedly seen light blue flowers brightening the roadside. Although not native to North America, chicory (Cichorium intybus) has become ubiquitous in the state, and many others, as well. According to Polk County Conservation, Chicory was introduced to North America from […]

Japanese beetle watch begins

Japanese beetle watch begins

UPDATE (June 25, 2016) One day after posting this, I’ve seen the first Japanese beetles of the season. And of course, they’re after my raspberries! June 24, 2016 – It seems to be an especially bountiful season for raspberries, perhaps because of plentiful and timely rains in Iowa. But for the past decade or so, […]