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When life gives you blossoms, prune your apple trees

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

Harvest is still months away, but apple trees all over the state are blooming. For many apple growers, this is the calm before the storm. Apple trees are vulnerable to a number of pests and diseases that may compromise the crop and the health of the tree.

Suzanne Slack is an assistant professor of horticulture at Iowa State University and an expert on these challenges. She discusses solutions, plus what to look for if someone wants a new apple tree. Then Aaron Steil joins the program to answer gardening questions.

Guests:

  • Suzanne Slack, assistant professor with ISU Department of Horticulture
  • Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

To further grow your gardening knowledge, sign up for the Garden Variety newsletter. And check out all the episodes of Garden Variety, the horticulture podcast for all the things you’d like to grow or grow better.

Charity Nebbe is IPR's 'Talk of Iowa' host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts 'Garden Variety' and 'Unsettled'. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Caitlin Troutman is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewell College. Since 2022, Troutman has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Aaron Steil is a Consumer Horticulture Specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Aaron contributes his expertise to the Garden Variety podcast and newsletter and to Talk of Iowa's Horticulture Day program.