Aaron Steil

Eating a ripe tomato fresh from the garden is one of the true pleasures of summer, but growing tomatoes can be challenging — especially if your plants get hit by disease. In this episode, we talk about tomatoes and their many diseases with Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician with the Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic.

While some of us are making the most of the last few weeks of summer, other folks are ready to move on to fall. Demand for iconic autumnal plants and colors starts earlier every year. On this episode, we talk with ISU Extension Horticulture Specialist Randall Vos about producing fall plants on demand.

If your yard and landscape look worse for the wear after a few weeks extreme heat, maybe it's time to think about a refresh. On this episode, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist Aaron Steil joins us. He tells us about the beautiful perennials that thrive in the heat of summer.

Native plants improve biodiversity and help local wildlife thrive. On this Horticulture Day episode of Talk of Iowa, host Dani Gehr sits in for Charity Nebbe. She talks with Iowa State extension horticulture specialist Ray Kruse about what natives have succeeded in his garden, and what plants he's needed to pull. Then, Iowa State University extension horticulture specialist Aaron Steil joins us to answer listener questions.

Addressing the challenges that are showing up in our trees and perennials this summer.

Advice for trees and perennials in need.

There are a lot of different things that can derail a fruit crop, even after your blossoms have survived the last frost. It was a tough spring for many fruit crops, but if you are lucky enough to have some fruit on your tree, there are a few things you can do to help them thrive. On this Horticulture Day episode, we hear from Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialists Randal Vos and Aaron Steil. We find out what we should be doing when it comes to summer fruit management and answer listener questions.

Clematis plants make a beautiful addition to any yard. Iowa State Horticulturists Cindy Haynes and Aaron Steil share tips for growing and caring for your clematis.

Often called the "queen of climbers," clematis are known for their beautiful blooms and ability to add height to your garden. These vining members of the buttercup family make a beautiful addition to almost any yard and they are in full bloom right now. Cindy Haynes, professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University and Aaron Steil, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist join the program to tell us about growing and caring for clematis.

When you flip through the pages of your favorite garden catalog, your eye might be caught by any number of new varieties of your favorite plants. All of the new plants at your garden center or in that garden catalog have to be tried and tested before they make it to market. Horticulturist Jessie Liebenguth of Reiman Gardens joins the show to talk about how new plant varieties are tested, and we'll find out about some of her favorites.