This Week in Iowa Nature

Wood duck hatchlings tumble from high nests and head for the nearest water.

Jean C. Prior and James Sandrock, The Iowa Nature Calendar

Plant of the Week

Prairie cord grass
Spartina pectinata Link
other common names: cord grass, freshwater cord grass, marsh grass, slough grass, tall marsh grass, rip gut
Spartina: from Greek spartine, a cord such as that made from the bark of Spartinum. This was probably from the strong, tough leaves.
Pectinata: from Latin, meaning “comblike,” from the toothed edge of the leaf blades
Grass family: Poaceae (Gramineae)

Photograph by Thomas Rosburg, Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie: The Upper Midwest, Second Edition

June Gardening Tip

Plant sweet corn a second time, about two weeks after your first planting in late May, to extend the harvesting season.

Veronica Lorson Fowler with the Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa, Gardening in Iowa and Surrounding Areas