BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University Extension will continue its popular Garden Hour series during the off-season with presentations every other month.

Garden Hour runs weekly during the growing season, typically from May through August. The off-season episodes are scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. Central time on Oct. 8, Dec. 3, Feb. 11 and April 1.

They are free to attend, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. To register, visit the SDSU Extension events page and search “garden.”

Each session includes two presentations and ample time for questions from attendees. In October, graduate research assistant Connor Ruen will talk about his work with cover crops and broccolini. Robin Buterbaugh, SDSU Extension horticulture field specialist, will provide updates on urban gardening.

“It’s a nice way for everyone to keep in touch and keep thinking about gardening when it gets cold and dark,” said Amanda Bachmann, SDSU Extension urban entomology field specialist. “It gives you something to look forward to for the next growing season.”

Bachmann co-hosts the series, along with John Ball, professor, SDSU Extension forestry specialist and South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources forest health specialist; Rhoda Burrows, professor and SDSU Extension horticulture specialist; and Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension consumer horticulture specialist.

December is a holiday plants-themed episode, with Ball talking about Christmas trees and Madalyn Shires, assistant professor and SDSU Extension plant pathology specialist, discussing how to care for other popular holiday plants.

In February, Prairey Walkling, SDSU Extension master gardener field specialist, will talk about upcoming master gardener training, and Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension state climatologist, will provide the spring climate outlook.

For the final off-season webinar in April, Sydney Trio, McCrory Gardens education coordinator and SDSU Extension horticulture sssistant, will give a sneak peek of the McCrory Gardens 2025 spring and summer schedule, and Hans Klopp, SDSU Extension soil health field specialist, will talk about soil and plant health.

Bachmann said both the regular and off-season Garden Hour webinars are a great way to get your plant and garden-related questions answered by experts.

“We always get such great questions,” Bachmann said. “It’s just a nice way to connect with SDSU Extension resources and learn what we have available for the citizens of South Dakota.”

Gardeners can also submit garden and yard questions at the SDSU Extension Garden and Yard Problems and Solutions page. An SDSU Extension expert or Master Gardener will reply, typically within 48 hours if the inquiry is made on a weekday.

For more information, contact Bachmann at 605-773-8120 or amanda.bachmann@sdstate.edu.