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Spring is Near!
Greetings!
 Hope springs eternal for a gardener and in fact, if feels like an eternity since spring was here. On my wistful, chilly checks on the garden, I find myself ridiculously keeping an eye out for a snowdrop or a crocus. My garden journal reminds me that in March, the first bloomer in the garden is my pussy willow. It's usually not until April that I see the first little bulbs. But hey, maybe you'll be luckier. And please share with the group! We're desperate for some spring color! Email me a photo of the first flower blooming in your Iowa garden and I'll mail the earliest sender a free copy of my book, Gardening in Iowa! (I know, I know. Unfair advantage to southern Iowa!) So keep your eyes peeled. The first spring flowers are not far away. Promise! Happy Gardening,  Veronica Lorson Fowler |
Rats With Antlers
Our booth at the Des Moines Home and Garden Show was a blast. Hundreds of gardeners stopped by to chat, ask garden questions, sign up for our drawing for a lovely basket from Reiman Gardens, or sign up for the newsletter.
The most frequently asked question: What plants will deer not devour like a starving 300-pound vegetarian hitting a salad bar? Check out our listing of trees and shrubs deer are less likely to eat, as well as a list of annuals and perennials deer don't like.
Busted!
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How Can You Not Love These Naked Ladies?
My new favorite Iowa garden club: The Naked Ladies Garden Club of Grand Junction, Iowa. Named after the wonderful old-fashioned flower, this silly garden club also does a lot of good works around the community. Their latest effort is a calendar, filled with naked ladies (as in the flower, not the flesh) held by different community members. See Mr. December below. You can place an order for the 2010 calendar, which sells for $12, by emailing club member Jan Scharingson. Proceeds go to community improvement projects.
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Hold Off On Those Seeds!
 We're all itching to start seeds and work off our cabin fever, but hold off. You can start leeks, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower from seed now if you want (or buy starts later--it's easier and doesn't cost must more). However, most other vegetables and flowers shouldn't be started until later March. Click here for a chart and information from the University of North Carolina on how many weeks before the last frost date to plant seeds indoors (the last average frost date for the northern half of Iowa is May 15; for the southern half it's May 10).
And if you've been frustrated with your seed-starting efforts in the past, click here for my best tips for actually getting them to grow and thrive. Key is choosing easy seeds. Check out our list of those.
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Garden Flowers Now!
I need color! And now, thank goodness, we can get out in the garden and cut the branches of just about any flowering tree or shrub to bring into early bloom indoors, a process called forcing. I like to first soak the branches for several hours in cold water in the bathtub to get them well hydrated. Then put them in a vase of water and over the next several days, watch the flowers open up early! Magic. My favorites are pussy willows, forsythia, redbud, and crabapples. Click here for how-to instructions on forcing flowering branches. |
New Iowa Gardening Book!
Hey, check out this nifty book by Iowa boy Kelly Norris. (He's just 21 and a dynamo. His family owns Rainbow Iris Farms in  Bedford and he's on the State Horticultural Society board and is an accomplished garden author to boot.) It's the "Iowa Gardeners Travel Guide," a listing of various notable gardens around the state. Some are public, some are private, and some are part of a nursery, so you can buy the beautiful plants you're viewing. It's a great resource this spring to help you grab a garden friend and plan a local road trip!
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Ask Veronica a Question
If you're a subscriber, email Veronica with your garden questions and she'll do her best to get back to you within two business days. Click here! |
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Garden To-Do List:
 You can start to prune most deciduous trees in late February or March, but wait until July to prune oaks and walnuts to avoid wilt diseases.
Stock up! Work off your spring fever to buy new pots, potting soil, seeds and seed-starting supplies, tools, soil amendments, fertilizers, etc. You'll save trips to the garden center during the spring rush.
If you're smart enough to have a cold frame, you can start radishes, spinach, and lettuces in it in the next week or two.
How's your mower? If you didn't get it tuned up last fall and the blade sharpened, do it yourself now or take it in before the spring crunch.
Same for any shears or other sharp cutting or slicing objects, including spades and hoes. If you haven't already, invest a few bucks in a sharpening stone. It makes all the difference. Click here to learn how. It's easy after you do it once or twice.
Prevent diseases on fruit trees by spraying with horticultural oil, also called dormant oil. It's an organic measure and I feel it is a must for any bearing fruit tree. It can be done on any still day when the temperatures are
above 40°F.
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Garden Events
Des Moines Botanical Center
Saturday, March 7
Garden coach Deb Wiley and Friends Director Elvin McDonald give tips on creating a more sustainable, earth-friendly garden.
Iowa Flower, Lawn, and Garden Show
Friday, March 20-Sunday, March 22
Display gardens, lots of vendors for plant lovers from across the state
All Iowa Horticulture Exposition
to be held April 3-4 at the Ottumwa, Iowa Bridge View Conference Center. Sponsored by the Iowa Horticultural Society
Please send us your group's upcoming garden events!
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Quote of the Week
"Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is patience."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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