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Spring, Glorious Spring!
Greetings!
 I've been visiting my mom in Kansas, and just by driving a few hours south, I can see what's in store for us shortly in Iowa. The lawns are green, the daffodils are out in force, and even the tulips are blooming. Eleven-year-old Will and his cousin, Collyn, raked out grandma's flower beds while I focused on pruning the out-of-control climbing roses. It was glorious to really be out in a garden again, and it convinces me that the back of Old Man Winter has been truly, soundly broken. Now it's time to get out there and get going in my own garden. I can't wait! Happy Gardening,  Veronica Lorson Fowler |
Save Money on Water, Beautifully
 Rain barrels are a time-honored way to save water and provide the best chemical-free water for houseplants and flowers.
This 40-gallon classy rain barrel from Petty Vinyl in Gladbook, Iowa, is not only functional but has a unique planter box in the lid for planting. Unusual! Click here for details on how it works.
The rain barrel normally sells for $229.99 plus tax and shipping, but as a subscriber to The Iowa Gardener, it's yours for only $199.99 plus tax. Shipping is free (for a limited time).
For information or to place an order, call Petty Vinyl at 1-888-477-4474 or email them. Don't forget to mention this ad in The Iowa Gardener to receive your discount! And find out more about other outdoor products at pettyvinyl.com. |
Time to Shop for Plants
When it comes to buying plants, I'm a bargain hunter. I like to look around and see what's available for the best price.
Rule Number One: It has to be healthy. And if it looks healthy, it probably is. (Always pass on spindly and diseased plants.  They seldom recover.) Click here to find out more of our best plant-buying tips, including when to pick up those bargain plants at the mega-garden center and when to seek out plants at specialty and small independent nurseries.
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My Favorite Tool
This is the tool I love so much that when I go to help my mom with her garden in Kansas, I pack it. And when I was pregnant and couldn't kneel easily, I found a longer-handled version.
It's called an Asian plow (or sometime Korean plow, or E-Z Digger). It's great for ripping open a small planting hole, even in hard ground. It's ideal for making furrows for planting seeds, or weeding with great precision in cracks of sidewalks or around problematic plants like German bearded irises. Or flip it on its side to cultivate broad sweeps of ground. 
It sells for about $15-$20 and I've seen it only via mail-order. Lots of places carry it on-line, but click here for one supplier that carries both the short- and the long-handled versions at a good price.
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Weed Control from the Kitchen
Did you know that plain old vinegar makes a surprisingly effective spray for weeds? Try it. It really works! Just spray it directly on the weeds, full strength. This works best on small weeds on a sunny day-perfect for those cracks in the driveway-but be careful not to hit surrounding plants or they'll be damaged, too.
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Lawn Lessons
This is the year to get the green, gorgeous lawn you've been wanting! Whether you choose to use lawn chemicals or are going organic, check out our month-by-month lawn schedule for Iowa that tells you what to do and when to do it. Starting now. If you choose to use herbicides, it's almost time to apply a  preemergent herbicide to prevent crabgrass and other lawn weeds that start from scattered seeds. And if you've been struggling like I have with creeping charlie, click here for some good advice on controlling it. Good luck!
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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:
Hurrah! It's time to get out and do some planting!
 Plant cool-season annual flowers, such as pansies, now. Later in April, plant snapdragons, godietas, Iceland poppies, violas, primulas, and English daisies, if you can find them in various garden centers.
Plant the seeds of radishes as soon as you can easily work the ground. (I like to interplant with carrot seeds.) Plant other cool-weather loving seeds, such as lettuces, spinach, peas, turnips, beets, and various greens later in April.
Plant any type of bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses now. (It's probably best to wait until the second half of April to plant those sold already actively growing in pots and leafing out.)
Plant perennial edibles that like cool weather, such as rhurbarb, strawberries, raspberries, and asparagus.
Plant seedlings of cool-season vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages, and onion sets now.
Good Friday is the traditional day for planting potatoes in Iowa.
Plant herbs now that like cool weather, including parsley, chives, and cilantro.
Starting seeds of marigolds, tomatoes, peppers and other warm-season annuals? Do it now or they won't be large enough to set outside after the last average frost date in May!
Clean out and cut back flower beds and borders.
Prune trees, shrubs, evergreens, and roses as desired.
If you choose to use lawn chemicals, apply a fertilizer and a preemergent herbicide now, or use a combination product.
If you choose to use a preemergent weed killer, such as Preen, in your beds and borders, now is the time to apply it. Look for combo products that also fertilize.
Wait to mulch until the ground warms up more, usually in late May or so.
Wait to plant warm-season annuals, such as marigolds, tomatoes, and petunias, until after the last average frost date in mid-May.
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Garden Events
Natural Living Expo
Explore green living at the Polk County Convention Complex, Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-5. Free.
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!
Des Moines FFA
Plant Sale
April 17-May 30
Central Campus Greenhouse and Nursery (next to McCombs Middle School) 9 am to 6 pm Monday-Friday
8 am to 4 pm Saturdays, Closed Sundays. Wide variety of plants. 515-242-8363 or email Pat Wyckoff
"Potting Shed" Classes
Heirloom Gardens, Van Meter. Starting on April 25, classes on various topics will be taught on Saturday mornings by Sharon Barak. The first one is on shade gardening. Fee of $5.
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
Saturday, April 4
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
North Iowa Area Community College campus, Mason City, ISU Extension, $20, includes lunch.
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Sponsored Links
Plant Explorer Lectures. Dan Heims, noted plant explorer will appear Friday, April 17, at the Meredith Conference Center. Wine and hors d'oeuvres at 5:30 p.m. followed by presentation. $50. On Saturday, April 18, 1 p.m. At the Des Moines Art Center, Heims will present on variegated and colored-leaved plants. $20. RSVP by April 10 to 515-255-1167. Sponsored by the Des Moines Founders Garden Club. |
Quote of the Week
"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden."
- Ruth Stout, garden author
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