|
Let's Get Planting!
Greetings!
 Last weekend I opened my back porch for the season. I scrubbed down all the walls and the floor, laundered the futon cover and cushions, and blasted out the leaves from the screens. Then I put out some pretty pots of colorful violas and toasted myself and the arrival of warmer weather with a gin and tonic. Hurrah for spring! I've been busy in the garden. My beds are now raked out, but I have to edge and weed them. (Oh, the creeping charlie!) I've started pruning my roses, but like last year, this spring has been a late one in Iowa and they're hardly showing signs of growth. I'll give them another week so I can better tell what's live and what's dead before I do any serious pruning. My daffodils are just getting underway and my tulips still aren't blooming. The lawn is ready for the first mowing, but uh-oh. I didn't get the mower tuned up and the blade sharpened last fall, so I'll rush it over to the fix-it guy. And my packets of veggie seeds are just sitting on my kitchen counter, gathering spaghetti sauce spatters. Do as I write and not as I do! 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. |
When to Plant in Iowa
I've been getting lots of questions asking when to divide and plant various flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs. So I've put together a detailed month-by-month listing of what to plant when in Iowa. We even have a printable version so you can tack it to your garage or shed wall.
And speaking of planting, click here for my favorite planting tips. You'll get your plants off to the best start possible.
|
A Rainbow of Coral Bells!
 Love knock-out foliage? Check out this colorful collection of coral bells! Coral bells, known botanically as heuchera, are great plants for Iowa, growing in low, tidy mounds in light shade to full sun. New, unusual types are hard to find, but In the Country Garden and Gifts near Independence stocks several kinds and is offering a special on-line Rainbow Collection! You'll get 7 different kinds for just $56. Or buy them individually. Offer good for online purchases only until April 23 or while supplies last. Give the code iowagardener4909 to receive as much as $7 off!
|
|
The Gloved One
My hands get so torn up working in my garden. But when I'm weeding or planting seeds, I don't want to wear heavy gloves. So I buy a box of inexpensive latex surgical-type gloves at Lowe's or Home Depot. They're great. They keep my hands clean, my skin in good shape, and I can handle even tiny seedlings!
|
Five Big Money Savers
Seed sales are reported to be up 20 percent this spring. More of us are getting into vegetable gardening to save moola and eat healthier!
The top plants that save money? For my way of cooking, they are:
Tomatoes. I can easily pay a buck a tomato at the corner produce truck stand. A 3-pack of seedlings that will produce dozens and dozens of tomatoes cost just a dollar or so.
Bell peppers. A 3-pack of seedlings is maybe a dollar and produces dozens of peppers. You might pay a dollar or more for one pepper at the supermarket.
Baby and mixed lettuces. At $2.50 a bag for these in the  supermarket and maybe $1.50 for a seed packet that will give you many bags-worth, this is a no-brainer.
Fruit trees. It takes three years for them to produce much, but a $20 tree will produce bushels of outstanding produce for decades. Plus, they're gorgeous in flower.
Basil and other fresh herbs. Small pots of these are just a dollar or two, while you'll pay $2 and more for those silly plastic boxes of them at the supermarket. Who could ever make pesto at that price?
|
|
Ask Veronica a Question
If you're a subscriber, email Veronica with your garden questions and she'll do her very best to get back to you within two business days. Click here! |
Bedford in Bloom Festival!
Celebrate spring with the little town of Bedford. Family activities, wine tastings, plant workshops, garden talks, a tour of Rainbow Iris Farms, a barbeque feast, and bluegrass music. Click on the logo below for more information.
|
|
|
 |
Garden To-Do List:
 Plant lettuces and spinach now. A really money saver!
Plant the seeds of radishes as soon as you can easily work the ground. (I like to interplant with carrot seeds.)
Time to finish up cutting back perennials and raking out your beds and borders.
Divide perennials that bloom in the late spring, summer, or fall now, as needed or desired.
Prune trees, shrubs, evergreens, and roses now as desired.
Plant cool-season annual flowers such as pansies, snapdragons, godetias, Iceland poppies, violas, primulas, and English daisies, if you can find them in various garden centers.
Plant trees, shrubs, and roses now.
Plant perennial edibles that like cool weather, such as rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, and asparagus.
Plant seedlings of
cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages, and onion sets now.
Plant herbs now that like cool weather, including parsley, chives, and cilantro.
If you choose to use lawn chemicals, apply a fertilizer and a preemergent herbicide now, or use a combination product. An organic alternative is corn meal gluten.
If you choose to use a preemergent weed killer, such as Preen, in your beds and borders, now is the time to apply it. Organic versions are also available. Look for products that also fertilize.
Hold off on mulching 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.
|
Sponsored Links
Evergreen Gardens, Ames Discover a unique retail nursery specializing in the unusual--ornamental evergreens, alpine and other rare plants. Ted's Garden Center Cumming This one-of-a-kind center has topiary, unusual trellises, classes, interesting garden art, container garden "recipes" and more! Ridge Road NurseryBellevue Excellent selection of native plants for the Upper Midwest. Check out their "horticultural gems," treasures for any Zone 4 garden! Thistledown Nursery
Near Sac City An excellent selection of flowers, grasses, climbers, groundcovers, and more--all Iowa tough! Free online shipping! |
Garden Events
Brenton Arboretum
Earth Day Play Day
Sunday, April 26th
Join the Arboretum children's education staff and volunteers to fly kites, build a willow house, find water critters, float cattail boats, and more. 1-4 p.m. 515-992-4211. Free.
Story County Master Gardeners
Spring Plant Sales
Saturday, May 9 from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. Reiman Gardens parking lot in Ames. Also Saturday, May 16, 8 a.m. to noon at Christy Hall, 4-H Grounds, Nevada.
Gardeners of America
Plant Sale
Saturday, May 9
8 a.m to 3 p.m., 5560 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, Iowa
Cedar Rapids
Garden Club
Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, May 9
8 a.m.-1 p.m. Corner House Gallery, 2753 First Ave. SE.
Proceeds go for community beautification projects
Willowglen Wildflower Walk
Saturday, May 23
9-11 a.m. A tour of spring wildflowers of northeast Iowa. Snacks. $10.
|
Quote of the Week
"Gardening requires lots of water-most of it in the form of perspiration."
-Lou Erickson
|
|
