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Dirt Under My Nails
Greetings!
 When my sister Mary lived in New York, she told a funny story. In deepest Manhattan, she said, you could tell all the women with money because they had dirt under their nails--they were the only ones with enough money to afford rooftop and courtyard gardens. Well, my hands are looking like the hands of a very wealthy New Yorker these days. My nails are short, rough, and permanently grimy with nicks all over from rose thorns. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Digging in the dirt is so deeply satisfying for me. Just the smell of soil feeds my soul. I especially love the fragrance of the compost pile as I tear it apart. It's the scent of all the earth--dark, mysterious, and rich with the promise of growing things. Happy Smelly, Dirty 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. |
Much Ado About Mulch
 As the soil warms up, we're coming up on the time to mulch our beds and borders. I'm a big believer in mulching. It conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps many soil-borne diseases in the soil and away from plants. Biodegradable mulches also break down to feed and loosen the soil.
Click here for tips on when and how to mulch in Iowa, with the cheapest materials possible!
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Our Arrangement of the Week
I love the scent of lily-of the-valley. Each year, when it's at its peak, as it is now, I cut a a few dozen stems for a bouquet for my nightstand.  Isn't it pretty? What a sweet way to drift off to sleep.
And here's a fun tip that actually works (university research has been done on it, even!): Make your cut flowers last longer by adding to every quart of water used 2 tablespoons of lime or lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 tablespoon of bleach. The juice and bleach prevent bacteria from building up in the water and the sugar feeds the flowers.
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Let It Rot
 A garden without a compost heap or two is like a kitchen without a sink. I feel a compost heap is a necessity. It's a good place to toss yard waste instead of bagging it up and filling a landfill. A compost heap recycles it into the best, richest fertilizer, as well as a soil amendment that contains micronutrients and microrganisms that almost magically helps your plants. Some people call compost black gold. I call it black magic. It's almost impossible to add too much compost to your garden.
Click here to get an explaination of how to compost in three easy steps. Once you get started, you'll never be without a pile again!
Fun bonus: Check out my overachieving neighbor Russ's beautiful multi-bin system that he designed and built. It's the Taj Mahal of composting!
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Is It Warm in Here or Is It Just Them?
 Considering our cold spring following two harsh winters, I find it funny and odd that the Arbor Day Foundation is challenging the 1990 U.S. Department of Agriculture zone map, suggesting that with global warming nearly all of Iowa is now a toasty Zone 5 (not just the southern half). Here in Ames, I will continue to swear I'm in Zone 4 (along with the rest of the northern half of Iowa) until my hybrid tea roses start to reliably last through the winter! Which will be, like, never.
It seems the USDA agrees--it wants to keep basing the zones on longer-term data. So nothing is going to change for a while. Check out the controversy, with a nifty graphic at the top that shows both maps.
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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.
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Garden To-Do List
 Despite our weird late frost last weekend, the last frost date should now be safely past. That means you can plant anything outdoors now and not worry about it getting damaged by cold.
So tuck in those tomato plants, peppers, basil, and other annual edibles and flowers.
Plant gladiolus corms, canna rhizomes, and tuberous begonia tubers now that the soil is adequately warm.
You can continue to divide perennials that bloom in late summer or fall now.
Finish up pruning trees, shrubs, evergreens, and roses.
Continue to plant trees, shrubs, and roses. However, avoid planting bare-root roses and other bare-root plants after the middle of May. This late in the season, they'll struggle to get established.
If you choose to use lawn chemicals, do your spring application of a fertilizer and a preemergent herbicide, or use a combination product. An organic alternative for a preemergent is corn meal gluten.
In southern Iowa, plant the seeds of corn, squash, cucumbers, and beans now. In northern Iowa, wait until the first week of June to plant these. They like well-warmed soil.
If you choose to use a preemergent weed killer, such as Preen, in your beds and borders, now is the time to apply it.
You can mulch now. I like to wait until the soil warms up--which is usually about the time the daffodils are gone.
Don't remove the browning foliage of tulips and daffodils until it pulls away easily. The plants need it to rejuvenate for next year.
But it is a good idea to trim off spent flowers from tulips and daffodils. It makes your garden look neater and helps them rejuvenate.
Check out our month-by-month listing of what to plant when in Iowa!
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Garden Events
Bedford In Bloom This Saturday!
An all-day festival with gardens, food, live music, and fun! I speak on roses at 10:15 a.m. Come on down!
Small Vegetable Gardens
The Iowa Arboretum
Thursday, May 28, 6:00 p.m.
Learn about small-scale vegetable gardening, including containers. Must pre-register by calling 515-795-3216; $8 for non-members
Dinosaurs at Reiman Gardens
Through July 24, Ames
More than 25 realistic, full-scale dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures ranging from 6 to 20 feet tall!
Toddler Time
The Des Moines Botanical Center
Tuesday, May 26, 2009, 10-11 a.m.
Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music, movement and a treasure hunt. Children 1-5 $1.00; regular admission for others.
Container Vegetable Gardening
Ted's Garden Center, Cummings
Saturday, May 30 10-noon
Learn to grow your own veggies in small spaces! Take home a planted pot; $18.
Include your group or business garden-related events in this listing for no charge. Click here to contact us!
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Quote:
"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses."
- Hanna Rion
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