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A New Gardening Year
Greetings!
The snow and ice outside are frightful but fortunately, the
seed and garden catalogs are delightful.
They're
what get me through this tough time of year, when just taking the garbage
outside is an ordeal. Instead, I can curl up indoors, space heater at my feet,
and start planning and plotting for spring. I love online plant and tool
shopping, for sure, but nothing replaces having that catalog in my hand. How is
it the colors look so much brighter to me in January than in May?
My
The Iowa Gardening partner, Ben, and his wife, Peg, have a lovely tradition.
New Year's Day they make eggs Benedict and then spread out all the seed and
gardening catalogs and place their order for the spring. It's a wonderful
affirmation that yup, the days are slowly getting longer and surely, the first
robin sighting can't be far off!
Happy Indoor Gardening!
 Veronica Lorson Fowler |
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Mail-Order Savvy
I love shopping on-line for seeds, as well as bare-root roses, bulbs, trees, and shubs. But I have to tell you that I have really mixed success with perennials--so many of them arrive undersized and stressed out. They die out within months.
So don't let those garden catalogs take you in too much. Shop wisely for plants. And click here for my best plant purchasing tips.
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Give Seeds A Chance
So many gardeners have tried their hand at seeds, not had luck, and given it up. But if you start with the easiest seeds and have a  little garden smarts, you can have the pleasure of starting plants (even perennials!) from seed--and you save money big time.
Click here for a listing of what I think are the most sure-fire plants to start from seed in Iowa. Click here for seed-starting tips that will set you on your way!
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Look for Snippets
We're starting a new service here at The Iowa Gardener and
we're calling it Snippets: A short, quick, occasional email with a timely tip
on everything from weather and frost warnings to great deals spotted on plants
and supplies to just plain good info.
Just click here to send an email and say "sign me up for Snippets."
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Create an Iowa Garden Journal
I'm a big fan of garden journals. Every year, they save me money and time. And they're a really fun learning tool.
My favorite design is simply a plain old white 3-ring binder notebook. Plenty of room to make lists in and I can change the configuration to fit the way my brain works (or doesn't). I use tab dividers for each month and pocket dividers to hold torn-out magazine articles. Those clear plastic zip pockets are handy to stash old plant labels where I can always find them.
 So start a garden journal of your own. To inspire you, we've created a beautiful cover for your garden journal. Click here for a printable version of a cover to slip into the clear plastic pocket on the front of your notebook and a printable listing of our Iowa January Gardening To-Do List, complete with punch holes. Each month, we'll have another to-do list for you to print and add to your garden journal!
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Advertise with
The Iowa Gardener
Your business will reach thousands of avid local gardeners
with some of the most reasonable rates around. Click here for advertiser
information, or email us at info@theiowagardener.com. |
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! |
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Garden To-Do List
 Cut up your Christmas tree and use the boughs for mulch over tender plants. Or tuck the boughs into pots and windowboxes. Pretty, and you'll save on a collection fee.
Use calcium chloride, rather than sodium chloride, on your drive and walks. It's less harmful to plants. Or use sand or even kitty litter, in a pinch.
Make on-line and mail-order purchases early. Supplies of the most popular items tend to start running out in March or so, especially this year when vegetable gardening again promises to be hot.
Look at your houseplants. If they're struggling, it's probably time to pitch them. (A great excuse to buy a new one.) Otherwise, give them a good rinse, trim off brown or problem parts, and top off the soil with fresh potting soil.
Don't fertilize houseplants this month. With less daylight and therefore growth, they need less food.
Boost humidity around houseplants. They really need it this time of year. Misting has been shown to be ineffective, but a tray filled with pebbles and a quarter-inch or so of water is. Also, turn up your humidifier.
Check on any forced bulbs in your fridge. Water to keep soil lightly moist, as needed. When shoots are ½-inch high, put them in the sunniest spot you have. Suppliment with a grow light, if possible.
Check on any bulbs or corms. If you dug glads, tuberous begonias, and other tender bulbs up last fall, uncover and examine them. They should be firm and healthy looking. If they're shriveled or mildewed, pitch them.
Start seeds of slower-growing plants, such as parsley, onions, and some perennials. Don't start other seeds too early (check the packet). The vast majority of seeds should be started 6 to 8 weeks before your region's last average frost date, which is roughly mid-March.
Know your USDA Zone. Northern Iowa is roughly Zone 4, southern Iowa is roughly Zone 5. Click here for a map.
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Garden Events
Now through March
Reiman Gardens, Ames
Sit and relax in the conservatory with a collection of whimsical, traditional and colorful seating. Free to $7.
Saturday, January 9
Des Moines Botanical Center 10:00 a.m. Kelly Norris of Rainbow Iris Farms will speak on "Underused Plants of Merit for Zones 4 and 5".
11:00 a.m. Ronald Eckoff, a fruit grower, will speak on "The Fruitful Landscape." Saturday, January 9 Iowa Arboretum, BooneRebecca Christoffel, ISU Extension Wildlife Specialist, talks about feeding and attracting birds. Weather permitting, she'll lead birding along the woodland trails. $5-$7. February 11-14 Des Moines Home and Garden Show 500 experts, hundreds of displays and booths on home and garden supplies. The Iowa Gardener will have a booth and Veronica will be speaking daily and signing copies of her book, "Gardening in Iowa." We'd love to meet you! Free to $10. |
Garden Quote
"To shorten winter, borrow some
money due in spring."
- W.J. Vogel
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