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Enough Snow Already!
Greetings!
It won't surprise anyone that we're setting records with
this snow. Iowa has had a record 55 consecutive days with at least a 4 inches
of snow on the ground. (The old record was 54 days 1961-1962.)
But
me, I'm thinking warming thoughts of spring. I'm hearing that there might be a seed shortage
this spring, so I went to my local Holub's, which has the
best seed selection for Ames, and stocked up veggie seeds. Everyone is growing
edibles because of the rotten economy, plus seed growing conditions weren't
ideal last year, so buy your seeds early before they run out!
I
also like to plant lots of annual flowers in rows directly in the soil of my
veggie garden to cut for bouquets: Sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, sweet peas, and
more.
Spring
is coming--I know it is!
Optimistically yours,  Veronica Lorson Fowler |
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*&#! Deer!
In the 24 years I've lived in my house in Ames, I've never
had deer. This year, I've had them in my front yard along a busy street, and
they're feasting on my evergreens.
The
deep snow is covering the food they usually paw for on the ground, according to
Iowa State University Extension horticulturalists. So they've been feasting on arborvitae and yews, but will
also go for pine and spruce if they're hungry enough.
 All
you can do at this point is to cover small plants with stakes and chicken wire or perhaps netting, though they can nibble through that if they want.
Larger plants will have to fend for themselves.
In
spring, trim off damaged parts and hope for the best. If the plant isn't too
badly misshapen, it should recover.
Meanwhile,
plan for next year. Check out our lists of deer-resistant flowers for Iowa
and deer-resistant trees and shrubs.
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Everyone Loves a Winner
And we have three!
Cindi
Hancock of Chariton and Irene Cassens of Sigourney are the winners of two free
tickets each to the Des Moines Home and Garden Show,
where I spoke each day on Bulletproof Roses for Iowa and where we
had a booth. Thank you so much to readers who came up an introduced yourself!
At
the Home Show, we also had a drawing for a wooden basket filled with garden supplies. Wendi Wicks of the Des Moines area was that winner.
It's
been fun to give stuff away--and now we have four tickets to the Des Moines Botanical Center. The first person who emails me and can name the flower that is is typically the first to bloom in Iowa each spring wins all
four. (Hint: It's white.)
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Let There Be a Ton of Light
 Starting seeds is a great way to blow away the winter blues, but it's tough
to provide them with enough light.
I'm a huge fan of high-intensity lights and have used one with great success.
They're
expensive (a set up will cost you $300 or so) but provide so much light for
indoor plants that they burn sun-lovers like impatiens. Plus, one covers a
large area, like 6 by 8 feet, easily. Me, I figure it's way cheaper than a
greenhouse!
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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! |
Garden Quote
"Bad weather always looks worse through a window."
- Author Unkown
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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, which includes a publishing schedule, or email us at info@theiowagardener.com. |
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Garden To-Do List
Click here for a printable version of these garden tasks.
When shoveling snow, as
long as it doesn't have salt in it and isn't slushy, don't worry about tossing
it onto perennials and small shrubs. Fluffy snow is called white mulch and
actually insulates against weather extremes.
Pore through catalogs, garden books, web sites, and
magazines to plan for spring. Put your ideas into a garden notebook, made from a three-ring notebook, with pages for notes and photos, pocket folders for articles and
notes and a zip pocket to hold spring receipts and plant labels.
Take inventory. Look over
your supplies, fertilizers, potting soil, soil amendments, and other garden
materials and stockpile now. You'll be ready to go once the spring rush hits.
Start seeds of parsley, onions, perennials, and other slow-growing plants. Don't
start other seeds too early (follow label directions or read on up on them on
line). If you do, they'll languish indoors too long without the powerful
natural sun and get leggy and diseased. The vast majority of seeds should be
started 6 to 8 weeks before your region's last average frost date. For Iowa,
that means starting seeds in March.
Avoid fertilizing
houseplants this month. With less daylight, their need for food is less.
If you've
forced bulbs, they're probably ready to
take out into light and warmth now. Once the bulbs have sent up shoots a half
to one inch high, take them out and put them in the sunniest, brightest spot
possible.
Inspect any stored bulbs or
corms. If you dug up any last fall to store over the winter. They should be
firm and healthy looking. If they're shriveled or mildewed, toss them.
Force flowering branches in a couple of weeks. Once
spring-blooming branches start to develop tiny buds, cut them and bring them
indoors for forcing.
If we get any really nice
thawing days sometime soon, 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.
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Sponsored Links
Iowa City Landscaping and Garden Center
Check out the
line-up of weekend seminars, including one this Saturday, February 20, Tammy Yoder of
Green Earth Design, will talk about
easy-care perennials that thrive benign neglect.
On Saturday,
February 27, two landscape designers will give ideas for landscaping projects
by showing before and after shots of projects done with the center.
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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.
March 19-20
All-Iowa Horticulture Exposition II, Ottumwa
"The
state fair of horticulture," sponsored by the Iowa State Horticultural
Society, includes hands-on demonstrations, lectures, and vendors. Keynote
speaker will be Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries.
March 26-28
Quad Cities Flower and Garden Show
More than 250 exhibitors
showcasing the latest techniques, supplies and equipment; landscaping companies
and DIY projects. The Iowa Gardener will have a booth and Veronica will be
speaking daily. Free to $6.
Include your upcoming garden event (we love garden clubs!) in our Events
listing. Click here to send us the info!
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