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The Big Melt
 Greetings!
I saw something astounding while driving along the street
today. If I remember the name of it correctly, it's called "grass."
Finally.
Let the spring thaw begin!
I've
been a good Iowan long enough, noting how pretty the snow is, admiring the 6-foot (I'm not kidding) icicles by my front door, enjoying time reading by the fire, brightening my home with forced daffodils, being a cheerful trooper and
going on brisk winter hikes. But good Lord I'm sick of it. I found myself on
the drive today opening my car window to let in the delightfully warm, fresh
air.
It
was 36 degrees.
Utterly
tragic.
But
we've got forecasts for highs in the 40s the next several days. Even as I
write, I can hear the crash of giant ice floes, slipping from my roof and
crashing onto the pavement below.
It's
a beautiful, beautiful sound.
Yours in warming trends,
 Veronica Lorson Fowler |
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Ready for Radishes
 Can you believe that if this snow actually melts on schedule,
it will be time to plant radishes in just two weeks? (Click here for more info on growing.)
Radishes
are one of the first veggies you can put in the ground, as soon as it thaws and
you can work it. It gives me such pleasure to plant and harvest something so
early.
Tip:
Plant carrot seeds with the radishes. The radishes germinate quickly, marking
where the carrots (which germinate slowly) were planted. After about a month,
the radishes are ready for harvest. You can thin the carrots at the same time.
They mature several weeks later.
Click here for our month-by-month listing of what to plant when in Iowa.
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Sweet!
One problem with planting radishes and other very fine seeds
is that it's hard to disperse them. The result is that a week or two later you have a thick stand
of seedlings. So you have to thin them heavily, wasting mucho seed.
Here's
a great tip: Mix the seed with a tablespoon or two of granulated sugar. It
helps you sow the seeds more evenly and farther apart. Then it dissolves
harmlessly in the soil.
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Place any order of $50 or more with In the Country by March 15 and you will
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free! But during the electronic checkout, you must mention you saw this ad in
The Iowa Gardener to get the freebie!
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Must-Have Tool:
A Soil Thermometer
There's an old saying that Iowa farmers know that the soil
has warmed up enough to plant corn when they drop their drawers and can sit on
the ground comfortably.
 Me,
I like to be a little more scientific (not to mention modest) about it. A soil
thermometer ($7 or $8 at a garden center or on-line) can be a cold-climate
gardener's best friend.
Most
seeds (notably peas) are picky about the temperature of their soil, and
especially during a weird year like this one, it can be hard to tell if the
soil is warm enough. A soil thermometer can tell you in just a minute or two.
Click here for tips in using a soil thermometer and temperatures for planting
various vegetables.
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And the Winner Is...
So in the last newsletter, we asked you what the first
flower of spring is. Robin Heinemann of Des Moines was the first to guess correctly: the snowdrop. It comes up
right through patches of snow. (Readers Ron Warnet of Ackworth reported that
two or three years ago, he had some blooming  on December 31!). Robin wins
tickets for free admission to the Des Moines Botanical Center.
I
love snowdrops. They're bulbs, so plant them in fall in groupings of 10 or 15.
Put them in a well-drained spot that gets enough sun to thaw early in spring so
you can enjoy them absolutely as early as possible. Most years I spot the first
one in late March. Totally cheers me up. In fact, more than once, it's made me
so happy it's brought a tear to my eye. Such a plant geek, I am!
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Where Do You Like to Buy Plants and Garden Supplies?
I'm putting together a list of my favorite Iowa places to
shop for plants and garden supplies. We'll create a web page and post it on The
Iowa Gardener web site.
But I'm just one person. If any of you
have any nifty places you'd like to share, shoot me an email! The more
the better!
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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.
Start seeds
indoors now of perennials,
onions, and slower-growing annuals that you should start 10-12 weeks before the
last average frost date (in Iowa, that's in mid-May.) These include
snapdragons, annual salvias, and impatiens.
The last week of March or first week of April, start seeds indoors of
annuals that you should start 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date.
These include marigolds, globe amaranth, sweet alyssum, and flowering tobacco.
Once you can easily work
the soil outside, plant directly in the ground seeds of fast-germinating cool-season
vegetables, such as radishes, spinaches, and lettuces.
In southern Iowa, plant bareroot trees,
shrubs, and roses at the end of the month, once you can work
the soil easily.
Prevent diseases and
insects on fruit trees by spraying with horticultural oil, also called dormant oil. Do so when temperatures are in the 40s.
Start to prune most deciduous trees
and shrubs now, while
they're dormant.
Stock up!
Work off your spring fever to buy now pots, potting soil, seeds and
seed-starting supplies, tools, soil amendments, fertilizers, etc. You'll save
trips to the garden center during the spring rush. And get out there and clean
up and organize your garage or shed, wash up pots, etc. so you're ready at the
starting gate.
How's your
mower? If you didn't get it tuned up
ast fall and
the blade sharpened,
do it yourself now or take it in
before the spring rush.
Same for any
shears or other sharp cutting or slicing objects, including spades and hoes. If
you haven't already, invest a few bucks in a sharpening stone. It makes all the difference. Click here
to learn how.
It's easy after you do it once or twice.
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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.
Sunday, March 7
Project Green Forum, Iowa City
2-4 p.m. Iowa City
Public Library. Speaker Kelly Norris of Rainbow Iris Farm will talk about
"The Garden in Four Seasons."
Wednesday, March 17
Central Iowa Water Gardener's Association,
Ankeny
7 p.m. at the Ankeny
Dahl's. Speaker is Pat Boddy, deputy director of the Iowa DNR, on statewide
conservation efforts.
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.
March 27-28
Natural Living Expo
Polk County
Convention Complex, Des Moines
The largest
"green" event in Iowa. Booths, presentations, and more on gardening
and living in harmony with nature. Free admission and free parking on weekends.
Include your upcoming garden event (we love garden clubs!) in our Events
listing. Click here to send us the info!
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Garden Quote:
"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a
shoe full of slush."
Doug Larson
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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.
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