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A Cheering Song of Spring
Greetings!
Here in Ames, my yard is blanketed with snow, but the birds don't seem to care. Yesterday I was out on my driveway, chipping away ice in the sunshine, and I could hear a chickadee singing in that way they do only in spring. (Click here to hear!)
Wonderful and cheering, no matter how deep the snow might be. And have you noticed how the light is less "thin" now? It's less the bluish light of winter and more the bright, slightly more golden light of spring? So cool--the changing light color of the seasons is actually what prompts plants to grow and bloom better. (Garden geeks click here for an explanation.)
The air feels different, too. It's softer, with less of an edge somehow. It must have something to do with slightly warmer temperatures and higher humidity, but I don't care about the scientific basis. It feels great!
Other evidence it's spring. We're now past Iowa's fabled state girls' basketball tournament snowstorm and Benjamin Allen, co-publisher of this newsletter, has already spotted an early snowdrop in his Des Moines garden!
So I'll just stand in my driveway and lean on my snow shovel and enjoy what will very soon be really, truly spring.
Springingly yours,
Veronica Lorson Fowler
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This Year's Gotta-Have-It Perennial
If you're looking for something new to plant, consider one of my new favorite perennials, Arkansas blue star amsonia (Amsonia hubrictii). The first time I saw it in bloom, it stopped me dead in my tracks (the photo below and most photos just don't do it justice) It's tall, about 3 feet, with very pretty feathery-leafed stems. And the flowers are stunning--tiny clusters of star-like steely blue flowers. In fall, the willow-like foliage turns such a beautiful russet and gold that you'd grow it for the fall foliage alone. Best of all, as long as it has full sun, it's incredibly easy to grow.
 It's one of those perennials that are destined to become common in Iowa gardens as more people discover it. In fact, in 2011, it was named Perennial Plant of the Year. You'll find it in Iowa in better-stocked local garden centers or order online. Just be sure to get the feathery-leafed type. There are other amsonias out there, but they're just not as nice.
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Get the 2013 hosta of the year to embellish a shady spot in your garden! Hosta 'Rainforest Sunrise' is available to buy now from In the Country Garden and Gifts.
This hosta holds up all summer and is of little interest to slugs. Deeply cupped and rounded gold leaves are nicely puckered and edged with a striking dark green margin.
Located in Independence, Iowa.
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My List of Lists!
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Direct-Sow Rescue Flowers
 Years ago, a seasoned gardener gave me a great tip: In May or so, plant seeds of certain easy annual flowers directly in your vegetable garden or elsewhere. Nurture them until early summer, when they'll be a few to several inches high in early summer--just the time your flower beds are starting to show problem or empty spots. Transplant these annuals into those empty spots or other areas around the garden, where they'll continue to grow and flourish and fill your display beds with color. I call them my "rescue flowers."
Plants that do beautifully with this technique (they have to transplant well) include sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias, and cosmos.
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 Friend Us On Facebook And Get Four Free Reiman Tickets!
I have to say, I am enjoying our The Iowa Gardener Facebook page more than I ever imagined. I love chatting with you all and answering your garden questions.
So "friend" The Iowa Gardener on Facebook and the first 10 people to do so will win 4 free tickets to Reiman Gardens! Click here! Then search for "Iowa Gardener" in Facebook to find our page.
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March
To-Do
 Take advantage of nice days to get out in your yard and pick up trash and sticks, inspect for winter damage, and just generally check out the state of your garden.
If perennials are sending up a little fresh growth, rake leaves out of flower beds and cut back any perennials left standing. Toss the old stuff in the compost heap. (Please tell me you have one, right?)
Edge beds, walks, and drives as desired.
Time to prune most large trees, small trees, evergreens, and shrubs. Hold off on pruning roses until they send out more growth.
Usually, you'd start seeds the last week of March or first week of April. But this year, anticipating an early spring, I'd start seeds indoors now 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.
Plant bareroot trees, shrubs, and roses, as long as you can work the soil easily.
The bright yellow forsythia will be blooming soon. When it does, that means its time to sprinkle any preemergent herbicide (kills weed seeds, such as Preen) on flower beds, if you choose to use it. It's also the time to apply a preemergent to your lawns. Or save time with a weed and feed combo!
Stock up! Work off spring fever by buying pots, potting soil, seeds and seed-starting supplies, tools, soil amendments, fertilizers, etc. And get out there and clean up and organize your garage or shed, wash pots, etc.
How's your mower? If you didn't get it tuned up last 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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Editor's Choice
Garden Events
Thursday and Friday, April 4-5
Garden Study Course
Iowa Arboretum, Madrid
8:15 a.m. -1:00 p.m. The Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa is sponsoring a Garden Study Course.
Part of an ongoing educational series available to Federated Garden Club of Iowa members, this session will cover basic botany and plant propagation. Reservations accepted until March 28.Walk-ins welcome but handouts may be limited. Master Gardeners may be awarded 1hour credits for each hour of class time. $35 for the session..
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Garden Quote
"An optimist is the human personification of spring."
-- Author
Susan J. Bissonette
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