If I had to name my favorite garden task, it might be planting. Planting is all inspiration, creativity, and hope. The best planting for me is fully developed flowers in glorious bloom. Last weekend, in fact, I bought 6 hanging baskets to fill some large pots in the back. Instant gratification! Now that we're almost to our last average frost date, you can plant pretty much anything outdoors, including tender annuals such tomatoes and impatiens. The last average frost date in southern Iowa is May 10. In northern Iowa, it's May 15. Here in Ames in central Iowa, it's somewhere in between. My friend Andy's general rule is that he can plant anything outside after Mother's Day. Not a bad rule--but follow with caution and be ready to throw sheets over plants if a frost threatens. However, this spring has been remarkably mild, so I'm taking my chances this weekend and putting things out! Happy Mother's Day planting!
Veronica Lorson Fowler
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Our Best Planting Tips
How large should you dig a planting hole? What should you add to it, if anything? Is root stimulant worth the money? When can I plant roses?
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Creeping Charlie Going Crazy
 It's been a banner year for creeping charlie. It likes cool, moist conditions. Several months of especially mild, moist weather has set it up to go gangbusters. And that's exactly what it's doing in my backyard. Ugh.
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Mulch Mania 
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Garden Quote
"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Monthly To-Do
 Looking for a fast, easy Mother's Day gift that costs just a few dollars? Make a Mother's Day garden journal. Takes just minutes and all you need is a white 3-ring binder with a clear sleeve on the front as well as a color printer. Print our nifty journal pages and cover and assemble. Or have a grandchild draw a personalized cover!
The last average frost date is almost here! It's May 10 for southern Iowa and May 15 for northern Iowa. Plant away!
Wait another 2 weeks to plant seeds of corn, cucumbers, squash, beans and other seeds that need warmer soil.
Now, while you can still see where bulbs are planted and remember what they look like, take some notes on what and where to plant this fall. Stick notations where you'll remember them. Like a garden journal, perhaps?
Don't remove the browning foliage of tulips and daffodils until it pulls away easily. The plants need it to rejuvenate for next year.
Weed and mulch, weed and mulch! Weeding gets rids of the weeds. Mulching suppresses them.
Plant gladiolus corms, canna rhizomes, and tuberous begonia tubers now the soil is adequately warm.
Finish up planting of lettuces and spinach from seed.
You can continue to divide perennials that bloom in the summer or fall now, as needed or desired. Hold off on dividing those that bloom in late spring until either after they bloom or this fall.
Continue to plant trees, shrubs, and roses now. However, avoid planting bare-root roses and other bare-root plants after the middle of May.
Continue to plant perennial edibles that like cool weather, such as rhubarb,strawberries, raspberries,and asparagus.
If you choose to use a preemergent weed killer, such as Preen, in your beds and borders, now is the time to apply it. Organic versions are also available. Look for products that also fertilize. |
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Editor's Choice
Garden Events
May 5-8
Don't miss this four-day pop-up retail festival with limited-edition plants, celebratory atmosphere, a special ticketed opening night, and lots of experts to inform and answer your questions.
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