If you’re able to stay safe at home during the coronavirus pandemic, there is no better therapy than getting outside and into the garden. While early April is too soon for some outdoor tasks, this week could be a prime time to plant potatoes. One gardening tradition calls for planting potatoes on Good Friday, which […]
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Category: gardening
Woolly Bear caterpillars and weather pre...
In case you haven’t heard, colder weather is forecast for Iowa this weekend. Not only could much of the state experience the first frost of fall, but a freeze is predicted that could kill all sensitive vegetation from Friday night, Oct. 11, into Saturday morning, Oct. 12. Bring indoors any houseplants that have been outside […]
Naked Ladies make late appearance in Iow...
In a topsy-turvy gardening season, when June clematis are blooming in August, an Iowa favorite known as Naked Ladies have finally made an appearance. Also known as surprise lilies among other names, the perennial flowers possess an astounding synchronicity, blooming at the same time throughout the region. For the past several years, they have popped […]
Hosta and Dessert Social serves special ...
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa — The Spece family has held their Hosta and Dessert Social for nearly 15 years, but the event later this month offers up a different type of treat. “We’ve never brought in a famous speaker before,” said Josh Spece, co-owner of In the Country Garden & Gifts, in rural Independence, Iowa. “This is […]
Iowa’s record low winter temperatures no
(UPDATE: A short-lived reprieve; first two Japanese beetles of the season spotted on our raspberry bushes on June 26.) The first Japanese beetles of the season are typically spotted around this time in east-central Iowa, but so far there appear to be no signs of the voracious invaders, at least in our Cedar Rapids gardens. […]
Gardener’s cheap tricks yield rich resul
By Cindy Hadish/for Iowa Gardener CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Looks can be deceiving. Lisa Hinzman Howard’s landscaping appears lush and luxurious, but it didn’t cost a fortune. In fact, Lisa, a Linn County Master Gardener who moonlights as a gardening consultant, called Midwest Garden Gal, espouses “cheap tricks” to keep gardening costs down, while maintaining […]
A lost Memorial Day without iconic bloom...
Typically, the lush blossoms of peonies grace gardens throughout Iowa around Memorial Day. Peonies are known for their longevity, with some living for a century or more, and passed down through generations. The showy flowers are synonymous with Memorial Day. Everything seems to be lagging this year, with many peonies still in bud stage. The […]
What survives a hard freeze?
With temperatures dipping into the 20s last night, parts of Iowa were under a hard freeze warning between April 27 and 28. Hopefully, gardeners heeded the Czech “Three Kings” warning and hadn’t yet planted peppers, tomatoes and other tender crops, but in case you missed it, keep it in mind for next year. A hard […]
Spring plant sales popping up in Eastern...
(UPDATED May 21, 2019, with Native Plant Sale) You know gardening season has arrived when local plant sales begin. Local sales offer a great way to jump-start your gardening efforts, with plants grown by master gardeners and others with expertise for Iowa’s conditions. Vegetable seedlings, fruits, herbs, perennials and more are sold for just a […]
Czech Three Kings legend warns against e...
When temperatures reach the 70s in April, it can be tempting to start a gardening frenzy, but in Iowa, it’s best to heed a warning brought here by immigrants. Known under various names, including the Three Frozen Kings, the three icemen – tři ledovi muži – or Three Ice Saints, Three Frozen Men or Three […]