GUEST: Inger Lamb, Prairie Landscapes of Iowa, 515 250-1693
April 22: Landscaping for Wildlife..Birds, Butterflies & More, with Inger Lamb
When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 3:00:00 PM
Where: Science Center of Iowa, John Deere Amphitheater, 401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
What: Native Landscaping uses less water, less chemicals and is lower maintenance. Join us for Native Landscaping 101 on how to create beautiful, wildlife-attracting flower beds. Improving your yard can reduce harmful impacts on urban ponds, streams and wildlife. Careful plant selection is essential for an attractive outcome, so learn to avoid common pitfalls and create showy, attractive native flower beds. Pre-register at parksee@dmgov.org.
April 24: Lunch and Learn - Landscaping for Wildlife...Birds, Butterflies & More with Inger Lamb
Co-Hosted by the Tomorrow Plan and YPC, and presented by the City of Des Moines Parks and Rec., this lunch and learn opportunity provides a learning moment about native landscaping 101 - how to create low maintenance, beautiful, wildlifeattracting flower beds. Gardening with these well-adapted perennials is a simple concept, but careful plant selection is essential for an attractive outcome. Learn to avoid common pitfalls (like enriching the soil or selecting plants that are too tall for the site) and create showy, attractive native flower beds. The event is free to attend, bring your own lunch. RSVPs are appreciated to parksEE@dmgov.org. The event is at the MPO Office, 420 Watson Powell, Jr., Way, Suite 200, Downtown, from noon-1:00 p.m.
The Lego sculpture exhibit at Reiman Gardens is open. LOTS of assembly was required.
Spring is Here - That means Spring Plant Sales!
Here are a few to put on your calendar.....
Iowa Native Plant Sale, sponsored by DSM Parks & Recreation
Friday: 05/25/2012 02:00 PM - 6 PM
Saturday: 05/26/2012 10:00 AM
Location: Gray's Lake Terrace, 2100 Fleur Drive
Visit Gray's Lake and talk to the experts on how to choose native plants suitable for different types of sites from rain gardens to dry areas. Visit to buy or sign-up to volunteer at parksvolunteer@dmgov.org
Des Moines FFA, Central Campus Greenhouse and Nursery Plant Sales
Central Campus Horticulture Program plant sale, 201 S.W. County Line Road, next door to McCombs Middle School. Details in the Des Moines Register.
Sale hours 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, April 13 through June 2. The greenhouse is closed on Sundays. It will be open on Memorial Day.
Thoughts about this week's freeze from ISU Extension:
Freezes Damage Vulnerable Fruit Crops Say Iowa State Horticulturists, April 11th, 2012
To prepare for the NEXT freeze, look at preventing frost damage in Understanding Frost, from Cornell University. The dates are for New York, but the advice is sound. Can you water the evening before the freeze?
This may bring back memories, April 8, 2007: "Watch Out Gardeners, the Chill Is On!", University of Illinois".
TOMATOES!
Wild Boar Farms: varietal, not heirloom, tomatoes and wine could be considered very similar crops. I'd consider growing "Michael Pollan" in a heartbeat (next year.) -E.
Black Russian Tomato (aka Black from Tula)
Carmello Tomato (eat them like it's 1989!)
VIDEO
Silicone grafting clips, Johnny's Seeds
How to Graft Greenhouse Tomatoes, University of Vermont
Geranium maculatum, Spotted Geranium aka Wood Geranium
Have you wondered how those plants get to the greenhouse on time? (And why this year has been especially gray-hair inducing for growers?)
"Doing Things on Time" is a great recipe for success in many things, especially growing plants. Dr. P. Allen Hammer offered some wisdom in Growertalks, April 2012
A Garden Life, Apple version linked here. Android version also available. A new, industry sponsored garden e-zine with a nice interface.
This week at Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa
This Norway spruce (Picea abies) is very colorful with its new growth
Tulips are still blooming - but with the winds expected, may not last too much longer - be sure to stop out soon!
