Staying home allows us the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of yardwork. It’s a pleasant morning to enjoy nature here at Plant Exchange blog and a second cup of coffee on the deck. The feel and result of the prairie breeze is a feature that second nature in this region. Grasses move in harmony with … Continue reading
Wildflower Garden Thoughts
Lots to consider when growing wildflower seeds so that the plants are suitable for your setting. After thinking about seed mixtures of the region or USDA Zone, what are some other options? Monarch City U.S.A. sign marks a Yankton butterfly plot on a walking trail east of the community gardens and dog park in the … Continue reading
June Garden Party
For a late June garden party, we’d be sure to invite some of these easy-to-grow annuals and perennials of this region. Planters overflowing with Supertunias draw our party guests with color to the front entrance. Annabelle hydrangeas radiate excitement after rain overnight. The Catalpa tree in bloom is abuzz with pollinators. Fragrant lanky milkweed stand … Continue reading
Window Box Container Gardening
Romans gardened with window boxes when urban habitation afforded them little growing space. Some Europeans decorate windows with containers of flowers beneath. Gardeners in the United States later adopted the window box as an outdoor decor option. As in other methods for container gardening, consider choosing the window box transplant with function in mind. At … Continue reading
Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day June 15th
Welcome to spring fast approaching summer at our USDA Zone 4-5a Northern Plains location. Perennials are now about on season schedule after an unsettled, somewhat cool spring. We depend on the skills of our local nursery for early annuals such as petunias to add color while perennials wake up. Breeze and often wind is a … Continue reading
June Veggie Notes
Variety leaf lettuce from seeds intended for harvest as small leaves and balsamic vinegar makes a great June salad. This tray of salad greens was planted and harvested indoors. Moved to a sun- and-shade spot outdoors, it’s ready for the third cutting. Our traditional garden has been underway the past month. July beans are progressing, … Continue reading
Fresh Lettuce in Space and Back Home
If you enjoy eating fresh, homegrown lettuce instead of purchased lettuce that has part of its fresh quality time in transport, it’s also a consideration at the International Space Station. Fresh lettuce is a premium in space. Growing conditions at the space station that differ with Earth include reduced gravity, more radiation, added food safety … Continue reading
Peonies of Spring
Peony flowers are eye-catching in bloom in the yard and as cut flowers. The perennial is long-lived in this region if given adequate growing conditions and requires minimal care. Some pay respects to relatives that have passed with a visit to the cemetery about this time of year. Growing on a gentle slope by a … Continue reading
Columbines and Spring
Columbine flower is an example of spring beauty in its delicate flower detail. Yet the hardy columbine genus Aquila is Latin for “eagle” and was so named for the spurs behind the petals that may bear a resemblance to eagle’s claws. Seventy species of columbine give lots of choices for color and form. Columbine blooms … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day May 15th
Spring is here! Leaves and flowers emerge at Plant Exchange Blog. We’re USDA Zone 4-5a in this region, probably the last frost is past, and temperatures are warming. Trees and perennials seem to think so. The Japanese maple tree now has leaves, and miniature blooms are gone. Japanese maple is edge-of-zone for this region, and … Continue reading
