Sunflowers and the sunny outdoors in summer go together. Sunflowers are easy to grow when direct seeded into flowerbeds. Seed catalogs advertise some sunflowers as having features for growing in containers. Plant them after the danger of frost is past. With 6-8 hours of sunlight a day, even the tallest sunflowers will mature, bloom, and … Continue reading
Harvest Your Beans
After the work of planting and weeding an edible garden, the vegetables and fruit are part of the reward. We can’t wait to taste the first tender green beans. At Plant Exchange, near the beginning of August, beans have been producing well for a month. The bean plant produces seed, and if we harvest beans … Continue reading
Regional Plant-Related Event
Are you looking for local foods grown locally at Farmers Markets or other events? Local foods grown by producers in Yankton, South Dakota and other locations in the state are located at the South Dakota Specialty Producers website: http://www.sdspecialtyproduceres.org Find local producers of foods of your interest under the “Find Local Foods” tab.
On the Way to “After”
Unlike yard renovation on reality TV, some projects at home take a long time. Garden bloggers see many others’ beautiful results. As of mid-summer at Plant Exchange blog, we have a little progress here! The vision for this area of the yard came from a previous owner who installed cement steps and a wall of … Continue reading
Front Entrance–Aim for attractive and functional
By mid-July, the annual and perennial plantings are established and provide texture and color to the front entrance area. The north-facing entrance and small patio area have late afternoon shade complemented by a nearby Japanese maple tree. A bit of green space under the tree, foundation plantings, especially near the entrance, and movable planters add … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day July 15
Welcome to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day for July 15 at Plant Exchange Blog. We average about 25 inches of rain a year and have had timely moisture so far this season. Lots of sunny days! Lately, highs have been in the mid to upper 80’s with a few days more extreme, and flowers appear to … Continue reading
Gardener Benefits of Staying Home
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
