Cynthia and Gary Jensen returned to the Yankton area a decade ago and their country acreage is now producing fruits from shrubs, grapevines, fruit trees and a new strawberry bed. They chose time-tested native choke cherries and Nanking cherries and are trying honeyberries and ‘Jostaberry’ shrubs for their adaptability to the region. Jensen families live … Continue reading
Extending Lettuce and Green Season Indoors
Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog. It’s cozy indoors but at the end of November, we can see that winter ice and snow is here. One of the treats of fall is to extend the season of lettuce and other greens such as fresh fall lettuce, kale, mustard greens, and spinach. We brought trays of them … Continue reading
Kids Garden Club
Kids Garden Club program is complete for the second year at the Yankton Boys & Girls Club in South Dakota. Kids learn what plants need to grow, how to plant and tend their garden of favorite vegetables and fruits and new ones to try, hear about health benefits of fresh produce, and share plenty of tasting … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day November 15th
Welcome to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. At Plant Exchange Blog on the Northern Plains, we’ve had a little snow, ice, and a morning or two of frozen water on window panes so far in November. Indoors, camellia, a standard pink Camellia japonica, is in bloom. Shiny dark green leaves and a compact shrub are other … Continue reading
Season Favorites
About four inches of snow fell overnight; a reminder that Fall wanes as the holidays approach. Just thinking about a few moments of the past season. The half on/half off leaves of our Japanese maple was a marker for yesterday. A year ago, an early Fall cold event caused the leaves to turn from green … Continue reading
What do You do with Your Dream Place?
“I told Jen one time, if the house ever came for sale and if we were able to do it financially, that this house would be a dream,” Andy Holst said. Andy and his wife Jen Holst of Embroidery & Screen Works, Inc. in Yankton, South Dakota, got the chance. Their home is on the … Continue reading
Fall Color in the Yard
It’s the mid-fall pumpkin time of year. Here at Plant Exchange Blog, it’s an excuse to look for color in the yard and enjoy the cinnamon-pepper air. Our no-special-variety Japanese maple gets to dress in red this year. Sometimes the chill of fall comes too early before the leaves turn. Sunshine and leaves go together. … Continue reading
Flowers Attract People
Even in a city without a hurried pace, it’s a challenge to get people to slow down to see a storefront’s display the business offers. Rita Houska doesn’t sell flowers in her store, but the flowers at the front and employee entrances of her business allow her and anyone to see something beautiful as they … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day October 15th
Welcome to South Dakota! Plant Exchange Blog is in USDA Zone 4-5a. We have begun Fall with cool down nights below frost and days warming up to the 60’s here on the Northern Plains. Recent rain adds color to muted hues of Autumn prairie grasses. We had an early snow yesterday. Norway maples are still … Continue reading
More Garden Diaries
These are some “Garden Diaries” or plant ideas being tried and shared by these gardeners of the region: Kathy Jorgensen, Janette Marker, Marlys Hauck-Fenner, Gary Idt, Gary and Cynthia Jensen, and Marilyn Kratz. Topics include tips for raising sweet potatoes in our region, wonders of easy-to-grow ornamental catmint, propagating and growing prized grapes, living ground … Continue reading
