Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village archeological remains from a thousand years ago in this Northern Plains region show evidence of Three Sisters vegetable gardening methods, saved seeds, and corn cob fossils about three or four inches in length. Immigrants to the Northern Plains in the late 1800s saw that some Native Americans who grew produce used … Continue reading
Filed under Container Gardens …
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day-September 15th
Plant Exchange Blog is in South Dakota on the Northern Plains, USDA Zone 4-5a. While the region continues with drought and high summer temperatures, today is mild with rain. We aimed to plant more native flowers or their cultivars this growing season for a more sustainable and low-input garden. Transplants from seed are fun to … Continue reading
More Happy Days of Summer with Sunflowers
Some of the best parts of summer are when there are few days left. Lots of sunflowers, symbols of happy days, grow here. In our region of the United States, archeologists have found evidence of corn, bean, squash, sunflower and amaranth cultivation about 1000 A.D. Sunflowers can be found planted in a field in this … Continue reading
Black-eyed Susans and other Rudbeckias
Black-eyed Susans grow in lots of yards in this USDA zone 4-5a region. The perennial, full-sun, yellow flower mounds appear by summer and bloom into fall. Their bold color and easy maintenance make them attractive for borders. Black-eyed Susans and other Rudbeckias are featured this week as attractive, hardy North American native plants with large … Continue reading
Lettuce and Spring Go Together
People who like to eat fresh produce and gardeners might have lettuce in common. Spring growing conditions for lettuce is usually favorable. It’s easy to be enthusiastic with an early green thumb success in spring. Lettuce harvested, washed, and on the plate couldn’t be tastier. Would you like to grow your salad greens? Materials: A … Continue reading
Goals for the Garden Season
Before the daffodils bloom and the first turn of the soil, I consider a shortlist of what I aim for this gardening season. Add More Native Plants They are more adapted to the environment and thrive year to year, require less watering once established, and are more likely to benefit pollinators and other wildlife. More … Continue reading
Grow Your Favorite Houseplant
Even with spring beginning on the calendar, it’s early to move gardening beyond last season’s sanitation outdoors. While the weather settles, a creative outlet with a favorite indoor plant is to propagate cuttings. If it works, you’ll have more plants, like this begonia, to keep or share with others. If you’ve ever included Coleus leaves … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
Topics for Plant Exchange Blog include the benefits of a clay plant container, Bayer and glyphosate, and the American Horticultural Society that helped develop hardiness and heat zone maps for gardeners. Porous pots such as clay can help maintain water flow for potted plants. Plants need adequate soil moisture, with the excess water leaving the container … Continue reading
Houseplants to Brighten a Winter Day
In morning winter silence on a walk by the Missouri River, water that slowed before the Gavins Point Dam lies solid. The mile and a half or so across this lake is a panorama of frozen motion. Occasional booming echoes from some fissure, some crack in eight-inch or so layer as water from upstream presses … Continue reading
Garden Winners
Who doesn’t want flower or vegetable plants that grow well with abundant foliage and flowers? When they are grown in your region of the country and compared to similar plants and still have stand-out qualities, that’s a winner. All-America Selections is a national non-profit plant trialing organization that acquaints the public with new cultivars. Impartial gardening … Continue reading
Plant Exchange Blog 