A receding Arctic blast reminds us that Spring thaw is many weeks away. It’s evident when trying to retrieve a bit of last season’s potting soil for a houseplant. It’s stored outdoors. Not only is the loose potting soil frozen solid, but the scoop is hard frozen in the mixture too! We can still think … Continue reading
Filed under Container Gardens …
Your Flowers for the Season
If you like to grow flower starter plants or think about your first greenhouse selections, seed catalogs are helpful as you plan for the new season. We all have inclinations with color and foliage. Part of the fun with plants is making your choices. At Plant Exchange Blog, you might guess we like yellow flowers. … Continue reading
Flowers on a Cold, Foggy Day
Thinking about annual flowers for summer really fits this cold, foggy day in winter. The Four O’Clocks and Zinnias were from the garden here at Plant Exchange Blog. Sometimes just a new twist on an annual we’ve grown successfully for years is just what we are looking for next season. That seems to be the … Continue reading
Regional Plant-Related Event
“Save the Date” For Missouri Valley Master Gardeners’ Spring Fling Chris Schlenker, Head Gardener at McCrory Gardens presents “New Plant Variety & Trial Review at McCrory Gardens” Look and hear about some of the newest annuals, perennials, and shrubs suitable for our region from Proven Winners, Walters Gardens, Bailey Nurseries, and All-America Selections and ask … Continue reading
Regional Plant-Related Event
Save the Date! Grow With Us at the Siouxland Garden Show! Friday, April 3 · 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday, April 4 · 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Marriott Center, 385 East 4th St., South Sioux City, NE (New name, same great space!) $5 daily admission – Children 12 and under free Gardeners (or gardening … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day January 15th
Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog, USDA Zone 4b-5a, on the Northern Plains. It’s 10 degrees F. this morning with prairie breezes, brief snow showers, and an occasional ground blizzard. Indoors it’s warm and sunny. Our growing amaryllis is a promise of spring just as we near the midpoint of winter. Once blooming, it responds well … Continue reading
Search for Beautiful Plants that Grow Well Here
Some people like to discover their own new plants. They choose them from seed company catalogs or websites providing seeds nationwide. They read the general growing tips, choose a plant and see what happens when they grow it locally. Some people use the recommendations of regional nursery personnel who have tried many new plants. Some … Continue reading
Before We Forget Colors of Autumn
Fall color plants can be the high point of the growing season. Annuals that were stars all summer, disappear with frost, leaving space for cold-tolerant plants to take center stage. Some are easy to grow. One of many plants that display color in fall in this region is the hardy chrysanthemum. It’s a perennial commonly … Continue reading
Between Seasons
Between the stop and start of seasons is a space that gives the amaryllis time to grow and produce lily-sized blossoms. It’s the time when the blooms of last season’s Portulaca (moss rose) under the grow light finally catches your attention. Now, between seasons, the blooms of December peppers satisfy the hungry spirit more than … Continue reading
Change of Season
First frost reminds us that change of season is underway. Some leaves have fallen and others are changing colors in this last half of October. A few houseplants return directly indoors. This potted camelia already began blooming outdoors under the magnolia tree where it spent the summer. Some other kinds of camelia will bloom later and are … Continue reading
