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
Filed under Container Gardens …
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
Dependable Woodland Tobacco
As the growing season ends, some plants have contributed extra for their part in the flower garden. Here, one of them is Woodland Tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris). It’s is an ornamental plant that grows as a direct-seeded annual in this region. It’s a member of the Nightshade family (Solanaceae) that contains potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant. Its origins … Continue reading
Wind Down Summer Tips
What’s going on with this container garden? It could be titled “Where’s the chair?” We sat with friends on the deck and I noticed that the space between people and plants had grown much smaller since August. We have had a robust growing season for these annuals. Late July was when this plant was trimmed … Continue reading
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day September 15th
Welcome to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! September in this USDA Zone 4-5a region on the Northern Plains has been wetter and cooler than average. Annuals respond well to those conditions, especially zinnias in our flowerbeds and in bouquets. Perennial Echinacea cone flowers have had a long bloom season. Black-eyed Susan vine continues to bloom on … Continue reading
Yard that Celebrates Summer
Paula and Dan Hicks have generated a yard that celebrates summer. Flowers turn heads from spring to fall. Many visited their yard on the Missouri Valley Master Gardener Yard and Garden Tour in June. Salmon blossoms and bright green foliage against their white-washed red brick house, red and purple petunias cascading from a décor cart, … Continue reading
Nasturtiums for Flowers and Food
Nasturtiums grow flowers and foliage until frost. You can start with a packet of seeds, grow them and enjoy their beauty, and end up with seeds for next year. They’re as easy to grow as lightly covering Alaska Mix nasturtium seeds with potting soil in a container and watering when the soil surface is dry. … Continue reading
In Season with Chef Staci
We hold outdoor times precious in the countdown to cold weather in this region. The garden is still has luscious produce. The grill is as hot as the oven for meals. Chef Staci Pederson has some easy, tasty ideas for alternative pizzas. “I love this time of year—fresh tomatoes!” said Chef Staci, executive chef at … Continue reading
Just a Summer Day
It’s a summer day at Plant Exchange Blog. Here we feature plants that grow in the Northern Plains region and people who grow them. Sometimes great ideas work out. The planter of petunias had a close haircut three weeks ago. Foliage had quite out-proportioned the planter as can happen with container plants this time in … Continue reading
Revitalize Raised Bed Soil
Revitalizing the soil in raised beds is our Plant Exchange Blog topic today. It’s mid-August and we’re glad that butterflies are becoming more abundant. Our flowerbeds had three issues we wanted to address this spring. Garlic chives had overrun most, and part of another bed and the hoe or chemical was not enough to remove … Continue reading
