Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog! We’re USDA Zone 4-5a on the Northern Plains, currently emerging from yesterday’s frigid Arctic winds. Before noon the temperature is above freezing and may climb to 40 degrees F. Not bad for mid-February. The vase of roses in bloom is from a celebration of Valentine’s Day. No other blooms in … Continue reading
Filed under Flowers …
Not Yet Spring Thaw
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
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
Regional Plant-Related Event
“Save the Date” Minnehaha County Master Gardeners of Sioux Falls area Are excited to present Gardening with the Masters 2020 Spring Event Saturday, April 18, 2020 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Schroeder Auditorium at Sanford USD Medical Center 1305 W 18th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57117 Featuring Mary Holm, host of Pioneer Public TV’s “Prairie … 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
Indoor Plant Nursery
On a snowy day in January, come thoughts of growing hardy flower or vegetable seedlings ready to plant outdoors in late May. With the last frost date about mid-May in this Northern Plains region, there’s no rush now to get seeds into the growing medium. In fact, if the results you remember from the last … Continue reading
Bouquet of Ideas
It’s a snowy day at Plant Exchange Blog. The kind of day to think about the yard and flowerbeds for next season and enjoy a peony bouquet of ideas. Below is a suburban city lot in the Midwest. The homeowner skillfully created a soil berm in the flat yard that displays all the flowerbed plants … 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
