With delayed spring weather this year, soil temperatures must be warmer to germinate most seeds. To find the approximate soil temperature in our area, the Mesonet at www.climate.sdstate.edu shows current soil readings for select locations around South Dakota. At Beresford, today’s bare soil temperature is 34 to 44 degrees F. The soil warms more slowly than average … Continue reading
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Garden Bloggers Bloom Day March 15th
Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog on the Northern Plains, USDA Hardiness Zone 4-5a. Today is a melting day from several snowfalls. Here, we are still in late winter, not yet showing signs of spring. Lacking a single plant in bloom out or indoors, I noticed a past local Star Magnolia tree photo that does bloom in early … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
Inching toward warm spring days, we look at right plant choices for the right location with native origin plant examples. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pupurea) is a drought-tolerant perennial of the daisy family that grows from a tap root. Echinacea is native to eastern and central North America prairieland open woods and is common in yards of … Continue reading
Bleeding Hearts of Coming Spring
Asian Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapros spectabilis) are perennials that tolerate this region’s cool springs and changeable weather well. They begin to grow along with daffodils and bloom into the summer among plants like hostas in a bed of nutrient wood chips. A partial or full-shade plant that grows to about 30 inches tall, this one is situated … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
With additional snow cover locally, the USDA average last frost date (April 27th- May 3rd in this region) is not top of mind. Before planting, we consider spring drought preparations, a drought-tolerant bee balm, and what’s left at the low water mark. Drought may continue into spring in this area, and lawn grass displays a lack … Continue reading
Before the Spring “Last Frost” Date
Even with snow cover, the pre-spring gardening tempo is beginning to accelerate. An hour longer daylight in the evening makes it harder to ignore the past holiday plants, seed catalogs, and winter is over soon stack of books. These are some gardening thoughts here at Plant Exchange Blog. 1. This local region’s average last-killing frost is … Continue reading
Create a Sustainable Yard
A blanket of snow covers our yard. Before winter dormancy ends and the spring rush begins, there is time to think about parts of the yard to reinforce, add to, or change. A February 2023 Fine Gardening magazine feature shows how a professional might access their yard. It stirred some thoughts about my own yard. … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
Of course, it is easy to leave climate change concerns to others. Today’s post is a thumbnail about how climate change can impact plant growth and then a possible step we can take toward sustaining ourselves and our gardens. The photos are from a time to think at Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, a state … Continue reading
Try Strawflowers Again
Strawflowers (Xerocurysum bracteatum), also called Paper Daisies or Golden Everlasting, are a commonly found summer annual that blooms from summer to frost in this region. Colors include red, orange, pink, purple, yellow, white, and others. The herb is rather avoided by chewing mammals. Native to Australia and a perennial there in about USDA Hardiness 8-11, strawflowers … Continue reading
Precious Water Resource
This week, a news story aired about the nearest large city exploring additional sources of drinking water. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the middle of the United States, has experienced the second year of drought, and aquifers need to be recharged. Water is a precious resource for humans, plants, and animals. Also this week, a … Continue reading
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