Filed under Plants That Grow Here …

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 →

Gardening in Our Changeable Weather

Gardening with some flowers and produce return and an eye on sustainable practices keeps most of us ready to try next season, even in challenging weather conditions. Rudbeckia was last year’s blooming standout perennial. Drought bested some returning rudbeckia, and deer widened their taste palate for them this season, but some survived to bloom again. … Continue reading →

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day–August 15th

Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog on the Northern Plains (USDA Zone 4-5a). After a summer of drought, today we received 3.9 inches of rain that fell steadily in the morning and afternoon, and we are grateful. The Joe Pye Weed that can tolerate much more moisture than it’s received is in full bloom, along with Echinacea. In … Continue reading →

Native Plant Sense

Lewis & Clark Recreation Area entrance sign welcomes visitors with pup tents and large recreational vehicles. They see a field of native grasses in the distance, limestone-like visitors will see glow along Missouri River cliffs at sunrise, and native Liatris or blazing star, soon to bloom purple at the state park. When you garden with … Continue reading →

Garden Vegetables this Season

Perennial coneflowers and yellow gaillardia are having a party in the early August flowerbed.  But let’s look at the progress of plants in the vegetable garden since early June.  Beans have been bearing for about three weeks. We prefer planting several varieties of bush green beans due to unexpected pests or diseases. Fresh beans are … Continue reading →

Coneflowers and Cultivated Cousins

Coneflowers (Echinacea purpura) are common in flowerbeds and public spaces in this region. People find that the perennial Echinacea grows well yearly, has few diseases or pests, and requires modest maintenance once established.  As the coneflower is native here, its appearance is authentic with other successfully growing plants on the Northern Plains.  Like other native … Continue reading →

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day-July 15th

Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog. We’re along the Missouri River on the southern edge of South Dakota on the Northern Plains, USDA Zone 4 and 5. We have high temperatures in the 90’s, like some other areas. This season, a goal is to add more colorful perennials to flowerbeds. I enjoy trying to grow some … Continue reading →

Our Garden Isn’t Perfect

The July 4th holiday is about a gardening midpoint in this four-season region. By now, pop up greenhouses have few early season orphans left and landscape design magazine grade blooms and veggies are primarily found in nurseries that grow plants. Many gardening options are still available to start or continue gardening this season. Perennial delphiniums bloom … Continue reading →