Welcome to Plant Exchange, where we feature plants of the Northern Plains and people who grow them. Gardens in the area have been in harvest for some time. Here at Plant Exchange, the garden was finally planted in June. Tomatoes are ripe! This is the last of this season’s Chef Staci Pederson ‘Fresh from the … Continue reading
Methuselah Monarchs
As Fall approaches, so many changes are around us. Days are shortening and humans transition into different kinds of activities. Trees display their colors. Pollinators flock to late summer blooming plants such as New England asters, many kinds of milkweed, goldenrod, sedum, and sunflowers, to name a few. We’re glad we have grown some of … Continue reading
Korn’s Daylily Comments
Gail Korn of Garden Perennials, south of Wayne, Nebraska, is a regional authority and collector of daylilies. She is completing her 36thand last year of business. She grows a wide array of perennials and a large daylily collection on the hillside by her business. “Daylilies grow in any soil, in fifty states,” Korn said. “Fertility … Continue reading
Daylilies for Your Yard
Daylilies are perennials that grow well in this region if supplied with full sun and adequate moisture. Join us to find out how to plant and manage daylilies. Cynthia Jensen of rural Yankton discusses daylilies throughout the season. It’s our weekly feature at Plant Exchange, where we feature plants of the Northern Plains, and people … Continue reading
August ‘Fresh from the Garden’
Local produce abounds in our gardens and at farmers’ markets. We’re hungry for what is ripe and most flavorful. Chef Staci Pederson, Yankton Hy-Vee Food Stores, provides us with professional tips and her recipes for our produce. This month, the garden staples, corn, potatoes, green beans and zucchini are featured in salads and an entrée. … Continue reading
Herbs for Food and Ornamental Accents
Gardening vegetables give us summer treats of fresh grown, hand-picked produce. We may choose to enhance flavors of the produce with fresh herbs too. Herbs personalize our food. Herbs can also be grown as ornamentation or for edible beauty in a flowerbed. Some perennial herbs for this region include chives, garlic chives, allium, oregano and … Continue reading
‘Fresh from the Garden’ with Herbs
Welcome to Plant Exchange. Today we’re featuring how to cook with herbs that can grow in this region, right in your garden, flowerbed or planter such as this cilantro. Chef Staci Pederson of Yankton Hy-Vee Food Store shares her own entrée, appetizer and side dish recipes and preparation tips for herbs from your garden or … Continue reading
Joy in Gardening
It’s early August here at Plant Exchange on the Northern Plains and the late June-planted vegetable garden is beginning to show promise. Weeds, at least in this spot of the yard, are few by now. Summer squashes are growing slowly. First green tomatoes have appeared. Given the slow start and immature plants, we appreciated the … Continue reading
Another Basket for Eggs
Welcome to Plant Exchange where we highlight plants of the Northern Plains and people who grow them. A commonly grown perennial is the native cone flower, studied for its medicinal qualities as well as grown for its ornamental beauty. An old saying “Don’t put all the eggs in one basket.” may have some truth for … Continue reading
How to Identify an Ash Tree Infested by Emerald Ash Borer
In our region ash trees have a number of insect pests that the trees manage themselves. Emerald Ash Borer is exotic and ash trees don’t have adequate defenses. Because ash trees do have other pests, identifying the symptoms of Emerald Ash Borer is important. Dr. John Ball provides information about how to identify a tree … Continue reading
