Welcome to Plant Exchange where we share about plants of the Northern Plains and people who grow them. It’s April 13th and the forecast is for snow tonight. But in our little greenhouse, we wanted to show you what plants are doing. Only harvest available so far is this kale. Please join us in the … Continue reading
Want to Start Seeds Indoors?
It’s early spring in our USDA Zone 4 – 5a region in the Northern Plains. Temperatures have fluctuated and slowed spring transition so far. The local nurseryman says spring is about two weeks behind normal at this time. Luckily, indoors, we can start seeds and have them ready to plant in the garden when the … Continue reading
What’s Happening At Des Moines Botanical Garden?
A reason to visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, is that its outdoor gardens grow many of the same trees, shrubs and perennials that are found in this region. Des Moines is rated USDA Zone 5a and 5b and has an average of 9 more inches of rain each year and a somewhat less … Continue reading
Which Annuals?
Welcome to Plant Exchange! We’re thinking about colors we’d like to include in flowerbeds and containers this season. Annual flowers definitely add pizazz. Greenhouses will soon be filled with annual transplants ready for outdoors in May after the last frost. If you are willing to wait until July for plants to mature and flower, direct … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
Welcome to Plant Exchange! Here we feature plants in USDA Zone 4-5a on the Northern Plains and the people who grow them. Robins are back and Spring is close, even with snow on the ground. It’s a time to think about plants from last season to repeat or avoid. Gaillardia is a tender perennial here, … Continue reading
Favorite Begonia Houseplant
Thanks for visiting our weekly Plant Exchange Blog. We hope you’ll enjoy this topic and will find many others of interest. Thank you for “Likes” and our loyal “Followers.” A plant needs to stand out from others to be a favorite here at Plant Exchange. This Begonia acetosa has shiny green leaves with red undersides. … Continue reading
Plants on a Winter Walk
It’s this kind of day for bunnies here. For deer and turkeys and other wildlife too. For us humans, though, it’s lots of windshield time, not out in nature. Our local parks exist for helping us connect with nature on a simple walk. Let’s take a walk by a couple of area parks to see … Continue reading
Selecting Garden Seeds
Garden seed catalogs provide plenty of choices for garden seeds to grow as seedlings indoors or to plant directly in the flowerbed or vegetable garden when the soil temperature warms in spring. Seed companies favor different kinds of plants, though they may have similar seed sources, not unlike what you see when visiting independent nurseries … Continue reading
Thinking Spring
Been thinking. What worked well last season to consider trying again? Some of the early annuals and perennials from last year that are memorable here at Plant Exchange were surprises. Daffodils surprise me every year. Out of brown soil and winter decay comes their bright faces. Annual pansies usually perform well in a lingering cool, … Continue reading
AAS Recommends Plants for Containers
Welcome to Plant Exchange Blog. We’re thinking about plants for next season. Plant containers are a versatile way to grow flowers and vegetables outdoors. Containers can be moved to the sunny or shade location in season to fit plant needs. Containers of plants can be placed on a deck, away from bunnies and deer. Containers … Continue reading
