First Time New Mexico Gardeners

I never expected to see my 'kids' gardening, much less seeing them enjoying and learning about gardening. I have enjoyed hearing about their gardening adventures and seeing the results of their 2020 experience in the dirt. It makes my heart shine when I see them spending time with the next generation of Corsons. 

Now to share photos my son sent me with my virtual gardening friends. Please share in the comments if you started or expanded your gardens this year due to COVID-19.

A good looking zucchini for a first-time gardener.

 

A precious great-grandson, Adryann watering grandpa's tomato plants.

Beautiful raised garden beds in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Note the wire fence to keep the doggies, Asha and Piggy, out. 

Lush green plants.

If you live in New Mexico, you have to grow green chilies.

If you grow green chilies, you have to roast green chiles and make green chile cheeseburgers.

Spring Into 2020

It is time to change your clocks and spring forward. Daylight Savings Time officially begins Sunday, March 8, 2020, at 2:00 a.m.

Are you procrastinating? If you have not started planning your 2020 gardens, rest assured that it is not too late.  In gardening, each year is a continuation of the journey when you first started getting your hands and feet dirty. Below is a list of events and classes to nudge you. 

After attending the 2019 Northeast Iowa Gardenhouse Tour, I became an instant fan of K&K Gardens in Hawkeye, IA, and can not wait to attend their gardening classes this spring. Ever since my 4-H days, I have been a vocal supporter of  Extension Service just like my mother and have always been impressed with their Master Gardeners program. 

Who can not be a fan of Ames's Reiman Gardens? The Gardens, located in Ames, Iowa, is a destination where you can not only learn and get motivated but relax and rejuvenate in the stunning gardens!

Due to the COVID 19, call first before visiting any of the following venues in case they are closed. 

1. Monday, March 23, 2020 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Plants for your landscape: Instilling methods with the madness!

West Union Community Library

210 N. Vine St., West Union, IA 52175

Join Keith Kovarik from K&K Gardens, Hawkeye, IA, for an informative and inspiring presentation, showcasing new, exciting, and vibrantly rewarding plants, guaranteed to enrich your home garden or landscaping paradise.

No fee required. Contact keith@kkgardens.com or webmaster@westunion.lib.ia.us to confirm your seat.

2. Thursday, March 26, 2020, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Plants for your landscape: Instilling methods with the madness!

Fayette Community Library

104 W. State St., Fayette, IA 52142

Join Keith Kovarik from K&K Gardens, Hawkeye, IA, for an informative and inspiring presentation, showcasing new, exciting, and vibrantly rewarding plants, guaranteed to enrich your home garden or landscaping paradise.

No fee required. Contact keith@kkgardens.com or webmaster@westunion.lib.ia.us to confirm your seat.

3. Thursday, April 7, 2020 – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Reiman Gardens

1407 University Blvd.

Ames, IA

Celebrate Earth Month by getting a head start on your summer vegetable garden, with a discussion on best practices by Reiman Gardens’ Horticulture Staff.

Preregistration with prepayment is required by Monday, April 6.

4. Friday, April 17, 2020 – 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 18, 2020 – 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Pocahontas Expo Center

310 NE 1^st Street, Pocahontas, IA 50574

Join us for our 14^th Annual Master Gardeners Garden Extravaganza and kick off the 2020 garden season. Events include wine tasting, sandwiches, door prizes, and vendors!

For more information, contact Lexi Seuntjens, Pocahontas County Extension, as at 712-3353103 or seuntjen@iastate.edu.

2019 Photographs

What better way to start 2020 than with a picture of the United States emblem! 

This majestic Bald Eagle is sitting up high in a tree on the outskirts of Hesper, IA guarding its lunch. I love the bright blue Iowa sky as the background in this picture and the snow-covered branches framing this giant bird of prey.

Protecting Lunch!

Take a look back at 2019! A few of my favorite photographs from 2019 that illustrate what an amazing year it was in the Driftless Region of Iowa.

An outing with the Northeast Iowa Photography Club last June to the Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area was not only breathtaking but educational as well. Cone Flowers grow rampant at the Cardinal Marsh and a number of varieties of stunning Dragonflies call Cardinal Marsh home.

Cone Flowers

Dragonfly

The following two photographs are from my visits to the Decorah Community Gardens last summer, The gardens are located next to the Decorah Community Prairie and Butterfly Garden which offers a number of well-maintained trails for walking.

Zinnias Flower Bed

Flower Bed

The highlight of fall for me is the NE Iowa Farm Tour. The NE Iowa Photography Club participated in the 2019 farm tour. Below are two of my favorite photographs. Both were taken at Peakes Orchards.

Nap Time

Peake Orchards

2020 promises to be a year of more pictures, more trips, and lots of fun in the garden. See you soon!