The Woodland flower bed is thriving!

This is my favorite flower bed, and I bet you can tell why. This is a before picture of the Woodland flower bed. The first flower bed that I cleaned up this year is the easiest, and it is in the shade. For the record, I am not a fan of heat or the blazing sun. However, it is also the playground for twin fawns, and I love watching them frolic. 

This bed is three years old, and the Hostas and Siberian Iris are faring really well. However, I have seen a couple leaves chewed off, and I am assuming it is the deer helping themselves to a free dinner. 

The bed is mulched in leaves which makes it easy to care for and attributes to the health of the bed. I also like the looks of decayed leaves as compared to color bark. I like the natural look. 

The bed is cleaned out and looking exactly as expected. Below are a few after pictures. 

I need to add more leaves to the front of the bed. Thankfully, there is plenty of leaves along the fence line. 

The blooms are just starting to burst open on this Siberian Iris.

The three carved morel mushrooms look awesome in the Woodland garden.

After cleaning out the bed this morning, I watered it this afternoon when it was shady. 

Experience the Northeast Iowa Greenhouse Tour, May 1 and 2

The 2021 Northeast Iowa Greenhouse Tour highlighting 59 businesses is May 1 and 2. Included in this year's tour is the first annual meat locker tour featuring 15 lockers. All this goodness in one weekend! 

Recommend tips for a successful and memorable weekend!

* Download the tour guide at www.visitiowa.org and plan out your route so you are not going back and forth from one County to another.

* Double check the times the businesses are open as the times vary, and not all are open on Sunday.

 * Make sure to have cash on hand as not all the stores accept debit and credit cards.

* Stock up on snacks and water, so you do not have to spend valuable time stopping for lunch during open hours. Do make plans to stop for dinner at one of the area’s restaurants.

* Do not forget to take selfies among the colorful flowers, plants, and garden art.

* Check out the website of each business before heading out. Do not forget to become Facebook friends for ideas and up-to-date information throughout the year.

* Keep a journal so you remember what you purchased and from where. Create a wish list in your journal. 

Below are the greenhouses we visited in 2019, and we recommend including them on your 2021 tour. The list is alphabetically organized.

Buchanan County

In the Country Garden & Gifts, 2587 Quasqueton Diagonal Blvd., Independence. Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Have questions about Hostas? Ask Josh and Sue Spece. They carry the largest selection of Hostas; thus, their marketing tagline is spot on, Hosta County. www.inthecountrygardenandgifts.com

 Clayton County

Outdoor Creations Garden Center, 205 West Spruce St., Monona – Open Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Offers vegetable plants, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets & flowers, trees, shrubs, fountains, and garden art. Strolling through the outdoor center looking at the plants and trees was like walking through a park. So many choices! www.outdoorcreationsmonona.com

Fayette County

K&K Gardens, Hawkeye

Corner Market & Greenhouse, 5851 Palace Rd., Oelwein - Open Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The owners invite you to stop in for your flower fix. Rows and rows of colorful flowers greet you as you enter the greenhouses. They also carry a wide assortment of fruit-bearing plants. www.cornermarketgreenhouse.com

K&K Gardens, 108 E. Wilbur St., Hawkeye – Open Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – This is a destination garden center. They have everything an experienced or amateur gardener could want. www.kkgardens.com

Howard County

Plantpeddler, 530 2^nd Ave. SW, Cresco – Open Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – A Northeast Iowa gem. www.plantpeddler.com 

Winneshiek County

Decorah Greenhouses, Decorah

Decorah Greenhouses, 701 Mound St., Decorah – Open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Sunday. – Drop off your cemetery urns and have Decorah Greenhouse fill them with healthy, beautiful geraniums and ornamental grasses. They will be ready to pick them up in time for Memorial Day. The flowers look beautiful all summer long. www.decorahgreenhouses.com

Henzler’s Garden Shop, 1812 Highway 9 East, Decorah Open Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Looking for a hot-air balloon to hang on your desk or a dragon sculpture for your garden this is the place to go. No website.

Ladybug Landscape and Decorah Floral, 906 South Mechanic St., Decorah, Open Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – You will find what you are looking for here. www.ladybugdecorah.com

Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins, 2475 State Hwy. 9, Decorah – Open Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – In addition to a large selection of plants and garden art, you will want to save room for homemade fudge. Delicious! www.pintersgardensandpumpkins.com

 Seed Savers Exchange, 3074 North Winn Rd., Decorah – Open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Seed Savers is known for their heirloom seeds, but did you know that they carry a collection of gardening books for adults and children? If you have never visited Seeds Savers, you need to just for their location! Have an Iowa finishing license, bring along a pole? www.seedsavers.org

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Seed Savers Exchange Open for Business

When the Iowa ground is frozen and covered with white glistening snow and the sun is shining brightly, a favorite winter activity of mine is to visit garden centers. The visits excite me for spring and make me eager to work in my flower beds. Last week I could not wait to visit Seed Savers Exchange after seeing a Facebook post announcing the Center's 2021 opening date, March 1. 

Seed Savers Exchange is located north of Decorah on the North Winn blacktop in the hilly region of NE, Iowa. There is ample parking for cars, RVs, and motor coaches. 

Below is a sample of the merchandise and seeds you will find at Seed Savers Exchange.

The Seed Savers Exchange garden center is open seven days a week from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm from March 1 till October 31. Don't forget to check out the walking trails when you visit. 

Tip: Remember to bring a camera to take photos. 

Men and women's woven hats.

Garden supplies and tools. 

Selection of housewares, canned jams and jellies, and woven baskets.

A sample of herbs available for sale. 

More heirloom seeds plus a selection of water buckets.

Spring is Just Around the Bend.

Winter in the Driftless Region produces the most vibrant blue and white photos. Following are five of my favorite winter pictures. The clear bright blue sky in three of the photos is gorgeous. I am drawn to the all-white images you see in the third and fourth pictures. Always on the lookout for eye-catching and odd-shaped trees, I sometimes do not get to my destination on time.    

A beautiful winter day for a drive on MN Hwy. 43
between Rushford and Mabel, MN. 

A stunning MN farm on an arctic cold day outside
of Winona, MN, parallel to Interstate 90. 

A majestic cottonwood tree covered in glistening ice crystals.  

An eye-catching view from my second-story office in Hesper, Iowa. 

The United States symbol of freedom, the Bald Eagle, proudly perched in a tree.