Going to the Dogs

Going to the dogs - dogwood that is!

Way back when...the Clinton Power Plant was being built, Illinois Power's forestry personnel were returning the landscape around the lake to a naturalistic environment.  They had an area where they planted small starts and would then replant to forest other areas. 

This dogwood easily sprouts from twigs, suckers and seed - making it perfect for mass restoration.   

When an area had an open house they would send some of those starts to the office as free give aways to our customers.  Most starts were bushes or small trees.  All the starts were taken except a few tiny Red Osier Dogwood.  Rather than throw them away, I took them home and planted. 

That was four houses ago.  I'd dig up a few shoots each time I moved and they are still gracing my yards. 

The Red Osier Dogwood has many great qualities. Obviously, the color of the stems during the winter is a great quality. To have red stems, cut 1/3 of the bush down every few years. The red stems are new growth.

Red Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea, is a native of Illinois.  It's other names are Red Willow, Kinnikinnick, Redstem Dogwood, Redtwig Dogwood, Red-rood, American Dogwood, Creek Dogwood, Red Dogwood, Squawbush, California Dogwood, Red-stemmed Cornel, Redbrush, Gutter Tree, Red Willow, harts rouges, Poison Dogwood, Shoemack, Waxberry Cornel, Dog Berry  and Western Dogwood.   Is it any wonder there's confusion on names in the plant world?  


This dogwood, a broadleaf deciduous bush, grows to about 8' x 8'.  They are hardy to Zone 3.  They like mineral rich soil.   

They will have the brightest twigs in full sun and tolerate shade which allows them to be incorporated into a woodland.  It's considered semi-fire tolerant.  The native prairie fires would cause the seeds to germinate and it would be one of the first plants to grow after fire.

A bush for all seasons, it has white flowers in the spring, berries and red/purple leaves in the fall.  The leaves are typically a medium emerald green although there are varieties which have variegated leaves.  The bush is not tight and has an informal look.  Birds are forever using it for cover, for food, a simple perch or to nest.  The berries aren't eaten until late winter when other food is gone.

The Lakota and other plains Native American Indians would use the berries for treating colds and slow bleeding.  They would blend the inner bark with tobacco to smoke and this became the Kinnikinnick word for this plant.  The twigs are still used for basket weaving.

The roots spread widely and is good for erosion control.  For a huge visual impact, plant in mass.  For the edge of a woods or as a specimen plant, make sure they are where they can be viewed.  They will send up suckers.  These suckers can be mowed if they begin to creep into your lawn.  They often form huge thickets in wet undisturbed areas.

Provides cover for small critters and is a favorite of deer and moose although I've never had mine destroyed.  Bees will be all over the flowers.  Trim up the bottom and they will resemble a small tree.

                                                                           Side Note:  The Henry County IL Soil & Water Conservation District 2012 Spring Tree Sale is being held until March 19th.  Call 309-937-5263, Ext. 3, for a brochure.  They offer two kinds of red twig dogwood. 

The 1-2-3 of 8

I know it seems the wrong time of the year to talk about preserving vegetable produce - aka "canning".  It takes a plan in the spring to be sure there are the right kind of vegetables for the end result - aka "delicious". 

Here's a few things I've learned and used for making a vegetable juice mixture.

• Use a heavy stock pan about 1/4 larger than the quantity of produce to cook.  This helps prevent scorching and boil overs.  Tomatoes do both easily at high temperatures. 
• If you don't have all day or have trouble lifting heavy pots, make smaller batches more often.
• Have a sturdy long handle spoon. 
• Wash fresh produce for canning in a mild dish washing soap.  I know it sounds crazy, but, it makes me feel better.  A quick in, rub completely, and quick out.  Never let celery sit in soapy water, it will take up the water and taste like soap. Rinse VERY thoroughly.
• Never use moldy or spoiled produce.  It could ruin the entire batch.
• Skin tomatoes if you aren't going to run through a food mill. 
• Use a food mill if you can't eat or don't want seeds.  It will remove the seeds, the skin and blend all vegetables.  The food mill makes the best juice.     
• Never can the skins of tomatoes when preserving - they become tough.
• Different colored tomatoes tint the juice.
• Use the most meaty, sweet and juicy tomatoes for the canning process.  

Here's a simple recipe for vegetable juice using the food mill - assuming everything is clean:
Tomatoes with skins, cored and cut into quarters.  Cutting tomatoes into quarters helps prevent the fruit from exploding when going through the food mill.
Peel onions, quarter.  I believe the more surface - the more flavor.
Optional:  Garlic cloves, peeled and slightly squashed.
Summer Squash:  Remove stem, chop into golf ball sized pieces.  The golf ball size is optimal for fitting into the food mill receptacle.
Carrots:  Cut off top and cut into small pieces or grate .  Carrots take longer to cook when left large.
Celery:  Cut off bottom of bunch, cut into one inch sized pieces; include leaves.
Peppers:  I use sweet bell and banana.  If I want something with more heat, I add hot peppers at the time I use the canned juice.  It gives more options.  Core peppers and cut into pieces.
Optional:  Hot peppers:  Keep in mind the entire batch will be hot.  As the juice cooks and after it's preserved, it may increase in heat.  If you cook the hot pepper seeds, it will make it much hotter.

That is the basic recipe.  You will note I didn't add quantities.  My rule of thumb:  Half a pan of tomatoes, one-quarter of other items.  I most often use what I have on hand so batches may be different tasting.

Any of the following may be added for more nutrition:  Greens such as spinach and lettuce.  Fresh beans.  Realize if you use cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc., their flavor will over ride most of the other flavors. 

Use what's available (either in your garden or at the farmer's market.)

Seasonings:  Again  I use what I have on hand.  Routinely, I use basil (it's flavor diminishes some during canning), rosemary, thyme, parsley.  Others if you want a distinctive taste:  cilantro, lemon balm, sage, and chives.   I'm sure there are others.  I don't use a herb, vegetable or flavoring that limits what recipes I can make.  Specific flavors can be added at the time you use the juice in your favorite dish.  I add fresh ground pepper.  I don't add salt at the time of canning.

Fruits:  Yes, you can add fruit to your vegetable juice.  Some of the brighter colored fruits will impart a subtle taste of their own.  The lighter the fruit the less likely that will happen with the exception of citrus.  I often make at least one batch of tomato juice by seasoning with lemon juice and zest.  It's good in salad dressing, in bean dip and as a drink.  Not so good in savory dishes.

Cook ingredients prior to putting in food mill.  Follow the canning instructions exactly until you understand the why and why not.   Not only do you want a perfect juice, you do not want to give anyone food poisoning.  I know - I had to say it. 

Tomatoes can be processed in a water bath because they are acidic.  The more vegetables you use, the more acid you should add to the ingredients such as vinegar or citrus juice.  A tablespooon of white vinegar per quart jar will not change the taste.

As for ingredients, the point of vegetable juice is to add as much nutrition as possible.   The point of making your own is you are able to control the taste, the looks, the cost, the quantity, the nutrition, and eliminate negative or dangerous practices..

Side note:  If you don't want juice, this same recipe can be used for "chunky" tomatoes.  Take out the seeds prior to cooking if they bother you.  Skin the tomatoes prior to cooking.  Cut vegetables into smaller pieces. Don't run through the food mill.

Why talk about tomato juice preservation now?  It's time to look at seeds and seed catalogs.  A couple of sites you might like:

www.ezfromseed.org  is the Home Garden Seed Association.  They have directions for "Seed Buying 101:  A Seed Gardener's Glossary".

http://www.selectseeds.com   A site for rare, choice and heirloom seeds.

http://www.reneesgarden.com  A site that offers organic seeds.

There are numerous other sites and stores near you.  Most have instructions along with their catalog of seeds and plants.  Have fun making "the plan"!

Slide into Spring

Here's a couple of slide shows that will make you want to rush into spring. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anniesannuals/sets/721576

Go to Annie's Annuals photostream.  Then "Spring Slideshow 2012".
This one is from Annie's Annuals.  I've mentioned her catalog before.  Annie's is located in California and in a rather tough urban location.  Note the high fence topped with barbed wire.  Annie's is beautiful, casual, eclectic, and definitely fun.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9krqYNagU84
This is located on You Tube.  If you can't link into it from this site, enter in search:  Monet-Giverny.pps .  It's titled "Claude Monet and Giverny".  Increase to full screen size.  This is a slide show of Claude Monet's home and gardens in Girverny, France.  It was where many of his most famous paintings were done and is now open to the public.  He certainly shows his eye for beauty was translated into his garden. 

There are many ways to view a garden slide show: admire the beauty, scope out plants you might want this year, gain some design knowledge, or be entertained. 

Snow in this part of the woods this morning - beautiful!

Is White a Color?

No, technically white is not a color.  In nature, white is seldom really white.  It is shades or layers of colors.  Our eyes and minds may perceive it as white when in fact it isn't. 

The new garden catalogs started me thinking of white in the garden.  I've written about it before in "Moon Garden" article #60.  Today I'd like to focus on the use of white flowers in containers.

I live in a yellow house trimmed in white.  It's the Swedish look for an old house build by a Swede.  It's warm and cozy, but doesn't have any blast of bright colors.   

I get my little flash of color from using a bright royal blue in my gardens and on the back porch.  Hence, all my plant pots out back are that color of blue.  Surprisingly, very few flower colors clash with this shade of blue. 

Each color, when combined with royal blue, gives a different mood.  Blue and white tends to look very formal and slightly Swedish.

I like using large pots - although I tend to limit them to the maximum my husband will willingly move. . . . .

Here's some really good choices for white flowers in pots:

Annuals:
"Cool Wave" White Pansies
White Impatients
White Cornflower.  (May self seed)
Datura "Evening Fragrance".  (May self seed)
Chrysanthemum parthenium Feverfew.  (Several white varieties)
Four O'Clock "Alba".  (May self seed)
Petunia "Rainmaster"  (Strongly scented - may self sow)
Tobacco "Jasmine"  (Sweet fragrance)
Verbena "White Lily"  (Strong scent)
Cleome "White Queen"  (May self seed)
Nasturtium "Milkmaid"  (Trails to 3 foot)
Zinnia "Polar Bear"
Morning Glory "Pearly Gates".  (vines & self seeds)

Annual Veggies:
Eggplant "White Star"   (plant grows to a max. of 3 foot)
Cilantro has small white flowers if left to bloom.
Early White Bush Scallop Summer Squash.
Floral Spires White Basil "Ocimum basillcum"
"Snow White" cherry tomato. (pictured from Reimer Seeds) 

A combo of tender bulbs and plants:
Dahlia 'White Perfection" is a dinner plate variety, growing to 4 foot.  (Need a big pot)
Gladiolus "White Friendship" grows to 3 foot.  (Great for the back of a pot)
Caladium "White Christmas" features white with green veins.  (Can take shade)
White Calla Lily.  (Can take some shade)
Angel Trumpets Brugmansia White.  This is a tree.
White Odorata Begonia.  (super fragrant and drapes over the side of pots)
"Ermine" Canna.  36-48 inches tall.

Perennials  (get them back in the ground in the fall or bring inside):
White Oriental "Casa Blanca" Lily.  (Highly fragrant)       
White Hibiscus "Texas Star Moon Moth".  (The can become a tree)
Bearded German Iris "Immortality".  (Very fragrant)
Daylily "Dad's Best White".  (Lots of white and near white daylilies)
Shasta Daisy.  (These will self seed)
Echinacea purpurea "Milkshake" coneflower.  (This is a touchy little plant; you may loose it if you wait late to transplant in the ground.)
Fire and Ice Hosta.  (Or the old fashioned, highly fragrant "August Hosta" plantaginea)
Hybrid miniature white rose bushes.
 

Perennials that need pots brought in during our Zone 5 winters:

Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana "White Feather".  This will be REALLY tall.

Nassella tenuissima Mexican feather grass "Shimmering Garden Jewel". 

Solanum Jasminoides album.  Jasmine "Starbright"

Mandevilla "Bride's Cascade".  (Vines - pictured from Oglesby)

Cape Fuchsia "Candy Drops Cream".  (hangs over edges of pots)

White Geranium

Polianthes tuberosa "Pearl" is from 1870.  (fragrant)

  

I didn't include bulbs for spring pots although there are loads of crocus, hyacinths, tulips, narcissus and daffodils readily available in white.  They may take a little more planning and specialized care to make sure they have the winter conditions needed for spring blooms.

The above lists are only a few of the white flowers available. 
One of the best things about many of the beautiful white flowers is their fragrant.  Most smell strong and sweet.  Often the most intense fragrance is in the evening.  Place those pots of fragrant flowers near your evening sitting or entertaining area.  White flowers will show up most nights and you'll be enchanted by the evening scents.

________________

Side note:  We (as in husband) use an appliance cart to move pots.  Slip the bottom under the pot, secure with a bungee cord, tip back and roll to the new location. 
   

An Invasion?

Mike Gray, University of Illinois Extension entomologist, has some insect predictions for the coming growing season 2012. 

"Japanese beetle infestations will continue to vex producers this year," Gray said.  The Japanese beetle grubs will burrow down at least two foot if the ground freezes that deep.  With such a mild winter, I can't imagine many grubs died.

David Voegtlin, a retired entomologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey said soybean aphid populations may be down.  Gray observed, "The fungal epizootic swept through the impressive aphid buildup on buckthorn and decimated the population." 

The European corn borer reached all-time population lows across Illinois last year.  Gray expects them to be hardly noticeable this year.  The western corn rootworm densities are low.

“Considerable speculation has arisen regarding whether or not the large-scale increase in Bt usage may be suppressing corn rootworm populations, similar to what happened with European corn borer densities,” he said.  He suspects environmental conditions last season served as the major contributor to the collapse of the corn rootworm population.  The wet soil conditions last spring resulted in high mortality of western corn rootworm larvae soon after hatch occurred."

It’s too early to assess the potential impact of insects that migrate into Illinois such as black cutworms, corn leaf aphids, potato leafhoppers, fall armyworms and corn earworms. Weather is a critical factor surrounding if insect populations will have successful migrations.

For insects that overwinter above ground the mild winter temperatures have been good.  If we should get a freeze, the lack of snow cover will leave them exposed and in danger.

Having sunny mild winter days may cause overwintering insects to become active before they have food.  This activity causes them to use stored energy and they could starve before spring. An insect gradually winterizes it's body.  Having swings between 0-50 can increase death rates.

Should there be a late hard freeze, many migrating insects could be killed. And should there be a cold snap later when the leaves are on the trees, that could cripple the insect population for lack of food.  Gray adds , they’re all pretty hardy, in fact a lot of insects actually need a cold snap to develop, so don’t count on that.

To the sadness of all out door people, the mosquitoes will survive.

Death due to weather conditions affect both beneficial and destructive insects.  This can be good as populations may even out.  More than the mild/harsh winter factors, what happens in the spring can cause more insect damage.  Cool damp springs encourages the development of fungi that attack insects.

It's predicted, critters may double their populations this year due to mild winter weather.  Not especially good news for gardens where deer frequent.

Bee populations have drastically decreased over the years.  Loss of habitat and insecticide use are blamed for much of that decrease.  Having a prolonged late winter freeze might cause them to starve.

Bottom line:  those in the know are making their predictions and all of them hedge their bets right along with your favorite weatherman.  The science of prediction is still a guess; even if based on history, science, data and observation.   

Z is for Zinnia

I could not list "Z" without it being one of my favorite summer annuals - the zinnia.  It has a long list of positive attributes.  Let's work our way through the list.

Color:
Zinnias are usually in very rich and clear colors and some are multicolored.  I've never seen a blue zinnia.  The "new" bi color this year has chartreuse and mauve petals  - called Zinnia Queen Red Lime.  The tones are more pastel.
Bloom descriptions:
Zinnias are miniature up to very large.  They can be a low clump (6 ins.) or tall  (40 ins.) and sprawling. The flowers may be singles, doubles, domed, twisted, cactus, Mexican, dahlia, and tetraplois.  All with a yellow center.  Some varieties have been hybridized to look like marigolds, cosmos, and galardia.  I'm not sure why since both zinnia and these other plants have value on their own.  

Bloom time:
If in the ground early, they will bloom by mid season and continue until frost.  The richer the soil, the better the plant and flowers.
Disease:
Powdery mildew has plagued zinnias especially during wet summers and if they are crowded.  Select varieties that are mildew resistant, use a mildew formula dust or live with it.  Mildew seldom kills a zinnia or harms the flower.  It may cut production somewhat.  Do not water from overhead.
Pests:
Nothing significant.  Zinnias usually attract so many good bugs, they eat any pests.

Attracts:
Zinnias are a butterfly and bee magnet.  If you plant a large quantity in one place, the butterflies will see them and it will become a stop and shop the rest of the summer.  The flat variety is most enjoyed.
Planting:
Zinnias are considered an annual in this area.  They may also self seed and it is easy to collect the seeds to use (FREE) next year.  They like full sun, rich well-drained soil, good air circulation, and are pretty much no care once established.  They do well in pots.  Sow seeds or plant sets outside as soon as the last frost is over and water once.  This is one easy and hardy annual. 
Cut flowers:
They are a long lasting cut flower (always take off any foliage that will be under water).  IF you aren't going to save seeds, deadhead to prolong the blooms, making a neater looking plant and helping tall varieties keep from flopping.

Year end:
The foliage begins to turn brown towards the end of summer.  I usually ignore or strip the brown ones and leave it blooming on semi-bare stems.  It's not an indication of disease or pests, it's the cycle of life. 

Zinnias are an excellent plant for first time gardeners and for children.  Seldom do they fail and no part is poisonous.  However, they are not considered a foodstuff. 

These beauties are considered a native flower ranging from the southwest United States into Central and South America.  One has to admit, one of the top reasons for having an annual flower in the garden is having all summer beauty.  Did I mention they are the perfect flower for photographers!!

“The Amen! of Nature is always a flower.”
            - Oliver Wendell Holmes

And, I Quote

In 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the act of congress that established the Department of Agriculture, he commented, "...no other human occupation opens so wide a field for the agreeable combination of labor with cultivated thought, as agriculture." (Mr. Lincoln Rose)

At that point, the political process started its big engine and has been plowing our fields ever since.  Some regulations, subsidies, departments and heads of committees have benefited agriculture and some not so much.

“Cultivators are the most valuable citizens…they are tied to their country.” – President Thomas Jefferson

Because I live in an agriculturally based community, my families are farmers and I have a lifelong love of gardening; I tend to read the issues surrounding agriculture with interest.  Seldom does on issue have a clear black and white solution or explanation. 

“Our farmers deserve praise, not condemnation; and their efficiency should be cause for gratitude, not something for which they are penalized.” – President John F. Kennedy

It’s the largest self interest group with the most money that typically turns the political vote.  Listen to two people at a coffee klatch and you will find two polar opposite opinions and both sure they are right.  What the listener can begin to notice, sometimes opinions are based on the publicity advocating a position for their own agenda. 

 “In no other country do so few people produce so much food, to feed so many, at such reasonable prices.” – President Dwight D. Eisenhower  (Twinleaf (Thomas) Jeffersonia diphyllia) 

Some really huge agricultural issues revolve around chemical use, genetically engineered seed, global warming, growth hormones, import/export and habitat loss.  All are tied to profit and loss and concern big business as-well-as each of us.  

"Agriculture, manufactures, commerce and navigation, the four pillars of our prosperity, are the most thriving when left most free to individual enterprise."  President Thomas Jefferson

Make no mistake, what happens in agriculture affects our own gardens and our own families.  Harm and success in agriculture will affect the entire global citizenship.   

“Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.” – President Dwight D. Eisenhower

We’ve all bought and used products that were later proved harmful.  We’ve all had to change some of our work practices.  When you buy or sell garden and agricultural products, make informed decisions.  When you hear a claim about a product, read the whole story.  If change is necessary, do your best to make those changes.

(President Ronald Reagan daylily)  from www.franksmithdaylilies.com  

“It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance.” – President George Washington

To our gardeners and farmers who lead the way making tending our soil an honorable vocation, let me say, “Thank you.”  Our Presidents honor you and so do I!