June is Busting Out All Over

"And since all this loveliness cannot be Heaven,

I know in my heart it is June."

-Abba Goold Woolson (American writer and poet - 1838 - 1921)

Can it be June 2011 already?  Have we gone from winter to spring and then to summer on such as fast and turbulent weather train? 

The weather that brings beauty to one region, brings devastation to another. 

The abundant rain in our gardens produces the most beautiful lush plants we've seen in years while rain floods many of our neighbors to the south. 

The winds that strengthen the cells of our trees are wreaking havoc in areas where tornadoes have taken life and substance.

While planting gardens and flowers in our good black soil, others have had their soil tumbled and ripped by earthquakes and tsunamis.

And nature goes on in it's series of internal calendars.  In the world of nature in Illinois, we may see:

Young beavers emerge from lodges, young raccoons forage with their mothers, box turtles and blue racers lay eggs, adult Canada geese molt feathers, gray squirrels breed for a second time, whitetail bucks grow antlers, bullfrog breeding peaks, chigger season starts, quail and turkey hatching peaks, pheasants incubate eggs, most deer are born and the bucks separate from the does and fawns, red fox pups leave their dens, most bats are born, American gold finches nest, American toads turn from tadpoles to adults, and channel catfish spawn peaks.

Of the native species:  Purple coneflowers and butterfly milkweed bloom in prairies, cactus blooms in sand prairies.  Other species such as peonies, poppies, and daylilies start full bloom.  Clematis will put on a show.  

I've found most of my perennials are blooming about 1 or 2 weeks later than last year.  The heavy rains have beat down many of my iris and their blooms are now on horizontal stems.  Peonies are traditionally ready for Memorial Day bouquets on graves but mine are just now coming on strong.

Insects are in full force already; beneficial as well as pest.  Heavy winter snow cover and heavy rains are insuring this mixed blessing.  (We've had ticks already.)  These two weather factors are also insuring a heavy crop of weeds.  Crabgrass is taking over the world - OK, an exaggeration but close!    

The June Solstice will be on the 21st.  Hummingbirds have stopped at many feeders on their way north and some may decide to make your yards their summer home.   As the two butterflies pictured show, they are sporting their fresh wings and bright colors.

Whether panic, pest or pleasure, Mara Beamish had it right:  “A garden always gives back more than it receives.”

(Garden facts from Jeff Lampe, formerly of the Peoria Journal Star)

  

     



Thank You Veterans

   

 

  St. Luke 12:48 - "...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

Iris Mania

A white Dutch Iris "unknown name".  This was originally from a big box store and has increased & been divided over many years.  The form is dainty and fragile looking but it's quite hardy.  It doesn't flop as easily as the large headed bearded iris.  The larger and heavier the flower, the more easily it flops when filled with rain or whipped in the wind.

 "Mme. Chereau" Germanica bearded iris.  This is a smaller iris in a huge clump simply covered in blooms.   Registered in 1844 by Lemon and bought from Select Seeds.  It's considered an "antique iris".   

Iridaceae "Red Zinger", registered in 1985 by P. Black.  This was from Schreiner's Iris Gardens.  It has received Honorable Mention in 1987 and Award of Merit in 1989.  It's a fragrant re-bloomer.  This has shorter stems and stays more flat.  It looks better where the sun can reflect the bronze highlights.

"Synergy" Germanica Iris was registered by Keppel in 2004.  This was purchased from Schreiners Iris Gardens.  Considered an intermediate bearded, it needs lots of water (unusual for iris) and has been located at the end of a drain down spout.  Tends to flop.  The coloring never fails to stop people in their tracks.

"Batik" Germanica was registered to Ensminger in 1986.  This is a huge flowered robust plant that doesn't increase in clump size rapidly.  It is fragrant and received Honorable Mention in 1988 and Award of Merit in 1992.  Withstands weather well and seldom flops. 

Germanica "Flavescens" has been around since 1813 and is considered an antique.  I found this beauty along a roadside and with permission dug a clump.  It has increased in size and been divided more times than I can count.  A smaller flower on tall stems.  It was registered by Eden Phillpott in 1906.  This is one you will see in old cemeteries and yards. 

"Jennifer Rebecca" Germanica was registered by Zurbrigg in 1985 and purchased from White Flower Farm.  It is a re-blooming (or remontant) tall bearded iris.  It received Honorable Mention in 1989.  It is sometimes light and other times a darker lavender. 

This Germanica Iris is an old bearded variety and I have no idea the name.  I was given this from a preacher in Galesburg in 1997.  This is one huge flower and is fragrant.  It has the true velvet fall.  As with all iris, this flower cuts well and if just open, it stays for several days.  Buds will open after being cut.  This one is perfect for photographing.  Really, you can almost see it stand a little taller as I walk by with my camera.

""Gracchus" Germanica was registered to Ware in 1884 and is an antique.  Purchased from Select Seeds, it's a smaller flower that tends to flop in wind and rain.  As you can see in the picture, it looks pretty with an undercover (which also helps hold it up).  Most of the old antique flowers are smaller, usually very hardy and increase clump size rapidly. 

Large yellow re-bloomer "unknown name" given to me by my daughter, Susan.  The flowers are huge, it blooms heavily and increases clump size.  It is fragrant.  It might be "Harvest of Memories" but not sure.  

"Wabash" Germanica was registered by M. Williamson in 1936 and is considered an antique.  It was purchased from Select Seeds and White Flower Farm.  Purchasing these two of the same kind was the reason I started cataloging my plants.  This will flop if in wind or hard rain but is well worth having.  Even though it's not a huge flower,it shows up anywhere it's situated and increases in clump size.

"Quaker Lady" is a Germanica Iris registered to Farr in 1909 and considered an antique.  This was from Select Seeds.  This has increased in clump size.  It's an unusual smaller flower because it is rather translucent and looks best standing against a dark background or alone.  It is sometimes light lavender (as shown here) and other times a smokey purple.  The silk surface is bronzed.

Germanica "Best Bet" was registered by Schreiner in 1988 and purchased from Hornbaker Gardens, Princeton IL.  It received Honorable mention in 1990 and Award of Merit in 1993.  Many of the newer varieties have sturdier stems which helps them resist flopping.

 Little "Pink Horizon" from the Garden Station in Monticello, Indiana.  This is best located at the front of a border where it will show.  The pale pink petals with orange ruff is unusual. 

"Stairway to Heaven" is a very tall large flowered Germanica in the Amoena style.  It is registered to Lauer in 1993.  It has received Honorable Mention in 1995, Dyke's Memorial Medal in 2000 and Award of Merit in 1997.   This is from White Flower Farm. 

Iris are a beautiful spring accent perennial.  They are not without their little particularities and you may loose a few now and again.  They seldom survive standing in wet soil or buried too deep.  Or sometimes they just disappear over winter.  I always say I'm never going to buy another (because I've lost several) and then in the spring I'm always glad to have so many beautiful examples. 

Mobile Gardening

My cousin Bill likes to RV travel most of the year.  Given little excuse, he’ll pack up and head out to visit people and places on a moment’s notice.  In addition, he’s a gardener.  The two (traveling and gardening) don’t seem to work well together.  Bill’s come up with a great solution and I thought I’d share it with other “mobile” gardeners.

When we talk about container gardening, most of us think about flowers or perhaps a few herbs.  Bill has over thirty containers chocked full of garden vegetables.  Most everything (except corn and potatoes) he previously grew in-ground. 

Should “wanderlust” set in, a call to gardening neighbors does the trick.  They come over, each will grab a few pots of vegetables and the produce won’t go to waste. 

Not only does this garden trick work for travelers, it works well for those who might find an in-ground garden too physically challenging, time or space consuming. 

I’ve seen gardens growing in repurposed wheel barrows, baby strollers, and wheeled washtubs.

If coordinated beauty isn’t a necessity:  old crock pot inserts, granite ware canners, plastic milk jugs with the tops off, copper boilers, buckets, garbage cans or most anything deep enough to hold the root system.  Adding drainage holes is healthier for the plants.   

 

• Add a layer of newspaper in the bottom of the container to prevent the soil from coming out the drainage holes. 
• Set the pot on a few small rocks, wine corks, or something to allow water to drain easily. 
• I only use the saucers if the weather is very dry or deck staining is an issue.
• Add potting soil and your seeds or plant sets. 
• If you plant sets or once the seeds have a few inches of height, add a layer of mulch.  This will keep the soil from drying out as fast and the soil from splashing out when watered.
• Use plant braces if it will be a large plant, it vines, or has heavy produce.
• Containers dry out quickly in summer heat and wind.  Once the root system has dried, it’s very hard to get buds and produce again.
• Fertilize lightly about every two weeks once the plants start growing.  Make sure the fertilizer reaches the soil and doesn’t just soak into the mulch.
• Most vegetables like full sun.

Life improves if you don’t have to choose between two great hobbies.

This innovative solution from Bill could be the answer to: 

“Have RV ~ Will garden!"

Doin' the Walk

Most garden walks are fund raisers for a charitable organization - I'll talk about those today.  A few are for showcasing public gardens or for product endorsements.

If you're thinking about using the garden walk for a fund raiser, here are a few question you may want to consider:

1. Will there be at least 4 to 8 gardens the public is willing to pay to see?
2. Are area people willing to welcome the public into their gardens?
3. Do the gardens have different features/themes from each other?
4. Are the gardens located close enough that they may all be viewed in one 4 - 6 hour period?

---------------------------and:

1. Will your organization have enough volunteers to organize the event and staff the gardens?
2. Will the profits (after expenses) be used for a specific philanthropic purpose?
3. Does your organization have up-front capital dollars to spend to sponsor the event?
4. Can you have the commitment of the gardeners one year prior to the event?
5. Will you give the gardeners your commitment so they won't work/buy for nothing?

--------------------------organization tips:

1. Invite all possible garden owners to get together the spring prior to the year you plan the walk.  This will allow them time to consider, commit or decline.  You will know if the plan can work.  They will know they have a whole complete growing season to get ready for the next summer's walk.
2. Decide what month to hold the walk.  Discuss what season most of the gardens will be the most lush.  Consider the weather during that month (rain, humidity, heat/cold, insects.)
3. Decide the hours of the walk (when does dark set in, best weather).  It should be long enough for visitors to see all gardens but not so long your hosts and volunteers become worn out.
4. Decide how much to charge.  This depends on the quality of the gardens, your locale, and your income goal - be realistic.
5. Have a group of volunteers willing to do everything necessary to get the walk organized and an expanded group to help with the prep and the day of the walk.
6. Consider if you will sell water, lunch/snacks, other merchandise. 
7. Will any gardens have music or entertainment?
8. Do you want to include an art show, plant sale, demonstrations?
9. Will there be a theme?
10. Will you include gardens that accompany public areas (churches, municipal parks, business).

------------------------you will need:

1. Advertisement (paid ad, story articles, posters, brochures, pictures) 
2. Tickets & programs printed (including a map)
3. Signs or other walk designation at each house (we used hand painted flags which the owners got to keep).
4. For the ticket taker:  A table & chair at each garden, money box & change, shade/umbrella for the table if rainy or very hot.
5. Depending on the size of the garden, additionally, you will need at least 2-4 volunteers to wander the garden to make sure there are no problems.
6. Develop a plan to thank the garden hosts and volunteers (a present, host a party, etc.)

-----------------------consider:

1. Not allowing strollers.
2. If the gardens are not handicap accessible, include in your advertising.
3. Hold rain or shine - it's difficult to keep their gardens this perfect for several weeks.
4. Find out if the hosts want to mingle or be gone. 
5. What is the plan if something is damaged or stolen (the home owner's insurance).
6. Have the host's house either locked or manned by family. 
7. Do not allow visitors to use hosts bathrooms.  Have several public restroom options.
8. Realize a few visitors will be unkind and inconsiderate.  Talk about this with the hosts and volunteers before the walk.

Putting on a garden walk is quite a bit of work for the volunteers and hosts.  With good pre-planning, it will also be a great day for everyone. 

Gardens, Music & Food

The University of Illinois Extension Macon (Decatur IL) County Master Gardeners are doing some things a little differently for this year's Garden Walk. The Walk will be later in the summer than usual, namely Sunday, June 26th, so hopefully summer plants will be in "full swing." The Walk will also be held later in the day - with the hope of having a cooler Walk experience for participants - from 3:00-7:00 pm. Finally, the event will feature live music - The West End Trio – and light refreshments at one of the gardens.

Some things about the Walk will be similar to previous Walks, however. As always, visitors will discover a wide variety of types of gardens. Different moods are created in each garden. Some gardens are formal and structured, others less formal and more jumbled or cottage-style, one whimsical and fun, one with a wonderful water feature, and others especially suited to evening viewing. Gardens range from small to huge, and from the "started from bare dirt" variety, to those including 50 to 75 year old plantings. Door prizes will again be offered, and will be pots of flowers planted by Master Gardeners. As always, the Walk will take place rain or shine!

This year we are also featuring two of Decatur's old historic homes in the Near West and West End neighborhoods, so it will be an added plus to view the exteriors of these homes up close. The entire Walk will be especially easy to navigate this year, as the seven gardens are all in the Rock Springs, Near West, and West End neighborhoods.

Tickets will be available from Master Gardeners, at various Decatur garden – related businesses, and at the Extension office beginning in mid-May. Tickets are $8 in advance, or $10 the day of the Walk. For ticket information, call the Macon County Extension Office, at 877-6042.

Excellent Watson!

The web is great for finding garden information - all kinds and at all levels of expertise.  For a reliable source, be sure to include your state's university extension site.  Many of their publications are free and on-line.  Most have books available to order on-line. 

The Master Gardener's program and 4-H are but two administered through the extension programs.

The university extension offices use academia's latest research and test results.  They inform about laws and regulations.  Most literature is available in Spanish.  They have sections devoted to the health issues in regards to gardening.  They include vegetable, ornamental and commercial gardening topics.  

They know their insects, diseases, and solutions.  I don't always agree with their methods for control as they have, in the past, been heavily chemical based.  That is primarily because most extension offices are a major resource and research for farming/agri industries and operations.  They are becoming more friendly to other non-chemical options.  Their resources give you choices now days.

Most of the garden specific literature comes with pictures.  I know that sounds grade school targeted but with gardening - a picture is worth a thousand words.  Insects are often very difficult to identify since there are so many that look the same.  To the average gardener, a description of a plant disease can be difficult to visualize in real world situations.  Most of their extension garden literature has full information for the non-professional gardener. 

Most have become user friendly web sites (simply google your state university's extension). The University of Illinois Extension Office has a gardening facebook page that posts a topic most every day.  Some are text and others are short video demonstrations.

In this part of the Midwest, these colleges have extension offices:  University of Illinois, Purdue University, and Iowa State University. 

The interesting and reliable thing about your local state's extension literature - it's focus is conditions in your state.  Sounds obvious but have you ever searched the web for a solution to a garden problem and thought you found the perfect one?  Only to find it was targeted for another climate and not adaptable to your area? 

My local extension is not the only source I use, but, I certainly use it for my baseline information.  I know if I go to a site that has totally different/conflicting information - chances are it's either terribly misinformed, only advertising their own product, or is a scam.  Most states have an extension office in each county (although there has been some major financial funding cuts recently).  Stop by with questions or for literature.  The quality of county extension offices depends on the quality of the local extension director.

Take advantage of this wonderful resource - it is excellent!