​Again it has been awhile since I have written.  We have been having some really hot weather like temperatures in the 90’s.  Today the humidity is down which has been for a few days.  Tomorrow humidity coming up but with that hopefully bring some rain.  For us to keep the plants looking good, I have been watering twice and sometime 3 times a day.  I will keep plants looking good thru the month of June.  I have been having gardeners come to find plants to fill in which I am glad to have them in their gardens not mine.
I know all the gardeners are watering and that takes time.  BUT the plants need it if we don’t get it from nature.  One inch a week is what gardens need to grow. Containers and baskets need more are they dry out quicker. 
We still have tomatoes, and I don’t think it is too late yet to plant those.  Peppers are really looking good if you need some of them.  Edible Sweet potato plants are looking awesome too.  Herbs are ready to be planted and used right away.   Cucumbers, squash plants will go into your garden and grow quickly for you.  Definitely not too late for them.   All on sale. 
If you want color, the zinnias and marigolds are in full bloom and will give that color you need. Lilies are blooming and budding out so you can have them for your gardens.
Lots of begonias, petunias waves and regular are still strong. Color. We have inpatients and   they are outside all hardened off to go into that garden spot.
Perennial table is look awesome some are blooming but lots of green.  They are ready to go into that garden spot for a permanent look.  4’ pots on sale for $4.00,large pots $8 or $10.  Lime color coral bell and a very pretty dark red one also. Butterfly bushes are blooming and smell so good when we go by.
Grapes vine plants are growing and even have grapes on them.  They will produce yet this year.  Succulents, cacti do well in this extreme heat that is for sure.   Lyle is planting some more baskets this week, as I know this hot weather is hard on the baskets that you have already.  They are on sale for $10.00 and will last the rest of the season. 
As you see, we still have a full line of gardening plants, so worth your drive to Dougherty.  Hours still this month are Monday thru Saturday 9-6, Sunday 11-4. 
I am here to help with your gardening needs so contact me at beckmall@netins.net,  website beckysgreenhouse.com, 641-794-3337 work, cell  641-903-9365  I will answer text.  Message me on Facebook.  Beckys greenhouse, or Becky Kerndt Litterer
Hope all of your gardens are looking awesome, green and growing.  Enjoy your hard work, as I enjoy looking at the flowers on the racks here.  So far, that is all my gardening I have done. See if I get some pots planted next week.  Also have 1000 succulents to plant yet, I will let you know when they are ready. 
I had one gentlemen say you just work 4 months out of the year in the greenhouse.  I didn’t answer that because it is all year long I am working on the greenhouse stuff. 
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365

image from gardeners.com 

      ​I know it has been awhile since I have posted.  All my time is in watering.  We water everything twice a day.  So, all of that takes time. BUT got the best compliment from the gardeners that came this week.  YOUR plants look awesome and that is why we are watering all the time.  With the help of a couple young men, Lyle and Ann and myself.  We got everything out of the greenhouse.  The plants are on the long wagons, and on the tall carts.  We are using the tomato plants on top of the racks to give shade to the cart.  That is working well. 
We are continuing to put plants on sale. 
4” annual pots are $3.00.
Large 4 pack of tomatoes $3.00
Large 4 pack of annuals $3.00
Hanging baskets all are $10.00  we will be planting more next week to give you a choice of baskets that will last the rest of the season
Geraniums $3.00
Annual 4 packs all at $1.00 including vegetables, the vine plants such as zucchini, cucumbers, squash look great and it isn’t too late to plant these
Herbs $3.00
Asparagus roots $5.00 for 6 or 8 plants
Still have onion sets for that late planting.
Perennials on sale from $4.00, $8.00 to $10.00
     You could add more to your garden this week, as the temperature will be warm, but the humidity will be low.  All of it will take watering.  Here is what I h found out about watering your gardens.  Interesting do’s and don’ts.
The Proper Way to Water Your Garden By: Danny Flanders
So you think watering is a no-brainer, huh? Actually, some best practices for watering plants will save your plants and conserve water, too.
Water for too long, and you create an open invitation for fungus. Water too little, and roots become shallow. Water in the evening, and insects come out to feast. Water from too high, and half the moisture is lost to evaporation.
Poor watering habits are a real crime — literally, in some parts of the country where drought conditions have led to government-imposed restrictions. And so they should be, since water is a precious resource whether or not you garden. Consider collecting water for your garden with rain barrels that have garden hose connections. You can build your own rain barrel or shop top-rated rain barrels.
With a little knowledge, we can all become better consumers, better gardeners and better stewards of our environment.
Watering Plants and Lawns Efficiently
DO When is the best time to water plants? That's a popular question. Water early in the morning when sunlight is weakest, the ground is coolest and foliage will have hours to dry before nightfall. Aim for between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
DON’T water in the evening when soil is warm and wet foliage can attract insects, fungus and disease.
DO water deeply and at fewer intervals so that you reach roots, the part of the plant that needs the nutrients, sugars and hormones contained in water. Soaking the soil to a depth of 5 to 6 inches encourages plants to grow deeper roots, which in the long run will make for a healthier garden.
DON’T water lightly and often, which promotes shallow root growth. (One of the worst watering crimes you can commit is to dash outside after work every evening and sprinkle the lawn for 10 minutes. Book ‘em, Danno!)
DO direct water at the base of a plant and avoid wetting foliage, which invites fungus. Also, you'll lose less water to evaporation and, since your're applying water directly to the root zone, the water will be readily available to the plant roots.
 
DON’T water from overhead. Depending on the size of the plant, the water may never actually hit the ground because the foliage may overshadow the plant’s base.
DO give lawns an inch of water per week during dry spells which, with a sprinkler, takes about 90 minutes to deliver to one area. If you don’t have a water gauge, set out an empty tuna fish can. When it’s full, you’re done!
DON’T water a lawn more or less than what's needed because the amount affects root growth — the foundation of a healthy, beautiful lawn.
DO use irrigation systems with fixtures close to the ground. If using a sprinkler, opt for small sprinklers that allow you to change water delivery patterns or, for large areas, use a pulsating, revolving sprinkler that shoots water out horizontally at a high speed that overcomes loss due to evaporation or wind.
DON’T use sprinklers that spray vast amounts of water into the air, most of which evaporates before it ever hits the ground. Avoid watering on windy days as well.
DO give trees and shrubs — especially newly planted ones — direct watering every 7 to 10 days.
DON’T rely on sprinklers and irrigation systems to reach the bases of trees and shrubs.
DO use soaker hoses to water vegetable gardens. Again, hit the ground, not the plant.
DON’T use overhead sprinklers in vegetable gardens. More water is lost to evaporation than is absorbed by the soil.
DO use a watering wand to water annuals and perennials, both in ground and containers.
DON’T use a hose and nozzle which casts a wide spray that wets the foliage and not always the ground.
DO water container gardens regularly, typically once a day during hot, dry spells. Stick your finger in the soil. If it feels dry all the way to your second knuckle, it’s time to water.
 
DON’T think that container gardens need watering only when everything else does. Pots hold heat, so the confined soil dries out faster than garden soil does.
DO mulch beds and containers with several inches of composted material, which cools soil, retains moisture and helps deter weeds.
DON’T water un-mulched soil. The force of the water can spatter plants with moist soil and cause runoff.
Taken from https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/the-proper-way-to-water-your-garden#
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty, Iowa  beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

image from 2moderncom/umage/Dansihdesign 

     WOW it is warm out.  I have been watering continually for several hours.  I am taking a break, and will start up again around 3 so all can be watered again.  Temperature at 1:30 PM is 92 I can’t believe it.   Humidity isn’t too high yet.  BUT it is warm, but a lovely breeze makes being outside easier.
We are having a sale starting today.  Seed potatoes, onion sets ½ price at $2.50, asparagus roots packages of 6 or 8 half price $5.00, large 4 pack of tomatoes half price at $3.00, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, cabbage, celery a 4 pack for $1.00 .  All 4” annuals are $3.00 including geraniums.  Large 4 pack of marigolds, wave petunias, coleus are $3.00, 10 “basket is 12.00, 12” basket is 14.00  all herbs $3.00
I guess you could say we just found some really nice lilies that were on a rake by themselves and how they have grown with out a lot of care from us. 
We have been working hard keeping all the racks as in the tall racks with annuals, and the long wagon racks.  By garden is walking around the racks with all the color, and walking thru the tall racks that we have all thru a walkway.  I am incredibly lucky to have Larry be able to build things for me to make it easier.  He has put together 3 sprinklers that are on wheels to water the long racks, and those tall racks we have.  I just plug in the water hose, turn it on and it spray the area.  We have 2 pump systems with injectors, so I am fertilizing whenever I am watering.  The only thing I must hand water outside is the trees.  I am here from 9-6 Monday thru Saturday, Sunday 11-4.  BUT I will tell you I am here longer than that to make sure the watering is all completed.  I would have to say 11 to 12 hours a day.  BUT I love it, growing the plants, and helping you the gardener.  All of you stay cool, drink liquids and enjoy this weather. 

​How about GROWING LAVENDER
HOW TO PLANT, GROW, AND CARE FOR LAVENDER
By The Editors
Lavender is a bushy, strong-scented perennial plant from the Mediterranean. In warmer regions, its gray to green foliage stays evergreen throughout the year, and the herb thrives in some of the toughest of garden conditions. Here’s how to plant, grow, and harvest lavender in the garden!
ABOUT LAVENDER
Prized for its fragrance, medicinal properties, and beautiful bluish-purple color, Lavandula angustifolia is a valued plant across the world. It also attracts pollinators to the garden.
The plant is not picky and will survive in a wide range of soils, even poor soil. (It grows in the Mediterranean in craggy crevices!) Its main requirements are lots of sun and good drainage.
Plant lavender along the entrance to your home, or near a seating area, or at the base of roses bushes to hide their twiggy “legs” in the wintertime.
PLANTING
WHEN TO PLANT
Lavender is best planted as a young plant in the spring, after the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F (15°C) and the threat of frost has passed.
If planting in the fall, choose larger, more established plants to ensure their survival through the winter.
CHOOSING AND PREPARING A PLANTING SITE
Lavender thrives in most soil qualities, from poor to moderately fertile.
If you have compacted or clay soil, add some organic matter to improve drainage. Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.
Keep away from wet, moist areas, which could encourage root rot.
PLANTING LAVENDER
Lavender isn’t easy to grow from seed; we recommend purchasing small starter plants from a garden nursery. Seeds may take up to three months to germinate and seedlings will need to be overwintered indoors in cool climates.
You can try taking a cutting from a mature plant, too. Take a softwood cutting of several inches in the spring or later in the summer when stems are more mature.
Plant lavender 2 to 3 feet apart. Plants typically reach between 1 and 3 feet in height.
Add mulch (rock or pea gravel work particularly well) to keep weeds to a minimum. Keep the mulch away from the crown of the lavender plant, however, to prevent excess moisture and root rot.
CARE
HOW TO CARE FOR LAVENDER
Water once or twice a week after planting until plants are established. Water mature plants every two to three weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest.
In colder growing areas, plants may need extra winter protection. Cover the plants with a winter mulch of evergreen boughs or straw, which will insulate from freezing winds and temperatures.
Another option for cold areas is to grow lavender in a pot, keeping it outdoors in the summer and indoors in winter. While indoors, place the pot in a south-facing window with as much light as possible. Water sparingly, as the plant will be dormant at this time.
PRUNING LAVENDER
In warm climates: all pruning can be carried out in the autumn.
In cooler climate: Prune established plants in the spring when green leaves start to emerge from the base of the plant. Remove approximately one third of the top to keep. the plant from becoming leggy and bare at the base. It’s important not to cut back into old wood however, as it won’t regrow from this. Leave the foliage over the winter to protect new growth from frosts,
Also, the flowering stems can be harvested while in bloom or snipped off after the flowers fade to keep the plant tidy.
PESTS/DISEASES
Fungal diseases, in humid climates
Root rot due to excess water (look for yellowing leaves as a sign of overwatering)
HARVEST/STORAGE
HOW TO HARVEST LAVENDER
If you wish to harvest lavender, it’s a wonderful herb for drying.
Store them in a lidded jar somewhere cool and dark, or pop them straight into a sachet to keep towels, sheets or clothes smelling sweet and to repel moths. If you suffer from insomnia, try inserting the sachets into a pillow so the calming scent can help you drift off to a restful slumber.
 Although edible, lavender is little used in recipes. It’s occasionally included as a constituent of Herbes de Provence mixes, and leaves can be chopped and added sparingly to some sauces or used in shortbread biscuits – if you have any great lavender recipes, feel free to share them in the comments below.
Harvest the lavender stems when approximately half of the flower buds have opened.
Harvest in the morning hours when the oils are the most concentrated.
Snip off the stems just before the flowers open.
Cut stems as long as possible. Gather into bundles and secure them with rubber bands.
Dry the bundles of lavender by hanging them someplace sheltered, ideally a cool, dark place where there is good air circulation.
After a few weeks the flowers will have dried fully, and can be shaken gently from the stems into a lidded jar. Or, use your lavender to make lavender sachets—a lovely gift.
Use your lavendar sachet to keep your sheets or towels smelling sweet, to repel moths and insects, and even under your pillow for a restful night.
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is most common and hardy to Zone 5. There are hundreds of varieties available in many colors and sizes. It often blooms twice in one season.
‘Hidcote’: Compact, silver-gray foliage, deep purple flowers.
‘Munstead’: Compact, green foliage, violet-blue flowers.
Lavandins (L. x intermedia)—a hybrid of English and Portuguese lavender (L. latifolia)—are generally larger plants that bloom only once per year, later in the summer.
‘Phenomenal’: Vigorous variety that is highly tolerant of heat and humidity and resistant to common root and foliar diseases. Long flower spikes.
‘Provence’: Vigorous, long-stemmed variety, very fragrant.
Spanish lavender (L. stoechas) and French or fringed lavender (L. dentata) are typically only winter-hardy in Zones 7 to 9.
WIT & WISDOM
Lavendar’s first documented use was by the Romans in 77 A.D. for repelling insects and soothing insect bites. Add a lavender sachet to your towels, sheets, or cloths to repel moths.
The herb is also known for its calming effects. If you suffer from insomnia, try slipping a lavender sachet into your pillow. Lavender oil is used to naturally induce sleep.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/plant/lavender
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell phone 641-903-9365

part of the 11 long wagons we have full of plants

      ​Question: A crystalline substance and a tear.
(Use these clues to find the two words that, when combined, form the name of a flower.)
       What a great spring day this was.  Sun shining, clear blue sky and extraordinarily little wind.  Gardeners were out and about getting their plants.   Temperature is 78 at 5:30 PM .  Very little humidity so very nice out. Tonight a low of 55 and looks like each day warming up till the weekend it will be close to 90 degrees.  Lyle, Ann and I are working hard to get all out from the greenhouse so shopping is easier for you.  We have 11 long racks full of plants, from perennials, annuals to vegetables, geraniums, herbs, succulents, and as for succulents we have many to plant yet, so we will not be out for a long time if ever…..We have cactus, and carnivores plants.  
     Our vine vegetable plants are now ready to go into the garden as it is June 1 but you have till the 15th of June to get them in.  It isn’t too late for tomatoes and peppers.  Seed potatoes are on sale 5 lbs for 2.50 half price.  I am going to plant them yet.
 Soil temperature is slowly coming up as the night time temperature but it is a late spring I would call it.  Plenty of time for planting your vegetable garden and your flowers. 
I didn’t expect frost during the Memorial Day weekend, but it should be good now.  We have had some rain and if we get that warm of the sun plants will grow well. 
I know I have had concern gardeners here today but a couple of them said what will you do with all these plants?  I said I will get rid of them because I will be selling the whole month of June.  So that makes you realize we still have lots to chose from and they look great.  Open Monday thru Saturday 9-6 Sunday 11-4.  Come and see us during this time, because we can help you with your gardening needs. 
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365
 
Answer: Answer: Snowdrop

     ​We had frost on the car roofs and on the trunks.  It didn’t look like on the grass, but we had everything inside so it was good.  I have heard of some lawns were white, some had a temperature of 30, while ours was 34.  Depending on where you live, hope all is ok.  BUT right now it is a perfect day.  Sun, no clouds, and very little wind.  Temperature at noon is 57 degrees.  ENJOY the day we are…
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  641-903-9365 

     ​I am afraid here in North Central Iowa for sure we will have frost tonight.  Clear skies after midnight which will lead to the temperature going down.  Looks like 34 around 5 to 6 oclock.  Enough time for that cold air to hit your plants.  So with that in mind all that you see in the pictures will be inside one or two greenhouses.  That is why they are on wheels so we can move them.  Not my favorite thing to do, but it is necessary.  Lots of work for Lyle and Ann but they got all the tall carts inside the heated west greenhouse.  Larry and I will hook up the long wagons and push them inside the east greenhouse.  When it warms up we will have everything out for your shopping gardening needs on Saturday.  Gives us some time but that will happen. 
Hope all of you can keep your gardens safe.  Maybe we will not have frost, but…..
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 

image from Amazon.com 

       ​Second post today. Temperature at 3:00 is 46 degrees but feels like 39.  It is cloudy, and looks like the rain is out of this area.  Cloudy for tonight so that will keep the temperature in the 40’s.  Tomorrow high of only 50 with wind.  So it will not be very nice. Memorial Day weekend this will not be as fun as it would be if we had clear, blue skies and warm temperatures.  Make the most of it.
Now what they have talked about the brand of petunias, this article might be dated a little.  They didn’t talk about Supertunias. Also deadheading petunias I will show you next time how to do that.  There are different brands of petunias that have been developed but this gives you a basic idea about planting petunias.  We have lots of them here, and they are looking good.  Ready to go into your garden.
HOW TO PLANT, GROW, AND CARE FOR PETUNIAS  By The Editors
Pretty petunias are one of the most popular flowers because of their exceptional blooms and long flowering period. As with most annuals, they get leggy by midsummer, so you’ll want to prune the shoots back to about half their length. See how to plant and take care of your petunias to keep them blooming.
ABOUT PETUNIAS
Petunias are treated as annuals in most areas, but can be grown as tender perennials in Zones 9 to 11. The flowers come in many colors and patterns, and bloom from spring until frost!
These colorful annuals can really add pop to a front lawn and are often used in borders, containers, hanging baskets or even as a seasonal groundcover. Some even have a slight fragrance.
Height can vary from 6 inches to 18 inches. Spread can be from 18 inches to 4 feet.
Petunias are divided into different groups, mainly based on flower size:
Multiflora petunias are the most durable and prolific. They have smaller but more abundant flowers and are ideal for summer bedding or in a mixed border (because they are more tolerant to wet weather).
Grandiflora petunias have very large flowers and are best grown in containers or hanging baskets (because they are more susceptible to rain damage). These large petunias often do not fare as well in the south because they’re prone to rot during humid, hot summers.
Floribundas: Floribundas are intermediate between the grandiflora and the multiflora groups. They are free-flowering like the multiflora varieties and produce medium-sized blooms.
Millifloras: Milliflora petunias are much smaller than any other petunias on the market. The flowers are only 1 to 1½ inches wide, but they are prolific and last all season!
Spreading or Trailing Petunias: These are low-growing and can spread as much as 3 to 4 feet. They form a beautiful, colorful groundcover because the flowers form along the entire length of each stem. They can be used in window boxes or hanging baskets.
PLANTING
WHEN TO PLANT PETUNIAS
It’s easiest to buy young plants from a nursery that sells petunias in flats. Look for plants that are short and compact, not leggy and not yet blooming—they’ll settle in faster.
If you are going to grow petunias from seed, start the seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. (See your local frost dates.)
Plant young petunias outdoors after your last spring frost date, but keep a close eye on the weather forecast and protect young plants from late frosts.
CHOOSING AND PREPARING THE PLANTING SITE
Petunias need full sun or they will become spindly. They don’t tend to flower well in shade.
They are quite versatile, growing well in different types of soil as long as the soil drains well and doesn’t stay wet.
Soil should be moderately fertile to promote the best growth. Amend poor soil with compost prior to planting.
HOW TO PLANT PETUNIAS
Petunia seeds are very small (dust-like!) and need lots of light in order to germinate.
When the plants have three leaves, plant them outside.
Space the plants about 1 foot apart.
If you’re planting petunias in containers, use a container potting mix that will drain well.
Hanging basket of petunia flowers
CARE
HOW TO CARE FOR PETUNIAS
Petunias are fairly heat tolerant, so you shouldn’t have to worry about watering them frequently. A thorough watering once a week should be sufficient (unless there are prolonged periods of drought in your area). Avoid watering shallowly, as this encourages shallow roots.
Note: The spreading types of petunias and those in containers will require more frequent watering than those planted in the ground.
Fertilize petunias monthly with a balanced fertilizer to support their rapid growth and heavy blooming. Double-flowered cultivars enjoy a biweekly dose of fertilizer.
Getting Leggy in Midsummer
By midsummer, most petunias tend to get leggy, producing blossoms at the tips of long, leafless stems. To keep petunias tidy and flowering, we prune the shoots back to about half their length. This will encourage more branching and more flowers.
After pruning, fertilize and water the plants well to force out new growth and flowers. The plants may look raggedy at first but they’ll rebound with more color and blooms.
Older garden petunia plants can be pruned prune hard (within a few inches of the base) to re-encourage vigor, especially in cooler climates, but keep the remaining leaves.
Remove faded, old, or dead blossoms (a practice called “deadheading”) to both improve blooms and attractiveness, especially for the larger-flowered petunias. Deadheading prevents seed pods from competing with blooms for the plant’s food supplies. Clippings can be added to a compost pile to be recycled.
PESTS/DISEASES
Petunias have few serious insect or disease pests, though aphids and slugs can be an issue. Avoid wetting the foliage and flowers when watering to help prevent disease.
Aphids
Slugs
RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
Multifloras
‘Carpet Series’ is very popular. They are compact, early blooming with 1½-to 2-inch blooms that come in a wide variety of colors, and are ideal for ground cover.
‘Primetime’ series stay compact and uniform, covered with 2¼-inch flowers.
‘Heavenly Lavender’ is an early, compact, double, deep lavender blue with 3-inch blooms on 12-to 14-inch plants
Grandifloras
‘Sugar Daddy’ (Petunia Daddy Series), which sports purple flowers with dark veins.
‘Rose Star’ (Petunia Ultra Series), whose flowers look striped because of its rose-pink flowers with a white center.
Floribundas
‘Celebrity’ series petunias are compact and rain-tolerant. The flowers reach 2½ to 3 inches across.
‘Madness’ series petunias have big, 3-inch flowers in many veined and solid colors. They are compact and bloom until frost. They bounce back well after rain.
‘Double Madness’ petunias are compact and floriferous with big, 3-inch flowers all through the summer. Like their single counterparts, ‘Double Madness’ petunias bounce back within hours of a rainstorm.
Millifloras
‘Fantasy’ forms neat, compact mounds.
Trailing Petunias
‘Purple Wave’ was the first cultivar in the class of spreading petunias. It produces large blooms of deep rose-purple. It is tolerant of summer heat, drought and rain damage. ‘Purple Wave’ remains under 4 inches tall.
‘Wave’ series petunias are available in a multitude of colors. Most are not quite as ground-hugging as the original. They are weather-tolerant, disease resistant and heavy-blooming.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/plant/petunias
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net
641-794-3337  cell phone 641-903-9365

image from preen.com 

         ​I am posting this quickly and will post again today.  BUT the weather man called this rain a wall of rain.  Haven’t heard that before….but I have to say this is the first rain of this spring that is coming down well.  A true spring rain which seems late for the end of May.  NOW for the unfortunate news.  Cold air mass moving in after this rain, so the temperature will be going down.  Sounds like tonight 40 degrees, but Saturday morning for us it might be as low as 36.  There is a chance of frost so we will be putting everything away.  We can do that as everything is on wheels. DARN Mary 28th seems really late for this.  BUT it has happened in the past.  So beware and protect the plants.  I will post again today.  But till then
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337   cell 641-903-9365 

image from Pinterest

       We are here, still growing plants, moving more plants out and the black top is full as the long racks are too…( at least we are working on that)  Great rain we had and looks like we might get some rain with the cold front coming thru.  I don’t like that there might be storms with wind and hail.  Need to keep an eye on this because we can move in all the racks, but it will take some time.  All of you keep your eyes to the sky and your weather watch apps. 
I found this article about fillers for the concept of thriller, fillers and spillers in containers.  I am going to try some of these, and you will find the plants very unusual.  Thanks for all that have been here and thank you for all of you that have shared, liked and pass this posting.
I am going to adding one more plant to use CELERY….so this gives you an idea of what they are using. 
GARDENING PLANTS & FLOWERS
The Best Filler Plants for Container Gardens  Written by Marie Iannotti
​
Salpiglossis sinuata (Painted Tongue)
To get a balanced looking container garden, consider following the old garden adage: Thrillers, spillers, fillers. After selecting your tall, eye-catching "thriller" plants, and your trailing "spiller" plants, fill in the gaps with shorter filler plants. Your fillers will help to create a full, pleasing arrangement without taking away from the showier blooms.

Agastache (Hyssop)
Agastache is a great plant for making the bulk of your container lush and colorful, The long blooming, spiky flowers offset a rounded or weeping focal point.

Basil
Growing Fresh Basil
Herbs are nice filler choices. You will have them handy for harvesting and the more you pinch them, the fuller the plants will get. Basil gives you the choice of rich green or many shades of burgundy and purple.

Caladium
Caladium plants add color without the worry of flowers and deadheading. They always look their best. The heart-shaped leaves will soften a spikier focal point. Caladium ​makes a great houseplant, or you can simply store the tubers for winter.

Celosia
Celosia adds a burst of uproarious color. These annuals bloom virtually nonstop, looking good all season. Since they are annuals, their root system won't need excessive space in the container.

Coleus
Coleus offers an almost limitless choice of leaf form and
color choices. You can even find varieties that prefer either sun or shade. Periodically pinching them back will develop full, bushy plants.
Euphorbia marginata (Snow-on-the-mountain)
For a soothing, cool feel to your container, try the icy white and green combination of Snow-on-the-mountain. This is an annual plant that grows quickly from seed. It looks cool but can handle heat well.

Firecracker Plant (Cuphea cyanea)
The unusual flowers of Cuphea have been likened to firecrackers and cigars. This is a small dense plant that flowers profusely all summer, especially if you are willing to deadhead it. Cuphea prefers some shade, on hot days.

Flowering Maple (Abutilon)
The flowering or parlor maple, isn't a maple at all, so do not worry that you'll have a tall tree on your hands. The lovely crepe-paper like flowers comes in brilliant red and an assortment of pastels. They bloom continually and are favorites of hummingbirds.

Lantana (Lantana camara)
In warmer climates, lantana will be a perennial that can grow quite large and can even be trained into a standard. It is often sold as an annual plant with exuberant blooms, often in festive tri-color combinations.

Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Flowering cabbage and kale are perfect for fall containers. The colorful leaves are not affected by frost or even light snow. Most offer some combination of purple-pink and green. Removing browning leaves is the only maintenance required.

Perilla frutescens (Shiso)
Perilla often gets confused with basil, probably because they are both in the mint family. Perilla is an annual and won't spread as quickly as mint, but it does self-sow profusely. In a container, it adds lush green or purple color and a spicy scent.

Plectranthus
Fuzzy leaves and subtle variegation and patterns make Plectranthus a popular choice for containers. They will fill your container with texture and color, with no effort on your part, other than planting them.

Salpiglossis sinuata (Painted Tongue)
Salpiglossis is a wonderful upright annual plant with an abundance of trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades ranging from mahogany through purple, pink, and yellow. They also make great cut flowers.

Dusty Miller (Senecio)
That old standby, Dusty Miller, is an excellent choice for containers. The silvery-blue, lacy leaves are the perfect frame for all kinds of tall, focal points. They can handle dry conditions and some shade.

Strobilanthes dyeranus (Persian shield)
Persian shield is a tropical perennial. With its iridescent purple leaves, it is often grown as a houseplant, but it also makes a great annual outdoor plant and using it in containers gives you the best of both worlds. Enjoy it outdoors and bring it in, when the weather changes.

Swiss Chard
You know how beautiful chard is in the vegetable garden, especially when the sun shines through it. You can also use it as a foliage plant, in containers. Harvesting the outer leaves will keep it attractive and full. Watch out for groundhogs, who love chard as much as you do.
  Taken from https://www.thespruce.com/best-filler-plants-to-grow-in-containers-
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337  cell phone 641-906-9365

      We are here.  We are filling up the wagons, and racks outside.  Lyle is planting memorial day planters that are ready for you to pick up.  I have worked all day to get information form 2 computers to one new computer. I have been using three computers to do bookwork, internet work, sign work, blog writing.  Now I can use just one new computer with new software for our book keeping with a new Quick books program. 

I was so faithful in posting every day, but then spring hit.  We are busy still planting, and moving plants outside.  We work with the City of Mason City with their flowerbeds so Larry makes the trip with those plants.  But I do the designing of them.  We have had Franklin Co 4-Hers here, and next week we will have the Cerro Gordo 4-hers planting buckets of flowers for their fair. 
I am including just pictures of what we have.  Next will be a video of the area we have plants.  It looks amazing is all I can say.  We just got in more perennials to add to the perennial rack.  Tomatoes are outside and ready to go into your garden hardened off.  We do water with fertilizer but nothing beats the natural rain that they have gotten this week. 
This is part of what I said on the weekly radio show….

WOW  we have moisture, we have good ground temperature, we will  have heat.  SO it is time to plant and they will grow well.  Our plants here at the greenhouse are looking awesome, and so ready to plant.  The right size, the right part of blooming of the plants they are ready to be planted.  We have annual single pots, we have large 4 packs of annuals, and we have small annuals in 4 packs.  Just got in more perennials to fill in the rack.  Trees and shrubs are looking well. Lots of herbs.  Hanging baskets are all sale.   Greenhouse is still full and having a hard time finding room for the planting we are still doing.  We have memorial planters in 3 sizes.  We are going full with all we do.  Baskets, geraniums, tomatoes, peppers, and all the vegetable crop.  Plus have sweet potato plants, asparagus roots.  We are open Monday thru Saturday 9-6, and Sunday 11-4 come and see us.  The parking lot is full and wagons on the grass, with tall racks full of plants.
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I will try to post every day….Hope all of you are well, and enjoying the spring like weather…almost summer like weather now.  Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365