image from EarthSky.org 

     It is warming up.  9 degrees at 8:30 AM.  Going to warm up to 34 degrees with a low of 26 but wait....winter storm watch in effect Friday at noon.  I know, it is December and it is coming.  BUT next week, high of 50 so will not last long.  Stay warm, stay safe.

    I love growing plants, but with that I love Science.  So, posting today about the night sky we can see tonight.  Hopefully it is clear enough to see this.  I noticed it on Monday night and was in awe of what I saw.  However, our lives are so unpredictable, the planets, stars, and moon can be predicted what they will do.  Go out and look right after sunset and look in the Southwest sky.  You will see this.  Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon.  Be in awe.  

      The Year's Best Planet Display: Venus, Saturn, Jupiter Lined Up
Conjunctions in the December Sky by Bob Berman
Step out at sunset the next clear evening. Now and for the next couple of weeks, a gorgeous row of bright planets, like a string of pearls, graces the low southwestern sky from 5 to 6 PM each night. And this week, the Moon joins the show, pairing up with a planet each night!
December 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
 Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are getting together with the crescent Moon for a beautiful series of conjunctions. The show goes on all week as the Moon visits a different planet each night—from Venus on December 6, to Saturn on the 7th, and then Jupiter on the 8th. On the 9th and 10th, the Moon and planets will fully align across the southwestern sky.
The brightest, lowest, and right-most object is Venus. It’s gorgeous. It’s been an evening star nearly all year long, but is now at its most dazzling.
Look far to its upper right to the second brightest “star” and that’s Jupiter.
Halfway between them is much dimmer Saturn.
If you have a telescope, Saturn will show off its amazing rings, while Jupiter will display one or more dark bands near its equator, as well as its four bright Galilean Moons. And Venus shows a thinning but ever-larger crescent shape, which is the best Venus ever offers.
December 10 and 11
On Friday evening, December 10, and Saturday the 11th, the Moon will hover on that same line, to the left of the planets. This line shows you the plane of the solar system, the flat, DVD-like shape upon which all the planets’ orbits, along with the Moon’s, are located.
This is worth a few minutes of your attention. You see, we normally use the horizon as our reference point. And while the horizon is always horizontal by definition, it’s in a different place depending on where you live. But that string of planets and the Moon? Well, that’s inviolable. Never-changing. The solar system’s flatness never alters its orientation in space.
One changes, the other doesn’t. Result? Well, if you visit the tropics the next few weeks, you’ll see that string of planets forming a vertical line upward from your horizon. But if you were in polar regions, the planet line would appear almost horizontal, barely angled above your horizon. So your earthly horizon changes, but that distant solar system plane—also called the ecliptic or the zodiac—holds its position. The angle it makes with OUR horizon tells us we are neither near the equator nor near the poles, but about halfway between the two.
Adopting that line, that plane as a reference point bestows an odd, epic sense of distance and grandeur. It’s a good thing. And it’s right there the next clear evening. 
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/years-best-planet-display-venus-saturn-jupiter-lined
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

images from Carlson's Tree Farm, Sheffield Iowa 

​Happy St. Nicholas Day…and the weather is getting our attention.  It is cold out.  If you look out you will see a blue clear sky, so you might think it is a warm day.  BUT if you listen you will hear the wind blow and that sounds cold.  Now on my weather station it says zero, but all the other weather places are saying 14 degrees but the wind chill makes it feel like -7.  Time for that long underwear I am thinking.  I feed the cats this morning, and they were all puffed up and telling me they were hungry.  Tonight a low of 7.  Here we go with the below normal temperatures to counter suit the above normal temperatures we have.  The only good thing about it, it looks like it isn’t going to last too long.  Warming up for the next 10 days. Stay warm, stay safe….
The Story Behind Your Christmas Wreath by Robin Sweetser
This time of year, Christmas wreaths are hung in every place imaginable—from doors and fences to lampposts and windows—even the front grille of the car! How did a round bit of greenery come to symbolize the holidays?
Wreaths are part of many ancient traditions dating back to the earliest civilizations. The circle is a symbol of immortality; throughout history, wreaths have been associated with life, rejuvenation, and renewal. Originally, wreaths were worn around the head, neck, or waist.
The Greeks awarded laurel wreaths to their triumphant athletes; in the Persian Empire they were worn on the head as a symbol of importance; and ancient Romans wore them like crowns. In Sweden, candles were incorporated in the wreaths to celebrate the return of light after the winter solstice. Nowadays we use them in a window or on a door as a sign of welcome during the holidays.
They can be used flat on a table for decoration or as an advent wreath, which also contains candles, one for each Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Yule Love This Wreath
Every wreath starts with a base of some sort; it can be wire, straw, vine, or wood. Stalks of woody herbs like rosemary, lemon verbena, artemisia, or summer savory can be wrapped into a circle to make a fragrant base. Gather small bunches of evergreens together and wire them to the base. Overlap the bunches to hide the stems. Tuck small bunches of herbs and other interesting greens into the base using more wire to hold them, if necessary. Using greens of different colors and textures will give your wreath its richness. Add cones, dried flowers, berries, and fruit for accents. Don't forget the bow!
Herbs can add symbolic meaning to your wreath:
Rosemary for remembrance
Sage for good health
Thyme for bravery
Lavender for purity
Rue for virtue
Juniper for life and hope
Hawthorn berries for protection and joy
Throw in cedar for strength, holly for immortality, and pine cones for long life and prosperity.
Whatever your family traditions are, at its very core, a wreath celebrates the cyclical nature of life.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/story-behind-your-christmas-wreath
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

image from Carlson's Tree Farm, Sheffield Iowa 

     Happy St. Nicholas Day…and the weather is getting our attention.  It is cold out.  If you look out you will see a blue clear sky, so you might think it is a warm day.  BUT if you listen you will hear the wind blow and that sounds cold.  Now on my weather station it says zero, but all the other weather places are saying 14 degrees but the wind chill makes it feel like -7.  Time for that long underwear I am thinking.  I feed the cats this morning, and they were all puffed up and telling me they were hungry.  Tonight a low of 7.  Here we go with the below normal temperatures to counter suit the above normal temperatures we have.  The only good thing about it, it looks like it isn’t going to last too long.  Warming up for the next 10 days. Stay warm, stay safe….
​
The Story Behind Your Christmas Wreath by Robin Sweetser
This time of year, Christmas wreaths are hung in every place imaginable—from doors and fences to lampposts and windows—even the front grille of the car! How did a round bit of greenery come to symbolize the holidays?
Wreaths are part of many ancient traditions dating back to the earliest civilizations. The circle is a symbol of immortality; throughout history, wreaths have been associated with life, rejuvenation, and renewal. Originally, wreaths were worn around the head, neck, or waist.
The Greeks awarded laurel wreaths to their triumphant athletes; in the Persian Empire they were worn on the head as a symbol of importance; and ancient Romans wore them like crowns. In Sweden, candles were incorporated in the wreaths to celebrate the return of light after the winter solstice. Nowadays we use them in a window or on a door as a sign of welcome during the holidays.
They can be used flat on a table for decoration or as an advent wreath, which also contains candles, one for each Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Yule Love This Wreath
Every wreath starts with a base of some sort; it can be wire, straw, vine, or wood. Stalks of woody herbs like rosemary, lemon verbena, artemisia, or summer savory can be wrapped into a circle to make a fragrant base. Gather small bunches of evergreens together and wire them to the base. Overlap the bunches to hide the stems. Tuck small bunches of herbs and other interesting greens into the base using more wire to hold them, if necessary. Using greens of different colors and textures will give your wreath its richness. Add cones, dried flowers, berries, and fruit for accents. Don't forget the bow!
Herbs can add symbolic meaning to your wreath:
Rosemary for remembrance
Sage for good health
Thyme for bravery
Lavender for purity
Rue for virtue
Juniper for life and hope
Hawthorn berries for protection and joy
Throw in cedar for strength, holly for immortality, and pine cones for long life and prosperity.
Whatever your family traditions are, at its very core, a wreath celebrates the cyclical nature of life.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/story-behind-your-christmas-wreath
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

image from Marianne Folkerts 

Like the poinsettia, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is tropical in origin. If you live in the northerly USDA planting zones and receive one of these as a holiday present during the cold-weather months, you will have to keep it indoors and grow it as a houseplant for a while. Once summer returns, you can bring it outside. You could treat it as a patio plant, for example.
While it is growing indoors during the winter, locate it in a spot with bright, filtered light, not direct light. As with most houseplants, over-watering can be a killer, so be sure to water it only when its soil has completely dried out. If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom at a specific time (such as around the holidays), you will have to plan ahead and take certain steps. This will cause you extra work. But if you are content simply to have blooms at any time, a Christmas cactus is not that much bother to grow.
 Each flower of this cactus plant appears at the tip of a leaf. The shape is quite unusual. It looks like a flower coming out of another flower.
Taken from https://www.thespruce.com/traditional-christmas-plants-
Advice For Christmas Cactus Care
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a popular, winter-flowering houseplant that makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting. It is not only easy to care for but propagates easily, too, making it an exceptional candidate for holiday gift giving. Let’s look at how to plant a Christmas cactus and care for it.
How to Plant Christmas Cactus
The very first step is understanding if you actually have a Christmas cactus. Easter and Thanksgiving cacti look deceptively similar. The Christmas cactus is easily propagated  by cutting a short Y-shaped segment from the stem tips. Make certain, however, that the cutting is taken from healthy plant foliage only. Plant the segment approximately a quarter of its length deep in slightly sandy soil. Moisten evenly and place the cutting in a well-lit area, staying away from any direct sunlight.
To root cuttings for new plants, cut back shoots from the tips, cut at the second joint of each tip. The cutting should show signs of growth within a few weeks, at which time the plant can be transferred to another container, if desired, with a looser potting soil mix of compost, loam and sand.
How to Care for Christmas Cactus
Advice for Christmas cactus care tells us that it performs well under average home conditions with moderate care. The Christmas cactus will adapt to low light conditions, but the plant will produce blooms more readily  if exposed to brighter light. That being said, too much direct sunlight can burn its leaves, so keep the Christmas cactus in an appropriate area to avoid this.
Christmas cactus moisture is important as well. The plant requires frequent and thorough watering, during its active growth in spring and summer, keeping the soil slightly moist. Allow Christmas cactus moisture levels to drop and dry out some between watering intervals, but never completely, and never let the plant sit in water, as this will lead to root and stem rot. Applying a mild houseplant fertilizer solution every other week is also acceptable.
When considering how to care for Christmas cactus, keep in mind it also prefers temperatures hovering between 60 and 70 degrees F. (15-21 C.) with average to high humidity levels. Placing a tray of pebbles filled with water beneath the Christmas cactus container is a good way to add more humidity to the home.
Once the Christmas cactus has ceased all flowering (usually by fall), or about six to eight weeks before you want the plant to rebloom, you should allow the plant to begin its dormancy cycle by cutting back on Christmas cactus moisture and reducing both light and temperature. Simply cut back the watering and make sure the plant receives 12-14 hours of darkness and average temperatures around 50-55 F. (10-12 C.). Also, keep the Christmas cactus away from drafty areas.
When you know how to care for Christmas cactus, this plant is not difficult to manage, and when given proper care and placed in a suitable location, the Christmas cactus may even surprise you with additional blooming cycles throughout the year.
Article printed from Gardening Know How: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com

image from gardenersdream.co.uk 

          We are having warm seasonal temperatures this week.  Temperatures are what we have in October. 20 degrees above normal.  Just for some thought…if we are that much above average, so time this month we will below normal that much.  ALL I can say is enjoy. 
​
Do you have ferns as houseplants in your home?  Ferns are the oldest living plants on Earth, having appeared over 350 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs. Despite their ancient age, they make gorgeous houseplants, adding elegance, rich green hues, and interesting texture to any indoor environment. Discover a few ferns for your indoor garden!  Ferns existed before there were flowering plants, which is why they don't blossom or make seeds, reproducing by tiny dust-like spores instead. The brown spots you see on the underside of the fronds in spring are the spore cases called sori, each one full of spores. When they are ripe they pop open and catapult the spores from the plant in hopes of
Ferns are spectacular plants in the shade garden, but they also make great houseplants. Their soothing greenery adds a bit of yin to our yang. To ensure success with ferns, remember that most are native to tropical regions where they grow as understory plants. They need warm temperatures and will be scorched by direct sun. Most do best in an east or north window. They love high humidity. Plant them in potting soil that is high in organic matter, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy, and water using room temperature water. If they are kept too dry, the edges of the fern's fronds will turn brown and crispy! Chlorinated water will also cause brown leaves. Ferns aren't heavy feeders. Give them a half-strength dose of balanced houseplant fertilizer during active growth. Usually twice a year does it, once in spring and again in midsummer. Droopy yellow leaves are often a sign that they could use more humidity. To add moisture to the air try growing them on a pebble tray, mist the foliage often, or add a humidifier to the room. Grow them in the bathroom or over the kitchen sink where the air is moist.  You can also double pot them by placing their container into a larger pot and filling the space between with moist sphagnum moss. As the moisture in the moss evaporates it will raise the humidity around the plant. Repot your fern in fresh soil every two years in the spring.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exalta) was a popular Victorian parlor plant. Every house had at least one. Their graceful arching fronds practically cry out to be touched—but don't do it! They are tender and will turn brown if overly handled.  Bostons are fast growers, so your plant will need to be divided yearly. If the roots are too densely packed, the center of the plant will die. When dividing, toss the dead center and divide and repot the living outer sections. Cut the foliage to the soil line and fresh, new growth will soon appear. Remember ferns need high humidity (50 to 80%) so keep the soil moist and never let them dry out. It helps to mist the leaves, too. Place near kitchens and bathrooms for higher humidity or set on a tray of wet pebbles. Bostons don't produce spores, propagating by runners instead. You can root these runners to start more plants. There are many new cultivars of Boston ferns that have wavy, curly, or twisted fronds. 'Medusa' has divided arching fronds. 'Orlando' is called a sword fern because of its upright fronds. 'Fluffy Ruffle' is a dwarf Boston, under 12 inches tall, with finely divided, double-leaved fronds. Dwarf 'Sassy' is small enough to fit in the tiniest apartment and the fronds on 'Mini-Ruffle' grow only 6-8 inches long.
Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) is not ferny-looking at all, with its thick, glossy, lance-shaped leaves sporting wavy edges that whorl around the center of the plant—forming the "nest". Native to Hawaii, they are epiphytes, growing on the branches of trees where they catch rainwater and organic matter in the center of the "nest." Fronds can grow up to two feet long.
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) is another epiphyte. Native to Australia, it grows on the bark or in the branches of trees. They can be grown in a container, but are usually displayed on a piece of wood or bark with the roots wrapped in sphagnum moss. Staghorns have two types of leaves. The tough, green leaves are lobed and resemble antlers and the flat papery brown basal leaves anchor the plant.To water, take your staghorn to the shower or tub and thoroughly soak it. Let it drain before rehanging.Since they are not grown in soil, staghorns will need a monthly feeding with half-strength fertilizer. Established plants produce "pups" that can be cut off the parent plant and rooted in moss.
Rabbit's Foot Fern ( Davallia fejeensis) is a favorite fern. It has long, dark green, lacy fronds and fuzzy gray-brown rhizomes that creep over the soil and out over the edge of the pot. Very cool!Mine spends summers on the shady screened porch and winters indoors in a north window. I keep the soil barely moist and only feed it twice a year.  Rabbit's foot is one fern that likes to be potbound and I have not repotted mine in years. If a piece of the rhizome breaks off when you are repotting, pin it down on moist soil and it will eventually root and start sending out fronds.
There are other "footed" ferns that grow from hairy rhizomes including deer foot, kangaroo paw, caterpillar fern, bear paw, and squirrel foot.
Looking for a color other than green? How about Tricolor fern (Pteris quadriaurita tricolor) has bronze-red new growth, Variegated Brake Fern (Pteris 'Albolineata') has long narrow fronds variegated with silvery white. Silver Lace Fern (Pteris ensiformis) has finely cut fronds with white centers.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/ferns-houseplants
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

image from agdaily.com 

      Do you wonder where the Christmas trees come from?  Christmas tree farms.  In our area, we have I know of 2 Christmas tree farms that aren’t open this year.  Maybe not next year either, so the ones that have trees I have heard they are sold out all ready.  Good for them to do all this work for us to have real live trees.  But it’s not always easy. Growing Christmas trees is similar to producing any other agricultural crop. It’s a serious business that requires a lot of hard work!

The Business of Christmas Trees
While most of us think about Christmas trees only in December, for farmers who grow cut-your-own trees, it is a year-round commitment. Boy, it's a serious business requiring a lot of hard work!
Here is what the tree farmers does all year long.
Trees are fertilized in the early spring and late summer.
Grass in the rows and between trees needs to be mowed.
Pests such as balsam twig aphids and red spider mites need to monitored and dealt with.
Many growers hand-shear their trees with a sharp, machete-like knife and use clippers to give them a natural look rather than an artificial cone shape.
For every tree harvested, anywhere from one to three more seedlings are planted.
How long do Christmas trees take to grow?
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, "It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6 to 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time for a marketable size is 7 years."
That's a lot of plant care!
 
The Benefits of Trees
Walking amid the trees is a heavenly experience in itself. I love the fresh scent of pine, spruce, cypress, cedar, and fir. These trees around us do so much work, storing carbon dioxide and emitting fresh oxygen. Christmas trees also stabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. They have a positive impact on the environment that you can feel good about. Often, Christmas trees are grown on soil that doesn't support other crops. In fact, Christmas tree farms virtually eliminate the harvesting of trees in the wild, which can deplete valuable forests.
On the other hand, artificial trees are a petroleum-based product manufactured primarily in Chinese factories. The average family uses an artificial tree for six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal. Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes.
Of course, we also visit the tree farm to support our local farmer! Did you know that the U.S. Christmas tree industry creates more than 100,000 U.S. jobs. Christmas trees are grown in every state, even Hawaii, and this year more than 35 million trees will be cut and re-seeded.

Keeping a Christmas Tree Fresh
One question we get from a lot of people around this time is how to prolong the life of a cut evergreen Christmas tree. Over the years, our advice has not changed.  Buy a freshly cut tree from a reputable nursery or cut your own. Avoid any trees that were cut weeks before or any place where you see lots of needles on the ground. Once you get your tree home, saw about a half-inch off the bottom of the trunk. When trees are cut, the pitch oozes out and seals the pores. By sawing off the base, you will open up the pores and the tree will be able to absorb water.  When you place the tree in your house in a stable tree stand, be sure to keep away from drying heating vents and fireplaces. When you fill up the tree stand with water, make sure that the cut is submerged. A funnel-type watering can makes watering your tree very easy. It all comes down to water.  By the end of the day, your tree may need more water. By the next morning, your tree may need more water. Trees are very thirsty and will use up to a gallon of water a day! A fresh tree, like a sponge, contains more weight in water than the tree itself weighs when dry. So, do not let the tree dry out. Check your water level both morning and night for that first week!
​
The Myth About Artificial Trees
If fear of fire keeps you from having a real tree, be aware that less than one tenth of one percent of residential fires involve a real tree. Artificial trees are made from petroleum. When they catch fire they exude thick black smoke and toxic fumes. A freshly-cut tree is actually difficult to set ablaze. As long as it is kept in water it will be fire-resistant.
When Christmas is over, be sure to bring your cut tree to the county recycling facility, where it can be turned into useful mulch, so the tree has a life that goes on. The tree comes from the Earth and returns to the Earth. In some areas, recycled trees are also being used to create habitats for fish and aquatic life. See all the ways to reuse your Christmas tree.
 
Enjoy bringing the outdoors inside this holiday season with your festively decorated tree!  Be safe with it.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/how-do-christmas-trees-grow
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337 cell phone 641-903-9365

      Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.  I have talked to several today and all are making pies.  What fun is that…sharing their talents with pie making.  I am into cleaning, throwing away and making room.  Greenhouse business can collect lots of paperwork, catalogs, and information.  I am finding from 2019, so didn’t do this last year.  It will be good to have this done. 
​
Now what I am going to share still has Larry and I overwhelmed.  I had PT in Charles City on Tuesday.  I had ordered a fresh turkey from West Forty Market, grocery store in Greene.  So, after PT, I drove there to get the fresh turkey and some of the things for Thanksgiving.  I had noticed 4 young ladies in black scrubs hanging around the cash register and I was wondering what they were doing.  What I found out, was they were from the Allision Family Dental , Allison Iowa.  They paid for our groceries as a paid it forward for someone on Thanksgiving. I received this flower arrangement too.  They helped out with the groceries to the car, and we had a picture taken.  What a surprise, and very well thankful for what they did.  So, our pay it forward will be going to the Vietnam Veterans group Chapter #790 from North Iowa.  They will give to Struggling Vietnam Veterans a $100 gift card for Christmas that can be used for food or gas and nothing else.  The VA will hand out who gets them, and it will stay unanimous.  All the money the Veterans chapter receive will go for this.  The operational part is totally volunteer, and no money is used for that.  Larry is a Vietnam veteran and served for many years in the military.  This is a way we can give back to the ones that have served.  Thank you Allison Family Dental for doing this for us.  Unbelievable for you being so thoughtful.  It will be talked about from us at our family Thanksgiving. 
Till later this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365 

image from clipartbest.com

     ​     Thanksgiving week.  I can’t believe it.  We have so much to be thankful.  Family, friends, health, and time we have with each other.  You have a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving. 
It is colder out this morning as the temperature is at 20 degrees at 10:00 AM high today of 36 with a low tonight of 21.  Wind is calm and we have mostly sunny sky so that all helps.  Stay warm.  BUT no moisture for this week, so that will be good for all of you that are traveling. 
How the First Thanksgiving Foods Differed From Today  by Catherine Boeckmann
   Questions that are asked, how did the turkey become all about Thanksgiving?  What did the Pilgrims eat for their first Thanksgiving.
 The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which has been continuously published since George Washington’s time, says it’s a bit of a mystery, but it helps if you know a little history about this all-American feast day.
No one knows if turkey was served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 but wild fowl was mentioned in accounts. The best existing account of the Pilgrims' harvest feast comes from colonist Edward Winslow, author of Mourt's Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Winslow's first-hand account of the first Thanksgiving included no explicit mention of turkey. He does, however, mention the Pilgrims gathering "wild fowl" for the meal, although that could just as likely have meant ducks or geese. Turkeys are a possibility, but were not a common food in that time. We also know that the Wampanoag Native Americans brought five deer with them, so venison was on the menu. Also, seafood was plentiful and common at that time, including lobsters and clams.
Another account for the first Thanksgiving is from William Bradford is the governor Winslow . He described the autumn of 1621 as follows:
“And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion.”   So, he does mention wild turkeys, but not whether such birds were served at any Thanksgiving gathering.
How the First Thanksgiving Foods Differed From Today
We do know that many of the Thanksgiving dishes that we enjoy today were not served at the Plymouth feast. However, from Edward Winslow's account (above) we do know some of the foods enjoyed. The meal was probably quite meat-heavy, including:
Venison
Fowl (geese and duck)
Corn
Nuts (walnuts, chestnuts, beechnuts)
Shellfish
While native cranberries did grow wild at that time, there’s no record of them having been served with the meal (although they were a significant part of the Wampanoags' fall diet). Beans, pumpkins, squashes, and corn (served in the form of bread or porridge) were also part of the meal thanks to the Wampanoags, who were seasoned gardeners and employed the Three Sisters method for growing their main crops.
The colonists didn't have potatoes, butter, nor flour, so you can safely assume there weren't any mashed potatoes or pies. Potatoes (white or sweet) Bread stuffing (wheat flour was rare) Sugar  Green bean casserole  Pies
When Bradford's journals—lost for many years during the Siege of Boston in 1775—resurfaced and were reprinted in the 1850s, the idea of early colonists hunting wild turkeys caught the nation's imagination (even though he never specified that turkey was served at the Thanksgiving feast).  Plus, wild turkeys were quite plentiful back then.  Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of a magazine called Godey’s Lady’s Book, would later present the turkey as the big bird at the head of the table and published many recipes.  Hale campaigned for Thanksgiving Day to be recognized as a national holiday, writing numerous presidents. Finally, Abraham Lincoln took notice. After 1863, the year when President Lincoln made Thanksgiving Day a national holiday, turkeys began to land on dinner plates across the country.Every November since 1947, a “National Thanksgiving Turkey” has been presented to the U.S. President. Harry Truman got the first one. During an official ceremony in the Rose Garden, the president “pardons” the turkey, meaning its life is spared and it does not get eaten.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/why-turkey-thanksgiving
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 

      IT is cold this morning.  Temperature at 8:00 AM was 20 degrees.  Now at 10:30 AM it is 24 but the wind is coming up.  I just went to the greenhouse and had hat and coat on but should have had gloves. That wind makes it very raw out.   Winter clothes will be coming out today.   High today of 42 with a low tonight of 32.  Tomorrow Saturday high of 50 with partly sunny sky.  ENJOY that Weather.  Outdoor decorating might be happening for many people. 
Here is some information about hostas and especially what you should do in the fall.  I am still wondering about cutting them back in the fall with exposing the crown where the plant will come up in the spring.  So I am asking all of you hosta growers what do you do?  Cut back in the fall or wait till spring? 
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Hostas
The Editors
One rule of thought is to cut back hostas in the fall after a few frosts.  These perennials require almost no care and of course perfect in the garden that doesn’t get too much sun.  Reliable and easy to grow makes hostas long ivied and may even outlive the gardener.
Many hosta cultivars have nice color in fall, so let them thrive until they start to suffer from frosts.
If you run out of time, you can wait till spring to cut them back.  It is suggested cutting them back to avoid slug and disease issues.  Clean up around the plants and remove brown leaves.
Transplanting and dividing is best done in early spring when the leaves just begin to emerge.
About Hostas
What's neat about hostas is that there are so many sizes, heights, textures, and colors to work with! They fit into so many different kinds of gardens (patio, border, container, rock, shade) and are cold-hardy, too.
 Most varieties tend to have a spread and height of between 1 and 3 feet, but larger or smaller varieties are readily available. Leaf colors include variegated white, lime green, and blue-green, to name just a few. The texture and shape of hosta leaves are also diverse, ranging from smooth and narrow to ridged and heart-shaped.
Though mainly known for their attractive foliage, the plants also produce lovely flowers from early summer to early fall in pink, lavender, light blue, or white. Hummingbirds and other pollinators love the flowers, and the flowers may even be fragrant, depending on variety.
Note: Slugs, snails, rabbits, and especially deer like hostas almost as much as people do. Keep this in mind if you have deer regularly wandering into your garden, as they will readily graze a hosta patch down to just stems.
Planting
Hostas can be planted during the summer growing season, but will need extra attention (mostly watering) to ensure that they do not succumb to the heat of summer.
Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site
Hostas do best in partial sun or dappled shade, but will do fine in deep shade, too.
Hostas' large leaves do not lend themselves well to intense full sun.
Once established, they can take the summer heat and withstand mild droughts.
Soil should be well-draining and ideally have a pH between slightly acidic and neutral (6.5 to 7.0).
Hosta flowers are much-loved by bees and hummingbirds.
How to Care for Hostas
Apply a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer after planting or when growth emerges in the spring.
Keep the soil moist but not soaked.
If the soil tends to dry out quickly, consider placing mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, but be aware that mulch can be a hiding place for slugs.
Remove flower stalks after bloom to encourage new growth.
Transplanting and dividing is best done in early spring when the leaves just begin to emerge.
Hostas do not usually need dividing for their health. If they have less space, they'll simply grow less quickly. However, if you wish to divide a hosta for a neater garden appearance, it's best to do so in early spring once the "eyes" or growing tips start to emerge from the ground. This is also a good time to move or transplant a hosta to a new site.
 Leave as much of the root attached as possible to each crown or plant. Plant the new hostas at the same soil level as they were previously. Water well until established.
Wit and Wisdom
Young hosta leaves are edible. Known as urui in Japan, they’re commonly boiled, fried in tempura, or eaten raw. The flavor is similar to lettuce and asparagus.
If you wish to remove your hostas, cut off the leaves to the ground and then dig out the crown located just below ground level. Pour vinegar or boiling water over the plant. If you have a larger area of hostas that you want to remove, cut the leaves off, remove the crowns and then cover the area with black plastic for the rest of the growing season.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/plant/hostas
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

image from Nasa 

      BRRR cold out this morning with the air temperature at 20 degrees at 9:00 AM and then the wind is blowing also.  So, wind chill makes it feel like 18 degrees.  It is giving us a taste of what is coming.  Stay warm. 
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How to see the Beaver Moon lunar eclipse! 
Do you want to see a lunar eclipse that is worth looking at? Look for it on November 18, 19.  But you will have to set the alarm and get up early to see it. 
You will see a lunar eclipse like no other.  The ones we have had in the past haven’t change its appearance.  But this one will.  An Almost-Total Eclipse in 2021
This one is odd because it is set to coincide with the full Beaver Moon.  It is a partial lunar eclipse, which means the Sun, the Earth and the Moon are all lined up in almost perfect alignment, so the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow and turns dark.
The moon will be covered by 97% so it will appear to be completely covered.  A little bit of sunlight sill hit a small piece of the Moon.  It will look like a polar cap on a otherwise red sphere. 
Now for the hard part what time?  It will be after midnight in most of the U.S and Canada and the chart below will give you the time to set your alarm.
This will start around 1:10 AM central time, with the Moon high in the sky.  It will take 1 ½ hours to be completely blacked out.  So around 3:00 AM central time it will be at its maximum.
For the next hour and a half the Moon will get increasingly blacked out, until at very nearly 4:00 AM EST (or 1:00 AM PST), the eclipse will reach its maximum. So that’s the sweet spot, the early hours of Friday morning, November 19, with the Moon now lowish in the west and looking distinctly reddish since Earth casts a red shadow into space.
Times of Eclipse Phases
Thursday, November 18, to Friday, November 19
 
Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 10:02 PM Nov. 18 PST (12:20 AM Central time); 1:02 AM Nov. 19 EST ( 12:02 Central time)
Partial Eclipse Begins: 11:19 PM Nov. 18 PST ( 1:19 AM  Central Time); 2:19 AM Nov. 19 EST( 12:10 AM central time)
Greatest Eclipse: 1:03 AM Nov 19 PST( 3:03 AM Central time) ; 4:03 AM Nov 19 EST (3:03 AM Central Time)
Partial Eclipse Ends: 2:47 AM Nov 19 PST (12:47 AM Central Time) ; 5:47 AM Nov 19 EST ( 4:47 AM Central time)
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 4:04 AM Nov 19 PST ( 2:04 AM Central Time) ; 7:04 AM Nov 19 EST ( 6:04 AM Central Time)
Longest Partial Lunar Eclipse in 1,000 Years  And here's a final oddity. This is the longest partial lunar eclipse within a stretch of 1,000 years. It's over 6 hours in total. The last time a partial lunar eclipse lasted that long was in the year 1440, when the Incas were building Machu Picchu. The next time will be on February 8, 2669.
The main reason this eclipse is super-long is because of the positions of the Moon and Earth. In this case, the Moon is at its furthest point from Earth in its orbit (apogee). At a further distance, the Moon travels more slowly; thus, it takes longer to pass through Earth's shadow and remains covered for a longer duration.
We can see this eclipse visible from many locations in the globe but all of North America thru South America will see it.  Also  Ev, Larry’s sister in Australia will see it along with people in parts of Europe and Asia.
The best time to see it would be 4 so set the alarm for that.  Unfortunately, you will need to dress warm as for our forecast for those 2 nights it will be cold.  Hopefully we will have a clear sky.  You can go back to bed, but after being outside in this colder weather it might be a little harder to do that.  Give it a try. 
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/finally-fabulous-eclipse-almost-total-lunar-eclipse-november-18-19
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365