snapdragons, image from Melissa Spencer-Ribble cut flower farm

Amaranthus image from Melissa Spencer Ripple Cut flower farm

I looked at the clock, and it is good afternoon.  I just finished my radio show, so now time to write and post today’s writing.   We have lots of sunshine which is nice to have.  At first, the weather said no sun, but we have it now. Temperature is 11F (-11C) but wind is blowing out of the north at 16 mph, so wind chill makes it feel like -6F. Bitterly cold again tonight with a low of -1 with the wind out of the NNW.  Tomorrow looks warmer and every day next week we will be warmer.  It will seem like a warm track with temperatures in the high 20’s and even some 30’s.  January will be in the past, and hopefully February will have warmer temperatures.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Now Australia family and friends for their Jan 31, Saturday are to have 86F(31C) and still in the alert for extreme heat.  Humidity is at 91% and we know how that feels.  No rain in the future with that high humidity.  That is taking all out of the soil, and area around.   Looks like their temperature is coming down for a couple of days, so hopefully relieve from the extreme heat.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
Yesterday I shared about starting vegetable seeds.  Here is a gardener that starts flower seeds.  I thought it would be fun to share this.  Great flowers for cut flowers.  Spring will come, I promise. 

A flower farmer’s guide to the most cheerful, hardy flowers you can start from seed—plus sowing tips.
Written By:  Melissa Spencer Flower Farmer
As a flower farmer, I’ve discovered that some of the easiest flowers to start from seed are also some of the most cheerful and hardy! That’s good news for all gardeners, especially beginners. Follow along to learn about my ten favorite flowers to sow from seed, along with helpful tips and a reference chart.  
Seed starting can feel mysterious and daunting, but when you find success with even just one flower, then it becomes a true source of joy and pride. As you will soon find out, it is addictive in the best of ways!
I recommend, if you are a beginner, to grow slowly and start small, with maybe 1 or 2 flowers first, until you have success. Soon after, you will have every windowsill painted green with the promise of color happily growing in the sun. After years of trialing wide varieties of flowers, I have come to rely on certain ones year after year that I can easily start inside and transplant out when the time is right.
1. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Fragrant, ruffly blooms that remind me of the citrusy scent of the old-time Fruit Stripe gum of childhood and the first flower that I fell in love with seeding, despite it being the tiniest seed I had ever seen! I doubted myself through the whole process and continued anyway. It reminded me that actions speak louder than words, and just to have some faith. I was rewarded with the most lovely, fragrant, billowy blooms that first spring and have grown thousands since.
Sowing Tip: These annuals are cold and hardy, and their seeds are extremely tiny, the size of a speck of pepper. If you sprinkle generously on top of your soil or container, the seedlings can be thinned or pricked out and spread out as they grow.
2. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
There isn’t a seed that could be easier! The majestic, sun-faced sunflowers are one of the most important and oldest native flowers of North America. A source of food, oil, and beauty, they have also been known to clean and aerate the soil with their incredibly deep taproots. Sunflower varieties are exploding these days, with individual growers choosing and selecting for certain color strains to isolate and breed. Tall, short, branching, red, yellow, white, and brown, the variety for growing sunflowers is endless!
Sowing Tip: When sowing, be sure to bury your seed about 1/2 inch deep. If direct seeding, keep seeds protected with a little covering until they germinate and the seed head has fallen off,  as the birds love the seeds and will feast upon them!
3. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
It may be the second-easiest seed to start ever, next to sunflower. Zinnia is a real pleasure to grow and super easy to maintain. It is a summer annual that comes in a variety of shades and colors, with the Queen Series above being a customer favorite. Keep deadheaded, and it will keep on throwing up blooms. If pinched when young, they will branch out and offer even more blooms.
Sowing Tip: While you can plant directly into the soil, I often start these ahead of time and get them quickly growing by sprouting hundreds of them on paper towels first and then pricking them out and placing them into the soil to grow on. See the Almanac’s Guide to Growing Zinnias.
4. Celosia (Celosia spicata)
Wispy, wavy, and spiky, Celosia in all its diversity is a treat for the eyes. This is a fun flower that loves the summer heat, adds texture and color to the garden, and makes a beautiful cut flower when added to bouquets. Also known as an everlasting, it dries really well and can be used in crafting autumn wreaths or other holiday décor.
Sowing Tip: The tiny seeds can be sown using the “toothpick method.” Pour seeds into a bowl and lick the toothpick or dip it into water. Pick up one seed at a time and place it on top of the soil to sow. Or, simply sprinkle between your thumb and pointer fingers onto the soil surface.
5. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
These graceful beauties always make me wish I had started more and planted more of them, especially when the wind picks up, and they dance around at the change of the seasons. It is a great seedling to grow and plant with young children because of its prolific root system that makes the seedling hardy, and it’s so easy to handle and tuck into the earth for smaller hands. They are foolproof! If you have kids, sow Cosmo seeds and let them at it!
Sowing Tip: Bury the seed about 1/4 inch into the soil. See the Almanac’s Cosmos Growing Guide.
6. Amaranthus (Amaranthus caudatus)
For bouquets and fall adornment, amaranth can’t be beaten. ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ might be my favorite, and the color options, en masse, complement each other so well. Starting these lovelies indoors is easy, and they will easily self-sow if left to go to seed! Tuck a sunflower and some yarrow into a bouquet with amaranth, and you have a bountiful autumn centerpiece.
Sowing Tip: Cover very lightly with vermiculite or soilless mix after sowing and mist well. See the Almanac’s Guide to Growing Amaranth.
7. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Along with Sunflower, Calendula is one of the quickest-growing flowers to bloom from seed in just about 2 months! A beautiful, heat-loving annual that holds up well as a cut flower or plant for a lively pop of color in the garden, Calendula will keep on blooming if you keep them deadheaded. We cut and dry the flower heads to use as an everlasting in dried arrangements, and this bright light also has excellent medicinal properties.
Sowing Tip: Seeds germinate easily, covered or uncovered. Keep moist until germination. See the Almanac’s Guide to Growing Calendula.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
A cold-hardy workhorse on the farm, yarrow offers durability, productivity, and a beautiful range of pastel hues to choose from and is a favorite for bees and butterflies! Yarrow is versatile in its qualities in the garden. It is a great cut flower with medicinal properties that feed our pollinators and easily self-sows.
Sowing Tip: Seeds are started easily indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. See the Almanac’s Guide to Growing Yarrow.
9. Gomphrena, aka Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena haageana)
Once I started growing Gomphrena, I didn’t miss a season and added additional colors each year. The impact that these colorful orbs of beauty add to the landscape or a bouquet is invaluable—planted en masse in flowerpots would be just as stunning. As a flower, they work great as a filler and offer a great vase life. They dry well and can be used in floral wreaths or crafts.
Sowing Tip: Sprinkle vermiculite or light covering of soilless mix and mist after sowing.
10. Bachelor’s Button, aka Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Sweet as a button and with so much more color! This is a hardy annual flower that is cold-tolerant and will benefit from starting early indoors before the season really gets going and planted out as soon as the soil can be worked. Loved by pollinators, bachelor’s button comes in edible varieties and is a beautiful cut flower; it’s a great addition to your flower sowing routine. Seeds are large and easy to sow and tend to germinate prolifically.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/10-easy-flowers-grow-seed
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from storagegooleapis.com

       Sun is out, looks awesome out, and the temperature at 2:00 PM is 12F(-10C) so it feels a little bit warmer.  Again, tonight we are having below zero temperatures.  Yes, this is getting old.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for their Friday Jan 30 is having 84F(29C) and they are in the extreme heat, but I think it is a lot warmer other places then it is for them.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
I will be working with the Franklin Co 4-Hers in March during this, starting seeds.  I can’t say it enough don’t start too early.  That is all we are seeing in gardening is start your seeds.  It is very fun and awesome to see the little seed start to grow into a plant.  But we need to wait a little bit longer for that.  There is a chart in this article to start with the last frost date.  Have a look.  And enjoy this starting plants.   Sorry, this is lots of information but really no other way to let you know how to do this.  

Starting Seeds Indoors: How and When to Start Seeds Written By: Catherine Boeckmann
When do you start your seeds indoors? Sow too early, and the plants may be ready to leave their pots before it’s warm enough outside. Sow seeds too late, and they won’t have enough time to reach maturity. We’ll provide some tips, as well as a chart on how many weeks to sow indoors before the last spring frost.
The Hindi word for seed is bija, meaning containment of life. This is an apt description of these tiny miracles that contain everything needed to make a new plant. This time of year, we are up to our elbows in dirt, starting more seeds indoors each week!
Why We Start Seeds Indoors
There are many benefits to sowing seeds indoors:
You get a head start on the growing season, which can lead to more fruitful harvests. It’s truly necessary for a number of plants. Warm-season vegetables—such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant—can’t be planted too early in the spring, as the soil is too cool. In many regions (including New England and the Midwest), there are not enough growing days for those plants to get to harvest if they’re started outside. Starting seeds indoors allows you to gain a few precious weeks of growing time, which can make a difference. In warmer regions, starting seeds indoors can allow you to get in an extra round of crops (especially cool-season crops) before summer heat stifles growth.
When to Start Seeds Indoors
As a general rule, seeds are started indoors about 6 weeks prior to your last frost date.  During a cold spring, it’s better to delay sowing to ensure the soil temperature is warm enough than to be hasty and get disappointing results. 
Here are three tools to determine the best date to start your seeds where you live.
Read your seed packet. Most will list when the seeds should be started indoors (or outdoors). For example, it may say, “Start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.” You can simply count back from your frost-free date.  NOTE from Becky:  Most frost-free dates for us are May 1st, but with my many years of doing this I used May 15th.  More than ½ of the time, we have that killing frost on May 15th. 
Which Seeds to Start Indoors?
Not all seeds should be started indoors. Most vegetables grow perfectly well when started outdoors and even prefer not to be transplanted. Ultimately, it’s important to consider how each type of vegetable grows in addition to where it will be growing.
 Crops best started indoors include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and tomatoes.  Those with slower root development, like cauliflower, celery, eggplant, and peppers, should also be started indoors.
Tender vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers are very susceptible to the cold temperatures of spring, so it’s best to start them indoors and keep them safe from unpredictable weather.
Some plants truly resist transplanting. Root vegetables, like carrots, turnips, and beets, don’t like having their roots disturbed, so it’s safer to start their seeds outdoors in the ground rather than transplant them later on. Plants with long taproots also dislike being transplanted; examples include dill and parsley.
Finally, plants like radishes and peas are fast-growing and cold-tolerant, so putting them right in the ground makes sense!
Seed-Starting Preference by Plant
Plant  Start Indoors (prior to       
frost-free date)      
Artichoke      8 to 10 weeks         
Broccoli         4 to 6 weeks
Brussels Sprouts     4 to 6 weeks
Cabbage        4 to 6 weeks
Cauliflower  4 to 6 weeks
Celery            10 to 12 weeks      
Collards         4 to 6 weeks
Cucumbers   3 to 4 weeks
Eggplant        8 to 10 weeks         
Leeks          8 to 10 weeks
Lettuce          4 to 5 weeks
Peppers         8 weeks        
Tomatoes     6 to 8 weeks
How to Start Seeds: 3 Steps
For starting seeds, you only need a seed-starting mix, containers, and a strong light source
1. Choosing a Potting Mix
Let’s start with the potting mix. Generally, you will have no trouble using an all-purpose potting mix. Drainage is good, but if your potting mix seems to have a lot of big chunks of wood or rocks, we recommend sifting it through a screen before using it for seed starting. Seedlings’ roots will struggle in medium that’s not fine enough.
For very small or delicate seeds, we recommend using a seed-starting mix, which is a potting mix designed especially for starting seeds. We also like seed-starting mixes because they’re low in nutrients; the seed itself is already full of nutrients. Avoid peat-based mixes, if possible. Use more sustainable alternatives, such as coconut coir.
Do NOT use soil from outdoors. It’s often too heavy or compacted for seedlings’ roots and may contain pests or diseases!
2. Choosing a Container
You can sow into pots, plug trays, or recycled containers. Each has its advantages:
Sowing many seeds into a large pot is space efficient, as the young seedlings take up less space initially. It’s a more efficient use of seeds, too, because you can germinate many seeds in a pot and then transfer every seedling into its own pot or plug. Sowing into a single container can also be useful for sowing very tiny seeds such as basil or easy-to-transplant flower seeds. For easy, cool-season crops—everything from onions to celery to cabbage—you can sow multiple seeds in the same container.
 Plug trays, on the other hand, are flatter containers with individual pockets (or “cells”) for each seed. They remove the need to transfer seedlings as often, minimizing root disturbance. Simply sow seeds into the plugs, then grow them until it’s time to plant, though they may need transplanting into bigger plugs or pots if the roots fill their plugs before it’s time to plant them outside. Two or more seeds are usually sown per plug, and then the germinated seedlings are either left to grow as a cluster or thinned out to leave the strongest seedling in each plug. Trays with smaller plugs suit most leafy greens and radishes, especially if they will be transplanted promptly (within 3 or 4 weeks of sowing). We also like this method for cluster-grown crops such as beets, beetroot, and salad onions.
 Recycled containers: We often repurpose food containers such as yogurt cups, sour cream containers, or plastic muffin trays as seed-starting containers. Clean them out and poke a few drainage holes in the undersides. They are generally large enough to house one or two small seedlings for a few weeks. Eventually, seedlings will need to be transplanted into their own pots.
Well-made containers and trays of rigid plastic can potentially last for many years, but if you want to avoid plastic, look for alternatives made of biodegradable fiber.
3. Sowing in the Pot
If sowing in a pot, fill it to the brim with potting mix, then tamp it down to a firm level. It’s hard to over-firm, and seedlings prefer plenty of potting mix to sustain them. If you are using plug trays, fill the plug trays right to the top, then tamp down to settle. Top with a little more of the mix, then brush off the excess.      
 Use your finger or the eraser-end of a pencil to poke planting holes in the mix. Be sure to sow the seeds at the depth listed on the seed packet. Many seeds can be gently pressed into the medium with your fingers, too. When choosing which seeds to plant, choose the largest, healthiest-looking seeds in the packet for the best chance at germination. Many vegetables, including common crops such as salad greens, onions, beets, peas, and radishes, may be sown in pinches of three to five seeds per plug for planting as a cluster of seedlings (to be later thinned as they grow). Larger seeds, like beans, are sown individually into deeper holes made with a finger, pencil, or dibber (a special seed-sowing tool).       
 Once done with sowing, cover the seeds with potting mix so that they’re at the right depth (as listed on the seed packet).       
 Label your sowings, especially different varieties of the same type of plant. This is important! You might think you’ll remember, but it’s easy to get confused, particularly if you’ve got seedlings with similar leaves (such as multiple varieties of tomatoes). Note the date of sowing and the variety.       
 Water the pots or trays carefully using a watering can fitted with a fine sprinkling rose or a clean turkey baster. A pitcher may let the water out too forcefully, dislodging the seeds. A mist sprayer is gentle but can take a long time to actually get the potting mix properly saturated. After watering, leave the medium to drain through from the surface and then repeat. You really want to wet the mix at the beginning so that seeds are woken up from their slumber! Don’t worry; if it’s a good mix, it’s hard to overwater; any excess will just drain out of the bottom.
Tips to Speed Up Germination
We all want to see those seedlings push through quickly! The best way to achieve that is to give your seeds as close to ideal conditions as possible, which usually means a little warmth.
The seed packet should indicate the ideal germination temperature. In most instances, a tucked-away corner of a warm room should work just fine.
To further speed up germination, you could use a heating pad to warm the medium under your seedlings. Just leave enough space between it and your seedlings so you don’t bake them!
Keep the potting mix from drying out and conditions warm by loosely covering the plug tray or pot with plastic wrap; poke a few holes in the plastic with a toothpick for ventilation; mold growth can occur if containers are not allowed to “breathe.”
After about half of the seedlings have sprouted, remove them from the humidity dome or take off the plastic covering; then move the seedlings to somewhere with good, strong light.
Hang the lights so they can be adjusted to keep them 4 inches above the plants as they grow.
Add Grow Lights
Poor light levels are often the killer in wintertime, rather than cold, at least for cool-season crops. So, if it’s early in the season and you don’t have a suitable outdoor protected structure such as a greenhouse or cold frame, it might be worth investing in full-spectrum grow lights.
Placing seedlings on a windowsill rarely gives the same light as outdoors. You can try turning seedlings daily to help them grow more upright, but more often than not, the result is leggy seedlings that are bent in all directions and will struggle to recover.
Grow lights don’t need to be anything fancy. An LED or fluorescent light fixture that’s “full-spectrum” (i.e., produces light in the full range of the visible spectrum—like the Sun) can usually be found for under $40 at a local hardware or department store.
The lamp unit can be raised up and down with inexpensive grow lights. Ideally, you want the lights to be about 4 to 6 inches above the canopy of the seedlings. That’s far enough above not to be too warm but to give a good, strong light. Move the lamp unit up as the plants grow and need more space.
Up to 16 hours a day of light is fine. In fact, in most cases, the longer you leave them on, the quicker seedlings will grow, so this is a good way to catch up on growth early in the season. (Note that plants do need a period of darkness, too, so don’t leave your lights on 24/7!) Many gardeners switch lights on when getting up in the morning and then switch them off when heading to bed, which means they’re on for around 15 to 16 hours. Or, you could put your grow lights on a timer.
Plants can move from grow lights to outdoors or under protection outside when it’s either warm enough or, more usually, for cool-season crops once the outdoor light levels have improved slightly.
Next Step: Transfer Seedlings
After you start your seedlings, and they have two pairs of leaves, you’ll often need to transplant them into their own pots. Don’t delay transplanting your seedlings, as you don’t want them to become overcrowded, which can cause issues, such as legginess or disease.
To transplant seedlings, fill new pots with potting mix; at this stage, an all-purpose or multipurpose potting mix is ideal. Make your planting holes, then carefully remove the seedlings from their nursery pots. If you aren’t transferring all the seedlings, lift out only what you need.
Separate the seedlings, then transfer them to their planting holes. Only ever handle seedlings by their leaves; if you damage or crush the fragile stem or roots, the seedlings are done for!
Try to avoid damaging the roots as much as possible, too. One way to do this is to bring along as much of the potting mix that’s around the roots as you can. This is one reason, in fact, why working with really young, small seedlings is often better: They are really quick-growing, and their roots are nowhere near as extensive as more established seedlings, so there’s less root to damage.
You can set seedlings deeper than they had been growing, especially if they are slightly leggy. This helps support their stems and get them back on track.
Firm in around seedlings. Once you’re done, gently water the seedlings with a watering can. Don’t worry if the seedlings get a little flattened; they’ll soon recover.
Check your seedlings and plants regularly for moisture. Push a thumb into the potting mix or simply lift the pot up to gauge how heavy it is. You’ll get a feel for this with more experience, but the heavier it is, the more water it will contain and the less likely it needs watering.       NOTE from Becky:  At this point, when the seeds are growing, I want some time for them to have a cooler time to grow like at night.  That is what makes for that thick stock. You need to move the plants to an area that is 50-55 degrees, not the 70-75 in your house.  This hint isn’t ever talked about.  We keep a cool greenhouse at night, and many years ago Larry Swift( grower of many kinds of wholesale plants, Swift’s Greenhouse, Gilman, Iowa ) stopped in with a delivery, and he noticed the tomatoes with the nice thick stock.  He said that is because you have it cool at night.      
Ready for Outdoors? Harden Off!
Seedlings of tender crops must be gradually introduced to outdoor conditions before they are planted in the garden, a process known as “hardening off.” Suddenly moving plants from a stable indoor environment to one with wide variations in temperature, light, and wind can seriously weaken—or kill—plants!
 For most plants, start hardening off about 7 to 10 days before the final frost date for your area. Check our Planting Calendar for safe dates to plant outside and work back from there. Withhold fertilizer and water them a little less often during this period.
Here’s how to harden off your seedlings:
About 7 to 10 days before transplanting, set the seedlings outdoors in dappled shade for a short time each day. Make sure the spot is sheltered from winds.
Start with an hour a day, then gradually extend the amount of time that plants are outside until they’re staying out all day.
Keep the growing medium moist at all times during this period. Dry air and spring breezes can result in rapid transpiration. If possible, transplant on overcast days or in the early morning when the Sun won’t be too harsh.
Cool-season crops don’t really need as much hardening. Crops such as lettuce, onions, beets, or peas can go straight outside as soon as the ground is ready, meaning that the soil is no longer cold and wet and has reached around 50ºF (10ºC). But warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers will need to acclimate.
A great way to toughen up plants—whether indoors or under cover in a greenhouse or cold frame—is to run your fingers lightly over the foliage. This mimics wind to create sturdier plants. Indoors, you could also use a fan.
If outdoor conditions allow, plant seedlings while they are still quite young—sometimes as soon as 3 to 4 weeks after first sowing. Younger seedlings tend to establish quicker than those that have become root-bound in their containers.
If you’re not able to be around to bring your seedlings back and forth from the outdoors, another option is to place your seedlings into a cold frame and gradually increase the amount of ventilation by opening vents progressively wider each day. Make sure to shut them down completely before dark. (See how to make a cold frame for cold-weather protection.)
Final Thoughts and Tips
Be seed-savvy. Obtain seed catalogs from several companies and compare their offerings and prices. Some of the regional companies may carry varieties that are better suited to your area.
Make a list of what you’d like to grow. A good rule of thumb is to imagine your garden one-quarter the size that it really is. This allows for good spacing practices!
Experienced gardeners are always prepared for some losses. Successful gardening depends on so many factors. Is the season unusually warm or cold this year? Are your first seedlings going to be eaten by pests like slugs, birds, or rabbits? That’s why it’s a good idea to sow seeds in small batches a few weeks apart.
If you’re starting out, it’s worth beginning a little early because losing those seedlings doesn’t matter so much; you can always sow more!
If you have extra seeds that you’ll be pouring back into the packet, do this over the pot you’ve just sown. That way, if you drop any, they’ll end up sown with the right batch of seeds rather than being wasted or mixed up in the spare potting mix!
Many quick-growing crops are harvested throughout the growing season. Take lettuce or radishes as an example. Sow seeds every couple of weeks throughout the growing season, and that way, you can look forward to a succession of harvests rather than them all coming at once. That’s smart garden planning!
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/content/starting-seeds-indoors
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

images from Chris Verey Sale, Victoria, Australia 

      Morning…same thing we have been having.  IT IS COLD out.  -0F at 7:30 AM, high today of 14F(-10C) but there is a front that is bringing the cold air directly from the Aortic.  This is what is affecting the southern of United States.  It will be here the rest of the week.  The Weather people are saying next week it will warm up to even above average temperatures.  Average temperature for this time of year is 29F.  All I can say is we will see and hope so.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends are the opposite they are having high temperature alerts. 
Evelyn said “It's been quite warm, but not unbearable. Yesterday Melbourne had 44C, which is 111.2F. The power companies are having trouble keeping up with the extra demand as people try to keep cool. We lost power last night for an hour, but the temperature was pretty good by then.”  Also, she said, “Mildura, in NW Victoria had 48.9C. (120F).”   Stay cool, stay safe.
​
You remember your geography, when you travel north in Australia you are traveling closer to the equator. Opposite of us.  When wind blows in from the south, it is a cold wind coming off Antarctica. 
 
I thought I would share with you a couple of pictures of one of Evelyn’s friends her garden.  You will see what Larry really noticed every household has a “solar clothes dryer”.  Evelyn said she has always hung clothes outside.  I asked what the birds are and haven’t heard back.  Larry loved the birds as they were all so colorful and big.   I am thinking these birds are cool to look at but wonder if they make a mess as Evelyn wrote “glad you didn’t have any clothes hanging outside.”

They are having warm summer weather, but it is summer for them.  Working outside in their gardens is important.  They have saved rainwater in barrels so watering that they will use.  As warm as it is, watering will be done daily or even twice a day.   Tom is an active golfer, so he enjoys doing that.  They will spend time outside walking around the lake.  Or going where there is a body of water to cool off.  Evelyn and Tom do live close to those places and as they are great hostess, we traveled to see them.  I will say to them stay cool, stay safe.
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from publicdomainpictures.net

Morning has a clear, blue sky.  We are above zero, but the wind is blowing so it is still negative wind chill. High today is 10F(-12C).  Average normal high is 29F, so we can look forward to a point where we will have that again.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for their Wed Jan 28 still in extreme heat alert.  High today for them will be 86F(31C) and their low isn’t too low but 63F(17C). The app says they are 10 degrees above normal.  Also, they will have a wind so that will dry things out for them.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
I found this article, which is fun about dandelions, and then I found one about bees using dandelions in the spring.  Both of them interesting read. 
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Long, long ago—thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of years ago—dandelions were known to be sacred and magical. The first humans on Mother Earth called them the “universe flower” because of their remarkable resemblance to celestial wonders. In bloom, they shone as bright as the sun. Once they turned to seed, they mirrored the glowing full moon. And when their delicate seeds floated away on the breeze, carried by hopeful breath, they became tiny stars dancing in the night sky.
The tradition of making a wish as you blow on a dandelion’s fluffy white head is one of the oldest customs in the world. Though much of their ancient magic has faded into the shifting sands of time, this simple ritual endures, passed down through generations.
Dandelions are far more than mere weeds. They are among nature’s most resilient and determined plants, flourishing in sand, mud, and even cracks in the pavement. Like all of nature’s creatures—be they plant, animal, or mineral—dandelions possess a quiet magic, but theirs is especially profound.
And they are not just beautiful; they are useful, too! Their golden blooms, tender leaves, and sturdy roots have been valued for centuries in teas, salads, and even as crispy, fried treats. A battered and fried dandelion head, golden and crunchy, is a Springtime delight. Their leaves add a peppery crunch to fresh salads, and dandelion tea is both soothing and healthful.
Despite their many virtues, dandelions are often unwelcome guests in manicured lawns and gardens. People mow them down, poison them, and pull them up by their roots, believing them to be nothing more than pesky weeds. But a yard without dandelions is a lonely place—devoid of the bees that sip their nectar, the butterflies that flutter among their blooms, and the birds that find joy in their seeds.
Children, however, know the truth. They see dandelions for what they truly are—treasures of nature. A bouquet of dandelions, clutched in a child’s tiny hand and proudly offered to a mother, is worth more than the grandest arrangement of roses. The soft white seed heads, so delicate yet full of promise, are nature’s invitation to dream. Blow and your wishes will travel to the heavens, carried on the wind like fairy wings.
Roses may speak of love, daisies may predict devotion, and lavender may soothe the soul—but only dandelions hold the power to grant wishes. A single breath upon a dandelion’s downy crown can send hopes and dreams soaring into the universe.
So, this Spring, consider leaving the dandelions be. Let them bloom, let them glow like tiny suns in the grass, let them transform into moons and stars. Let the bees find their nectar, let the children gather their golden bouquets, and let the wind carry our whispered dreams. For dandelions are not weeds. They are magic.
Taken fromhttps://foodgardening.mequoda.com/articles/the-magic-of-dandelions

This section is written by Robert Pavlis.  He writes in the first person, so that is who I is in the article. . 
Information from Do Bees Use Dandelions?
Bees do use dandelions for both nectar and pollen. They especially like a lawn that is full of them since this makes it easy for them to collect a load of pollen. According to the Honey Bee Research Station, it is not a preferred food, but it does help fill the gap when other sources are not available and in spring dandelions exist in abundance.
Bees First Food
I grow a lot of plants in my garden and I seem to remember many things flowering before dandelions (Taraxacum officinale). I spoke to one of the researchers at the Honey Bee Research Center, University of Guelph and asked him about the bees first food.
Around here, zone 5, Ontario, “their first important food source is tree pollen. Long before flowers become important, honey bees are in the top of trees collecting pollen. Maples, elms, poplars and willows are important as a first food” and they flower before dandelions.
“They gather dandelion pollen when other pollen is not available.”
Some trees are wind pollinated and produce a lot of pollen. They also have a very concentrated source which means bees don’t have to fly long distances between flowers to get it.
Do Bees Need the Dandelions?
Dandelions are not the first source of pollen for bees.
The pollen from dandelions is of poor quality, but better than nothing. They do provide a good source of nectar.
Keeping dandelions may keep bees from using fruit tree pollen which is a better quality of pollen. In this way dandelions may actually be harming bees.
A lawn full of dandelions is better for bees than a weed free lawn, but not nearly as good as a garden with a variety of plants and no dandelions.
If you must have a lawn, consider planting fruit trees, even ornamental ones, and skip the dandelions.
Taken from https://www.gardenmyths.com/dandelions-important-bees/
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

MORNING and it is getting old and it is still very cold out.  -13 actual temperature at 8:00 AM and only a high of -4.  Wind chill on top of this is cold.  All below zero.  All week cold again but the bright spot is the sun will be out as the sky is clear and blue.  That will feel good with sunshine coming through the windows, and into the greenhouse.  Stay warm and stay safe. 
 
Australia family and friends had their Australia Day on Jan 26 for them.  It had some record high temperatures for them.  Today, Tuesday Jan 27 they will have extreme heat alert which is in effect.  Their high will be 89F(31C) with 86% humidity. This makes it 13 degrees above normal.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
I am sharing some pictures and information from the Sale Botanic Gardens.  Larry and I remember seeing the peacocks walking in the gardens.   We noticed the cumbungi along the side of the water.  It brings back memories for us.  Hope you can enjoy.

Here’s one of the peacocks standing and surveying his domain.
Later on, I noticed a visitor taking photos and holding onto a very long feather which I assumed was a Peacock feather.
These can be occasionally found in the gardens, particularly under the trees they roost in or when they’re molting.

Do you see the black Swan in the reeds?  I must ask Evelyn but I don’t think they have white swans, all of them are black.  Interesting to see black Swans.
Bordering the western edge of the gardens is Lake Guthridge, a haven for birds, fish and other creatures. The cumbungi grows along the waters edge and has tall rust coloured flowering spikes.
The pelicans are on the water catching any fish that swims by while the black swan prefers to browse what’s available on the lake bed.
​
Weather is such a part of all our lives from this extreme cold to the extreme heat.  Then the southern part of the United States has had ice, snow and they are having cold without electricity.  Stay safe all. 
Pictures from the Friends of Sale Botanic Gardens
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from gifsec.com 

Sunday and we are having clear, blue sky. 3F at 3:00 PM but with the wind they are saying it feels like -15. Tonight, the low is -14F but with the wind I am afraid it will feel like -30 below.  STAY warm.  It looks like warming up this week as only a couple of nights with below zero and the highs around 15F.  Baby steps.
 
Australia family and friends for their Monday Jan 25 are having an extreme heat alert with high today at 77F(25C0 but rest of the week will be close to 90F(32C. Of course, wouldn’t you know school starts for the kids on Tuesday and it will be hot. Monday Australia 26th is their Australia Day. 

Australia Day is celebrated each year on the anniversary of the first fleet from Britain landing in Sydney Cove. It is a public holiday, and the significance of the day differs amongst the nation’s population.
Many Australians consider January 26 with national pride, flying the Australian flag from businesses, homes and cars. They attend festivals, fireworks, community and sporting events or gather for family barbecues at homes, parks or on the beach.  Stay cool, stay safe.
​
I really don’t have any idea what to share with you today.  So, I am just sharing this.  Stay safe, stay warm, and spring will come. 
 Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

​IT is cold out.  Hard to imagine what -40 below zero wind chill feels like.  I need to go out and check greenhouse and feed the cats, then I will know. 
 
Australia family and friends are having a warm spell for their summer.  Saturday Jan 24 they will have 87F(31C) with 87% humidity.  This is their last weekend of summer break and school starts next week.  “Australia day is Monday, teachers on Tuesday and kids go back on Wed.”  Evelyn wrote. 
 
I found this article that was written in December but still have information about the length of daylight.  The days are getting longer.  Hope is near for more sunshine and more heat out of the sun. 
 
How Much Daylight Do We Gain After the Winter Solstice?
The real news is that we will have the fewest minutes of daylight in 2025. On the solstice in December, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere have our shortest day and our longest night. Starting Monday, December 22, the days will start getting longer, and the Sun will be slightly higher up in the sky. We’ll start feeling greater warmth on our skin, too! Solar intensity depends on the Sun’s height. But since the ground and the air take a while to catch up, we won’t reach our coldest average temperature until the third week of January,
As for things you can easily observe, the most obvious solstitial effect is that you can look out your most southwest-facing window on Saturday and again on Sunday and see the Sun set at its leftmost position of the year. If you’re an early riser and see the Sun come up at around 7:15 AM, that will happen at its rightmost possible spot, in the east/southeast.  I notice this when sitting in the living room and looking east talking to Larry.  In the summer the sun is in my eyes from the east windows, but in the window I see the sunrise in the south windows. 
The psychologically optimistic part of all this is that starting on December 22, 2025, we will stop losing daily sunlight, which has been going on since June, and instead finally start to increase it!  This gain will be, just a matter of seconds a day, but will steadily grow until daily daylight expands by 3 minutes per day in March.   in most of the lower 48 states, the extra daily sunshine in March is closer to 20 minutes after each week, the most the majority of us ever experience, like a slowly opened gift package.
Let’s take a more relatable location in the Midwest, Chicago.
If you look at the Almanac’s daylight tool for Chicago, there are just 9 hours, 11 minutes of daylight during the week leading up to Christmas.
After this, daylight increases to 9 hours, 15 minutes by New Year’s Day.
By mid-January, the daily increase of light jumps to about 2 minutes a day.
By the 20th of February, daylight gain speeds up to 3 minutes per day! On the 20th, the day length is 10 hours, 53 minutes, and on the 21st, it’s 10 hours, 56 minutes.
In May, the increase slows back to 2 minutes gain per day
By the time we get to the summer solstice, the increase further slows to 1 minute a day, peaking at 15 hours and 16 minutes by the solstice.
But to include other astronomy into all this, be aware that a radical planet change is also en route to us. Right now, at the winter solstice, every planet is nicely visible, while late spring will find them vanishing one by one.
So, this winter solstice is really a time of major activity here in the old solar system.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/how-much-daylight-do-we-gain-after-winter-solstice
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from clipart.com 

Good morning…clear blue sky after our winter blizzard last night.  The wind did blow, the wind caused drifting, and white outs.  But now that it is behind us, the extreme cold is moving in.  Stay warm, stay safe.  This must be so hard on livestock and the farmers taking care of them.  Take care farmers. 
 
Australia family and friends are the opposite of us with having summer. For their Friday Jan 23, it will be 73F(23C) but humidity is at 90% with a dew point at 47F(8C).  They will feel this humidity.  As our temperatures are going down, they will go up to that 90 degrees.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
This is from a Southern Living Magazine, and they are facing some severe cold weather.  This is what the gardeners are being told to take care of their gardens.  Remember this isn’t for us, but for southern United States.  I am sharing it to let you know what they are facing now with their gardens and this very cold weather. 

We too are having extreme weather and temperatures with wind chills.  Saturday morning wind chill at -45F.  15 minutes skin exposed will have damage.  15 minutes.   I need to find a face mask or a scarf to cover my face.  What can we say but just stay safe.  This is Friday night and Saturday.  I hate to say it looks like next week we are having below zero temperatures too. 
​
Heads Up, Gardeners: Freeze Incoming! 🚨  for our southern states. 
A winter storm is making its way across the South this week, and while Southerners are no strangers to weather swings, this one could pack a punch. Sudden freezes, icy winds, and the potential for snow mean it’s time to give your garden a little extra attention.
Which Plants Need Extra Protection?
Some plants are more sensitive to rapid freezes, especially:
• Tropical or tender evergreens (like gardenias or camellias)
• Container-grown shrubs and perennials
• Newly planted trees and foundation plants
• Flowering cool-season annuals (like primroses, cyclamen, or snapdragons)
• Upright, leafy evergreens like boxwood, holly, and azaleas
Containers are especially vulnerable since cold air can reach roots from all sides. If your plant is in a pot, give it priority!
 DON'T:
❌ Knock ice off branches. It may cause them to snap.
❌ Remove coverings before the ice/snow melts. Even with ice on top, they help trap warmth underneath.
❌ Disturb snow accumulation on plants. A light layer can act as natural insulation.
DO:
✅ Let ice melt naturally.
✅ Once the ice/snow melts, remove covers during the day to give plants sun and airflow.
✅ Prune only broken or obviously damaged limbs.
✅ Water again once the soil thaws to help with recovery.
Severe winter weather can impact more than just your garden. For tips on how to prepare your home, family, and community for winter storms, including power outages and emergency supplies, check out the Red Cross winter storm prep guide below:
Stay safe, stay warm, & give your garden the best chance to weather the storm!
Taken from https://southernlivingplants.com/
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from Old Farmer's Almanac   Endless Road 

Good morning.  At 11:15 Am there is clear, blue sky, mild wind but we are in a blizzard warning starting at 1PM From the National Weather Service. Blizzard conditions expected.  Total snow accumulation up to one inch.  Winds gusting up to 60MPH.  Visibility may drop below 1/4 mile due to failing and blowing snow.  Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life threatening. Plan for slippery road conditions.  The hazardous conditions could impact the Wed evening commute Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. Note:  Larry told me he is putting the generators in the shop because it is also to be cold high of 8F( -13C) so if we lose electricity he doesn’t know if the generators will start in the cold.  Hope we don’t lose electricity.  I can’t say it enough STAY SAFE 
 
Australia family and friends are enjoying time at the beach and ocean.  Wed January 22 they will 70F(20C) perfect weather to be outside for them. ENJOY, stay cool, stay safe. 
 
I have been working on a work list for months now. I get one thing done and add 2 more things, so sometimes I look at the list like that endless road. No sight of the work in the end. I found this article to help with motivation.  Just get started and take little steps.  That is how I feel with some of the work, small steps but then the small steps turn into getting more done. 
 
How to Get Motivated When You Feel Stuck: Just Start Somewhere

Why motivation isn’t about willpower—and how starting small can lead to real change Written By:  Margaret Boyles

Lack of motivation can be a pervasive and debilitating problem, but do not despair—there are ways to get yourself motivated!
You have a lot to get up for: a stalled work project, that hour of daily exercise your doctor prescribed, your longstanding writer’s block, housecleaning, quitting smoking.
Maybe you yearn for a quantum change—that bolt from the blue that suddenly enables you to make long-desired changes to your life and make them stick.
But every day, your same old, plodding self arises and finds it impossible to summon the self-motivation.
Whatever you need to do, your inner demons keep finding excuses for avoiding it.
When one of those demons rears its head, instead of saying Just do it! or Just say no!, I suggest proclaiming Just start somewhere, and see where it takes you.
Running at sunset as a metaphor of building motivation through small steps
Tips for Self-motivation: ‘I’ll start with…’
This strategy envisions only starting a dreaded activity, not plotting a timeline of the actions needed to finish.
In her wonderful book, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, Natalie Goldberg offers the best advice I’ve found—not just for writing, but for overcoming almost any sort of internal resistance or social overlay that’s keeping you from getting to your task.
Paraphrasing Goldberg:
Set a time. Say 15 minutes. (Get specific.)
Pick up your pencil, or put your hands on the keyboard. (Gear up.)
Keep your hand(s) moving. Don’t stop. (Just this little bit now.)
Don’t cross out (edit yourself).
Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar, or chronological order (doing it right).
Lose control. (Don’t plan, think, or ruminate about it.)
If nothing meaningful seems to come, don’t be afraid to write nonsense. Don’t stop until the time has passed.
You get the gist. Make a small, concrete commitment that your mind accepts as reasonable. Once you’re into it, your demons may have quieted down enough that it seems reasonable to keep going.
The housework?
“I’ll start with the upper shelf. Remove those books, brush the dust from those books, and scrub down that shelf. I can get to the rest later.”
That long walk?
Say to yourself, “Let’s go. Three telephone poles,” and head out the door. As likely as not, at least for me, I usually find myself saying, “Okay, three poles. Now to the top of the hill…” and finish my intended distance.
Goldberg talks about “being a great warrior” who cuts through the noise, the self-doubt, and the laziness.
Staying Motivated
A couple of important corollaries: no promises for tomorrow and no self-recrimination when today’s start doesn’t end up with much progress toward the ultimate. 
As a motivational strategy, just starting seems light-years away from quantum change. And in the moment, they don’t seem connected.
Yet I’ve experienced several moments of quantum change in my life, and I’ve often wondered if long avoidance of a needed change, the brief moments of clarity about what I need to do, and the repeated starts and failures lurk in the recesses of my mind to the point of confluence, so when I wake up some morning, the big change seems ridiculously easy.
Until then, I’ll try to stay with my Just Start strategy.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/how-get-motivated-when-you-feel-stuck-just-start-somewhere
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from mymatra.com 

I see the sun and it is awesome, but the temperature at 12:00 is still 11F(-8C) but we don’t have much wind so that is good.  Warming up and can you believe we are in for snow later today and tonight.  We could have up to 3” of snow.  Just have to love winter.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends are having less humidity, so their days are feeling awesome.  High for Jan 21, Thursday will be 73F(22C) with 30% chance of rain.  Must see what kind of weather they are having.  Evelyn will write and tell me.  I am seeing that Evelyn’s kids and grandkids are spending time near water as it is their break before the school year starts.  I think at the end of the month, again Evelyn will let us know.  ENJOY your summer break and stay safe. 
 
I found this article on how to take care of your skin with this severe winter weather it is important.  Some good ideas, and I shouldn’t have been surprised but drinking water is very important.
 
Winter can bring a variety of wonderful things, including the holidays, snow days, and cheese boards. However, the colder weather can sometimes prove harsh on our skin. Winter skin care can involve boosting hydration and protecting the delicate skin barrier, as harsh weather, such as freezing winds, frost, and dry air, can strip the skin of much-needed moisture and nutrients.  The key is to ensure you moisturize, avoid harsh chemicals such as foaming cleansers, and nourish from within.
Hydration is crucial for the skin, especially during the winter months. This is because healthy skin needs water for structure, support, elasticity, and radiance. Good hydration enhances blood flow to the skin, alongside delivering nutrients and flushing out toxins.  Cold weather and excessive indoor heat can cause water to rapidly evaporate from the skin, making it essential to find moisturizers that not only lock in moisture but also hydrate and nourish the skin’s barrier, protecting it from further damage from cold weather and indoor heat. This can include  applying thick, rich moisturizers on damp skin to lock in moisture. drinking lots of water to hydrate from the inside, including drinks such as herbal teas.
Rich moisturizers can help lock in moisture lost during winter weather. This is especially important for individuals with dry skin, as seasonal changes can exacerbate the condition. Swapping out lightweight moisturizers can help, particularly those that contain hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and ceramides, which attract moisture as a humectant and a lipid that acts as a protective barrier.
Cream-based cleansers are better during winter than harsh, foaming cleansers that may strip essential moisture from the skin. The ‘squeaky clean’ feeling that some cleansers provide may feel nice during warmer seasons, but it can actually contribute to tight, dry skin during winter. Tight skin is actually an indicator that your cleanser may have stripped too much of your natural skin barrier.
Eat hydrating food  Good skin care actually starts from within; while it is important to topically ensure your skin is well-nourished, a healthy and nutritious diet is key to achieving glowing, hydrated, and nourished skin. ‘Eating’ your water is a good way to stay hydrated from within, including eating water-rich foods, such as cucumbers, watermelon, celery, tomatoes, and lettuce. swapping coffee and tea for herbal teas such as chamomile. Remembering to drink water before and after meals avoiding excess caffeine, sugars, and processed foods. avoiding overdoing it at holiday parties with alcohol, which can have a dehydrating effect on the skin. You can also eat a diet rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3, which protect the skin from oxidative damage.
Not only are they great for extra skin goodness, but they also create a moment of downtime intended for pampering and relaxation.
 Protect skin from the elements  Layering up during winter not only protects you from feeling cold but also shields your skin from the harsh effects of the cold winter weather.
Scarves, hats, gloves, and thick winter coats can help shield your skin from everything, including winter sun or frosty, biting wind. Many people forget that hand skin care is just as important as caring for your face; layer on rich hand creams and gloves to avoid dry, prematurely aged skin on your hands.
 Avoid overly hot showers and baths Excessively hot water in baths or showers can strip the skin of essential moisture and natural oils, damaging the skin barrier. Opt for slightly cooler showers, and don’t forget to use hydrating body creams and butters on damp skin afterward to lock in extra moisture.  Adding products to baths may also help hydrate the skin, and using bath oils provides an extra layer of luxury.
Don’t forget the lips  What harsh winter weather does to your skin, it also does to your lips. Not only do they not produce any oil as they lack sebaceous glands, but they also have  constant exposure to the elements. Spending extra care for your lips can help prevent issues such as chappedness, flaking skin, cracking, and cheilitis, a swollen inflammation of the lips.
This may include:  using a lip exfoliator to remove excess dead skin and promote new skin  using lip balms with hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and aloe vera  using thick ointments such as vaseline
The bottom line  Skin care is always important, but during harsh winter weather, taking an extra step for your skin can help maintain its overall health and appearance.
Using rich moisturizers that hydrate from within and on the outside, protecting your skin from the elements, and creating an ideal winter skin care routine are all key to achieving healthy, happy skin.
Taken from https://www.healthline.com/health/winter-skincare
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse