image from storables.com 

Clear morning, sun is up and high today in the 50’s(10C)  JUST enjoy.
 
Australia family and friends having rain yesterday.  Evelyn said they even had lightning and thunder which is not normal.  For their Saturday Feb 28, will have a high of 79F(26C) but looking ahead Sunday through Tuesday rain is predicted. , Tom our brother-in-law, I am thinking you will have to mow lawn.  Enjoy your Saturday, stay cool, stay safe.  LOVE to all…
 
I am including another invasive plant.  Gardeners of North Iowa had a group that met every week all summer and fall at Central Park in Mason City cleaning up a big flower bed that had Pachysandra and zebra grass.  Both are invasive and looked nice but took over the whole area just as invasive plants do.  They got it cleaned up and awesome job gardeners.  This wouldn’t have been a gardener’s favorite job, but thanks for doing it.  So be careful in buying plants when you research them as they sound really good. 
 
Some forms of pachysandra are considered invasive Pachysandra is an evergreen groundcover plant that thrives in full to partial shade and is highly deer-resistant.  It spreads through rhizomes and stolons, making it easy to propagate, but can be invasive in some regions.  Proper drainage is crucial for pachysandra, as overly wet soils can lead to root rot and other fungal issues.
 Pachysandra is a rugged, evergreen perennial with glistening foliage that looks good year-round. While it's considered a member of the boxwood family, pachysandra is typically grown as a groundcover.
In spring, short spikes of fragrant white flowers top pacysandra. The flowers' intense fragrance (similar to a jasmine or gardenia-like scent) appeals to many people, although others describe the smell as a flowery mothball. If you have a sensitive nose, be sure to test them out in bloom before purchasing the plants.
Pachysandra is an evergreen groundcover plant that thrives in full to partial shade and is highly deer-resistant.  It spreads through rhizomes and stolons, making it easy to propagate, but can be invasive in some regions.  Proper drainage is crucial for pachysandra, as overly wet soils can lead to root rot and other fungal issues.
Pachysandra is a rugged, evergreen perennial with glistening foliage that looks good year-round. While it's considered a member of the boxwood family, pachysandra is typically grown as a groundcover.
In spring, short spikes of fragrant white flowers top pacysandra. The flowers' intense fragrance (similar to a jasmine or gardenia-like scent) appeals to many people, although others describe the smell as a flowery mothball. If you have a sensitive nose, be sure to test them out in bloom before purchasing the plants.
Some forms of pachysandra are considered invasive in several mid-Atlantic states, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Delaware.1 In particular, Pachysandra terminalis (a.k.a. Japanese pachysandra or Japanese surge) is considered an ecological threat as it can spread quickly and displace native vegetation while providing little benefit to native wildlife. Look for native varieties, like Pachysandra procumbens (a.k.a., Allegheny spurge) or consider a different groundcover plant in those areas.
Taken from https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/spurge
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.com 

Morning.  Clouds are moving out and we will have sun today.  Temperature will be good and high today of 44F(6C) stay warm, enjoy and stay safe I just got back in and the plugs arrived.  I was looking for them all day yesterday, but the driver said they came out of the truck this morning.  I opened one box and they looked fine.  Job this afternoon is unpacking them and checking them over. 
 
Australia family and friends for Feb 27th Friday will have 76F(24C) and looks like rain in their forecast.  Stay dry, stay cool, stay safe.
 
It looks like I am posting things that you shouldn’t do.  Here are some invasive plants to not plant.  I remember years ago, I had bought the chameleon plant thinking it would be a great plant for the shade.  Never realizing what it did.  Now I do, and I will not have it here to sell again.  Sorry to the gardeners that tried it and found out.

Invasive Plants to Avoid in Your Garden (+ Native Alternatives)
It may look pretty but looks are deceiving. We now know that the cheap, stinky invasive Bradford pear tree crowds out native plants.   Written By: Robin Sweetser
I am always amazed when I see known invasives being sold at garden centers, online, and in catalogs. Here are silent invaders you should never bring home to grow in your yard—plus, some substitute plants to grow instead.
Common Invasive Plants
Autumn Olive
Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is often sold in wildlife packages or for erosion control. Birds do love their berries, which is one way they spread. Able to grow rapidly in sun and shade, their roots alter the soil chemistry around them to keep other plants from germinating nearby, and they outcompete and quickly displace native species.
Substitute plants: Native ninebark (Physocarpus) or Viburnum both offer colorful fall foliage and berries for birds and other wildlife.
Bishop’s Weed
Bishop’s weed (Aegopodium podagraria), also known as goutweed, is my archenemy. The variegated leaf type was growing on my property when we moved in 38 years ago, and even though we mow it and pull it up, it still comes back.
I am always appalled when I see it for sale. It is quite pretty, grows in sun or shade, and is totally bulletproof, so I can understand why people buy it. Don’t!
The extremely invasive green type keeps making its way from my neighbor’s house via seeds the birds drop. I spend a lot of time every spring and summer digging up its brittle roots, which tend to snap off. Leaving even a tiny piece behind causes it to resprout soon after. We have tried smothering large sections of it with black plastic, but it manages to return. They say the only way to be rid of it is to move!
Substitute plants: Native foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) or wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) for shady areas.
Bradford Pear
Ugh! It may look pretty, but the awful Bradford pear (Pyrus calleriana)—also called Callery pear—has been sold widely as a cheap ornamental landscape tree. Even though it is self-sterile, it can cross-pollinate with other types of callery pears, and those offspring have proven to be invasive, escaping to forest areas, dominating the landscape, and shading out all other growth.
Substitute plants: They are such a problem in South Carolina that Clemson University offers up to 5 free native replacement trees—including oaks, maples, hornbeam, river birch, and magnolia—to homeowners who cut down their Bradford pears.
More substitute plants include native dogwood, redbud, and serviceberry. All
The Bradford (Callery) Pear invasion. If you have this tree, many cities have buy-back programs.
Chameleon Plant
Many plants we’re attracted to buying are beautiful. The chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata) is no exception. Native to Southeast Asia, this ground cover has very attractive, multi-colored leaves and, like many ground covers, spreads by underground rhizomes—fast! If you try to weed it out, those brittle rhizomes break, and any scrap left behind will just resprout, similar to bishop’s weed. It grows in sun or shade and likes moist soil.
Substitute plants: Native heuchera, tiarella, or a showy hybrid of the two called heucherella.
From https://www.almanac.com/10-invasive-plants
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 thankyourgarden.com 

Just came in from checking greenhouse.  I am really looking for a driver to deliver plants today.  I was told he was a new one, so I wanted to make sure we get them in the greenhouse right away and not leave outside the door.  Temperature is 18F and they come with heat packs in them but still want them in the warm greenhouse.  With the sun shining it is getting warmer there.  Clear blue sky for today, high of 29F(-2C) it will be enjoyable with the sun shining and warming up.  We have that snow cover so it will take longer to warm up.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends have had a good rain for the last couple of days.  Even had thunder and lightning during the night.  Evelyn said everything is really starting to green up again. High today will be 69F(20C) but they have wind up to 19mph so that will keep them cooler.  Stay cool, Enjoy, stay safe. 
 
I know when it is cold and we have snow you won’t be thinking about working in the garden.  But it will start to warm up and here are some things that you shouldn’t do in your garden yet this winter. 
​
7 Winter Gardening Mistakes to Avoid Healthier Plants in Spring
Winter throws plenty of challenges at plants. Don’t add to the adversity with these gardening mistakes.
Your garden rarely needs human assistance during winter, and it's often best to let nature do its thing. It's especially important to avoid the following common winter gardening mistakes so your garden will have a healthy start to the spring growing season.
Mistake 1: Pruning Fruit Trees Too Early
Timing is everything when it comes to pruning fruit trees, and mid- to late winter is prime time to do While it’s tempting to prune in late fall or early winter when temperatures are still mild, it can disrupt the tree’s preparation for winter. It takes weeks for a woody plant to move nutrients from leaves and small branches back into the tree at the end of the growing season. Pruning too early risks delaying dormancy and making the tree susceptible to cold injury.
Wait to prune until after your area has experienced its coldest average winter temperatures. Many Extension experts advise pruning in late winter when air temperatures start to rise again, and it is simply more pleasant to be outside and prune. Start with the hardiest fruit trees—apple trees in most regions—and then move on to less hardy species as spring approaches.
Mistake 2: Pruning Flower Buds
While winter is the ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs, it is the wrong time to prune most spring-flowering ornamental shrubs. These shrubs have flower buds on what is called "old wood" (branches that are at least one year old). Pruning these shrubs in winter removes flower buds that are just weeks away from opening.
Prune spring-flowering shrubs promptly after they flower. These shrubs include azalea, camellia, daphne, dogwood, forsythia, lilac, magnolia, viburnum, and witch hazel.
Mistake 3: Spreading Fireplace Ash on the Garden
In a cold winter, an active wood-burning fireplace generates a lot of wood ash. Tempting as it might be, don’t spread the ash on your garden without taking a soil test first. Wood ash quickly raises soil pH. If the soil pH is too high (alkaline), plants can’t access vital nutrients. Most vegetables do best in a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Only spread fireplace ash in your garden if a soil test indicates that it is acidic. And, when using wood ash, apply it sparingly.
Mistake 4: Removing Ice from Trees
Don’t try to remove ice from tree branches; you’ll cause even greater damage. It's best to leave the tree alone and wait for the temperatures to rise. Snow, on the other hand, can be removed by gently shaking it off the branches of trees and shrubs. Work carefully and slowly to avoid breaking the branches.
Mistake 5: Over-Applying Deicing Salt
If you have a driveway or walkway to clear, avoiding deicing salt completely is not always possible, but apply as little as necessary to melt ice and only apply it where it is needed. Deicing salt that lands on soil around trees, shrubs, perennials, and lawn, as well as salt runoff, can cause plant dehydration and challenging soil problems. Don’t pile salt-laden snow and ice near plants.
Mistake 6: Neglecting to Water New Plants
Winter winds and dry air quickly dehydrate young plants. Until the ground freezes, water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials every week or so if there is not sufficient rain or snowfall.
Mistake 7: Not Checking Stored Tubers and Bulbs
One rotting tuber or bulb can ruin an entire stored collection. Check stored tubers and bulbs every couple of weeks. Look for soft spots, slime, or unpleasant odors, which indicate potential decay. Remove any compromised tubers or bulbs.
Taken from https://www.bhg.com/winter-gardening-mistakes
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

Mezoo which I have had here before

Golden Cascade, new 

Clouds are back, temperature is to be warm today at 38F(3C) but it will be cloudy so for me the greenhouse will not be as warm as if the sun was coming out.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends, I do believe had rain yesterday which is well needed. It looks like it is still raining.  They have a severe weather alert of Riverine Flood.  I will have to ask Evelyn what that is? Their temperature will be mild at 69F(20C).  Stay dry, stay safe. 
 
Here are two more plants I will be growing this season.  The Mezoo I have had in the past, and it is a great trailing plant.  It is a succulent so easy to care for.  The grower had added another variety to this species.  Golden Cascade Artenia.  More plants for you to think about having in your garden or containers. 
​
Mezoo trailing red bloom
Mezoo is a unique, low-growing plant prized for its succulent-like foliage, trailing habit, and subtle daisy-style flowers.  With proper care, Mezoo delivers season-long texture, steady growth, and a clean, controlled look that works beautifully in both containers and the landscape.
Mezoo is a sprawling, trailing plant known for its versatility and adaptability in both indoor and outdoor settings. The stems can grow an average of 12–24 inches in length in a season, making it an excellent choice for cascading over the edges of pots, hanging baskets, or decorative containers. Its compact yet vigorous growth habit allows it to fill spaces effectively without becoming invasive.
The leaves of Mezoo are semi-succulent, thick, and glossy, with a texture that helps the plant retain moisture in warmer climates. Each leaf features a striking variegated pattern, with bright green centers and creamy-white margins that lend a lively, luminous quality to the plant's appearance, even when it is not in bloom. This variegation makes Mezoo a standout in mixed planters, adding contrast to other foliage plants.
 
Golden Cascade Aptenia
The Golden Cascade Aptenia is a vibrant, golden chartreuse variety known for its drought-tolerant and heat-loving nature. It is an excellent choice for hanging baskets, container combinations, window boxes, borders, and rock gardens. This plant thrives in full sun and can also tolerate part sun and full shade, making it versatile for various garden settings.
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 freepik.com

I just got back from checking the greenhouse at 8:30 AM and it is cold out.  5F but it is clear, with a very blue sky.  Sun has some power to it, so it will warm up what it can but with the snow cover it will be not that warm.  High today is only 22F(-5C).  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends as they are going into fall as we are going into spring will see today Feb 24th Tuesday will be warm at 87F(31C) and looks like 85% rain.  Hope they get the rain as they are very dry, Evelyn says.  What I found very interesting and fun, one of the friends wrote she can’t believe Easter will be here and for them it will be fall. Easter is such a welcome spring idea.  Good to hear from Down Under.   Stay cool, stay safe.
 
I found this article and so fitting with all the snow we have had to move, and gardening season coming up to feel stiff and achy.  Interesting read.
 
Why you wake stiff and achy  Written By:  Margaret Boyles
Do you grunt, groan, and ratchet yourself to a standing position as you get out of bed in the morning? Then, after stretching and moving around for a few minutes, do you feel the achiness and stiffness abate (at least some of it)? Why do you feel so achy in the morning? There’s a reason for this!
The Body’s Natural Ibuprofen
Scientists have discovered that we wake up stiff and achy because our body’s natural ibuprofen has not kicked in yet. As the day darkens into night, the circadian clocks in joint tissue suppress inflammation and also the body’s production of anti-inflammatory proteins, our natural pain dampeners.
Yep, our body’s biological clock suppresses anti-inflammatory proteins while we sleep. Once the morning light streams in and we’ve struggled up and moved around a bit, the body begins producing its anti-inflammatory compounds again, and we begin feeling more flexible with less pain.
While waking up stiff and sore is common for just about anyone, it can be especially painful for people with recent injuries or arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other inflammatory conditions; those recovering from a recent surgical procedure; athletes after a hard training day; or just plain ordinary folks who have spent hours shoveling snow or garden compost.
 While you can’t reverse the effects of joint aging, you can reduce the severity of morning stiffness with these tips:
Don’t sleep on a worn-out mattress and/or pillow—or one that doesn’t provide the right level of support for the neck and spine.
Try a new sleeping position. Sleeping on your stomach may contribute to morning pain. Try sleeping on your back or side with a pillow under your knees.
Avoid sleeping in an environment that is too cold.
Find ways to be more active during the day. Movement lubricates joints. Exercise and yoga relieve inflammation by increasing blood flow to your muscles. Aim for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Be careful not to overtrain (working beyond your limits or strength and/or endurance).
Watch for poor posture, especially while performing daytime tasks. Change your position regularly if you are sitting at a desk.
Maintain a healthy weight. Here are some commonsense weight loss tips.
Improve a poor diet. Avoid foods that cause inflammation, including sugary foods and drinks, refined carbs (white bread, white pasta, pastries), fried foods, red meat (steak, burgers), processed meat (hot dogs, sausage), some dairy, margarine, and shortening. Aim to eat a diet with more green leafy vegetables (plants!), tomatoes, olive oil, seafood (salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines), fruit (especially berries), and nuts (almonds, walnuts).
Look for ways to reduce physical or emotional stress that results in chronically tightened muscles and tendons. Consider mindfulness meditation, which has been clinically shown to change the way your brain processes pain. How to meditate? Begin by focusing on breathing. Start with a minute and build up to more time. If your attention wanders, return your focus to your breathing.
Do not smoke cigarettes! Amongst all its many health evils, cigarettes are linked to poor pain relief. Smoking prevents oxygenated blood from reaching bones and tissues. It limits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood, making the blood quality lower.
5 Tips for a Better Morning
Working up from your toes, contract, wiggle, and stretch every part of your body while you’re still lying in bed. This gives your muscles a chance to warm up before jumping into action for the day.
Move slowly and stretch after you stand up.
If you can, get into a warm tub or shower to loosen up and soothe the overnight aches.
Of course, if you take pain medication, ask your doctor about rescheduling and/or altering the dose.
Take a vitamin D supplement. You can also get this all-important vitamin from the sun—learn all about the health benefits of sunshine.
Finally, note that joint health supplements do not appear to help manage symptoms, so don’t waste your money.
Follow these steps to get off to a smoother—and more comfortable—start and get on with your day!
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/why-you-wake-stiff-and-achy
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 pixabay.com 

Sun is out with a clear, blue sky.  I looked at the app and they said cloudy.  Wonder if the clouds will move it?  We have snow covers, so it looks like winter, which is ok because it is still Feb. in Iowa. 8F(-13C)  high today of 22F(-5C)  now we are having below average temperatures.  But it must average out for the month when we had such above normal temperatures, we knew this would happen.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends Feb 22 Sunday will have 84F(29C) and looks like rain as predicted 95% chance.  Hope they do, as Evelyn says they are very dry. Stay cool, stay dry, stay safe.
 
I am noticing that we are getting more sunlight.  Especially at night, sun setting later, and later. This is good meaning spring is coming, more warmth is coming, and this winter weather will be over.    Here is some information about the amount of time added each day.  Not much but you know it counts up to more time. 
​ 
After the Shortest Day of the Year, Get Ready for Sunlight!  Written By: Bob Berman
The 2025 winter solstice occurred on Sunday, December 21, at 10:03 a.m. Yes, this is the shortest day of the year, but let’s talk about how many minutes each day the daylight increases afterward.
What Happens on the Winter Solstice?
Here are the most tangible factors affecting your everyday life. 
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.
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.
How Much Does Daylight Increase?
The psychologically optimistic part of all this is that starting on the solstice, we stop losing daily sunlight, which has been going on since June, and instead finally start to increase it!
This gain will be minuscule at first, just a matter of seconds a day, but will steadily grow until daily daylight expands by 3 minutes per day in March. The exact amount of brightness gain depends on your location.
During my (the author) annual Aurora odyssey in Alaska, which has brought me there each winter for the past 30 years, we’ve noticed the March daylight expansion to be an amazing 7 minutes per day. That adds up to almost a full hour of extra daily sunshine each and every week! It’s so abrupt that it alters sleeping patterns, party times, taking afternoon strolls instead of skipping them, and so on.
But 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.
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.
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 Pinterest 

Weather is changing back to what Feb winter weather is supposed to be.  High today is 36F(2C) which is close to what are average temperature is.  It is cloudy out, so it is going to feel cooler with the wind out of the N.  stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for Feb 20 Friday will have 81F(26C).  That might be a little warmer for them.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
I was asked to show more pictures to help with knowing spring is coming.  I will feature certain plants that I am growing.  This begonia is not new in the market, but it is new for me to grow.  It is Begonia Baladi Double up with is a Hiemalis begonia.  I know some of you have grown these.  I love the fullness of blooms.  I am partial to begonias as my mom raised them.  She mostly did nonstop begonias, and waxed begonias. 
 
Begonia Baladi Double up Semi-double deep red blossom clusters and waxy heart shaped foliage are great as stand alone plants in containers. Also known as Heim. Begonia
 
I looked up what Hiemalis begonias were and found this out about being a houseplant.  Hiemalis begonia, also known as Rieger or Elatior begonia, is a winter-flowering hybrid prized for its vibrant blooms and glossy foliage, thriving indoors with bright, indirect light and moderate humidity.

Hiemalis begonia is a hybrid between wax and tuberous begonias, producing waxy green leaves and profuse flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. Mature plants typically reach 10–18 inches in height and can bloom for several weeks indoors, making them ideal for brightening winter months. Though often sold as annuals, they are perennials and can be maintained for multiple seasons with proper care.
Place your Hiemalis begonia in bright, indirect light. A south-facing window is ideal, but avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. For indoor growth, ensure the plant receives 14 hours of light daily to encourage flowering. If natural light is insufficient, supplemental grow lights can help maintain blooms.
Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, allowing the soil to drain well. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases. Hiemalis begonias prefer moderate humidity; use a humidity tray or a room humidifier rather than misting. Overwatering or letting the soil dry out completely can cause bud drop or leaf wilting.
Use fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5–6.75. Feed the plant with a high-phosphorus fertilizer every 3–4 weeks to promote flowering, following package instructions and watering immediately after application. Repot annually or when the plant doubles in size to replenish nutrients.
Hiemalis begonias thrive in cool to moderate temperatures, ideally between 50–75°F (10–24°C). Avoid exposing them to temperatures above 80°F, which can stress the plant and reduce flowering.
Hiemalis begonia is a rewarding indoor plant that provides vibrant winter blooms with proper care, making it a popular choice for houseplant enthusiasts and container gardeners alike.
​
How about growing outside?
Popularized by Otto Rieger of Nurtingen, Germany, the Rieger begonia initially dazzled judges at the International Flower Show in Vienna in1964. Rieger won the gold medal for his Rieger Elatior begonias—a cross between the standard wax begonia and the tuberous begonia.
With their vividly colorful flowers and large, glossy leaves, Rieger begonias (Begonia x hiemalis) quickly made their way to gardens and greenhouses across the U.S. and Canada. These days you can find them listed for sale under the name “Rieger,” “Elatior,” or as the Hiemalis begonia or winter begonia. (The Latin “hiemalis” translates to “winter.”)
Overwatering the Rieger begonia is one common mistake new begonia grower make. To determine whether it’s time to water, feel the top inch or so of your plant’s soil. If it feels dry, water your plant by setting the base its pot in a shallow dish of water. Give the plant some time to draw water up from the bottom, but don’t let it remain this way for too long, as that can promote root rot. Ten minutes is ample.
Also, as a general rule, you should always try to keep the leaves of your Rieger begonias dry. This helps reduce the likelihood that your plant will contract a common fungal disease like powdery mildew.
If you live in USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b, you may be able to keep your Rieger begonias growing outdoors, year-round. Just remember that these plants do best if grown near a wind break and if they’re planted in a spot that gets part sun in the early morning or evening rather than full sun during the hottest part of the day.
Taken from https://savvygardening.com/rieger-begonia/
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 Christian.net 

​We have clear, blue sky in Dougherty this morning. BUT we have wind which is leading to a Red Flag warning which means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.  A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.    High today of 51F(11C).  stay safe. 
 
Australia family and friends for Feb 19, Thursday seems a little warmer at high of 81F(27C) stay cool, stay safe.
 
There are always articles on about Lent, but this is a different way of looking at Lent and around the nature we all work with for gardening.
 As the author wrote,” In this way, Lent only makes sense because it leads somewhere. It is the long inhale before the exhale, the pause before the turn of the season.
 
The meaning, dates, and traditions of Lent  Written By:  Catherine Boeckmann
Lent arrives at a curious moment on the calendar—after winter’s longest stretch, but before spring fully begins. Observed in the weeks leading up to Easter, Lent has been marked for centuries by simple habits and deliberate pauses. Though rooted in Christian tradition, it also reflects something deeply human: the instinct to slow down before renewal and to notice the turning of the year.
Lent is the 40-day period before Easter when Christians traditionally prepare through simplicity, reflection, and restraint. It unfolds during late winter and early spring, a time long associated with waiting, conservation, and readiness for what comes next. Even the name hints at its seasonal roots. The word Lent comes from the Old English word for spring, lencten, meaning the season of lengthening days.
The tradition developed in early Christian communities as a period of preparation and, over time, became a shared season on the calendar—one that shaped habits and expectations year after year.
When Is Lent in 2026?
Because Easter’s date changes each year based on the Moon, the dates of Lent change as well.  In 2026, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18. The day before is known as Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), traditionally a time to use up eggs and fat before Lent begins.
When Does Lent End in 2026?
In 2026, Lent runs through Holy Thursday, April 2, with the Easter Triduum beginning Thursday evening. As Lent draws to a close, it gives way to Holy Week, a series of days that mark the final approach to Easter. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and includes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, leading directly into Easter Sunday.
A Season Set Into the Calendar
Lent does not fall on the same dates each year. Like Easter, it is part of a movable season tied to the calendar and the Moon rather than a fixed day. Its timing shifts because Easter itself is determined by the lunar cycle, following the Paschal Full Moon in spring. As a result, Lent always unfolds in late winter, when daylight is returning, but the land is not yet ready. It occupies a familiar place on the calendar—a threshold between scarcity and abundance, rest and growth.
Lent and the Natural World
Long before modern calendars and grocery stores, late winter was a lean season. Stored food ran low, fresh growth had not yet begun, and daily life required careful use of what remained.  In this way, Lent mirrored the natural world. Eating simply, using less, and waiting patiently aligned with the realities of the land. Fields were resting. Seeds had not yet gone into the ground. The work of spring was coming—but not yet. Old seasonal wisdom often carried the same message: longer days did not always mean warmer weather. Lent, like the land, called for patience.
Over time, Lent gathered traditions meant to reflect its reflective nature. Many people choose to give something up—not as punishment, but as a way of paying attention. Others took on simple practices meant to quiet daily life.
These habits varied widely by place and culture, but the intention was similar: to create space. Less noise. Less excess. More awareness of time passing and seasons changing.
Lent was never meant to be showy. Its traditions tend toward the ordinary—meals, routines, choices made day by day.
Lent, the Moon, and Moving Time
Because Lent leads to Easter, its timing is tied indirectly to the Moon. Easter Sunday is observed on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, so Lent shifts each year with the lunar cycle.
This connection places Lent within an older way of keeping time, when calendars followed the sky as much as the sun. Sacred seasons moved, adapted, and returned—not by dates on a page, but by the rhythms overhead.
The End of Lent and the Turn Toward Easter
Lent ends as Easter approaches, giving way to celebration and renewal. What was held back is released. What was quiet gives way to joy.
In this way, Lent only makes sense because it leads somewhere. It is the long inhale before the exhale, the pause before the turn of the season.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/what-lent-season-preparation-easter
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 txmg.org 

I just typed Feb 17th.  This month is just flying by but why wouldn’t it as the days, and the weeks go quickly.  On another above average day, we will have more clouds, and the wind is to pick up by this afternoon.  It will be warm, but nothing like Sunday and Monday.  I see that the road is a little wet, so we much had a little shower.  More coming in on Thursday and colder temperatures.  But this gives us a taste of spring which is coming.  Enjoy and stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for Feb 18 Wed will be 76F(24C) cooler than yesterday but still don’t know if it is warm and humid for them?  I will ask.  Stay cool, stay safe. 
 
I was surprised with one of these gardening myths.  But the adding rocks were to large pots for outside gardens.  Where I checked to see it was ok to add small rocks when planting succulents into containers that will not drain, like teacups.  What is the difference is, you will not water the teacup gardens too much just keep them moist, if it is too much the rocks will take care of the extra water.  As containers outside with the rain, and watering you really can’t control how little water it gets.  Does that make sense? 

I am adding more of the gardening myths.  The one about watering in the full sun I found interesting.  I water all day with the outside plants so watering in the full sun I do.  All food for thought.
​
Sometimes, gardening advice gets passed around like gossip. It could be gardening tips from your grandfather on your mother’s side or a neighbor’s anecdotal vegetable garden evidence. It’s easy to hear something a few times, begin to believe it, and then adopt it into your own gardening practice. Here are some gardening myths that I’ve heard passed around and how they are based on misinformation or outdated methods.
  You need a large space to start a vegetable garden
One of the biggest gardening myths is that you need a huge backyard to start a vegetable garden. Don’t get me wrong, big yards are great and if you’re lucky enough to have the square footage, take advantage of it. You just don’t need a ton of space to have a nice kitchen garden. Maybe you don’t technically have a yard at all. You can grow a fully functional container garden that lives on a porch, balcony, or parking pad. With container gardens, raised beds, and vertical gardens you can build the garden of your dreams with a relatively small footprint.
Gravel at the bottom of planters and containers improves drainage
This is one of those gardening myths that even I still have to shake out of my head. I can’t remember where I heard it, but it has embedded itself in the garden community as the best way to ensure proper drainage in containers and planters. The problem is, it doesn’t work. In fact, it actually does the opposite of what we think it should. By adding gravel or rocks to the bottom of your container you’re raising the level of where water will pool, bringing it closer to your vegetable’s or herb’s root system. This could increase the chance for root rot. Instead of gravel, just make sure there are enough drainage holes and that they remain unclogged.
 Starting a garden is going to cost me a lot of money
Starting a vegetable and herb garden doesn’t have to cost a ton of money. With some basic tools, and some inexpensive seeds or seedlings you can get your garden up and running and stay within your budget. There are plenty of DIY garden ideas including trellises, raised beds, and container gardening that all come in at free or nearly free price points. The place to spend your money is good soil, compost, and potting mix.
Taken from https://foodgardening.mequoda.com/daily/vegetable-gardening/gardening-myths-busted
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 pinterest.com 

Good morning at Dougherty Iowa.  We are going to have record highs today.  Wait for it 60F(15C).  It will be very awesome to have it.  BUT the weekend we are to have a change, and you know we must as it is still Feb.  If it was this warm now to spring, our summer would be unbearable.  JUST ENJOY…I have opened the doors in the greenhouse all ready to help keep it a little cooler.  Even doing that yesterday the temperature was 99F.  I can tell you it warmed up my water tank, so that will help with using warmer water. All in all, this is ok. I will be out there this afternoon planting, cleaning and organizing.  Here I go.  ENJOY this temperature.
 
Now Australia family and friends for your Tuesday Feb 17 and just saw they are cancelling events to beat the heat.  High of 93F(33C) with a 60% chance of rain.  Stay cool, stay safe. 
 
I first saw these living rocks in Texas when we went to visit Jennifer. Of course, brought one home.  I couldn’t keep it alive.  I will try to find these which I think would be fun to see if you can grow them. 

Unique Houseplants You Can Actually Find Written By: Su Reid-St. John Master Gardener
When I was growing up, my grandmother had an army of African violets growing in the window on the stair landing. To this day, whenever I see fuzzy-leafed purple blooms, I think of my Nana. My friends’ grandparents had snake plants, begonias, and (of course) plenty of spider plants cascading from pots suspended in macrame hangers. I’m sure you can think of plants that your grandmother enjoyed!
While all of these plants have never really gone out of style, sometimes you just want to grow something new-to-you and, well, different!
Living Stones (Lithops)
These delightful, kid-friendly plants look like the kinds of small, colorful rocks you pick up and bring home in your pocket. Originally from Africa, they love warmth and sunlight, so make sure you place them far away from drafts or the AC. And really, what you see is what you get: Living stones grow very slowly and stay low to the ground. Plant several that catch your eye in a pot together—they’ll last for many years if given good care.
Size: 1 inch tall and 1 to 3 inches wide
Soil: These are drought-tolerant little plants—the best choice is fast-draining soil formulated for cactuses.
Light: Give living stones at least 6 hours of bright, direct sunlight every day.
Water: These delightful little plants can live without water for a while. Moisten the soil lightly during spring and fall, while they’re growing, but skip the watering during dormant times (summer and winter).
Okay for kids/pets? Yes! Living stones are nontoxic.
https://www.almanac.com/five-unique-houseplants-add-fun-quirky-vibe-your-home
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