Pansies blooming on March 20th, 2016 at Becky's

This is what the pansies looked like when I planted in Feb. 26th, 2016

I told you they would grow...the miracle of plant growing with the help of the greenhouse, heat, sunlight and water. 

   
     See what 30 days of growing can do in the greenhouse.  Thanks to the greenhouse, sun, heat, watering the little plants will grow.  That is the miracle.
       So here is some information about pansies.  Their smiles faces always bring a smile to everyone that sees them.  Also I have noticed that the table they are on in the greenhouse, there is a very pleasant smell coming from them.
       The names 'pansy' and 'viola' are often used interchangeable. There are many cultivars within the genus Viola and most of them are hybrids of the same handful of species, so there are a lot of similarities and probably only a botanist really cares which is which. The gardener knows pansies as cool weather flowers with almost heart-shaped, overlapping petals in bright colors or bi-colors and often with face-like center markings.
     Pansies are one of the most popular and recognizable cool weather annuals. Breeding has produced pansies that are better able to stand up to the cold, but there hasn’t been much luck producing more heat tolerant varieties. Many pansies are bicolored, making them striking plants for their small size. Although delicate, they are surprisingly hardy. And like their cousins the violas and violets, the flowers are edible.
     As compact, low growers, pansies are ideal for edging and for squeezing between rock walls and paths, as long as they can be removed in summer. They’re a great choice for early and late season containers and complement spring flowering bulbs, flowering as the bulb foliage begins to fade. If you like the variety of colors but still want a sense of cohesion, select plants from the same series. They’ll be similar in size and markings, regardless of the color.
      When buying plants, choose pansies that are stocky, bushy and have plenty of buds. Avoid plants full of open blooms, because they will be stressed to near exhaustion from working so hard in a tiny pot.
     They flower best in full sun and will get spindly in deep shade. Pansies do not like heat at all and will begin to decline as the days warm up. Regular watering will help them hang on a bit longer, but don’t expect your pansies to last all season.
      If you can allow your pansy plants to remain in your garden and rest during the hottest months, they will probably begin blooming again in the fall. Shearing the plants back when they start to set seed, will encourage new growth. Deadheading will encourage more blooms.  (MY MOM WOULD SAY THE MORE YOU PICK THEM THE MORE THEY WOULD BLOOM. IF YOUR LITTLE ONES PICK THEM FOR YOU THAT WOULD BE THE BEST FOR THEM, YOU AND THE PANSIES.)     As with any long blooming annual, pansies appreciate some fertilizer. However too much food will just make them leggy. They respond well to monthly foliar feeding.  So enjoy the first blooming plants of the greenhouse.  Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa

      What Are Succulents?  This is a question I am asking myself.  They are becoming popular in the gardening, so thought I would research information on them.  WOW was I surprised that there are 60 classes of over 300 different species of succulents.  So thru the days in this website I will try to get it more information and make it simpler with the different kinds of succulents.
 
      What do you think succulents are?  The first one that comes to my mind are hens and chicks (sempervivum).  But there are many more.  I will work on that and share with you another time the different succlents.  But now answer the question what are succulents?
 
    While succulents are increasing in popularity, many people are still unaware of these amazing plants. Succulents are a group of plants that store water in their leaves. The leaves tend to be thick and fleshy, but some genus and species have thicker leaves than others. Succulents tend to thrive in dry climates and don’t like a lot of humidity. As with any other plant, proper watering will ensure the best growth and flowering. While they do need water to survive, they can endure extended periods of drought, relying on the stored water and nutrients in their leaves. If their roots are sitting in water for too long they will start to rot and die.
 
      Most succulents prefer warm temperatures and are not able to withstand freezing. Due to the water stored in their leaves, freezing will often result in the plant dying or getting mushy leaves. Some species of sedums and sempervivums are able to withstand temperatures below freezing, although they are still better off in warmer temperatures. Extremes in temperature as well as lack of water or sunlight can often result in a color change for succulents. Succulents tend to “blush” or turn a different color when given a shock, such as more sunlight than they are used to. Generally when succulents are lacking in sunlight they will be dull or green. When fully blushing they range in color from pinks, oranges, and purples to almost black and red.  I will take pictures of the ones that we are growing now in the greenhouse, I have to say they look awesome.  Pretty excited to have them for sale for you this spring.  More later about succulents if you find this interesting let me know.  Till next time, Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa

Swiss Chard growing in the garden.  Think out of the box, plant with your flowers.

Lettuce Endless Summer mix

Don't they look good and fresh out of the garden to eat....Radishes

Pansy with their sunny faces...

This is what the Swiss Chard looks like called Celebration.

Today I will talk about what is new to plant in the early garden when the ground is ready.  For us in Northern Iowa it isn't ready yet.  Too cold, and probably too wet. The National Gardening website said that the first week in April upper Midwest is to have a Polar Vortex which means cold, cold air.  30 degrees below normal, which this week normal daytime is 60 degrees.  So we will see if that happens.  Maybe after next week, it will warm up and then planting the early garden can happen.  But the rule of thumb with gardening is to be patient and when the soil temperature, and air temperature is right then you can plant.  But here are some ideas of new things to try in the vegetable garden.
 
Try Exciting Lettuce Varieties
Don't be tempted to stick just with old standards in lettuce varieties. Try something new like red romaine, 'Freckles' with red flecks on fresh light green leaves, baby bibb or 'French Ferns'. There are hundreds of delicious varieties available that will make amazing salads.
 
Plant Some Pansies 
You will see ours tomorrow with a picture.  I will show you how they have grown since I planted them.  Blooming and so happy faces looking at us when we go into the greenhouse.
Enjoy the pansies that are appearing. They come in countless sizes and colors and can be planted now. They enjoy cool weather and begin to languish in the heat of summer. Plant them in with other later-blooming plants so you can cut them back as they tire. They will surprise you and revive to flower again in the fall.
 
Care for Your Shamrock
Take good care of that lucky shamrock plant you got for St. Paddy's Day by giving it a bright sunny window and allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Allow the plant to go dormant in summer and move to a cool, dark spot. When new leaves begin to emerge, bring out to a sunny window again and begin watering and fertilizing.
 
Plant Radishes
Plant spring radishes as soon as the soil can be worked. Make successive sowings every ten to fourteen days until mid spring. Plant in spaces between slow maturing vegetables like broccoli or in spots that will later be used for peppers, tomatoes and eggplants.
 
Plant Onions
Plant onions in April. For premium bulbing onions, use transplants and space them three to four inches apart. For scallions, use the dime-sized sets offered in garden centers and plant them right next to each other. Plant as soon as the soil can be worked.
 
new Plant Celebration Swiss Chard
Do you love  Swiss chard, not only for its wonderful nutrition, but also for its beauty as an ornamental?  This relative of beets grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. You can start it indoors early and put it out as soon as the weather begins to warm a bit.
A new line this year is called Celebration, which has plants with stems of pink, orange and yellow. Spectacular in the flower border, the dark, glossy green leaves are also chock full of vitamins and minerals.  Food for thought about the vegetable garden Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa

Picture of growing garlic, notice all the mulch.  Good idea to help with the weeds.

     I noticed the mulch with the garlic planting in this picture.  From experience don't mulch too early.  One year I mulched when I planted potatoes, onions and all those early spring vegetables.  They didn't do well, because the ground really never warmed up.  So plant your garlic, and when the soil temperature is up and you will notice that when you weed it for the first time. Then you can mulch the garlic for easier weed control.  I would suggest you do that with all your vegetables and plants wait till the ground warms up before you mulch.  It means you will have to weed it once at least because when the weeds grow then the soil temperature is warm.  Here is some suggestions on planting garlic.
     Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is grown for its numerous culinary uses and also for its herbal medical properties. The plant is a member of the onion family and has been in cultivation for thousands of years. It is estimated that there are over 600 varieties currently available. There are varieties for cold regions and more temperate locations. Planting garlic in the spring has its advantages. The plant will suffer less winter damage and survival will be more likely, according to the Government of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development office.
1. Store garlic at a consistent temperature of between 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit for three weeks prior to spring planting. Keep the cloves in a dry and dark place. I will do this for you when we have the garlic here.
2. Mix a ratio of 50 percent peat moss with 50 percent garden soil. Garlic prefers to be planted in well-drained soil with adequate nutrients. Mix 2 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet into the garden soil and peat moss one week prior to planting.
3. Gently break the large bulb of garlic apart into cloves. Only use large cloves to plant. The larger the clove, the greater the size of the garlic yield. Separation should be done 24 hours prior to planting. Planting cloves within 24 hours of division helps ensure that the root bases are not allowed to dry out or the clove will loose its ability to grow a rapid root system successfully.
4. Space each garlic clove 8 inches apart to allow the plants ample room to grow and produce. Crowding garlic will often result in smaller garlic bulbs. Plant the garlic with the clove tip 2 inches below the soil and pointing straight up.
5. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the newly planted garlic. Peat moss, bark chips, sawdust or leaf mulch are ideal. The mulch will help keep weeds at bay and help the soil retain its moisture content.  NOW THIS POINT, I WOULD WAIT TILL THE SOIL WARMS UP.  BUT THAT IS ALSO A SUGGESTION.
6. Water the garlic to keep the soil moist but not water-logged. Three weeks after planting, fertilize the garlic using a 10-10-10 fertilizer at a ratio of one pound per 100 square feet. Cease watering the last few weeks before harvest.
7. Harvest the garlic when the leaves begin to die back and turn yellow. Gently pull the bulbs from the ground using your hands with a pair of gloves on. Harvest can usually be achieved six to eight weeks after planting depending on the variety grown.  Taken from http://www.gardenguides.com/99045-plant-garlic-spring.html Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty

  Hope you have a blessed Easter day.  We have Sunrise Service at 7, then breakfast at church.  Kids will be here for noon meal and all that goes with that.  Easter Day for us has it all, family, friends, faith and food.  Today I will include what I shared on my radio show about Christ's journey. 
     Our Bible verse today is from Matthew 27: 59-60 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock.  And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.
      What word would you use to describe Christ's journey to the cross?  At least one possibility might be the word strange. As we have seen, Jesus journey to the cross began in a strange way as he gathered a strange group of followers around himself, radical zealots, rowdy fisherman, detail oriented tax collectors, inquisitive doubters and many other ordinary people sinners all.
    As the Lord journey, he engaged people with a strange mercy, forgiveness for foreigners, love for the lost and meals for the famished.  Jesus taught strange truths forgive as your heavenly Father has forgiven you, give without counting the cost, serve in love and not for recognition or reward.
    Jesus'  Journey to the cross ended in a strange way, too. Thought he could have destroyed the Roman Empire with a word, he let Rome's solders spit on him, mock and curse him instead.
     Though he was Author of all creation, he allowed the thorns he had made to be press into his brow. Though he could have called down armies of angels to recues him, he allowed cold nails to puncture his holy veins and spill his scared blood. Though he was truly God from all eternity and though he never stopped being God, Jesus really and truly died and was buried.
    Today we will celebrate the strangest part of Jesus entire journey, the strangest and the most wonderful part of all. We will celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. It is strange to think that a dead man could come back to life. It is strange to suppose the Christ's cold, lifeless heart could come with warm blood, beating once again.  It is strange to imagine that Jesus walked of the tomb that held his once dead body. Strange, Yet wonderful and true.
      This is Jesus strange journey, his journey to the cross to win salvation for us. It's not what we would expect. No, it is greater and farm more wonderful that anything we could imagine. 
     Dear Jesus, keep me ever vigilant as I watch for signs of new life where once there was death...in your name we pray. Amen  Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty

Pictures of Becky's Passion Plant

     Today I want to talk about Passion Flowers which has symbolized the death of Christ.  We will have a variety here for sale, and you will know why when I write it.  Becky's Passion Flower.  So give some thought of growing this vine this year.
 
      Passion flowers (Passiflora spp.) are perennial woody vines, mostly from tropical America but with a few species originating in Asia, Australasia and the Polynesian Islands. They climb through the supporting vegetation by means of coiled tendrils. Many of them have showy fragrant flowers and several produce edible fruits.        
 
     When Christian missionaries arrived in South America in the 16th century, they found a plant which they felt was a good omen for their mission. They called it the passion flower because to them it symbolized the death of Christ. The five sepals and five petals of the flower, which are similar in appearance, represent the disciples without Peter and Judas. The double row of colored filaments, known as the corona, signifies the halo around Christ's head or the crown of thorns. The five stamens and the three spreading styles with their flattened heads symbolize the wounds and the nails respectively. The vines tendrils resemble the whips used to scourge Christ. Passion flowers grow wild in the southern part of the United States and in South America. In the southern USA, it is also commonly known as the maypop, the wild apricot and the ocoee. The last is the Indian name that has also been applied to the Ocoee River and valley.
      
       A lot of gardeners prefer to grow their passion flowers in containers. Passion flower grows quite happily in a pot and you have the convenience of being able to move it to a sunnier site or even bring it indoors for the winter. Plus, it limits the spreading by rhizomes.
 
Growing Notes:
Sun: Passion flowers need at least 4 full hours of sunlight a day; more in cooler climates and some partial shade in the hottest areas. Plants may need winter protection in Zone 6.
Soil: The soil should be well-draining, but rich. Passion flowers grow and bloom best when the soil is kept moist. They don’t handle drought well. Soil pH can be in the neutral range, anywhere from about 6.1 to 7.5.
Planting: The addition of compost to the planting hole will help retain moisture. Some type of support is needed for the vines to grow on. It can be a trellis, a structure or another plant.  Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty

Yellow hot Hungarian Pepper

Yes this starts off as a yellow sweet pepper but turns red.  Yellow waxed Pepper

Brussels Sprouts

Baby broccoli

Kalettes plants growing, Yes they do get that tall. 

      A pea is a pea is a pea, and lettuce would taste as crunchy by any other name. Apologies to both Gertrude Stein and William Shakespeare, but in the gardening world new names for peas, lettuce, (roses, of course) and many more generate excitement. New vegetables for 2016 include lots of yellow peppers and Brussels sprouts. Look out, kale, you are so 2014.
       Yellow Peppers — The 2016 All-America Selections vegetable award winner is a small yellow pepper. The 6-inch long peppers start out green, but develop a bright yellow color as they ripen. I am finding this so interesting because I have ordered 2 different kinds of yellow peppers.    Hungarian yellow wax which is hot, and the other is Hungarian sweet wax, which is like a banana pepper but only larger. Hungerian Yellow Wax 1½ x 6", very sweet, light yellow turning red, excellent yield, for salad, sandwich, frying, 66 days. So the picture is right about this pepper.   I just lucked out with picking these as good selections for peppers. 
     Brussels Sprouts —Is another one and this one I am growing from seed.  which will fall into this to grow in the North, you will want to start seed indoors four to five weeks before the last frost date. You can enjoy these Brussels sprouts roasted in olive oil with whole garlic cloves, apple slices and bacon. What’s not to love!
       If you still love kale, consider trying the newish kale-Brussels sprouts cross called Kalettes®. One blogger refers to it as “kale on stick.”  I grew these last year, and the only problem is they are a long growing vegetable.  But they are an awesome plant, grows tall, is a beautiful color and on the stocks will be the Kalettes which is a cross between Kale and Brussels Sprouts.  Will try them again and see if we can get them to grow like it says.
     Broccoli — If you prefer broccoli to Brussels sprouts, how about trying  baby broccoli, a 2015 All-America Selections winner? Baby broccoli forms heads along the stems, so instead of having a large head (often with a tough stalk) you get many small heads with edible stalks. These are perfect for light steaming or stir-frying. Established plants can tolerate temperatures as low as 26 degrees F, but you may want to protect young transplants if the spring weather turns cool.  I have these started all ready so they will be sold as transplants this spring.
       What new vegetables for 2016 will you be trying?  Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Beckys Greenhouse, Dougherty

Final part of our Christmas letter.  It seems like many have looked at the website so it pleases me that you have taken the time to read what I wrote.  Thank you...
    
An Old Farmer's Advice:

• Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight  and bull-strong.
•  Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
•  Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
•  A bumble bee is considerably faster than a  John Deere tractor.
•  Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.
•  Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
•  Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
•  Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
•  It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
•  You cannot unsay a cruel word.
•  Every path has a few puddles.
•  When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
•  The best sermons are lived, not preached.
•  Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
•  Don't judge folks by their relatives.
•  Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
•  Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
•  Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
•  Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
•  If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop  diggin'.
•  Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
•  The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
•  Always drink upstream from the herd.
•  Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
•  Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.
•  If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
•  Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

 
Rough year in saying GOODBYE.
     With January 2nd, 2015 we said goodbye to our brother in law, Butch Winke., my  sister’s husband.  So ending this year with the passing of Larry’s  Uncle Darwin Wagner.
    We have had many friends that have passed this year.  Leaving us with an empty spot in our hearts for their friendship.   For you the family we are saddened at their passing, and we do miss them. 
    I have just watched the movie, Heaven is Real, based on a true story about an very young boy that visited heaven while he was undergoing surgery.   It does give some feeling of Heaven and what is there.  The hope from the love of the Lord, will have all of us see all that Heaven is. Watch the movie or read the book.  “Heaven is Real.
 
So all in all, how was our conversation?  I hope you enjoyed it.  I know I have enjoyed sharing with you.  Coffee is now done, so off to get  another cup.  Have a great 2016 and hope we can continue this conversation together. 
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty

       Can we talk about grandchildren and how great they are?  We can spend time with them, spoil them, and then send them home.  This is an awesome experience isn't it for us that are Grandparents? 
     Dylan, our oldest grandson has started school in St. Ansgar.  So we went to the Christmas program. He did such a good job.  So proud to be singing and just as cute as he could be. ( I know just like a grandma would say) They sang their hearts out, and every grade up to 5th grade sang but it got softer and softer the older they got. 
     Boy, did that bring back memories of when our kids were in elementary school at Sheffield.  The memory that came back to me was when I was in 2nd grade at the Hanson Country School.  I went to country school thru 6th grade. 
     Mr. Phester had a Christmas  program.  It was like little house in the Prairie school house with a blanket on wire for a curtain. Old desks sitting for the audience, and performance were made in the front of the school.  I remember I  recited "Twas the night before  Christmas .”  and to this day I can recite it.  Now this was not at the turn of the century, you are thinking, for this  Christmas program was in 1960.  How many of you  attended  rural country schools with all 6 or 8 grades? 
     We went to Leah’s Sunday School Sunday school program.  She sang and she was as cute as she could be.( spoken like a true Grandma).
      We have Corbin, who is 17 months old now.  He is such a sweetheart, and so much fun watching him grow up.  He wants to keep up with the 5 year olds you know. ( I know spoken like a grandma.)  Remember this was written in Dec.  so all are that much older.
     Our children are all doing well.  Josh, Veronica and Miss Leah live outside of Charles City.  Amy and her husband Randy with their 2 boys Dylan and  Corbin live outside of St.Ansgar. Jennifer and her husband Oscar live in Round Rock, Texas near Austin. 
     Larry’s Dad, Arnold is still on the farm had some health issues this fall but is back on the farm near Marble Rock.  My sister, Mary Kay is living outside of Waukon and doing ok without Butch.  Larry’s siblings are all well.  Evelyn and Tom in Australia and had a great visit with them as they were back to Iowa this summer. Russ and Mary live near Rockford. Janette is living in Seattle, Washington and she too was back this summer for a good visit.  Denise and Bill live in Rockford. Jerry, Jenny and his 3 kids lives in Bellevue, Iowa.
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty

Dylan and Buddy getting to know each other this last summer.

Leah at the fair, playing with one of my pigs for my BLT pots.

Corbin saying "Grandma I can do it really I can...."  Aren't I so cute!!!!" 

You have seen pictures of the greenhouse.  Here is the front of Larry's Garage.  He had just put up new steel siding on the building.  Can you read the sign? 

So a continue of our Christmas letter "Work is what we do."
        But with the family  business Larry helps me out in the greenhouse.  He cuts the wood for the outdoor wood furnace that heats the greenhouse, keeps it going all winter long. He moves the plant racks in and out when I need him to.  He keeps the watering system going for the plants. AND anything other thing I come up with the working of the greenhouse he will engineer.  So like I say it is a family business.   Larry continues to work on old tractors for himself, and for customers.  Has a  vast knowledge of them, and pride when he can get them into operating conditions.  He continues to work on           automotive and keeps up with the latest as the vehicles comes in he needs to keep himself informed.  But you know, we have a great reference with our son, Josh who is at Molstead Motors in Charles City as service and parts  manager. 
      I, myself, will be starting my 27th year of growing plants.  I know you will say it has been that long.  One of the things that has changed is the greenhouse where we get our plugs( small plants to transplant).  We have been getting the from Swift’s Greenhouse in Gilman Iowa.  But they have decided that their market of greenhouse growing  annuals plugs has gone down.  One of the reasons, I have had noticed this in a greenhouse grower’s site on Facebook. What has happened is that growers for the consumers are going to single plant in a pot. No matter if it is a petunia or a tomato.  The comment on Facebook from one grower     “ We have noticed as the baby boomer get older they are buying less single pots, we might have to go back to growing in 4 packs.”  I never got that memo that we stop growing and selling in 4 packs.  I will continue to grow and sell in 4 packs and still sell a flat of mixed annuals and vegetables for a special low price.( I have done that forever as when I was buying packs, I wanted the growers to do it for me.)
    With Swifts not selling  annual plugs, I worked it out with another broker for a greenhouse grower in Minnesota.  BUT you see, Swifts order form was 9 pages long, theirs was 59 pages long.  I worked, studied and went thru each line to make sure I knew what they had and what to  order. That was nearly 100 plug trays coming this spring.   Work is what we do!!!!!
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Larry's Garage, Dougherty