images from Becky's Greenhouse

      ​Good morning, and it is a lovely morning. I love this mild temperature, and we had some nice rain.  I don’t have to water today outside which hasn’t happened much this garden season.  Inside I will water.  I am moving out more plants.  The succulents, house plants and ferns have been planted and looking great.  I will be working on more succulents each day. 
So this is what the greenhouse looks like now.  I have wagons full of color yet.  If you are needing some to fill in, stop in and have a look.  Everything is on sale.  I am open this week.  Monday thru Friday 9-6.  Saturday and Sunday we will be closed.  Saturday first day off in 78 days.  I am looking forward to that.  I will be here in July during the week, except when I am at the Franklin Co fair.  We will be starting to move plants on Monday the 10th.  I just checked the calendar, I only have 2 weeks to get lots of succulent containers planted.  Here we go. 
 Now that we have had rain, I bet we will get more mosquitos.  Here is some plants that help repel them.  I have most of these yet, just don’t have the lemon grass.  I sold lots of it this spring, but it is gone now.  But there are other plants, and herbs that will  help with that problem of mosquitoes.  I am going to give it a try. 
Plants That Actually Repel Mosquitoes and Other Biting Bugs  by Robin Sweetser
As spring and summer flourish, so do the biting bugs! Can plants alone really repel mosquitoes and other nuisance insects in the garden? Here’s what the science says, as well as a list of plants with actual insect-repelling properties.
Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance, as there are many mosquito-borne diseases out there, including viruses such as West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Dengue. It’s not just mosquitoes, either—gnats, biting flies, ants, and other pests can take the fun right out of any outdoor activity.
Do Mosquito-Repellent Plants Really Work?
Mosquitoes and many other biting insects target their victims by the odors and gases we give off—carbon dioxide, sweat, and smelly feet, to name a few. Mosquitoes, for example, can be attracted by the carbon dioxide in our breath from as far as 150 feet away.
Luckily, the strong scents produced by some common garden plants can block the scent receptors that the bugs use to find us—but simply including strongly scented plants in your garden isn’t enough to keep the bugs at bay. In most cases, a much stronger, more concentrated amount of a plant’s scent is needed to throw the bugs off your trail.
It’s All in the Oils
The key to generating a strong enough insect-repellent scent is to release the essential oils within a plant’s leaves. These oils are what actually have the insect-repelling effect. Burning sprigs of the plant or crushing the foliage are the best ways to release their oils.
At home, it’s easiest to crush the leaves and apply them topically whenever you’re working in the garden. Simply pinch off a few leaves and crush them in your hands to release their essential oils, then rub the crushed leaves on your skin to create a mosquito-repellent layer.
(WARNING: Be wary of allergies! Direct contact with the oils of some plants may irritate the skin. We recommend testing the crushed leaves on a small part of the underside of an arm or leg before applying it elsewhere.)
It’s important to keep in mind that although some plants may indeed repel insects, using them as suggested below will not produce the same insect-repelling results as commercial insect repellents, which have been engineered for effectiveness and longevity. In most cases, using the leaves from a plant will only provide moderate protection for a short period of time. As a rule of thumb, if you can’t smell the scent on yourself any longer, it’s probably not keeping the bugs away anymore!
Which Plants Have Insect-Repelling Properties?
Many plants that are labeled as “insect-repelling” are, in fact, not. Specifically, the so-called “mosquito plant,” Pelargonium citrosum, has shown little to no evidence of repelling mosquitoes, despite its name and pleasantly lemon-scented leaves.
So, here are a few scented plants that actually have insect-repelling qualities when used correctly:
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and citronella grass (C. nardus) have proven mosquito-repelling abilities thanks to the citronella oil contained within their leaves. The leaves can be crushed and rubbed on bare skin to ward off biting bugs. Tall, tropical grasses, lemon grass, and citronella grass will only survive as perennials in frost-free zones; those who live in colder climates will need to keep them in pots and bring them inside when temperatures drop in the fall.
Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is another citrus-scented plant that can be used as a topical insect repellent. Burning sprigs of lemon thyme (on the outdoor grill, for example) is also effective at keeping nuisance insects away from the immediate area.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), like lemon thyme, gives off a scent that’s offensive to insects. Apply it topically. If you’re planning to grow it, keep in mind that lemon balm is in the mint family, so confine it to a pot to keep it from spreading like crazy!
Lavender has a strong scent that can repel moths, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes. Use it fresh or dry some of the flowers to hang around the house or put in with your clothing to keep bugs out. Here’s how to make lavender sachets.
Garlic keeps away more than vampires. To be effective against bugs, however, the cloves must be rubbed on the skin, which may end up being more offensive to other humans than to insects. (Sadly, consuming garlic hasn’t been shown to keep the bugs away.)
Rosemary may prevent flies and mosquitoes from ruining a cookout. If the bugs are really bad, throw a few sprigs of rosemary on the grill, and the aromatic smoke will help drive the mosquitoes away.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a culinary herb that does double duty by repelling flies and mosquitoes, too. It’s one of the most pungent herbs and even gives off a strong scent without its leaves being crushed. If you’re looking for an insect-repelling plant that you can “set and forget,” basil is your best bet.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains a substance called nepetalactone, which has been found to be even more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes in lab trials. Unfortunately, when crushed leaves were applied topically, catnip appeared to have little to no insect-repelling effect, so don’t depend on this plant to keep the mosquitoes away.
We’re sure there are other plants that have acquired a bug-repelling reputation, but we wouldn’t depend on only a few plants to make our yards insect-free. One of the most effective things you can do to cut the mosquito population down is to eliminate any standing water where their larvae may be living.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/plants-repel-mosquitoes-and-insects
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  641-903-9365 cell
 

image from clipart-library.com 

       I know,I haven’t been posting daily.  See what happens.  With the things I have wanted to get done, and I can’t clone myself, I have had help in doing it.  Slowly things are getting completed.  Watering takes a lot of time, as I give the wagon a good soaking every day.  I know you have been watering also.  We do need that rain.  Maybe Saturday it will come. HOPE so and we will see.  Now what is the weather going to be like in July according to the Old Farmers’ Almanac.  It reads that we are going to have below normal temperatures and with moisture in July for Upper Midwest and northern Plains. 
​
As you make your vacation plans, you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast for the month of July. We’ll let you in on what type of weather you can expect for July 2023—as well as predictions for your Fourth of July celebrations!
Fourth of July fireworks will be on full display from Boston to Washington, D.C., where mainly dry weather is expected. There will be isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across much of the rest of the eastern U.S., although many of those typically diminish by the time the fireworks will be lighting up the sky. Temperatures will be near or slightly below normal across much of the East, although on the warmer side across the Southeast. Isolated thunderstorms may interrupt a few holiday barbecues across the Plains as well as the Intermountain West, while the Southwest will be mostly dry. A few showers are also possible across the Pacific Northwest.
July Forecast 2023
It looks like the rest of July will be a cooler-than-average month from the northern Plains to the Upper Midwest. From the Great Lakes to the mid–East Coast, temperatures will generally be near or below average. On the flip side, above-average temperatures are likely across the Northeast, Ohio Valley, southern Plains, and much of the western U.S. and western Alaska, with near-average temperatures in Hawaii. In Canada, temperatures will be near or above average, although Northwest Territories will be on the cooler side.
July rainfall will be above average across much of the East Coast of the U.S., although Florida will likely see below-average rainfall for the month. Even so, summertime downpours will still bring some heavy rain at times. We’re also anticipating near- or above-average rainfall from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley back through the Upper Midwest and into the Plains and Desert Southwest, as well as in the Pacific Northwest—which will likely mean increased thunderstorm activity in these areas..
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/july-weather-forecast
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

Isn't he handsome.  Creature from outer space...  taken from ​Moles: How to Identify and Get Rid of Moles in the Garden or Yard | The Old Farmer's Almanac

​Image from Credit: Washington State University. Many of the same methods that you use to get rid of mice can be used to get rid of voles; after all, voles are commonly referred to as “meadow mice.

          WOW I haven’t written for a while.  We have been moving plants out of the greenhouse.  We have been working on planting more…and then there is the watering.  When it is so warm out, I have to water twice a day.  In the morning, and early afternoon for the nighttime.  It has paid off because the plants are looking awesome.
All of the plants are on sale.  Annuals, perennials, herbs, geraniums, baskets, vegetables are on sale.  Shrubs are $35.00 each. Blooming plants as impatiens and nonstop begonias in the greenhouse. 
Slowly the bulbs, hostas that were just planted are coming up in the greenhouse.  We are working on succulents, houseplants for you.   I am still taking care of the plants for your gardens. That is where I would love to have them...in your garden.
I know it is warm out, and gardening isn’t so much fun then.  Plant in the morning or early evening.  It is work to water, but it is so worth having the color of the plants around you. 

I have been hearing gardens talk about moles and voles.  Here is what to know about voles to identify if they are in your garden.
How to Get Rid of Voles Without Poison  by Catherine Boeckmann
Voles drive gardeners and homeowners crazy! You’ll know voles by the snakelike tunnels all over your lawn. Here’s advice on how to identify, prevent, and control your vole population.
What’s the Difference Between Voles and Moles?
First off, voles are not moles! People confuse the two animals because they both tunnel through your yard and are small, dark-colored mammals. You might not have seen either critter since they’re usually underground, but they look very different up close. Voles are small, stocky rodents similar to field mice. In fact, a vole might look like a mouse at first glance. In contrast, moles are NOT rodents. Moles are all nose and mouth. And they have big feet used for digging! See our article on dealing with moles here.
Voles have small rounded ears that are often hidden by their fur, small eyes, and short tails. Their fur is generally thick and light brown to gray. Two common species of voles in North America are the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) and the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Meadow voles are more widely distributed, but prairie voles are more common in grassland and prairie areas. They are very similar, and methods for controlling them are mostly the same.
What Do Voles Eat?
Voles, like many other rodents, are omnivores, which means that they’ll eat almost anything. However, voles have a primarily vegetarian diet; they mainly eat stems and blades of lawn grass—so it’s usually vole tunnels that you’ll see near the surface of the yard. Moles, on the other hand, have a mainly carnivorous diet consisting of invertebrates. (Moles are actually beneficial in many ways. They help plow the soil and eat pest larvae and insects!)
It’s helpful to know this difference not only because it will help you identify the damage (see below) but also because a vole bait might use peanut butter, whereas moles would be more interested in an insect or earthworm.
If it helps, remember that their frenzied activity does subside. Vole populations cycle, and about every 3 to 5 years, there will be a population boom. Mild winters with good snowfall can help to increase vole populations, as the voles can travel beneath the snow cover, safe from predators.
 
Now here is about moles.  By Catherine Boeckmann
Moles are carnivorous so they are after insects, grubs, or worms—not your plants. Despite this, moles’ digging causes damage to your garden and lawn. Here are tips on how to identify, deter, and control moles.
What Are Moles?
Moles are small insectivorous mammals from the family Talpidae; they are completely subterranean animals. Moles are expert diggers that will consume up to 60 to 100% of their body weight in insects, grubs, and earthworms each day. This equates to a 5-ounce mole eating 50 pounds of its prey in a year!
(Note that moles are completely different than voles, though both dig tunnels. Voles are rodents and vegetarian plant eaters.
If you see a mole (which is doubtful), they have pointed muzzles, tiny eyes, and bodies shaped like Idaho potatoes. In motion, they actually swim along underground, using wide front flippers to part the soil as they go. They prefer moist, loamy soil and are most active in the early morning or evening in the spring or fall; they also come out after a warm rain.
Moles have the distinguishing characteristic of a hairless, pointed snout. Their small eyes and ear canals are concealed by fur, and they do not have external ears. They have very large and broad forefeet with webbed toes. Their hind feet or more narrow and have slender claws. They are usually about 7 inches in length and weigh about 4 ounces.
IDENTIFICATION
How to Identify Moles in your Garden
While moles are not after your plants, they end up making underground tunnels which can ruin your garden and lawn and make an easy access to your plants for other rodents.
Unlike voles, moles dig deep. Their tunnels are usually at least 10 inches underground, unless they’re scanning the surface in search of a mate.
 These expert diggers create characteristic volcano-shaped hills in the lawn. The tunnels are dug at a rate of 18 feet per hour and can add 150 feet of new tunnels in the lawn each day.
Moles are usually found where soil is rich in organic matter. Their presence in unusually large numbers might be due to a high population of soil pests. It therefore serves as a warning that all is not well with the soil life.
CONTROL AND PREVENTION
How to Deter Moles
If you have a persistent mole problem, the best solution is trapping. Frankly, this is often the only way to get rid of moles. Use a humane trap, and release the moles at least 5 miles from your home in a rural area away from someone else’s garden.
Placing an ultrasonic device or noisemaker, such as a spinning daisy near the runs is often effective.
Owning a cat that enjoys walking through your flower beds is a very effective deterrent to rodents.
Moles are carnivores that make themselves at home in lawns rich in grubs and insects. When their food is seasoned with castor oil, they will go elsewhere for meals. (Wouldn’t you?) Mix up a spray of 3 parts castor oil to 1 part dish detergent; use 4 tablespoons of this concoction in a gallon of water, and soak the tunnels and the entrances.
Dip an ear of corn in roofing tar and place it in one of their tunnels. Moles hate the smell of tar, and you’ll block their escape.
Some readers say it works to sprinkle dried blood, tobacco, powdered red pepper, or coffee grounds near tunnel entrances. Remember to re-apply after a rain.
However, many folk remedies do not control moles, such as placing gum, human air, bleach, ammonia or mothballs near the tunnels. And remember that moles will not eat peanuts or grain; they are insectivores.
You may have luck using wind power—setting up vibrations in the ground that will bother moles and send them away. Low-tech methods include kids’ pinwheels placed here and there on the lawn, or a homemade thumper: Cut fins in the sides of a bleach bottle and place it on a stick driven into the ground near a mole entrance.
Finally, there are mole repellents as well as baits though we do not personally use. Bromethalin is sold in the form of a worm-shaped bait; place baits in an active mole run. Correct placement is critical; read and follow all directions provided with the product.
Trapping Moles
No permit is required for trapping. Place traps so that they will be triggered as moles travel in the runs.
Before placing a trap, make sure the run is active by pressing down with your foot; if the soil is pushed up the next day, the run is still active.
Straight runs, especially those near the edges of a driveway or sidewalk, are preferred. If the trap does not catch a run in two days, move the trap to a different run.
Prevent Moles
Check out your soil for the presence of pests; if you have a lot of moles, you may have an oversupply of grubs and bugs. You can try getting rid of the grubs with beneficial nematodes, however, it doesn’t necessary mean the moles will go away; grubs are only part of their diet.
If you want to protect specific plants, dig a 2- to 3-foot hole and line the sides and bottom of the hole with wire mesh. Fill the hole with soil and plant.
Where you are determined to try bulbs, make a small “cage” of 1/2-inch mesh screen. Place several bulbs inside, root plate down and bury the entire cage at the proper depth. Rodents won’t be able to chew through, but roots and stems can grow out. Note: moles are often blamed for the damaged caused by field mice.
All I can say is good luck with these creatures and getting them out of your garden.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/pest/moles
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

new kind of succulents...kitty chick We are tired.... 

pretty excited how the plants are looking...watering two times a day, helps with this hot weather.  We have had rain too, so they love that water and blooming all over the place.  

​It is warm today, but humidity is down.  Still the temperature is Thermometer says 86 degrees at 2:45 PM, no breeze so it feels warm.  Watering with the sprinklers it does feel good to get wet. 
I am feeling like those baby kitties need to take a nap.  BUT can’t do that. I am really proud how nice the wagon tables look with all these blooming plants, growing tomatoes, and peppers.  Perennials are happy, herbs are good.  It takes twice a day to water.  I start early in the morning and stay late at night to make sure everything is watered twice.  Looks like we might get rain on Tuesday, 50 percent.  I am hoping that you that haven’t gotten any rain will get some.  The rain has been so spotty.
Still planting in the greenhouse.  Starting to work on more succulents, they go out as fast as I plant them.  I start them at .50 so makes it fun for the gardeners to watch them grow.  Nancy has been planting hostas, dahlias, star gazer lilies, crocosmia, iris, double oriental lily white and one is pink. Calla lilies, dahlia dinner size plate blooms, and a new one for both of us is Tuberosa.  They are in the miracle house( greenhouse) so growing will be good.  You know, I said I need to be cloned 12 times, so this is one of the cloning jobs.  Wanted to do it 3 weeks ago, but they are planted now.   
We will be at the Franklin Co Fair, in Hampton in July and then there is the Herb Festival in Greene on the last Sunday of July.  So have a market for them in July. 
Last night the West Fork Winners 4-H club was here and planted pots for the nursing home in Sheffield.  I also had them plant some of the fair pots.  15 members plus some parents.  They really did a good job. 
I am here from 9-6 on Monday thru Saturday, Sunday 1-6.  When the end of June comes, it is near 80 days in a row that I have worked.  BUT as my dad would have said, “Make the hay when the sun shines.”  Have to sell plants when the planting is going on.  Stop in and see us.  LOVE that.  Stay safe, stay cool, till next week, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337   cell 641-903-9365  

annuals

annuals

tomatoes

trees

trees   more pictures tomorrow of what we have.  

Good morning welcome to my garden show, gardening, and you. I am Becky Litterer from Becky’s Greenhouse in Dougherty.  This show is about more than just the different aspects of gardening, it’s about how we can help you with your gardening need.  WOW  What a great Memorial day weekend.  Mild weather, sun shining and good temperatures.  It is usually cold, wind, wet Memorial Day. Now we are having summer like weather with temperatures in the high 80’s.  with little or no wind.  Humidity is up a little but not taking your breath away.  We were fortunate here in Dougherty to get 1 ½ inches of rain in two days.  I know some of you haven’t had any rain.  I am hoping you do this weekend. 
I am recording this outside the greenhouse, and I was wondering what I should talk about.  My garden is on the wagon tables and it is so colorful and so pretty.  I just sit in awe how everything looks.  We have been putting plants out since April 28th.  With the cooler spring we have, we weren’t in too much of a hurry to get all the plants outside.  I have to tell you with this hotter weather, this miracle house is really hot so shopping inside isn’t much fun.  We have been working on moving more and more out.  We almost have the wagons full, first time ever this spring. 
Someone asked now with this hot weather the plants will grow.  Yes they will but it will take watering twice a day outside.  Once a day inside the greenhouse.  Luckily in the miracle house AKA greenhouse, the plants have grown, now it is to keep them from doing the opposite dying with this heat. 
All of the plants inside and out are ready to go into your gardens.  Remember the punch card for every $100.00 worth of plants you buy you will get $7.50 off your plant sales. 
If you buy 12-small 4packs mix and match the price of the flat is 25.90, you are getting 2 four packs free, that is 48 plants.  You can mix and match flowers and vegetables if they are in the small 4 packs.
We have supertunia plants, black petunias, speckled petunias, We have wave petunias in large 4 pack. 
We just moved out the peppers on Friday, and I have to say they look really good.  Tomatoes have been outside so they are hardened off ready to go into your garden.  We have patio tomatoes in two sizes and they are setting on tomatoes all ready.
Full line of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kolrabi that are so ready to go into your garden.
Perennials are doing well, and still have a nice selection. We have all the full line of annuals that will give you color all season long.  If I keep all watered twice a day, they will still look good.
Vine plants such as cucumbers, squash in butternut, acorn , watermelon, honey dew melon, cantaloupe, zucchini, pumpkin plants are ready to go into your garden.  You know I have told you that this is the time after June 1 to plant them.  The vines don’t like cold nights. And cold soil so after June 1st is just the right time to plant them.
Some of you have heard I need to be cloned into twelve people to get all I want done.  But the help of Nancy and Val she is getting things done for me.  I have had a bulb order here now Nancy is planting them.  Oriental lilies, Siberian iris, calla lilies.  A new one for us, tuberosa bulb, see what that does. Glads in three different colors like magenta, red, and purple and yellow.  Dahlias have been potted with one that is orange, and deep pink. 
Val has been helping with the small plugs of succulents, houseplants, and vines.  I have the plans to fill little containers  and sayings .  Slowly that is happening.  It is a miracle house so they will grow.  We have a great selection of cacti, hens and chicks and sedums. 
I have put the non stop begonias in a display inside the greenhouse which is shaded but still gets the sun’s ray to grow and they are blooming as very happy.  Non stop begonias will bloom and bloom if they are in a happy place. 
Our seedy part of town, has lots of garden vegetable seeds, so if you are looking for a second planting or your first we can help with the bulk seeds.  Sold in teaspoons or tablespoons. 
Nice selection of herbs, and I have to tell you they are one of the things I buy in, along with the perennials and a few annuals.  All the rest you see inside and out have been grown here.  I am a grower and been doing this for 34 years. 
Trees and Shrubs are also something we have bought in, and they look really good.  From aboorvitae, pine trees, and spruce trees to flowering crab apple, lotus tree, hydrangea tree., maple, oak   Fruit trees are here. Shrubs we have on a hayrack are all on sale for $35.00.  we want them in your yard not ours, so passing on the savings to you.  Nice selection of ones to choose from.
We have miniature roses, patio tree roses, and knockout roses.  Peonies are now blooming so plant a new one from here.
As I am recording this outside, looking at my garden, I have to be thankful for the Lord’s hand in all of this. We plant, we water, we move the plants around in the miracle house, but this is the Lords work thru us.
Yes we need to talk about Larry’s Garage.    if you do know of some work you would like him to do for you just give us a call or stop in.   Larry has spots open for appointments so if you need any work done, He is still working, and open so give him a call at 641-794-3337   Thanks and stay well.
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365