With the herb fest on Sunday at Greene here is some information about herbs and what to use them with. 
 
5 Best Perennial Herbs for Your Garden   By  Amy Jeanroy
There are many herbs that can be planted once and left to grow for many years. Perennial herbs take some of the heavy lifting out of garden design by coming back year after year and they always look wonderful.
 
A perennial bed also allows you to divide and expand your herbal plants for free. When designing your garden, plant these herbs for a long-lasting herb garden.
 
Echinacea
Not only is echinacea useful for healing, it is a beautiful accent for any garden. Echinacea (also known as purple coneflower) grows in virtually any garden situation. From moist, fertile soil, to dry and arid conditions, echinacea has a variety that will thrive.
 
To help your echinacea spread out in the garden, wait until the cone flowers dry up completely. Then, remove the head and separate all the pointy black seeds that are left behind (gloves are recommended because they are sharp). Spread the seeds anywhere in your garden you hope to have more plants.
 
Sage
Sage is a wonderfully versatile herb for your garden. It comes in many colorful varieties and growth habits. Try using it as a lovely filler around other tall garden plants. Sage will grow for many years, returning after even the harshest of winters.
 
The only drawback to growing sage for years is that it can become woody and the leaves will grow only on the end of the stems. Avoid this by keeping it pruned back to encourage new growth. The leaves will grow close to the cuts and result in a more beautiful specimen.
 
It is unavoidable that sage will eventually become woody. However, if you have more than one sage plant, you can replace your woody plant with another sage from your own landscape. It is as simple as taking a root cutting and your older plant may have set down new roots on its own already.
 
Lavender
Lavender is used for everything from cooking to healing. Try growing this elegant herb alongside your best flowers. From shades of purple and blue to white, lavender is truly a wonderful perennial herb.
 
Be sure to plant lavender with growing room. You will be shocked at how large the plants can grow after a few years.
 
If you have had little luck growing lavender, try finding a specimen that is best suited for your garden zone. There are many to choose from and you may not have found the right one yet.
 
Another trick you might try with lavender is to grow it in a whiskey barrel that's been cut in half (or a similar porous container). Then, as the weather grows colder, you can move the barrel into a protected area for the winter.
 
It is not only the cold but dampness that can kill lavender. In fact, wet roots are the bigger concern, so give your plants plenty of drainage.
 
Thyme
Thyme is one of the herbs that will grow in any garden. It's perfect for gardeners who aren't particularly hands-on because the less you fuss with it, the healthier it becomes. It also has varieties with both upright and trailing habits, so there's one to fit almost any situation and design.
 
Use thyme as a filler between your stones in a walkway. It offers the lovely scent when stepped on and can handle moderate traffic. Thyme grows well in areas that are too dry and poor for many other plants.
 
Thyme loves to be trimmed back. It can easily be trimmed into decorative shapes for a more formal look.
 
If you want to multiply your thyme, simply divide up a healthy plant or take a cutting.
 
Mint
Mint is invasive, but it is also an important addition to any hard to cultivate a garden. It will spread anywhere you allow it and many places you don't want it.
 
Try to plant your mint in a bucket that is buried. This should do a fair job in containing the plant.
 
Mint is a refreshing, gentle tea herb and a lovely scented plant. Try growing a greater variety of mints if you're really interested in using it for tea.
 
Remember that you don't want your mint varieties to mingle, so allow plenty of room between them. This helps ensure that the bees and butterflies do not cross-pollinate the plants. Some gardeners choose to plant mint beds out of sight of one another which seems to be an effective way to keep them pure.
 
Designing Around Perennials
 Perennial herbs are a great way to grow your garden landscape with far less effort than replanting every year. You might consider drawing up your garden design and include all of your perennial herb locations. This makes easy work of planning where the annual plants can fill in the empty spaces between the perennials.
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/best-perennial-herbs-for-your-garden-
till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa
beckmall@netins.net

        Major question from the Franklin Co Fair gardeners....Why is my hen and chick's blooming, and when I told them it would die they were not very happy.....here is the what for with that....
Hens and Chicks Flowers: Do Hens And Chicks Plants Bloom
Hens and chicks  have old-time charm and unbeatable hardiness. These little succulents are known for their sweet rosette form and numerous offsets or “chicks.” Do hens and chicks plants bloom? The answer is yes, but it spells demise for the flowering rosette in a life cycle that is unique among plants. Hens and chicks flowers are the plants way of producing seed and a new generation of beguiling succulents.
 
When Do Hens and Chicks Plants Bloom?
A rambunctious clump of hens and chicks have special allure to children and adults alike. The small plants are adaptable and resilient, producing flower-like clusters of varying sized rosettes. Gardeners new to the plants may say, “My hens and chicks are flowering,” and wonder if this is a natural occurrence. Blooms on hens and chicks plants are not only natural but an additional wonder with this fun, diminutive Sempervivum.
 
I love to walk the garden and see that my hens and chicks are flowering. This generally occurs in summer when the long warm days and bright light jar the plant’s instincts to form blooms. This signals the beginning or end of the plant’s life cycle, depending upon whether you are a glass half empty or glass half full kind of gardener.
 
Hens will usually live for 3 years before they form flowers but, occasionally, stressed plants will bloom earlier. The tiny, starry flowers amp up the magic of these succulents, but it does mean the plant is forming seed and will die.   Not to despair, though, because the lost plant will quickly fill in with a new rosette and the cycle will march on yet again.
 
About Hens and Chicks Flowers
A blooming hen on a hen and chicks plant is often referred to as a “rooster.” The individual rosettes will begin to elongate and lengthen vertically when it is time to produce flowers. The process lends an alien appearance to the normally low-growing plants, with flower stalks that can get from a few inches up to a foot in length.
 
Removing the budding stem can’t save the rosette. The blooms on hens and chicks plants are a part of a monocarpic process. That means they flower, seed and then die. There is nothing to be done about it so you might as well enjoy the pink, white or yellow flowers with bristling, erect stamen.
 
Their work will soon be done, but the plant should already have produced many smaller rosettes, the future of the line.
 
Hens and Chicks Flower Care
As with the entire plant, hens and chicks flower care consists of neglect. You can leave the bloom until it has finished and the stem and base rosette will dry out and die.
 
Clip off the stem rather than pulling it out of the living cluster or you may end up yanking some of the precious offsets. You may also choose to let nature take its course and leave the dying stem as proof of an interesting life cycle, which will eventually break off and compost in the area.
 
The young chicks will grow larger and fill in any gaps the parent plant made when bidding its fond farewell to this world. So enjoy the flowers and the guarantee of everlasting life this plant has in its offspring.
 
taken from  https://gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/hens-chicks/growing-hens-and-chicks.htm
 
Here is a list of the monocarpic succulents that will bloom and die....if you know what yours are this list will be helpful.
Succulents
How Many Varieties?
 Aeonium  Most
 Agave Most
 Aichryson All
 Argyroxiphium Some
Crassula Very Few
 Furcraea All
 Jovibarba All
 Kalanchoe Few
 Manfreda Some
 Orostachys All
 Peperomia Most
 Sempervivum All
 Sinocrassula All
 Yucca Few
  taken from http://thesucculenteclectic.com/do-succulents-die-after-they-bloom/
 
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net
 
 
 

        Back to work getting things into place for now and for the end of the season.  Succulents are looking so good.  Sold many but still have lots.  House plants are growing, growing and growing.  Perennials are still here and ready for you to plant.  So if you need something for your garden, stop in.  Remember I am only open this time of the year Monday thru Friday from 9-6.
     Beck to the Franklin Co fair pictures.  These pictures I am going to share are with the Planting of the fairy pots sponsored by the Fair.  It was so much fun to see what the young hands could plant.  Also pictures of our 4-Hers that we are involved with during the fair. You can see what they are proud of. 
     The Planting Bar was getting to be popular so that will be added to what I do here.  I have an assortment of containers or vases as some call it to plant succulents in or house plants.  If you buy the plant you get the container and dirt free.  Idea off of the succulent bar just added more plants to that planting idea. 
     Enjoy this awesome summer weather of the temperatures being only in the 80's with a cool front coming thru tonight then the temperatures for the next few days will be in the 70's.  We will take it.  Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

     Save the date! Sunday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Perrin Park in Greene. Many vendors, food, live music, an educational seminar and more. Admission is free for this fun outdoor event.

In past years, vendors have offered plants and garden-related items such as garden antiques, books, dried flowers, bird houses, candles and soaps, garden art, glass items, honey, painted gourds, aromatherapy and essential oils, medicinals, bath salts and oils and more.

     WE are back to work in Dougherty....it is a lovely morning.  Suppose to get more humid but the temperature still in the 80's so it will be ok.  I am working on getting things back in place for the rest of the garden season.  BUT also getting ready to go to Greene this Sunday for the Herb Fest.  We will be down by the river in the park.  Starts at 10-4.  We will be having perennials there.  Looks like some air plants.  We have some really great looking houseplants.  Then there is the succulents which we will bring some not all as we still have over 1000 pots.  We will have miniature stuff there for your miniature gardens.  Also will be having flea market items from the Journey's Past here in Dougherty.   AND of course we will have herb plants...if there is something special you want email me, message me or wrote on this blog to make sure I can bring it if I have it.  See you in Greene July 29th at the Park by the river.  I suppose I better get to work on all that needs to be put away from the Franklin Co Fair.  I will post more pictures of the fair in days to come.  Till next time this is Becky Litterer Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

          WE are back now from the Franklin Co fair.  It took 12 loads to get everything there and everything back.  We decorated the fair grounds with pots and baskets.  We take things for a booth to sell.  WE did bring back less than we took so that is good.  Had really good help.  Thanks to Marianne, Pam, Wanda, Collin, Hope, Max, Larry, Clay, Lucus, Hunter, that help load and unload plants and containers, for working at the booth and doing the watering.  Needless to say I AM TIRED....one more trip to make to bring back the racks but we just have to drive slowly.
      Have to say this was Larry and I vacation from work...so it was good.  Good seeing old friends, making new friends and just being a small part of the Franklin Co Fair.  There is a pride in all of that.  
    I am just going to show you some pictures from the fair.  These were what kids took so interesting what they found to take.  More to come and I will start writing post daily now.  Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

     I am reposting this on Weebly that I posted on Facebook.  Having a hard time doing it with my iPhone so have to do it after I get home...so that is at 11:00 PM....pictures wouldn't down load.  So here is the text and you will have to go on facebook on my page of becky kerndt litterer, or beckys greenhouse to see the pictures.  I will figure it out. But having such a good amount of hits 2800 during this 24 hours...we will try to keep you informed about the fair.  I am going to give out the cameras to several people to take pictures of the fair of what they want to share.  That will be interesting.
  am having a hard time using Weebly at the fair. So will try this way. Friday at the fair. We had rain most of the day on Thursday. I got soaking wet twice y...esterday. Moving plants up in the morning. Thanks a storm came up early evening. With lots of rain and wind, so we always have a day and a night of that. Now at five the sun is out still windy and warming night up.
Looks like the rest of the fair will be awesome. Here r some pictures. Music daily at pleasant hill. Pick up some homemade ice cream.
I will post a couple of pictures. More coming tomorrow
This little man made a miniature planter. The planter is from a selection of junket we have. With the purchase of plants it is free. We will give the soil and rocks for drainage. All the rest u will purchase we have a large selection of stuff for it starting at a quarter to 10.00. We have lots of plants to select from. Probably have 1000 succulents. We have houseplants. We have perennials here along with herbs.
So this little guy is using what we call the planting bar. Stop and have a look.
Second picture taken by on of the young men that we have help us. These are part of the potted plants we brought down to decorate the fair ground. I cut down only bringing 145 of them
Third picture is what goes on at the fair. Seeing people you haven’t seen for along time and visit.
Fourth picture is the band giving us music all afternoon. So again give us a like for the fair
Stop in and say hi. More coming tomorrow I promise. Till next time this is Becky Litterer Becky’s greenhouse. Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

     Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  I was trying to do it at the fair but couldn't make the internet work.  So I got up early today to post before we leave.  We leave early like 6:30 so we can get there to water all the plants.  Larry is involved with the committee of Grandpa's farm which is an old time working  farm so he always has things to get done before the shows start.  As today, they will be threshing with 2 different kinds of threshing machines.  Corn shelling,  saw mill, steam engines running the threshing machines and saw mill.  PLUS more...I will post pictures. 
    All the animals are at the fair and today it is the sheep/goat show.  Our helper Collin will be showing...Rabbits and chicken show.  Plus there are free shows all day long.  At Pleasant Hill where I am at, at the Gazebo there will be live music. The big attraction will be the homemade ice cream.  Commercial building and cultural building as well as the area around them are full. 
 How can I say this with out bragging, but we are a Blue Ribbon Iowa Fair.  The manager came from the Iowa State Fair 2 years ago, and he told the  fair board member we are like a little mini State Fair.  We have all that the State Fair has but in of course a smaller display as the Iowa State FAIR....that says it all.
     We will take lots of pictures today, even though it is going to be a wet, rainy day. I will get up early tomorrow and post them. 
     I am going to share with you one thing I did yesterday we had a fairy garden workshop.  IT was so much fun.  For the kids during the times Thursday at one, go to the General Store and the Fair will give you the container and the dirt to plant in.  Then you will come over to our booth and we will help you design a miniature garden ( fairy garden)  whatever you want and we have very reasonable priced items to do it with.  You will have to pay for what you want to use, with the miniatures and with the plants...
      If you come please stop in to the booth and let me know you read this blog.  I have had 4400 hits since I wrote the first day about what I do to get ready for the fair.  I like to know who you are...if you are out of the area please share and comment then I know about all that are reading.  More today....till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

     I had a good day yesterday moving and decorating the fairgrounds with potted plants and hanging baskets.  That was one load.  Then the 2nd load was the plants that will be on the racks for sale.  Now the 3rd load is ready to go down which will be the stuff for the booth area.  Pictures will be coming soon.  The weather is just awesome with lower humidity, and temperature.  Today the same....but it sounds like the humidity is coming back and that will lead to storms.  BUT it is fair week in JULY....that is what we can expect. 

      Larry's committee of Grandpa's farm worked well and they got three threshing machines set up.  Worked on the oats and wheat to use with the threshing machines.  All the committees worked on getting things ready.  All the groups are working on making this another great fair.

     Fair parade starts at 5:00.  It is over hour long.  Sorry to say we will not be in it.  Taking a break as Larry using a tractor pushes the racks and me backwards in the parade.  BUT there will be plenty to watch...

      Now off to get things ready to take to the fair...stop in and say hi.  LOVE to know who is reading this blog.  I know many are out of this area....so say hi on the blog page.  Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

     Working on getting things ready for the fair...we are adding one new thing this year and that is a PLANTING bar.  You pick out your vase( container) you pick out your succulent or house plant, and then you plant it.  You will have to stop and see what we are doing with this activity.  Also a couple of activities for the kids to do...and if you buy something from us there is still another activity for you to get something.
More plants that we are taking to the fair are houseplants.  We have some planted all ready in containers to use in your home, or you can pick from a nice selection of houseplants to use in your home.  It is so unbelievable how they have grown these last 2 months.  We have tomatoes in patio pots that you can take home and they are growing and setting on tomatoes all ready.  Just have to keep them watered. Pepper plants are growing in a patio pot also....so there you go an instant garden.
 
Hostas are at the fair for your garden so you can add them to, and hear is how you can take care of them.  You can plant them anytime, just remember to keep them well watered.
 
Growing Hostas: How To Care For A Hosta Plant
Hosta plants are a perennial favorite among gardeners. Their lush foliage and easy care make them ideal for a low maintenance garden. Originating in the Orient and brought to the Europe in the 1700s, today there are over 2,500 cultivars with such variety in leaf shape, size and texture, that an entire garden could be devoted to growing hostas alone. While hosta care is considered easy, it helps to know a little bit about how to grow hostas to help the plants reach their full garden potential.
 
Where and How to Grow Hostas
Although hosta plants are touted as shade lovers, their sunlight requirements vary widely. Successfully growing hostas in the shade depends on color. Hosta leaves come in a variety of greens, ranging from a color so deep it’s called blue to a light chartreuse to a soft creamy white.
 
A good rule of thumb for the placement and care of hostas is the lighter the foliage, the brighter the sun. The deeper darker foliage retains it color best in moderate shade. The variegated varieties need more sunlight to keep their white and gold stripes. All hostas need some shade and few, if any, will do well in strong direct sunlight. They will fully mature in four to eight years.
 
For the best care of hostas, plant them in rich organic soil with a slightly acidic pH. You’ll only have to do it once. Dig the planting hole about a foot deep, and wide enough to accommodate the spread of a full sized plant. This will make it easier for the roots to establish a foothold and begin their horizontal spread.
In spite of their almost tropical look, hostas are rugged and once established, they tolerate almost any soil and will grow for years.
 
When discussing how to grow hostas, drainage is most important. Dormant season crown rot  is one of the few diseases that attack these plants. Good hosta care requires good drainage. When newly planted, keep the roots moist, not wet. Once established, hosta plants aren’t fussy and are very tolerant of summer drought.
 
Tips for Hosta Care
Once your plant is established, hosta care becomes a matter of simple maintenance. To keep your growing hostas healthy, fertilize them each spring with an all-purpose garden fertilizer. Additional summer fertilizing may be helpful, but not necessary. Granular fertilizers should never sit on the leaves.
 
With the exception of crown rot and leaf rot, Hosta plants are relatively disease free. Deer find the tasty and if deer are a problem in your neighborhood, you might try planting daffodils  around your hosta to keep them away from the emerging shoots.
 
Another difficulty in hosta care is slugs , which leave unsightly holes in the leaves. A light scattering of sand around your plants will help keep them away.
Hosta plants are a beautiful addition to any garden and fit well in a variety of spaces, ranging from a few inches to four feet across. Care of hostas is easy and now you’ve discovered the basics of how to grow hostas, you’ll find them a welcome addition to your yard.
Article printed from Gardening Know How: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com
till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa
 

      Another early morning working in the greenhouse.  So surprised but grateful for gardeners coming out to the greenhouse.  We are busy getting ready to move stuff to the Franklin Co Fair.  We have the perennials ready to be loaded up for the fair, it is one rack full.  But we always take two.  So getting ready with herbs and succulents.  I am not exaggerating we have over 1000's containers of them.  Starting at 1.99 to 25.00 we have many shapes, sizes and all varieties.  Don't say we have all the varieties as there is over 15,000 plants in this category of succulents. So stop by our booth area and have a look.  Also adding something new this year but a Succulent BAR...we will have the vases ( or containers ) for you to pick from, pick your plant and then plant it.  We will provide the dirt and the rocks needed for drainage. Plus a little surprise when it is completed.  We will have you just pay for the plants you use...stop in and have a look and see if you want to do that.  Weather is so hot and humid.  Watering is completed for today with help for a couple of young men. Now working in the home office and need to do dishes...always time to do housework isn't it????  Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa  beckmall@netins.net