​Welcome back summer temperatures.  At 4:00 PM the temperature is 79F(26C).  dew point is 61F it isn’t too humid and low of 57F(14C) It looks like that will be the temperatures all Labor Day weekend.   Calling for popup showers but not much rain. Almost perfect Labor Day weekend weather.  Stay safe, stay cool or warm, and just ENJOY.
 
Australia family and friends for their Saturday August 30 light rain is expected to stop this morning as their time is 7:00 AM Saturday. Their high will be jacket weather as the temperature will bey 54F(12C). Their Sunday looks good, and they will be back to work for them on Monday will have rain.  Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe. 
 
I told you this week I made pasta sauce.  I made some for lunch the other day, and it was very tasty.  It is Mrs. Wages Pasta mix, and very happy with it.  Over the years I have made this from scratch, but this was a lot easier.  I just had to get the tomatoes ready.  I know this will be tasty this winter and spring.  Larry is on a tractor ride now at the 7-mile corner thresher show that is the start of their big weekend.  He will spend time over there and tell you the truth mostly to visit with the people there.  I will spend some of the weekend working on the Ice Cream Social that we have at our West Fork United Methodist Church.  It is on Tuesday Sept. 2nd.  Beefburgers, homemade bars, chips, and homemade ice cream.  All the money taken in will be given to the North Iowa Vietnam Veterans.  It is from 5-7. Come and join us for this and the fellowship.   
 
I am going to say again where did this year went.  Sept 1st coming up.  Fall, school started, football, volleyball, cross country, and soon harvest.  I must start on next year’s order.  And all of this starts over. Enjoying this last 3-day weekend we can be outside, traveling, camping, fishing. Maybe you can do garden work to do and just being out and enjoy the garden work you have done this season.   
 
Here is the last of the list of perennials that need to be deadheaded.  Hope this list is helpful .
Mountain bluet       Centaurea montana          3-8      Yes      Cut spent flowers back to side shoots; trim stems down to 2 to 3 in. after they’re finished flowering; often reblooms; can reseed rampantly
Mullein          Verbascum spp.      5-9      Yes      Cut main spike to side branches; cut entire plant to the ground after it blooms to stimulate late flowering; deadheading helps this biennial behave more like a perennial
Painted daisy           Tanacetum coccineum     5-9      Yes      Snip individual flowers off to a main stem as they fade; when the stem is finished, cut it to the basal foliage to keep the plant looking fresh; small sporadic rebloom
Peony Paeonia spp. and hybrids 3-8      No       Snip off spent flowers back to the first leaf to keep the plant looking tidy; leave as much foliage as possible to feed the plant
Penstemon   Penstemon barbatus         4-9      No       Deadhead to side buds or branches to prolong flowering; cut stems down to the ground when finished blooming; usually will not rebloom
Pincushion flower  Scabiosa columbaria         3-7      Yes      Pick off spent flowers before seeds form; cut entire stems to basal rosette when finished to prolong blooming; note difference between buds and seedheads — they look similar
Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea          3-9      Yes      Reblooms fine even without deadheading; cutting off early blooms to a side shoot keeps later flowers larger; leave a few seedheads for bird food unless reseeding is a problem
Salvia Salvia nemorosa     4-9      Yes      Deadheading promotes a long bloom period; snip off spikes to side branches; cut stems back to the basal foliage to encourage a late-summer rebloom
Shasta daisy Leucanthemum x superbum       5-8      Yes      Deadhead spent blooms to side shoots to keep this perennial blooming almost all summer; cut spent stems down to 2 to 3 in. for smaller rebloom
Sneezeweed            Helenium autumnale        4-8      Yes      Snip spent flower heads only down to foliage to force side branches to develop and bloom; will continue to bloom until freezing weather if deadheaded
Speedwell     Veronica spicata     3-8      Yes      To prolong the bloom, cut spent flower spike back to side branches; once finished, cut entire stem down to the ground; may produce a small rebloom later
Spiderwort   Tradescantia Andersoniana Group       5-9      Yes      After all of the buds in a cluster have finished, cut the stems back to a side shoot or leaf axil for more flowers; if the plant looks ratty, cut it back by half to encourage rebloom
Spike blazing star   Liatris spicata          4-9      Yes      Cut stems back to the top of the foliage after the flowers fade; smaller second flowers may sprout from the stem or near the ground; if not deadheaded birds will feast on the seeds
Stoke’s aster            Stokesia laevis         5-9      Yes      Deadhead spent flowers to a side bud to prolong flowering; when flowers finish, remove stems to the ground; may rebloom; look carefully — buds and seedheads look similar
Tall garden phlox    Phlox paniculata     4-8      No       Snip off spent flower clusters; flowering side branches develop; deadhead to the ground when it’s finished blooming; seedlings will revert to less desirable colors
Tall sedum    Hylotelephium hybrids     3-10   No       No need to deadhead; leave seedheads standing for winter interest and wildlife or harvest them for dried arrangements; cut stems down in spring as new growth starts
Threadleaf coreopsis         Coreopsis verticillata         4-9      Yes      Use scissors or hedge clippers to shear plants to the ground in late summer to stimulate early fall rebloom; deadheading also helps prevent reseeding
Tickseed        Coreopsis grandiflora       4-9      Yes      Frequent deadheading will keep the plant blooming almost all summer; cut the flower stems back to side branches; eventually remove all spent stems to the ground
Turtlehead   Chelone lyonii         3-8      No       No need to deadhead because this late-blooming plant has seedpods that add winter interest; if seedheads look objectionable, cut them back to healthy foliage
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 ediblecutlure.net 

      ​It rained most of the morning, but we didn’t get much. I was surprised as it was predicted scattered showers.  I guess we were in line for those.  There are chances of rain from Friday through Monday, of course Labor Day weekend.  Let us see where these showers go.  All Larry said it sure feels like fall with the temperatures and the rain.  How quickly the weather changed?  Will we have summer like weather in Sept?  Stay cool, stay dry, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for Aug 28 Thursday will have rainy conditions expected around 7AM wind gusts up to 26 mph are making the temperature feel like 38F( 3C) when the air temperature is 48F( 9C) Family and friends said yesterday it rained cats and dogs.  They are getting rain to make everything pop and green.  Stay dry, stay warm, stay safe.
 
What are you doing in your garden?  Harvesting?  Canning? Freezing?  I bet weeding and hopefully enjoying the work that you have been doing.  I am working on bread n butter pickles today. It makes me wonder where that name comes from.  I looked it up and this is what I found.  Very interesting.
Bread and butter pickles got their name from practice during the Great Depression when they were bartered for bread and butter at local grocery stores. The pickles were created by Omar and Cora Fanning, who developed a unique recipe for sweet pickles using cucumbers, onions, and spices. They registered the name "Bread and Butter Pickles" in 1923, solidifying their claim to the moniker. This resourceful solution became a staple in American households, symbolizing the resilience of American ingenuity during economic hardship. Now we know.
 
Another posting of perennials and how to deadhead.  Hopefully helpful.  
lant name     Botanical name       Cold zones    Will it rebloom?      Tips
Hardy geranium     Geranium spp.        4-9      Yes      Hard to deadhead individual flowers, so cut tall cultivars' stems below foliage after most of the flowers have finished; cut low spreaders back to 4 to 6 in.; some species rebloom
Hardy hibiscus         Hibiscus moscheutos         5-10   No       Pluck off spent flowers daily to keep the plant looking tidy and keep it flowering as large and as long as possible; this also prevents reseeding; cut dead stems down in spring
Heliopsis       Heliopsis helianthoides     3-9      No       Don’t cut off all the spent flowers— goldfinches are fond of the seeds; reseeds, so you might want to remove some of the seedheads; will not rebloom after deadheading
Hellebore      Helleborus spp.       4-9      No       Pinch off spent flowers with fingers or small scissors to prevent reseeding; deadheading will not cause the plant to reflower
Hollyhock     Alcea rosea  4-7      Yes      Pinch off spent flowers along the stem as they wilt; leave a few flowers to reseed; cut stem to basal foliage once all the flowers have finished; may rebloom on short stems
Iris, bearded Iris hybrids   4-9      No       Pinch off spent flowers before they form seedpods; cut entire stem to the foliage fan after all flowers have faded to keep the plant looking neat and tidy; some varieties rebloom in fall whether or not you deadhead
Iris, Siberian Iris sibirica    4-9      No       Pinch or cut off flowers as they wither to keep the plant looking tidy and prevent seed formation; remove entire stem down into foliage when all flowers are finished
Jacob’s ladder         Polemonium caeruleum   4-8      Yes      Cut entire plant back to 2 or 3 in. to encourage new growth and keep it looking fresh; let a few pods ripen to replace the short-lived parent plant; often reblooms with deadheading
Joe-pye weed          Eutrochium spp.     2-9      No       Will not reflower if deadheaded; can reseed; leave spent flowers standing for later season and winter interest if you want; cut stems to the ground in spring with pruners
Jupiter’s beard        Centranthus ruber 5-8      Yes      As the flowers fade, cut back to side shoots; prolific seeder if not deadheaded; often reblooms if spent stems are cut down to 3 or 4 in. after they flower
Lavender      Lavandula spp.        5-8      Yes      Harvest flowers with stems; cut entire plant back to healthy foliage to promote a second flowering; rebloom is shorter than first; harvest late flowers, leaving foliage
Lily      Lilium hybrid           5-8      No       Pinch or cut individual flowers as they fade; leave foliage until it yellows to supply food for the bulb; always try to leave as many leaves as possible; will not rebloom
Lungwort      Pulmonaria spp.     4-8      No       Cut away flowering stems to tidy up the plant after they fall to the side, exposing the new mound of foliage in the center; will not rebloom; can reseed; prickly stems — wear gloves
Lupine           Lupinus hybrids      4-8      Yes      After spring flowering, cut stems to small emerging buds along stems to promote second flowering; reseeds but seedlings vary in color; cutting back also controls aphids
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

images from Sale Botànica Gardens

It is a chilly morning.  Temperature is 15 degrees below our average which proves to me we would have this when we had so many days above the average this month.  We needed this to make the average come out.  Larry moved the wagons for me so I could water on the black top.  I still need to do something with the plants but keeping them alive is ok for now. Temperature at 9:00 AM is 57 F(14C). high today of only of 73F(22C), average temperature is 82F. All I can say is enjoy.  Stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for their August 27 Wed. is rain during their nighttime, and high today 65F(17C) It is warming up for them.  It looks like it’s rain all day.  They told me they could use the rain.  Stay dry, stay warm, stay safe.
 
Pictures you see are from the Sale Botanic Garden.  Very interesting bloom that is for sure.  Native plant for them.  Love to see all the different plants.  I know you do too.  Also, I have another listing of perennial's plants to deadhead.  Great weather to do those things. 
 
Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens
Pictured is Epacris Species, Fuchsia Heath, Native Fuchsia (Epacris longiflora) or more commonly known as the common heath or Erica with another variety, the pink heath being Victoria’s floral emblem.
Ericas are native to Australia and are found growing in the southeastern states ie Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales.
 
Here is more perennials how to deadhead: 
Plant name   Botanical name       Cold zones    Will it rebloom?      Tips
Cardinal flower       Lobelia cardinalis    3-9      Yes      Cutting down spent spikes 2 to 3 in. from the ground will sometimes promote a small rebloom; short-lived so allow a few seeds to ripen or ground layer a stem or two
Catmint         Nepeta spp. 4-8      Yes      Cut stems down to 2 or 3 in. after flowering to keep plant looking neat; may or may not reflower after deadheading; deadheading will prevent reseeding
Columbine    Aquilegia spp.          3-8      Yes      Snip off spent flowers to side stems to keep columbines blooming; cut entire stem to the ground when finished; allow some seedheads to ripen to ensure replacement plants
Coral bells     Heuchera hybrids   4-8      Yes      Cut flowering stems below the low mound of foliage as they finish; deadheading will extend the flowering and sometimes promote a smaller second flowering
Daylily           Hemerocallis hybrids        3-10   Yes      Snap off spent flowers as they wilt to keep the later flowers as large as possible; once the stem is finished, cut it to the ground; some cultivars rebloom, others do not
Delphinium  Delphinium elatum            3-7      Yes      Pinch off spent flowers along the stems; cut the finished spikes to a leaf bud to encourage smaller side shoots; cut to basal foliage when all flowers are done; often reblooms
Dianthus       Dianthus gratianopolitanus         3-9      No       Some cultivars reseed, so deadhead as soon as the flowers fade; remove spent stems but leave the clump of foliage
Foamflower Tiarella spp. 4-9      Yes      Some will rebloom after deadheading; cut or pinch off entire stem down into the low mound of foliage to improve appearance
Foxglove       Digitalis spp. 3-8      Yes      Pinch off individual flowers along the stem; remove stems to the basal rosette of leaves when most of the flowers are finished; may rebloom later with smaller flowers; may reseed
Gas plant      Dictamnus albus     3-9      No       Cut seedheads down to foliage after flowering, or leave star-shaped seedpods for late-season interest; will not reflower with deadheading; can reseed
Gaura Gaura lindheimeri  5-9      Yes      Flowers much of the summer without deadheading on stems that just keep branching; cut out stems that have bloomed to reduce reseeding; cutting encourages more branching
Geum Geum hybrids         5-9      No       Can flower much longer with deadheading; cut spent flowers back to budded side branches; later remove the entire stem to the low mound of foliage
Globe thistle            Echinops ritro          3-9      Yes      Cut spent flowers to a side branch to keep the plant flowering as long as possible; cut entire stems to basal foliage when finished; late rebloom with smaller flowers
Goldenrod    Solidago spp.           5-9      Yes      Deadhead first and largest flowering back to healthy foliage to promote smaller second flowering from side buds; cut all seedheads to prevent reseeding
Taken from https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/prune/perennial-deadheading-guide/
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

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image from mgnv.org 

      Good morning…. what a change we have had since Saturday.  Low or no humidity and the temperature was in the 70’s(20C) for the highs. It is to be like this all week.  All I can say is Enjoy and Stay safe.
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Australia family and friends are having this for their weather. Nights are warming up 50F(10C) highs of 66F(18C) but they are having 85% rain.  What I hear back from them is that there is rain, but it sometimes goes around them in Sale. It is now 1:00 AM Tuesday August 26 while we are at 10:00 AM Monday morning.  Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe. 

Here is the start of the perennial list of what to do with them.  Deadhead, cut back or leave alone. 
Perennial deadheading guide
Deadheading, or cutting off spent and dead flowers, is a great way to tidy up your garden. But there are other benefits, too: Cutting back at the right time and in the right way can help you prolong the bloom time or even get a second flowering out of many plants. Others will reseed all over the place if you don’t keep their spent flowers picked off. https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/prune/perennial-deadheading-guide/

Plant name   Botanical name       Cold zones    Will it rebloom?      Tips
Astilbe           Astilbe spp. 4-8      No       Deadheading won’t stimulate more flowers so leave seedheads standing for late-season interest; when they look ratty, cut them to the ground
Baby’s breath          Gypsophila paniculata      5-8      Yes      Cut panicles of spent flowers to side shoots to keep this perennial flowering longer; shear stems to the ground after they finish to promote second, smaller flush of fall flowers
Balloon flower        Platycodon grandiflorus   4-9      Yes      Prolong bloom and keep the plants fresh by removing individual spent flowers; stems are tough — use small scissors or snips and dip them in alcohol to clean the sticky sap; reseeds
Bear’s breech          Acanthus spp.         5-9      No       Leave the spent flowers standing — they remain interesting for several weeks; later, cut them to the basal rosette of foliage if they look objectionable
Bee balm      Monarda didyma   4-9      No       Cut spent blooms back to side buds to prolong blooming; after it’s finished flowering, cut stems down to 4 or 5 in. to promote mounds of clean, healthy foliage; rarely reblooms
Bergenia       Bergenia cordifolia 3-8      No       Cut flower stems off at the ground after flowering to keep the plant looking tidy; will not reflower; rarely reseeds
Bellflower, peachleaf        Campanula persicifolia     3-8      Yes      Pinch off individual flowers as they fade; cut entire stalk back to within 6 in. of the ground when it’s finished to encourage rebloom; releases a sticky sap as you prune
Blanket flower        Gaillardia x grandiflora     3-8      Yes      Snip off individual flowers a few inches below the seedhead to prolong bloom; later cut stems to within 6 in. of the ground; stop deadheading in August
Bleeding heart, fernleaf   Dicentra spp.           3-9      Yes      Cut the flower stems down to basal mound of foliage after they’re finished to keep this perennial flowering into autumn; can reseed
Bleeding heart, fringed     Dicentra formosa   4-8      Yes      Keep up with removing spent flower stems down to the foliage and this perennial can continue to bloom into fall; does not die back like old-fashioned bleeding heart
Brunnera      Brunnera macrophylla      3-8      No       Cut flowering stems with small leaves down to 2 or 3 in. after they flower to prevent reseeding; leave basal foliage developing in the center of the clump; will not rebloom
Bugbane       Actaea racemosa    3-8      No       Leave seedpods on plant to add winter interest or cut them off to uppermost set of leaves, leaving as much foliage as possible to feed the plant; will not rebloom
Taken from https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/prune/perennial-deadheading-guide/
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

Good afternoon. I just cleaned up from working up some tomatoes today.  I got 2 large pots full of puree tomatoes and the packet from Mrs. Wages in them, plus 2 Dutch ovens full.  I am working on Mrs. Tomato soup, her pasta sauce, and her pizza sauce.  You know we must clean the tomatoes, scald them, core them and skin them, and then I use a food processor to puree the tomatoes.  That mess is done for now.  Tomorrow I will continue to process in the hot water canner I have.  I use the electric Ball one, that I  just love.  It controls the temperature, and the boiling so just have to time how long to leave them in.  When I used the stove ones, I was always checking the burner turning it up or down depending on what it needed.  I love that ping sound. 

Our weather today is again humid, but there is a little breeze.  82F(28C) dew point is 68F so it feels humid out.    Low tonight of 62F(16C)  Thursday and Friday are to be similar temperatures and humidity, but the weather for the weekend will feel more fall like high of only around 70F(20C)  less humid.  We will see hope so.  This hot and humid weather is getting old.  Hard to work out in the garden for sure.  I still have 3 wagons to clean up but that will come.   Stay cool, stay safe.

Australia family and friends for their Thursday August 21st will start out cool at 37F(3C0 but end up being a nice day at 65F(18C).  Evelyn said she was going to start seeds for tomatoes and peppers.  Remember it is the start of their spring.  Time for us that I am posting this is 4:30 PM Wed.  Their time now would be 7:30 AM Thursday.  Stay warm, stay safe
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If you drive by you will not see the 3 wagons, we have them under the trees by the house on the south side, so they don’t dry out as much as they would when they are out in the sun.  What I have posted pictures of is what I have developed as my garden.  I have been working on this since June, but you couldn’t see if because of the wagons.  I am enjoying the garden and hope to do some planting.  Yes, more planting.  I just love to plant. Hope you enjoy the garden as much as I do. 
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 

     GOOD afternoon.  Posting this at 4:00 PM.  I am continuing to process tomatoes and getting all the equipment ready is taking time.  I didn’t do any processing last year as we were getting ready and gone to Australia in Sept. and Oct.  That was ok, but now I am getting back into it.  I do love the part of processing and canning.  Of course, the ping is the best sound you can hear when you are canning.

 I got a request for a plant for a young lady that works here for Five Star for her birthday.  I made up a succulent bowl for her and it turned out nicely.  I still like to plant.  Larry had a couple of customers that he got the vehicles done, so I got their paperwork completed.  That is my life work from the greenhouse, and the shop every day.  But Larry and I do find some satisfaction in helping others.  Thanks for the business. Now it is time to write this for all that read what I write. I have a good number of hits each day, so again thanks for that. 

Our weather isn’t cool or less humid like I thought it would be after the rain Monday.  It is still humid, and the temperature is 84F(29C) but the dew point is at 70 degrees.  It feels like 89F again and it is warm out.  I am afraid the weather man said all week it will be like this but the weekend it will be more fall like.  Sunday high of 67F(19C).  That will feel good and all of us will want to be outside working and enjoying that weather.   Stay cool, stay safe.

Australia family and friends for Wed Aug 20 will have another cold morning.  Evelyn said that it was -3C(27F) a day ago.   It looks like it is going to be that cold for them today. But it is a high of 61F(16C).  For us that would be welcome. Stay warm, stay safe. 

I saw this article on Facebook about the health and mental part of gardening.  I found it very interesting.  Interesting fact.” Some studies have shown that regular gardening may help to reduce the risk of dementia by 50%.” 

Have you ever considered that gardening can be good not only for Mother Nature’s overall health, but for ours as well?
For starters, spending time outside on a sunny day can boost our vitamin D exposure, which in turn can reap both physical and mental benefits. Being outside in the fresh air can lower your blood pressure and affect your sense of well-being.
The idea of gardening being good for the body and mind is starting to take hold. For example, the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) promotes the environmental, economic and community and health benefits of horticulture.
Gardening can be relaxing and a way to reduce stress and create a sense of belonging and connectedness.
What are the physical health benefits of gardening?
Gardening can be a great form of exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, and gardening is a moderate intensity activity.
Raking, shoveling and using a wheelbarrow are excellent whole-body exercises. These types of activities that require you to use your entire body have greater exercise benefits. In addition, carrying water buckets and mulching are good strength-training activities.
Growing and consuming fresh vegetables may improve your diet by providing a source of nutritious food. Research has shown that people who grow vegetables are more conscious about maintaining a healthy diet. Here’s a fun fact: 25% of American homeowners grow their own berries, vegetables or fruit trees, according to this infographic from the NICH.
Gardening keeps older hands strong and nimble. Research shows that older adults who garden have better hand strength and pinch force, self-esteem and overall physical health.
Prevent any injuries by using proper body mechanics and stretching before going out to garden.
What are the mental health benefits of gardening?
Gardening isn’t just good for your body — it’s good for your mind as well. Gardening stimulates the brain, which reduces the risk of cognitive decline. Some studies have shown that regular gardening may help to reduce the risk of dementia by 50%.
Gardening also can boost your mood. Studies show cytokine levels rise, which in turn activates the “feel-good” hormone serotonin when working in the soil. Specific bacteria in the soil also can boost your serotonin levels.
Gardening can be used to practice mindfulness by focusing on the different tasks, appreciating the colors and acknowledging the work you’ve done. Engaging in mindfulness has been shown to decrease stress levels.
What are ways to make gardening easier on your body?
Tips to help make gardening more enjoyable without hurting yourself:
Take frequent breaks, drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen.
When lifting heavy bags of mulch or dirt, be sure to use proper lifting mechanics by lifting with your legs, not with your back. You can also use a wheelbarrow to transport mulch or dirt, rather than carrying the heavy bags long distances across your yard or garden.
Choose the right tool for the job. Try using adaptable tools, such as tools that are designed for people with arthritis. Long-handled tools can help prevent stooping and back issues.
Use a gardening stool or chair when weeding, or kneel or sit on a padded foam cushion, to protect your knees.
Use alternative gardens — such a raised beds or containers — to bring them up to waist level so that you don’t have to bend over while tending to your plants.
Most importantly, know when to stop. That’s often a problem with avid gardeners, especially early in the season when they may be out of shape after the long winter, and more likely to overdo it in the garden.
Taken from https://health.osu.edu/health/general-health/health-benefits-of-gardening
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 cutdriedflowerfarm.com 

      Good wet morning.  It started to rain around 4:00 PM yesterday Sunday and by 7:30 PM we had 2 ½’ of rain.  IT rained during the night and early this morning, so we ended up with 3 ½” by then.  Greenhouse has water in it, the grass is ponded, and it is wet.  How did you do?  Again, we are a heat advisory out for neat 98F.  With the temperature and the humidity.  After today, it looks like the humidity will be less and it will be more comfortable.  I don’t know about you but with this extreme heat and humidity a person gets tired more easily.  Stay cool, stay safe. 
 
Australia family and friends for Tuesday August 18 will be having frost alerts and sheep grazier warning.  Temperature will be at a low of 35F(2C)  Cold for them. It should warm up to 58F(15C).  Stay warm, stay safe. 
 
 Let’s be honest: gardening can be a spiritual experience. The stillness of the morning, the smell of damp earth, the thrill of spotting that first tomato—these are the moments that restore us. But so too are the moments when the neighbor’s cat uses your raised bed as a litter box, your sunhat gets carried off by the wind mid-hose-spray, or you mistakenly compost your car keys.
Gardening and humor go together like worms and compost—unexpectedly delightful and surprisingly essential for growth.
Sure, we all want perfect rows of carrots and flawless roses, but the truth is, behind every prize-winning garden is a tale of misadventure. Ancient gardeners—probably—told tales of chasing goats out of their lettuce patches. And while we may not have goats, we’ve got groundhogs, squirrels, and an uncanny knack for planting things right before a hailstorm.
I’ve personally learned this: you can dig your way to peace, but you laugh your way to joy.
Take, for instance, the time I transformed my mom’s pristine flowerbed into an accidental pumpkin patch. Those pumpkins grew like they had something to prove, taking over everything from the petunias to the patio furniture. Mom wasn’t thrilled. But years later, she still brings it up—with a smile (and a suspicious tone).
Or the unforgettable “controlled burn” incident, where my dad and I learned that clearing poison ivy with fire is not recommended unless you enjoy explaining your swollen faces to the ER staff. That wasn’t our best moment—but we do make excellent cautionary tales.
And that’s really what this is all about. We gardeners don’t just grow plants. We grow stories. And the best ones are the funny ones—the ones that remind us we’re human, we’re resilient, and we’re always learning (even if it’s the hard way).
These stories will have you laughing through your mulch, grinning between watering sessions, and wiping tears of mirth from your eyes while reading under your favorite garden tree.
From mischievous gnomes to zucchini that stage a garden takeover, this anthology is a love letter to the hilarity that grows alongside the basil and the beets.
Happy laughing, happy digging, and may your compost always be rich (but never mysterious).
 
You Bet Your Garden!  by Mike McGrath 
*How whacked out has YOUR season been? It is early August as I pound these words into my helpless keyboard. We have already endured more – 90 degrees or above – heat waves than ever before, and today’s high is predicted to be 68 degrees. Time to start building that experimental rocket ship if you have an infant son.)
Hostas have two natural enemies: slugs, which love to nibble on their (presumably) tasty leaves, and deer, for whom hostas are a four-star gourmet meal.
The first time I realized that my method of gardening was a gladiator sport occurred one year when I was admiring my food garden (on the other side of the driveway from the hosta farm) in June. (Hint: if your garden doesn’t look good in June, take up woodworking, cause it’s all downhill after that. Nobody schedules a garden tour in August, by which time you have given up and the weeds are beginning to receive mail.)
Anyway, a rogue clump of hostas had set up camp at the front edge of the food garden, right next to a tree stump that also served the birds’ sanitary needs.
But there was something strange about this clump. I was viewing it from the center of the garden, and the big leaves looked fine. Then I went out in front of the clump and saw that what at first appeared to be a big circle of hosta was more like the part of a saloon you see in a Western movie—without the lumber holding up the fake front. As someone once said, ‘There’s no there there.” (Well, somebody must have said it by now. Or maybe it was those monkeys attempting to write Shakespeare.)
I realized that slugs don’t eat that fast—and there were no distinctive slug holes in the remaining leaves. That left deer. Clever deer that had tried to fool me by leaving ten percent of the clump standing! (“He’ll never notice!”)
Thus began my war with the endless stomachs on legs, at one point surrounding the food garden with corrugated steel panels laid flat on the ground because I had been told that deer didn’t like walking on them. Well, neither did I.
Never thought about the front garden, which had lots of bulbs bursting in the Spring—including tulips which are supposedly a favorite food of deer. And voles. And mice. And Evil Squirrels, which not only ate some of my underground bulbs but replaced them with black walnuts, which don’t bloom well in the Spring.
And so it was this Spring: lots of snowdrops, Glory of Snow and crocus; followed by a plethora of daffodils (my favorite bulb because it is bitter tasting and toxic and untouched by any otherwise bulb-eating creature.
And these, of course, are followed by the tulips—and follow they did! Yes, there are fewer of them every Spring, but it’s also been a couple of decades since I planted any new ones, so the sight of these survivors still fills me with joy.
This year’s hostas, however, did not fill me with joy—mostly because there weren’t any. One morning I awoke and noticed something different about the front garden, which I would say was nothing (to see, that is), but there were signs of what was and was yet to be. (Or, more correctly, what would have been to be.)
Despite having no leaves my Pennsylvania Sticks have persisted until Fall (which, as I have already noted, arrived in early August this year). Makes you wonder what Christmas will be like.
But now that the deer have Visted my Hosta, what does next year bring? Theoretically, a perennial that loses all its leaves early in the season will not flower the following year. But does that apply to a perennial whose growth rate puts kudzu to shame?
My money is on the “see you later” translation. It’s the deer I wish I could tell.
Taken from https://foodgardening.mequoda.com/articles/hosta-la-vista/?t=109487
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

two pictures of ​Chaenomeles speciosa  or commonly known as Japanese flowering quinces, Japonica or Maule’s quince burst into bloom.

Maintenance in the garden continues through the cooler months including hedge pruning, planting new trees and cutting back the grasses.
There’s a familiar yearly cycle that’s followed to help keep the gardens looking their bestt.

Good afternoon, we are in a severe thunderstorm.  Dark black clouds came through, then the wind picked up, and after that it rained.  We didn’t get much rain.  I don’t think we had any damage from the  wind this time around.  Looks like another rain coming around 6:00.  Now I find this so interesting because this wasn’t predicted this morning.  It looked like all of this would stay in Minnesota but how quickly the front can change what happens.  Again, I went out at 7:00 AM to work in the greenhouse area.  I moved containers around and moved out my garden in pots that were close to the greenhouse.  It was in the grass area, and I wanted Larry to mow it up, so I moved it to the black top.  It will be easier for me to water there.  I planted lots in the garden bags, and the water drains well, so watering it must be really a long time to get all the soil wet in those.  The vegetables are growing well.  I will show pictures next week.  I will finish up the 4th wagon moving the flats to be unplanted tomorrow.  So, I will have that one empty too.  Next week after Monday looks cooler, and less humid so by finishing that job I can do it then.  I do enjoy being out there in the early morning.  I am excited about moving the wagons off the blacktop for the weekend, then my garden of containers will show when you drive by.  The Dougherty Firemen will be having their annual pancake breakfast Sunday morning from 7-12.  Please drive by and see how my garden looks with the containers, and the trees as a background.  This is what I have been working on.  I was brought over some tomatoes today so canning will start with them.  I hope to make Pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and new tomato soup for me this year.  All of this will be using Mrs. Wages packets.  I will cook them up and then process them in a cold-water bath.  I have that electric water bath canner which is handy to use.  I didn’t do any canning last year as you recall we made our trip to Australia leaving early Sept. I just love to hear the ping of the canning lids when they have been processed.  Enough about what I am doing.  How about all of you?  Working the gardens, and I hope you are taking time to enjoy them.  High Saturday of 86F(31c) with humidity it will feel like 97F(36C).The same on Sunday and Monday.  The lows are what will be hard 70F (20C so not cooler down much.  Stay cool, stay safe. 
 
Australia family and friends for your Saturday, Sunday Aug 16, 17 it will be rainy conditions expected around 9 AM wind gusts  are up to 14 mph.  High for them will be only 53F(11C).  Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe.
 
I am posting pictures and what was wrote about the pictures from the Sale Botanic Gardens in Sale, Victoria, Australia.  For them it is the sign of spring coming.  Hope you find them interesting.
 
Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens
Established in the 1860's the Sale Botanic Gardens is Gippsland's only surviving Botanic Gardens from colonial times.
You know Spring isn’t too far away when the Chaenomeles speciosa  or commonly known as Japanese flowering quinces, Japonica or Maule’s quince burst into bloom.
These delightful flowers bloom on bare branches with the leaves appearing later 
It’s a hardy plant and well suited to our climate.

This beautiful purple flowering plant is the native Alyogyne huegelii or Lilac hibiscus. It can be found growing in the Woody Meadows or Bill Cane collection.

Male cones on the Cypress to the right of the front entrance. Looking at the map of the trees, I think it is the Cupressus torulosa, also known as the Bhutan Cypress or Himalayan Cypress.
​
​Maintenance in the garden continues through the cooler months including hedge pruning, planting new trees and cutting back the grasses.
There’s a familiar yearly cycle that’s followed to help keep the gardens looking their best.
Taken from Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from dengarden.com 

      GOOD noon DAY.  I just came in from working in the greenhouse area this morning.  I was out there at 7:45 AM and it was very nice out.  Humidity hasn’t come in yet; sun was out but then clouds moved in.  Rain is in the area, but we aren’t getting any.  Very comfortable out.  I know that is going to change.  I spend the morning watering the fruit trees, flower containers, large trees and wagons.  I am down to 4 and almost have that 4th one composted or unplanted.  I am saving back plants that I still want to pot into containers to see how they do. I am learning lots of what looks good, and what plants are not so much.  A lot of the success of these pot containers for annual planting is the water.  Not enough or too much will make a difference in them growing.  I will share that information with you.  I need to talk to Jen, our professional photographer, on how to take the pictures of the potted containers to give you the best picture.  High today is the seasonal temperature of 82F(28C).  It sounds like it is going to change starting Friday through Monday.  Again hot, and humid.  I found this article on how to garden in extreme heat.  What I liked was the advice, slow down and pace yourself.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends starting their Friday August 15th with a low temperature of 39F(3C),cloudy conditions, continuing through the morning with 80% chance of rain. High today for them is supposed to be 62F(16C). Stay warm, stay safe.
 
I liked this advice especially the “part slow down and pace yourself” as you can’t work as hard as you do in the spring.  Be safe in this heat and humidity. 
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Stay Safe: Tips for Gardening in Extreme Heat
Written By:  Robin Sweetser
If you like to garden, be careful in extreme heat. Here are seven sensible tips to keep in mind during hot and humid weather. Whether you like it hot or not, it is important to be aware and take care while working outside.
Gardening in the Heat
I like hot summers, but I know that my opinion is in the minority when I hear my fellow gardeners complaining about the heat and humidity. Here’s how to cope with the heat when you’re in the garden:
Do your heaviest work early in the morning, as early in the day in possible, or in the evening. It’s good for both you and the plants. Take a cue from South American and Mediterranean countries where it is siesta time from 11 to 2 in the afternoon. Sit in the shade, relax and enjoy your garden, listen to the birds and watch the butterflies. The weeds will still be there waiting for you once the day cools down.
Slow down and pace yourself. Take frequent breaks. It’s okay if you can’t get as much done during a hot, muggy day as you can on a cooler day!
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of cool water before, during and after working outside. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. And no alcohol. It just dehydrates you. Get in the habit of bring a water bottle with you if needed. Drink in small sips to avoid getting waterlogged. If you’re feeling dehydrated, consider a sports beverage which will place the salt you’re sweating out.
Don’t forget the sunscreen! Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. (I apply when I get up in the morning as part of my routine.) You may have to reapply it after sweating.
Wear a hat. A proper sun hat shades not only your face but your ears and neck as well. Wear light-colored clothes to reflect sunshine, too.
Tie a wet bandanna around your neck or even drape a wet cotton dish towel over the nape of your neck. If you have considered buying one of the fancy cooling towels, save your money. Consumer Reports tested several along with an ordinary kitchen towel (smooth, not terry cloth) and found that they only varied by about 2 degrees. Better yet, pop the wet bandanna or towel into the fridge or freezer for a while.
Go inside if you feel yourself getting overheated or breathing too heavily. Take a cool shower or spray yourself with the garden hose!
Summer Bummer
If, like me, you don’t know when to quit, one rule of thumb is to add the temperature and humidity figures together.
How to Cool Your Body Down
If the answer is over 160, it is time to head inside. Heat-related deaths outnumber those from natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, and earthquakes combined.
There are three levels of heat sickness that can quickly affect a hard-working gardener on a hot day.
Heat Stress can cause muscle cramps and fatigue. Your body is telling you it has had enough. Time to head to a shady cool location and drink some water. You can also try a sports drink to replace lost electrolytes and minerals. Ignoring the symptoms leads to heat exhaustion.
Heat Exhaustion adds headache, nausea, and dizziness to the cramps and fatigue. Heavy sweating and  pale or flushed skin are also signs that your body is heading toward trouble. Ignoring these symptoms can quickly lead to heat stroke.
Heat Stroke can be fatal! If you stop sweating, are vomiting, have a body temperature of 104, have a racing heart beat and rapid, shallow breathing, cool down immediately and seek medical help. Cool off in front of a fan or AC or take a cool shower or bath and drink water until help arrives. Cool down gradually. Don’t pour ice cold water on your head or you could go into shock. Untreated heat stroke will lead to unconsciousness and can damage your heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles.
Hot weather is tough on plants and people, too. You can’t take care of your garden if you don’t take care of yourself so when the thermometer starts to sizzle, head inside during the hottest part of the day.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/tips-gardening-extreme-heat
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from Pinterset.com 

       Good day! As I am writing this in the afternoon.  I was out to the greenhouse area at 7:00 AM and it was as nice, cool as it could be.  I finished up one more wagon.  Only 4 more to go.  I am composting the plants that aren’t very nice or what I call unplanting.  It is to be that nice again in the morning, so up and out early.  Hope to get another wagon emptied.  Less to water which I will have to do soon.  ENJOY, stay cool, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for  Thursday Aug 14 looks like sunny conditions expected around 9AM wind gusts are up to 8MPH Temperature high will be 62F(16C) while their low was 36F(3C).  It is still in winter, but they told me spring is in the air.  Our time is 2:30 PM On Wed. afternoon and they are at 5:30 AM Thursday morning.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
I am seeing gardeners getting more peppers than their tomatoes are ripening.  Here is a simple fruit to preserve just freeze the peppers.  Here is how. 
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How to Freeze Peppers
Freezing peppers for year-round use!  Written By:  Celeste Longacre
Peppers are one of the easiest vegetables to freeze. Simply wash, dry, cut, and put them flat in freezer bags! Bell peppers and hot peppers need no blanching whatsoever. Learn how to freeze peppers to enjoy in stir-fries, soups, and other meals through the winter!
Peppers are such a lovely fruit. They come in many different colors, sizes, and degrees of heat. This method of freezing peppers will work for all varieties of peppers, including bell, banana, jalapeño, shishito, cherry red, and more!
Did you know: A green pepper is just an unripe one—give it time, and it will turn red, orange, purple, yellow, or even chocolate brown!
Regular peppers are a delicious addition to a crudités platter with veggie dip; they have a distinctive crunch and a beautiful sweetness (if ripe). Stir-fried peppers and onions are phenomenal with hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, and steaks. Many times, I use pepper to begin my soups, and they are an excellent start for a chicken or steak stir-fry.
What You Need to Freeze Peppers
When it comes to freezing your garden-fresh peppers, all you need are a few simple kitchen tools, some room in your freezer, and a bit of time.
To freeze peppers, you will need:
Cutting Board
Knife
Quart Bags or Freezer Containers
And that’s it! It truly is such an easy way to preserve this nutritious and delicious vegetable for the winter months.
How to Freeze Peppers
Begin by gathering your peppers. Sun-ripened peppers from the garden are my preference, but this method is also a wonderful way to preserve peppers purchased at the grocery store or the farmer’s market.
Wash the peppers in cool water to remove any dirt and dry them thoroughly. I tend to wash the peppers the night before I freeze them and leave them out on a clean dish towel overnight.
Then, remove the stems, seeds, and membranes of the pepper. This all makes excellent fodder for your compost pile.
Cut or dice peppers to the size you want. I tend to dice my peppers, which I find to be the appropriate size for sauces and soups, but you can also freeze julienned, chopped, or minced peppers.
chopped green peppers on a wooden cutting board
Cut the peppers to a size that you will use prior to putting them in the freezer.
I just pack the pieces right into freezer-safe, zip-top bags, them laying flat so that they will stack nicely in the freezer. I tend to use a lot of peppers during the year, so I try to fill quite a few quart bags in season.
Other people will spread the cut peppers on a baking tray so they’re not touching each other, then freeze them till firm. After, they transfer to freezer bags with all the air pressed out or to a vacuum-sealed bag. I utilize  the tray method with blueberries so they don’t freeze in globs, but find this isn’t necessary with peppers, for me. The choice is yours!
Cooking With Frozen Peppers
When it is time to use my frozen peppers, I break off the appropriate amount for my recipes and toss them directly into the pan. Most of the time, an onion or two is already there slowly frying in coconut oil (and a dash of salt) until soft. I like to wait until the oil begins to turn the color of the peppers (about 20 to 30 minutes) before continuing with my recipe. This ensures that both the onions and the peppers are soft and delicious.
You can use frozen peppers in nearly any recipe that calls for cooked peppers (the texture will be slightly rubbery if eaten raw). One of my favorite ways to use them is the Creamy Fettuccine with Vegetables!
You Can Also Freeze Stuffed Peppers!
Simply prepare the stuffed peppers as usual, then place them on a baking sheet prior to cooking. Place the baking sheet in the freezer. Then transfer the whole stuffed peppers to a freezer bag or container. When you are ready to eat them, place the frozen peppers in a baking dish and bake as usual, adding 30 to 45 minutes to the baking time. Enjoy!
I freeze much of my harvest! Whether you’re a gardener or just don’t want to throw away food, I find freezing to be one of the best ways to preserve my garden produce.  This is the author Celeste Longacre.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/how-freeze-peppers
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse