image from Evelyn at Stoney Creek Trestle bridge image from Tom at Seaspray beach images from mediastorehouse.com WOW the weather has changed. Windy outside, cooler temperatures and cloudy. 39 F ( 4 C) feels like 28 degrees F. ( 2C) at 12:00 Noon. So, it is getting colder out as it was 40 at 10:00 AM. Low tonight at 26 f (2 C) As I have been writing people, it seems like Halloween today. Cold, windy, and gloomy. This is how I remember Halloween’s in the past. Stay safe for trick and treating but enjoy if you can.
I am just giving you a couple of pictures of Larry with his sister Evelyn and brother-in-law Tom. You see before we got there, Evelyn’s grandchildren couldn’t figure out that she had a brother. Even though she talked about the family, they just couldn’t believe that grandmother would have a brother. Her friends when they saw Larry wondered what happened to Evelyn with her height. It is all in the genes. Their grandmother Elsie Litterer was little, and Evelyn looks like her. Larry’s genes come from grandfather Theophil and some of his uncles. They have a brother Jerry who is just as tall. Jerry has a son Jake that is tall at 6’3” or more. Larry is the oldest, and then it is Evelyn 2 years younger. Picture with Ev is taken at Trestle bridge at Stoney Creek and the one with Tom was at Seaspray. I had to check with Ev that I got this right. So many pictures, so many memories and they all run together. Evelyn and Tom were great hosts, taking within 2 hours of Sale to see a lot. Australia’s are just now starting to celebrate Halloween. We have seen pictures of the grandchildren all dressed up. Very nice to see. What are your Halloween customs? I am sending out cards, ecards, and letters to many. Here is information about Seaspray. Seaspray is a small coastal town in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. The town is located on the Ninety Mile Beach, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) off the South Gippsland Highway, in the Shire of Wellington, 242 kilometres (150 mi) east of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2016 census, Seaspray had a population of 322.Seaspray's main recreational features and tourism attractions focus around swimming, surfing and other watersports, as well as fishing on the Ninety Mile Beach. There is also fishing in the creek, walks, tennis, picnic and playground facilities, and regular markets. In winter, people are likely to see southern right whales cavorting close to shore. The town is home to a Surf Life Saving Club and hosts annual Surf Life Saving Carnivals.[3][4] In 2015, the Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club underwent a $2.6 million rebuild after the previous club rooms had been badly damaged by violent storms in 2007. This first stage of the rebuild included better operational control facilities, a first-aid centre, equipment storage, and a function area with views across the town and beach. Future stages will include a patrol tower, extensive outside decking to expand the function area, and larger storage facilities. Taken from en.wikipedia.org The Stony Creek Trestle Bridge was built in 1916 when the existing rail line from Melbourne to Bairnsdale was extended to Orbost. This 97km Bairnsdale to Orbost extension through rugged terrain was reputed to have been the most difficult rail project undertaken in Victoria. In service for over 60 years the bridge was damaged by bushfire in 1980, with the last train crossing in 1987. At 247m long and 20m high, it is the largest standing bridge of its kind in the State, and is listed on the Register of Historic Sites. Built of red ironbark and grey box timber, it is a fine example of the early engineering skills that utilised the resources and materials found on site. Due to its poor condition the bridge itself is fenced off. There are two viewing areas, one close to the top of the bridge height. the other at the base. The sign post is on the Princes Highway between Lakes Entrance and Nowa Nowa (about 5km from Nowa Nowa). After you turn off from the Princes Highway there is about a 3km drive into the bush to the bridge. The road is suitable for all cars. Taken from https://www.visiteastgippsland.com.au/stony-creek-trestle-bridge Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365
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image from ontheworldmap.com Good morning, and it is warm out as it was during the night. 61 degrees at 8:00 AM. But this will change as tomorrow the high will be in he 40’s. You can see we are going to get a cold front. With this cold front, there is going to be rain. Some of the weather could be severe with hail, wind and tornados. Hope we all just get the rain. Stay safe all.
I am working on pictures and our trip to Australia. I am writing up the trip in story form. I found this interesting map of Australia. We flew into Sydney and then to Melbourne. Evelyn and Tom picked us up and then drove to Sale which is like driving from MPLS. We were up a total of 35 hours from the time we left Dougherty to the time we got to their home. We were tired, but the jet lag didn’t seem that hard. When we got into LAX airport our gate, we came from was 33 and our international flight was gate 34. Just next gate over. I thought this is easy Pease. We were on all the flights early so had plenty of time to get ready to board. The flights out they asked for military people and for the international flight as for retired military people. Larry and I took advantage of boarding early. Thank you for your service was given. We flew Delta from Mpls/St Paul to Sydney Aust. In Sydney we had to get passports approved. That line was like pushing cattle through a small area. It was all done electronically. We had to find our luggage and take it through customs again. That went well. We walked to another area to check in to the domestic flight to Melbourne. We loaded a bus to take us from the international airport to the domestic flight. Two different airports and quite a distance to get there. When we got off the bus, I had help to get to get through customs again to board to get to Melbourne. Again, we went ahead of the line and that went well. We were instructed to go to the main floor of the Sydney domestic airport and there was a cart waiting for us to take us to the gate. I always ask names and this driver was “George”. He was from Greece and has lived there for 18 years. George got us to our gate. While waiting, I noticed that the board changed that wasn’t our gate. I asked and we had to move to another gate to load up. Now George came and found us to make sure we made the correct gate. We found the airport staff very helpful for this couple from rural Iowa USA that haven’t traveled in an airplane for 28 years. That was me as Larry traveled for the Seabees but that was the military that lined up his trip tickets. We got into the air for Melbourne, and it was a quick flight. No time even for a drink as we had to make up time. We left later than scheduled and we landed at a different gate. Evelyn was at the airport, and she had to find out where we were. She found us and off we went to get the luggage and start the next leg of the trip. Tom was parked outside of the airport to pick us up. We found him as he came back into the pickup area and off, we went to Sale, Victoria Aust. As this time, both of us were just dazed and overwhelmed with the size of the airports, the miles traveled and not knowing what to do. I am sure we looked confused and tired, but we made it. I wanted to write while we were on the trip, but again, I didn’t want a lot to know we were gone. This started our month-long visit to Evelyn and Tom McAdam, Larry’s sister. We traveled the long flight of 9000 miles from LAX to Sydney. We left Sept 8th and got there Sept 10th. We left fall here and it was spring there. It was a great visit, and we had wonderful hosts in Evelyn and Tom. Not enough thank you will be said about it all. I will write more about our trip in future posts. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 image from belegendarypodcast.com Good morning…it is cloudy and a little darker this morning, without the sun shining. The temperature at 10:30 AM is 57F (14C) degrees wind S SE 15 mph so it is breezy and makes it cooler. High today of 74F. (23C) with a low tonight of 61F (16C). I can’t believe it is October 28 with temperatures like this. But come Thursday it is going to get colder out. Of course, in time for Halloween and trick and treat. Wed sayings 100 % chance of rain. That is so much needed. We haven’t had rain since the first part of Sept. At least, anything that counts. Stay safe all.
I found this article and found that a greenhouse offers cuttings like this for sale which makes growing houseplants a cheaper option. I am going to try it. Sorry I didn’t see it earlier to get some of the coleus, and begonias to try. Next year for sure. I might be asking if any of you have these houseplants you would be willing to share small rooting for me to have. Let me know if we can make a trade of plants this spring if you give me cutting now. Thanks. Growing Houseplants in Water The houseplant trend that began in earnest during the pandemic continues to grow (no pun intended)—and for good reason. Houseplants are a simple way to bring life, energy, and personality to your space. But not everyone wants the hassle of growing in soil. If that’s you, try this: Grow houseplants in water! We’re not talking mere propagation here, either. Most folks know that you can start baby plants in water before transplanting—and perhaps you’ve even done so yourself—but for many popular houseplants, you can just leave them in their liquid homes. Below, we share 13 houseplants that can be grown in water. But first, let’s talk about the benefits. 5 Benefits of Growing Houseplants in Water Arguably, the best reason to grow houseplants in water is, well, the water. You don’t have to worry about underwatering or overwatering, and that’s a huge benefit for folks who tend to be either a bit forgetful or overzealous when it comes to plant hydration. Plants grown in water also use less water than those grown in soil. Maintenance: Plants in water require less maintenance than plants in soil, as you only need to replace the water occasionally. It’s also an elegant, beautiful way to grow plants. Imagine a room decorated with different styles of glass containers, each containing a lovely houseplant. It’s soothing and vibrant at the same time. Plus, it makes it easy to grow in small spaces since you don’t have to leave room for soil. Speaking of soil, we already mentioned that when you grow houseplants in water, you don’t have to deal with the mess that comes along with planting in soil. But there’s more: You also don’t have to worry about diseases and pests (we’re looking at you, fungus gnats!) that like to make their homes in the soil. Allergens: Growing plants in water can help reduce allergens in your home. 1. Heartleaf philodendron The easy-going heartleaf philodendron has glossy, green, heart-shaped leaves on long stems that will trail over the sides of its container and cascade gracefully, so it’s an excellent choice for hanging baskets and tall shelves. Also known as the sweetheart plant, this beauty prefers bright, indirect light, so set it a little way back from the window if it’s south- or west-facing. Heartleaf philodendron can also handle low light, but it will grow more slowly. Be sure to keep the vines out of the reach of kids and pets, as the plant is mildly toxic. 2. English ivy Considered an invasive by many when grown outdoors, this fast-growing vine makes a beautiful, easy-care houseplant. Hang it from a pretty jar or put it on a high shelf if you have curious kids or pets (it’s toxic to both animals and their humans), or train it to climb up a wall or set of shelves. The pretty green leaves are traced with white veins, and you may notice the color becomes more prominent the more light the plant gets. English ivy prefers bright, indirect light but can also grow in low light, like on a north-facing windowsill. 3. Pothos Great for beginners, this lovely houseplant is fast growing, with vines that spill over the side of the container. Pothos is an excellent plant for wall-mounted containers, hanging baskets, and high shelves. Its heart-shaped leaves with pointed ends are green with lighter colored variegation (think white, yellow, or pale green) that will appear most strongly in the bright, indirect light the plant prefers. You can also grow pothos in low or fluorescent light—it’s an excellent office plant—but avoid southern or western windows with strong afternoon sun. It’s mildly toxic to pets and people, so keep it out of reach. 4. Begonia With leaves that range from glossy purple-green to multi-colored and intricately patterned, begonias are an eye-catching addition to all sorts of living and working spaces. The distinctive look of these plants continues with their thick stems and waxy leaves, and most types grow in an upright manner. Both rex begonias and tuberous begonias grow well in water, so you have plenty of options. While begonias are shade plants outdoors, those grown as houseplants do best with bright, indirect light. Be sure to keep them up and away from pets and kids, as these plants are toxic. 5. Coleus With colorful, eye-catching foliage, coleus is a stunning, fast-growing plant to add to your water-based houseplant collection. Leaves show gorgeous patterns of green, pink, and purple-red, so you’ll want to put coleus front and center. Just make sure it’s not in direct sunlight—morning sun in an east-facing window is best. Plants usually grow upright but may spill over the sides of hanging containers as they grow. Also, coleus loves humidity, so it’s a great choice for bathrooms. Just choose the space carefully: These plants, as so many on this list, are toxic to people and pets. 6. Lucky bamboo Despite its name, lucky bamboo only looks like bamboo—it’s actually a member of the Dracaena family. This plant makes a wonderful gift, as it’s supposed to bring luck and good fortune to the person growing it. When purchased, it usually comes in a container of water with pebbles around the base for stability. You can either leave it in that container or move it into a clear container (bring the pebbles along). Either way, be sure to follow the water guidelines above and keep lucky bamboo in bright, indirect light. You can also take a cutting to create additional plants. Keep out of reach of pets and kids, though! 7. Chinese evergreen This exotic-looking plant boasts broad green leaves patterned with white, silver, or dark pink-red—very striking! Chinese evergreen isn’t fussy, so it’s a good plant for beginners. It prefers bright, indirect light but is also a plant that can tolerate low light, making it an excellent choice to spruce up your office. (Just know that less light equals less color.) Be sure to wipe dust from the leaves every few weeks to ensure the light can get through to support a strong, healthy plant. Chinese evergreen is toxic, so keep it up and away from curious pets and kiddos. 8. Spider plant This cascading plant is super popular for a reason—many reasons, actually. It’s simple to care for, has variegated foliage that looks beautiful in hanging containers and produces lots of little spider plant babies to propagate. Like many other plants on this list, spider plants prefer bright, indirect light, but unlike many of those plants, they are non-toxic to pets. Another difference: To propagate, snip off the baby plantlets instead of taking a stem cutting. Be extra careful that no leaves end up in the water—keep it shallow and add pebbles to give roots something to grab onto. 9. Monstera adansonii (Swiss cheese plant) There’s no need to guess why monstera is also called Swiss cheese plant, as its deep green, glossy leaves are decorated with many holes and divisions. Some varieties can grow quite tall, but this particular monstera stays relatively small and is quite manageable. The stems are cascading, so you’ll want to keep this one up high (and away from kids and pets—it’s toxic). Keep an eye on the roots as they grow quickly. Monstera adansonii is a tropical plant, so it prefers a warm room and does best in bright, indirect light. 10. String of hearts Like a gorgeous, living garland, string of hearts is a succulent with beautiful, lightly marbled, heart-shaped leaves attached to purple-ish stems that grow long and luxurious and can trace along the edge of a shelf, climb a wall, or cascade over the sides of its container toward the floor. (Bonus: This plant is non-toxic, so if your cat nibbles on it, no problem.) The ideal lighting for string of hearts is bright and indirect—and the plant needs that kind of light to give you strong color. Consider setting it a little ways back from a southern- or western-facing window. 11. Peace lily With its large, glossy, deep green leaves and white blooms, it’s no wonder peace lily is a popular houseplant. It adds a dramatic touch to your favorite room—but make sure the room is a warm one, as this tropical plant doesn’t appreciate a chill. Choose a container with a narrow neck so only the roots are in the water, as it’s important to keep the base of the plant dry. (You can put a mound of pebbles in the bottom of the container to help make this happen.) Bright, indirect sun is best, but make sure you put the plant somewhere kids and pets can’t reach. 12. Mint Mint is one versatile kitchen herb! Use it to add a bright, refreshing flavor to beverages, salads, rice, couscous, dips, cold soups, and desserts—you get the picture. What’s more, with its textured green, serrated leaves, and square-ish stems, it’s as pretty as it is useful. Mint can seem like a bit of a thug sometimes, as it grows quite quickly and can take over an outside garden, but that makes it perfect for indoor growing. 13. Rosemary A culinary staple, rosemary can be grown in water right on your kitchen windowsill—talk about convenience. Not only is it fragrant and delicious, but the contrast between this herb’s soft, green, almost evergreen-looking needles and a clear glass container filled with water is striking and lovely. Rosemary was originally grown in the Mediterranean, so it’s not surprising that it needs lots of bright light, like the kind that comes through a southern-facing window. In the winter, you may need to supplement that with a grow light to ensure your rosemary is getting enough rays. Choosing a Glass Container First, choose a glass container. We recommend clear glass because it allows you to see when the water is low, and the roots are getting too crowded, but colored glass is also fine as long as you can see through it. It’s worth noting that clear glass containers are susceptible to algae growth, so if you begin to have a problem, consider switching to dark-colored glass. (To clean an algae-stained vase, make a paste with salt and vinegar to rub on it—and be sure to carefully remove the plant and empty out the water first!) In terms of what kind of jar, you have endless choices. You can use vases, mason jars, test tubes, champagne glasses, or wall-mounted containers, or search antique stores for cool old jars, vintage glasses, and more. How to “Plant” Houseplants in Water Ready to plant? You’ll want to start with a cutting from an existing houseplant. Plants that have been grown in soil have a hard time adjusting to an all-water growing environment and often struggle once the switch has been made, so it’s best to start fresh. To take a cutting, using clean and sharp snips, clip a stem from a healthy houseplant just below a node (nodes are the places on the stem where the leaves emerge). The cutting should be a few inches long and contain several nodes, and be taken from a green portion of the mother plant, not a woody part. Be sure to remove any leaves that will be underwater. Fill the glass container with water. Tap water contains chlorine, which isn’t ideal, so the best practice is to either use distilled water or leave tap water out overnight to let the chlorine evaporate before adding your plant. Then, pop the cutting in the water so the bottom half of the stem is below the water line. (There are a couple of exceptions to this—see the descriptions below.). And voilà! Planting accomplished. How to Care for Houseplants Grown in Water Plants growing in water need the same amount of light as plants growing in soil, so match the light of the mother plant from which you took the cutting. (We’ve included light recommendations in our “13 Top Houseplants that Grow in Water” descriptions below.) As with soil-based plants, water-grown houseplants should be placed away from excess heat, vents, and drafts. You’ll want to completely change the water every couple of weeks (again, leave the water out overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate). If the water line gets low in between changes, be sure to top it off. Another must for growing houseplants in water is to add water-soluble plant food to the new water every time you change it. The plant food should be diluted to about one-quarter the strength of what you’d give a soil-grown plant. One benefit of using a clear container is that you can keep an eye on the roots. If they look unhealthy, carefully remove the plant from its container and rinse them off. If they’re getting too big or numerous, you can trim up to one-third of the roots (remove the ones that look least healthy). Be gentle when removing and replacing your plant! As you’ve probably gathered by now, growing houseplants in water is a neat, simple way to decorate your space—and with so many options, you’re bound to find one (or two or three) you love. Taken from https://www.almanac.com/13-houseplants-grow-water-no-soil-needed Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 images from Evelyn McAdam Good morning. Temperature is cool this morning, 38 degrees at 8:45AM. Sunny clear blue sky which will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. The chance of rain is 40% we will see. It is so dry out there in the air, must see how much we get. Stay safe and enjoy your day.
Here is a picture of us with one of Evelyn’s rose bushes. The rest of the pictures are of hers that started to bloom since we left. They had a wet cool spring, now that it is warming up roses are starting to bloom. I don’t know if you can see the stock of those rose bushes. They are big and thick. They must be cut back when they are done blooming which is something we don’t have to do. If you don’t trim them back they become overbearing. I saw a climbing rose that wasn’t trimmed back and it was out of control. When I looked up what zone would compare you can see it is zone 10b like Florida. One site called their area cool temperate area. Low humidity compared to the tropical area that Australia has nearer to the equator. Cool Temperate Includes: Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mt Gambier Low humidity with most rainfall in winter; hot dry summers and cold winters. Some regions will experience frosts and snow. Includes coastal areas of south-eastern Australia and alpine areas of Victoria, NSW and Tasmania. Zone 10a -1.1°C to 1.7°C which is 34F to 35F. which would be like 10a consists of parts of California and Hawaii, in addition to coastal Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Here is an article I found about the types of roses in Australia. I have seen most of them or Evelyn has talked about them. Always interesting in the world of gardening to see different things. All of these we can grow here in the USA, don’t know if we can grow them all here in Iowa. A Guide to the Common Types of Roses in Australia There are so many different types of roses that you can grow in Australia that it can be helpful to understand the varieties available before you start planting them in your garden. Written by: Annette Hird Personally, I choose roses to grow in my garden by how beautiful their blooms are and don’t have a preference for any particular type. This is probably because I’ve been a huge fan of growing roses for most of my life and just love all the different varieties that are available. Plus, most rose varieties do prefer similar growing conditions and care. However, many people do prefer to understand the different rose varieties that are available before making their selection. This can help with garden design, proper care and maintenance, colour coordination, and even fragrance preferences. Here’s a rundown of the different types of roses that are available for home gardeners in Australia. Hybrid tea roses This is probably the most commonly grown type of rose in Australian gardens. Each plant produces large flowers either singly or with several on the same stem. These roses will generally grow to a height of up to 2 metres. ( 6.5 feet) Some outstanding varieties include: Pink Illusion – speckled pink and white blooms Oklahoma – deep red blooms Mary Mackillop – delicate white and light pink blooms Floribunda roses Equally popular are the floribunda roses. These have medium-sized blooms that are often born in large clusters on the end of long stems. Most varieties will reach a height of up to 2 metres. ( 6.5 feet) I have a floribunda variety growing in my current garden called ‘Adorable’. It produces masses of deep pink to purple blooms in large clusters. These are great for cutting and putting in a vase. The flowers also have a lovely scent and I get two flushes of blooms, one in spring and one in autumn. Some other really pretty varieties include: Brass Band – orange and yellow blooms Gold Bunny – golden yellow blooms Pink Parfait – beautiful pink blooms Standard roses Standard roses are grafted roses using a straight, rooted stem with the top being either a hybrid tea, floribunda, shrub or miniature rose variety. While the single stem is bare, the top grows similar to a bush rose. These usually grow to a height of around 90 cm. ( 35 inches) Standard roses are useful for creating height in the garden and can be underplanted with low-growing plants. They’re also perfect for growing in pots. Some outstanding varieties include: Bordeaux – luscious red blooms Heritage – pretty pink ruffled blooms Peach Profusion – delicate peach-coloured blooms Climbing roses Also commonly referred to as rambling or pillar roses, these produce long canes that have to be supported by a trellis or another type of climbing frame. They make excellent screening plants and look fantastic when trained over an arch or arbour. Popular varieties include: Iceberg – snowy white blooms with yellow centres Pierre de Ronsand – white to pale pink blooms with a fruity fragrance Golden Showers – yellow open blooms with a sweet fragrance Weeping standards These are similar to normal standards except they have a climbing rose variety that has been grafted on top of the stem. This allows the canes to cascade down and results in a weeping effect. These will usually reach a height of around 2 metres. ( 6.5 feet) Look out for these varieties if you want to add one to your garden: Purple Rain – stunning bright pink blooms Seafoam – icy white blooms Crepuscule – delicate apricot blooms Miniature roses Miniature roses are low-growers and useful for landscape plantings. They don’t require as much pruning as regular roses and usually have an abundance of blooms. I had two of these growing in my last garden and they always brightened up my day with their gorgeous small flowers that appeared in profusion over a long period of time. They can get a little overgrown if left to their own devices but handle a hard prune really well. Some outstanding varieties include: Figurine – pretty pink flowers with white outer petals Mandarine – dark orange blooms My Little Angel – pale purple or mauve blooms Modern or English shrub roses This type of rose grows into a large shrub with tall and spreading branches or canes. They’re usually heavily thorned and have scented flowers. They are great for mass planting or creating a good screening hedge. Popular varieties include: Black Caviar – deep red blooms Caramelia – yellowy-apricot blooms Lion’s Rose – creamy-white blooms Ground cover or carpet roses These low-growing roses only reach a height of 50 cm and spread profusely. They produce masses of small flowers and require very little if any, pruning. These are ideal if you love roses but don’t have the time or desire to give them the care that they need. Taken from https://ultimatebackyard.com.au/types-of-roses/ Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 image from 1foodblogger.com Good morning. It is going to be cooler today as a high of 60 degrees and have wind from the NW. It looks like clear, blue sky. The weather is going to change as rain is the forecast for Thursday night. Let us hope because it is dry. It hadn’t rain since the first of Sept, so our whole time gone to Australia there was no rain, and it was hot. We need moisture as everything is going brown and dormant. Be safe.
I have been asked a lot what we had in Australia for meals. Evelyn made these vegetables all the time. I am sharing what she does. They are lovely. Thank you, Evelyn, for taking such good care of us. Give it a try. Roasted Autumn Vegetables Roasting your vegetables adds a wonderful depth of flavor and texture. Our colorful Autumn Roasted Vegetables dish is phenomenal with squash, potatoes, hearty root vegetables, and dark greens. All you really need is olive oil and seasoning, and voilà! Ingredients 1 pound small red-skinned potatoes, quartered, or whole creamer potatoes 2 cups peeled butternut squash, diced 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 2 cloves garlic, minced salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 to 3 cups packed kale, rinsed and chopped Instructions Preheat oven to 450°F. Lightly oil two rimmed baking sheets. In a bowl, combine vegetables (except kale), oil, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Spread mixture evenly onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 15 minutes on separate oven racks. After 15 minutes, add kale, stir vegetables, and return to oven, switching rack position of sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and browned. Taken from https://www.almanac.com/recipe/roasted-autumn-vegetables Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] image from TomsRIver.org Good afternoon. The temperature is mild at 68 degrees ( 20 C.) clear blue sky. Just 8 miles from us they got ¼” of rain. Now it sounds like Thursday night, so I hope so because it is so dry. I got more succulents moved into the greenhouse yesterday, started to water again outside. Will try to get another wagon emptied today with digging up lily bulbs and having some other pots that I will compost. I better do it when the weather is so nice. How about you are you working outside?
I don’t want to think of Thanksgiving yet, but here is the prediction for the weather for the United States for that time. Looks good for us and that will be nice for the traveling that people will do. Stay safe… Thanksgiving Weather Forecast 2024— by Bob Smerbeck and Brian Thompson We’re big planners here at the Almanac, and we know that many readers are already making Thanksgiving travel plans. Thanksgiving Weather Forecast In 2024, Thanksgiving (U.S.) occurs on Thursday, November 28. Many Americans get Thursday and Friday off from work for the holiday, often meaning they make that pilgrimage during the week. Ready for a road trip? Last year, AAA stated that most Americans (89%) travel by car, while 8.5% journey by plane for the holiday. Here is a broad look at the weather predictions leading up to Thanksgiving week! Will it Rain or Snow on Thanksgiving? Midwest to East Coast There should be a fair amount of sunshine from the Upper Midwest over to most of the East Coast. Travel weather should generally be pretty good in the days leading up to festivities with fairly mild or cool (but not frigid) conditions. That’s certainly good news for airline hubs such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, and Charlotte. Southeast and Florida As we travel south, a couple of showers could slow travel a bit from the Ohio Valley to the Southwest to the Deep South. However, the weather remains cool to mild, so there is nothing to worry about temperature-wise. In Florida, temperatures will be warmer than average for our most southeastern state. Also, expect rain showers—so a fairly warm, wet Thanksgiving. The Central U.S. Temperatures will be sunny throughout the Central U.S., with mostly warmer-than-normal temperatures from the Upper Midwest (Minnesota and Wisconsin) through the Heartland (Iowa, Missouri, Kansas) all the way to Texas and Oklahoma. Texans will enjoy a sunny holiday, with warmer-than-average temperatures in the north. Expect it to be a little cooler with a few showers in the south. The Plains Much of the Plains will continue to experience warmth similar to temperatures in the rest of the Central U.S. The Plains should be mostly dry with just a few showers. The Rocky Mountains A few snow showers could cause some slick spots if the trek to Mom and Pop’s house is in the Rockies, specifically in northern areas. Southern parts will be sunny. Temperatures will be relatively mild for the holiday. The Southwest to Northwest Dry weather and sunshine should help keep holiday travel moving in the Southwest, including hubs like Los Angeles and Phoenix. In California, expect sunshiny days from San Diego to San Francisco, with warmer-than-normal temperatures. As we travel north to Oregon and Washington, the warmer-than-average temperatures continue. At the same time, there could be some rain across the Pacific Northwest around the holiday. Much further north in Alaska, we expect a Thanksgiving with snowflakes and mixed rain in the central to northern areas. Hawaii Is anyone here from Hawaii or traveling to our tropical paradise over Thanksgiving? Expect slightly cooler-than-normal temperatures and rain showers in the east and west. Overall November 2024 Forecast We’re expecting a warm November overall from the Great Lakes over to much of the East Coast. Temperatures will also be near to above normal from the Upper Midwest through much of the central and northern Plains. Along the Gulf Coast, though, it will likely turn out a little cooler than normal. It will be on the chilly side from the Rockies over toward Washington State, while it will likely be warmer than normal from Oregon down to California. We’re expecting a warmer-than-normal November in Alaska, while Hawaii will be a little cooler. Across Canada, temperatures will mainly be near or above normal, with the exception of southern British Columbia. Precipitation will be near or below normal from the Great Lakes to the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic. Much of the Deep South and Southeast will be wetter than normal. A drier-than-normal November is expected from the Plains all the way to the West Coast. Across Alaska, above-normal precipitation will be found across the south, while it will be drier in the north. The Big Island of Hawaii will likely have a wet November, while the rest of the islands will be on the drier side. Looking at Canada, we expect near- to below-normal precipitation across the Maritimes, southwestern Ontario, southern British Columbia, Yukon, and Northwest Territories. Above-normal precipitation is likely for much of the area for southern Quebec, southeastern Ontario, and the Prairies. Taken from https://www.almanac.com/november-weather-forecast Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 image from vinsweb.org Good morning….clear blue sky this morning. Which we are not looking for! We need rain so we are looking for those built up of clouds with moisture in them. Unfortunately, doesn’t look like much rain this week…maybe Thursday with 55% predicted, so see what that brings. Fall harvest is coming along fine and all the tillage work is being done. I will continue to work getting the plants in the greenhouse for the winter, or cleaning up plants to get wagons emptied. 2 more to do. I will water what we have in the trees and the shrubs. Enjoy this warm weather we will have for a couple of days. Temperature with a high today of 82 (28C) Stay safe. Now you have your garden cleaned up, you could do this to improve the soil and get it ready for next spring. Just saying….
How to Improve Soil Quality in the Fall by Robin Sweetser We’ll let you in on a little secret that it takes many gardeners a few years to figure out: Late fall is the best time to prepare your soil for a great garden next year. Learn three simple ways to build soil health. Why We Prepare Soil in the Fall Soil is the bedrock of any successful garden. Remember, soil is not dirt. Soil is live organic matter teeming with microbial life! Isn’t it convenient that nature gives us all those autumn leaves at the end of our harvest season? And, if you’ve been composting your harvested crops and food scraps all season, you have that rich organic matter, too! This is why fall is such a good time to add nutrients back to the soil. It’s the cycle of life! Also, adding organic materials in the fall allows time for them to decompose and break down over the winter. Soil high in organic matter contains a reservoir of nutrients that are slowly released over time, which improves root growth and biological activity. Now, let’s go through three techniques to ramp up your soil’s health to set the stage for next season’s growing success! Dig in the Dirt! Soil Preparation: How Do You Prepare Garden Soil for Planting? No-Dig Gardening | No-Till Gardening How to Test Your Garden Soil (And 3 DIY Tests) 1. Reconsider Tilling If you have a small garden or a raised garden bed, consider leaving the soil untilled. The problem with tilling is that it can disrupt soil structure, create more erosion, and kill earthworms. For a small garden, simply dig by hand to remove any weeds, old plants, and debris. Then add organic matter but simply add a layer on top—and you can turn the soil lightly with a garden fork to mix it in. Now, if you have a large garden, digging up all your weeds and old plants may simply be too much work. In this case, add organic matter before you till, and then consider covering the soil with some form of mulch to avoid erosion. 2. Cover the Garden How often do you see bare soil in nature? Not very often. And there’s a good reason for this. Bare soil is easily eroded by wind, rain, snow, and weather elements—washing away all the nutrients. In the garden, covering the soil during wintertime offers a number of benefits: It suppresses weeds and gives them a tougher time and also prevents soil erosion. By using organic matter such as compost, manure, or leaves, you’re gradually feeding the soil—specifically, the life within the soil. This, in turn, feeds the crops you grow in it. So, what’s the best way to build the best possible soil? You don’t need to buy expensive soil amendments; much of the way you improve the soil is free or very cheap. Cover with Compost or Manure One of the easiest ways to cover the garden is with compost or manure. You can buy bags of compost at a local nursery but you can also make your own. You should be composting almost everything: kitchen scraps, pruning, leaves, cardboard, grass clippings. It’s free! See how to compost. Manure is fantastic as well, but it has to be from a trusted source. You don’t want manure contaminated with herbicides, which could pass through a horse or cow and damage your crops. Learn more about the best manure for the garden. How to add compost or manure? Just pour it about 1 inch deep across your bed to keep the soil covered over winter, weeds suppressed, and worms busy. The worms will drag it down to the soil so that the microbes can work on it, too, releasing all those nutrients in time, and feeding your crop for next spring. You can transport manure in the back of your car; if it’s fresh, stack it someplace for about a year because fresh manure is too strong for most plants. Cover with Leaves or Organic Material You can also make use of readily-available organic materials that haven’t rotted down, especially those autumn leaves! Just spread them out onto beds! Learn more about using leaves. Or, spread wood chips around fruit bushes to keep weeds down as well as slowly release nutrients to feed your plants. By the way, let’s dispel a myth. Wood chips do not rob the soil of nitrogen. Left on the surface, they create nothing but goodness, similar to a woodland floor. When you wish to plant, just push the wood chips aside. Cover with Field Beans “Cover Crop” If you start early enough (about 6 weeks prior to your first expected fall frost date), you can grow cover crops to build your soil. However, this assumes you aren’t growing fall crops, and you have the space. A cover crop will break down and add vital nutrients and organic matter to your soil. Cover crops also prevent erosion and suppress weeds. One crop you can always plant is super-hardy field beans. Other examples of cover crops are winter wheat, winter rye, and annual ryegrass. To plant, first clean up any remaining crops and plant debris. Bury the seeds a couple of inches into the soil, and they’ll grow until spring. Or, use a garden spreader to broadcast the seed and lightly cover it with soil and water. Let the cover crop grow until early spring, then till it under. Wait a few weeks after tilling before planting. You’ll end up cutting down your cover crops BEFORE they produce pods so that they can focus on fixing nitrogen from the air for their roots. When you chop them down, you can put the top growth into the compost heap for a full cycle of soil health! 3. Get a Soil Test Before you spend all that time growing food, it’s worth finding out if your soil is lacking the right nutrients or is perfectly fine. You’ve probably heard gardeners talk about soil tests before. Just do it! A soil test is the BEST way to know if your soil is ready for a bountiful harvest next year. And the BEST time to do a soil test is in the fall. You’ll find out if your soil has the right amount of nutrients for excellent plant growth. If you’ve never tested your soil, we recommend a basic soil test every 3 to 5 years. The soil test service will also give you not only the results but also recommendations and solutions for materials to add to your soil.| For example, you may need to adjust the soil pH (the soil’s acidity/alkalinity). A proper pH is important for nutrient availability to plants. Most vegetables grow best in soils that are slightly acid, falling between the 6.0 and 7.0 range on the pH scale. If you find out you need to raise the soil pH, you’ll be told to add lime. If you need to lower the soil pH, you’ll be told to add sulfur. If you burn wood, you can use ashes instead of lime to sweeten the soil. NEVER add lime or sulfur without knowing your pH. This could be detrimental to your plants. Too much of a good thing can do more harm than good. Or, you may need to add nutrients to your soil. For example, my soil test gave me this information: Nitrogen: Spread 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet using either 33 pounds of soybean meal or 15 pounds of dried blood. I’ll stick to the soybean meal since the idea of dried blood makes me squeamish! Potassium: To maintain the perfect potassium level, they recommend using 14 pounds of Sul-Po-Mag to supply 3 pounds of potassium per 1,000 square feet. Phosphorus: Absolutely no extra phosphorus is needed, so any commercial fertilizer mix should have “0” for its middle number. Get on track for a fruitful year in the garden come spring! This should give you a game plan for the necessary action to take to bring your garden up to snuff. Remember: Look after your soil and your soil will look after you! Taken from https://www.almanac.com/prepare-your-soil-fall-next-years-garden Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 [email protected] What should I do with the plants I have brought in from outside to have success over the winter?10/17/2024 image form flowerpope.com Good morning. Another clear, blue sky this morning. The temperature is 37 ( 3 C) at 8:00 AM which we have talked about for a month would have been 3 C. High today of 66 F.( 19 C. ) and low tonight of 44F. ( 7 C. ). Temperatures for the next 10 days look very nice. As 58-78 degrees F highs. But doesn’t look like rain at all in the forecast. We are not having a wet fall for sure.
Evelyn wrote that they were 80 F. (27 C.) degrees on Wed. It was cooler than when we were there. Australia’s all said a very cool start to their spring. They were getting rain so everything there was nice and green with many colors coming out in the gardens, and landscapes. Just getting used to the time zones, and then the seasons are opposite is something that we experienced. I know you have brought in your plants but here is some more information about successfully keeping them over. How to Bring Outdoor Plants Indoors by Robin Sweetser Have you brought your plants inside? Here’s advice on which plants will survive winter and how to take care of your plants while indoors. When to Bring Plants Inside True annuals and plants that we grow as annuals (considered tender perennials in southern regions) can not survive cold winter temperatures. But there’s no need to say farewell to these plants forever! Many “annuals” can be brought inside, even tender plants that need a winter dormancy period. These should ideally come indoors before nighttime temperatures dip below 45°F (7°C). As fall approaches and nighttime temperatures reach about 50°F (10°C), start bringing the plants inside for the winter. Most tropical plants will suffer damage at temperatures below 40°F (4°C), a few even below 50°F. You will need to act well before any actual frost or freeze to acclimate them. Even though we have a greenhouse attached to the house that gets plenty of sun, and the temperature there doesn’t usually drop below 45°F, I still have difficulty finding room for everything. Luckily, many of these plants would undergo a dry period in their native lands and don’t mind being shoved under a bench to rest. If you don’t have a greenhouse and have a lot of plants that need high humidity, think about creating a shelf or area to group these plants. Some folks mist their indoor plants, and—while this does help—it only lasts for a short period. A better long-term solution is using a pebble tray under your plants. Line the trays with waterproof material, add a layer of gravel, and place the pots on top. Keep the gravel moist. If you have hanging plants, perhaps you want to install some ceiling hooks. It’s also a good idea to clean your windows—inside and out—to ensure plants get adequate light this winter. Which Plants to Bring Inside You may need to decide what’s worth bringing indoors. Which plants are your keepsakes? Which are the most expensive to replace? Also, keep only the healthy plants, not those with disease or pest problems. Your indoor lighting will be crucial, too. In winter, even a west- or south-facing glassed area has only the light intensity of a shady area in the summer. Plants that can be brought inside fall into two groups: Plants that require a winter dormancy period. Plants that can remain actively growing through the winter months. Plants Requiring Winter Dormancy Some tender bulbs require a “dormant” time in a cool place where the temperature is still well above freezing. Many of these bulbs are expensive and worth overwintering. Examples of tender bulbs are: Caladiums Calla lilies Cannas Dahlias Elephant ears Gladiolus Tuber roses For tender bulbs in pots, stop watering them, cut off the dying foliage, and tuck them away in a dark, cool location. Check the soil moisture periodically. For tender bulbs in the ground, dig them up and cut the foliage back. Brush off as much soil from the bulb as possible by hand. Place them in a warm, dry area for 7 to 14 days to dry. This removes excess moisture. Pack them loosely in a cardboard box or open container, separated by shredded newspaper or dry peat moss. Tuck away in a cold, dark place. Pot them up in the spring about a month before you want to put them outside for a jump on the season. This Bolivian begonia will keep blossoming for a few weeks indoors before it drops its leaves for the winter. We have kept the tubers in the same pot for several years. Plants That Keep Growing in Winter Many of my annuals, herbs, and tropical plants will keep growing through the winter, and some will even reward me with a bloom or two. These will need a prime spot in the sun, but they don’t seem to mind the cool temperatures. Coleus Fibrous begonia Fuchsia Geranium (if given plenty of light) Hibiscus Cymbidium Amaryllis Agapanthus Iresine Mandevilla Rosemary It’s best to acclimate the plant to a lower lighting level for a few days before moving them fully indoors. For example, move a plant outdoors in full sun to a shadier area. If your plants have been used to bright light, try to put them in similar light indoors, like a south-facing window or under plant lights on a timer for 16 hours a day. Do not worry about leaf drop as the plants adjust to interior conditions; they will recover. Also, if your plant needs some pruning to temporarily reduce its size, prune it before bringing it inside. This hibiscus will eventually sulk and drop its leaves but perks right back up in spring. Fuchsia are a bit of a bug magnet, so I cut off their leaves and water the roots just enough to keep them living. In spring, they will start up again with fresh new growth and be in bud when it is time to go back outside. The cymbidium produces its first flower stalk as soon as we bring it in and will bloom for much of the winter. We keep the geraniums blooming all winter as well, but if you lack a sunny place for them, you can let them go dormant by cutting back by about half, putting a bag over the top, and watering only if they begin to shrivel. Some people even remove them from their pots and hang the bare-root plants upside-down in a dark, cool place, spraying them with water occasionally to keep them from shriveling up. Soak the bare roots in the spring for several hours to rehydrate them, and then repot the plants. Get Rid of Pests To ensure I’m not bringing in any unwanted visitors, I rinse all the leaves with a vigorous spray of water and check the pots all over, especially under the rim, for bugs, slugs, cocoons, and egg masses. When they are observed, treat an infestation with insecticidal soap or other insecticide labeled for these pests. I try to spray all the leaves down with a soapy spray made from 1 teaspoon of non-detergent soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s liquid lavender mostly because it smells so good) mixed with water in a 1 quart spray bottle. Spider mites have a life cycle of 7 to 10 days, so weekly spraying usually halts their growth. If I notice whiteflies, I’ll put up some yellow sticky cards to catch them. Don’t forget to spray under the lip of the container and the bottom of the container, where insects can hide. Indoor Plant Care Tips Don’t overwater! This is the most common cause of death for indoor plants, which don’t need much water in wintertime. Let the top 1/2 inch of the soil get dry to the touch before watering again. If in doubt, don’t water. Water succulents even less often when the soil has been dry for several days. Don’t water in cloudy or rainy weather, as plants won’t get sufficient light indoors to dry out. Plants require little, if any, fertilizer during the winter months due to lower light intensity levels. Fertilize in the spring, just before new growth begins. You can save yourself a bundle by overwintering some expensive tropical plants. If you have more plants than window space allows, offer them to a gardening friend! Taking Cuttings Just to be on the safe side, I also take cuttings of some of my favorites—like iresine, begonias, geraniums, impatiens, and coleus. All will root easily in water and make attractive houseplants. Cuttings are a wonderful and inexpensive way to create more plants if you lack space to store pots over the winter. To take a cutting: Choose healthy shoots and trim them about 2 to 3 inches below a leaf node. Remove any lower leaves and flower buds. Insert the cutting into a moistened rooting medium—such as coarse sand, vermiculite, or sterile potting mix (which typically contains both peat and perlite). Also, insert at least one leaf node below the medium surface. Tip: It is optional, but consider dipping the cutting in a rooting hormone prior to planting. It may help the odds of success. Place the cutting in bright, indirect light. Maintain an even moisture level. Covering the container with a plastic hood or clear bag will reduce overall moisture loss. Rooting typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the plant. Once the roots are well-developed, you can transplant to a larger container. Moving Plants Back Outside in Spring In spring, your plants will start to send up new growth, and you can drag those pots back into the sunlight and resume watering them. If needed, I will give them a new container with fresh potting mix. To be on the safe side, wait until after the last frost to move them back outside. A Few More Winterizing Tips Plastic and wooden containers can be left outside for the winter. Terracotta clay containers, however, may crack and should be brought inside. Before the temperature drops to freezing (32°F/0°C), disconnect garden hoses from any outdoor faucets. Fully drain the hoses and screw the ends together to keep out any insects and debris. Then, store them under the deck or in the garage. Good tools are expensive! Spend the time to take care of them properly. Clean tools with a wire brush and sharpen the surfaces. Apply a light coat of oil or product such as WD-40 to metal surfaces. Wipe wooden handles with an all-purpose cleaner and apply a light coating of wood preservative. Taken from https://www.almanac.com/how-bring-outdoor-plants-indoors Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 image from starwalk.space Good morning…frosty morning as we had that killing frost at 26 degrees. BUT I was wondering how much of your garden was green with the dry fall we have had. IT is time for this season to come to an end and get ready for the season of rest in the garden. It doesn’t mean our work is done in the garden. Now the cleanup, putting away garden stuff, hoses, sprinklers. Cleaning up garden tools and getting the garden ready for next season.
For me, I need to clean up another rack of plants. Most of them are lily plants, so will dig up the bulbs and put them into brown paper sacks. I have tried to leave them in the pots or have dug up and just put them in containers. Either way not that successful. Here we go, work to do with the gardening. When I heard, it was going to get cold, I wondered when we would have that full moon, looks like this week on Thursday so close to this killing frost that we had. Here is some information about the full moon this month. Stay safe all of you. The full Moon on Thursday, October 17, 2024, is known by its nickname, the Hunter’s Moon—it appears low and large on the horizon. This year, it’s also the biggest and brightest Supermoon—so that should be quite a sight! The Hunter’s Moon will reach peak illumination at 7:26 A.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, October 17, 2024. It will be below the horizon, so wait until sunset to watch it rise and take its place in the sky. Like September’s Harvest Moon, the Hunter’s Moon rises around the same time for several nights, bringing early light to aid harvesting and hunting. October’s full Hunter Moon orbits closer to Earth than any of the other full Moons this year, making it one of the four supermoons of 2024! At its nearest point, the Hunter’s Moon will be 222,055 miles (357,363 kilometers) from Earth… this is the closest Supermoon of the year! “Supermoon” is a catchy term for what astronomers’ call “a perigean full Moon,” which is when the full Moon happens at or near its closest point to Earth in its oval-shaped orbit. While a supermoon is technically bigger and brighter than a regular full Moon, it only appears about 7% larger—which can be an imperceptible difference to the human eye, depending on other conditions. As the Moon drifts over the horizon around sunset, it may appear larger and more orange—how perfect for the fall season! But don’t be fooled by the “Moon Illusion,” which makes the Moon appear bigger than it is. For decades, the Almanac has referenced the monthly full Moons with names tied to early Native American, Colonial American, and European folklore. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred and through all of the Moon’s phases—not only the full Moon. The Harvest Moon and the Hunter’s Moon are unique in that they are not directly related to this folklore or restricted to a single month. Instead, they are tied to an astronomical event: the autumnal equinox! The Harvest Moon is the full Moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox date (September 22, 2024). This means that either September or October’s full Moon may take on the name “Harvest Moon” instead of its traditional name. Similarly, the Hunter’s Moon is the first full Moon to follow the Harvest Moon, meaning it can occur in either October or November. This year, the Harvest Moon occurred on September 17, so the Hunter’s Moon will follow it one lunar cycle later, on October 17. Why Is It Called the Hunter’s Moon? This particular full Moon is commonly referred to as the full Hunter’s Moon. It is so-named because it was considered a signal for hunters to begin hunting in preparation for the upcoming cold winter. At this time, game animals were also fattening up to ready themselves for the winter season. Moreover, since fields had recently been cleared out under the Harvest Moon, hunters could easily spot deer and other animals that had come out to search for remaining scraps. Additionally, foxes and wolves would also come out to prey on these animals. The earliest use of the term “Hunter’s Moon,” cited in the Oxford English Dictionary, is from 1710. Some sources suggest that other names for the Hunter’s Moon are the Sanguine or Blood Moon, either associated with the blood from hunting or the color of the changing autumn leaves. Taken from https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-october Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 [email protected] WOW I have to say you have missed me. I haven’t written since Sept 4, 2024. WHY? We left Sept 8th for a month visit to Australia. Larry’s sister Evelyn and Brother-in-law tom live there. She has been there 50 years as she has made many trips back to see all of us, it is our turn to see her. We had an awesome time. It is their spring, and it was cooler than they are used to. Cold temperature for them in the winter is just freezing which would be 0 C or 32 for us. It would get down to 1 C when we were there. They also had lots of wind, and more rain than usual for their spring. All the rain made everything green and very nice. Evelyn took us to several gardens, and I have lots of pictures of Australia plants. I don’t know much about them but will share them with you. Hopefully make up a program about the plants from DOWN UNDER.
What you see in the pictures are Kangaroo Paw. They come in many different colors. Now this spring I did have a gardener ask for them, as she has had them in other years. I have ordered the seeds and see if I can grow them for your gardens for next year. We are home. We got home 9:00 Saturday night (the 12th) and just left Australia at 7:00 Saturday morning. But wait. We traveled over 9000 miles, took 22 hours with the biggest flight was 14 hours. They are on daylight savings time so 17 hours ahead of us. We are feeling jet lag yet but sleeping well at night. We had an awesome time. We have lots of memories with family and visiting spots. So much within two hours’ drive from Sale where they live. Ocean, lakes, small mountains, temperate rain forest, gold mines, and at island for koala bears, golf courses that have wild kangaroos on them. There are lots of small cafes and every little town has small bakeries. Many family-owned businesses, that makes it interesting traveling thru the towns. Of course, it is the other side of the road they drive on, and the steering wheel is different from ours. I would at first smile and laugh at the driving styles. They have lots of turnabouts, so that was different. Evelyn and Tom were awesome hosts. Evelyn and Larry had some great visits, and he helped her in the garden with projects. Evelyn took me to lots of places with flowers and native plants. So different from ours. Now got back to those freezing temperatures. We are working on watering everything well and putting it into the greenhouse on the wagons. I will need to work to make room for the plants I want to keep in the greenhouse as we get colder. Larry is cleaning out the three stoves to start the heating season. He has work to do in the shop in a couple of days. Back to what we want to do. Getting ready for the next season during this fall time. I must get orders in for plugs for next year. AND the seasons just starts all over. We will share the stories when we see you. Our world is vast so made us realize how small we are in the scope of things. We just need to make the best of it each day in our small way. Till next time this is Becky Litterer Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365 [email protected] |
AuthorHi! My name is Becky and I am a Master Gardener. I own Becky's Greenhouse in Dougherty, Iowa. Archives
January 2025
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