image from Evelyn McAdam

image from Old Farmer's Almanac

              Here is what the latest picture Larry’s sister, Evelyn sent about a tree.  She wrote love the simple beauty of the Jacaranda tree in blossom.  This is a good year for it.  Always interesting to see plants that we don’t have here.  They are going into their summer now while we are having our winter.  Stay safe and enjoy.  Also I shared the winter weather map from the Farmer’s almanac. 
​
WINTER WEATHER FORECAST 2021
FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC
LIGHT WINTER FOR MANY, COLDER IN THE WEST
Every year, folks ask us …  what’s the winter forecast? Without further ado, here is a sneak peak at our famous long-range weather predictions from The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac edition—including the winter maps for all of the U.S. and Canada.
Will it be a snowy winter? Will it be an exceptionally cold winter? How bad a winter is it going to be? We’ve highlighted our regional weather summaries below to give you an idea of what kind of winter we’re going to have in the 2020-2021 season—and why.
WHAT’S SHAPING THE WEATHER THIS YEAR?
Solar Cycle 25 is now underway. Cycle 24 was the smallest in more than 100 years and possibly the smallest since the Dalton Minimum in the early 1800s, while Cycle 25 is expected to also bring very low solar activity. Although such minimal activity has historically meant cooler temperatures across Earth, we believe the recent warming trends will dominate in the eastern and northern parts of the nation this winter, with only the Southwest being colder than normal. Most of Canada will have a cold and snowy winter. However, rising temperature trends mean that the winter will not bring extreme cold; instead, it will be closer to normal.
U.S. WINTER WEATHER FORECAST 2020-2021
Winter Weather Extended Forecast
If you were hoping for a reprieve from harsh winter weather this year, we have some news that just might make you smile. We’re predicting a light winter for most of us here in the United States, with warmer-than-normal temperatures in the forecast for a large part of the country.
Uncommonly chilly temperatures will be limited mostly to the western states and northeastern New England. Specifically, winter will be colder than normal in Maine; the Intermountain, Desert Southwest, and Pacific Southwest regions; and eastern Hawaii and above normal elsewhere.
On the precipitation side of things, expect “wet” to be a wintertime constant, with rain or average to below-average snowfall to be the standard throughout most of the country.
Specifically, precipitation will be below normal from Delmarva into North Carolina; in the southern Appalachians, Georgia, and Florida from the Ohio Valley westward to the Pacific and southward to the Gulf and Mexico; and in western Hawaii and above or near normal elsewhere.
Snowfall will be greater than normal in the Northeast, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, the High Plains, and northern Alaska and below normal in most other areas that receive snow.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/winter-extended-forecast-farmers-almanac
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365

image from hpseed.com 

       ​      The snow has started for us here in Dougherty at noon.  5-8 inches with wind blowing so see what happens.  Stay safe all.  I am working on spring order of plants.  I had too much to do with family and church before Christmas so got a couple of orders in then and will work till I get them finished now.  Always takes lots of time as I look up the new varieties that the growers are growing.  What should we have?  What colors?  How much?  And when to get them?  So, this is one of the new varieties I have ordered.  In the celosia family as a new cockscomb variety.  Heat tolerant, good for sunny locations.  Flowers with a compact and uniform habit, attractive large flower heads in bright colors.  I just loved the blooms, and it will be fun to see how it grows.  Great container plant.  New this season.  Which is fun to have here.  I told you spring is coming.  I am not ready to start planting but need to get the plants ordered.           
From the Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids,
Catching some ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Every living creature needs to sleep.  Scientists think that sleep helps an animal’s body recover from all the work it did when it was awake.  Some animals sleep at night, while others sleep during the day.  Animals that aren’t concerned with being hunted lions for instance can sleep any time they want.  Rabbits on the other hand have to watch out for danger all the time so they take many short naps.  The most expert napper of all is the ostrich.  Ostriches never sleep for more than 5 minutes at a time!
Dozy dolphins the dolphins brain is divided into two halves, just like a human brain, but dolphins do something humans can’t do.  They put one side of the brain to sleep while the other stays awake.  Then the other side takes a nap while the first side stays alert. 
Who sleeps the most?
Animal               sleep time per day
Bat                         20 hours
Python                 18 hours
Tiger                      16 hours
Squirrel                 15 hours
Ferret                   14 hours
Hamster               14 hours
Cat                         12 hours
Dog                        10 hours
Pig                          8 hours
Cow                       4 hours
Horse                    3 hours
Taken from The Old Farmer’s almanac for kids
How was your sleep last night?  Hope it was not like a bat 20 hours.  Stay safe….till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa 50433  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365   
 

image fromeatbydate.com 

     ​    It looks like it has been almost a week since I have posted.  That is what the Christmas holiday does, just gets too busy to do the regular stuff.  Now that is over, back to what my routine is.  We had a good Christmas holiday.  Spent time with the family over internet.  Not the same as being together, but we still got to see each other.  Soon we can spend time together.  It is a nice day today, as the calm before the winter storm that is predicted for the State of Iowa.  South of us could get more snow, but they are still predicting us to get 5 inches with wind, so that snow will move and get drift I am sure.  Stay safe everyone and hope this storm will pass quickly.  I got a new book this Christmas The Old Famer’s Almanac for kids.  I found this article thought it was interesting.  Any of you have done this?  Let me know.  Thanks,
     Onions and oatmeal Good for what ails you.
Years ago, people didn’t have drugstores and pharmacies to go to for remedies for minor injuries, itches and insect bites.  They often went to the pantry ore into the garden for a remedy that took care of the itch or the pain or the swelling.  Some of those good ideas still work today. 
Got a splinter, grab a potato
If you get a splinter, put a spud on it.  Wash and peel a white or red potato, then cut off a piece and grate it.  Put the grated potato on a piece of gauze and tape it over the area with the splinter.  Leave it on overnight so that the potato can dry out.  As it dries, the potato draws moisture to it, including body fluids from around the splinter.  All that moisture brings the splint closer to the surface of you skin and makes it easier to remove.  Carrots also work, their beta carotene helps to heal the skin too.
Burn yourself?  Stop the sizzle
Restaurant cooks discovered that slapping a cabbage leaf on a minor burn aids in healing.  Cabbage is high in glutamine, which helps new cells grow and prevents infection.  Make a paste by grinding up some cabbage leaves with a little water in a blender.   Put the paste on the burned area and tape gauze over it.  Leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes.
Itchy?  Take a bath
Got an itch or a rash that’s driving you crazy?  Put a handful of oats in an old sock, knot it and dunk it and yourself in a warm tub.
 The white milky stuff the oatmeal gives off is cellulose, and that’s what will calm the itching. It’s a good idea to take along a little cloth bag of oatmeal when you are camping or hiking in the woods.  If you run into something that makes you itchy, wet the oatmeal pouch and squeeze the juice onto the itch, leaving it on until it dries. 
Bitten?  Time for an onion
Sooner or later, we all get bitten by a mosquito.  When that happens, reach for an onion.  Yellow and red onions contain sulfur compounds that reduce the swelling and itching that result from the salvia that the mosquito injects when she drinks your blook.  Sulphur compounds are what makes onions smell.  Put a slice of onion on the bit or to release more of the juice, grate the onion and wrap it in q gauze.  Tape the slice or the gauze bundle over the bite.  You can expect results in about 15 minutes. 
Interesting concepts, don’t know if they work or not.  Have to keep in mind for later use. 
Taken from The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365

      ​   Larry and I just got back from seeing Jupiter and Saturn together.  It is clear in the southwest sky.  Just like the picture I saw it would look like.  One planet is bigger than the other, but you can see two of them.  Unbelievable.  Awesome. Great site.  Hope you all get a chance to see it.  Enjoy, stay safe and the wind is still blowing.  Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

image from oldfarmersalamac.com 

     One week from today it will be Christmas.  I just can’t believe that.  I am not ready but as every year when Christmas comes I will be ready or just done with it.  Our Christmas cards and letters will be going out after Christmas but that is usually when I do them anyway.  Something to get after Christmas.  I am sending you these instructions to make snowflakes.  I haven’t made them for years, so should be fun to try one or two.  Sometimes, simple is better.  Stay safe.
STEP-BY-STEP PAPER SNOWFLAKES FOR HOLIDAY DECORATING  By Catherine Boeckmann
Turn your home into a winter wonderland with paper snowflakes! Perfect for a snow day, this easy project is fun for all ages.
No matter what the weather looks like outside, it can be winter where you are. Use these easy paper snowflakes to decorate your home or office in time for that virtual holiday party!
HOW TO MAKE PAPER SNOWFLAKES
What You’ll Need:
White paper
Scissors
Tape
String
First, you’ll need to cut your paper into a square: Take one corner of the paper and fold it diagonally so that it touches the opposite edge of the paper. Cut off the unfolded part of the paper so that you have just the folded square remaining. If you are cutting standard 8 ½ x 11-inch paper to make it square, save the ends; you can make baby snowflakes with them or use the paper for notes.
Now that you have a perfect square, follow the instructions below to make a snowflake—and remember: no two snowflakes are exactly alike, so be creative!
While you’re making your snowflakes, learn more about the history of photographing snowflakes! And while you’re in a holiday crafting mood, find out how to make a cranberry wreath or nut wreath.
SOURCE:
Taken from The Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids, Volume 3
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365

      ​     Cloudy, colder out than we have had.  It doesn’t look like the clouds will go away so will be colder today and dreary.  It feels so much better when we have that sun out from under the clouds.  One week is Christmas Eve, can you believe that?  I can’t believe that so much to do yet.  Here for Larry and I the days goes so quickly that leads to the weeks going quickly.   Hope you are having that too but with the way we are to stay home and be safe it is hard on that for sure.
WHAT DOES A WREATH ON YOUR DOOR SYMBOLIZE?  By Robin Sweetser
This time of year, there are Christmas wreaths adorning everywhere imaginable—from doors and fences to lampposts and windows—even the front grille of the car! How did a round bit of greenery come to symbolize the holidays?
Wreaths are part of many ancient traditions dating back to the earliest civilizations. The circle is a symbol of immortality; throughout history, wreaths have been associated with life, rejuvenation, and renewal. Originally, wreaths were worn around the head, neck, or waist.
The Greeks awarded laurel wreaths to their triumphant athletes, in the Persian Empire they were worn on the head as a symbol of importance, and ancient Romans wore them like crowns. In Sweden, candles were incorporated in the wreaths to celebrate the return of light after the winter solstice. Nowadays we use them in a window or on a door as a sign of welcome during the holidays.
They can be used flat on a table for decoration or as an advent wreath, which also has candles, one for each Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
YULE LOVE THIS WREATH
Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, my local library has a wreath-making workshop. The library supplies the greens and wire and you bring your own wreath form, gloves, clippers, and enthusiasm. All the wreaths that are made that day are beautiful and all are different. Luckily, there are no hard and fast rules for wreath-making. Whatever pleases you is a success!
Every wreath starts with a base of some sort; it can be wire, straw, vine, or wood. Stalks of woody herbs like rosemary, lemon verbena, artemisia, or summer savory can be wrapped into a circle to make a fragrant base. Gather small bunches of evergreens together and wire them to the base. Overlap the bunches to hide the stems. Tuck small bunches of herbs and other interesting greens into the base using more wire to hold them if necessary. Using greens of different colors and textures will give your wreath its richness. Add cones, dried flowers, berries, and fruit for accents. Don’t forget the bow!
Herbs can add symbolic meaning to your wreath:
Rosemary for remembrance
Sage for good health
Thyme for bravery
Lavender for purity
Rue for virtue
Juniper for life and hope
Hawthorn berries for protection and joy
Throw in cedar for strength, holly for immortality, and pine cones for long life and prosperity.
Whatever your family traditions are, at its very core, a wreath celebrates the cyclical nature of life.
Get inspired by Robin Sweetser’s backyard gardening tips and tricks. Robin has been a contributor to The Old Farmer’s Almanac and the All-Seasons Garden Guide for many years. She and her partner Tom have a small greenhouse business and also sell plants, cut flowers, and vegetables at their local Farmer’s Market.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/story-behind-your-christmas-wreath
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365

image from StClareSeeds.com 

            Sorry I haven’t posted.  I needed to get our daughter’s packages ready to be sent out.  That is work isn’t it, to wrap for Christmas, and then pack them so they get they’re in good shape.  BUT that is done.  Hopefully, she will have them by Christmas.  How are you doing for Christmas?  There is always so much a person wants to get done, and it comes down to what gets done, gets done.  Weather has been colder than last week, but seasonable.  For us today, the sun is out, almost clear sky and very little wind.  How are you handling COVID?  With the vaccinations, starting up the end is in sight.  Just need to be safe for a little longer.  I am a spring thru fall greenhouse, so I do not have to worry about sales this time of year.  I do help with the shop work that Larry has at Larry’s Garage, but we can safely be 6 feet apart when they come in.  Make the best you can with Christmas and be thankful that we will see this thru. 
     The Old Farmer’s Almanac online, posted this about seed catalogs.   I thought you might find this interesting.  I am sure you have been getting some already.  I have and need to work on the orders as I have been doing.  Greenhouse work isn’t over when the door is closed, I promise you that.  Have fun looking at the catalogs, the springtime will be here I promise you that. 
​
LIST OF SEED CATALOGS FOR FLOWERS, BULBS, VEGETABLES, FRUIT, & MORE  By Catherine Boeckmann
Free Garden Seed Catalogs and Plant Catalogs
It may feel like winter but the garden season begins in December with the arrival of the seed catalogs appearing in mailboxes and online. Here is a wonderful list of free garden seed catalogs and some of our favorites. Given the massive increase in gardening this past year, the growers have prepared plenty of stock and all hands are on deck. Start dreaming!
The catalogs are listed below in alphabetical order. Most of the seed and plant catalogs are complimentary; a handful might not be free but they are still worth considering. None of the catalogs in this list are produced or sold by The Old Farmer’s Almanac. This is simply a list which both Almanac editors and readers have suggested. For a list of Canadian sites, click here.
40+ SEED CATALOGS & ONLINE PLANT SOURCES
Our editors’ favorite seed companies are those that offer heirloom and hybrid open-pollinated and non-GMO seeds. We’ve put a star * next to some faves.
*Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
2278 Baker Creek Rd.
Mansfield, MO 65704
417-924-8917
www.rareseeds.com
Online and print catalogs.
Bluestone Perennials
7211 Middle Ridge Rd.
Madison, OH 44057
800-852-5243
www.bluestoneperennials.com
Online and print catalogs.
*Botanical Interests Seed Packet Company
660 Compton St.
Broomfield, CO 80020
877-821-4340
www.botanicalinterests.com
Free digital catalog; no print.
*Breck’s Bulbs
P.O. Box 65

Guilford, IN 47022-0065
(513) 354-1511

www.brecks.com
Free catalog, plus web store.
*Brent and Becky’s Bulbs
7900 Daffodil Ln.
Gloucester, VA 23061
877-661-2852
www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com
Free print catalog, web store.
Burpee Seed Company
300 Park Ave.
Warminster, PA 18974
800-888-1447
www.burpee.com
Online and print catalogs.
Busse Gardens
17160 245th Ave.
Big Lake, MN 55309
612-810-3017
www.bussegardens.com
Online catalog.
Dutch Gardens
4 Currency Dr.
P.O. Box 2999
Bloomington, IL 61702
800-944-2250
www.dutchgardens.com
Online and print catalogs.
Eden Brothers
2099 Brevard Rd.
Arden, NC 28704
828-633-6338
www.edenbrothers.com
Online catalog.
*Fedco Seeds
PO Box 520
Clinton, ME 04927
questions@fedcoseeds.com
(207) 426-9900
https://www.fedcoseeds.com/trees/requests.htm
Online and print catalog.
Fieldstone Gardens
55 Quaker Ln.
Vassalboro, ME 04989
207-923-3836
www.fieldstonegardens.com
Online catalog.
GeoSeed
121 Gary Rd.
Hodges, SC 29653
888-645-2323
www.geoseed.com
Online and print catalogs.
Gilbert H. Wild & Son
2944 State Hwy. 37
Reeds, MO 64859
888-449-4537
gilberthwild.com
Online and print catalogs.
Greenwood Nursery
636 Myers Cove Rd.
McMinnville, TN 37110
800-426-0958
www.greenwoodnursery.com
Online catalog.
Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co.
P.O. Box 4178
Greendale, IN 47025
513-354-1491
www.gurneys.com
Free print catalog, web store.
 Henry Field’s Seed & Nursery Co.
P.O. Box 397
Aurora, IN 47001-0397
513-354-1494
www.henryfields.com
Online catalog.
*High Mowing Organic Seeds
76 Quarry Road
Wolcott, VT 05680
866-735-4454
Print and online catalog.
www.highmowingseeds.com/
*Johnny’s Selected Seeds
13 Main St.
Fairfield, ME 04937
877-564-6697
www.johnnyseeds.com
Online and print catalogs.
*J.W. Jung Seed Co.
335 S. High St.
Randolph, WI 53956
800-297-3123
www.jungseed.com
Free print and online catalogs.
Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm & Nursery
13101 E. Rye Rd.
Avalon, WI 53505
800-553-3715
songsparrow.com
Online catalog.
Leafari
2928 Jefferson Street Ste 2C
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-359-8207
www.leafari.com
Online catalog.
Mountain Crest Gardens
402 Bridge St.
Fort Jones, CA 96032
877-656-4035
www.mountaincrestgardens.com
Online catalog.
Nature Hills Nursery
9910 N 48th St, Suite 200
Omaha, NE 68152
(888) 864-7663
www.naturehills.com
Online catalog.
*New England Seed Company (NESeed)
122 Park Ave., Building H
East Hartford, CT 06108
800-825-5477
www.neseed.com
Online and print catalogs.
Nichols Garden Nursery
1190 Old Salem Rd. NE
Albany, OR 97321
800-422-3985
www.nicholsgardennursery.com
Online catalog.
Old House Gardens
4175 Whitmore Lake Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-995-1486
www.oldhousegardens.com
Online and print catalogs.
*Park Seed Company
3507 Cokesbury Rd.
Hodges, SC 29653
800-845-3369
www.parkseed.com
Free print and e-catalogs.
*Pine Tree Gardens
Pinetree Garden Seeds
P.O. Box 300
New Gloucester, Maine 04260
1-207-926-3400
https://www.superseeds.com/
Print and online catalogs.
Raintree Nursery
391 Butts Rd.
Morton, WA 98356
800-391-8892
www.raintreenursery.com
Online and print catalogs.
*Renee’s Garden Seeds
6060 Graham Hill Rd., Suite A
Felton, CA 95018
888-880-7228
www.reneesgarden.com
Online-only catalog.
John Scheepers, Inc.
23 Tulip Dr.
P.O. Box 638
Bantam, CT 06750
860-567-0838
www.johnscheepers.com
Online and print catalogs.
*Seed Savers Exchange
3094 North Winn Rd.
Decorah, IA 52101
563-382-5990
www.seedsavers.org
Online and print catalogs.
Seeds of Change
P.O. Box 4908
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220
888-762-7333
www.seedsofchange.com
Online catalog.
Select Seeds
180 Stickney Hill Rd.
Union, CT 06076
800-684-0395
www.selectseeds.com
Online and print catalogs.
*Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
P.O. Box 460
Mineral, VA 23117
540-894-9480
www.southernexposure.com
Free print and online catalog.
*Sow True Seed
243 Haywood St
Asheville, NC 28801
828-254-0708
https://sowtrueseed.com/
Free print and digital catalogs and planting guides.
Sow True Seed Catalog
Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co.
P.O. Box 1800
Louisiana, MO 63353
800-325-4180
www.starkbros.com
Online and print catalogs.
Sustainable Seed Co.
355 E. 20th St.
Chico, CA 95928
877-620-7333
www.sustainableseedco.com
Online catalog.
*Territorial Seed Company
P.O. Box 158
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
800-626-0866
https://territorialseed.com/
Online and print catalogs.
Terroir Heirloom Seeds
P O Box 4995
Chino Valley AZ 86323
(888) 878-5247.
https://underwoodgardens.com/
No catalog, updated website.
Timeless-Tomatoes
1673 CR 1350
Wilber, NE 68465
402-821-7800
www.timeless-tomatoes.com
Online catalog.
Tomato Growers Supply Company
P.O. Box 60015
Fort Myers, FL 33906
888-478-7333
www.tomatogrowers.com
Online and print catalogs.
TomatoFest
P.O. Box 628
Little River, CA 95456
www.tomatofest.com/
Online catalog.
Totally Tomatoes
334 W. Stroud St.
Randolph, WI 53956
800-345-5977
www.totallytomato.com
Online and print catalogs.
Tulip World
8480 North 87th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53223
866-688-9547
www.tulipworld.com
Online catalog.
Twilley Seed
121 Gary Rd.
Hodges, SC 29653
800-622-7333
www.twilleyseed.com
Online and print catalogs.
Victory Seed Company
P.O. Box 192
Molalla, OR 97038
503-829-3126
www.victoryseeds.com
Free online catalog and $2 print catalog.
Wayside Gardens
One Garden Ln.
Hodges, SC 29653
800-845-1124
www.waysidegardens.com
Online and print catalogs.
White Flower Farm
P.O. Box 50
Litchfield, CT 06759
800-503-9624
www.whiteflowerfarm.com
Online and print catalogs.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/content/garden-seed-catalogs-mail
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365

image from mrfothergills.cou.au

      ​      It was cold this morning.  Low of 8 degrees.  Somehow, both Larry and I missed that forecast of being that cold.  But everything was ok, and warm.  Have to watch the greenhouse as we keep it heated all winter long, but not too warm so Larry isn’t putting wood in there all night long.  Going to be seasonal temperatures this week.  At night, temperatures will be in the teens, and during the day the temperature will be in 30’s.  Stay warm, stay safe.
This fall I bought some of these bulbs, ranunculus.  Have you ever planted them in a pot for spring blooms?  I haven’t never seen them let alone grown them.  We will see how they do. 
Brilliantly colored flowers are 'ranunculus' chief attraction, and they are indeed special. They most often come in multiple layers of delicate, crepe paper--thin petals, looking like an origami masterwork. Ranunculus (R. asiaticus) excel in southern and western gardens, and make terrific container plants everywhere. They also make long-lasting cut flowers. Bulbs are widely available in Fall at retail nurseries in mild-winter climates; in Fall and early spring from mail-order catalogs.
Ranunculus leaves, grass green and vaguely celery-like, grow in a mound 6 to 12 inches across. Flowers on 12- to 18-inch stems emerge in March from fall-planted bulbs, June and July from spring-planted bulbs; they last up to six weeks. On the most common type, the Tecolote strain, flowers are mostly fully double, 3 to 6 inches wide, and available in bicolored picotee, gold, pastel mix, pink, red, rose, salmon, sunset orange, white, and yellow. The less common Bloomingdale strain is shorter, to 10 inches, with pale orange, pink, red, yellow, and white double flowers.
Where and How Ranunculus Grow Best
Broadly speaking, ranunculus are frost-hardy cool-season perennials. They perform best where winters are relatively mild and springs are long and cool. The roots tolerate soil temperatures to 10°F, while growing plants can handle temperatures below 20°F for several hours.
Ranunculus are most popular in the mild-winter regions of the South and West, in states such as California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana (USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11), where they grow best. Planted there in October or November, they flower in March.
The clawlike bulbs, more correctly tubers, come in four grades or sizes. The largest, called jumbos, are the ones you should rely upon; they are at least 7 to 8 centimeters (2-3/4 to 3-1/8 inches) in circumference, or about 7/8 inch in diameter. Number one tubers are slightly smaller, 6 to 7 centimeters (2-1/4 to 2-3/4 inches); number twos are 5 to 6 centimeters (2 to 2-1/4 inches); and number threes, which are rare at retail, are 3 to 4 centimeters (1-1/8 to 2-1/4 inches).
Bulb size predicts the number of flowers. Each jumbo bulb will produce some 35 cuttable flowers, compared to a fifth as many from a number three bulb. Number ones will make about 20 flowers, number twos a dozen or more. Stick to jumbos for containers and most smaller plantings. Smaller number twos or even threes serve well for mass plantings.
At retail nurseries this fall, you can expect to pay about 50 cents for each jumbo bulb, 25 cents for number twos. Increasingly, nurseries also offer ranunculus in fall or spring as bedding plants in 4-inch pots. While the cost per bulb in pots is greater, this is a good option if you need only a few plants for a container.
Gardeners in zone 7 and north (Richmond and Reno to Minneapolis) can also grow ranunculus, but on a different schedule. In these regions, plant in early spring a week or two before the typical last frost.
Or, plant them in pots indoors in February for transplanting later. Place pots in a south- or west-facing window or under grow lights. Temperatures around 55°F are ideal. In early spring, gradually acclimate plants to outdoors by putting them out for more time each day (bring them in at night). Plant outdoors by mid-April in zones 6 and 7 (mid-May in zones 4 and 5). Spring-planted ranunculus will bloom in June or July.
Planting Ranunculus
Dry and hard when you buy them, tubers soften and plump up after absorbing moisture. You might be advised elsewhere to soak tubers before planting. It's not necessary, and if you happen to leave them in water too long, they'll turn to mush.
Choose a location in full sun and be sure the soil is well drained. The one environment that ranunculus do not tolerate is warm and wet. The cool soil of fall and early spring offers some protection from rotting, but soil that is never soggy gives extra insurance. Plant the tuber's claw pointed end down and 1 to 2 inches deep, less in clay soil. Space jumbos 8 to 12 inches apart (at least one tuber per square foot), number three tubers about 4 inches apart (two or three per square foot).
Ranunculus adapt easily to container life, but they do produce a large root system. A 10-inch pot can fit one or two jumbos or three number twos.
Whether tubers are in the garden or in pots, water thoroughly after planting, and apply a mulch of your choice: bark, coco hulls, and straw all work well. As long as soil retains some moisture, don't water again until you see sprouts, usually within 15 to 20 days.
Companion plants. Because ranunculus are cool-season bloomers, their natural companions include other cool-season flowers such as snapdragon (Antirrhinum), calendula, larkspur (Consolida ambigua), Chinese forget-me-not (Cynoglossum amabile), African daisy (Arctotis), candytuft (Iberis), sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), toadflax (Linaria), forget-me-not (Myosotis), Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule), primrose (Primula), and pansy (Viola). The question is how to combine colors.
Here are two ranunculus color schemes that have proven popular. Interplant pink ranunculus with salmon Iceland poppy and red-purple pansies, and accent with a few yellow and pink English primroses. Another favorite scheme combines salmon ranunculus with blue Chinese forget-me-not.
Ranunculus from seed. If you can locate seed for sale or through a swap, they're definitely worth the effort. Sow in a lightweight, peat-based seed-starting mix in late winter, maintain soil temperature at 50°F, and allow 20 to 30 days for germination. Sow thickly, because the number of seeds that actually grow is low. After germination, maintain seedlings indoors at about 55°F until outdoor planting time. Plants will flower by June.
As cut flowers. Beyond their intrinsic beauty, ranunculus flowers have another virtue: they last indoors about 7 days after cutting. And at about a penny-and-a-half per flower, they are very inexpensive. Cut when flowers first show color, in the early morning after they have had the night to recharge themselves with moisture. For an additional day or two of vase life, add any floral preservative to the water.
After the flowers fade. For some lucky gardeners with perfectly drained, cool soil, the tubers can stay in place and be treated like any perennial that comes back year after year. But this is rare. Most gardeners treat ranunculus as annuals, disposing of them after bloom. You could pull and compost plants, or leave them in place to fade away. In most gardens, the tubers will rot in moist summer soils. More ambitious gardeners can save the tubers for replanting next year. Let blooms fade and plants dry out. Lift tubers, cut off tops, and store in a dry, cool place for planting next year.
Michael MacCaskey is a former editorial director at National Gardening.
Taken from https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/757/?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=mail&utm_campaign=nl_2020-12-12
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365xxx

image from lilplants.com

      ​       I have never seen or heard of this house plant.  But houseplants are not too familiar with me, just the very common ones.  Has anyone grown this?  It is easy and looks great. Let me know, thanks.
Weather in Iowa is changing.  Snowstorm for this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow.  Looks like most of it will be south of us, but we still could get 2 inches.   At 9:00 AM temperature is at 35 degrees which our high is 38 with a low tonight of 29.  With the storm coming in, we have wind, and it is cloudy so isn’t as nice as it was the last 2 days.  BUT it is December in IOWA. 
Everyone who develops a love of houseplants needs to start somewhere. A great plant for novices is the rewarding, yet forgiving, Dracaena reflexa or Song of India.
A native to the islands of the Indian ocean, this broadleaf evergreen will often grow 18 to 20 feet in the wild but can be an adaptable plant when grown indoors. It will suit your needs as either a tabletop or floor specimen. As a house plant, look for it to reach a maximum height of three to six feet.
What draws admirers to the Song of India, besides, its relatively easy care, is the eye-pleasing foliage. It has striking alternating dark green and chartreuse stripes on narrow-lanceolate leaves with veins that run parallel along their length. These leaves are in a whorled arrangement and will gradually die off revealing a stem with an interesting pattern.
Dracaena reflexa was first described by famed French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1786. Though it has gone through several name changes since then, its genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek word drakaina meaning a female dragon.
Most of the 120 plants of the genus come from Africa and many of its species are kept as house plants due to their tolerance to low light and infrequent watering.
If you choose the Song of India you will be rewarded with a beautiful, slow-growing plant that is easy to grow and easy to propagate from cuttings.
Botanical Name Dracaena reflexa
Common Name Song of India
Plant Type           Broadleaf evergreen
Mature Size        18 - 20ft outdoors, 3ft plus as a houseplant
Sun Exposure    Indirect Sun indoors/Partial Shade outdoors
Soil Type              Rich, well draining.
Soil pH  Neutral
Bloom Time        Winter, but rarely blooms as a house plant
Flower Color       White
Hardiness Zones               11-12, USA
Native Area         Mozambique, Madagascar
Toxicity Toxic to cats and dogs.
Song of India Plant Care
The appeal of this plant is how easy it is to grow and care for. This is common with most of the plants in its genus, which is why they make amazing houseplants.
The key to helping Dracaena reflexa thrive is to keep things balanced. If you are comfortable with your room temperature, your plant will be too. Do not water too much and it will be happy. It likes bright light but, like you, it will get a sunburn.
Light
The Song of India requires bright indirect sunlight, at least four hours a day. You will get the most vibrant leaf coloration in these conditions but be sure to remember that too much sun is a bad thing. It can cause scorch which will appear as browning of the leaf tips and margins.
Soil
Dracaena reflexa is not very particular about soil. A peaty, well-drained potting mix is best. It is good to remember that the more peat in the mix the faster the soil will decompose. You will need to repot plants and change the soil to alleviate this issue. Check yearly in the spring if this is a problem. One way to remedy this is by making a potting mix of your own with bark, peat, pumice, vermiculite, and perlite.
Water
Keep your plant’s soil moist but not soaked spring through fall. You should keep it less watered in the winter. Never overwater this plant as it can cause root rot. One issue to be aware of is the genus’ sensitivity to fluoride. A good practice is using bottled, or purified water to water your plants. A symptom of fluoride damage is yellow wilting on the leaf margins.
Temperature and Humidity
When keeping this plant indoors, normal room temperatures of 65-75°F are perfect for the Song of India. It is important to know that it does not tolerate cold well, and even a slight draft near a cold window can do serious harm to this plant that is a native to the warm climes of the Indian Ocean. If you live in one of the areas in USDA Zones 9b-11 you can grow it outdoors in the partial shade. 
Fertilizer
The Song of India should be fed bi-weekly in the spring and summer with a 10-10-10 water-soluble fertilizer diluted by half. No feeding is needed during the winter months.
Song of India Varieties
In this particular species, there are several cultivars. ‘Variegata’ in particular, is often used. It has bright lime yellow leaf margins that contrast with the dark green of rest of the leaf. The foliage’s light color matures to a creamy white with age and makes the contrast even more prominent.
Propagating Song of India Plants
This plant is easily propagated from cuttings. Place the cutting (usually more than one) into a new pot with a moist potting mix. You can choose to use rooting hormone or not.
Is Song of India Toxic?
The Song of India is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep away from your pets. A sign that your pet has ingested the plant is vomiting and dilation of its pupils.
Taken from https://www.thespruce.com/growing-the-song-of-india-5087083?utm_campaign=gardening&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=22328549&utm_term=
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365

image from https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/using-wood-ash-in-the-garden-zb0z1303zsor

​     This kind of advice comes up every so often, so thought I would share about putting wood ashes on your garden.  NOT too much would be my advice.  I remember one year Larry did on my garden, and it was hard to grow anything on it the next year.  It raises the pH too much.  So be careful.  Also watch out for treated wood ashes on your garden.  I looked at the temperature at noon and it is almost 56 degrees.  Dec 10th in IOWA…unbelievable, but yes, it is going to change.  Talk of a snowstorm but looks like the track will be south of us so that will be good.  Then a cold down to normal temperatures, which are 30’s during the day, and the teens at night.  All I can say is enjoy today.  Stay safe.
If you have a fireplace or woodstove, use wood ashes to improve garden soil! Wood ash is full of nutrients that plants need, such as potassium and phosphorus, so it’s great for using on the vegetable garden. But it’s important to know where not to use it, too. In this short video, we show you when, where and how much wood ash to apply to keep your plants in tiptop condition.
Wood ash is particularly useful for fruiting plants.
Ash from hardwoods like oak and beech are best as they contain more nutrients than ashes of softwoods like pine. Avoid using the ash from coal or treated timber, which could be harmful to your soil and plants.
The nutrients in wood ash are soluble. They must be kept out of the rain so they don’t wash out. Use a container with a close-fitting lid to keep your wood ash dry until you’re ready to use it.
Composting Wood Ash
Wood ash is alkaline, so it can help to reduce the acidity of a compost heap. This creates better conditions for composting worms and results in compost that is perfect for mulching around vegetables.
Add thin layers of wood ash to your compost heap no more frequently than every six inches of material.
Using Wood Ash on Garden Soil
Most vegetables need a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. If your soil’s below 6.5, fork or rake wood ash to help raise the pH. You can test your soil using an inexpensive test kit to find out its pH.
Wood ash is about half as effective as lime in neutralizing acid. As a general rule, scatter about two ounces of ash to every square yard. Do this on a still day in winter and wear gloves to protect your hands.
Brassicas such as cabbage and Brussels sprouts are best grown in a more alkaline soil. Apply wood ash the winter before planting, or around actively growing plants.
Wood ash is high in potassium, which helps flowering and fruiting, so it’s ideal to use around most fruit bushes and around fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes.
Avoid using wood ash around plants that require an acid soil such as blueberries. Don’t let it come into contact with seedlings or use on potato beds, as alkaline soil encourages potato scab.
Wood ash would need to be used in huge quantities to make your soil too alkaline for most other crops, but it would be worth re-testing your soil’s pH every two years to check it doesn’t go above 7.5.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/video/how-use-wood-ash-vegetable-garden?trk_msg=HF7ML22L6JN4VB30C98TJIPBDC&trk_contact=I366NNSLAJU6KS9H67PLAT219S&trk_sid=86D5A9EQV3MUET4I2BGNVKJLQK&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=How+to+Use+Wood+Ash+in+the+Vegetable+Garden+(title)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily
-Using Wood Ash in the Garden
We’ve accumulated a lot of wood ash over the winter. Can we add it to our garden soil or compost pile? wood ash in the garden
Whether using wood ash in the garden is a good idea depends on your garden soil’s pH and fertility levels. If a soil test has shown your garden soil’s pH to be below 6.0 (meaning it’s moderately acidic), adding wood ash could be beneficial, says Garn Wallace, who holds a doctorate in biochemistry and is general manager of Wallace Laboratories in El Segundo, Calif.
In acidic soils, wood ash can increase soil fertility by increasing the availability of phosphorus and potassium as well as some micronutrients — although wood ashes won’t supply any nitrogen. Also rich in calcium, wood ashes are effective for raising soil pH — a potential benefit in places where pH is below the ideal level for most vegetables (6.0 to 7.0).
“Moderation is the key,” Wallace says. “People tend to over-apply nutrients. And after you add something to the soil, you can’t take it away without replacing the soil. If you apply wood ashes without a soil test, it is possible to ruin soil in just one year.”
If, after testing your soil pH, you decide to add wood ash, start with a thin dusting across the soil surface, then work the ashes deeply into the topsoil, because most nutrients won’t move much in the soil. A Purdue Extension publication suggests that gardeners whose soils are below a pH of 6.5 can safely apply 20 pounds of wood ashes per 100 square feet if the ash is worked into the soil about 6 inches.
The following year, test the soil pH and nutrients again. If the pH is still low, work in another thin layer as you did the previous year. When your soil pH has reached 6.5 to 7.0, stop adding wood ash. If you add too much wood ash, you risk raising the pH over the neutral 7.0 to 7.2 range, which can tie up essential nutrients in the soil. Continue to test the soil every two to three years, and adjust soil amendments according to the test results.
As for composting the wood ash, it depends on what stage your compost pile has reached. Adding small amounts of ashes to a new compost pile is probably OK. If the compost is at or near maturity, however, adding wood ash would raise the pH and could increase the availability of heavy metals to harmful levels. “You want these minerals in minute amounts — too much of them is never a good thing,” Wallace says.
One last caution: Never use ashes from treated wood in your garden. Treated wood contains copper, arsenic, chromium and sometimes boron, and ashes that contain these heavy metals could harm soil, plants and animals.
— Vicki Mattern, Contributing Editor
Taken from https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/using-wood-ash-in-the-garden-zb0z1303zsor
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365