​      Good morning, welcome to my Garden show, Gardening and you.  I am Becky Litterer from Becky’s Greenhouse in Dougherty.  This show is about more than just the different aspects of gardening, it’s about how we can help you with your gardening needs.
So here is a couple of my favorite gardener visitors....Are you looking for plants to fill in the garden or looking for flowers to start in the planting?  The flat of 12 of 4 packs for $15.99 mix and match annuals is a good buy.  48 plants....That is the picture you are seeing of that flower rack of them.
Profusion Zinnias are blooming now, lots of marigolds, snapdragons are doing well....now these are annuals that have been around for a long time.  Mealapodium and lots of waxed begonias. Red, white, blue petunias and with this cooler weather pansies look good and still blooming. 
 
Plant Profusion Zinnias for Color All Summer
Friends, if you want no-fail flowers that will give you beautiful color all summer up until frost, then I recommend planting profusion zinnias!
 
Profusion zinnias-the perfect annual
It’s that time of year when most of us are headed out to garden centers looking for pretty summer annual flowers to plant in our gardens or containers. No doubt you have most of them planted this spring, but if you are still looking, then I highly recommend planting profusion zinnias.
 
Profusion zinnias are a hybrid of the older zinnia staple of every cut flower garden and the Mexican or narrowleaf zinnia. They come in a variety of festive colors and white, and just like their name implies, they give you a profusion of blooms on a small, compact plant.
 
Profusion zinnias growing in a vegetable gardenI have been growing them in our vegetable garden for at least 5 years. Here you see them mixed in with taller, old-fashioned zinnias near Rusty, our scarecrow. Don’t get me wrong! I love the tall, cut flower type of zinnias too, and I have planted plenty of them in our garden this year because they are the epitome of summer to me!
 
But I also fill our garden with profusion zinnias for guaranteed, non-stop color for several reasons.
 
1.They are disease resistant. We live in South Carolina where we have hot, humid summers and these plants don’t develop mildew and other high humidity diseases.
2.They thrive in the heat. Did I mention that I live in South Carolina? Oh, yeah. The summer heat is brutal here on humans as well as plants. Profusion zinnias not only take the heat, they thrive in it.
3.They are drought tolerant. I know, because many times I have forgotten to water some that were planted in containers. They bounce right back with a good drink of water.
4.They attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
5.They don’t need to be deadheaded to look attractive.
 
Profusion zinnias are great container plants. They grow to be about 12-13 inches tall and spread out at least a foot. Two tiny plants filled this container in no time.  Unlike other flowers, profusion zinnias don’t get “leggy” as the season continues. Their bushy growth habit is perfect for containers.
 
Profusion zinnias in a raised vegetable bed Profusion zinnias are great vegetable companions. I like to tuck them along the edges of our raised beds among the vegetables growing in them. When the vegetables are harvested and the plants are spent, you can pull them out and still have pretty flowers growing in the beds.
 
yellow Profusion zinnias
 
Here is a mound of pretty yellow ones tucked in our herb bed. One tiny plant grew into this gorgeous mound within about a month so be sure to allow space for them to grow.
 
Profusion zinnias not only do well in containers but they make great bedding plants. I’m going to plant some as a border in the beds in front of our house. Landscapers love profusion zinnias because they can create a large swath of color with them.
 
Profusion zinnias grown in a containerI would suggest, though, that you choose one color to use if you are using them in that way. I have noticed that the yellow and white ones grow slightly taller than the others.
 
•Space about 9-12 inches apart
•Use fertile, well-drained potting soil if planting in containers or amend the ground soil with organic matter
•Water early in the day at the roots rather than overhead
•Don’t overwater-they don’t like “wet feet”
•It is unnecessary to pinch them-they will bush out on their own
•Fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer
 
I hope you find a spot to fill with these award winning, sun loving, easy to grow profusion zinnias. They will brighten your world all summer long!
taken from https://cottageatthecrossroads.com/plant-profusion-zinnias-for-color-all-summer/
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

     ​Welcome to my Garden show, Gardening and you.  I am Becky Litterer from Becky’s Greenhouse in Dougherty.  This show is about more than just the different aspects of gardening, it’s about how we can help you with your gardening needs.
Larry and I spent this morning taking pictures.  He did the up high and I did the down low.  Who we really need to take them is our girls, but hope they don't think too poorly of us trying.  Pictures are worth 1000 words, so hopefully you get the idea of what it looks like here at Becky's Greenhouse.  Plants look well, large selection of annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs, and vegetables.  Did I say succulents we have succulents...I don't think I am out of line of saying over 1000 potted kinds.  Prices of succulents from .99 to 6.99.  Stop this weekend and see what we have.  We have redone the front of the greenhouse wall and it looks awesome.  Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 

        ​        Welcome to my Garden show, Gardening and you.  I am Becky Litterer from Becky’s Greenhouse in Dougherty.  This show is about more than just the different aspects of gardening, it’s about how we can help you with your gardening needs.
 
Sale, sale and more of a sale....large 4 packs of annuals which included these marigolds in yellow and orange, gazania which are starting to bloom, wave petunias, wave pansies, Magellan Zinnias, coleus, big leaf red or green begonias, All four plants for $3.00...they are hardened off and ready to go into your garden or flower containers. 
 
Big Red Begonia with Bronze leaves
The largest, most vigorous growing begonia out there!  Easy-to-grow and maintain, BIG begonias live up to their namesake with plants reaching 20" in height and 2.5" giant oval clusters blooms. These begonias fill in fast so fewer plants are needed! Its self-cleaning habit minimizes maintenance. Thriving in sun or shade, this heat, humid and salt tolerant plant can be grown in a wide range of climates and soils.  With splendid color-drenched 2 oval flowers and wonderfully elegant glossy bronze leaves it attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies.  Creating beautiful large containers on their own or mixed with other plants, their vigorous growth habit also makes it an excellent filler in landscape beds.  They can even be grown as a houseplant.  This plant is known to be deer resistant.
Sun Exposure: Shade or Sun -Grow Anywhere!
Height:  18-20"
Spread:  15-24"
Habit:  Upright/Mounding
Thriller:  Large Planters & Landscape Beds
Bloom Size:  2.5"
Spacing:  Planters 6-8", Landscape Beds 15-24"
Heat Tolerance Zones:  3-10
taken from http://www.mischelsgreenhouses.com/Begonia-BIG-Red-wBronze-Leaf
picture fromswallowtailgardenseeds. com
 
Big Leaf Red Begonia green leaves
Height:  18 inches
Spacing:  16 inches
Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 
Hardiness Zone:  (annual)
Other Names:  Semperflorens, Fibrous
Group/Class:  Wax Begonia
 
Description:
This selection presents big flowers on well branched, full bodied plants; a vigorous, outstanding performer in sun or shade
 
Ornamental Features
Big® Red Green Leaf Begonia features dainty clusters of red orchid-like flowers at the ends of the stems from mid spring to mid fall. Its attractive glossy heart-shaped leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
 
Landscape Attributes
Big® Red Green Leaf Begonia is an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
 
This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
taken from http://plants.thegrowingplace.com/12120014/Plant/15670/Big_Red_Green_Leaf_Begonia
 
 
 
How to Grow GazaniasGazania flowers are for any gardener who is looking for a high-impact bloom that doesn't require much maintenance. Gazania plants don’t mind the heat that radiates off the pavement, so you can include them in your sidewalk garden or alongside your driveway.
Gazania is easy to grow to a fault: This ornamental is considered weedy in some parts of Southern California and Australia. Plant young gazania plants about a foot apart, allowing them to reach their eventual spread of 10 inches without crowding, which promotes mildew. Deadhead gazania flowers to extend the blooming time of the plants.
LightGazania flowers thrive in full sun. Morning or afternoon shade may cause the flowers to stay closed for a portion of the day and may cause the plants to grow lanky, exceeding their normal height of 6 to 10 inches.
SoilGazanias do best in sandy, well-draining soil but will tolerate many soil types and conditions.
WaterThe leathery foliage of gazania plants is a clue to the high drought tolerance of this flower. Let the soil dry between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot and promote fungal diseases.
Temperature and HumidityGazanias like hot, dry conditions and work well with similarly adapted flowers, such as vinca, cosmos, verbena, or globe amaranth.
FertilizerIn their native habitat of the rocky cliffs of South Africa, gazanias grow in soils of low fertility. Compost and supplemental fertilizer aren’t necessary.
Potting and RepottingGazania plants are adaptable enough to overwinter indoors so you won’t need to purchase new plants or seeds for the next growing season. You can dig up the plant at autumn's end while they are still in bloom, bringing the beauty of the outdoors in. However, the plant won't be able to maintain its flower output indoors, so cut the plant back and keep it in a cool, sunny window. Water when the soil surface is dry. Check the plants regularly for pests like mealybugs that may proliferate on indoor specimens.
VarietiesThe daisy-like flowers blooms of gazanias often come in a variety of hot hues on the color wheel, like red, orange, and yellow. Many flowers feature solids and horizontal or vertical variegation on petals, sometimes with splashes of white and bright pink.
Gardeners who live in areas with short growing seasons should try gazanias from the Chansonette series, which flower very early. Love the classic look of white flower gardens? The Creamsicle gazania cultivar sports ivory petals with a simple bronze center disk. Another early performer is the Daybreak series, which yields large flowers quickly from seed in sunset colors or stripes.
Gardeners who work long daytime hours will appreciate that the paprika petals of Sunbather's Sunset stay open into the evening, rather than shutting up tight like most varieties do at twilight. The monochromatic gold petals and disks of Sundrop gazanias will bring a ray of sunshine to any flower garden.
Some of the brightest gazania flowers grow in the Tiger Stripe Mix, which produce red or hot pink stripes on white or gold petals. Kiss Bronze Star gazanias are a riot of color when they unfurl two-tone petals of orange and gold. Get double the beauty when you plant Talent Mix, which has silver foliage that contrasts vividly against bright flowers.
Growing in ContainersGazanias shine in containers on your deck or patio, where they will attract butterflies for up-close observation. If desired, plant gazanias at the edge of the pot so their trailing habit softens the container's edges. Their preference for sharply drained soil makes them a natural choice for a rock garden, either in a container or on the ground. If your soil is heavy, plant your gazanias in containers with a companion planting of lantana, which has similar growing conditions and complementary colors.
Taken from https://www.thespruce.com/gazania-flowers
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

       ​Good morning, we had rain last night so things are really looking very bright right now.  I will continue to share with you pictures of all we have on sale.  4" potted annuals $4.69 now on sale for $3.00.  They are ready to go into your gardens, your containers and have instant color.  Geraniums are on sale for $3.99. 
 
How about geraniums in growing in your garden?    Coleus have become very popular the last couple of years, so you can see the 4" potted plants look great.  Sunpatients are growing well, and they like sun or shade and are very easy to grow. 
 
Growing Geraniums: Tips For The Care Of Geraniums 
By Nikki Tilley
 
Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) make popular bedding plants in the garden, but they’re also commonly grown indoors or outside in hanging baskets. Growing geranium plants is easy as long as you can give them what they need.
 
How to Grow Geraniums
Depending on where or how you grow geranium plants, their needs will be somewhat different. Indoors, geraniums need lots of light for blooming but will tolerate moderate light conditions. They also need indoor temps of around 65-70 degrees F. (18-21 C.) during the day and 55 degrees F. (13 C.) at night.
 
These plants need to be grown in well-draining potting soil as well. When growing geraniums outdoors, they require moist, well-draining soil similar to that of indoor potting soil with equal amounts of soil, peat [3] and perlite .Locate your geraniums in an area with at least six to eight hours of sunlight. Since these plants must be protected from cold, wait until the threat of frost has passed before planting.
 
Space plants about 8 to 12 inches apart and around the same depth as their original planting pots. Mulching the plants is also recommended to help retain moisture.
 
Care of Geraniums
Whether indoors or out, geranium care is pretty basic. In addition to watering, which should be done deeply and once the soil begins to feel dry indoors or at least weekly outdoors (though potted plants may need daily watering in hot weather), fertilizing is usually necessary. Use a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer or a 5-10-5 fertilizer with additional organic matter every four to six weeks throughout their active growing season.
 
Indoor or potted plants may require repotting once they become overgrown, usually noted by wilting between waterings. Regular deadheading of spent blooms will also help encourage additional blooming. When watering outdoor plants, it’s best to avoid overhead irrigation, as this can lead to pests or disease issues.
 
Geranium plants root easily from cuttings and can be propagated in fall for overwintering of outdoor plants . They can also be dug up and brought inside.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/geranium/geranium-care.htm
 
Coleus plants, made popular as Victorian bedding plants, made a huge comeback in the 1990s and show no sign of fading back into anonymity. Why should they? They give us all-season color in full sun or shade and everything in between. They are the ultimate low-maintenance plant.
Coleus are tender tropical plants, native to areas bordering the equator. They love the heat but will happily grow as annuals in just about any garden.
 
■ Botanical name: Solenostemon scutellarioides cvs. (Pronounced sol-en-oh-STEM-on scoot-el-lar-ee-OY-deez)
■ Common name: Coleus
■ Foliage: Coleus are in the Lamiaceae, or mint, family and have the familiar square stems and opposite leaves. However, the foliage offers a great deal of variety, with some ruffled, others elongated, and a vast combination of colors and markings.
■ Flowers: The tall, thin stalks of flowers are usually pruned off before they bloom, to keep the plant’s energy going toward producing a bushy plant. Because the modern sun-coleus types do not grow true to seed, the incidental flowers are not missed.
■ Mature size: Miniature coleus varieties grow only a few inches tall, and others can grow several feet tall. In fact, coleus are often trained to grow as standards through careful pruning. To do this, you would either need to be in zone 11 or have somewhere to overwinter your plants indoors.
■ Sun exposure: Light exposure depends on the variety. The old-fashioned seed-grown coleus do best in partial shade, but the newer vegetatively cultivated varieties have their best color if grown in full sun. However, it also depends on your climate. If you live in a hot, dry area, all types will need some shade, especially in the afternoon. In cooler, shorter-season areas, the shade coleus will need more sun exposure to help them warm up.
■ Soil pH: 6.0–7.0
■ Hardiness zones: These tropical plants are hardy only in United States Department of Agriculture zone 11, but they are fast-growing annuals and can even be grown as houseplants.
■ Bloom period: Plants will try to bloom intermittently throughout the growing season, but as mentioned, the flower stalks are usually trimmed off.
 
Growing Tips 
Modern coleus varieties are hybrids that are grown from cuttings, but you can still find seeds of the older, shade-tolerant varieties. Start seeds meant for the garden indoors, about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. If you are growing them as houseplants, you can start seed anytime.
Coleus are not at all frost tolerant, so don’t rush to get your plants in the ground. Wait until temperatures remain reliably above 60 degrees Fahrenheit before you move them out in the garden. Coleus are said to prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH, but as long as there is plenty of organic matter, your plants should be fine.
 
 Caring for Coleus 
Although coleus plants love heat, they also need moist soil. The soil should not remain wet all the time, but long dry spells will slow the plants’ growth, and the leaves will start to turn brown around the edges.
Mulch will help the soil retain moisture longer, but cedar mulch can be toxic to coleus, so don't put that around these plants. Also, don't let it touch the stems, as it can promote rot and hide slugs.
If you have rich soil, you may not need to feed the plants at all. If not, use a balanced fertilizer at half strength monthly. You’ll get the best color from your coleus leaves if you go easy on the fertilizer.
 
 Maintenance 
To get full, bushy plants, pinch out the growing tips when the plants are about 6 inches tall. You can do this a few more times if you like, but after the plants start sending up flower stalks, you’ll be pinching out the stalks and getting the same results as pinching the tips.
 
Other than keeping your plants trimmed, the only real maintenance required is ensuring they get plenty of water. Coleus in containers may need watering twice a day.
 
 Winter Care 
Coleus turn to mush with the first freezing temperatures. If you want to save plants for next season, you have a couple of options.
 
■ You can lift and pot up a whole plant and bring it indoors to grow it as a houseplant or put it with your other seedlings until next season.
■ You can take stem cuttings and grow smaller plants indoors.
 
 Pests and Problems 
The biggest outdoor pests are groundhogs and young rabbits. If you can protect your plants early in the season, there are usually other things these animals prefer to eat during the summer, and they will leave your coleus alone.
 
Coleus are not usually bothered by diseases unless the weather turns cool and damp. If that happens, expect to see signs of fungal diseases such as mildew. If you are growing your plants indoors, watch out for scale, whiteflies, and especially mealybugs.
 
 Design Tips 
It’s hard to go wrong with coleus. Large quilt-like plantings of just assorted coleus can look luscious. They also mix well in borders and containers. You can match the leaves with flowers that echo their color or with colors that complement them.
 
Most coleus plants are a good size for the front of the border, and they look best when planted in groups. Another idea: You can circle your mailbox with them. They look lovely, require minimal care out there, and they don’t attract a lot of stinging insects. Just check the label for the sun requirements and indulge.
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-grow-coleus-plants-
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net
 

       ​Good morning, we had rain last night so things are really looking very bright right now.  I will continue to share with you pictures of all we have on sale.  4" potted annuals $4.69 now on sale for $3.00.  They are ready to go into your gardens, your containers and have instant color.  Geraniums are on sale for $3.99. 
 
How about geraniums in growing in your garden?    Coleus have become very popular the last couple of years, so you can see the 4" potted plants look great.  Sunpatients are growing well, and they like sun or shade and are very easy to grow. 
 
Growing Geraniums: Tips For The Care Of Geraniums 
By Nikki Tilley
 
Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) make popular bedding plants in the garden, but they’re also commonly grown indoors or outside in hanging baskets. Growing geranium plants is easy as long as you can give them what they need.
 
How to Grow Geraniums
Depending on where or how you grow geranium plants, their needs will be somewhat different. Indoors, geraniums need lots of light for blooming but will tolerate moderate light conditions. They also need indoor temps of around 65-70 degrees F. (18-21 C.) during the day and 55 degrees F. (13 C.) at night.
 
These plants need to be grown in well-draining potting soil as well. When growing geraniums outdoors, they require moist, well-draining soil similar to that of indoor potting soil with equal amounts of soil, peat [3] and perlite .Locate your geraniums in an area with at least six to eight hours of sunlight. Since these plants must be protected from cold, wait until the threat of frost has passed before planting.
 
Space plants about 8 to 12 inches apart and around the same depth as their original planting pots. Mulching the plants is also recommended to help retain moisture.
 
Care of Geraniums
Whether indoors or out, geranium care is pretty basic. In addition to watering, which should be done deeply and once the soil begins to feel dry indoors or at least weekly outdoors (though potted plants may need daily watering in hot weather), fertilizing is usually necessary. Use a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer or a 5-10-5 fertilizer with additional organic matter every four to six weeks throughout their active growing season.
 
Indoor or potted plants may require repotting once they become overgrown, usually noted by wilting between waterings. Regular deadheading of spent blooms will also help encourage additional blooming. When watering outdoor plants, it’s best to avoid overhead irrigation, as this can lead to pests or disease issues.
 
Geranium plants root easily from cuttings and can be propagated in fall for overwintering of outdoor plants . They can also be dug up and brought inside.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/geranium/geranium-care.htm
 
Coleus plants, made popular as Victorian bedding plants, made a huge comeback in the 1990s and show no sign of fading back into anonymity. Why should they? They give us all-season color in full sun or shade and everything in between. They are the ultimate low-maintenance plant.
Coleus are tender tropical plants, native to areas bordering the equator. They love the heat but will happily grow as annuals in just about any garden.
 
■ Botanical name: Solenostemon scutellarioides cvs. (Pronounced sol-en-oh-STEM-on scoot-el-lar-ee-OY-deez)
■ Common name: Coleus
■ Foliage: Coleus are in the Lamiaceae, or mint, family and have the familiar square stems and opposite leaves. However, the foliage offers a great deal of variety, with some ruffled, others elongated, and a vast combination of colors and markings.
■ Flowers: The tall, thin stalks of flowers are usually pruned off before they bloom, to keep the plant’s energy going toward producing a bushy plant. Because the modern sun-coleus types do not grow true to seed, the incidental flowers are not missed.
■ Mature size: Miniature coleus varieties grow only a few inches tall, and others can grow several feet tall. In fact, coleus are often trained to grow as standards through careful pruning. To do this, you would either need to be in zone 11 or have somewhere to overwinter your plants indoors.
■ Sun exposure: Light exposure depends on the variety. The old-fashioned seed-grown coleus do best in partial shade, but the newer vegetatively cultivated varieties have their best color if grown in full sun. However, it also depends on your climate. If you live in a hot, dry area, all types will need some shade, especially in the afternoon. In cooler, shorter-season areas, the shade coleus will need more sun exposure to help them warm up.
■ Soil pH: 6.0–7.0
■ Hardiness zones: These tropical plants are hardy only in United States Department of Agriculture zone 11, but they are fast-growing annuals and can even be grown as houseplants.
■ Bloom period: Plants will try to bloom intermittently throughout the growing season, but as mentioned, the flower stalks are usually trimmed off.
 
Growing Tips 
Modern coleus varieties are hybrids that are grown from cuttings, but you can still find seeds of the older, shade-tolerant varieties. Start seeds meant for the garden indoors, about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. If you are growing them as houseplants, you can start seed anytime.
Coleus are not at all frost tolerant, so don’t rush to get your plants in the ground. Wait until temperatures remain reliably above 60 degrees Fahrenheit before you move them out in the garden. Coleus are said to prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH, but as long as there is plenty of organic matter, your plants should be fine.
 
 Caring for Coleus 
Although coleus plants love heat, they also need moist soil. The soil should not remain wet all the time, but long dry spells will slow the plants’ growth, and the leaves will start to turn brown around the edges.
Mulch will help the soil retain moisture longer, but cedar mulch can be toxic to coleus, so don't put that around these plants. Also, don't let it touch the stems, as it can promote rot and hide slugs.
If you have rich soil, you may not need to feed the plants at all. If not, use a balanced fertilizer at half strength monthly. You’ll get the best color from your coleus leaves if you go easy on the fertilizer.
 
 Maintenance 
To get full, bushy plants, pinch out the growing tips when the plants are about 6 inches tall. You can do this a few more times if you like, but after the plants start sending up flower stalks, you’ll be pinching out the stalks and getting the same results as pinching the tips.
 
Other than keeping your plants trimmed, the only real maintenance required is ensuring they get plenty of water. Coleus in containers may need watering twice a day.
 
 Winter Care 
Coleus turn to mush with the first freezing temperatures. If you want to save plants for next season, you have a couple of options.
 
■ You can lift and pot up a whole plant and bring it indoors to grow it as a houseplant or put it with your other seedlings until next season.
■ You can take stem cuttings and grow smaller plants indoors.
 
 Pests and Problems 
The biggest outdoor pests are groundhogs and young rabbits. If you can protect your plants early in the season, there are usually other things these animals prefer to eat during the summer, and they will leave your coleus alone.
 
Coleus are not usually bothered by diseases unless the weather turns cool and damp. If that happens, expect to see signs of fungal diseases such as mildew. If you are growing your plants indoors, watch out for scale, whiteflies, and especially mealybugs.
 
 Design Tips 
It’s hard to go wrong with coleus. Large quilt-like plantings of just assorted coleus can look luscious. They also mix well in borders and containers. You can match the leaves with flowers that echo their color or with colors that complement them.
 
Most coleus plants are a good size for the front of the border, and they look best when planted in groups. Another idea: You can circle your mailbox with them. They look lovely, require minimal care out there, and they don’t attract a lot of stinging insects. Just check the label for the sun requirements and indulge.
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-grow-coleus-plants-
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net
 

       ​Good morning, welcome to my Garden show, Gardening and you.  I am Becky Litterer from Becky’s Greenhouse in Dougherty.  This show is about more than just the different aspects of gardening, it’s about how we can help you with your gardening needs
 
Now found these two articles that answers questions about wave petunias and other petunias.  I have a great selection of wave petunias Easy Red, Easy White, Easy Blue and Easy Yellow.  They are planted in a large 4 pack and on SALE for $3.00.  Great buy and easy plants to use in your gardens.
 
Wave Petunia Plants: How To Care For Wave Petunias
If you want to fill a flower bed or large planter with an eye-catching pop of color, Wave petunias are the plant to get. This relatively new petunia variety has taken the gardening world by storm, and rightly so. Growing Wave petunias is even simpler than caring for their earlier petunia cousins [1], which makes them ideal for busy gardeners and novice growers alike. Learn how to care for Wave petunias and you may discover a new favorite flower.
 
Growing Wave Petunias
Wave petunia plants have a spreading growth habit, with the ability to fill flower beds with their blooms that sprout all along their stems, which can reach up to 4 feet. Wave petunia plants are so versatile they can accent almost any part of your landscaping design.
 
Create a dense hedge covered in blooms by planting a row of these plants along the base of a 3-foot fence for support or decorate a porch roof with giant globes of color by planting bright Wave petunias around the base of a coir basket.
 
Add Wave petunias to large planters near your front door and allow them to cascade to the ground or plant a double row of them from the street to your porch to create a lined floral path.
 
How to Care for Wave Petunias
Caring for Wave petunias is a simple task and won’t take much time at all. These plants want to grow and thrive, and seem to increase on a daily basis.
 
Plant them in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist, but never soggy.
 
Feed them with an all-purpose fertilizer when you first plant them, and every two weeks after that until the middle of summer.
 
Do you have to deadhead Wave petunias? This is the sheer genius of these plants and what makes them so popular for use all over the garden. Unlike other petunia plants that need clipping and deadheading constantly throughout the growing season, Waves never need deadheading. They will continue to grow and bloom without your having to snip one bloom.
 
taken from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/petunia/wave-petunia-plants.htm
 
The Differences Between Wave & Cascading Petunias
Petunias put the summer back into summer as they fill your garden beds and containers with brilliant, jewel-toned blossoms. You can cultivate petunias as annuals in most areas or as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 though 11. Many types of petunias exist and a wise gardener will do research before she selects her plants. However, comparing the "Wave" series of petunias with cascading petunias is an apples-to-oranges exercise.
 
Wave Series
Ever since the Ball Seed Company developed "Wave" petunias, gardeners have become addicted to their easy-care splash. The fast-growing trademarked plants produce blossoms from early spring to the end of autumn and tolerate heat, cold, wet weather and humidity. Many varieties of Wave petunias are now on the market, such as Easy Wave, Double Wave and Tidal Wave, and are available in dozens of colors. They flower lavishly and require no deadheading or pinching back.
 
 
Cascading Petunias
Unlike Wave petunia, the term cascading petunia does not identify a type of flower but a growth habit. "Cascading" describes plants that produce blossoms on the long, pendulous stems that can overflow hanging baskets or drip from balcony containers. Of the four categories of petunias - grandiflora, multiflora, milliflora and groundcover - both grandiflora and groundcover types produce cascading blossoms. Grandiflora flowers are large, sometimes over 4 inches across, and come in single blossoms or ruffly doubles. Groundcover petunias tend to be smaller.
 
Cascading Wave Petunias
The Wave series of petunias are groundcover or spreading petunias. The wave reference in the name describes the outward movement of the clump of flowers that grow extremely fast and cover a large ground area in a very short time. However, some Wave series flowers climb up trellises or cascade down like vines when grown in restricted space. Tidal Wave, for example, can grow in a cascading vine to some 24 to 36 inches.
 
Other Cascading Petunias
Just as all Wave petunias are not cascading, all cascading petunias are not found in the Wave series. Surfina (Petunia integrifolia), also called wild petunia, is a classic petunia frequently used in window boxes. This Australian native grows just as fast as the Wave petunias, achieving 3 feet or more over the course of its long growing season that continues until the first frosts. A groundcover petunia, ground-planted surfina can cover a backyard slope. "Surfina" is also the trademarked name of a group of trailing petunias.
taken from https://homeguides.sfgate.com/differences-between-wave-cascading-petunias-
till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

picture from HDimages.org

      ​   AWESOME, Speculator morning, can't get much better than this kind of day.  Good day to be thankful for all we have.  Sorry I didn't post yesterday taking care of the greenhouse which with the warm weather takes lots of watering but we are keeping up with it.  Today's is Sunday so I will share a devotional.   taken from the Power of Being Thankful but Joyce Meyer
 
The Beautiful Truth
Psalm 103:8  The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving kindness.
 
     The promise that God is not mad at us is the most freeing truth we will ever did.  God knows that we will sin, but He provided the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus.  The beautiful truth is that when we no longer focus on our sin, we find that we do it less and less. As we focus on God's goodness, we become more and more like Jesus.
 
    God, through Christ, has totally taken care of the problem of sin, that' s something to be thankful for!  God urges us not to sin, but He knew we would due to the weakness of our flesh, so he took care of the problem by sending His Son as the sacrifice for our sins.
 
     Jesus paid for everything that we have done and ever will do wrong, and He opened up a new way for us to live and serve God.  Not in fear or guilt, but in freedom, love and intimacy.  Receive God's love, mercy and forgiveness today and be thankful for us.
 
Lord, I am so grateful that You are not mad at me.  I am thankful that You still lvoe me even when I sin.  And thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus, making it possible for me to be in relationship with You today.  In your name we pray.  AMEN
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

picture from theplantingtree.com

picture from huffingtonpost.com

     ​For you that have planted new trees and shrubs this season.   
Avoid Pitfalls in the Care of Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs  by Ray Bodrey
 This time of year, people flock to nurseries and garden centers to purchase trees or shrubs that will enhance their landscapes. However, there are certain management measures to keep in mind to ensure plant establishment. Depending on the season, newly planted trees and shrubs need varying degrees of watering, mulching, pruning and trunk staking.
 
The primary focus in care of your newly planted tree or shrub is root development. It takes several months for roots to establish, and newly planted trees and shrubs do not have a very strong root system. Start by digging the hole in a popcorn bowl shape. Once planted, backfill around the root system, but be careful not to compact the soil. Compaction will hinder root growth. Be sure to keep the topmost area of the root ball exposed, about two inches. A layer of mulch will be applied here.
 
Frequent watering is much needed, especially if you are planting in the warmer months. Water thoroughly, so that water percolates below the root system. Shallow watering promotes surface root growth, which will make the plant more susceptible to stress during a drought. Concentrate some of the water in a diameter pattern of a few feet from the trunk. This will cause the root system to grow towards the water, and thus better establish the root system and anchor the tree.
 
Mulch is important in the conservation of soil moisture. Pine needles, bark and wood chips make a great mulch for ornamental shrubs. A two to three inch layer of mulch will usually suffice. It’s important to keep the mulch at least a few inches from the trunk. Mulching too close to the tree trunk can cause trunk rot.
 
You should always prune the bare roots of trees and shrubs during planting. Exposed roots in containers can be damaged in shipping. Removing some of the roots will also help trigger growth. In addition, pruning some of the top foliage can reduce the amount of water needed for the plant to establish.
 
Newly planted trees and shrubs often have a difficult time establishing if the root system cannot be held in place. Strong winds and rain can cause the plant to tip over. Avoid this by staking the plant for temporary support. A good rule of thumb for plant staking is if the trunk diameter measures three inches or less. Tie the stake to the plant at every six inches from the top. However, only tie the trunk at one spot. Don’t tie too tightly, so that the tree has no flexibility. This will stunt the growth of the plant.
 
Larger trees and shrubs will need diameter staking with wire support. Four stakes evenly spaced at six feet around the trunk is a good arrangement. Each stake can be attached to the tree just above the mid-point using cable or wire. Be sure to cover the wire around the trunk with a short piece of hose to prevent any scarring of the bark. The wire should be snug, but not tight. After one year, the staking can be removed.
 
Following these tips will help ensure your tree or shrub becomes well established in your landscape.
taken from http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2017/05/25/avoid-pitfalls-in-the-care-of-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs/
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

picture from veggiegardeningtips.com