images from Chris Verey Sale, Victoria, Australia 

      Morning…same thing we have been having.  IT IS COLD out.  -0F at 7:30 AM, high today of 14F(-10C) but there is a front that is bringing the cold air directly from the Aortic.  This is what is affecting the southern of United States.  It will be here the rest of the week.  The Weather people are saying next week it will warm up to even above average temperatures.  Average temperature for this time of year is 29F.  All I can say is we will see and hope so.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends are the opposite they are having high temperature alerts. 
Evelyn said “It's been quite warm, but not unbearable. Yesterday Melbourne had 44C, which is 111.2F. The power companies are having trouble keeping up with the extra demand as people try to keep cool. We lost power last night for an hour, but the temperature was pretty good by then.”  Also, she said, “Mildura, in NW Victoria had 48.9C. (120F).”   Stay cool, stay safe.
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You remember your geography, when you travel north in Australia you are traveling closer to the equator. Opposite of us.  When wind blows in from the south, it is a cold wind coming off Antarctica. 
 
I thought I would share with you a couple of pictures of one of Evelyn’s friends her garden.  You will see what Larry really noticed every household has a “solar clothes dryer”.  Evelyn said she has always hung clothes outside.  I asked what the birds are and haven’t heard back.  Larry loved the birds as they were all so colorful and big.   I am thinking these birds are cool to look at but wonder if they make a mess as Evelyn wrote “glad you didn’t have any clothes hanging outside.”

They are having warm summer weather, but it is summer for them.  Working outside in their gardens is important.  They have saved rainwater in barrels so watering that they will use.  As warm as it is, watering will be done daily or even twice a day.   Tom is an active golfer, so he enjoys doing that.  They will spend time outside walking around the lake.  Or going where there is a body of water to cool off.  Evelyn and Tom do live close to those places and as they are great hostess, we traveled to see them.  I will say to them stay cool, stay safe.
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from publicdomainpictures.net

Morning has a clear, blue sky.  We are above zero, but the wind is blowing so it is still negative wind chill. High today is 10F(-12C).  Average normal high is 29F, so we can look forward to a point where we will have that again.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for their Wed Jan 28 still in extreme heat alert.  High today for them will be 86F(31C) and their low isn’t too low but 63F(17C). The app says they are 10 degrees above normal.  Also, they will have a wind so that will dry things out for them.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
I found this article, which is fun about dandelions, and then I found one about bees using dandelions in the spring.  Both of them interesting read. 
​
Long, long ago—thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of years ago—dandelions were known to be sacred and magical. The first humans on Mother Earth called them the “universe flower” because of their remarkable resemblance to celestial wonders. In bloom, they shone as bright as the sun. Once they turned to seed, they mirrored the glowing full moon. And when their delicate seeds floated away on the breeze, carried by hopeful breath, they became tiny stars dancing in the night sky.
The tradition of making a wish as you blow on a dandelion’s fluffy white head is one of the oldest customs in the world. Though much of their ancient magic has faded into the shifting sands of time, this simple ritual endures, passed down through generations.
Dandelions are far more than mere weeds. They are among nature’s most resilient and determined plants, flourishing in sand, mud, and even cracks in the pavement. Like all of nature’s creatures—be they plant, animal, or mineral—dandelions possess a quiet magic, but theirs is especially profound.
And they are not just beautiful; they are useful, too! Their golden blooms, tender leaves, and sturdy roots have been valued for centuries in teas, salads, and even as crispy, fried treats. A battered and fried dandelion head, golden and crunchy, is a Springtime delight. Their leaves add a peppery crunch to fresh salads, and dandelion tea is both soothing and healthful.
Despite their many virtues, dandelions are often unwelcome guests in manicured lawns and gardens. People mow them down, poison them, and pull them up by their roots, believing them to be nothing more than pesky weeds. But a yard without dandelions is a lonely place—devoid of the bees that sip their nectar, the butterflies that flutter among their blooms, and the birds that find joy in their seeds.
Children, however, know the truth. They see dandelions for what they truly are—treasures of nature. A bouquet of dandelions, clutched in a child’s tiny hand and proudly offered to a mother, is worth more than the grandest arrangement of roses. The soft white seed heads, so delicate yet full of promise, are nature’s invitation to dream. Blow and your wishes will travel to the heavens, carried on the wind like fairy wings.
Roses may speak of love, daisies may predict devotion, and lavender may soothe the soul—but only dandelions hold the power to grant wishes. A single breath upon a dandelion’s downy crown can send hopes and dreams soaring into the universe.
So, this Spring, consider leaving the dandelions be. Let them bloom, let them glow like tiny suns in the grass, let them transform into moons and stars. Let the bees find their nectar, let the children gather their golden bouquets, and let the wind carry our whispered dreams. For dandelions are not weeds. They are magic.
Taken fromhttps://foodgardening.mequoda.com/articles/the-magic-of-dandelions

This section is written by Robert Pavlis.  He writes in the first person, so that is who I is in the article. . 
Information from Do Bees Use Dandelions?
Bees do use dandelions for both nectar and pollen. They especially like a lawn that is full of them since this makes it easy for them to collect a load of pollen. According to the Honey Bee Research Station, it is not a preferred food, but it does help fill the gap when other sources are not available and in spring dandelions exist in abundance.
Bees First Food
I grow a lot of plants in my garden and I seem to remember many things flowering before dandelions (Taraxacum officinale). I spoke to one of the researchers at the Honey Bee Research Center, University of Guelph and asked him about the bees first food.
Around here, zone 5, Ontario, “their first important food source is tree pollen. Long before flowers become important, honey bees are in the top of trees collecting pollen. Maples, elms, poplars and willows are important as a first food” and they flower before dandelions.
“They gather dandelion pollen when other pollen is not available.”
Some trees are wind pollinated and produce a lot of pollen. They also have a very concentrated source which means bees don’t have to fly long distances between flowers to get it.
Do Bees Need the Dandelions?
Dandelions are not the first source of pollen for bees.
The pollen from dandelions is of poor quality, but better than nothing. They do provide a good source of nectar.
Keeping dandelions may keep bees from using fruit tree pollen which is a better quality of pollen. In this way dandelions may actually be harming bees.
A lawn full of dandelions is better for bees than a weed free lawn, but not nearly as good as a garden with a variety of plants and no dandelions.
If you must have a lawn, consider planting fruit trees, even ornamental ones, and skip the dandelions.
Taken from https://www.gardenmyths.com/dandelions-important-bees/
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

MORNING and it is getting old and it is still very cold out.  -13 actual temperature at 8:00 AM and only a high of -4.  Wind chill on top of this is cold.  All below zero.  All week cold again but the bright spot is the sun will be out as the sky is clear and blue.  That will feel good with sunshine coming through the windows, and into the greenhouse.  Stay warm and stay safe. 
 
Australia family and friends had their Australia Day on Jan 26 for them.  It had some record high temperatures for them.  Today, Tuesday Jan 27 they will have extreme heat alert which is in effect.  Their high will be 89F(31C) with 86% humidity. This makes it 13 degrees above normal.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
I am sharing some pictures and information from the Sale Botanic Gardens.  Larry and I remember seeing the peacocks walking in the gardens.   We noticed the cumbungi along the side of the water.  It brings back memories for us.  Hope you can enjoy.

Here’s one of the peacocks standing and surveying his domain.
Later on, I noticed a visitor taking photos and holding onto a very long feather which I assumed was a Peacock feather.
These can be occasionally found in the gardens, particularly under the trees they roost in or when they’re molting.

Do you see the black Swan in the reeds?  I must ask Evelyn but I don’t think they have white swans, all of them are black.  Interesting to see black Swans.
Bordering the western edge of the gardens is Lake Guthridge, a haven for birds, fish and other creatures. The cumbungi grows along the waters edge and has tall rust coloured flowering spikes.
The pelicans are on the water catching any fish that swims by while the black swan prefers to browse what’s available on the lake bed.
​
Weather is such a part of all our lives from this extreme cold to the extreme heat.  Then the southern part of the United States has had ice, snow and they are having cold without electricity.  Stay safe all. 
Pictures from the Friends of Sale Botanic Gardens
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from gifsec.com 

Sunday and we are having clear, blue sky. 3F at 3:00 PM but with the wind they are saying it feels like -15. Tonight, the low is -14F but with the wind I am afraid it will feel like -30 below.  STAY warm.  It looks like warming up this week as only a couple of nights with below zero and the highs around 15F.  Baby steps.
 
Australia family and friends for their Monday Jan 25 are having an extreme heat alert with high today at 77F(25C0 but rest of the week will be close to 90F(32C. Of course, wouldn’t you know school starts for the kids on Tuesday and it will be hot. Monday Australia 26th is their Australia Day. 

Australia Day is celebrated each year on the anniversary of the first fleet from Britain landing in Sydney Cove. It is a public holiday, and the significance of the day differs amongst the nation’s population.
Many Australians consider January 26 with national pride, flying the Australian flag from businesses, homes and cars. They attend festivals, fireworks, community and sporting events or gather for family barbecues at homes, parks or on the beach.  Stay cool, stay safe.
​
I really don’t have any idea what to share with you today.  So, I am just sharing this.  Stay safe, stay warm, and spring will come. 
 Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

​IT is cold out.  Hard to imagine what -40 below zero wind chill feels like.  I need to go out and check greenhouse and feed the cats, then I will know. 
 
Australia family and friends are having a warm spell for their summer.  Saturday Jan 24 they will have 87F(31C) with 87% humidity.  This is their last weekend of summer break and school starts next week.  “Australia day is Monday, teachers on Tuesday and kids go back on Wed.”  Evelyn wrote. 
 
I found this article that was written in December but still have information about the length of daylight.  The days are getting longer.  Hope is near for more sunshine and more heat out of the sun. 
 
How Much Daylight Do We Gain After the Winter Solstice?
The real news is that we will have the fewest minutes of daylight in 2025. On the solstice in December, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere have our shortest day and our longest night. Starting Monday, December 22, the days will start getting longer, and the Sun will be slightly higher up in the sky. We’ll start feeling greater warmth on our skin, too! Solar intensity depends on the Sun’s height. But since the ground and the air take a while to catch up, we won’t reach our coldest average temperature until the third week of January,
As for things you can easily observe, the most obvious solstitial effect is that you can look out your most southwest-facing window on Saturday and again on Sunday and see the Sun set at its leftmost position of the year. If you’re an early riser and see the Sun come up at around 7:15 AM, that will happen at its rightmost possible spot, in the east/southeast.  I notice this when sitting in the living room and looking east talking to Larry.  In the summer the sun is in my eyes from the east windows, but in the window I see the sunrise in the south windows. 
The psychologically optimistic part of all this is that starting on December 22, 2025, we will stop losing daily sunlight, which has been going on since June, and instead finally start to increase it!  This gain will be, just a matter of seconds a day, but will steadily grow until daily daylight expands by 3 minutes per day in March.   in most of the lower 48 states, the extra daily sunshine in March is closer to 20 minutes after each week, the most the majority of us ever experience, like a slowly opened gift package.
Let’s take a more relatable location in the Midwest, Chicago.
If you look at the Almanac’s daylight tool for Chicago, there are just 9 hours, 11 minutes of daylight during the week leading up to Christmas.
After this, daylight increases to 9 hours, 15 minutes by New Year’s Day.
By mid-January, the daily increase of light jumps to about 2 minutes a day.
By the 20th of February, daylight gain speeds up to 3 minutes per day! On the 20th, the day length is 10 hours, 53 minutes, and on the 21st, it’s 10 hours, 56 minutes.
In May, the increase slows back to 2 minutes gain per day
By the time we get to the summer solstice, the increase further slows to 1 minute a day, peaking at 15 hours and 16 minutes by the solstice.
But to include other astronomy into all this, be aware that a radical planet change is also en route to us. Right now, at the winter solstice, every planet is nicely visible, while late spring will find them vanishing one by one.
So, this winter solstice is really a time of major activity here in the old solar system.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/how-much-daylight-do-we-gain-after-winter-solstice
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from clipart.com 

Good morning…clear blue sky after our winter blizzard last night.  The wind did blow, the wind caused drifting, and white outs.  But now that it is behind us, the extreme cold is moving in.  Stay warm, stay safe.  This must be so hard on livestock and the farmers taking care of them.  Take care farmers. 
 
Australia family and friends are the opposite of us with having summer. For their Friday Jan 23, it will be 73F(23C) but humidity is at 90% with a dew point at 47F(8C).  They will feel this humidity.  As our temperatures are going down, they will go up to that 90 degrees.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
This is from a Southern Living Magazine, and they are facing some severe cold weather.  This is what the gardeners are being told to take care of their gardens.  Remember this isn’t for us, but for southern United States.  I am sharing it to let you know what they are facing now with their gardens and this very cold weather. 

We too are having extreme weather and temperatures with wind chills.  Saturday morning wind chill at -45F.  15 minutes skin exposed will have damage.  15 minutes.   I need to find a face mask or a scarf to cover my face.  What can we say but just stay safe.  This is Friday night and Saturday.  I hate to say it looks like next week we are having below zero temperatures too. 
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Heads Up, Gardeners: Freeze Incoming! 🚨  for our southern states. 
A winter storm is making its way across the South this week, and while Southerners are no strangers to weather swings, this one could pack a punch. Sudden freezes, icy winds, and the potential for snow mean it’s time to give your garden a little extra attention.
Which Plants Need Extra Protection?
Some plants are more sensitive to rapid freezes, especially:
• Tropical or tender evergreens (like gardenias or camellias)
• Container-grown shrubs and perennials
• Newly planted trees and foundation plants
• Flowering cool-season annuals (like primroses, cyclamen, or snapdragons)
• Upright, leafy evergreens like boxwood, holly, and azaleas
Containers are especially vulnerable since cold air can reach roots from all sides. If your plant is in a pot, give it priority!
 DON'T:
❌ Knock ice off branches. It may cause them to snap.
❌ Remove coverings before the ice/snow melts. Even with ice on top, they help trap warmth underneath.
❌ Disturb snow accumulation on plants. A light layer can act as natural insulation.
DO:
✅ Let ice melt naturally.
✅ Once the ice/snow melts, remove covers during the day to give plants sun and airflow.
✅ Prune only broken or obviously damaged limbs.
✅ Water again once the soil thaws to help with recovery.
Severe winter weather can impact more than just your garden. For tips on how to prepare your home, family, and community for winter storms, including power outages and emergency supplies, check out the Red Cross winter storm prep guide below:
Stay safe, stay warm, & give your garden the best chance to weather the storm!
Taken from https://southernlivingplants.com/
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from Old Farmer's Almanac   Endless Road 

Good morning.  At 11:15 Am there is clear, blue sky, mild wind but we are in a blizzard warning starting at 1PM From the National Weather Service. Blizzard conditions expected.  Total snow accumulation up to one inch.  Winds gusting up to 60MPH.  Visibility may drop below 1/4 mile due to failing and blowing snow.  Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life threatening. Plan for slippery road conditions.  The hazardous conditions could impact the Wed evening commute Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. Note:  Larry told me he is putting the generators in the shop because it is also to be cold high of 8F( -13C) so if we lose electricity he doesn’t know if the generators will start in the cold.  Hope we don’t lose electricity.  I can’t say it enough STAY SAFE 
 
Australia family and friends are enjoying time at the beach and ocean.  Wed January 22 they will 70F(20C) perfect weather to be outside for them. ENJOY, stay cool, stay safe. 
 
I have been working on a work list for months now. I get one thing done and add 2 more things, so sometimes I look at the list like that endless road. No sight of the work in the end. I found this article to help with motivation.  Just get started and take little steps.  That is how I feel with some of the work, small steps but then the small steps turn into getting more done. 
 
How to Get Motivated When You Feel Stuck: Just Start Somewhere

Why motivation isn’t about willpower—and how starting small can lead to real change Written By:  Margaret Boyles

Lack of motivation can be a pervasive and debilitating problem, but do not despair—there are ways to get yourself motivated!
You have a lot to get up for: a stalled work project, that hour of daily exercise your doctor prescribed, your longstanding writer’s block, housecleaning, quitting smoking.
Maybe you yearn for a quantum change—that bolt from the blue that suddenly enables you to make long-desired changes to your life and make them stick.
But every day, your same old, plodding self arises and finds it impossible to summon the self-motivation.
Whatever you need to do, your inner demons keep finding excuses for avoiding it.
When one of those demons rears its head, instead of saying Just do it! or Just say no!, I suggest proclaiming Just start somewhere, and see where it takes you.
Running at sunset as a metaphor of building motivation through small steps
Tips for Self-motivation: ‘I’ll start with…’
This strategy envisions only starting a dreaded activity, not plotting a timeline of the actions needed to finish.
In her wonderful book, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, Natalie Goldberg offers the best advice I’ve found—not just for writing, but for overcoming almost any sort of internal resistance or social overlay that’s keeping you from getting to your task.
Paraphrasing Goldberg:
Set a time. Say 15 minutes. (Get specific.)
Pick up your pencil, or put your hands on the keyboard. (Gear up.)
Keep your hand(s) moving. Don’t stop. (Just this little bit now.)
Don’t cross out (edit yourself).
Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar, or chronological order (doing it right).
Lose control. (Don’t plan, think, or ruminate about it.)
If nothing meaningful seems to come, don’t be afraid to write nonsense. Don’t stop until the time has passed.
You get the gist. Make a small, concrete commitment that your mind accepts as reasonable. Once you’re into it, your demons may have quieted down enough that it seems reasonable to keep going.
The housework?
“I’ll start with the upper shelf. Remove those books, brush the dust from those books, and scrub down that shelf. I can get to the rest later.”
That long walk?
Say to yourself, “Let’s go. Three telephone poles,” and head out the door. As likely as not, at least for me, I usually find myself saying, “Okay, three poles. Now to the top of the hill…” and finish my intended distance.
Goldberg talks about “being a great warrior” who cuts through the noise, the self-doubt, and the laziness.
Staying Motivated
A couple of important corollaries: no promises for tomorrow and no self-recrimination when today’s start doesn’t end up with much progress toward the ultimate. 
As a motivational strategy, just starting seems light-years away from quantum change. And in the moment, they don’t seem connected.
Yet I’ve experienced several moments of quantum change in my life, and I’ve often wondered if long avoidance of a needed change, the brief moments of clarity about what I need to do, and the repeated starts and failures lurk in the recesses of my mind to the point of confluence, so when I wake up some morning, the big change seems ridiculously easy.
Until then, I’ll try to stay with my Just Start strategy.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/how-get-motivated-when-you-feel-stuck-just-start-somewhere
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from mymatra.com 

I see the sun and it is awesome, but the temperature at 12:00 is still 11F(-8C) but we don’t have much wind so that is good.  Warming up and can you believe we are in for snow later today and tonight.  We could have up to 3” of snow.  Just have to love winter.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends are having less humidity, so their days are feeling awesome.  High for Jan 21, Thursday will be 73F(22C) with 30% chance of rain.  Must see what kind of weather they are having.  Evelyn will write and tell me.  I am seeing that Evelyn’s kids and grandkids are spending time near water as it is their break before the school year starts.  I think at the end of the month, again Evelyn will let us know.  ENJOY your summer break and stay safe. 
 
I found this article on how to take care of your skin with this severe winter weather it is important.  Some good ideas, and I shouldn’t have been surprised but drinking water is very important.
 
Winter can bring a variety of wonderful things, including the holidays, snow days, and cheese boards. However, the colder weather can sometimes prove harsh on our skin. Winter skin care can involve boosting hydration and protecting the delicate skin barrier, as harsh weather, such as freezing winds, frost, and dry air, can strip the skin of much-needed moisture and nutrients.  The key is to ensure you moisturize, avoid harsh chemicals such as foaming cleansers, and nourish from within.
Hydration is crucial for the skin, especially during the winter months. This is because healthy skin needs water for structure, support, elasticity, and radiance. Good hydration enhances blood flow to the skin, alongside delivering nutrients and flushing out toxins.  Cold weather and excessive indoor heat can cause water to rapidly evaporate from the skin, making it essential to find moisturizers that not only lock in moisture but also hydrate and nourish the skin’s barrier, protecting it from further damage from cold weather and indoor heat. This can include  applying thick, rich moisturizers on damp skin to lock in moisture. drinking lots of water to hydrate from the inside, including drinks such as herbal teas.
Rich moisturizers can help lock in moisture lost during winter weather. This is especially important for individuals with dry skin, as seasonal changes can exacerbate the condition. Swapping out lightweight moisturizers can help, particularly those that contain hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and ceramides, which attract moisture as a humectant and a lipid that acts as a protective barrier.
Cream-based cleansers are better during winter than harsh, foaming cleansers that may strip essential moisture from the skin. The ‘squeaky clean’ feeling that some cleansers provide may feel nice during warmer seasons, but it can actually contribute to tight, dry skin during winter. Tight skin is actually an indicator that your cleanser may have stripped too much of your natural skin barrier.
Eat hydrating food  Good skin care actually starts from within; while it is important to topically ensure your skin is well-nourished, a healthy and nutritious diet is key to achieving glowing, hydrated, and nourished skin. ‘Eating’ your water is a good way to stay hydrated from within, including eating water-rich foods, such as cucumbers, watermelon, celery, tomatoes, and lettuce. swapping coffee and tea for herbal teas such as chamomile. Remembering to drink water before and after meals avoiding excess caffeine, sugars, and processed foods. avoiding overdoing it at holiday parties with alcohol, which can have a dehydrating effect on the skin. You can also eat a diet rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3, which protect the skin from oxidative damage.
Not only are they great for extra skin goodness, but they also create a moment of downtime intended for pampering and relaxation.
 Protect skin from the elements  Layering up during winter not only protects you from feeling cold but also shields your skin from the harsh effects of the cold winter weather.
Scarves, hats, gloves, and thick winter coats can help shield your skin from everything, including winter sun or frosty, biting wind. Many people forget that hand skin care is just as important as caring for your face; layer on rich hand creams and gloves to avoid dry, prematurely aged skin on your hands.
 Avoid overly hot showers and baths Excessively hot water in baths or showers can strip the skin of essential moisture and natural oils, damaging the skin barrier. Opt for slightly cooler showers, and don’t forget to use hydrating body creams and butters on damp skin afterward to lock in extra moisture.  Adding products to baths may also help hydrate the skin, and using bath oils provides an extra layer of luxury.
Don’t forget the lips  What harsh winter weather does to your skin, it also does to your lips. Not only do they not produce any oil as they lack sebaceous glands, but they also have  constant exposure to the elements. Spending extra care for your lips can help prevent issues such as chappedness, flaking skin, cracking, and cheilitis, a swollen inflammation of the lips.
This may include:  using a lip exfoliator to remove excess dead skin and promote new skin  using lip balms with hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and aloe vera  using thick ointments such as vaseline
The bottom line  Skin care is always important, but during harsh winter weather, taking an extra step for your skin can help maintain its overall health and appearance.
Using rich moisturizers that hydrate from within and on the outside, protecting your skin from the elements, and creating an ideal winter skin care routine are all key to achieving healthy, happy skin.
Taken from https://www.healthline.com/health/winter-skincare
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from Friends of Sale Botanic Gardens 

image from ar.inspiredpencil.com 

Morning, good as it is a clear, blue sky so we are having sun.  BUT just morning for it is -4F (I don’t think the Australia’s are wanting to know the C for this just cold and something they don’t have.)  But the wind is blowing out of WNW at 19 mph so with the wind chill it feels are you ready for this  -27F.  I just came inside checking greenhouse and feeding cats and it is darn cold.  Hitting the face was very raw and felt like needles hitting it.  Stay warm, stay inside if you can, and be safe. 
 
Australia family and friends for Tuesday Jan 20th will have 76F( 24C) which we would see as comfortable, but looking more into the report their humidity is at 89% with dew point at 58F(15C).  That means it is humid out, so that will add to the warmth of the day.  One of the friends wrote back about more information about their day. 
“Hi Becky, it’s a windy, sunny day with a temperature of 22C. Even though the temperature is lower it’s important to check the UV rating. At the moment it is listed as Extreme so sunscreen and sun protection is necessary. Today we are working in the front garden weeding and tidying up. Xx  stay cool, stay safe.
 
 
Remember the red flower I didn’t know what it was from Sale Botanic Gardens, here is what Evelyn wrote about it. "The red flower is from a flowering gum tree. This time of year is when they are all out . Mine has an orange flower."
Corymbia ficifolia, commonly known as red flowering gum,[2] is a species of small tree that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has rough, fibrous bark on the trunk and branches, egg-shaped to broadly lance-shape adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, bright red, pink or orange flowers and urn-shaped fruit. It has a restricted distribution in the wild but is one of the most commonly planted ornamental eucalypt.
Taken from ar.inspiredpencil,com
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse

image from therusticelk.com 

​Winter is still here.  We have snow covering the ground.  Not much but the wind is coming up so predicted snow squalls.  Be safe and careful in driving.  High today 33F(2C) while low tonight are you ready for this 6F.  That will be our weekend cold as the high on Saturday is only 9F.  Stay warm , stay safe. 
 
Australia family and friends are having another day of rain for their Saturday January 17.  I am sure greatly needed after those days of high heat.  High will be 70F(20C).  They too will have wind. Stay dry, stay safe. 
 
I am sharing this article about planting vegetables in the shade and in places beside a large garden area.  All food for thought you can think during this January how you can try some of these ways of growing vegetables. 
 
Vegetable Shade Garden Plan: Grow Veggies in Partial Shade  Written By:  Catherine Boeckmann
When you consider your garden location, take into account the varying amounts of sunlight different vegetables need to grow well.
Fruiting crops (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers) need 6+ hours of sun (full sun)
Root crops (carrots, beets) need 4–6+ hours (full to partial sun)
Leafy greens & herbs (lettuce, spinach, kale, parsley, chives) need 3–6 hours (partial shade)
The Plant List
Plant Name  Spacings        Quantity       Sow Indoors Sow/Plant Outdoors
Arugula         Single: 6”, In-Row: 4”, 8” row gap         4          March → mid April April → mid October
Beet    Single: 6”, In-Row: 4”, 8” row gap         11       —        May → mid June
Beet (Multi-sown)  Single: 10”, In-Row: 10”, 10” row gap  3          —        May → mid June
Lavender      Single: 1’ 4”, In-Row: 1’ 2”, 1’ 2” row gap       1          Mid March → mid May    May → June
Lettuce (Leaf)          Single: 4”, In-Row: 4”, 6” row gap         12       March → mid April April → mid September
Mizuna          Single: 10”, In-Row: 8”, 1’ 0” row gap  8          —        Mid May → June
Nasturtium   Single: 1’ 0”, In-Row: 1’ 0”, 1’ 0” row gap       1          Mid April → mid May        Mid May → end of May
Parsley          Single: 6”, In-Row: 4”, 10” row gap       6          April → mid May    Mid May → end of June
Radish            Single: 4”, In-Row: 4”, 8” row gap         14       —        Mid April → mid October
Rhubarb        Single: 2’ 11”, In-Row: 2’ 11”, 2’ 11” row gap 3          —        April → mid May
Sorrel Single: 1’ 0”, In-Row: 1’ 0”, 1’ 0” row gap       2          March → mid May May → end of May
Why This Design Works
This design focuses on crops that naturally tolerate lower light levels, especially leafy greens and herbs that benefit from cooler, shaded conditions during summer. Salad crops grown in partial shade often bolt more slowly, producing tender leaves for longer.
Small Salad Garden Bed
Grow a small bed of spinach and lettuce just outside your back door, where the greens can be harvested frequently as cut-and-come-again crops. Shaded containers also dry out more slowly, making them easier to manage in summer. Having greens growing just outside the back door meant we didn’t buy salad for weeks!
Tips for Growing Vegetables in Shade
Most fruits and vegetables do need “full sun” (6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day) to grow optimally. So, make sure you’re choosing crops that can handle partial shade.
If this is your first shade garden, focus on leafy greens and quickly-cropping crops (such as radishes)
Some perennial vegetables and fruits will cope with partial shade too; globe artichokes, rhubarb, and perennial onions are all happy in a shady setting.
Surprisingly, strawberries will grow reasonably well there, too, but may fruit later than usual. If you’d like to try fruit trees, consider currants, which grow well in partial shade.
You don’t need raised beds to grow food in the shade. Pots and containers work just as well, especially for leafy greens.
Gardener Spotlight: Susie H’s Experience
There are those small areas in each garden or yard that do not receive the daily sunshine needed to grow much in them, or so it appears at first… . But I found that those little spots behind the shed, under the neighbors’ trees, and adjacent to the play equipment can be used, too!
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/shade-vegetable-garden-plan
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse