Horticulturists Richard Jauron and Willy Klein of Iowa State University Extension provided the following timely tips on preparing perennials for the winter: Many perennials make it through winter just fine with no special attention. But in Iowa gardens, some perennials require a little attention just before the ground freezes. How should I prepare mums for [...]
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The following is from Iowa State University, Linn County Extension Master Gardener Intern, Jane Schildroth: Several people have mentioned lately that they wonder if the new “mum” they picked up at the grocery store to have some quick fall color, will make it through the winter. Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick or simple answer to the [...]
continue »Jane Schildroth, Linn County Extension Master Gardener Intern, provided the following timely tips: As the calendar tells us summer has begun, you may begin to think that things in your garden are all set and ready for the growing season. For the most part, you are probably right and it’s time to enjoy all of [...]
continue »Kathleen Hassinger contacted me last month about trying out a product from the Liquid Fence Company called FreezePruf. The spray – said to be eco-safe – is a frost protector that the company describes “like anti-freeze, for your plants.” Kathleen ended up sending a whole case of the spray – which will eventually be [...]
continue »Seeing white falling outside this morning wasn’t the wakeup call I wanted in early October. With more cold set to come, Linn County Master Gardener, Claire Smith, offers advice on preparing gardens for winter. The fall decorations surrounding my seeder wagon are just wonderful. Artistic and creative are not in my [...]
continue »With fall here, the first frost is not far off. Linn County Master Gardener, Claire Smith, describes how to save geraniums before that hits and overwintering mums: Mums and Geraniums. Two of my favorite flowers. Did you know you can successfully save and replant both from year to year? Mums just speak of fall, of [...]
continue »Linn County Master Gardener, Claire Smith, offered the following on keeping mum pots in the house and other fall advice for Iowans: Feel free to ask questions: Master Gardeners love to visit. If a M.G. doesn’t have an answer, he/she will be eager to do the research for an answer as well as [...]
continue »Linn County Master Gardener, Susan Long, prepared the following Q & A’s that are frequently asked of Hortline volunteers in November. Q: Can I plant potted mums in my garden now for blooms next year? A: Even though potted garden mums may be deemed “hardy”, they don’t over-winter well in Iowa. The repeated [...]
continue »The following is by Richard Jauron, horticulture specialist at Iowa State University Extension: Chrysanthemums are shallow-rooted plants. Repeated freezing and thawing of the soil during the winter months can heave plants out of the ground and cause severe damage or even death. Gardeners can increase the odds of their mums surviving [...]
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