This is a place to focus on what's currently happening in the gardens. I want to share fun seasonal garden stories & events with you. Josh is going to archive the posting as seasons evolve. We hope you will embrace it with a fun-filled spirit.

Month	Birthstone	Flower	Colour	Meaning
August	Peridot	Gladiolus or Poppy	Various	Beauty, Strength of Character, Love, Marriage, and Family

While doing research for this website I learned that every month has a 'flower of the month;. And each plant has meaning. There's also a color of the month of which I was unaware. I did know about a Birthstone for each month.

Find out what meaning your birth flower has! Click the link below.

http://www.shgresources.com/gems/birthflowers/

August always begins the same for me with my birthday the very first day of the month. Last year I turned the legal speed limit on 2 lane highways in Iowa. Now I'm shooting for the earliest allowable retirement age for Social Security benefits. But then there's that health insurance issue. I have a few more years to think about it before the decision will need to be finalized.

http://www.lehighvalleyfloralassociation.org/August_FOTM.html

"The gladiolus is the birth month flower of August, bringing luck to all births in August. Symbolically this flower signifies remembrance, infatuation, and strength of character. Its name comes from Latin's "gladius" meaning "sword" for its sword shaped leaves. This flower has also represented the Roman gladiators who carried swords. In mythology, there are many tales told of gladioli springing from blood shed by a sword.

Grown between July and September, the gladiolus requires full sunlight and is easy to grow and care for as the rose is. For this reason and because of its stunning beauty, these flowers are extremely popular in cultivation and hybridization. A tall stalk of flowers branching coming in a rainbow of colors is the best way to describe the gladiolus. Some medicinal uses are to cure common colds, diarrhea, painful menstruation, and constipation."

http://www.1stinflowers.com/fom_august.html

Learn more facts about Gladiolus.

August is the eighth month, renamed by the Romans from Sextilis', meaning sixth, to honor their emperor, Augustus.

August is the height of the summer time in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. The longest days of the year is passed, but the hot days remain. In the northern regions and mountains, cool nights and early frosts lets one know that the summer is about to come to an end. In the Southern Hemisphere, August means the winter will soon be over.

The birds are already planning to fly south for the winter. The insects are more noisier and numerous than in any other month.

Below find 2 fun websites with fun information & activities for August.

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/summer/index.html

http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/august.htm

• Harvest onions when the tops yellow.
• Divide overgrown spring blooming perennials.
• Visit the flower & vegetable displays at the state fair.
• Continue watering newly planted tress, shrubs, & perennials.
• Harvest pears when the fruit turns a lighter green.
• Sow grass seed in mid-August to mid-September.
• Air dry flowers of celosia, globe amaranth, and strawflower for crafts.
• Pick up & destroy windfall apples.

ISU University Extension 2006 Calendar

August Newsletter - 'At the Garden Gate' (pdf file)
Suzette Streigel - Horticulturist
Mahaska County ISU Extension Service
Oskaloosa, IA

Escapees from Ron's wild flower patch have planted themselves in gravel at the edge of the driveway all around my compost bin.

Don't ask me how they grow in gravel & rock-hard clay. Talk about a low maintenance plant. The sun gets so blistering hot in the afternoon in this area but the Rudbeckia thrive in it.

See Bed #10 - page 2 for additional info.

A must have plant in the sun garden.

My baby brother sent me a birthday surprise. Red is my favorite color and hibiscus are so fun. The blossoms may be as large as dinner plates.

They come up really late in the spring. Just about the time you give up & think they didn't survive the winter they poke up through the ground.

Once established they are truly a low maintenance perennial plant. They thrive in heat & drought. Even though what I read says they like wet / even bog growing conditions. Mine don't get it and grow in heavy clay soil just fine.

They bloom in late summer when other things are winding down. Once hibiscus start blooming it's a non-stop flowering extravaganza.

There are tall, tall hardy hibiscus plants & bush types. Personally I like the bush ones the best. But the sight of the tall ones in other people's gardens / yards hold me is awe!

The only maintenance they require is being cut back in late winter or very early spring. Division by root is easily done. I've shared my original plant with many friends. May also be started from seed but I've never had the opportunity to try it yet.

http://my.pclink.com/~harley/hibiscus.htm

http://www.naturehills.com/new/articles/why_hardy_hibiscus.aspx

http://www.paghat.com/rosemallow-discored.html

The guy in the picture carried bucket after bucket of water for me when I planted the bed in May. He & Cecilia (another fee booth attendant) have been pulling the weeds. The Globe Thistles got mistaken for weeds & no longer exist but everything else is lookin' good!

The Scoop on Backyard Composting - presentation by Rachel Sorge

Artmeisa was over-taking Randy's Plot #15 at the Butterfly Garden and the vinca weren't filling-in the gaps in either, bed #14 (Marlys' Plot) or #15. Okay, Wal Mart had marked plants 1/2 price. And there was this new sedum named 'Fall Fire' & they had the biggest, nicest black/purple sedums, & voluptuous bright, hot pink vincas. I couldn't resist! But the beds at the Butterfly Garden were lacking pizzazz & needed something. I can rationalize away my addiction just fine.

It was also my turn to do maintenance on the Master Gardener Plot #23. Thankfully, the pea gravel mulch is working nicely and there was little weed pulling needed. The Hen & Chicks & all the sedums are doing wonderfully. Soon the large sedums will bloom for the butterflies enjoyment.

Why do we go to the fair?

To pay $5.00 bucks to park the vehicle?
To pay $10.00 bucks just to get in.
To pay $4.00 bucks for a Strawberry Smoothie.
To walk & walk, fighting the crowds?
To sweat & sweat & sweat some more?

Or just to visit the 'Discovery Gardens'?
And the Agricultural Bldg.
And the 4-H bldg.
And to walk through the cow barn, the pig barn, & the horse barn rembering times past.
And maybe catch part of a horse show out in the open arena.
And to see the fish aquariums in the Natural Resources - DNR bldg.
And to walk through the Varied Industries bldg.
And to see all the exhibits in the Cultural Center. They really should get air conditioning in there.
And to see what's happening at Pioneer Hall. There was singing & dancing going on.
Then visit Grandpa's Farm sponsored by Ver Meer Manufacturing, Pella, IA.
To ride the boat at the old Mill. It's dark in there, like Lover's Lane & cool from the blue water.
To see the street entertainers.
To watch free entertainment on open stages.
To sit in a shady spot & people-watch.
To visit Uncle Harry at his camper.
And of course, to eat something on a stick.
It's all in a day at the fair.

I could have spent hours & hours just exploring the flora & fauna at the Fair but Ron was along.

We enjoyed the Pella Plaza with all the flags & benches & shade gardens. But the best part was watching the children play in the water as it came skyrocketing up out of the disappearing fountains, setting-off shrieks of excitement / exclamations of joyous fun. They are pretty wet kids! that's for sure!

Then on to the Agriculture Bldg where it was very hot, very humid, & very packed full of exhibits & people & celebrities; including the bigger than life butter-sculptures of Hollywood's newest Superman, Brandon Routh, the Norwalk, IA native who's starring in the film "Superman Returns" and Iowa celebrity, Bill Riley an intricate part of the Iowa State Fair for more than 65 years. Of course, the butter cow is always there.

See IA State Fair Butter Cow. (pdf document)

The Discovery Garden adorns the landscape outside the Ag Bldg. Ronda Magnusson - Polk County Master Gardener gave her presentation 'Discovery Gardens' at the Iowa State Fair Grounds for my Master Gardener Mtg - June 2006. She was such an enthusiastic speaker. The Discovery Garden surely is her passion along with several other devoted Polk County Master Gardeners who make it happen along with many generous donors.

The Discovery Garden is created & maintained 100% by volunteers from the Polk County Master Gardener Program. And it is wonderful. The children's garden is just the Best! I especially enjoy the wire (hog panel) tunnel adorned with gourd plants. The water feature is outstanding as is the shade & sun gardens alike. The garden features plants for the "Iowa Garden". It is just so FUN!

See the news release article below:

"DISCOVERY GARDEN DISCOVERED"

"The Polk County Master Gardener Discovery Garden, located at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, is the cover story on the upcoming summer issue of "County Gardens" magazine. This is a Meredith publication that is distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada. It was first available on newsstands May 15, 2006.

The article features gardens from the 2005 Iowa State Fair, as well as diagrams for planting similar garden schemes "inspired" by those at the Discovery Garden." ISU Extension Services - Master Gardener News

Ron has been experimenting off & on trying to make hypertufa garden art without much success. This summer he's been leaning more toward 'modified' hypertufa recipes / concrete art. Saturday he convinced me to cut two huge 'Blue Angel' hosta leaves so we could try once again, to make casting for the garden.

It was fun! Hopefully they won't fall apart.

Ron forgot the peat moss in the first batch so it's just portland concrete & pearlite. The second batch is much lighter weight with peat moss added to the mixture.

Making a Sand-Cast Birdbath - Garden Gate Magazine

Hypertufa: Lightweight, Artificial "Do-It-Yourselfer" Stone Pots and Forms

School has started. Marlee won't be coming on Wednesdays to "hang out" with Nana.

On her last day here she was catching fish out of the bottom pond in the little net. We put some in the top pond. We took several over to Auntie Robin's little ponds. That required a trip on the riding lawn mower with Marlee driving over to Auntie's house. And Marlee took the 2 littlest, cutest (What makes a fish cute?) fishes home to her & mommy's pond.

Grandkids are the greatest invention ever.

Back to School Activities for Children

Knoxville Federated Garden Club Goes to Farmers' Market @ Valley Junction - Des Moines, IA

Farmers' Market
Thursdays Only - May 11 through September 28

Over 150 vendors on display outdoors every Thursday evening, May 11th - September 28th, offering fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and arts & crafts. Held in conjunction with Music in the Junction (see next event below). For an application please email us at valleyjunction@earthlink.net.

Time: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Admission: Free

This was my first time at Valley Junction Farmers' Market. 10 garden club members had a really good time together.

Best! was visiting with my good hosta friends Kathy & Gary Hoard. They are vendors at both the Saturday 'Downtown' Farmers' Market on Saturdays & the Thursday evening Market @ Valley Junction. They sell hostas, cut flowers, ornamental pepper fruits & plants, plus decorative birdhouses. And they are the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Ron & Marlys Go to:
Quilted Gardens and Nursery Garden Social and Sale

A thank you sale for customers & friends. Refreshments were available in the gardens and, of course, some great clearance sales on Hostas, Perennials, Garden Art, & assorted other Plants.

Seeing the progress of their new gardens over the past year was interesting.

Larry & Barry are re-establishing outstanding displays bed of dwarf conifers, hostas, & other unique & unusual plants, trees, & shrubs. This is truly a haven for the gardening coinsurer.

Beginning September 16th Unusual Spring Blooming Bulbs will be available from Quilted Gardens at the Downtown Farmers' Market in Des Moines, IA. Check out their selections of Tulips, Daffodils, & other Unusual Bulbs this fall for next Spring & Summer Color.

www.quiltedgardens.com

My mom has been wanting to go on a pontoon boat ride forever.

My baby brother & his wife wanted to treat Mother to something special during their recent visit from Chicago. My other brother & his wife came too, of course, as did my one daughter & her husband.

The weather cooperated with a very cool & overcast day. It only sprinkled rain lightly on the way into the marina of Lake Red Rock.

It was a good time!

My girlfriend, Connie held a fund raiser - garden tour for CMN - Children's Miracle Network in conjunction with the Wal-Mart fund drive for CMN. What a good idea!

Connie's gardens are still looking great late in the season. Unlike mine that are showing definite signs & symptoms of the approaching Autumn Indian Summer.

See Connie's Garden Slideshow for pictures of Connie's garden!

Time to focus on fall planting & clean-up in the garden.