Marlys' Gardens ~ What's Happening ~ Febuary 2007

"There may be snow in the garden,
but there will always be eternal springtime in the heart of this old gardener"
-Saying of Old Coot

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.

February 2007

It may seem the best thing about February is, it's the shortest month of the year. It is cold now. Zero degrees for the high today or maybe a high of 1 degree F. Wind chimes out on the potting shed play all day restating the swirling cold. The sun did shine & the ground hog did not see his shadow on February 2 - 2007. That's a good thing!

Month	Birthstone	Flower	Colour	Meaning
February	Amethyst	Violet or Iris	Violet or Purple	Faithfulness, Purity, and Modesty

Violet - February Flower of the Month

Punxsutawney Phil

February 2 'Groundhog Day' is a fun tradition in the United States & Canada. Superstition states that if the groundhog comes out of his den on February 2 and sees his shadow 6 more weeks of winter weather is yet to come. If it is cloudy and the groundhog does not see his shadow winter weather will soon end. I've heard this story my entire life but have no idea how the entire population can take stock in such a silly tale. I guess centuries ago, maybe humans had the good sense to observe other creatures and to learn survival tips from them. These days not too many folks have probably ever even seen a groundhog in its natural surroundings. Maybe by the time February rolls around, in the midst of Iowa winter weather we are ready for just about any kind of distraction from dreary, cold, grey days. And hey, any kind of entertainment is welcomed in the gloom of 'Cabin Fever'.

I just learned that in the United States the groundhog tradition is derived from an very old Scottish poem:

"As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop"

Groundhog Sign Language for Gardeners - Short Course

* Groundhog Sign Language: A 10"-12" hole appears in the ground in your backyard or under your shed with mounds of dirt outside it.

* Groundhog Sign Language: A cucumber in your garden has had a good-sized bite taken out of it.

* Groundhog Sign Language: The feathery tops of the carrots in your garden have been mowed down.

- Translation Into English: "Groundhogs don't just eat vegetables. We like to eat green succulent things, too, whether growing wild or in your garden."

* Groundhog Sign Language: Your young fruit tree is being damaged by something gnawing at its trunk.

- Translation Into English: "Remember, we're rodents. That means we have to gnaw to keep our teeth from growing too long. When I picture a perfect tooth-filer, what I see is your tender young fruit tree."

* Groundhog Sign Language: The rat poison that you set out to try to kill the groundhog that's been raiding your garden hasn't been touched -- and you continue to observe damage in your garden.

- Translation Into English: "You'll have to do better than that. I'm a groundhog, not a rat. I'm not stupid enough to eat poison. If you're going to set a trap for me, you'd better bait it with the same foods I'm raiding from your garden."

The term Cabin Fever originates from days gone by when early settlers were snowed in their tiny cabins. I can't imagine how they endured the isolation or the confinement. The condition produces irritability & restlessness caused by being in a confined space. The only known cure for Cabin Fever is spring thaw.

Unfortunately, Cabin Fever persists in modern day also. Ron & I suffered from it on days with wind chill temperatures several degrees below zero. It just ain't safe to be outdoors. We don't peek our noses out the door unless it is absolutely mandatory - like to go to work or fill the bird feeders.

Feeding birds is one way to chase off the bleak winter depression. Those little feathered friends entertain me at the feeders as I watch out my kitchen window. (See What's Happening Page January-February 2006)

Starting Seeds in the house is another way to pass the time in winter. I play with hosta seeds. Other types of seeds I save usually have to wait to be thrown back onto the ground until spring. Occasionally, I stick a Red Mittens daylily seed into a pot just to see if it'll grow. And late last winter during a warm spell I took root cuttings of large sedums. I brought them in the house to grow until a spring plant sale event arrived. It was a fun way to pass some time.

Cabin Fever Cures
February 14th - Day of Love

Another February Flower of the Month

"Iris" a showy flowering plant that gets its name from the Greek word for a rainbow; referring to the wide variety of fascinating flower colors produced among the many species. I grow some varieties (species) just for their striped / variegated leaves which will remain in the garden all season if not cut back. I enjoy the dynamic vertical lance shape the leaves project into the flower bed. The dwarf types bloom so early & are just so darn cute. The small varieties are really nice but the towering giants are dazzling with rippling dancing blossoms reminiscent of a young girl on prom night.

Iris is a genus (group with one or more common characteristics) of 200-300 species (kind or sort - individuals having common attributes & designated by a common name). Species is specifically - a logical division of a genus. Iris is the common name & the scientific name for all Iris species. Is that clear as mud?

Often Iris, especially the old purple ones are taken for granted as they love to grow with very little human interference. You can fuss over them if you must but I just like to smell them (especially the ones that smell like Root Beer Popsicles) & see their fancy flowers dance in the spring-time. Iris will literally grow if they are just thrown on the ground. They are self seeding & spread by rhizomes but are not considered invasive. They do increase their surface area so give them some room to grow. When they began infringing on other's space dig 'em up & divided them. If you can't find someone to share them with throw them in the ditch or compost pile.

Iris have very few enemies and are susceptible to very few diseases but the Iris Borer can attack the rhizomes causing soft, stinking "Iris Rot".

Slugs & Snails can also be enemies of the Iris plant. Slug-0 & other comparable (cheaper) brands of slug bait easily control these dreaded nemesis. Use sparingly and read the directions to protect yourself, birds, & pets. I toss it lightly through out the gardens when ever I see evidence of those hungry little slime balls. Slug bait doesn't work sitting on the shelf in the potting shed. I have been known to place it under clay saucers in areas of great infestation to prevent my 4 cats or birds from eating it. It seems to mold using this method. I discard the molded left-overs every-so-often replacing it with fresh bait.

Different species enjoy opposite moisture requirements. Some iris grow in water, some love bog gardens, others will rot if their rhizomes are constantly wet. It's different strokes for different folks. Ron has some dandy Yellow Flag Iris down by the bottom pond. They are over 36" tall, with bright yellow flowers, & huge seed pods that are interesting in dried arrangements. New plants pop up from self-seeding but are easily controlled if just quickly pulled up.

Every garden needs atleast a few iris adorning it. I throw the over-populators into the ditch where they display bright colors along the roadway. They make my heart smile.

Last year a member of my garden club gave a presentation of 'Iris'. She used a tape available from Schreiners Gardens. It was very informative & the pictures were beautiful. Iris are her thing. Her iris garden is a beautiful labeled display of every color of the rainbow. Our club toured her gardens last spring in prime iris-time. It was wonderful.

This website has tons of useful information on growing & caring for Iris. See the FAQ page:

House Plant Health

My article on House Plant Health and some of my favorite, easy to grow house plants.

Again, it must be said the best thing about February - it’s the shortest month of the year. Yet it seems the longest time in the heart of a gardener. It’s dreary bleak gray days are thorns in the spirits of man & beast & birds. Even our 4 cats are suffering symptoms of Cabin Fever. They are very crabby, irritable, & they bite!

With the months of October, November, December, & the first part of January 2007 being unseasonably warm with no snow at all here in south-central Iowa; winter fury hit hard, slapping us back to the reality of Mother Nature’s unpredictable power over our land. All those fears of Global Warming were stricken from our thoughts with freezing COLD temperatures, howling winds, & tons of snow, sleet, & now treacherous ICE!

Temperatures at & below ZERO plagued Iowa all of February (we don’t even want to talk about the wind chill factor). Last week it warmed up just enough for rain to fall, melting away our snow but ensured even the act of stepping outdoors dangerous, not to mention driving conditions. It has not been pretty! Now the ICING is not on the cake but coats everything. Power lines are snapping (the internet is down), many towns are without electricity, huge tree branches are snapping like twigs, & travel would be ludicrous. I guess it is good that it’s the weekend so not so many folks try to get out to go to work. Do we ever really stop to consider we risk our very lives just trying to get to work some days? A day’s pay just ain’t worth it!

I tell you one thing for sure; “the garden is ever changing”. This absolute truth was brought abruptly to our attention by this winter ice, rain, wind, & snow storm. Yesterday it was thundering & snowing & blowing & sleeting & raining nearly all at the same time. The garden has suffered much destruction that will recreate the growing environment perhaps leading to demise of much plant life. Many huge limbs plummeted to the ground, falling on fences, & scattering debris across the landscape. It is apparent that 2 or 3 of our trees have split trunks & will not survive their injuries. A loss of a tree is a deep sorrow in the shade garden. Ron lost the birch tree that grew on the island in the waterfall stream adjoining the pond areas. It’s a sad day. Ron is sharpening the chain saw blades. I’m drinking coffee, watching the snow still falling. Thank goodness March is just 3 days away. Surely, the green-theme of March will prove that “Gardening Grows the Spirit”.

What's Happening