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.

The "Sitting Pretty Contest" held in conjunction with "Ag in the City" on the Marion County Courthouse lawn was a really fun event!

It wrapped up a very busy month for me with such a good time!

I can't wait to do it again next year.

We are considering auctioning off the entries as a fund raiser for the Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden. I can't part with my chair tho. I'll have to do one just for the event.

See the Sitting Pretty Contest Slideshow for more pictures!

• Fertilize June Bearing Strawberries immediately after last harvest.
• Lift & divide iris clumps; discard any showing signs of borer damage.
• Harvest beans, cucumbers & zucchini frequently to keep them productive.
• Remove suckers at the base of of fruit trees.
• Cut back leggy petunias to rejuvenate plants.
• Water lawn deeply & infrequently to encourage a deep root system.
• Vist public gardens for planting ideas.
• Remove canes of summer bearing red raspberries after last harvest.

ISU University Extension 2006 Calendar

• Scout for insect & disease problems daily.
• Control mosquitoes by eliminating standing, stagnant water.
• Read pesticide label to know the harvest interval for vegetable crops.
• Check the soil moisture of flower & vegetables grown in containers. As temperatures rise, some may need watered 2 x day.

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

How to Grow Larkspur

Tips for Growing Larkspur

Read about my Larkspur on the Bed 10 page.

Read about my first water lily bloom on the Pond Plants page.

Pool Party, Food, Fun, Family, Friends

For 16 years my aunt held the annual family gathering at her house around their pool. She gave the pool to me, I gave it to my daughter, Robin & her husband. Tradition - the party goes where the pool is.

A walk through Robin's Gardens is always an enjoyable part of the day too. This year hostas 'Fatal Attraction' & 'Kabitan' were reminisce of July 4th fireworks displays.

Millie's Garden

An invitation came in the mail announcing Millie Van Dyke opening her gardens for tours - July 7th - 14th. Day Lily - Prime Time. Ron & I visited in the evening the very first day. The gardens were very lovely. I was impressed. There were a lot of creative ideas for fun things in the garden.

Grinnell Garden Tour

Poweshiek County Master Gardeners

My best friend, Linda Ogan & I sneaked away together for the Grinnell Garden tour. We had the best time touring 5 beautiful gardens in our old home town. Can you believe, I forgot my camera at home!!!

Russ O'Hara Hosta Society
rohs.org

Summer Meeting

Tour Gardens
Eric Kinma - Stark Gardens - Norwalk, IA
Marcia Ansevice - Flying Frog Farm - Indianola, IA
Dan Ripperger - Hosta Hideaway - Indianola, IA
Audra Wilson Gardens - Ackworth, IA

Pot Luck - Yummy!

Plant Auction - FUN!

Good Day!

Marion County Master Gardener Mtg at the Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden, Knoxville, IA Pot Luck Supper

Special Awards:

Presentation - July - 'What Needs Done in the Garden'

Tour - Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden

View - Marion County Master Gardener Plot #23

Knoxville Federated Garden Club Monthly Mtg
Farm Bureau Building
Knoxville, IA
Presentation - Sharon Stoffer - ISU Tree Steward Program
Plant Auction - Ways & Means Fund
My Month to Help Host

Work Day / Adopted Plots #14 & #15 - Replanting

Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden

My garden buddy, Randy & I adopted these 2 abandoned planter boxes late this spring. Spraying interfered with our initial planting efforts. Did I say that nicely??? Replanting was done this day. Hopefully White Polk-a-dot Vinca will survive.

Southeast Wisconsin Hosta Society hosted the Regional Hosta Convention in Brown Deer, WI

The region includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, & Wisconsin.

www.midwesthosta.org

My best hosta friend, Connie is unable to run away on hosta adventures with me this summer. Her husband is gravely ill. Ron tried hard to fill her shoes attending the regional hosta convention with me. It was a good mini-vacation for us. The funny part is we drove 637 miles to hang out with four of our closest neighbors. All three couples drove separately but we were all together during the festivities & tours. It was a good time!

Another fun thing was, not only did I sit at the dinner table with my current neighbors, but a couple from Iowa City shared it too. He was my neighbor when I first moved to Grinnell in 1959. I had not seen them for decades. It was a hoot.

Ron & I also made a short stop at Dubuque Arboretum on the way home. It is a wonderful place. But it was 98 degrees in the shade while we were there.

www.dubuquearboretum.com

It was good to get home Sunday evening in time for our only favorite TV show.

Check the Hallson's Hosta Forum for fun photos & reports of the Midwest Regional Convention from other attendees.

www.perennialnursery.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=41180