What's Happening

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.

July 2008

Pink Poppy

These poppies freely self-seed all around the gardens. They are so wonderful I do not consider them weeds. I save the seeds to share with friends. I cut the seed pods to use in dried arrangements. They are so cool. - MM

Rain Gardens

Rain Gardens are the big thing these days. State, county, & city governments are encouraging using 'Rain Gardens' to recycle water run-off in our yards, parks, & fields. There is tons of information available concerning the 'Rain Garden' concept. Click the following link for the short informational article...

Recycling the Rain by Erin Rosacker

Contributing to gardening in Iowa

Nick Christians (1949)

“When everyone else thinks you’re wrong and you know you are right, that’s the time to double your efforts and finish the project.” – Nick Christians

Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation/Forestry, 1972 – Colorado State UniversityCollege
Master of Science in Agronomy, 1977, Ohio State University
Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy, 1979, Ohio State University

Enthusiastic entrepreneur

With more than 800 publications, including three frequently used books, and several teaching award, Nick Christians is a successful and productive professor at Iowa State University. One of his greatest achievements, however, grew out of a failed turf grass research project. After observing the poor performance in plots treated with corn gluten meal, he began testing the corn by-product for weed control in lawns. That detour led him to patent a corn-gluten product and win the Iowa Inventor of the Year Award in 1998. Licenses to the patent for use of corn-gluten meal as a herbicide have generated more than 1.3 million dollars, making it one of ISU Research Foundation’s top ten income-producing technologies.

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

Maryland State Flower - Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

The Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) has been the official Maryland flower since 1918 when it was designated the "Floral Emblem" of Maryland by the General Assembly (Chapter 458, Acts of 1918; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-305).

Maryland State Flower

Massachusetts State Flower - Trailing-Arbutus (Epigaea repens)

Other common names.—Gravel plant, Mayflower, shadflower, ground laurel, mountain pink, winter pink. Habitat and range.—Trailing- arbutus spread out on the ground in sandy soil, being found from Newfoundland to Michigan and Saskatchewan and south to Kentucky and Florida. Description.—This plant, generally referred to in the drug trade as gravel plant but more popularly known as "trailing-arbutus" spreads on the ground with stem 6 or more in length. It has rust-colored, hairy twigs bearing leathery, evergreen leaves from 1 to 3 inches long and about half as wide. The flower clusters, which appear from March to May, consist of fragrant, delicate, shell pink, waxy blossoms. Part used.—The leaves, gathered at flowering time.

Massachusetts State Flower

Michigan State Flower - Apple Blossom (Pyrus coronaria)

In 1897 Michigan legislators, feeling that "a refined sentiment" called for the naming of a state flower, designated the apple blossom. Joint Resolution 10 of that year noted "one of the most fragrant and beautiful flowered species of apple, the pyrus coronaria, is native to our state." Legislators also proudly declared that "Michigan apples have gained a worldwide reputation." A century later, Michigan ranks second in the nation in apple production.

Michigan State Flower