2nd harvest of the lettuce and kale indoors I started from seed back in November 2010. Lettuce and Kale are very easy to grow indoors under lights

Dorotheanthus Mezoo Aptenia iceplant is a easy to grow succulent houseplant. They produce beautiful cherry red blossoms.
Easy to propagate and make new plants. Beautifully variegated housplant or outdoor plant.

More info about this plant here.

Quite entertaining to watch our roxie eating sweet and field corn, she loves it! so much so and she can’t wait to get outside in the morning to go to the field.

The racoons have knocked the stocks over but they are not eating this corn as it is field corn.. not sweet enough I guess.. they can be destructive animals.. We used to plant the sweet corn right here and they haven’t forgotten about it.

This was alot of fun to film , I hope you enjoy it as much as I did..:)

We have Baby Goldfish From the Water Garden Pond to the Indoor Aquarium

Love working with my goldfish either indoors or outside . This year we have plenty of baby goldfish that were born in our water garden pond outside.

I usually like to fish them out so the large koi and large goldfish don’t decide to have them for lunch.

The fish love to hide in the hornwort plants and this is also the plant that the larger goldfish spawn in.

My 30 gallon aquarium tank is now holding at a guess 40 baby goldfish fry , they are loving their new home and feel safe.

I purchased some goldfish food that is suppose to enhance the color and immunity and already I am seeing the difference in there activity just after a few days of feeding.

Goldfish are relatively easy to care for, They are hardy and like cold water atmosphere.

I used to have tropical but since I get baby goldfish every year now I have a good supply and no longer need any other fish.

The baby goldfish range in different colors and that will change as they grow.

One thing in the winter months it is nice to watch and observe these busy little guys , passes time and is just plain fun.

So what happens when you get lots of rain and no time to weed.. Yep a weedy garden actually kinda embarassed but hey just couldn’t get it done.

Today’s video is working on my flower garden areas, and cleaning and mulching the garden.. Took a few hours of intense work but I got it all done as shown in the video.

Look forward to seeing how the vegetable garden turns out in a few months. So how is your garden growing?
Would love to hear about it .. just post below in the comment box..

till we meet again
Happy Gardening
Diane

Photo courtesy of Harris Seeds

Echinacea PowWow WildBerry

I know there is many Echinacea’s  on the market but you should take a minute to learn about this one as it has some really wonderful qualities you may adore.

The most floriferous Echinacea we’ve ever seen, thanks to its extensive branching and no-deadhead re bloom!

PowWow Wild Berry has earned it’s beauty by winning the 2010 All- American Selection(AAS) Award. One of the most breathtaking Echinacea yet, as their branching habit makes for more flowers all season.

Here is a trait you are going to love, It doesn’t need deadheaded to set new buds, so you know what that means, flowers keep coming all season long .

Compact in size , making for a container plant as well as for the landscape. Big 3- to 4-inch blooms keep their one-of-a-kind rosy-purple coloring.

Fade -proof bloom color beginning in early summer right into fall.

As with all  Echinacea’s they attract butterflies and bees, and birds love their seed-filled cones in autumn and winter months.

Plant height reaches 20-24 inches tall, with a spread of 12-16 inches wide. May be one of the smaller Echinacea’s , but don’t let  that fool you, as it bears more blooms that just about any other cone flower.

PowWow Wild Berry is adaptable to just about any climate area in the United States. Grow in a well drained soil area.

Plant in full sun and really thrives and appreciates any conditions Mother Nature throws it’s way.

Hardy in zones 3-9, so happy to see PowWow Wild Berry hardy in many zone areas, where people can enjoy year after year.

I am really excited about this one, I am growing this one from seed and so far it is growing very well.

Happy Gardening,

Diane Mumm

Heuchera Peach Crisp

Yes, more heuchera coming my way. Honestly I believe I have around 18 varieties now and counting. Seeing How Crazy I am over Heuchera. I am sure I am not done purchasing these gems. The colors , textures and shapes of the leaves just keep getting  better and better.

Peach Crisp has ruffled peach to amber leaf color, with a tight mounding habit. I am loving the shape of the leaves and the fullness look to the plant.

Works well  in containers, and also can be planted as a edger plant.

Grows in full sun, but hmm wondering as usually heuchera like a sun to part sun/shade area so I will have to grow in more sun and see for sure it works well in that light area.

Always provide good drainage and keep the crown above the soil .

Grows just 6″ tall foliage height, 14″ wide and 15 ” flower height.

Blooms in Spring with white blossoms.

Hardy in zones 4-9.

I got a feeling I am going to really love this heuchera, and I can see it now in containers.

Watch for this Heuchera  this year , let me know your thoughts  about this beautiful one.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

When I think Spring, what come to mind is seeds, sowing, and greenhouse growing.  Spring brings on new life, new beginnings and new challenges. Spring is my favorite time of year, as there is so much happening all around.

I live in Iowa so as we go through long winter months I feel we have earned a breath of fresh air, this is where spring comes into play, and boy is it welcomed by all.

Playing in the dirt during the spring months  has never become so popular. No one has to force me to plant a seed, transplant a flower, or sun bathe in my greenhouse. The warmth inside my greenhouse can give such pleasure physically,   but also mentally.

What is good for the body , is good for the soul.  Garden Therapy at its Best! I did not say I needed therapy but it never can hurt, just storing some up for later use.

Growing your own food these days is rewarding, fun and is just a wonderful and healthy  practice to be doing for you and your family. Not only food but if you have a love for flowers, you may want to plants a few flower seeds too.

I started growing plants from seed many many years ago, way before I even knew where my life was going. I always had a love for growing something, whether it was houseplants, veggies or flowers. If I was up for the challenge it would be achieved one way or another.

Do you inherit this love for plants?  Or is this just something that maybe you were around as a child . We always put in a garden as I was growing up, don’t really remember  to much as  having indoor plants, but we did garden outdoors each year.

My grandma had a green thumb and you know I  never really was around or noticed this too much as growing up.. She loved her plants and had many, but I guess not being real close I really didn’t get the opportunity to explore it. If I had the chance I am not sure I would of as I probably was not into gardening like I am today.

I feel it took years to see where my heart lies, to see how rewarding and fulfilling it is to grow  and nurture seeds  into beautiful flowers or edible plants.  

As I grew older and wiser as they say. I really was not happy in working a job for someone else.  But I did love  working at a local gardening center. The garden center  really taught me lots and gave me the bug . Finally I realize where my passion lied.

After working in our local town for a few more years, finally I had the thought I want my own greenhouse , to grow veggies, flowers, and anything green.  I can do this , and I did. 

Starting playing  in the soil in 1999 and still going strong today.

First Greenhouse in 1999 was 12×16 old chicken house.  How did I ever grow in this greenhouse!  Now it is used as a cold frame potting shed.  I love my little greenhouse! Plans are to restore  the greenhouse in  Spring 2011.

 In the year 2000 our greenhouse grew to a  22×40  hoop house, we expanded this greenhouse into 22×72 in I believe  2006

Tearing down the old hoop house, we ended up selling this unit, now I wish we would of kept the greenhouse , can always use them for keeping plants warm.  We built the new greenhouse in the same location.

In the year 2009 My greenhouse really grew to a  nice sized  40×70. I feel spoiled and I believe I am. This greenhouse helped me to expand  and spread my wings.

This building is a multiuse building all year long, as we also use it for storage, soil, lawn mower, four wheeler, tractor, etc. My husband wants  it really bad, I say all in due time.

Don’t let anyone  ever tell you , you can’t do something. Go where your passion lies, lots of things can happen if  you love what you are doing.

Living my passion every day in every way I know possible. It feels good to love what you do and to share what you do with others.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Even thou Black Eyed Susan vines are just annuals in my area zone, they beat out any perennial vine that we can grow here, and here is why. Blooms all season , loves heat, and is down right pretty all season and even into fall!

Thunbergia- Lemon Star Black-Eyed Susan Vine is a sunny yet bright black eyed susan vine you definitely want your hands on it you can get it.  This one in particular was grown from a plug, which means a already started plant. The flowers I noticed are much bigger on this plant than on the seeded varieties.

Black  Eyed Susan Vines love sun, heat and moisture.  Work great in baskets, pots or planted directly in the ground, but look out they grow and they grow like a weed, a darn pretty weed.. Just kidding no weed here . I love it’s habit, fast and furious!

Thunbergia Blushing Susie was started from seed, and it is lovely and does just as well as all other varieties. The color on this vine is yellow to reddish tones. Very unique and beautiful! I like to put 3-4 plants per basket and from the picture you can see it does fill out and flourish. Once the heat comes on , so does the growth , so look out!

Orange Beauty Thunbergia is also started from seed , however you can also buy this one in plug form, but if I can find the seed I will grow it. I love orange flowers whenever I can get them.

Hardiness weather around 32C  degrees.  Grows 5-8 ft in length so allow room to grow. Some varieties may vary in size. Blooms all season long making long lasting color .

What is your favorite black eyed susan vine? Those of you thinking about growing this one, I wouldn’t  hesitate , you will love it.

I would rate this vine  5 *****

Have fun Growing!

Diane Mumm

Spring is Coming ! I love growing dahlia’s. I wouldn’t miss their  beautiful  double and semi double  blossoms each year.  Growing these gems from seed is really not hard. I usually like to buy the dwarf figaro varieties just because I love putting them in pots. They also look great planted in beds, or borders really doesn’t matter. I buy the mix seed packets  because I love a surprise and I get such a nice variety of colors.

Dahlias like  sun to part sun area and seem to bloom all summer provided you give them a little dead heading treatment.

As you can see bugs  like the dahlias too!

What is your favorite dahlia? I have seen dahlia bulbs but really just as easy from seed in my opinion.

Not sure what kind of moth this is , but likes the dahlias too, I mean what is not to like here. 

Probably not much it can do to damage this dahlia , but that bug is another story.. Go away!

 I noticed many bees on the dahlias in the fall, feasting on it’s yummy taste. I have a lot of bees usually around the gardens.. I welcome them, and never been stung.

Knock on Wood!

This is a sweet color! Love the blending of yellow and reddish tones . This is one reason I choose a mix seed packet. You never know what you will get in colors.

Move over Mr Bee, Mrs Bee is here and hungry too! Isn’t this a sight to see, love how they are sharing the center of the dahlia. The color is a true red which is hard to find in flowers.

and more bees ,  you can clearly see they are pretty serious about lunch.

Questions about Dahlias , ask away , leave a comment below, or better yet share with me your favorite dahlia.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Amaranthus Autumns’s Touch

When I see this flower I think of fall, and also the flower reminds me of the perennial astilbe flower and or looks kinda like a celosia flower too.

I am loving the color, and this will be my first year to grow from seed.

The plumage on this amaranthus stands tall  with torches a blazing.

When fall comes the colors will blend great in the autumn landscape. Giant 2 foot plumes with red amaranth foliage which is then combined with soft pistachio-green and bronze tones creating a airy beauty in the summer months.

Gigantic blooms last for many weeks,  as two added bonuses , perfect for cutting or fresh and to be used in dried arrangements. Plus, a ideal food source for the songbirds in the fall.

Attractive to bees, butterflies , and birds. A multi use plant , which in my eyes is a well worth growing plant.

The  plumes show their beauty from summer to fall months, and can even be beautiful if left for winter months.

The color shades of the plumes  have  intense green at the base to lighter celery hues and bronze at the tips. If you are looking for something unusual and different , this is it! 

Autumn’s Touch grows 31/2 – 4′ ft tall, beautiful dark green foliage that have thick stems . No staking here folks!

Plant in full sun area, with well drained soil.  No zone area given.

Plant as a backdrop or center of a flower bed. No doubt this will look good anywhere.

I have a feeling , this plant will be hot, hot, hot.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

I grow dahlia’s  from seed each and every year, I love how easy they are to grow from seed, and love all the colors there is when you purchase mixed dahlia’s seed packet.

What I am used to seeing is large double dwarf dahlias that can brighten up a pot,  or flower bed.

This year I will have a nearly black dahlia called the Black Beauty Dahlia.

 As you see in the photo it appears to be a very dark mahogany red flowers that actually appear black.  Golden centers which really compliment this flower.

Won a prestigious award in Europe for being a unusual flower with great performance.

Looks great in containers or flower beds, if you are looking for something a little different this just may be the flower for you.

Grows 18inches tall, and well branched plants. Plant in sun and provide well drained soil.

Hardy in zones 8-11, but seems to vary a little online.

I have a feeling I am going to really like this color, will be a great contrast for using in combinations . This may be the darkest dahlia I have grown from seed. Very excited to see how it grows and performs in the greenhouse.

So has anyone grown this dark colored dahlia?? if so please comment below, love some feedback.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Where are the Years Going ? I don’t have to tell you they are moving along quite fast these days, you know it!

The years are passing by so very fast, I would love to stop time for just a little while , time just goes too fast. If only we could bottle up moments in time and save them for later and then go back to enjoy them.

Even though I would love to have our Spring weather year around, I realized that in every season there is something to be thankful for in the garden and in nature.

It is funny that as I am getting older I see beauty in almost everything and everywhere , even Winter.

I know this may sound crazy to some of you, but some of my best photos are in the Winter months.

I want to take you through the seasons, and those of you that experience 4 seasons as I do, I hope you realize what a gift we have.

Spring

Spring is new beginnings, new life. I love seeing the dormant plants emerge out of the ground each Spring. This brings me such satisfaction and appreciation.

I love seeing the grass turn green. What a pleasant smell the first cut grass brings, this is indeed something I look forward to.

One of the first flowers you will see around gardening centers is the Pansy flower. Pansies are a sign of Spring, as they love growing in the cooler weather Spring brings.

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout

Summer

Sunny Summer days can be quite pleasing out in the gardens, so much is blooming at this time. Our weather can get pretty warm here in Iowa, but the flowers seem to handle it quite well.

Lots of interesting creatures during this time . Bees, Butterflies, Frogs and Toads, they all serve their purpose , and I welcome them all.

In this photo the Sunrise Echinacea is showing off it’s long blooming summer flower, makes a beautiful showing during summer months, even the painted lady butterflies know it is summer and enjoy the taste of the cone flower.

Then followed that beautiful season… Summer….

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape

Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Fall

Love the view looking up in the trees during the fall when the colors of the leaves are changing.

If the trees could stay this color longer I wouldn’t would love Fall more. Falling leaves makes for work but it also makes for a much needed mulch.

We experience the changing of the trees, fall color is very short lived some years, with cold weather coming in and bringing the almighty frost.

I know what comes after fall , maybe that is why I want it to stay away a little longer.

However, Fall is a season we must have , fallen leaves give us many nutrients , a special gift to all of us that love to garden.

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Winter

Snow covered everything , warms the earth and protects our treasures. Makes for beautiful moments in the garden. Snow is rather Pretty!

Here sits a water garden , fenced in perennial yard with a nice backdrop of evergreens and willows . Covered with winter’s white snow mulch. This is Beauty!

Although cold and long I have found winter to be one of the most beautiful seasons for scenery photos.

I do not like the cold , but must have this period for everything to be in balance, I guess. Plants need to rest , birds need to migrate, and us as humans need a break from playing in the soil.

I love winter more for what comes after . Winter needs to happen for Spring to be so appreciated!

This post is also on BestGardenBlogs.com , make sure you visit this gardening site, lots of fun reading from many gardeners.

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. ~William Blake

There really is beauty in every season!

 Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

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YouTube Gardening Videos

Possibly the most gratifying and rewarding thing to do is growing your own plants from seeds.  What can be more important than growing your own food!

In today’s world I think everyone should at least be trying their hand  at sowing some seeds , if not from seed then getting starter plants to grow in the garden.

I want to know where some of my food comes from.. I want to clearly know that what I am eating and putting in my mouth , this is a safer practice  and really is fun that is if gardening is your thing.

In 2010 I decided to do some late fall and winter planting , I really hadn’t done this before, but some online gardeners motivated me toward this practice.. My seed sowing usually begins in January of every year , but again I like a challenge.

In this video sowing was in first part of December.. I thought having  a few herbs around for cooking would be wonderful. Cooking with herbs can really add flavor to many dishes.

As of today Jan 21 2011 , these same seeds I sowed are growing quite well. 

Maybe , just maybe this will inspire you to grow a few things for your own needs. It’s fun , rewarding and just a good healthy practice.

Happy Sowing

Diane Mumm

Dipladenia Red Riding Hood

Out in my patio  sits the Dipladenia Red  Riding Hood Vine.  I have had  this beautiful vine for probably going on 4-5 years . I keep  the dipladenia indoors year around and love to watch it bloom. We are in January right now and it has been blooming for a few months now. I must tell you that this patio ranges in temperatures of 40 F-60 F in the winter months , quite a difference but it doesn’t seem to bother this vine very much, in fact as I see it blooming this moment  I feel it is pretty tough tropical vine.

This variety is a cherry pink in color,  Very pretty!

The flowers are slightly fragrant reaching 4 ” wide which last 4-5 days in bloom.

Woody, twinning, evergreen vine with dark, glossy, oval leaves. Clusters of flared, trumpet-shaped flowers. Blooms year around. 

Prune as needed in summer or winter. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer, or a fertilizer rich in phosphorus (10-20-10 for instance).

Scientific name is Mandevilla, but it does not have as large as flowers , nor the leave size of the normal mandevilla vine. Still is a noteworthy specimen of a plant .

A vigorous vine that grows 4-6 ft in size, making for a wonderful poted plant  or even works well in baskets.

Hardy to zone 10, can bring indoors if you have cold harsh winters.

Plant in sun to partial shade area, keep moist in the summer months and on the dryer side in the winter months. T he Mandevillas have tubers similar to a dahlia, and do not like over watering in winter.

This is a easy to grow tropical vine, as I have grown this one for years .. They do lose  their leaves but also manage new growth.

I will be trying my hand at propagation , take single single node hardwood cuttings dipped  with rooting hormone which hopefully  should start rooting  in 4 weeks.

I will place the cuttings in a 10×20 plastic tray , use a peat and  perlite or vermiculite soil, then one technique that may produce roots faster is placing  the planted cuttings on a heat mat and then place a clear dome plastic lid over the tray to keep the humidity high. This works for other cuttings  I have grown before. So I will see how this works out and hopefully create a video to show you.

Part 1 Propagating Dipladenia Mandevilla Vine

Part 2 Propagating Dipladenia Mandevilla Vine

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Cobaea Cathedral Bells

This cobaea vine will be a new one for growing here in Iowa, honestly I am not sure how well it will do, but I am willing to  take the gamble.  Cathedral Bells is  also know as cup and saucer vine.

I found two different photos online , one must be enhanced with color, and the other well probably is more like the end result, but  I will see for sure once I grow them beauty spring 2011. I hope to have my own photo  to add to this post later on.

The cobaea vine produces large and fabulous  exotic looking blooms . Buds open to a creamy green, then changes to a rosy violet and again changes to a mature rich purple. I don’t know about  you but this sounds like a very eye catching vine.

Cup-and-Saucer takes its name from the bloom form–the big cup-shaped blooms arise from a cluster of petals, surrounding the base like a saucer!

A charming effect, enhanced by frilly, curlicued anthers of chartreuse emerging from the white-streaked throats of these huge, silky blooms.

Grows to a length of 20 ft, and is considered to be very vigorous . Does not have many pest problems and is said to be trouble free.

Hardy in zones 9-10 , grow in a sun area, uses average watering  needs.

One thing about growing different and unusual plants , is  there seems to be many different results on growing in areas thoughout the world  , so the best way to know is to grow it yourself in your own zone  area  , to see if they indeed grow well .

This is what makes growing so much fun.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Echeveria Blue Rose

New  2011 to my greenhouse  will be this  beautiful  Echeveria Blue Rose succulent , looks perfect in this picture setting. Don’t you think?

Stated to  be one of the most popular echeverias on the market today. 

Featuring beautiful centered saucer like rosettes , and deep blue ovate leaves. Bloom time is  in Spring/Summer months.

Plant in  bright sunlight in a very porous cactus like soil. Do not let get water logged and protect from cold and frost temperatures. Water when dry to the touch only.

Hardy in zone 10 with a minimum temp of 36 F, so just a annual in many parts of the states, but would  be worth a try to bring in and winter indoors.

As echeveria can stretch more indoors keep them a little cooler with bright light conditions.

Use blue rose as a patio plant, or in a rock garden area .

This succulent will do well  in combination planting  with other succulent species. I am pretty excited to grow and see how well they do in a greenhouse setting.

Let’s Dig in some Dirt!

Diane Mumm

We are in January, but I am thinking Spring , never can be to early for us that love digging in the dirt.

Each Spring of every year is more and more exciting  in the horticulture industry.

As I looked  through the catalogs last fall I knew how excited people will be to see some new plant selection coming out on the market.

Honestly , how to they all do it! Such beautiful new plant colors and cultivars,  such a amazing choices for Spring 2011.

In this video will be new plants , proven winners on the market, new succulents, heuchera, and more,  plus just new plants that I am starting from seed and plants that have been out on the market but I have yet to grow them so they are new to the greenhouse anyway.

I wasn’t able to put all my plants that will be available here at the greenhouse because the video would of gotten too long.. so you can see a lot of the new plants under what is new tab.

Spring is right  around the corner, wouldn’t know it by our weather, but it is..

If you want to know what each of them are I have them listed on my Picket Fence Greenhouse Page of facebook. All you have to do it go there and LIKE my page..

THINK SPRING

Coming Soon

Diane Mumm

Heuchera Kassandra

Another Heuchera with  great promise as the colors change throughout the season, making for a interesting changes and features .

Vigourous grower that shows  leaf changes through the seasons.

In the spring months it emerges in reddish brown tones  to orange yellow  brown tones in fall months.

Blooms white flowers in July on clump forming months that grow 20 inches tall.

As most heuchera hardy to zones 4-9, grow in a well drained soil and plant the crown slightly above ground, do not bury.

Will be new to the greenhouse Spring 2011.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Echeveria Pink Frills

When it comes to succulents , can you really have enough of them?  well I  I have a true weakness for  them, since I started collecting them a few years.

What a beauty! I love the frilly edges which show a pink hue tone over blue  foliage.

Echeveria Pink Frills forms rosettes to 6 inches or more in diameter with frilly frosty like violet leaves that are margined in bright pink.

Use as color accents in rock gardens, wreaths, dish combination gardens, and patio plantings.

 In Spring months this blooms small apricot bell-shaped flowers  that have a arching habit.

Likes bright light  conditions, no colder than 36F degrees , and it hardy in zone 10 .

Work indoors too as a houseplant , but grow cooler and give bright light to prevent stretching.

photo courtesy of gardenlife

New for Spring 2011,  would think it will be a hit as it is such a pretty succulent, unique frilly leaves will definitely catch some eyes.

When I look at this succulent the first thing I noticed is the frilly leaves, what do you notice? or what catches your attention? 

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm