Gardens and Grasshopper

Today's children don't get out enough and enjoy the sun.  It seems they are less in tune with nature and have compensated outdoor playtime with indoor video games.  I made it a priority to makes sure my son goes outside when the sun is out.  This way he is able to get in touch with nature and explore his environment.  During my sons playtime he discovered a variety of species of grasshoppers and how they have different looks, behaviors and abilities.  Check out the video below where he rants about different grasshoppers and tours the garden.

June Update

The hardest thing for me about gardening in Iowa, is getting my plants in the ground so late.  I am used the the conditions from zone 7 (Atlanta) and I usually get my plants out by the end of February.  But, since the winter is much more brutal in Iowa I am finally able to finally start planting at the end of May or beginning of June.

I've only lived in Iowa for a year so I have to learn how to grow in these condition.   To be perfectly honest, Iowa is full of farmers so I just have to learn the tricks of the trade.  Last year I grew tons of plants but only a few of them reached full maturity.  This year I pray I will have better success.   If I can't beat the cold snap, I will have to get a grow light to continue indoors.

Please check out the video of my son and I giving you our June update.  If you are familiar with gardening in the Middle America please feel free to leave a suggestion.  Also check out my etsy shop we have items heavily discounted as cheap as one dollar.  Brandy's Botany Bay Seed Shop

Iowa Thistle

Preserving native plants is very important. Often with development or just purely by maintaining our lawns we eliminate native plants and vegetation. Some volunteer have made efforts to visit woods, forrest and plains to ensure they preserve the natural vegetation by removing noxious weeds, and replanting wildflower seeds.

One thing that can easily be appreciated in Iowa is that the wild flowers are allowed to grown on the side of the road and easily you can appreciate their beauty. One of my favorite wild flowers is the Iowa Thistle it is a pom pom of gorgeous pink and fuchsia hue. It protects itself well from predators with it's obvious and hidden thistles. I decided it would be a great idea to pick some of the thistle flowers and quickly learned that it did not want to be bothered. It was covered with a variety of pricks from the flower, stem, and leaves. I personally would not be surprised if the root could prick you.

After, the Iowa Thistle blooms it creates seeds by that are very similar to dandelions. The seeds have feather like parachutes that allow it to be carried for miles by the MidAmerican winds. If you are interested in growing your own Iowa Thistle check out https://www.etsy.com/listing/194446250/iowa-wild-thistle-seeds?ref=pr_shop


* How to Grow Iowa Thistle


You can start the seeds in flats or sow directly in the garden.  Since, Thistles are prickly use caution when deciding where you would like to plant them.  Press the seeds into the soil without covering them and keep them moist until they germinate.  They are actually drought resistant, once they become established.  If you are in a mild climate, it is best to sown in fall during a rainy period.  Thistle  likes full sun so its best to put them in a sunny position.  Be advised that thistle can become invasive and their seeds are easily spread by birds.