by GardenLover | Feb 1, 2012 | Snapshots
By Michael Leach
Baby it’s cold outside — but not as cold as it used to be. At least that’s the impression from the just-released Plant Hardiness Zone Map from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. This map shows the lowest temperatures likely during the winter and helps gardeners determine which plants can survive in their area.
For instance, Madison, Wisc. is now considered Zone 5a where the lowest winter temps can fall between -20 to – 15 F. In the last version, produced in 1990, Madison was in Zone 4 (-30 to -20 F). The St. Louis metro area went from Zone 5 (-10 to -20 F) on the 1990 map to Zones 6a (-10 to -5 F) and 6b (-5 to 0) on the new. Cincinnati, however, remains in Zone 6. Gardeners in these areas should select plants rated as hardy in Zone 5 for Madison and Zone 6 for St. Louis and Cincinnati. (Gardeners also should select plants that need the soil, light and water conditions found in their yards but this is gist for another post.)
Maybe the coldest readings in some parts of the Midwest just aren’t as cold as they were when the last map was produced in 1990. But that doesn’t grant us license to succumb to zone envy and begin planting delicate things hardy only in much warmer climes.
No. Caution is advised. There’s one sure bet in the Midwest — extreme weather. Regardless of groundhog prognostications, Easter egg hunts can be snowy affairs in even the warmest parts of the Heartland.
by GardenLover | Jan 30, 2012 | Snapshots
By Teresa Woodard
Tumbleweeds are rolling into the Columbus Museum of Art. I first spotted a beach ball-sized one juxtaposed beneath a large pop art piece by Roy Lichtenstein. Another rested below a gold-framed Monet-inspired painting. Later, I found a room filled with tumbleweeds as part of a sculptural installation by featured artist Latifa Echakhch. I’ve since learned tumbleweeds refer to at least two plants, Amaranthus albus and Salsola kali. According to plant lore, the seeds of the Salsola or “Russian thistle” hitched a ride on imported grains from Russia. I was also delighted to learn tumbleweeds are commercially grown today for decoration by Prairie Tumbleweed Farm in Kansas – coincidentally the state setting for tumbleweeds at Dorothy’s home in the Wizard of Oz. Check out tumbleweeds’ other starring roles in this clever accompanying video commissioned from media artist Duncan Robson.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hXQL5_0RYuU]
by GardenLover | Jan 23, 2012 | Good eats
By Debra Knapke
Winter is a time for comfort food, sustaining us in this dark and cold season. This harkens back to the time when we worked outside and needed substantial meals to keep hale and hearty. While our need for lots of calories in the winter has decreased, our desire for filling, tasty food has not. Below, an offering that is full of flavor, has a protein boost and will not significantly increase your belt size – unless you eat them all at one sitting!!
Apple Cranberry Muffins
- ¾ c. canola oil
- 1 c. sugar (scant this to bring out apple/cranberry flavors)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 c. whole wheat flour
- 1 c. unbleached white flour
- 1 TBS flaxseed meal (optional)
- 1 tsp quinoa flakes (optional)
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ c. diced apples
- ½ c. dried cranberries (or raisins)
- ½ c. chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 400°F (convection: 375°F). Lightly butter 12 muffin cups. Combine flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl. In a large bowl, beat or whisk together wet ingredients. Mix well. Add dry ingredients to wet and fold just to combine. Fold in apples, raisins and walnuts.* Spoon batter into prepared pans. Muffins: bake for 20-25 minutes; mini-muffins: bake 10-12 minutes. Remove baked muffins from pan after 5-10 minutes and cool on wire racks. These muffins freeze well.
*Psst! Here’s the secret to good muffins — don’t stir vigorously and over mix the batter. Instead gently fold ingredients together.
by GardenLover | Jan 19, 2012 | Snapshots, Trendspotting
Happy 20th anniversary to Country Gardens magazine! The recent anniversary issue features six stories with Midwestern ties, including a daffodil garden in Granville, Ohio; a garden retreat in Adel, Iowa; and the Better, Homes & Gardens Test Garden in Des Moines, Iowa.
P.S. –Excuse our pride, but we Heartland Gardeners are also pleased that one of our trio — Teresa — contributed two pieces to this issue.
by GardenLover | Jan 12, 2012 | Happenings
By Teresa Woodard
Gain a sneak peak at 2012’s newest plants and gardening trends at two of the horticulture industry’s upcoming trade shows – the Mid-Am Horticultural Trade Show at Chicago’s Navy Pier (Jan. 18-20) and the CENTS Show (Jan. 22-25) at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in central Ohio. General admission one-day trade show passes are a steal at $35 for the Mid-Am and $15 for CENTS.
In addition, there are a number of extra courses offered with appeal to avid gardeners as well as horticulture pros. In advance of the CENTS show, the Perennial Plant Association and Ohio State University Extension Master Gardeners will present the 16th Annual PLANT Seminar on Jan. 22. For $75, attendees gain a full day of workshops on new perennials, ornamental grasses, landscape design and container gardening.
