Straw and more Straw

In the waaaaay back of this photo you can see all the iris rows covered in straw. You may want to click on to enlarge to really get a feel for 2 acres of straw covered iris. Thursday and Friday was uncovering day, my shoulders are feelin' the rakin'. Myself and my 2 Farm Technicians, Glen and Lisa got r done. It took us about 8 hours to rake it off and make a mountain of straw in the middle of the field. Overall the iris look great! I only cover them if they have been planted that year and that was last years planting. We have another 1/2 acre of established ones that are on their own. If they need to be babied (covered) more then one year, they are too much work for me and my customers, right? We had beautiful weather. I have been way too busy (but I love being swamped) getting ready for gardening classes, making sure I have all my farm supplies ordered, plants ordered, running the greenhouse, planting more flats, transplanting, digging and potting perennials, getting ready for the farmers market, ordering signs, making field tags and the list goes on and on. I love spring.

YOUR GARDEN FRIEND, THE LADY BUG

This photo IS a lady bug, in the larval stage. At this stage of life, it can eat up to 40 soft bodies insect a day! That's a couple of families of something! Showing you this photo so you know what they look like and don't squish them. They can even look longer with more of a tail. Even the Asian Lady bugs eat as much as the non imports. The Asian lady bugs typically would hang on cliffs in their native region, that is why they cling to our houses, feels like home. DO NOT waste your money buying them, they will fly off to the place of there birth, never to be heard from again. The Lady Bug is the most beneficial garden insect.

I AM GOING TO SAVE YOU $28.96

MINE ON THE TOP THEIRS BELOW IT

Check out their cloche'. It is very useful, serves a purpose, and even has a little vent at the top. But would you pay $29.95 for this? If yes, make sure to stop by stall #3 at the Farmer's Market in Mankato. Even if you wouldn't buy it, stop by! My version at the top, costs 99 cents and you get to drink the contents....is very useful....serves a purpose and even has a little vent at the top. Okay, maybe it isn't as pretty.