For Once We Had Great Timing....

Yesterday, we planted the perennial rye grass in the middle of the field for our festival site, about 1/2 acre. The day before I planted the north and south sides of the grass area each with a 100 foot row of sunflowers, amaranth, and a mix of zinnias cosmos and marigolds. Should be beautiful. THEN........we get this perfect slow rain, just what the grass seeds are begging for. Perfect. Now if the grass grows quicker than the thistles, we will be set and ready to go. Speaking of the festival, hired the violinst & guitarist from the Mankato Farmers Market to start us out that day. Perfect music for our farm setting. If you are or know of a possible vendor for our farm fest, email me or call. Vendors must make or produce their product, so no flea market stuff. ddenise58@msn.com or call 507-382-9337.
The Iris are still blooming, but after this week they will be history, a mere scent in the wind till next spring. Get here. =)

Saturdays Happenings

We are open at the field Sat & Sun from 9:30-4, next weekend back to 11-4 for the rest of the summer on the weekend, Mon - Fri 10-6. Come get your iris so they will be blooming in your garden next year!

We will be at the Mankato Farmer's Market from 8-12, come get a "bodacious bouquet!"

My Iris Favorites (some)

A few hundred varieties still for sale. These are a few of my many favoites that are still blooming. Above is 'Tokatee Falls.' What I love about this one is the falls, are more horizontal than most iris, giving it a little different look. And I LOVE the blendy blue color.

'Swingtown.' Ahhhh. What a glamour girl, so ruffly and awesome color, still blooming!

'Atlanta Belle.' Reminds me of a big flowing dress. Huge flowers, soft peachy pink color. You look at it and say wow!

Garden Helper

Gavin loves helping Grandma in the field. He planted pumpkins and potatoes with us for the 3rd year in a row. Planning to offer a 'kids' gardening class next year. Not sure how many sessions, or when. Any interest out there? Send me your ideas. Still beautiful iris in the field, stop by and order some!

CAN I MAKE MY CASE FOR PERENNIALS NOW? DID YOU GET HAIL?

One of the best reasons for perennials over annuals, hail. If your perennials got damaged from hail here is my recommendation: Try to remove all of the damaged leaf tissue, but remove no more than 50% of the leaves. If some hostas leaves are damaged, remove only them. If the entire hosta crown is damaged, give it a hair cut back to 6" from the ground. Don't worry, it will grow back. On a plant like an asiatic lily, that is likely ready to bloom: if the foliage was stripped, besure to cut off the buds asap! I know it is hard to do, but....the plant puts a huge amount of energy in making that bloom, and now you need that energy to regrow leaf tissue instead. Many plants have auxillary buds in the leaf crotch that you normally don't notice. These are the guys that should take over in your perennials. All of your perennials should be fine, depending on the severity of the damage, you may or may not get your normal blooms this year. Can you just leave the dead tissue? NO. It can continue to die back to the crown and kill the plants. Cutting it back will stimulate new growth. As far as annuals, your damage level really determines what may happen, cut back no more than 50% as a general rule. If you have a specific ques., you can post it here, email me or call me.......I don't just SELL plants, I am a GROWER!!!
ddenise58@msn.com 507-382-9337

Wednesday - Open today 10-6

Even though we got over an inch of rain, it was soooooooo dry it soaked away already, so no problem walking through the iris. I would however wait till this afternoon if it's iris touring you're after till new buds open for the day. Yesterdays got beat up a little.

Is the rain over?

Wow, the wind was something....surprised to see the plastic still on the hoophouse, the white caps on the lake were about 4 ft. tall, well almost. It appears that most everyone got the cancellation message. I went back out and only one vehicle nearly stopped at 6. That's one of the things we deal with as farmers, you can't control the weather. Does this mean it won't rain for the Festival August 8th? Pulled weeds for about an hour. Fun and satisfying to pull them when they enjoying drinking up all that rain. Ha ha, goodbye weeds. You should all come out and get an hour of satisfaction yourself!
(no charge)

I've done it! I've brought rain.

I am cancelling the class for tonight. It looks like much more rain behind the downpour we just had. I WAS going to re-scheudule for Thursday, but Ashley lmk that the Food Co-op is having a class that night. SOOOOOOO, we will reschedule for next Tuesday, the 8th from 6-8. Thanks for letting me know. Rhubarb cake......mom will make it next week!

Iris at 98% blooming

Don't miss the spectacular iris! Only a couple of our 800 varieties not open yet. Tour, and order your favorites for the summer dig.

I know how to break a near drought....

plan an event!!! IF we actually get rained out for our Tuesday evening class, I will reschedule for Thursday 6-8. I will post here by 5 pm if not before then to advise you. Do not hesitate to call me either to find out. Diane 382-9337

p.s. I will have some displays and stuff in the hoophouse, should it start to rain during the tour so we can continue. Your vehicle will not get stuck in parking lot, but.....I cannot guarentee YOU won't get your feet stuck! Dress accordingly and bring an umbrella. I hope it all goes well or I will be stuck with 2 rhubarb cakes to eat all myself. =)

Memorial Day Hours

Open from 10-6 today for your strolling pleasure. Picked the first batch of pea pods yesterday, no surprise they sold right away. More later this week! Available today: fresh lettuce, spinach, and spicy mesclun greens.

Oh rain, I am so grateful for you.....

I might get a day off of watering. What a great week for us at Earthworks Gardens. Meeting new garden 'buds' and greeting friends from last year. I found I was remembering folks from what they bought or ordered, kinda like a bartender that knows your drink! The iris are spectacular this year, soooooooooo beautiful! I am grateful for my job as a flower farmer, even when it's midnight and still logging iris photo info.

Educational Farm Tour Class this Tuesday night, June 1st from 6-8p.m.
You will learn: how to prune trees and shrubs without being imtimidated, how to dig,divide & cut back several perennials, use my favorite garden tools, help me hand pick potato beetles and more fun plant stuff. Just show up and register that night. It is $6 per person or $8 per household (spouse, partner, kids).
One more week to see iris at their best!
Welcome to the Dobbersteins, glad you joined us!