Rabbit and Deer Resistant Plant Ideas

Plant List

The following plants are typically deer proof – but remember, there are no absolutes when it comes to deer. This list includes annuals, perennials, bulbs and flowering shrubs. I’ve also included a list of

deer proof ferns, grasses and groundcovers. Source: Deer Proof Gardens

Annuals

Common Name	Latin Name
Ageratum	Ageratum houstonianum
Angel’s Trumpet	Brugmansia sp. (Datura)
Anise	Pimpinalla anisum
Annual Vinca	Catharanthus rosea
Dusty Miller	Centaurea cineraria
False Camomile	Matricaria sp.
Flowering Tobacco	Nicotiana sp.
Forget-Me-Not	Myosotis sylvatica
Heliotrope (questionable)	Heliotropium arborescens
Larkspur	Consolida ambigua
Poppy	Papaver sp.
Pot Marigold	Calendula sp.
Rosemary	Rosmarinus officinalis
Snapdragon (questionable)	Antirrhinum majus
Snow-on-the-Mountain	Euphorbia marginata
Spider Flower	Cleome sp.
Strawflower	Helichrysum
Sweet Alyssum (questionable)	Lobularia maritima

Perennials

Common Name	Latin Name
Anise Hyssop	Agastache sp.
Basket of Gold	Aurinia saxatilis
Bigleaf Goldenray	Ligularia dentata
Bleeding Heart	Dicentra spectabilis
Butter & Eggs	Linaria vulgaris
Buttercup	Ranunculus sp.
Cactus	Cactaceae sp.
Catmint	Nepeta sp.
Common Tansy	Tanacetum vulgare
Corydalis	Corydalis sp.
Dame’s Rocket	Hesperis matronalis
European Ginger	Asarum europaeum
False Indigo	Baptisia australis
Forget-Me-Not	Myosotis sp.
Fringed Bleeding Heart	Dicentra eximia
Garden Sage	Salvia officinalis
Germander	Teucrium Chamaedrys
Greek Jerusalem Sage	Phlomis sp.
Horehound	Marrubium vulgare
Horseradish	Armoracia rusticana
Hyssop	Hyssopus officinalis
Iris	Iris sp. (may eat buds)
Jack-in-the-pulpit	Arisaema triphylum
Lamb’s Ear	Stachys byzantina
Lavendar	Lavandula sp.
Lavender-Cotton	Santolina chamaecyparissus
Lemon Balm	Melissa officinalis
Lenten or Christmas Rose	Helleborus sp.
Lungwort	Pulmonaria sp.
Marjoram	Majorana
May Apple	Podophyllum
Meadow Rue	Thalictrum sp.
Mint	Mentha sp.
Monkshood	Aconitum sp.
Oregano	Oreganum sp.
Ornamental Onion	Allium sp.
Peony (questionable)	Paeonia sp. (may eat buds)
Potentilla, Cinquefoil	Potentilla sp.
Purple Rock-Cress	Aubretia deltoidea
Rock-Cress	Arabis caucasica
Rocket Ligularia	Ligularia ‘The Rocket’
Rodgers Flower	Rodgersia sp.
Rose Campion	Lychnis coronaria
Rue	Ruta sp.
Russian Sage	Perovskio atriplicifolia
Siberian Bugloss	Bruneria macrophylla (Brunnera)
Silver Mound	Artemisia sp.
Small Globe Thistle	Echinops ritro
Spurge	Euphorbia sp. (except ‘Chameleon’)
Statice	Limonium latifolium
Tarragon	Artemisia dracunculus
Threadleaf Coreopsis	Coreopsis verticillata
Thyme	Thymus sp.
Wild Ginger	Asarum canadense
Yucca	Yucca filimentosa
Foxglove (technically, a biennial)	Digitalis purpurea

Bulbs

Common Name	Latin Name
Autumn Crocus	Colchicum sp.
Bluebell (questionable)	Endymion sp.
Crown Imperial, Fritilia	Fritilaria imperialis
Daffodil	Narcissus sp.
Ornamental Onion	Allium sp.
Siberian Squill	Scilla siberica
Snowdrops	Galanthus nivalis
Winter Aconite	Eranthus hyemalis

Ferns

Common Name	Latin Name
Christmas Fern	Polystichum arcostichoides
Cinnamon Fern	Osmunda cinnamomea
Hayscented Fern	Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Holly Fern	Cyrtomium falcatum
Japanese Painted Fern	Athyrium goeringianum (nipponicum)
New York Fern	Thelyptens noveboracensis
Ostrich Fern	Matteuccia struthiopteris
Royal Fern	Osmunda regalis
Sensitive Fern	Onoclea sensibilis
Wood Fern	Dryopteris marginalis

Ground Covers

Allegheny Spurge	Pachysandra procumbens
Barrenwort	Epimediurn sp.
Bearberry	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Bishop’s Weed	Aegopodium podagaria
Bugleweed	Ajuga reptans
Lily of the Valley	Convallaria majalis
Pachysandra	Pachysandra terminalis
Spotted Deadnettle	Lamium sp.
Sweet Woodruff	Galium odoratum (Asperula odorata)

Shrubs

Common Name	Latin Name
Arrowwood Viburnum	Viburnum dentatum
Barberry	Berberis sp.
Bayberry	Myrica pensylvanica
Blue Mist Shrub	Caryopteris clandonensis
Broom	Cytisus sp.
Bush Cinquefoil	Potentilla fruticosa
Butterfly Bush (questionable)	Buddleia sp.
Common Boxwood	Buxus sempervirens
Daphne	Daphne sp.
Devil’s Walking Stick	Aralia spinosa
Drooping Leucothoe (questionable)	Leucothoe fontanesiana
Fragrant Sumac	Rhus aromatica
Heath	Erica sp.
Heather (questionable)	Calliuna sp.
Japanese Pieris, Andromeda	Pieris japonica
Japanese Plum Yew	Cephalotaxus harringtonia
Japanese Skimmia	Skimmia japonica
John T. Morris Holly	Ilex x ‘John T. Morris’
Leatherleaf Mahonia (questionable)	Mahonia bealei
Lydia Morris Holly	Ilex x ‘Lydia Morris’
Moonglow Juniper	Juniperus scopulorum ‘Moonglow’
Mountain Pieris	Pieris floribunda
Oregon Grape Holly (questionable)	Mahonia aquifolium
Prince of Wales Juniper	Juniperus horizontalis ‘Prince of Wales’
Red Elderberry	Sambucus racemosa
Russian Cypress	Microbiota decussata
Russian Olive	Elaeagnus angustifolia
Sweet Box	Sarcoccoca hookeriana

Ornamental Grasses

Common Name	Latin Name
Big Bluestem	Andropogon sp.
Blue Fescue	Festuca glauca
Blue Oat Grass	Helictotrichon sempervirens
Clump Bamboo	Fargesia sp.
Feather Reed Grass	Calamagrostis sp.
Fountain Grass	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Giant Japanese Silver Grass	Miscanthus floridulis
Giant Reed	Arundo donax
Golden Bamboo	Phyllostachys aurea
Hakonechloa	Hakonechloa macra
Hard Rush	Juncus Effusus
Indian Grass	Sorghastrum nutans
Japanese Blood Grass	Imperata cylindrica
Japanese Sedge	Carex sp.
Japanese Silver Grass	Miscanthus sinensis
Japanese Sweet Flag	Acorus sp.
Large Blue June Grass	Koeleria glauca
Little Bluestem	Schizachyrium scoparium
Lyme Grass	Leymus arenarius glaucous
Northern Sea Oats	Chasmanthium latifolium
Oriental Fountain Grass	Pennisetum orientale
Pampus Grass	Cortaderia selloana
Purple Moor Grass	Molinia caerulea
Ravenna Grass	Erianthus ravennae
Switch Grass	Panicum virgatum
Variegated Purple Moor Grass	Molinia caerulea ‘Variegata’
Varigated Oat Grass	Arrhenatherum elatius
Weeping Love Grass	Eragrostus curvula

Vines

None (unfortunately)

Trees

American Holly	Ilex opaca
Bottlebrush Buckeye	Aesculus parviflora
Dwarf Alberta Spruce	Picea glauca ‘Conica’
Japanese Black Pine	Pinus thunbergiana
Katsura Tree (questionable)	Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Mimosa	Albizia julibrissin
Paper Birch	Betula papyrifera
Pawpaw	Asimina triloba
Pitch Pine	Pinus rigida
Red Pine	Pinus resinosa
River Birch	Betula nigra

Deer and Rabbit Resistant Plants

As gardeners, we are often faced with the task of keeping deer and rabits out of our gardens. This is often a fruitless task, as once these animals find something they enjoy eating they will keep coming

back for more. Your garden will soon become a salad buffet. Following are lists of plants deer and rabbits tend to avoid. I have planted some of these plants along the perimiter of my gardens, with
decent success at deterring both deer and rabbits. Russian Sage, one of my favorite plants disliked by deer, also makes a great backdrop when planted en-mass.

Keep in mind that during a harsh season, deer and rabbits may resort to eating these plants if nothing else is available. They have also been known to nibble on the fresh new growth of many garden plants,
including some of these listed. Source: Lewis Gardens

Deer Resistant Plants:

Achillea
Alchemilla mollis (lady's mantle)
Allium species (ornamental onions)
Agapanthus (african lily)
Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
Astilbe species
Begonia semperflorens (Wax Begonia)
Buxus (Boxwood)
Centaurea cineraria (Dusty Miller)
Convallaria majalis (Lilly of the Valley)
Coreopsis
Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Tree)
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Dictammus albus (Gas Plant)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Euphorbia marginata (Snow on the Mountain)
Ferns
Forsythia
Gypsophila paniculata (Baby's Breat)
Heuchera (Coralbells)
Iris
Juniper
Liatris (Gayfeather)
Linum (Flax)
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Lupinus (Lupine)
Mentha species (mints)
Narcissus (Daffodil)
Oregano
Ornamental Grasses
Paeonia (Peony)
Papaver orientalis (Oriental Poppy)
Perovskia atriplicifilia (Russian Sage)
Picea
Potentilla
Rosemary
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed-Susan)
Salvia (Sage)
Sedum
Spirea
Stachys byzantina (lamb's ears)
Syringa (Lilac)
Tagetes (Marigold)
Thymus (Thyme)
Trollius europaeus (globe flower)
Veronica (Speedwell)
Viburnam
Vinca (Periwinkle)
Yucca
Zinnia


Rabbits tend to avoid plants that have a prickly, rough, or fuzzy texture.

Rabbit Resistant Plants:

Acanthus species (bear's breeches)
Aconitum species (monkshood)
Alchemilla mollis (lady's mantle)
Allium species (ornamental onions)
Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily)
Antirrhinum (snapdragon)
Aquilegia species (columbine)
Artichoke, globe and Jerusalem
Astilbe species
Bergenia species (elephant's ears)
Brunnera macrophylla
Cortaderia selloana (pampas grass)
Corydalis species
Crocosmia species
Cyclamen species (hardy cyclamen)
Dahlia (dahlias)
Digitalis species (foxgloves)
Doronicum species (leopard's bane)
Echinops species (globe thistle)
Eryngium agavifolium (sea holly)
Hemerocallis (day lily)
Lamium species (dead nettles)
Malva moschata (musk mallow)
Melissa officinalis (bee balm)
Mentha species (mints)
Muscari species (grape hyacinth)
Myosotis (forget-me-not)
Narcissus (daffodil)
Nepeta × faassenii (catmint)
Origanum vulgare (marjoram)
Paeonia species (paeonies)
Polemonium species (Jacob's ladder)
Polygonatum × hybridum (Solomon's seal)
Primula vulgaris (primrose)
Pulmonaria species (lungwort)
Rhubarb
Salvia × superba
Stachys byzantina (lamb's ears)
Trollius europaeus (globe flower)
Tulipa species (tulips)
Verbascum thapsus (mullein)
Verbena species
Viola odorata (violet)

Critter resistant plants.pdf

Copied the information here because Websites have a way of disappearing.

Susceptibility of plants to Rabbit Damage

I thought these plants would be good to try either around the entire garden or for individual gardeners to line their plots with them as a Deer Fence, because we are not allowed to put up an 8 foot fence in our plot and I am not sure we could afford or would be granted an 8 foot fence. If we were it would probably be a Chain-link fence and that might make it look like a prison garden :P

Growing Food When It Counts

One of my favorite books is Growing Food When it Counts by Steve Solomon.
The Des Moines Public Library carries at least one copy and you can read a lot of if not all of the book at Google Books.

From what I have read thus far I really enjoy his take on Clay Soils (pg 34) & The Garden Center Seedrack (pg 97). He also points out on page 90 that you should not water the seed after you have sowed it, the soil should be as damp as when you do the soil moisture test.

Steve Solomon's Soil and Health Library.

Solarization; the dirt, roots, and plastic

Thinking about Tomatoes



I will now quote from my well-worn Rodale's Garden Problem Solver. (be sure and read this to the end about solarizing's effect on beneficial organisms)

"Solarization was developed in Israel and has been tested at a number of universities across this country. It is a process that produces very high levels of heat and humidity in the soil, which pasteurizes the soil, destroying harmful bacteria, fungi, some nematodes, virtually every type of insect larva, and the stock of weed seeds near the surface.

Solarization has been found to be an effective control against such pesky disease problems as verticillium wilt in tomatoes, potates, and eggplants. It knocks out fusarium wilt in tomatoes and onions. It is effective against rhizoctonia in potatoes and onions, and eliminates a variety of nematodes that attack potatoes and other crops.

An unexpected and unexplained benefit of solarization is that it also enhances the soil's ability to grow especially robust and healthy plants. Greater yields have been seen in beds that have been solarized. Solarization destroys harmful organisms, but it seems that certain beneficial organisms are not harmed.

Jim DeVay, chairman of the plant pathology department at the University of California at Davis, is quoted as saying: "While many fungi, bacteria and other pathogens are killed, certain fungi that play an important role in utilization of plant nutrients and crop development withstand the heat and survive."

Source: Fat Free Organic Gardening



I have often wondered if Solarization would kill the beneficial microbes in the soil and plant roots. I have also heard that clear plastic works better for Solarization than black.

Iowa State University Extension Gardening Publications - Direct PDF Links

All publications are available online at Iowa State Extension .

To order publications, contact the ISU Extension Distribution Center:
119 Printing and Publications Building
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-3171
Telephone: (515) 294-5247
Fax: (515) 294-2945

Contact the Distribution Center by E-mail at pubdist@iastate.edu. Please include publication title and ID number in your message. A downloadable order form that you can print also is available. It is in .pdf format. After printing it, you can fill it out and mail it or fax it to the address above. Minimal fees are charged for multiple copies of publications and for single copies of publications of more than four pages. Shipping and handling charges may also be charged but are usually minimal as well.

ID Number Publication Title

IAN 303 Iowa's Plants Series - Benefits and Dangers of Iowa Plants [September 1994]
IAN 305 Iowa's Plants Series - Seeds, Nuts, and Fruits of Iowa Plants [September 1994]
IAN 306 Iowa's Plants Series - Mushrooms and Non-flowering Plants [September 1994]
PD 31 Plant Disease Identification Form [Revised February2002]
PM 666 Weed Management in the Home Garden [September1996]
PM 683 Composting Yard Waste [March 1993]
PM 874 Starting garden transplants at home [Revised June 2003 ]
PM 1204 Morels, false morels, and other cup fungi ordering information [Revised March 1996] $3
PM 1357 Guide to plant societies and associations [Revised January 2002]
PM 1644 Hardy Perennials: Ferns ordering information [November 2002]
PM 1692 Community Supported Agriculture: Local Food Systems for Iowa [December 1996]
PM 1693 Community Supported Agriculture: Iowa CSA Farms and Organizers [Revised July 2003]
PM 1777 Master Gardener brochure [December 1999]
RG 104 Horticulture Publications [January 2002 ]
RG 105 Garden Tips: Guidelines to Seasonal Chores [July 2002 ]
RG 201 Integrated Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens [April 1999]
RG 202 Understand Pesticide Labeling [September 1995]
RG 204 Apply Pesticides Safely [September 1995]
RG 205 Store Pesticides Safely [September 1995]
RG 206 Questions About Composting [Reprinted March 1997]
RG 207 Nonchemical Pest Control for the Home Lawn and Garden [September 1996]
RG 208 Botanical Insecticides in the Home Garden [September 1996]
RG 209 Organic Mulches for Gardens and Landscape Plantings [June 1997]
RG 212 Pollinators in the Garden [November 2002 ]
RG 401 Ornamental Grasses for Winter Interest [Electronic version July 2000]
RG 601 Gardening for Butterflies [Revised March 2002]
RG 603 Iowa Butterfly and Caterpillar Food Preferences [Revised July 2003 ]
RG 604 Water Gardens: Aquatic Plants [April 2003 ]
RG 703 Lichens [September 2002]
RG 902 Plant Zoo [May 2002]
ST 11 Soil sample information sheet for horticulture crops [Revised September 2002]
SUL 12 Using Mulches in Managed Landscapes [August 2001]

Flowers

IAN 301 Iowa's Plants Series - Iowa's Spring Wildflowers [September 1994]

IAN 302 Iowa's Plants Series - Iowa's Summer and Fall Wildflowers [September 1994]

PM 1319 Forcing Flower Bulbs [December 1999]

PM 1925 Growing Dahlias ordering information [July 2003 ]

RG 301 Growing Annual Flowers in Containers [Revised March 2001]

RG 302 Edible Flowers [Revised September 2000]

RG 303 Daylilies [Revised April 2003]

RG 304 Late Season Perennial Flowers [Reprinted July 2002]

RG 305 Growing Chrysanthemums in the Garden [Revised September 2001]

RG 306 Delphiniums [June 1997 ]

RG 307 Clematis [Revised July 2001]

RG 309 The Griffith Buck Roses [Revised July 2002]

RG 310 Caring For Roses in Iowa [Electronic version July 2000]

RG 311 Growing and Overwintering Tender Perennials [November 2001 ]

RG 312 Suggested Daffodil Cultivars for Iowa [April 1997]

RG 313 Growing Garden Lilies [May 2002]

RG 314 Growing Petunias [January 2003]

RG 315 Dahlias [Revised June 2003]

RG 316 Poinsettia Care [Revised December 2002]

RG 317 Annual Vines [February 2002]

RG 318 Early Spring Blooming Perennials [December 2001]

RG 319 When To Divide Perennials [November 2001]

RG 320 Growing and Overwintering Garden Geraniums [November 2001 ]

RG 321 Miniature Roses [April 2003 ]

RG 323 Cannas for Home Landscapes [May 2002]

RG 601 Gardening for Butterflies [July 1999]

RG 602 Perennials For Shady Areas [Revised September 2000]

SUL 8 Crown Rot - Hosta [February 2000]



Fruit

PM 719 Rhubarb in the Home Garden [Revised June 1998]

PM 1282 2003 Commercial Tree Fruit Guide [January 2003]

PM 1887 Selling Fruits and Vegetables [April 2002]

PM 1892 Melons [June 2003]

RG 501 Pruning Raspberries [September 1995 ]

RG 502 Pruning Grapevines [May 1997] 98K RG 503 Growing Blueberries in Iowa [April 2003 ]



Houseplants

PM268 How to Air Layer a Houseplant [Revised May 2001]

RG-308 Growing Holiday Cacti [October 1996]

RG 316 Poinsettia Care [March 2001]



Lawn, Shrubs, Trees

IAN 304 Iowa's Plants Series - Iowa's Trees [September 1994]

IAN 307 Iowa's Plants Series - Iowa's Shrubs and Vines [September 1994]

PM 1063 Turfgrass Management Calendar: Kentucky Bluegrass Lawns [September 1996]

PM 1304 Pruning shade and flowering trees [Reprinted September 1993]

PM 1383 Identification of Conifer Trees in Iowa [Revised May 1996]

PM 1384 Identification of Hardwood Trees in Iowa [Revised May 1996]

PM 1429a Community Trees: Establishing a Community Tree Program [Revised February 1999]

PM 1429b Community Trees: Tree Ordinances for Iowa Communities [December 1999 ]

PM 1429c Community Trees: Sample Tree Ordinances for Iowa Communities [Revised January 1998]

PM 1429d Community Trees: Low-growing Trees for Urban and Rural Iowa [Revised October 1996]

PM 1429e Community Trees: Street Trees for Iowa [Revised October 1998]

PM 1429f Community Trees: Power Lines and Trees [April 1997]

PM 1591 Community Tree Planting and Care Guide [October 1998] $1

PM 1676 Tree Planting: Planning [August 1996 ]

PM 1677 Tree Planting: Establishment and Care [August 1997]

PM 1680 Nonchemical Alternatives for the Home Lawn [September 1996]

PM 1749 Tips for Athletic Field Management on a Limited Budget [April 1998]

PM 1755 Understanding Thatch in the Home Lawn [April 1998]

PM 1756 Thatch Control in the Home Lawn

PM 1812 The Forest Where Ashley Lives [February 2001]

RG 701 Iowa's Oaks [April 2000]

RG 704 Growing Rhododendrons and Azaleas in Iowa [May 2003]

SUL 1 Understanding the Effects of Flooding on Trees [June 1994]

SUL 6 Managing Storm-Damaged Trees [January 1999 ]

SUL 9 Pine Wilt [February 2000]

WL-47 Rabbit Damage to Tree Plantings [Reprinted September 1994]



Vegetables and Herbs

PM 534 Planting and Harvesting Times for Garden Vegetables [Revised August 1999]

PM 607 Suggested Vegetable Varieties For the Home Garden [Revised May 2002]

PM 608 Tomatoes [Revised May 2002]

PM 731 Harvesting and Storing Vegetables [Revised December 2002]

PM 814 Where to Put Your Vegetable Garden [Revised July 1999]

PM 819 Planting a Home Vegetable Garden [January 1996]

PM 870A Small Plot Vegetable Gardening [Revised September 2001]

PM 870B Container Vegetable Gardening [Revised July 2000]

PM 994 Asparagus in the Home Garden [Revised November 2000]

PM 1049 Cucurbit Diseases-An Aid to Identification and Control [November 1993]

PM 1887 Selling Fruits and Vegetables [April 2002]

PM 1888 Peppers [September 2002]

PM 1889 Onions [August 2002]

PM 1890 Potatoes [December 2002]

PM 1891 Sweet Corn [November 2002]

PM 1892 Melons [June 2003]

PM 1893 Cilantro (English & Spanish) [April 2003]

PM 1894 Garlic [February 2003]

PM 1895 Tomatillos [April 2003]

PM 1896 Cole crops [June 2003]

RG-201 Integrated Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens [April 1999]

RG 801 Growing & Using Basil [Revised July 2003]



To order publications, contact the ISU Extension Distribution Center:

119 Printing and Publications Building

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa 50011-3171

Telephone: (515) 294-5247

Fax: (515) 294-2945



Contact the Distribution Center by E-mail at pubdist@iastate.edu . Please include publication title and ID number in your message. A downloadable order form that you can print also is available. It is in .pdf format. After printing it, you can fill it out and mail it or fax it to the address above.



All materials are available online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/ga.htm.



From Des Moines Community Garden Resources

Foxglove Invasive?

From everything I have seen so far Grecian Foxglove (Digitalis lanata) can be invasive.

I am not sure or haven't found anything that list Purple Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) as invasive to Iowa.

California says that: "It readily colonizes areas of soil disturbance, forming dense patches that displace natural vegetation." , in California.

Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest

Iowa Living Road Trust Invasive (with images).

I have foxglove seeds I believe, I bought them as part of a Deer Resistant seed package. So, unless someone wants to tell me where it is invasive I am planting it. BUT it is poisonous! Hence, why Deer do not like it ...

Cover Crops

Dutch White Clover that might be a good alternative to paving the center walkway of the garden. It should also (hopefully) attract pollinators. Carpet Bungle is another option.

Farmer's Almanac Cover Crop List (PDF)

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Considering Planting Cover Crops this Fall.

ATTRA (wonderful site!): Overview of Cover Crops & Green Manures

University of California Cover Crop Database (Search)

Leopold Center: Cover crops in the Corn Belt: Survey finds underused potential as c...

Leopold Center Cover Crop Resources

A nice overall Conversion Calculator.

Metro Waster Authority Compost

Where do I go to get MWA's compost and how much is it?

For purchases of a single load of eight or more cubic yards of compost, you may call MWA at 244-0021 between the hours of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,
Monday - Friday. The cost is $12 per cubic yard with a minimum $96
purchase.

For purchases under eight cubic yards, contact one of MWA's contracted retail outlets:
Beeler Trucking: (515) 468-0815
Dennis Lind Landscaping (515) 681-9303
Dutch Meadows: (641) 628-4450
Gold Valley Hardscapes (515) 328-3162
Green Acres Garden Center: (515) 961-5889
Hallett Materials: (515) 987-8544
Iowa Landscaping Supply: (515) 262-2367
Iowa Outdoor Products (515) 277-6242
Morgan Oaks: (515) 967-6766
Mulch Mart: (515) 978-6852
Wright Outdoor Solutions (515) 987-0800

For more information on availability, pricing, hours, location, and delivery, please call the retail outlets directly.

Community Gardens II

Community Managed Open Space in Chicago

PPatch Trust (I think this is a really good idea)

Greening Cities Growing Communities, a case study of the Seattle Community Garden Project.

Ten Steps in Collecting and Publishing a Book of Community Garden Stories and Photographs, from the American Community Garden Association.

Friends of Burlington Gardens, linked in the previously mentioned PDF.

Des Moines Community Garden Site

What is a Community Garden?
ACGA Idea
Wikipedia: Community Garden
Some wonderful information about Starting a Community Garden, to give an idea of thoughts others have had as to what a Community Garden is or what they would like it to be.

What is a Community Garden?
(Information from “Growing Communities Curriculum”)

A community garden is an area used for growing plants or animals, which has been collaboratively created and is maintained by members of the public. A community garden can take place on public or private land and can involve a broad cross-section of the public, as in a neighborhood community garden. Or it can involve specific sectors of the population, such as a school garden that involves students, teachers, parents, and other community members who support the garden for education.

Source

Fertilizers and Location

In case no one knows I am all about Homesteading, Food Not Lawns, nutrition, health (I know ...), etc, etc.

I read a lot! Mainly about the history of foods, origins, gardening ...

Fertilizer. From what I am able to comprehend the reason the food we grow, here in America at least, needs fertilizer is for one it's more than likely imported and number two it's not wild. Just about any natural, non-Miracle Gro, fertilizer you find out about is probably either a rock; pure mineral or animal; either the complete decomposed body (fish) or their feces. Many times when you see the words "Organic Matter" when reading about soil amendments it tends to be tailored to the author's area. For instance some will say seaweed, that's a good idea but I live in the Midwest and I think there are others that live in the Midwest for us obtaining seaweed is a bit difficult.

I am finding it hard to make everything and not purchase outside materials.

WinterSown.org Seeds

One envelop received from the USPS.



I have yet to do a SASE Seed Swap through the internet so it was nice to see that a group I respect sends their seeds wrapped in a single piece of Bubble Wrap. Hope this is the proper way to do it because I would REALLY like to be a part of internet seed exchanges. My only concern is I am not confident in my own or others ability to properly save seed.





Very excited about the Broccoli Raab, have wanted to try that (eating and growing) the Chervil I have read should not be transplanted.



Tomato seeds. I am excited about trying to grow the Amana Orange Tomato because I am in a German state and live so close to the Amana Colonies. I requested the Homestead and Arkansas Traveler Tomato seeds for my Father who lives in Florida.

I greatly appreciate the seeds Winter Sown sent me. After the seed swap, I hope to have with the Community Gardeners, I plan to donate any leftover seeds to Trudi's organization.

Preparing to Wintersow & Index Cards

Milk jug hoarding.



Cut Jugs.



My suggestion, drill drainage holes BEFORE cutting the jugs ...



Using last years potting soil. I added Egg Shells and Coffee Grounds.

I haven't added any seeds to the 20 or so Milk Jugs I have sitting around the house with dirt. Mainly because I ran across this Gardening with Index Cards. What a Great idea! So I am busy making those. Need to get on it with the planting though. This is my week to start transplants!

2010 Operation Garden Defense

From Grrlscount224's Garden Set See those ingenious Red Plastic Cups? Me thinks she's a pretty cool chick.



Clear Plastic, Insect Fabric, Black Plastic, Clear Plastic, I also purchased some Red Plastic (not photographed here). I am hoping those things will make my Organic Gardening process/method more successful. I Hope I can grow vegetables while Solarizing the dirt. The Red Plastic cups, I hope to poke holes/cut slits in the bottom and use them to grow transplants then turn them over cut the bottom out bury the mouth in the dirt around the transplant. This will hopefully help with slugs and cut worms. I don't plan on growing an enormous amount of Brassicas but maybe two or three Brussel Sprout plants and some Collards. I keep seeing people use what I believe is a roofing shingle around the base of the plants to product against Cabbage Root Maggot. Might try that.



All the "chemicals" I foolishly bought last garden season. The only non-organic thing in there I think is a spray I bought at KMart for the Roses that were suffering from Rose Slugs ?



A can of tarps, these will might come in handy in the garden.

Winter Compost & Squirrel Round Up?

Squirrel Feeding Center.



Feeder came with the House.



The Squirrels throw everything on the ground that isn't a Sunflower seed ... they must not be too damn hungry.



Compost Bucket & Safe Walk outside door.



Another bucket full of compost.



2 more compost buckets and compost pile.

Why Choose Disease Resistance?

Source

Pretty, right? Yum.


Source

Oh wow! I can grow something that pretty?


Source

Oh my! How did that happen? That's not what I wanted and it doesn't look like the photo! That isn't so pretty!

This is something I call Play dough Syndrome. Do you remember being little and getting so excited by play dough because the photo on the box made you think "Wow! This box holds everything I need to be able to make that?!"

This is why purchasing and researching Disease Resistant plants is important. Esp. for the "first time gardener." In some ways it is good to not buy Disease Resistant varieties/cultivars because you will learn about all the bugs and diseases out there, how they behave, what they look like, what chemicals or natural remedies do or don't work for you.

I am focusing on Disease Resistant right now while trying to plan my gardens. I am terrified of Squash Borers (didn't have any last year :S ) and I despise Cucumber Beetles even though they are "pretty."

Garden, Bugs, Diseases, & Farmers

Now, I am all about Organic growing. That being said, I have grown things and I grew them Organically. I think some people who are so proud that they eat/can afford Organic and tend to have very strong feelings about buying Organic might not have ever grown anything. First, there is the Corn Earworm. Then, the Cabbage Looper. And the Cutworm. I am not saying that there aren't organic methods of dealing with these nasties, or at least I hope there are. I am saying they are gross. I don't want to eat them, their eggs, or anything they have touched. That's just bugs, and we aren't even talking about Locust! Then there are the diseases. Eww. Bad, bad things there. They are air borne and soil borne. Insects eat opening the plant making the plant vunerable to these diseases. Some of the diseases live for ages, in the soil. This is one reason Container Gardening is so nice. You can remove the dirt, throw it away, compost it, or heat it in your oven hoping to kill whatever yuckies are still trying to survive. But a farmer doing this? Pfft. Even with my small garden space, I got Septoria Leaf Spot last year. I think I should grow Tomatoes 5 miles! from where I planted them last year. Is this possible for me? No.

All I am asking is don't be hatin farmers. Don't (entirely) be hatin science. There ain't nothing wrong with Hybrids. And Disease Resistance cultivars and Insect Resistence cultivars are good things. There are many Heirloom resistance cultivars. I will be writing about them soon. And several other Gardening topics. Because I can't get it out of my brain!

Remote Sensor Thermometer

I bought a Remote Sensor Thermometer and placed the Sensor into the room we have sealed off.



As you can see there is a big temp and humidity difference, I was surprised. I wanted to see if I could put seed starting tables in there because of all the windows. I was also curious to see if blocking the front room off actually helped at all.

Spring 2010 Preemptive Planning - Structures

The first day of Spring! is getting closer and closer and closer! Woo Hoo. I need to mainly finalize where I am going to try and grow things and what things I am going to try and grow. I live in a rented house that has a "Yard." A yard mainly covered by trees ... hence the quotations. The technical growing space the owners made is 14x14ft. and I also have a Community Garden plot that is about 10x10ft. I try to do a hell of a lot with that space. We pay to live in this house because it has a yard, its close proximity to the Community Gardens, and because the Library was originally across the street! How could I not want this house based on those things. But, to be honest, we do not rent the house for its updated appliance, wonderful insulation, house placement (orientation), square footage of living space, or yard size. That is why we can't buy the house.

So, I need to decide how many trellises and what style of trellises (including a Tomato ladder?) I need to build, how many cold frame and their size, row covers, hoop houses, and potato boxes (right now 2). Maybe a growlight system.

I have many, many problems esp with the space and what I want to grow and what I want to grow things for. First, I very much enjoy Seed Saving as a matter of fact I include Seed Saving as part of my Harvest. I Companion Plant intensively! This includes the Vegetables, Flowers, and Herbs. Then there is the hope of Crop Rotation (crazy right?). Next is for Food Storage, including Fermentation, Pickling, Drying, Freezing, Canning, and "Root Cellaring" along with the slight hope of a continual harvest through Winter buy means of growing the proper vegetables and varieties in a cold frame.

Lots to think about, manage, and research. So, so excited. Then you remember the bugs and diseases. Diseases are one reason I am going to space my Tomatoes 4 ft from one another. Even though I have way more varieties of Tomatoes I want to grow than space for them! Heaven forbid I decide to try and make my own ketchup!

Oh! And I have lots of "Decorations" I want to try and make for our Gardens. This includes Prayer Flags, Wood cut out Mushrooms, maybe some crafted Fairies, and glass bead ornaments. Sounds like someone needs to take a trip to Menards and probably Lowes along with Hobby Lobby!

Garden Software

Growveg is a site that allows a 30 day trial and charges $25 (currently) per year for their services.

MyFolia
"Folia is a social garden tracking site. Keep tabs on when you planted
and when your plants are ready for harvest, keep a journal of events in
your garden, create to-do lists, organise seed swaps & discover
others growing the same things as you!"

Deluxe Garden Organizer has a trial, $75 to own.

There are about 4 software programs hosted at Tomatoville in the General Discussion forum under "More Free Software" & at IDigMyGarden under Trading Bazarre. The programs are Pepperbox, SeedTrades, SeedsNTrades, and Seedbox. You can read about and see screen shots Here at the SSE Forum.

BHG.com also has some programs that help organize your gardens along with preplanned layouts.

FL Wasteland shared his 3D Landscape for Everyone find in the Growveg post below. Thank you!

Know of any others?

GrowVeg Review

About 2 months ago I went in search of Garden Software, something that would help me keep data on my garden(s) and help me plan them. I stumbled across GrowVeg. Last night I decided to register for their 30 Day Free Trial. I actually really like the program. How can you not like a computer gadget that uses our basic 2 year old need for pretty pictures, I mean icons?

The Pros:

• No Software download, decrease Spyware paranoia
• Able to enter both Metric & Imperial for Garden measurements
• Text and "Feature" availability
• Print Plan & Planting Dates
• Tabs, Spreadsheet style
• SFG Friendly
• Colored coded icon for families
• Provides an approximate shadow of plant size
• Tells you how many plants per type

The Cons (as I see them):

• Companion plants? Not really
• Difficult to control
• Unable to make curves
• Flowers, only Flower category
• No Database to update information
• Does not use common Computer Shortcuts
• Scrolling does not loop

I am sure there are more Pros and Cons than I am noticing but those are the few that immediately jumped out at me.

(images "edited" with Picasa)

My First Plan Test, for Spring.


The "difficult to control" idea. As you can see, I am planning to plant Melons diagonally. The program does not release the previously selected item or pick up the new item selected very well. You can see in this screencap the shadow sizing provided by the program, I very much like this feature.



As you can see with these two different plants, Broad/Fava Bean & Beet, the Companion Planting help offered is extremely slim. This is a major point for me, I LOVE Companion Planting. These images also show their colored coded "i" that tells you the families you are planting.


I think there are a couple things that could be done to help this. 1)Have a database the program can use to update the plant information. 2)Use, perhaps, the color red to warn Gardeners that their current Garden Plan is not Companion Planted.


This is about as good as it gets with the program offering any direction as far as Companion Planting goes.



The 4 Flower options, there is no way to create your own database of flowers you want to plant with names, planting information, etc.



Click to view completely, shows the 3 size variations available but again, you can not enter imforation for the plants. You can also see in this image, the program list some less common plants such as; Lettuce Miners, Mache, and Mizuna.

Seminis (Monsanto) Seed Dealers

Seminis does not sell directly to home gardeners; however, many of our products are available to consumers from U.S. and Canadian mail order and packet seed companies. The vendors below carry our newest products:

Burpee, W Atlee
300 Park Ave.
Warminster, PA 18974
Ph: (215)674-4900
Fax: (215)674-0838

Dege Garden Center
831 N Century Ave.
St Paul, MN 55119
Ph: (651) 739-8314
Fax: (651) 739-8326

E & R Seed Co.
1356 E. 200 S.
Monroe, IN 46772

Earl May Seed
208 N. Elm St.
Shenandoah, IA 51603
Ph:(712) 246-1020
Fax:(712) 246-1760

Garden Trends
355 Paul Rd.
Rochester, NY 14624
Ph: (716) 295-3600
Fax: (716) 295-3609

Gardens Alive
5100 Schenley Place
Lawrenceberg, IN 47025
Ph: (812) 537-8650
Fax: (812) 537-5108

Germania Seed Co.
5978 N. Northwest Hwy
Chicago, IL 60631
Ph: (773) 631-6631
Fax: (773) 631-4449

Johnnys Selected Seeds
955 Benton Ave.
Winslow, ME 04901
Ph: (207) 861-3900
Fax: (207) 861-8381

J.W. Jung Seed Co.
335 S. High St.
Randolph, WI 53956
Ph:(920) 326-3121
Fax:(920) 326-5769



Lindenberg Seeds
803 Princess Ave.
Brandon, Manitoba
Canada R7A 0P5
Ph: (204) 727-0575
Fax: (204) 727-2832

Mountain Valley Seed
1800 South West Temple #600
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Ph: (801) 486-0480
Fax: (801) 467-5730

Nichols Garden Nursery
1190 North Pacific Hwy
Albany, OR 97321
Ph: (541) 928-9280
Fax: (541) 967-8406

Park Seed
Hwy 254 N.
Greenwood, SC 29647
Ph:(864) 223-8555
Fax:(864) 941-4206

Rocky Mountain Seed Co.
6541 N. Washington
Denver, CO 80229
Ph: 303-623-6223
Fax: 303-623-6254

T & T Seeds, Ltd.
Box 1710
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R3C 3P6
Ph: (204) 895-9964
Fax: (204-895-9967

Tomato Growers Supply
P.O. Box 720
Fort Myers, FL 33902
Ph:(941) 768-1119
Fax:(941) 768-3476

Willhite Seed Co.
PO Box 23
Poolville, TX 76487
Ph: (817) 599-8656
Fax: (817) 599-5843

From their Dealer Locator website