Hello from Iowa

I'm glad to be on board. Found Dave's site a couple weeks ago and as a first time gardener, thought I found a real gold mine. I have no doubts that my $15 is the bargin of the year!
My husband and I bought our first house just a little over a year and a half ago. I've lived in apartments most of my adult life and find having a yard to be the greatest. This summer I planted my first garden. There are some nice flower beds that I planted with annuals last year. I'm slowly working on filling in with perennials.
My dear husband was not to sure about doing a vegetable garden...he was worried about it looking unsightly in his park like yard (ha, ha), but we put in an small arbor last fall and put a small garden around the back side of it...I have a combination of flowers and veggies. It's a bit different but we like it and each year I'll learn something I'm sure to give it a more polished look.
As I've looked around the sight just a little I have not seen much for Iowan's as of yet...hope to get some insight on gardening from people who live in the same climate. I don't know about the rest of you all but here in Iowa we saying "if you don't like the weather just wait an half hour...it'll change."

Welcome, Merigold....You'll find some very nice Iowans here...they'll be by eventually. This is a very friendly place as you will learn. We have open chat each Tuesday evening at 7 PM EDT....and Thursday mornings, 7 AM EDT....when you see the smiley faces on the Home Page you'll know that chat is in session....just pop on in and meet the others. P.S. How about a picture of your DH's "park"? We love to see the results of others labors. Jo

Welcome to DG, Merigold! The amount of information on this site is staggering, and folks are so friendly -- a really great on-line community. Glad you're now a member!

I'm adding a picture of "the park". I lovingly call the backyard this when my husband has been hard at work, mowing, fertilizing and fretting. It puts a smile on his face.

Welcome Merigold from the evergreen state of Washington. Your lawn resembles a golf course. This is a sight full of more information then you could ever imagine. And gracious generous gardeners too.

Welcome merigold, can my young-uns come and play in y'alls park?! That's one purddy lawn you have there! Your DH deserves a "cleanist and greenist" award! : )

Lovely park, congrats to your DH and yourself. Here in South Louisiana we say the same thing about the weather ... but this time of year it's just wishful thinking.

Anyway, glad to have you here. Hope to see you around the forums.

Cheri'

Just want to thank you guys for the nice welcomes. my husband loves the kind words about his lawn. Look forward to seeing you in other forums ect. Think I need to go visit the pet forum...we have a cat...Zoe is our child really. Will have to show her off I'm sure. Happy gardening!! ps She plays in the yard...if you send those y'one's over they better be kitty friendly (anyone for a game of catch the lightening bug)lol!

Merigold....could this old lady borrow you DH? I have 4 acres of clay and Mesquite trees....if he saw the condition of my "yard" he would have an attact of some kind!!!! Lovely lawn! Jo

Welcome, and what a beautiful "park" you have!!!
Do you think your hubby would like to teach a class to my hubby on growing perfect grass?


I'm a relative newbie too, but have already done my first trade, and first co-op! You will LOVE Dave's Garden!
The people here are fantastic!

Melissa

Hi,
I AM SO GLAD I found this site I am a newby for sure.
Ihave retired this year and never had the time to play before. Barely had time to mow the yard much plant any
thing. I planted gourd seeds this year and I am haveing
a great time. I live in south east Okla. and this must be perfect weather for gourds.We like to travel futher south into so. Texas in winter months. I guess we are snowbirds
as we love to motorhome and meet new people.I am looking for all the infromation I can find on gourds if you have any words of wisdom please share.

Hi gourdhead. nice to meetcha. :)
I don't know a thing about gourds, but I know someone around here does. One thing this place has plenty of, it's knowledge.

You should start your own thread on this forum, so everyone can say hi.

Cheri'

Hello from KC.we had a great Round up in Iowa this spring,click on this hyper link to see some of the great folks in your area.
http://davesgarden.com/t/380840/

RootDoctor. Looks like you did have a good time, and missed those dark looking clouds too. We saw them way too many nights in a row around here for awhile...can't believe my little garden had no damage with all the severe weather...I had some sleepless nights! Mari

Mari,You have some great folks in your area,don't be shy here and feel free to jump in on any thread,we all want to share knowledge and plants!

Hi Marigold, and welcome to Daves. I'm the one who had the roundup in Iowa. Wish you could have been here. It was great. Hope you can make it down some time.

Tell your DH that his lawn looks great. Now it is time to make it colorful with lots of plants. LOL!! Do you have flower gardens? Hope to see you around on some of the forums. Nice to meet you here and would love to meet you in person.

Shirley

Hey Shirley thanks for stopping in. Yes, we have plenty of green space. DH just hates the thought of mowing and weed wacking around extra stuff,lol. Have some color with annuals going along the house in front and back and then some pots of flowers on front step, driveway and the deck out back. New to flowers and all so I'm still getting my feet wet and learning. Don't have much for perennials going at this point and keeping things pretty common. We'll see what the next few years bring. Nice to hear from you, and who knows maybe some day we'll meet. Your roundup looked great. Look forward to seeing you around. Mari

Welcome to both you newbies. We have a great time around here, join right in and ask your questions, beg for plants or plead for or share advise. This place is a gold mine.

Merigold: Always nice to see another Iowan on board. I live about 35 miles southeast of Des Moines on 3 acres. My husband likes to keep the yard like your husband does. I was at the round-up at Brugies, we had a great time with eats, plants and more plants and getting to know each other. Just jump in and post away.

Welcome merigold - moonlighting from Texas is waving at ya!

Hello to all the latest people who have stopped in to say hi. Nice to see some Iowans, as well as the rest of you from far away places. I'm hoping some day to attend a round up but it may be some time. I'm over here as far west as you can go in Iowa! Also, I need some time to learn tricks of the trade so I can bring some green. As a new gardner I have very few plants, and limited knowledge (nill) on clippings ect. but I'm gonna slowly work on it. I know I'm in the right place! Mari