Newbie from SE Iowa

Greetings to you all! I've been browsing DG for a couple years, and finally decided it was time to "join" -so I can experience all the wonderful facets of this site!
I am so excited about sharing with and learning from all you like-minded passionate gardeners out there.
We are in zone 5 and my interests are in annuals, perennials, shrubs., and vegetable gardening and preserving. I'm also recently retired from 20 years as floral shop manager/designer.
Our home sets on a huge corner lot, where we (my husband and I ) have created about 11 large semi-formal beds, with all the above plant types incorperated.
Over the past 20 years, I've had my share of successes and failures, but have this insatiable desire to keep learning and experimenting with new plants. It's a never ending source of wonder and discovery, and excitement.
I'm not sure about navigating the site, so may be calling out "Help Me!" from time to time!
Thanks in advance for all your help you may be giving! Now, let's talk flowers!!!

Welcome Deanna,
Glad you finally plunged in. The waters warm and the faces friendly.
I would start looking in to the forums to see what interests you the most. You can always start your own thread if you need to.
Al

Hi Al,
Thanks for the welcome!
I've spent the last four hours exploring the site, and checking out the Garden Watchdog catalogs and the recipe and garden forums. This is going to be great fun, as well as being educational! I'll look for your posts (or is that threds? ha.) and maybe pop in! Deanna V

Welcome Deanna!! I just joined yesterday, so we'll be learning together.

Flower Child 95,
That would be great. Hope we both learn a lot! Winter time seems to be the best time for research, as there's not much going on outside. Our area has experienced a severe drought the last year. I guess I'll see this year whether I "loved" all my plant life enough last year to keep them healthy thru it all. If my water bill is any indication, they should all be deliriously happy! Ha. DeannaV

We had the same problem here, but I don't think it was as bad as your area. I had to water alot last summer too, though. I hope everything survived!

Hi welcome nice to see you here..lots to do here lots friends.

This is so unbelievably nice, to be welcomed by you all. Makes me feel right at "home".
I'm thinking of posting some of my flower pictures, this year. I'm not bragging, but some of the beds are breathtaking at times.
Any advice on uploading? I haven't seen anything pertaining to this, yet. Deanna V.

I just figured out how to put pics on, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it exactly right. I have been going to browse below the box where you reply to a thread and finding my pics there and it fills out the Image box for me. It seems to be working because I can see my pics.

Thanks FlowerChild95!
I just tried the browse button, and it took me right to my yard pics! Cool. When I get into the right forum, I'll give it a try.
I'm so tickled. This is going to be great.

you are gonna love this place. hello and welcome from upstate new york.

Welcome Deanna.

Thanks Herbie! Nice to meet you.
what Zone are you in? Have you, too, had an unusual winter?

Welcome Deanna, --I'm From North Florida, ---Michael

i'm in zone 5b and yes, had unusual winter. we have been having near record temps for this time of year. the other day it reached almost 62 degrees.

Welcoome to all our new friends...this place is so great...you'll never want to leave.

It is not written, but when you post pictures in PHOTOS it is best to limit new entries to about 4 or 5 each day...this way it gives others a chance to have their photo show on that forum too...since the last entries comes to the top to show.

If you want to post more than one picture in the same thread...that is fine...as it will be under the one you just posted. I look forward to seeing some of ya'lls photos!! Jo

Welcome to the Garden DeannaV.
You've found the friendliest, most entertaining, educational and fun gardening spot on the web. Pull up a comfortable chair and join in the many conversations going on here.
Has anyone told you about the Iowa Roundup yet? It's a huge gathering of Dave's Gardener's not only from Iowa, but many come from all the surrounding states to meet one another, eat delicious potluck food and participate in the biggest plant swap you've ever seen. Door prizes and much more. Details are here: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/510804/
Hope to meet you there!
Iowaron

Whooo Hoooo!!!

Hi neighbor! Nice to meetcha Deanna. What part of Davenport are you in? I'm down there quite often, maybe we can get together sometime. In the meantime, come and join in the UpperMidwest Forum.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/region_umw/all/

mg in Dubuque

DeannaV Welcome aboard!!! I joined about one year ago and have learned a lot here and love to spend time on the many forums. Hope to see you moving about this great place and know you will love it.

cuckoo