Red Granite Farm

04/23/2022

Our big shipment of annuals doesn’t come until tomorrow, but here’s a few to start with.
With the late spring, what’s everyone’s thoughts on planting?
Are you anxious to get it done?
Are you hesitant to even think about it because we still could have cold weather?
We will likely not be getting any additional shipments of annuals, so best to shop early. That being said, we have hundreds of flats coming, so we won’t run out on Opening Weekend either. If you see something you like, buy it and wait to plant till after the frost free date to be sure!

04/23/2022

04/22/2022

On this Earth Day 2022, be like this daffodil and even through the gloom…go ahead and BLOOM!
The nice rain was much appreciated, but now a week of sunshine and warmth is also much needed!
These Brassicas need to get out of the greenhouse and into our fields!

04/21/2022

Filling the Garden Center benches today!
Opening Weekend is next week! April 29th, 30th and May 1st.
Anyone else loving todays weather?!

04/20/2022

We have an abundance of Duck eggs now that the days are longer and they are laying more again! $5/ dozen at the farm.
Message us with any questions you might have about pick up.

04/17/2022

Happy Easter! Just sharing a few blooms from the greenhouse.
Dodging snowflakes on my way back to the house to prepare Easter supper for my family. Hopefully spring arrives this week, there’s so much to do before our Opening Weekend!

04/13/2022

We will have some veggie starter plants again this spring. Here's what's on order:
Peppers- Bell, Jalapeno, Pepperoncini, Poblano, Sweet Banana
Tomato- Cherry- Red & Yellow, Slicers- Red & Yellow, Brandywine, Roma
Brussels Sprouts
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Any other requests?

04/13/2022

Name that flower...
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It's a favorite of mine, the bees, and well unfortunately, the bunnies like the foliage when it's new too. 😉
You might not find another perennial with a flower this true blue though!

04/12/2022

I don't always follow the Pantone Color of the Year, but this years selection is easy to incorporate in your garden!
Lots of plants are Very Peri (Periwinkle)!
Purrsian Blue Catmint- Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.
Little Spire Russian Sage
Neptune Catmint (A more upright selection with dark green leaves)
Honeysong Purple Stoke's Aster

04/10/2022

These metal "drawer" containers are available in three sizes. We have an excellent selection of succulents to help you create your own unique planter. Contact us today if you'd like to have a potting party with friends, relatives and co-workers! Dates are available starting after May 1st.

04/09/2022

Good job done. Hardy Hibiscus potted up today!

04/08/2022

Another must have spring bloomer that is native to Iowa- Prairie Smoke, Geum triflorum.
It gets its name from the "smoke-like" puffs that burst open from the pink buds. This plant is very flat to the ground, and only gets about 6" tall, so use it in the front of the border.

04/07/2022

Pasque Flower are some of the first blooms in my garden. They are the ultimate "Welcome to Spring" flowers since mostly just bulbs are in bloom in April.
After they are done blooming, you are left with the cutest little tumble w**d looking seed heads.
Purple and Red available this year. See our complete plant list here: https://redgranitefarm.com/perennials/

04/07/2022

We will have a selection of Herbs once again this spring when we open. Here's a list of what's on order:
Basil- Lemon, Red Rosie, Sweet, Genovese, Thai
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena
Mint- Chocolate, Mojito
Italian Oregano
Parsley- Curled, Italian
Rosemary
Sage
Pineapple Sage
English Thyme
Lavender- Munstead and Phenomenal (listed on our perennial plant list)
Any other requests?

04/06/2022

Long lasting blooms of Salvia can add color to the front of the border for weeks!
Bumbleberry- new last year, quickly became a customer favorite! Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.
Wesuwe- sturdy stems make this attractive in the garden from May through June
East Friesland- prefers a haircut after the first flush of blooms, and you'll get another set of blooms! Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.
Favorite Companion Plants include, Yarrow, Coreopsis, Siberian Iris.

04/05/2022

Honeysuckle Vines for 2022-
Kintzley's Ghost- so far just what we overwintered from 2021, so order in advance if you want to snag one.
Goldflame- NEW for 2022
Mandarin- tried and true orange flowering type
These are all a woody vine that requires a sturdy support system. They do twine around things, but may need some assistance to grow in the direction you want them to go. They need full sun and average moisture. Loved by the hummingbirds!

04/03/2022

Basket of Gold is a champion of spring. It blooms in May and lasts a long time. The silvery gray foliage is tough and this plant will spread about if you don't deadhead it. I let it spread and then move the ones that don't grow where I want them to!
Excellent for rock gardens or the front of the border. This one gives you lots of bang for the buck as it's easily noticed from a distance.
Find it on our plant list in the Full Sun section. https://redgranitefarm.com/perennials/

04/02/2022

It's time to make the cut! The dead foliage of your perennials and ornamental grasses can be cut down to 2-3" anytime now. If you have mulched beds, you can chop it up and leave it around the bed as mulch. Then top dress with a hardwood mulch if you want a neat and tidy look. Make sure you destroy anything that has any foliar leaf problems like mold and mildew.
It's also time to apply your pre-emerge, like Preen, if you want to prevent w**d seeds from germinating.
You can also prune your shrubs- but not the spring blooming ones like Lilacs and Forsythia- wait till after they bloom to prune them! Spirea, Hypericum, and probably some I'm forgetting here- all benefit from a pruning that takes about 1/3 of the plant and shapes them up nicely.
Things that shouldn't be cleaned up yet- Lavender, Basket of Gold, Hellebores, Russian Sage. These things might not need a harsh cut back, so wait to see new growth first.
Got more Spring clean-up questions? Drop them here!

04/01/2022

Garden Center | Red Granite Farm

This is no April Fool's joke- It's time to get your pre-order for plants from Red Granite Farm in so you can shop in advance of our Opening Weekend!
Any customer with a Pre-Order gets to shop our garden center when they pick up their order. Pick-up of Pre-Orders is April 26, 27, 28th. 9-5 each day.
Place your orders here: https://redgranitefarm.com/perennials/

The 2022 Price List is LIVE! Click on the icon at the right to open the pdf of our 2022 Plant List. There are some new varieties for 2022, but many of the tried and true perennials you have come to appreciate from us are available again. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SHIP PLANTS. Pre-order

04/01/2022

Itoh Peonies are a cross between a Shrub Peony and a Tree Peony. These plants have a unique leaf and more color variations than the old fashioned Peonies you find in grandma's garden.
All of the Itoh's get 30-36" tall and wide. Flowers are mostly single, but with some ruffled texture.
All Itoh Peony are in a 2 gallon pot and are $50 each.
Pre-order yours here: https://redgranitefarm.com/perennials/

03/31/2022

Eggplant- love to eat it 😀
or
Love to look at it- "It's so pretty" 🙃

03/30/2022

Ahhhhh….we need warmer weather!!

Who's ready for planting season? Things are really starting to green up and the warmer temps have us cleaning off our perennial beds. One month till we open for the season!

Edit: I created this post in early March….what happened to the warmer weather??!! 🧐

03/29/2022

Who's ready for planting season? Things are really starting to green up and the warmer temps have us cleaning off our perennial beds. One month till we open for the season!

Edit: I created this post in early March….what happened to the warmer weather??!! 🧐

03/29/2022

Butterfly Bush is a much requested plant that I've resisted stocking for many years. This year, I am trying a few, but wanted to let everyone know it is a tough plant to grow in some situations. High wind, cold, exposed sites will not work well for this plant. If you live in town and have a protected spot, with lots of sun in the summer, should do great!
They will die back each year, so plan on getting about 4' of growth each season, even though most sources list these as getting 6-8' tall.
First Editions® Funky Fuchsia™ Butterfly Bush
First Editions® Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush
If you live where conditions aren't favorable for this plant- go with Anise Hyssop instead. It's my go-to out here on the prairie :)

03/27/2022

Here's an annual combo for the shade. I've been doing this combo on my front porch for years now. I always think I'll try something different, but it's so shady, that it's easier to just stick with what works.
Thriller- Red Wing Begonia
Filler- Glitz White Euphorbia
Spiller- Torenia

03/26/2022

A welcome site to spring in the woodland garden is Shooting Stars!
Pink and White varieties available this spring.
Order Here: https://redgranitefarm.com/perennials/

03/25/2022

Clematis are in short supply this year, but we have them listed on our pricelist for now. Once the season gets going, we will edit the list to be a more accurate listing of what is available. I'm hoping a new overwinter method works, and some of the ones we overwintered actually survive!
What questions do you have about growing the "Queen of the Vines"?
Visit our website to see the ones we have planned for 2022: https://redgranitefarm.com/perennials/clematis/

03/25/2022

Iowa Natives you'll find growing and for sale at RGF this season:
Little Bluestem
Prairie Dropseed
Rattlesnake Master
Prairie Smoke
Butterfly Milkw**d
We also have a wide selection of Prairie-esque Perennials that are cultivars of natives that we can recommend!

03/24/2022

How's your corn stash holding up? Still got enough in your freezer to get you to July?
We'll be planting extra this summer, so don't worry, we'll be able to help you stock your freezers again!

03/23/2022

Happy National Ag Day!
We are proud to be your farmer!
Thank you for all your support of RGF over the years. Whether you are a regular customer or an occasional shopper, we appreciate the extra effort it may take to shop small. We love growing for you and your family!

03/21/2022

Win or lose, we always cheer for the Cyclones! Here's a design to show your school spirit in cardinal and gold!
Some photos courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.

03/20/2022

It's here! It's here!
First Day of Spring!
YAY!

03/19/2022

Excellent article. Read it all for the most benefit, but the bottom line is….
Mulch volcanoes are BAD!!

03/19/2022

We will be selling Caroline Raspberry plants this spring! These red berries are one of the most productive varieties for the Midwest in the Everbearing category. They also have good leaf coverage, reducing the chances of sunscald on the berries.
They are coming in a 1 gallon pot and are $25 each. Plants will get 3-4' tall and wide.
Order on our website: https://redgranitefarm.com/perennials/

03/18/2022

Hardy Hibiscus are back for 2022.

Cranberry Crush-red with green foliage
Starry Starry Night- 2 tone pink with dark foliage
Summer in Paradise-deep pink with green foliage
And a limited quantity of Blackberry Merlot- just trying this one new. It has a deep red flower with deep green leaves.
Photos Courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.
These won't be available until Mid-May, as they are late to emerge from the bare roots we plant in April. You can pre-order on our website though!
https://redgranitefarm.com/perennials/