Weed Alert
October 31, 2008
Volume 1, Number 13
Inside this issue…
Weed Alert!
Bring on the Butterflies
Brighten up the Building
Hello Gardeners
What’s a weed? What one gardener considers a weed, another will cherish as a wildflower. Let’s just say that a weed is a plant growing in the wrong place at the wrong time and has territorial ambitions… meaning you have to take action. In this issue, we’ll tell you what kind of action to take. Read more
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Garden Hedges
October 31, 2008
Volume 1, Number 9
Inside this issue…
Good Garden hedges make for good neighbors
To dig or not to dig? Questions surrounding flower beds…
Blooming bulbs!
Hello Gardeners,
Perhaps the most basic element in the garden is the hedge. Hedges provide shelter, privacy and define the garden’s perimeter. They can also become a sanctuary for birds, wildlife and insects. Hedges can be formal, clipped evergreens, or native hedgerows that can even incorporate trees and flowers. We’ll explain how to plant one. Read more
Pampering Your Perennials
October 31, 2008
Volume 1, Number 12
Inside this issue…
Pampering your Perennials
Designing a Perennial Bed around the Purple Coneflower
Stepping out in Style
Hello Gardeners,
If you’re one of the many flower gardeners who grow annuals and perennials from seed, you’re almost certainly aware that the flowering plants need some extra attention in the summer. In this issue we discuss basic summer plant care and show you how to prolong those beautiful blossoms all season long. Read more
Gardening With Kids
October 30, 2008
Volume 1, Number 11
Inside this issue…
Gardening with kids
Cultivating vines
Give your mailbox some magnetism
Hello Gardeners,
Getting your children involved in gardening is a way of sharing one of your favorite activities. The garden provides a fun learning environment with the potential to keep little ones occupied for hours and looking after the plants will teach them about taking responsibility, ownership, patience and caring for living, growing things. Read more
Wildlife Garden
October 30, 2008
Volume 1, Number 10
Inside this issue…
Flowers for Part Sun
The Wildlife Garden
Carefree composting
Hello Gardeners
Is there a part of your garden that doesn’t get a full day of sun? There’s no reason the shaded garden can’t be as colorful as one full of sun. In this issue we show you how to turn a shady garden into a showy garden that blooms with color from spring through fall simply by choosing the right kind of plants. Read more
Plants For The Garden
October 24, 2008
A garden wouldn’t be a garden without a variety of plants to make the area lush and green. There are many different types of plants to choose from, all of which contribute something of beauty to a garden. The types of plants chosen for any one garden generally depend on the zone, the time of year the seeds are being planted and the personal preferences of those who will be enjoying the resulting plants.
Black Eyed Susan Flower Seeds
October 15, 2008
The Black Eyed Susan is a flower that just about everyone recognizes. Its yellow and black coloring makes it an unmistakable flower that can take root almost anywhere. Plant Black Eyed Susan flower seeds in a flower bed, a meadow or anywhere that needs a dash of bright color.
Black Eyed Susan seeds are fast growing, emerging in as little as a week. They soon grow to a 3’ plant that is full of brightly-colored flowers. These flowers are often grown as wildflowers and used in wild areas or in gardens that are landscaped with native flowers. They easily resist drought and don’t need watering. Black Eyes Susan seeds should be planted in full sun if possible, but they are also known to tolerate partial shade.
The seeds are planted close to the surface of the ground, with only about 1/16” of soil covering them. The soil needs little preparation and does not require fertilizer. Black Eyed Susan seeds will grow in even poor soils that won’t grow less hearty flowers. They also have a strong resistance to plant disease and insects, making them extremely low maintenance flowers to grow. With almost no care black eyed susan seeds will bloom into tall, sturdy plants that bloom with graceful flowers.
Zinnia Flower Seeds
October 14, 2008
If you’re looking for a brightly-colored flower that will bloom from spring through fall, zinnias may be just what you’re looking for. Zinnia flower seed are easy to grow from seeds and grow quickly from their first sprout to their blooming stage. With a germination time of as little as a week, they are a popular plant for gardeners who want to see results quickly. Zinnia flower seeds only need a light covering of soil in order to start sprouting, and they don’t need any special fertilizing techniques.
If you find that you love the colors of zinnia flowers, there are many different types of zinnia that can be used in different parts of your garden. There are small varieties that can be planted in small spaces or in small containers. There are also much larger zinnias that can be used in the back row of flower beds or as the focal point of a garden.
Depending on the type of zinnia flower seeds that are planted, it’s possible to grow a plant that is 1.5’ tall or one that is a full 3’ tall. You can choose one type and blend it with other flower types, or you might choose several varieties of zinnia flower seeds and use them in different areas of the garden for a varied use of zinnia color.
Red Corn Poppy Seeds
October 14, 2008
Poppies always make eye-catching flowers that are beautiful to have in a garden. Red corn poppies are one of the most eye-catching because of their intense, bright color. The color is an extremely bright red with a black center that contrasts spectacularly with the red petals. They grow into large plants, about 2’ high, and have flowers that are as large as 4” across. They bloom from the earliest spring days through the heat of July.
Red corn poppy seeds can be planted around the mailbox, along the edges of a walkway or in a flowerbed for a dramatic statement. They also make great border flowers to separate different areas of your garden. They will grow well in full sunlight, but they will also thrive in partial shade. If you live in a drought-prone area, red corn poppy seeds are the perfect seeds to plant. They have a strong resistance to drought and will grow in the driest of summers.
Planting red corn poppy seeds is a great way to ensure that your spring garden will have a vibrant burst of color. The deep red color of the flowers and the large size of the blooms makes the red corn poppy an unforgettable plant.
Flowers From Seeds
October 12, 2008
Growing flowers from seeds is a very different experience from buying and planting an established plant. When you buy a plant, it has been grown from seed by someone else and will be deeply affected by how it was cared for during that time. In many cases, the buyer gets the plant home only to find out that it isn’t healthy and has been kept too long in a small pot.When a gardener plants flowers from seeds, their own care and nurturing determines how the plant will grow. In most cases, simply growing them in the ground or a plant container instead of in the tiny pots that many commercial growers use will mean having healthier plants.When you decide to start growing flowers from seeds, prepare the soil by removing the grass, weeds and other plants from the area. Break up the top inch of the soil with a rake or tiller. Mix a little bit of sand in with your flower seeds in order to have a better idea of where your seeds land as you sprinkle them onto the soil. Sprinkle a very light layer of soil over the seeds or use a rake to lightly mix the seeds into the soil. Read the directions for each seed packet to find out how much water they require. After they begin to sprout, your seeds probably won’t need much more care in order to produce strong, healthy plants.
Keep Gardening. Jeff
