 I've been dreaming of sunflowers lately. I think it's because they remind me that the summer sun will return someday - but it could be because they are so beautiful.
Several years ago, I grew the most gorgeous variegated sunflowers. I promise myself every year that I will grow them again - and don't. I don't know why I put them off. Maybe it's because I'm always looking for the "perfect" place for them or maybe I just run out of space. To motivate myself, and all of you who want to grow sunflowers this year, I created a page just for sunflowers. It includes some interesting tidbits about sunflowers, directions for planting and growing them and a few varieties to look for. Visit my Sunflowers page for more information on sunflowers. Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!
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 You may be wondering why I have included a picture of aluminum foil today. Although it is wonderful for cooking - and making funny hats to keep the aliens away - it's also great when it comes to starting seeds.
I'd like to share two simple techniques today. You can choose the one that works best for you. Method One - Reflecting Sunlight for Seedlings with Aluminum Foil
Method Two - Aluminum Foil Light Box with Plant Light
Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!  I woke up this morning with visions of moon gardens in my head. Although I've never grown one myself, the thought of fragrant flowers shimmering in the moonlight appeals to me.
My biggest stumbling block to creating a moon garden is that the area of my backyard where I enjoy sitting in the evening to stargaze doesn't get a lot of light from the moon - even when it's full - because it's path is blocked by my house. The front of my house is lighted by a streetlight, which leaves me with little room for a moon garden. However, I do have a small nook that receives the light of the moon as it rises in the night sky, which might make a delightful little moon garden. I'm thinking big pots of sweet alyssum, moon flowers, Shasta daises and maybe a potted night blooming jasmine or gardenia. If you'd like to try a moon garden, there are a few things to keep in mind.
For more detailed information about designing a moon garden see my Moon Garden Page. Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!  As gardeners, we tend to grow into the flowers we prefer. I don't know if its age or an increased appreciation of certain shapes and colors. I do know that I once thought of petunias as flowers for old women. I'm not sure why.
In recent years, I have developed a love for petunias. One could argue that I am an old woman - although I prefer to think I am in my gardening prime. Whatever the reason, my garden is not complete without at least one container of petunias. Until next time .... HAPPY GARDENING!  I don't know how I missed the introduction of the COOL WAVE Pansy. Maybe it's because I'm not overly fond of pansies - but these look amazing!
The same 'technology' used to create the WAVE petunia has been used to create pansies that trail to up to two feet. You can buy either plants or the seeds for this mix of COOL WAVE Pansies at Park Seed - but it looks like you had better hurry as many of their WAVE pansies have already sold out. You can also buy WAVE pansies in hanging baskets or containers at your local nursery (or so I'm told). What I really like about the thought of growing COOL WAVE Pansies is that pansies are biennials and will thrive in your garden for years. Although there is no note of whether the seeds from the COOL WAVE pansy will produce new plants identical to the parent plant (hybrids typically produce offspring that differs from the parent plant) the WAVE site says they will overwinter to Zone 5 and recommends mulching for winter protection in colder climates. Unless the COOL WAVE pansy is more sensitive to the cold than other pansies, I'm willing to guess they will survive winters in Maine (even in Zones 3 and 4) with a little protection. COOL WAVE pansies just made their way to my seed list for this year! Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!  Many gardeners hesitate to pinch or prune their houseplants for fear they will do something wrong or that it will stop the growth of their houseplants. In reality, pinching and pruning is one of the best things you can do for your houseplants. Here's why.
Deciding when to pinch or prune you plants really isn't that difficult. Houseplants that becomes leggy or produce vines with long stretches between the leaves need pinching or pruning. (And more light, if you can provide it.) Typically, if the plant has become unsightly cutting it back to within 2 to 3 inches of the soil is often the best solution. I often find this necessary with my begonia and impatiens if I overwinter them inside. New growth begins almost immediately if you provide them with bright, indirect light. Within a few weeks, these plants produce a flush of new foliage that you can display with pride. Due to the lack of light, and the low intensity of what light we have in the winter many houseplants suffer from lack of adequate light and benefit from some pinching and pruning to keep them looking good. To prune dead leaves or weak foliage from your houseplants simply trim away the dead or weak foliage with a knife or pair of scissors. To pinch out the growing tips, gently pinch the new leaves between your thumb and fingernail to remove them. This can be repeated on all new growth in a few weeks to encourage new growth and create a full, healthy plant. Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!  photo by nociveglia via Flickr One of the most common questions I receive about starting seeds is "When do I start giving seedlings fertilizer?"
Although some claim to begin feeding their seedlings with water-soluble fertilizer as soon as they emerge, most University Extensions, including the University of Maine Extension, recommend fertilizing seedlings with 1/2 strength fertilizer once a week after they get their first set of true leaves. Others mix a weak solution of fertilizer, typically 1/8 to 1/4 strength, and use the solution every time they water the seedlings. This method is convenient, as you can mix the solution and keep it nearby in a container for watering your seedlings. I'm partial to Miracle Grow, but Bonnie Plants sells a liquid fertilizer that mixes quickly in water. You can also use organic fertilizers, such as fish emulsion, if you prefer. As long as the formula is balanced and contains Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium you will be fine. Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!  Pinetree Garden Seed If you are anything like I am, biting into that first crispy cucumber from the summer garden is a joy that is difficult to describe. Fortunately, I just found a new cucumber variety that claims to be ready for harvest in 35 days. For those who are counting the days, that means crispy young cukes for the 4th of July - right along with those new potatoes and peas.
According to Pinetree Seeds, this adorable little cucumber called "Little Tyke" matures in just 35 days, produces petite (although it does not give a size) cucumbers, and is a prolific producer. It does note that most of the blooms are female and recommends growing them near other early-maturing cukes. Of course, that does pose a bit of a problem, as other early-maturity cucumbers typically mature in 50 to 60 days. However, armed with a small paintbrush, you can pollinate the blooms yourself with little effort. You can learn more about hand pollinating cucumbers in Why don't my cucumber blossoms produce cucumbers? I don't know about you, but I can't pass up the opportunity to grow cucumbers in 35 days - even if they are small and require some hand pollinating. Until next time .... HAPPY GARDENING!  I have a confession to make today. I have written hundreds of gardening articles touting the financial and health benefits of gardening. They are all true and backed up with actual statistics, like gardening will save the average American $600 a year on the grocery bill and that gardening may reduce your chances of getting dementia or Alzheimer's by between 36 and 47 percent. If you are interested in the practical side of gardening, you might be interested in reading these articles..
But, the truth is: None of this has anything to do with why I garden. I garden because I love how plants look. I love how they smell. I love the fresh scent of earth beneath my feet and the gentle flow of flowers swaying in the breeze. I love butterflies and hummingbirds that dart through my garden. I love early mornings when the first rays of sun hit unfolded buds and I love the orange-gold glow that envelopes my garden at dusk. I love the sweet fragrance of herbs under a moonlight sky. And I love to watch things grow. My favorite summer retreat is my garden chair where I sit and watch my garden as day turns to dusk. Leaves rustling in the wind and the evening hum of hummingbirds as they bid the feeder goodnight are music to my soul. Gardening may save money, ward off disease and provide vitamins and minerals to fuel the body, but for me, gardening isn't about saving money or the food it produces. It's about a closeness to the earth that feeds the soul. Until next time . . . HAPPY GARDENING! |
For more nature photography, check out my photography site.
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