The pansies and violas were on sale, half price, so I got two more flats for a total of four flats (two of violas, two of pansies). I planted up a big pot of pansies and two smaller pots of violas to put on the front porch, and filled the window box with a combo of both. I also "bedded out" some here and there in the front for spots of color and planted up a few smaller pots to see how long they would last inside. I guess they are as cheap as cut flowers, and once the initial bloom is done, … [Read more...] about Pansies and Violas, Part II

I spotted pansies and violas for sale yesterday. I hurried out this morning and bought a flat of pansies and a flat of violas at Meijers. The primary difference between violas and pansies is that the violas are smaller flowers, more like violets. Both can survive cold and light frost. I will plant some in my front window box, and the rest in pots to put on the front porch. While I am at it, I'll clean up of a some perennials in front that need to be trimmed back to the ground (as long as the … [Read more...] about Pansies and Violas!

You really can lose yourself in a garden. And sometimes it is good to get lost in a garden because what you find, if you are looking to find something, is probably better because of the time spent in the garden. … [Read more...] about Lost in a garden

Someone asked me when they should annually plant their perennials. Ha ha. She swears that she has to replant (or have someone replant for her) "all" of her perennials each year, especially columbine. I can't imagine that she gets anything to bloom. I would also guess that she doesn't really have that many flowers in her yard.Perennials generally take about three years to really take hold, especially when planting from 1st year seedlings vs. divides from mature plants. Remember "sleep, … [Read more...] about Annual planting of perennials

Here is my seed list for 2006:Salvia artemisSweet Pea - Royal FamilySweet Pea - Sweet Dreams MixColeus - Wizard Mix HybridViola - Princess MixZinnia- Purple PrinceZinnia - EnvyZinnia - Candy Cane Red on WhiteZinnia - Candy Cane MixSunflower - Autumn BeautyMarigold - Disco MixBasil - ItalianBasil - Magical MichaelTomato - Super BeefsteakTomato - Big BoyTomato - Early GirlTomato - GloryTomato - SugaryPeppers - AnaheimPeppers - Sweet BananaPeppers - Valencia HybridPeppers - Golden Summer … [Read more...] about 2006 Seed List

I always find when I meet someone who also gardens that there is an instant connection and it is easy to carry on a conversation. Generally it goes like this:Them: Are you a master gardener?Me: You could say that.3rd person: She has a degree in horticulture!Me: But I did attend the master gardener classes with a couple of people who thought it would help if I went along as an interpreter.Them: What kind of gardening do you do?Me: (thinking... there are kinds of gardening? I have to pick? … [Read more...] about Gardeners Connect