Another session with Dr. Hortfreud…
Carol, it’s good of you to return for another session.
Yes, Dr. Hortfreud, but I sort of had to because the lawn needed to be mowed.
Well, I’m not forcing these sessions, but now that I’m here, what’s on your mind?
Seeds.
Seeds? That’s kind of surprising. I thought you only focused on seeds in the spring?
Well, normally, I do just sow seeds in the spring but I got an email newsletter from Botanical Interests suggesting all kinds of seeds that would be good for sowing between now and late summer. It got me thinking about getting some of them now. In fact I’ve got my eye on a Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum.
Wait, I’m confused! I thought you were going to order all your bulbs this weekend including some bulbs for Allium?
Well, I can do both, can’t I?
I suppose you can. Are you going to sow more seeds in the vegetable garden?
Oh most definitely, I’ve got some empty space where I pulled out all the lettuce and I think I’ll plant some green beans there.
Green beans? You have a lot of beans in the garden right now. Did you see how many there are to pick? Carol, you need to pick those green beans.
I know, and I’m going to first thing in the morning, then I’m going to Soules Garden for their daylily open house.
Daylilies? GADS, Carol, I thought we were talking about seeds, or was it bulbs, or was it the vegetable garden? You switch topics faster than a night blooming cereus blooms!
Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. Hortfreud. It’s just that there is so much going on in the garden right now. Gads, how could I focus on just one thing?
I didn’t say you had to focus on just one thing at a time, but I’m suggesting that maybe if you stayed on one topic for a longer period of time, you’d get more done.
Dr Hortfreud! How do you know what I’m getting done and not getting done?
Carol, I know you too well! I see the weeds in some of the flower beds and those big bags of mulch on the patio. Why don’t you use that mulch to keep down the weeds?
Weeds, Dr Horfreud? Now you’re the one changing topics! I don’t want to talk about weeds. I was talking about seeds, or was it bulbs, or was it… Well what does it matter? It’s all Gardening!
Okay, Carol, you are right about that. Gads, no need to get all up tight about it. In fact you seem a little stressed out right now. I prescribe a week off from work and some relaxing time in the garden, leaning on that new hoe I saw on your porch, enjoying all the blooms.
Blooms? Yes, thank you, Dr. Hortfreud, for reminding me. Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day is coming around again on July 15th. I’ve got something really special planned for it, something very “Elizabeth Larwrence” like.
Well, I’d like to hear more about that and your new hoe, but our time is up for this session, unfortunately. I hope this time was helpful to you.
Gads, yes, this was helpful. I promise I’ll try to remember to relax this week and let you know how that’s working out, right after I pick green beans, order seeds, order bulbs, weed, spread mulch, plan out my special bloom day post and try out my new hoe! Oh, and watch all my green tomatoes ripen while thinking up rules for my annual tomato contest.
Carol, I think I may have to bill double for this session.
Carol, you and the good DR covered lots of ground today. I am sure the good DR is happy that you don't have any major troubles and the garden is growing right along this summer.
Oh Please! I just signed up for the Botanical Interests email newsletter and was hoping they they had an archive so that I could see the one on seeds to start in the summer but alas they don't. Is there anyway that you could share it with us?
Acorn… here's a copy of it:
There are 47 new packets for our 2010 season that starts in July! (Yes, you read that right. 47 VARIETIES !!!) Most are completely new. Some are organic versions of existing conventional varieties or vice versa.
Of these, 16 are new Botanic Gardens Series flower varieties:
Plant species are constantly being lost throughout the world as a result of habitat loss, climate change, pollution, insect and disease problems, and even over-collection. Botanical Interests is very pleased to be working with botanic gardens throughout the U.S. to protect species that are rare and endangered or may become so if not maintained. As gardeners, we can feel good about adding these attractive, adaptable treasures to our gardens. By planting them, we become responsible stewards of the environment and give a gift back to nature.
Botanic Gardens Series varieties that are perennials or biennials and can be started now through late summer for blooms next spring include:
Allium Nodding Onion , Artemisia Fringed Sage, Compass Plant ,Echinacea Yellow Coneflower, Gaura Butterfly, Globemallow Scarlet, Grass Little Bluestem, Ipomopsis Standing Cypress, Leadplant, Penstemon Firecracker, Prairie Blue Sage and Verbena Hoary Vervain.
There are a lot of new 2010 vegetables that can be sown now or in late summer for a fall crop, including:
Bean Bush Roma II (55 days, sow now through late summer)
Bean Pole Trionfo Violetto (62 days, sow now through late summer)
Beet Gourmet Blend Organic (65 days)
Broccoli Waltham (75 days)
Brussels Sprouts Long Island (85-110 days)
Broccoli Sprouts (sow indoors anytime)
Cabbage Red Acre (75-80 days)
Carrot Cosmic Purple (70 days)
Carrot Danvers (65 days)
Lettuce Romaine Parris Island (68 days, start indoors and transplant)
Onion Bunching Tokyo Long (65-95 days)
Pea Snap Sugar Snap (66 days)
Spinach Bordeaux (27-40 days, sow in late summer or early fall)
Spinach Lavewa (45 days, sow in late summer or early fall)
Swiss Chard Ruby Red Organic (50-60 days)
Remember…there are also plenty of other current vegetable varieties that you can still plant now while the weather is warm:
Amaranth Edible Red Leaf, bush or pole beans, lettuce (if started indoors), Radish White Icicle, Spinach New Zealand
And sow these cool season crops in late summer for a fall crop:
Arugula, beets, broccoli, broccoli raab, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, endive, escarole, kale, lettuce (start indoors if temperatures are still warm), mustard, bunching onions, parsnips, peas, daikon radish, spinach, swiss chard
With so many varieties that can be planted now into early fall, isn't it funny how most gardeners do a spring planting then think it's all over? They're really missing out on a lot of delicious vegetables that they could be harvesting as the weather turns cool. Many of these cool-season crops taste better after a little kiss from the first fall frost, and you will have few problems with pests with late summer/fall plantings.
With a little planning now, you can have a colorful rainbow of veggies to start autumn. Just think of all those delicious soups, stews, stir-fries, casseroles, and even fresh salads you will be able to make with the bounty from your garden! You've got to have something to eat with all those tomatoes…
I'm sure the folks at Botanical Interests won't mind that I copied that…
While Allium cernum is a lovely native, I must warn you that it spreads like crazy. I end up having the deadhead it scrupulously, otherwise there are tons of seedlings.
I think the good Dr. might be able to get enough data on GADS for a book after a few more sessions like this one, Carol:) I thought this was the "sit back and enjoy" time in the garden…
Oh dear, I just saw your comment elaborating on all that can be planted yet…I may be coming down with GADS myself.
Thanks for the newsletter! I know must get more seeds to scatter in the barely bare spots! Have fun with planting, scattering, bulb buying, mulch spreading and weeding. Whew! That Dr H is good! gail