• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

  • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Shop
    • Gardening Humor
    • Children’s Books
    • New – The Halloween Hare
  • Social
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • The Gardenangelists Podcast
  • Gardening Humor
  • Children’s
  • All Books

May Dreams Gardens

A Session With Dr. Hortfreud: GADS

July 11, 2009 By Carol Michel 6 Comments

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.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: dr. hortfreud, humor

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa at Greenbow says

    July 11, 2009 at 11:40 am

    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.

    Reply
  2. acorn says

    July 11, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    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?

    Reply
  3. Carol Michel says

    July 11, 2009 at 1:20 pm

    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…

    Reply
  4. Mr. McGregor's Daughter says

    July 11, 2009 at 1:20 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. Rose says

    July 11, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    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.

    Reply
  6. Gail says

    July 11, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    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

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Categories

  • Blog (3,053)
  • Internal (2)

Blog Tags

annuals Blogging books bulbs dr. hortfreud embrace fairies fall family flowers fruits garden bloggers bloom day garden bloggers book club garden design gardeners gardening gardening geek gardens hoes holidays hortense hoelove houseplants humor indoor gardening insects lawn letters to gardening friends perennials rabbits reviews Secrets seeds shrubs spring tools trees vegetable garden vegetable gardening vegetables weather weeding weeds when a gardener wildflower wednesday winter

The Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Footer

Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Connect

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • maydreams icon

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Books
  • May Dreams Gardens
  • Podcast

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Newsletter Archive

Copyright © 2023 · CarolJMichel.com · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

Book purchase links are affiliate links and Carol earns a small commission if you make a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT