The Latest Dirt: Sunflowers, Solidarity and Sanctuary
As spring unfolds we are reminded of how much our gardens mean to us. The simple pleasures we have of watching spring bulbs emerge, buds on trees beginning to swell and waiting for the first pansies of the season to arrive will never be taken for granted. As we watch the tragic events unfold in Ukraine, the sunflower has become a symbol of hope and strength for the people of Ukraine. Whether your garden consists of acres of land, a few containers of herbs and flowers on a patio or a collection of houseplants - once again we [...]
Terry’s Tips: Fall Transplants
Gardens are never ever done. There is always a new plant, a new color combination, a fragrance to add or an art piece that would look so great in a border that you want to try. Embrace the tweaks and changes of a garden. The creative process is what makes gardening fun. Fall is the perfect time to make changes. Weather cools, growth slows, rains return, we hope. Taking a walk around the garden this time of year when the garden is full let's you see what were the hits and misses in this year's plantings. Make notes (and [...]
The Latest Dirt: Rabbit Battles
Let's talk about those rascally rabbits that eat our treasured perennials and bulb plants as they emerge this time of year. During the winter rabbits feed on young shrubs and trees. These days we cruise the garden excited to see fresh greenery poking up out of the soil. Overnight juicy foliage can be eaten causing frustration and rage rivaling Elmer Fudd’s. You could adopt a pacifist philosophy and live and let live. And that might be best for your blood pressure. But we spend significant time laboring in the garden and surrendering our assets, envisioning the lush, productive [...]
The Latest Dirt: Frosty Nights
Freezing temperatures in the forecast? Sometimes visitors look around the nursery full of plants and wonder aloud what we do when temps are forecast to dip below freezing. Decades of experience has given us experience, knowledge and strategies. Not that a miscalculation by a meteorologist hasn't burned us occasionally. Or our own overconfidence. We take good care of the plants so they are their best for you. Plants vary widely in their tolerance of frost, freezing and low temperatures. We know that the pansies, hellebores and kale can freeze solid and be fine when they thaw out. We know [...]
The Latest Dirt: Seeding Tips
I thought it would be fun to share my seed starting operation with you.
Nothing fancy - I have used this system for 25 years and have grown thousands of seedlings of my unusual treasures that we then pot up at the nursery (and of course a few for my own garden!).
1) Organizing the seeds – a simple plastic box, with cards separating each growing week. I note 8 weeks and 6 weeks from the last frost date (May 30) so that I can then place seeds in the proper sowing week. I also set aside seeds to be sown in late July for fall crops. Early weeks are for lettuces, kales, perennials – all the cool season crops. As we get closer to week 22 (the magic frost free date) I add warm season crops – tomatoes, marigolds, ornamental vines, etc.
2) The seeds get started on my light bench: 3 rows of fluorescent light bulbs on adjustable chains that I can raise as the seedlings get taller.
The Latest Dirt: Seeds
Nasturtiums belong in every single garden. Super easy to grow for kids or timid seed starters. We unpacked 15 different kinds from Alaska to Whirlybird - both old favorites.
You've no doubt heard that mail order seed companies are wildly busy as never before with the 20 million new gardeners from 2020. Bottom line, when you see what you want and need for your 2021 garden, get it!
