Category: Outdoor Living

One of the first flowers I start indoors during the early part of the growing season is Impatiens.  Impatiens (Walleriana) will dazzle in the shaded areas of your gardens landscape, they are compact vibrant plants that are great for borders, performing magnificently in containers and hanging baskets.  Impatiens are capable of reaching heights of 14 inches while producing 1 to 2 inch blooms of exotic florets. They resemble miniature roses and literally sparkle in the shade.  Because Impatiens are slow to develope, I plant seeds in late January for plants that should began to bloom from early summer until first frost.  Cheers

Our featured flower of the month has proven to be one of the most successful annuals I have planted.  The Gomphrena yields one inch blooms on tall sturdy stems that bring joy from late spring until late fall.  Gomphrena is full sun and makes a great addition to any cut floral arrangement. Start seeds in rich, well draining soil for blooms that should reach heights of 18 to 20 inches.  The Gomphrena pictured below remind me of fuchsia colored raspberries.  Cheers

A winter blast in early fall in zone 4 has forced an abrupt end to the growing season and has triggered an early fall harvest.  I will utilize some of my garden vegetables to make one of my favorite recipes, Red Salsa.  It is easy and simple to prepare for any occasion.

 

2 15 – ounce cans of fire-roasted tomatoes, drained

1 limed, juiced

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 cup cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno, diced

½ cup red or white onion, diced

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp sea salt

2 – 4 Tbsp green chilies, diced

Simply blend all ingredients in a bowl, chill and serve.  Enjoy

The Painted Lady, also known as the Thistle Butterfly is the most prolific of all butterflies due to the native Burdock, Thistle and Sunflowers their larvae consume.

There has been no shortage of Painted Ladies in zone 4 as we have witnessed an explosion of these migrating insects heading south to warmer conditions, reminding us that fall is on the horizon.  Cheers

The possibility of attracting humming birds to your garden will increase when you plant our featured flower of the month, Four O’ Clocks.  Mirabilis is an annual plant that produces fragrant trumpet shaped flowers that open in the late afternoon.  Four O’ Clocks are full sun, drought tolerant and come in a variety of colors.  Mirabilis is unique because it is one of only a few plants capable of thriving in poor, dry soil conditions.  I plant Four O’ Clocks in early spring for plants that spread out up 16 inches and reach heights of 30 inches or more.  Cheers

During the growing season my primary focus is usually on flowers. This season I’ve added vegetables to the mix and I have spiced things up by growing a few varieties of peppers.  As fall approaches Jalapeno peppers are in great demand for many of my favorite fall grilling endeavors.  This year I started my pepper seeds indoors in early February and will begin to harvest them near the end of August through late fall. Enjoy!

Blooming early and often is our featured flower of the month, Yarrow.  Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) is a perennial favorite in zone 4.  It is one of the first plants to flower in early spring with blooms lasting until late fall.  It comes in a variety of pastel shades ranging from bright yellows to an array of pinks, reds and whites.  Yarrow is drought tolerant and made for the sunny side of your garden’s landscape. Direct sow yarrow between April and July for seasons of joy to come. Cheers

Daylight is decreasing triggering the eventual end of summer.  Before fall is upon us, a summer getaway can bring inspiration and healing.  Even a long weekend that takes you away from your normal routine can bring a new perspective.

We drove to a small mountain town several miles away and the scenery was magnificent. Time on the road encouraged good conversation we may not have engaged in had we been at home.  The clear air with less pollution was euphoric and the quiet nights restful.

Cheers!

Perennial bulbs can be amazing when planted in late fall for early spring flowers or in early spring for mid-summer blooms.  One of my favorite bulbs for late summer is our featured flower of the month the Gladiolus.  Gladiolus are members of the Iridaceae plant family and have sword like foliage in addition to vibrant flowers that are rich in color and come in many unique shades. As they begin to surge, other flowers begin to fade.  I consider them to be an excellent selection for adding late season color to your garden.  I plant my bulbs at least 8 inches deep, spaced 6 inches apart and plant in rich well draining soil.

Cheers