Personal gardens have never been more popular.  Having complete control of your growing environment and all of its contents is priceless.  Selecting crops that are easy to grow in your region is the key to success.  Every season I dedicate a portion of my food garden to sustainable foods, meaning crops that will not parish rapidly once they’ve been harvested from the garden.  This season I plan to grow potatoes, carrots, onions and leeks.

Potatoes are tuber roots that have evolved into a successful food staple for generations. They are easily harvested and can last for weeks. Two successful varieties in my region that I’m planting in early spring are Yukon Gold and Red Gold.

Carrots are great to consume at all stages. They come in a multitude of varieties, shapes and colors.  Carrots are easy to grow and can be harvested during most of the season.

When growing onions make sure you select the best variety for your region.  For quick results sow seeds indoors 8 weeks before the last frost then transplant into your garden in early spring.

Leeks are perfect for zone 4. They are closely related to onions but are hardier with a sweeter and delicate flavor.  Just sow seeds directly into the soil in early spring. Cheers

Last summer I had the privilege to visit a horticulturists dream garden in southeast Alaska.  The Jensen-Olson Arboretm is nestled along the Juneau coastline surrounded by lush green forest. The property is a non-profit organization maintained by a dedicated team of gardeners.  Juneau is considered a temperate rain forest and the wet environment serves as a perfect back drop to some very unique garden settings. The perennial gardens seem endless and years of planning and planting are on display. It is truly something to behold.  My horizons were broadened as I discovered new flowers, trees and shrubs.  One of my favorite flowers is a perennial called Gaura.  Gaura also known as “Rosy Jane” is well suited for zones 6-9.  It is a bi-colored flower with pink edges blooming from summer until fall.  It is drought tolerant and attracts butterflies and humming birds.  Enjoy Gaura in a sunny location in well draining fertile soil.  Cheers 

Over the years I’ve written about the importance of soil conditions https://zinniaboy.com/digging-in-the-dirt/.  Your soil is the foundation to a successful garden.  Today there are multiple tools and instruments available to help you monitor your garden’s environment. 

Digital Soil Test kits

Digital Soil Test kits quickly and easily test soil samples measuring levels of pH, nitrogen, phosphorous and potash by utilizing advanced LED technology.

Soil Meters

Soil Meters and Analyzers provide quick and easy to read soil testing for pH, temperature and fertility.

Thermometers

 Proper soil temperature is a critical element of a gardener’s success.

Throughout the centuries the scent of lavender has been associated with peace and tranquility.  Lavender (Lavandula vera) is a perennial flower native to the Mediterranean region.  It is capable of reaching heights of 24- 30” and spreading 18-24” while excelling in zones 4-9.  The refreshing fragrance and vibrant flowers make lavender a wonderful choice for drying and floral crafts.  Cheers

The New Year is here and it’s time to get organized.  Here are a few old fashioned tips to keep you ahead in the game.

Time check:  If you’re always late, set your clocks ahead 10 minutes.

The evening before:  Accomplish as much as possible before you go to sleep.  You’ll sleep better and will confront less chaos in the morning.

Rise early:  To get an edge on your day.

Be flexible: Reassess your routine on a regular basis, especially if it feels like you don’t have enough breathing space.

Cheers

The Flower Affect

After several seasons of joyful gardening I have decided to share my experience, gathered information and enjoyment in a book called “The Flower Affect”. My intention is to educate and encourage the novice gardener with the process of growing flowers.  Gardening takes instruction and there are no guarantees however, proper guidance, sunshine, rain and patience will richly reward your efforts.

Download it today from Lulu.com, Barnes & Noble and Apple I Books

An early blast of winter like conditions across North America has initiated the great fall migration https://zinniaboy.com/migration/.  I captured a brief moment of waterfowl gathering on a chilly morning in zone 4.  Enjoy!

We have received a significant amount of snow this fall in zone 4.  The much needed moisture has been well received and will pay dividends next spring.  As I relax and watch the day drift by, my thoughts give way to planning for next seasons blooms https://zinniaboy.com/planning-ahead/ and I have decided to add peonies to my garden.  Peonies are from the genus Paeonia and are considered to be one of the most popular flowers to bloom in spring.  They perform magnificently in zones 3-8.  The large round doubled layered flowers are stunning and come in a multitude of colors and sizes.  Peonies are fragrant and are sure to delight when you plant them in well- drained locations throughout your gardens landscape.  Cheers

Holiday festivities are here and it’s time to plan for the holiday feast.  Traditionally I grill a turkey https://zinniaboy.com/its-cold-outside/ and I occasionally like to change the rub https://zinniaboy.com/grill-tips/ I use on the turkey utilizing fresh herbs from my garden. One of the more popular herbs used during the holiday season is Thyme.  There are over a hundred species in the genus Thymus.  Thyme has small greenish leaves with flowers that come in colors ranging from white to dark purple and bloom from May through August.  It is a culinary favorite used for chowders, stews, lamb, turkey and tomato dishes.  Thyme maybe used fresh or dried and should be used to taste.  Enjoy!

 Winter is rapidly approaching and it’s time to change my focus to my indoor plants.  In the past I’ve written about easy to grow indoor varieties like Cranes bill https://zinniaboy.com/geraniums/ and Begonias https://zinniaboy.com/begonia/. Today I would like to talk about our featured flower of the month, a challenging indoor variety called Saint Paulia.  Saint Paulia commonly called African violet is an outdoor variety well suited for the indoors.  It is a member of the plant family Gesneriaceae and is native to Tanzania.  African violets come in colors of violet, purple, pale blue and white. The stems are a flesh like texture covered with very fine hairs.  Finding the correct amount of light and temperature in the room is crucial to the performance of this variety.  Propagate from cuttings and be careful not to over water or place in direct sun light.  Cheers