Winter is often a time for reflection.  As I ponder the events of last season my thoughts give way to plans for next season’s blooms.  It is time to place seed orders.  I give careful consideration to soil requirements, climate conditions and the amount of light in my garden. Paying attention to these criteria will increase my odds of having a successful growing season.

Here is a list of cut flower varieties that I am currently contemplating and would like to share for this coming spring.  Cheers!

Sunflowers

Zinnias

Statice

Cosmos

Strawflower

Magically reappearing year after year throughout my garden is our featured flower of the month CandyTuft.  CandyTuft, (Iberis umbellata) resemble mini umbrellas in your garden. They come in a variety of colors and are dwarfed in size.  Colors of pink, lavender, red and white appear at ground level.  These tender perennials are often grown as annuals and are popular in spring because they flower quickly.  CandyTufts add an old fashion aura of enchantment making them a wonderful addition to many wild flower mixes. I start seeds early in spring in fertile soil for blooms that should appear throughout summer.  Cheers

We wish you a peaceful and prosperous 2018!

Cheers

Zinnia Boy

One of my favorite beneficial insects is the Ladybug.  When I notice Ladybugs in my garden I know good things are happening.  The Hippodamia Convergens will consume numerous varieties of soft bodied bugs including over 5,000 aphids during their one year life span allowing your garden crops to thrive without the use of pesticides.  I tend to notice these magnificent creatures in mid to early spring.  Cheers

Fall has come and will soon give way to winter.   Fall has provided a spectacular array of colors and many souls have taken the trek into the high country to capture a view of changing Aspen and other foliage.  Tons of leaves are shed by trees every year. We rake and place them into bags only to have them hauled away to landfills then spend money the following season for fertilizer when we could have used what was given to us by nature.  Use these fallen bits of treasure to make compost!  Leaves will break down creating nutrients for your soil.  I prefer waiting until most leaves have fallen then scatter them on flower beds and over the winter they will break down adding nutrients to your soil supporting another season of beauty.   Cheers

A true indicator of spring is our featured flower of the month, the Viola.  Viola is a perennial favorite that suddenly appears in the shaded areas of other summer flowers. It is also known as Johnny – Jump Up and is capable of blooming in all four seasons due to its hardiness and ability to self- sow.  Lovely tri-colored blooms in white, purple and yellow sparkle in the low level areas of your garden’s floor. I start seeding  in spring using rich soil.  The flowers produce a surprise along with a smile for seasons to come.  Cheers

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