Now that the growing season is underway with seeds sowed and young tender ling’s planted, it’s time to change our focus to care and maintenance.  Caring for your garden begins with plant placement. The location of your garden will ensure that shade plants get the proper amount of shade and full sun plants receive enough sun in order to thrive.  Proper maintenance also requires a routine hydration regiment.  I like to water my flowers during the early morning hours while the ground is cool. In addition, keeping your garden floor clear of weeds is a critical factor for a successful growing season.

Strange and unusual weather patterns persist here in zone 4.  I am usually writing about spring planting and how it’s safe to start your gardens because frost is less likely to occur.  That is a far cry from what is currently taking place here in zone 4.  The low temperatures and winter like conditions have bought spring planting to a halt.  This isn’t the first time and certainly won’t be the last that Mother Nature has thrown us a curve ball.  I’ve learned over time that my growing seasons are short and sweet and to enjoy the highs and lows that the seasons bring.  Happy planting! Cheers

When you plan your garden you should ask yourself, what do I want to grow? Are you growing plants and vegetables that you want to eat and enjoy or are you growing something that you have read or heard about?  Growing fruits and vegetables for eating will encourage you to provide the care required for a bountiful harvest.  In addition, your time and efforts can be seen as exercise and a time to reconnect with nature.  Time well spent!  Cheers

Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a head start on your growing season.  Once your seeds have sprouted having enjoyed the luxury of growing in a controlled environment, the time will come to introduce them to the hardening process which prepares them for their outdoor existence. Artificial lighting is no match for true sunlight, so slowly expose your young plants by placing them in shaded areas for short periods of time.  Within a few days you can began to expose them to direct sunlight for limited periods of time.  Do not leave your seedlings in adverse conditions like rain showers or wind.  A proper hardening process will ensure that your plants are ruff and tuff!     Cheers

Spring has finally arrived but you wouldn’t know it here in zone 4 due to 4 inches of fresh wet snow on the ground.  It’s time to put pondered garden plans into action.  You can begin to harden plants started indoors and remove debris from flowers beds, clearing the way for early blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils. Take an inventory of your Garden Essentials including tools making certain they are ready for the task at hand.  Spring preparation takes careful planning and consideration.  Creating a plan of your intentions and expectations is a sure way to guarantee a successful growing season. Cheers

A magnificent garden starts with great soil conditions.  A solid foundation for your garden can be obtained by creating a garden floor that is well drained and rich in soil nutrients.  To achieve this goal I like to utilize a combination of compost and mulch in my gardens landscape.  Adding a layer of compost gives my plants the nutrients they require to help them thrive in different types of conditions. The addition of Marvelous Mulch will retain moisture during dry conditions and insure a continuous abundance of richly colored blossoms that will remain spectacular throughout the season.  Cheers

As we approach the end of winter, now is the time to start growing our featured flower of the month, the Aster.  Asters (Callistephus chinenis) are an annual flower native to China and Korea. I’ve cultivated this flower for many years and it has always been a delightful addition to my garden’s landscape.  We experience a long winter season in zone 4 so I start my aster seeds indoors during the late winter months because aster is a slow developing plant.  It thrives in full sun and blooms from spring through summer adding a burst of radiant color wherever it is planted.  Cheers

Arctic air is moving through zone 4 and it is a bitter reminder that winter is still here.  With limited outdoor time due to frigid temperatures I am getting a jump start on the growing season by starting seeds indoors.  Utilizing a seed starter kit which can be obtained here, Shop

  I can use indoor planting methods to start vegetables like jalapenos, cayenne peppers and tomatoes in addition to annual flowers like cosmos and zinnias.  Utilizing your time wisely during the winter months will be a key component to a successful growing season.  Cheers

People have asked me how I came by the nick name “zinnia boy”.  Many years ago I had the desire to start a floral growing operation.  I did not have the capitol for a traditional brick and mortar establishment so after careful consideration I thought the best approach for me to begin my floral odyssey would be to utilize my local farmers market.  I am fortunate to have space in my garden and began to focus on the decision as to which flowers I would grow to sell for profit.  My selections had to be beautiful, hardy, long lasting, well suited for a bouquet and easy to grow in my zone.  My choice was the zinnia. One day I was discussing my decision with my sister-in-law Pamela.  While we were reviewing the numerous varieties of zinnia’s I’d planted she then dubbed me “zinnia boy”.  Eureka! I loved it!  Please enjoy the video below, it shows my zinnia garden and features a humming bird moth!   Cheers

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