I was talking to my mother this afternoon. We were discussing how January is the start of garden dreaming -- planning what to plant and new things to try. There is something satisfying in the smell of dirt and the planting of minuscule seeds that turn into beauties like the Zinnias in this photo (grown in the garden last summer). Zinnias are my favorite with their inspiring colour. Last year I planted about 5 or 6 different varieties. Giants, cactus, pom poms, and a dreamland lime green variety. It's so fun to head off to Apache Seeds to see what new varieties they have this year and to talk to the other gardeners about what they've tried and what are their favourites. Any suggestions?
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Dreaming of colours to come
I was talking to my mother this afternoon. We were discussing how January is the start of garden dreaming -- planning what to plant and new things to try. There is something satisfying in the smell of dirt and the planting of minuscule seeds that turn into beauties like the Zinnias in this photo (grown in the garden last summer). Zinnias are my favorite with their inspiring colour. Last year I planted about 5 or 6 different varieties. Giants, cactus, pom poms, and a dreamland lime green variety. It's so fun to head off to Apache Seeds to see what new varieties they have this year and to talk to the other gardeners about what they've tried and what are their favourites. Any suggestions?
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5 comments:
I love Sedums. They are the most bizarre looking ground cover and thrive in hot dry soil where no other plant seems to survive. Their tiny flowers surprise and delight. They are like a secret background to pretty gardens that I have discovered.
I will have to try some Zinnias this summer!
Hello msquoted.
You are right about Sedums. Even their seed pods are beautiful, aren't they? I have some as a ground cover (close to the Zinnias) that grow so well that I have to trim them with scissors so they don't cover the sidewalk!
Another good plant-it-and-leave-it plant is Creeping Jenny, or as k. calls it Creepy Jenny. Like Sedum it has pretty little yellow flowers, and is, well ---creepy.
I will have to add Creeping Jenny to my list. I am going to try a scientific experiment this summer. At Lee Valley they have these hanging containers where you can grow tomatoes upside down. I have several places on my patio to hang them from. I might even try a cucumber upside down too.
Pansies are a must in my garden as well. I haven't been brave enough to add them to my salads though yet. They are suppose to be edible.
Do tomatoes grow better upside down? Or is this a space saving thing? Or a bring them to the heat thing?
I love Lee Valley's garden stuff. They are always so innovative, handy, and most importantly -- sturdy. I am really hard on garden stuff, but their stuff really lasts. Well, enough of the Lee Valley plug!
I love Pansies too, but they always get attacked by gross little worms that eat them until there is nothing left. I like to grow a few in pots-- for salads of course! They are actually wonderful. I think you should just jump right in and try them. Oh, and also Nasturtiums -- so peppery! Once I made rose petal honey from an old Hansa rose in my yard. It was beautiful, in looks and taste. Maybe we'll have to have a flowers of the garden feast this summer?
Tomatoes upside down for saving space and they are suppose to grow better. No bug get to them that way...or so I have heard. I will let you know how it goes.
I would love a flower feast! Fresh Mint Tea on the side would top it off. Lovely!
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