Spring Gardening - Hosta Plants

After the spring rain and a few warm days, I noticed that my hosta plants were coming up. There are quite a few plants that have green leaves and seem to be growing fast. Since the plants have new growth I knew it was time to work in the garden.

Here is a photograph of my spring Hosta Garden.  It was taken after I completed my garden maintenance.

Spring Hosta Garden, with daffodils leaves, and mulch

Today I did a hand pulling of the weeds and grasses that were growing in the hosta garden. There were also lilies that had spread into this garden. I dug them up and transplanted them into another garden.  Since it is early spring the daffodils plants have green leaves.  I did not cut them back, they will die back naturally.

When the garden maintenance was completed I added some compost that was amended with topsoil and mixed well before adding it to the hosta garden. This compost and soil mixture is a good way to feed the plants naturally.

Where I reside we do get a lot of rain in the spring and this rain can cause soil erosion. I decided to add a two-inch layer of cypress mulch around the plants to prevent the compost from washing away. Garden plants do benefit from a mulch application because it helps to deter the growth of weeds, keeps the plant roots cooler in summer, and aids in retaining moisture.

Here is a photo of one of my Hosta gardens

Love Butterflies Then Grow Echinacea

If you love butterflies, honeybees, and hummingbirds then grow Echinacea flowers. This daisy-like wildflower is actually a herb that has a pinkish-purple flower. Commonly called coneflowers this plant is easy to grow from seed in a sunny garden with well-drained soil.

I grow echinacea in my herb garden and in my wildflower garden. If you have a large area then growing this flower in masses is wonderful especially if you grow with white Shasta Daisies and yellow Black-eyed Susan flowers. Echinacea is also will grow to the height of 3 feet and it is best to grow it in the back with other flowers and grasses in front of it. 

Here is a photograph of Echinacea being grown with black-eyed Susan’s and ornamental grasses.

How to Grow

Plant your seeds indoors 6 weeks prior to last spring's frost. I find the best way to plant the seed is in starter kits. You can shop for grow kits at Walmart.com in the garden center or make your own. A Small container with good drainage is needed to hold the potting soil or peat pellet. Then use a pencil with an eraser to press the seed into the center of the soil. Do not plant too deep, a half-inch is fine. Cover the seed with soil and water.

Grow the seeds next to a sunny window or under an artificial grow light. Check the soil daily to make sure it is evenly moist but not wet. Never let the soil dry out as it is hard on the seedlings. Germination should occur in 7-10 days.

Transplanting Outdoors

When the seedling's stems are 6 inches in height with leaves and the threat of spring frost has passed you would transplant Echinacea to an outdoor garden.

Plant in a garden that has full sun and well-drained soil. Space the plants 18 inches apart to prevent overcrowding.

Maintain your echinacea by watering daily with a dripline soaker hose in the morning.

The flowers will bloom in the summer and continue to bloom throughout the warm months in the fall. I recommend feeding them monthly with Miracle-Gro Liquafeed bloom booster flower food.

Remove spent blooms to encourage new flower buds.

Other garden articles that you may like

Cottage Flower Garden Tips

Wildflower Garden Ideas

Outdoor Decor for Your Deck

Decks come in a variety of sizes and people will decorate them with mix-and-match patio furniture, or they will use their deck as an outdoor living room and decorate with patio furniture and outdoor accessories.

There are many ways to add decor to your decks. Simple modifications can be added to improve the ambiance or you can go all out with an outdoor fireplace. When you add decor to your deck you will see it come alive. This area will be appealing to the eye and welcoming to your family and friends.

Lovely Rattan table but this deck needs some decor

Decorate the seating area on the deck with outdoor pillows. Throw pillows with a color pattern that will complement the cushions on my patio set. These pillows will make the outdoor space more comfortable and eye appealing.

Another way to decorate your deck is to set up a freestanding or tabletop fountain (with or without lights) 

Adding an outdoor throw pillow makes the chair more inviting

The background sound of water cascading down the rocks will help you to relax. When the nights are cool you may want to warm up next to an outdoor fireplace. I found an Outdoor Sonoma Gas Fireplace Surround at Walmart.com and it would look fantastic on a deck with a cozy seating area close by.  

Another way to decorate your deck and add ambiance is to grow aromatic herbs in containers. A container garden on the deck is appealing and fragrant with pretty flowers. Choose a variety of aromatic herbs and also grow herbs that repel mosquitoes and other insects.

You do not have to spend a lot of money to change the look of your deck. Here is a deck that I designed for a customer. I hope that the blue outdoor decorations inspire you to decorate.

Early Spring Garden Activities

Winter is almost over and I find that I am thinking about the spring and summer season. There are many seasons in the year and I like them all, but spring is my favorite time of the year because of the yard and garden activities.

When the spring flowers break ground I know it is time to start getting my planters ready for growing flowers, and vegetables. I generally plant seeds and grow everything in my greenhouse. Then transplant outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed.

Garden Activities

This week my husband is helping me to remove late fallen leaves from the garden beds. We are using the rakes and find it is a good way to work the soil for upcoming planting. I will also cut back the ornamental grasses, as the days getting warmer and this will encourage new growth.

When the garden cleanup is completed we will start new projects. My husband will make some raised garden beds for my strawberries and I will start working on garden plans. I like to draw out a diagram every year for my annual gardens. 

I am glad my husband is helping me to work in the gardens and do appreciate him making the raised garden beds.  

Here are a few articles that I published about spring gardening and plants that I grow in my gardens.
1. Growing Carrots in a Home Garden
2. Signs of Spring
3. Growing Lettuce from Seed
4.   Window Box Garden Tips

Working in your yard and garden is a great way to relieve stress. It is always fun to take before and after photographs of your garden. Then you will really know what you accomplished.

Retaining wall and privacy fence, garden by the driveway 

 

Cover Ground with Evergreen Vines

For yards that have a woodland setting or area where nothing else will grow, then I would recommend covering the ground with evergreen vines. When the vines grow in the erosion will be controlled, the area will look eye appealing and your husband will no longer have to cut back the brush or mow the lawn. All of your landscape problems will be solved.

My garden photo of spring blooming vinca minor vine

Baltic Ivy grew on the rock wall 

Evergreen vines that are grown as ground cover

Vines are good for large areas where you plant and forget them. When they grow in you can use a grass trimmer to manicure them. This is a good way to keep the vines controlled. Vines are a low-maintenance plant. 

My side yard backs up the woods and I have planted periwinkle a common name for Vinca Minor along my garden path. This vine filled in quickly and I like it because it is evergreen and has a pretty purple flower in the spring.

Another vine that I like is Baltic ivy. Baltic is evergreen and does grow in quickly. Of course, it will also grow up trees and choke out weeds. The periwinkle is less invasive, in fact, I grow daffodils and other spring bulbs among the periwinkle vines.


Here is a video that will tell you more about vinca minor.

How to Start a Wildflower Garden

There’s a wildflower garden on the south side of my home where switchgrass and wildflowers grow freely. It’s a quiet space, tucked away from the rest of the garden, and every spring I add red clover and zinnias to the mix. By late summer, the flowers bloom in waves of color, and the wildlife bees, butterflies, birds arrive like clockwork. This garden isn’t just beautiful. It’s a source of food, shelter, and peace.

I love this wildflower garden, but I’ve been dreaming of adding a rock wall and a garden gate. Something that creates a sense of privacy, like a sanctuary for animals and people alike. A place to rest, reflect, and feel held by nature.

the is garden was grown by Susang6

How to Start a Wildflower Garden

Growing wildflowers isn’t difficult, but it does require intention. Start by choosing the right location most wildflowers need full to part sun and well-drained soil. Turn the soil with a shovel or tiller, and amend it if needed. I always mix in compost to enrich the soil with nutrients.

Before buying seeds, read the growing requirements. That way, you’ll know exactly which part of your yard suits your chosen flowers. I recommend buying wildflower seeds in bulk and selecting varieties that thrive in your growing zone.

My favorite wildflowers grown with bee balm 

 

Planting Tips for Success

• Spring is best. The seasonal rains help seedlings establish strong roots.
• Water wisely. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet.
• Use straw. A thin layer helps retain moisture and protect young plants.
• Create a path. I use a grass trimmer to cut the area low, then lay down weed control fabric topped with mulch or gravel.

 

Susang6 wildflower garden

Details from My Wildflower Garden

• Coneflowers and daisies bloom in waves see the photo of my garden.
• Transplants are growing nicely, especially along the path.
• The garden path was created with a simple grass trimmer, and it works beautifully.