If you enjoy working in your yard and garden then you have come to the right place.I share with you tips on growing flowers and herbs, designing specialty gardens, and ideas on ways to improve your curb appeal, Also product reviews and recommendations.
Chrysanthemums
come in a variety of flower shapes and colors. These flowers will
compliment your garden throughout the growing season when other
flowers have stopped blooming. They will continue to bloom until very
hard frost.
Normally
I start chrysanthemums indoors by growing them from seed and will
transplant them outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed.
How
to Plant Chrysanthemum Potted Plant Outdoors
Get
the garden ready for planting chrysanthemums by removing the sod, and weeds. Break up the clumps of dirt so that the soil is a fine
texture. Then amend the soil with compost.
For a nursery-grown plant or seedlings dig a hole that is the same depth as
your nursery pot plus three inches.
Make
a small mound of soil in the center of the hole. This mound will
lift the mum up and will aid in proper drainage.
Set
the mum plant in the center of the hole on top of the mound and backfill the soil into the hole.
Firm
the soil around the mum stem. Water the newly planted mum.
Planting Flower Seed Outdoors
For
sowing seeds outdoors, you would make rows that are ¼ inch deep in
the soil then add two seeds for one plant, space 18 inches apart.
Cover the seeds and water so that the soil is evenly moist but not wet.
Helpful
Garden Tips:
Apply
organic mulch; pine needles, grass clippings or wood chips around the
mum. Mulch will aid in retaining moisture and deter weed growth.
Water
chrysanthemums in the morning; provide the plant with moisture up to
one inch per week.
Do
not allow the soil to dry out.
For
fall flowers you would pinch off the mum buds when they appear. Stop
pinching off buds in August. When you pinch the early buds off the
plant will grow fuller and the flowers will be stunning in the fall.
For
all summer blooms water monthly with bloom boost. Always pinch off
the spent flowers, this will encourage new buds.
Normally
I buy chrysanthemums in August to plant in container gardens for fall
color. These late-season flowers usually do not have time to
establish root because the winters may turn cold quickly. So a few
years back I decided to start Chrysanthemums in my greenhouse in
early spring. Then I transplanted the seedlings into my garden and
since they are perennials in my area I enjoy their lovely blooms all
summer long and well into the the fall season.
Growing
Chrysanthemums from seed is easy plus they are long-lived. You
benefit from this beautiful flower because the cut stems can be used
in floral arrangements, seasonal wreaths, and other fall season
decorations.
Here
are some tips for growing chrysanthemums from seed.
Plant
flower seeds in miracle-grow potting soil. Best to grow them indoors and then transplant them outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed.
I
buy seed starter kits in March and will plant the flower seed. Since
I do not have a sunny window I bought a grow light at walmart.com The soil in the starter kits is kept moist but not wet. I never let
the soil dry out because it would cause the seedlings to be stressed.
Transplant
chrysanthemum seedlings in spring after the threat of frost has passed. Or when the weather is an average temperature of 70 degrees.
Choose
a sunny garden site with rich soil that is well-drained. Know that if
the soil is wet then the Chrysanthemum will weaken. This particular
flower is susceptible to powdery mildew so it is wise to plant in
full sun, in an area that has good airflow; away from walls, and not
too close to other plants.
Transplant the mum seedling into a garden bed that has soil that is amended with compost.
After planting the seedling, keep
the soil evenly moist but not wet until the plant roots become
established or new growth is noted. Then water in the morning with
drip irrigation because. It is best to not get the leaves wet. Why morning watering? It is before the heat of the day when the water evaporates and
at dusk, this watering will attract fungus and insects.
Keep
your plants healthy by checking them daily for powdery mildew. If
you note a white powdery substance on any part of your plant then
know this is a sign of fungus and it is best to treat your plants,
soil, and all plants that are in the same garden location
Make
a soap treatment for the powdery mildew, here is a list of ingredients.
1-cup baking soda
4
drops of unscented dishwashing liquid
2-quart
tepid water
Mix
all of these ingredients in your garden sprayer. Stir well to
make sure everything is blended. Then using a pump garden sprayer
treat the plant foliage for powdery mildew fungus. For an even spray
stand 8 to 10 inches away and spray the plant and soil.
Spray
all parts of the plant with solution. Treat all plants that are
susceptible to powdery mildew.
Continue
to watch foliage for powdery mildew. Repeat treatment as needed.
Another fungicide for your garden beds that are close to an area that is infected with powdery mildew or black spot is sulfur dust used as a garden spray treatment.
Mix
8 tablespoons of the sulfur dust with a gallon of water. Put water
and sulfur mixture in a gallon size yard and garden sprayer.
Then
in the morning before the heat of the day, spray your plants and the
soil in the garden, saturate the garden area with the sulfur formula, and
leave it set for 20 minutes. Then with your garden hose rinse away
the sulfur so that it does not harm your plants when the sun comes out.
If
interested in the sulfur dust treatment for powdery mildew you can buy
it a walmart.com Look for the brand Bonide sulfur dust fungicide.
Here is a video that will show you what powdery mildew looks like. Learn how to prevent by reading this article Ways to Prevent Powdery Mildew
Powdery
mildew is a fungus that will weaken and kill your plants. If left
untreated it will infect the entire garden. The best way to prevent this
powdery mildew is to understand the fungus and know what garden
conditions will put a stop to the fungus from attacking your plants.
There
are a few things that you can do to prevent powdery mildew. Know
that you must check all of your plants for this fungus, even the ones
you buy at garden centers.
Shop for and BUY healthy plants with green leaves and strong roots and stay away from the plants that are closeouts, not a
good idea to nurse them back to health, they may be diseased and make
your other plants in the garden sick.
Choose
your gardens carefully, if your plants require full sun then give
them what they need. All plants need airflow, so choose a garden bed
that is not next to a wall or privacy fences.
Refrain
from planting too close. Overcrowded gardens are attractive to
powdery mildew due to the lack of airflow.
Keep
gardens weeded. Watch for weed growth and pull out weeds when they
are visible.
Remove
all dead branches or leaves. Prune to keep plants healthy.
Water
plants at the soil line with drip irrigation. Avoid getting leaves wet.
Here is a video that will show you what powdery mildew looks like.
Did you know that the air that we breathe in our homes is polluted with toxins? You would not think so but it is true because these toxins come from the cleaning solvents that we use, paint, varnishes, ammonia, paper, and ink products. Even tobacco; second-hand smoke is harmful. If you suffer from allergies, these toxins will cause side effects like watery eyes, runny nose, or asthma. Here are houseplants that will clean the air by naturally removing toxins.
Before you buy houseplants you will need to determine which plants are right for your home. Most people have low light plants in every room or their house because this is the best way to keep the air clean. Otherwise, you would accent your decor with houseplants in high traffic rooms like kitchen, den, and bedrooms. I recommend one large plant and two small plants, for your kitchen and den. Then hang a spider plant or Boston fern in your bedroom and these plants will clean the air. Even if the rooms do not have a lot of sunlight, know that these low-light plants need indirect light. If you set them close to a lamp or artificial to grow light then they will be fine. They will grow well under a floor lamp or table lamp.
Here is a list of air-purifying plants that will remove TOXIC pollutants from your home. I found live plants spider plants, peace lily, Boston fern, and English ivy and Areca palm online at Walmart.com Find these plants at Amazon.com (Patio and Garden) Philodendron, Areca Palm, English Ivy, Spider Plant, Peace Lily, and Boston Fern. These plants will purify your home by removing the toxin formaldehyde which is found in paper products and cleaning products that have the formaldehyde ingredient.
Naturally, remove toxins from indoor air with a Peace Lily
Hang English ivy in an area of your home where there is tobacco. This ivy will naturally purify the air by removing tobacco smoke, chemicals, and residue. Breathe easier with the Areca Palm. The palm is a tree and would look best in a large room tucked in a corner or in front of a window that offers indirect light. They will remove the chemical trichloroethylene the chemical found in ink, paint, lacquer, and varnishes. Palm prefers a warm location that does not have drafts. Set the peace lily under a floor lamp or in a corner of a room. This plant is easy to grow and prefers indirect light. The peace lily plant has large leaves with an exotic-looking white flower. This plant will clean the air in your home by removing the chemical benzene. This chemical is used in nail polish, paints, and adhesives. When your home air is toxin-free you and your family will be healthier and happier. It takes 24 hours for the houseplants to filter the toxins from the air.
Remove toxins from indoor air with a Spider Plant
Other houseplant benefits:
Know that the houseplants fill the air with negative ions. The negative ions make people feel happy.
Houseplants increase the humidity levels in the air and thus your skin in winter will not feel dry.
Early
spring is a good time of the year to get your garden tools organized
in your garage or shed. Then when gardening or
planting seasonarrives, every gardening tool that you need will be easy to find and ready to use.
The gardenshed is my husband’s project and he is not very organized.
Needless to say, 90% of the garden
tools and products
need to gather
and put in a specific area.
Meaning all garden
boxes
with
overwintering elephant ears, and other bulbs that we lift in the fall
need to be organized so we can plant specific colors and other
groupings in the spring after hard frost has passed.
Presently
all of my garden hand tools are in a storage container and the rake,
shovel, and hand tiller are on the floor behind the door. I think it
is best to get them off the floor and onto the wall. I
found some useful organizational products for the garden sheds or garage,
I like the wall-mounted garden tool storage that had five roller balls that gripped the tools and held them in place on the wall. There were also 6 hooks
that you could hang garden gloves or hand tools. I also like shelving in the shed and a potting station would be ideal.
Where to Buy Garden Tool Shed Organization Products
I shopped for ceiling and wall mounts, pegboard, and shelving. I
found a wonderful garden tool organizer at amazon.com
in best-selling ceiling wall mounts but also saw useful products for the garden shed at ebay.com Then
Walmart
has
an entire section online for best-selling garage organization and
storage. I checked for rollback special
prices and did buy some shelving and containers.
So if you get a break, and there is a warm day in the forecast, I would recommend that you get your garden shed organized, clean your tools and get them off the floor and onto the wall.
Today
I found that the steps I took in late fall increased earthworm
activity in my garden soil and I am really happy about this because
these worms will enable me to have a healthy crop this year.
Earthworms
benefit your soil by making it nutrient-rich with organic matter. The
earthworms also create space for air and water by losing up the
dense soil. This makes it very easy for the plant roots to grow and
take hold of the soil.
Know
that at the end of the season last year I removed my annual crops, then
weeded the garden bed. When the weeding was completed amended the soil
with some compost, then watered it well. Next, I covered the garden bed
with newspaper. followed by covering the newspaper with cardboard.
Then in late fall when the leaves fell I left them on top of the
cardboard. The paper products that covered the garden bed kept the
soil moist and prevented it from drying out. By doing this I created
an ideal worm habitat.
The
last two weeks have been warm in my area, and many of my spring
flowers have buds on them. I took this as a sign that winter was over
so I
removed the garden bed covering and found that the soil was
fantastic.
The
earthworms did their job and made my soil in perfect condition for
planting. A healthygarden is one with soil that is
rich with earthworms, keep your garden healthy by not using
pesticides. There are many natural pest control products that you can
use, that will know harm your earthworms.
For the last two weeks, the weather had
been warm; highs in the low 70s and at night lows in the 50s.
Wonderful warm weather has awoken all of my spring bulbs
including my daylilies. Yes, my lily flowers have broken the soil
surface and I have noticed that they appear to be overcrowded.
It does not look like I will need to
transplant more than 8 or 9 large clumps. For now, I will keep
watching the garden plants to see what other work needs to be done.
After all, it is the end of February and we could get snow next month.
Know that if I pass up dividing the
flowers this spring then there will be fewer flower blooms or they
may die out due to not enough nutrients or hydration.
When it comes time to divide the
overgrown lilies, I will transplant them into another garden bed or
into containers. The garden bed will have ample sun and part sun in
the heat of the day and the soil will be well drained
Tomorrow I will start getting a garden
bed ready for the transplant daylilies. Learn more about lilies by reading my
article here
The photographs used in this blog post
are of my gardens.
Now
that it is early spring and the crocus and daffodils are blooming I
want to add more color to my container's gardens and will achieve this
by planting cool-season violas. Viola flowers are in the violet
family; some are perennial, others are annuals and a few grow wild in
your yard.
I
find that the viola flower looks best when grown in freestanding
containers, this is a small flower that seems to get lost when grown
in the garden. Viola comes in a variety of colors; red, purple,
yellow, and white are my favorite colors as these colors are so cheerful.
Before
I plant in my container I always like to remove the plastic liner and
I never use preexisting dirt. I will remove the dirt and wash the
plastic liner with antibacterial dawn dish soap, rinse well, and let
the liner air dry. Then I will fill the container liner with potting
soil that is amended with compost or manure.
When
planting I like to plant using a color story I love violet grown with
yellow and also containers of the same color violas. Once the
violas are planted, add some mulch before setting the container where
the flowers will get lots of sun.
This
year I bought a variety of viola flowers from Lowe's garden center,
know that it is important to watch the violas for the first month to
make sure that the soil does not dry out. Dry soil can cause the
plant to feel stress and it may die. You want to keep the soil moist
but not wet. Too wet of soil is not good for Violas.
I
do recommend applying a layer of mulch to go around the viola plants
but stay a good inches away from the plant stem. Violas are
hardy to 20” F which makes them ideal for early spring container
gardens.
If you have a sunny rock garden that needs a pop of color then plant some verbena. This flower looks so pretty cascading over the rocks and is wonderful when growing in a free-standing or hanging container.
I love verbena and think that it is eye appealing flower. It is relaxing to view the flowers that bloom nonstop from late spring to autumn. The flowers stop blooming when the weather changes, and gets cool/cold.
I also like that this flower because once it is established in the garden it really does well with little water. I feed with Miracle Grow bloom boost in the spring and then mix a little spray and grow in the water and feed weekly.
Oh my gosh, the plants are so healthy and the flowers are glorious. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds to my yard and all enjoy this beautiful flower.
The verbena flowers come in a variety of colors; white, pink, red coral, and violet. There are also some two-tone flowers that have a yellow center and they are really pretty. The flower is made up of flower clusters that remind me of phlox, (shape) the flower itself is smaller.It is a pretty flower but it has no fragrance.
Normally I start my annual verbena plants in the greenhouse by growing them from seed. However last year I bought lovely mature verbena plants at Lowes garden center and hung these plants in my garden. The plant's stem fell over the sides of the container and was lovely.
So you can grow verbena from seed or you can buy this plant at Walmart Lowes and online garden centers like Brecks, Springhill, or Michigan Bulb. I also found 1000 seeds by Carolina Seeds and Exotics at Amazon.com The price was fair with free shipping.