Sunflower question

Sunflower seeds don't mature here, but I love the flowers so I grow some of those big fuzzy Titanics (similar to the aptly-named Teddy Bear). Does anyone know if pinching them will stop them dead, or will it encourage side shoots?

Will make them bush out with side shoots Rosemary.
G

Rosemary, just curious - is it just the length of the growing season? I assume you've tried starting them indoors...you have a lot of experience with seedlings. I was just wondering if starting them indoors would give them time to mature outside, before frost.

Shannon

Yes, I start them indoors--they have their 3 set of leaves already (and I've pinched them, poor things!). But even so, regular sunflowers don't produce much in the way of seeds.

I can never relate to the charts that ask for the number of frost-free days. Should I count the random ones that occur in late June, July and August? The only time when we have consecutive frost-free nights is the last week of July and the first 2 weeks of August. Nights all summer *average* 45F. It gets quite hot during the day, but not hot enough to offset those cold nights. I can't grow corn, beans, tomatoes, squash, basil, garlic...the list goes on and on. Of course, I keep trying! I push the season at both ends by using agricultural fleece. If it's nice weather, on goes the fleece at night, because it probably means frost.

In May, I start my 4-month mantra "I love living here. I'm rewarded by the natural beauty. I love challenges. Losing my crop tests my mettle. I love living here." I say this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. And during June snowstorms. And when on August 15th it drops to 15F.

lolol! Well, your home sounds absolutely lovely to me. And I'm only partially romanticizing ;-). The challenges sound pretty good too.

Maybe with all the breeding advances in shorter-season veggies for northern gardeners, there will eventually be some of the ones you listed that might work at your place - notwithstanding that when they say "northern", they're probably thinking of Saskatoon :-)

I have a book called "Northern Climate Gardening". I think the furthest north is Maine.

I envy "true" northern gardeners like Weezi...at least they have lots and lots of daylight and sunshine!

And today I lost nearly 300 seedlings when I left my dog in the house by himself for a short time. He panicked and jumped up on a counter to see out the window...he weighs #110. Goodbye seedlings, seed flats and counter too!

So I have added a new line to my mantra: "I love my dog. He didn't mean it. The devil made him do it. I love my dog. He'll never do it again."

Oh, yeah????

Oh, NO!!! Bad, BAD dog. Sounds like when Donna's dog dug up her camellia...except, yours can't be fixed. I'm so sorry, Rosemary! Keep saying that mantra....

You gotta ask yourself. What was I thinking when I pleaded to the DH for a sweet little doggie to love and have as a companion....what was I thinking?

You were thinking how cute he'd be, trotting around and keeping you company...and you were right! Hope you're not throwing the doggie out with the bathwater...so to speak...lol :-)

No, I wouldn't do that. I have come to terms with this goof ball. He's young and dopey, but loveable, nontheless. He and my DH are the best of friends and I think ti would break my husband's heart if something were to happen to Buddy. And, actually, he does keep me company through the day, even if I do have to really watch him cause he is so mischievious.

Dogs will usually give their most to be with you (IMHO) Our Kayla will only act out, like getting those tasty tissues from bathroom garbage and speading them around the room, if we've left her alone for too long a time. I have to watch her tho when we're on the deck. She's so big, and the space is so cramped, that her tail often sends things falling over, or if she can't turn around well, she'll just make herself squeeze through and plants will topple then as well. I put up with her and her troubles, she's such a lovely and loving companion.

Linda

Oooh, Puppy Love. A plant is always still a plant, but a dog is a friend, or shall we say 'member of the family'.