Are you doing anything new this year?

The excitement of pre-spring is in the air! After a long winter of plotting and planning, drooling over catalogs and luscious landscape pics, and deciding where the garden budget will be spent and the work will concentrate, time to put these plans into action is upon us. I think most of us endeavor to embark on something new each spring, like adding to a collection, trying a new plant species, adding a new bed, changing annual color schemes, building and installing hardscape items, or trying seed starting for the first time, just to name a few.

My biggest new thing this year is seriously growing food plants. Over the years I've raised the standard few tomato plants, occasionally some salad greens, and even some squash, carrots, and cole crops one year. Never was very serious about it though, and have always been a fiend for blooms, so there's where my efforts typically go. Recently I've been finding bountiful produce lovely to the eye, and have decided to work further toward the cottage garden idea of growing food plants in an ornamental setting alongside blooms. I enjoy fresh produce and cooking, so its a natural next step I suppose.

This year I'm also experimenting with starting some species from seed that I've never tried, Clematis being the most exciting one to me. Also adding a few Lilies to my collection and some Dahlias to what I fear may be my next addiction.

What changes are you making? What's new with your garden in '09?

Hi Neal,

Mainly we'll be planting a lot more lettuce and Asian greens since we enjoy our own so much more than anything store bought.

Lots of new dahlias, lilies, coleus, 8 new clematis, JI's from a sweet friend, caladiums and annuals coming so some daylilies will have to relocate to the curb.

The various colored peppers look wonderful in beds with annuals and perennials - try it and you'll enjoy it.

Is the new clematis the yellow one? We've grown that one from seed in the past. It likes to scramble over shrubs.

For now I have to be content with the plants wintering on the porch and elsewhere - 131 at last count but many pots have multiple cuttings, like coleus.

I have listened to everyonesadvise about seed starting Oriental poppies and here is what I did to start seeds of four varities,
Coral Reef from Johnaas
Fancy Feathers One stop poppy shop
Royal Wedding One SPS
Princess Victoria Louise from DGer
I filled 3inch pooop pots with starting soil.
Put them in a low profile plastic storage box,
Watered the filled PP's and let stand over night for good absorb.
Plant three or four seeds per PP and gently pressed in to the soil.
Put them on shelves in the garage for a cold period, we dont start annuals here until mid April,night freezes last until mid May.
I have then covered loosly with a black plastic bag.
I'll check in three weeks to see whats going on and bring inside then for more light.
As you can see I have high hopes and in reality if only one plant makes it to the ground in May I'll be happy.
I'll cut the bottoms out of the PP's befor putting in the garden.
If anyone wants to correct my method I would be most greatfull, Its the first time I have done OP 's
These plus a fortune in other perennials will continue to be planted in the 75 foot garden.
I found red plants for the garden under my livingroom window so that small area will be finished. Although I just saw Carex with a JM that is looking mighty good.
I'm going to check them out

.

Well Neal, my biggest different thing is to grow from seed. And I'm doing some veggies to boot! I thought I might try to save some money and try some seed starting(although I have not been that successful in the past) but, so far things are springing up here. I am really looking forward to harvesting my own tomatoes. Nothing is better than a tomato from the yard!

I agree about tomatoes but don't overlook lettuce. It's so pretty with annuals and eating fresh lettuce is so delightful.

Pirl, that room is so sunny and cozy, I'd want to park it there all winter! Peppers have indeed been at the top of my list of pretty veggies. I have 15 varieties sown ( just 2 days ago), one of which is a variegated jalapeno- that one sounds particularly lovely. 2 of the Clematis I've sown have been Golden Bells types, one from a selection called 'Radar Love', and both of those have germinated. The other 3 are varieties I'm unfamiliar with from a member in New Zealand, can't recall the species off hand (will get back to you on that), but there are 2 white large flowered species and a purple, all unusual compared to those I typically see offered. Those 3 have had their warm time and have just been put in the fridg for a few weeks of cold treatment.

ge, best of luck with your Poppies! I've never had any luck with Oriental Poppies from seed, but I'm much better at seed starting these days so I should give it another go. I want pink and white ones so bad I can hardly stand it! The method you're using sounds like it should work. Do keep us posted on your progress.

venu, I just got into seed starting about 4 years ago, and before that my track record with seeds was pathetic. I've gotten into the Wintersowing method, and that has really simplified starting perennials for me. These days I'm starting a lot indoors under lights too, however a certain amount of OCD seems to be required for me to have good results. Sterilizing potting soil, using hydrogen peroxide solution to soak seeds and water seedlings, bleaching pots, etc., but after I got really serious about it and taking those extra steps I starting producing some lovely transplants.

Wow Neal, I didn't do any of those extra things. I hate to say this, but I threw the seeds into the cell packs and stuck them in the front window. I had more to sow, so I pulled the light out of the attic and did another 144 seeds. I can say that I have had close to 95% germination. At this point, I'm only waiting on the hot peppers to show.

Hpoefully, we'll be chowing down this summer ^_^

I will let you know how this method works.
I'll also post on the poppy forum where I expected some poppy experts but only found one with a track record but who lives in the south.
I extrapolated their methos which seemed to give the seeds a cold period.
Other advise from Poppiers was for the annual varieties.
If this works or doesnt it's no matter.I probably wont be a seed grower, too much time- not enough room.

ge, I recommend checking out the Wintersowing forum sometime:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/coldsow/all/

It only requires space outside, and only the time sowing them- just sow them, plop them outside, and let nature take care of the rest! I call it seed starting for dummies- that's what it was for me, LOL.

I went to the Wintersowing forum and was roundly chastized for calling my somniferum sowing ,winter sowing. They showed me post after post of "Real" wintersow.
I guess my sowing of my annual poppies is called "Direct sowing"
Are you talking about outside sowing of annuals?
or perennial OP's?
If I put my poop pots outside now ,without the plastic tray will they be ok in the constant freezing we get?
I think you were the DGer whose advise seemed reasonable in light of where I live in z6a

This message was edited Mar 6, 2009 7:00 AM

I did the same thing when I first heard the term wintersowing- figured that was any form of winter seed sowing. I direct sow annual poppies these days, but when I first started with them and had fewer seeds to work with, the WS method worked well. Yes, putting the pots outside with some kind of vented covering will work. I did that one year with annual Lupins and Larkspur, neither of which like to be transplanted. I put all the pots in a crate (for drainage), and wrapped the crate in clear plastic (a paint drop cloth) with slits in the top. The peat/cow pots need to be watched more closely for moisture than other containers, but they worked well for me. The freezes and thaws are helpful to seeds that need cold stratification. I've heard from others they've had good results using the WS method with OPs. I use the WS method for perennials, biennials, and hardy annuals. For more frost sensitive annuals, like Zinnias, Tithonia, Sunflowers, and Marigolds, I use the same method, but wait till mid March to sow them. The only ones I start inside are the slow pokes that need more time and warmth to mature enough to set out.

This message was edited Mar 6, 2009 7:40 AM

Sage advise lol

I plan on planting more greens. I grow them winters in the house, along with sprouts and the kids love them. Sure beats iceberg lettuce. I love the dark red leaf lettuces.

My biggest quandry this year is where to make a new bed to line out my irises. All my irises now are in regular garden beds, along with other plants, shrubs and trees. To me the lined out ones are not going to look as nice, although some people like beds of just irises. But I need to have them close by to be able to water them well. And I need to line them out to make it easier for sales. Russ is thinking making it around a small courtyard might look pretty. Would give me someplace to sit when I'm tired of digging, too.

That sounds beautiful Polly.
Does "line out" mean you plant them in rows?
Are these TBI's? or Siberians and JI's

Polly, that is a challenge, making it a production bed, but also nicely designed since it will be close to your living space. A round or at least irregularly shaped bed will take away the lined out look, good idea! I really like the court yard idea. Do you think you'll use some annuals or other plants around them? Hmmm...do you grow Callas? They like the same conditions as JIs, and I've found them to be winter hardy. I just happened to think how nice they would look with the tall swords of JI foliage, and provide summer blooms.

This is what I will be doing today along with my grand daughter.
The sun was hardly up when I looked out the window and saw this. Couldt believe the little BA----RDS did it. She must have been at a party last night.
there were two 288ct. boxes of plastic spoons and forks on her car.
She graduates HS in June that will end it I hope.
At least they didnt do the traditional Lawnjob w/ cars.

This message was edited Mar 7, 2009 7:13 AM

Jo Ann - when you say "traditional job", do you mean when they use their cars to drive across lawns? In the past we've had it happen here and it's a heartache. It took Jack two days to haul in soil to fill the rut, then plant seed, etc. Of course, as bad luck would have it, the whole thing happened over his birthday weekend.

Thats the tradition I meant. The neighbor across the street had an entire circle done at thanksgiving while the ground was soft,they went round twice.
Just a bunch of clueless kids.

It's a nightmare to fix. I can't help wondering, when these kids grow up, if they look back and laugh. I also wonder how they'll feel when the new group of teens do it to their own property. What comes round goes round.

Its just a bother from useless twitts who dont care that the older generation would rather do something else on a satuerday than pick up plastic ware.

Is there a reason why DGD can't pick up the plastic?

She will when she comes home from working with her father.
They go off together Sat and Sunday to tune pipe organs and work in the shop.She's pretty responsable.

Jo Ann, yes that means lining them out in rows. And they will be siberians, JIs and species and species crosses. And all the metal tags to show who they are. Since they all like the same conditions, I can do JIs here, and siberians there, though, so something in each area should be blooming all during the iris season.

Neal, yes it is going to be hard to make it look nice. We went around the property to begin with, making beds at the outside. Because of that, this one has to be more towards the house. I can put annuals in there, and I already have groundcover geraniums, like Biokovo to put in. Callas don't come back here. I have looked at Schreiners, and they have perennials interspersed in their beds, but that would really clash with the borders I already have.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

I think a small courtyard right in the middle maybe will signify it's something different, and will not make it look so out of place.?

I expect to end up with well over 5000 irises in there (ultimately). 500 different ones, and at least 10 of each.

Oh, Jo Ann, what a mess. Sorry to hear that. Any dea who did it? If so, ge them over to help, and involve the parents.

I have never had anyone drive on the lawn, how horrible that would be!

The worst they ever did here was toilet paper the trees. Looked kind of neat, actually.

We escaped the toilet paper dit.
Its just thoughtless twitts.
GD will pick up after she comes home from her job.

I think the courtyard idea will indeed obscure the fact that its a production bed. Perhaps some well placed containers at the entrance or near the sitting spot, and/or an arched arbor to walk through. Love the idea of the hardy geraniums around their ankles.

I think an arbor in the center of the courtyard would help, Neal. Thanks. I could do a few fancy containers, too. Great ideas.

No matter what I do, with those metal tags it will still look like a production bed, but much more pleasing than just rows upon rows with nothing else there.

Just the fact that its a departure from the regimental rows of plants is statement enough.
Gemini Sage is right containers added will complete the idea.
It will definatly say "this is a iris garden"
Hope there are going to be pictures when its in bloom.

It will definitely say this is an iris garden. Of course, I could make a sign that says that, just in case. I like that.

this IS an iris garden

I will post pictures. Won't be much blooming this year in it, as they will be newly divided, and as I have to get pictures of the irises before I divide for the web site. Pirl liked the iris pictures I did with the hydrangeas in the background, so I plan to do all of them like that, to get some synchronicity.

I'm hoping it will have pine needle mulch. My favorite nursery promised to get it for me. Have you seen any in the Rochester area, Jo Ann? It comes in bags and bales.

I plan to go to Bristols to order 2 yards of mulch for my new garden expansion. Hope their pile is thawed.
I'll ask then.
HD is in another week for potting soil,rebar, and sand.I'll check there too altho I doubt it.

I doubt HD has it, but if you would ask at Bristols I would appreciate it. I do love Bristols. It's called pine needle, or pine straw mulch, not the pine bark one.

Thanks for the clearity. I plan to go next week.