More Organics

Today I was weeding, since it’s easier to get the root and all with the ground being damp, and really noticed lots of little things.  I share, some little, some large.

Containers Water daily, especially if in the sun.  Larger containers will hold water longer than smaller ones.  I good test is to stick your finger in the soil for the 1 inch test.  If it’s dry an inch down, water.   Garden and Lawn Gardens (of perennials) and lawns like long waterings once a week.  [...]

Through winter, while continuously gazing at seed catalogs, I ran across Penny Black, Nemophila.  Excited for something new, and knowing how intriguing a dark and white colored flowers can be, I got a packet of seeds.  Sown in early spring, the flowers are small and dainty, and the plant itself is compact and close to [...]

It’s easy to keep your head down when in a garden, especially while weeding and planting, but remember someone coming to visit your little paradise is going to look all around.  Add a trellis for a climbing rose, clematis, trumpet vine, or grape.  If that’s not in your plans, having a few hanging baskets filled [...]

Make your garden as easy as possible to maintain and help save some water by looking into drought tolerant plants for your zone.  Many of them will also be native to the area.  In Chicago, zone 5, look for these full sun prairie style staples: ornamental grasses coneflower salvia yarrow butterfly weed threadleaf coreopsis globe [...]

Lots of new color this week!

Often this time of the garden season, I get a little worried when I visit garden centers and see everything in full bloom.  I have to step back a bit and remember that each perennial plant has it’s time in the season to shine.  Right now, the peonies and iris are opening, roses are just [...]

An easy plant to keep in your garden, especially if you like randomness. It gladly reseeds and cross pollinates.  Who knows what next year’s blend will be.  They are short lived perennials, about 3-4 years.  Bloom time is late spring, early summer.  The shooting star flowers are a hummingbird favorite!  Colorado’s state flower is a [...]