Annual Flower Beds


I really want to do gazanias again this year in the sunny portion of that bed so plan to go back to the market this weekend (one of the farmers thought they would be able to bring me a flat of them if they were ready).... Last year we got so many compliments on the bed out front- lot's of people walk our street and they always enjoy the flowers.

...I am not sure if we will start pansies from seed next year or not, the ones at the market look so great and are always further along than ours that it's almost easier to support the greenhouse growers for those rather than take up space under our lights.

The flower planting began this week and this is the part Kelly enjoys the most. Actually, a few weeks ago I planted pansies in some planters that sit out front on the steps. We bought a flat of pansies from the St Paul Farmers Market for $16. We find the farmers market to be the best place to buy our annuals for numerous reasons. One, we are supporting local growers. Two, their plants look great and are well taken care of. Three, their prices are great and it's fun to shop around the market for the variety. Most paks go for about $1.50 and there is always the option of buying a flat for a reduced rate. So the pansies have been in for about 3 weeks now and are thriving, I deadheaded them for the first time this evening.

Yesterday I seeded in flowers in the bed against our garage which gets some sun, but not a ton. I seeded in 2 rows of zinnias, a half row of sweet pea (older seed) and then I planted about 20 of the snapdragons that we started in the basement from seed. The snaps had grown quite lanky and didn't have that great of a stem yet, so I planted them down quite deep. At this point they are slightly shocked and lying on their sides, but should come around as they get used to being outside. I also seeded some allyssum along the front of the bed. We will watch it closely for germination. It rained quite hard last night so some of the allyssum seed could have washed away but I think I put it on thick enough that we should get some to work.

I partially planted the retaining wall bed out front along the street this evening. Last weekend I went to the farmers market to buy some annuals for that area. I bought impatiens, salvia and moss roses. I really want to do gazanias again this year in the sunny portion of that bed so plan to go back to the market this weekend (one of the farmers thought they would be able to bring me a flat of them if they were ready). So today I just planted both ends of the beds, impatiens and salvia in the shady end, and then on the edges of the sunny portion I put the moss roses. The moss roses really flourished in this bed last year and we are hoping for the same success again this year. After this weekend if I don't find the gazanias somewhere (if I don't get them from the market I may check Linders) I will have to decide what other sun loving annual to put in that is catching to the eye. Last year we got so many compliments on the bed out front- lot's of people walk our street and they always enjoy the flowers.

We have a few snaps left over from the ones we started in the basement to find a home for and some of the pansies that we started. We did not have as much success with starting the pansies from seed this year. A lot of them never germinated and then those that did we had quite a few die off. We may have left the top on the flat too long while it was in the porch. They almost look like they got sunburnt too- turned brown and shriveled. I am not sure if we will start pansies from seed next year or not, the ones at the market look so great and are always further along than ours that it's almost easier to support the greenhouse growers for those rather than take up space under our lights.

Stay tuned for the completion of the retaining wall bed out front- the gazania saga continues!

Posted: Thu - May 27, 2004 at 09:35 PM        

©