Ferris Happy New Year!

Wishing you a very Happy New Gardening Year!

 

Ferris Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 2019!

Ferris loves being outside in the snowy landscape, not so much for the reindeer ears!

 

 

Winter Solstice Coming Soon - Should I Plant Indoor Seeds?

But he really doesn't mean it

As I'm writing this opening paragraph, a blog written a few years ago comes to mind about an oft repeated phrase said by my Aunt Helen on my Mother's side. 

She'd say - "never say 'you should' to someone," and I'll add, to anyone. She said that no one likes being told what to do. For the most part that is sound advice and makes practically perfect sense, maybe not so much for the kindergarten teachers of the world asking squirmy five year olds to sit still for sixty seconds. There you have it. Should we plant indoor seeds soon to be ready for the 2020 outdoor spring planting? 

The short answer is no*, it's a bit early to start indoor seeds like tomatoes, peppers, snapdragons and cleome for transplanting in the garden next spring. The rule of thumb (the 'you should' part) is to start seeds anywhere from four to twelve weeks prior to going outside before, near, or after the final spring frost - which is usually mid-May or later along the Front Range in Colorado.  

There are a couple of ways to learn about seed timing if you're new to gardening or just need a reminder. The seed packet provides the best information listing days to weeks needed for indoor growth before they're developed enough for transplanting outside in the garden or containers. Other information on the packet mentions the number of days for seeds to emerge. I pay close attention to this because some seeds take a long time for their little green tips to show, parsley comes to mind. 

Back of seed packet instructions - helpful!

There are many other resources available online that mention seed starting time frames depending on planting zone and plant type. My humble seed charts may help you too, click here.  

It's not too early to purchase seeds and indoor seed starting equipment for the next growing season. In between wrapping presents or munching another holiday treat, sketch out your spring garden.

*I'm referring to seeding the most common vegetables, herbs and ornamental annuals. Western and or Colorado native plants including flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees may require special propagation procedures, treatments and timing. There are many resources for purchasing native seeds and plants including local independent garden centers, local plant associations and special plants sales. I'll be posting to this blog the 2020 special plant sale dates soon. 

December Decorating Part II

Festive Dish Gardens:

Mixed Holiday Planting - cyclamen, peace lily, ivy, palm, kalanchoe

• The traditional holiday plants like poinsettias, cyclamen and rosemary are never out of style for the holidays - they look perfectly placed as single plants around the house or grouped and combined with houseplants to make lovely seasonal specimens. 
• How to - just like planting outdoor containers, use the tried and true rule for a mixed holiday dish - combine thriller (tall), filler (round around the middle) and spiller (edging). Or toss out the rules and let your creative juices and plant availability shine with seasonal colors of red, white and green and shades in between. Toss in variegated leafed plants to kick it up a notch.
• Use - containers that drain are always best, but don't let that prevent using a non-draining pot, place a layer of pebbles on the bottom so the roots aren't sitting in water. Use fresh potting soil and a tiny bit of slow release granular fertilizer to keep the plant or plants happy well into next year
• Once you have the container and plants place them in the container while still in their pot to see how they can be arranged. Next remove the plants from their containers and plant one at a time (I start with the middle plants). Decision time - you may have to plant more than one container with the pretty seasonal plants available. Be sure to read the plant label for watering and light information.

  

  Mixed Succulent Dish

• The short list of plants to consider for mixed containers or specimens: Norfolk Island pine, lemon cypress, anthuriums, euphorbia, arrowhead plant, ivy, silver lace fern, coleus, cyclamen, poinsettia, holly, kalanchoe, peace lily, pothos and many more. A succulent dish garden works well too, choose vibrant colors, leaf shapes and rosettes for the most impact.
• Don't forget to add pinecones or ornaments for more holiday cheer. Consider using decorative moss around the plants after watering to tie it all together.
• Keep plants away from cold windows at night.
• ENJOY!!!

  

  Miniature Red Pepper Plants 

  
  

  
  

  
  

Poinsettias:

Mixed Container - poinsettia,cyclamen, lemon cypress, palm, ivy

• This holiday go to plant was used by the Aztecs for dyes and cosmetics instead of seasonal holiday decorating - at least as far as we know! 
• Poinsettias were first introduced to the United States around 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and amateur botanist. He found this large, red-flowering bright shrub growing near roads - good eye Robert!
• He brought cuttings back to his South Carolina greenhouse, then on to Philadelphia where other nurserymen saw the plant merits. In the early 1900s The Ecke family in California took poinsettias to the next level by mastering grafting techniques for mass propagation while promoting them for growing and decorating during the Christmas season.
• There are hundreds of poinsettia varieties on the market today, colors ranging in shades of white, red, pink, burgundy, yellow and peach. Blotched, marbled, variegated and splattered markings make heads turn and wallets open. Ruffled leaves mimic rose blooms. Red is still the the mainstay and never a bad choice to bring home.  
• Poinsettias need six hours of bright, natural (not direct) light from a south, east or west facing window (not too close). Keep them from cool drafts and heat vents. They like 60 to 70 degree indoor temperatures. Colors last longer at cooler temps. Never expose them to cold outdoors to and from the garden center. I use a insulated cooler or boxes to transport home.
• Don't forget to remove the foil or poke holes for proper drainage. Water when the surface feels dry to the touch. Avoid watering too much.  Plants are not poisonous to people or pets, but the milky sap from leaves may irritate the skin.
• ENJOY!!

December Decorating Part 1

December is a busy month. What to do first? Decorating and planting are at the top of any gardener’s list. Relaxing would be nice too, try to work it in.

Decorate - Fresh Greens for Inside or Out

• During the holidays it is your choice to deck the entire house or to focus on areas like the front door, entry and main living areas. Do you go for fresh or artificial greenery, maybe a combination of the two? How about bright colors and additional live plantings that will transition into the New Year?

• For fresh greenery—garden retailers and many grocery stores sell Christmas trees, wreaths and attractive bundles of assorted greenery. Christmas tree lots often have a box of trimmed fir branch cuttings that are free for the taking, just ask first. Consider getting a permit to cut a Christmas tree, then use the branches for decorating. Click here for permitting and more information.

Greenery for Swags or Wreaths

• The key for longer lasting fresh cut greenery is regular moisture from misting and using anti-desiccant sprays (sold at garden centers) to seal the leaves and pores on the bark to hold in moisture.

• Wear gloves and do your work over a tarp - greens will be sticky and messy! When making garlands, swags or wreaths for decorating set the stems in room-temperature water for a few hours before making the display. Use a hand pruner to make diagonal cuts through the stems, and then gently crush the exposed end—this will help with water uptake. Set the stems back in the water for a few hours before assembly and decorating.

Transporting Fresh Flowers Home from the Store 

• When transporting flowers of any type - cut bouquets, seasonal plants (poinsettias, cyclamen, etc.) it is important to protect them from cold temperatures when you leave the store and the ride home in your car.

Assorted greens make a simple, pretty holiday centerpiece

• When checking out of the store or garden center ask for a double layer of paper (may still not be warm enough for sensitive plants with temperatures in the 20s and 30s). 

• For better plant protection, I bring a large, soft sided cooler (which also keeps food warm) into the store and let it warm up while shopping. A sturdy box with a plastic or makeshift cover would work too. In go the plants at check out, and once zipped or covered, they're nice and warm for the ride home. Greenery bundles aren't cold sensitive and should be fine without extra bundling.