I already have a flower bed in my yard and want to plant flowers. What do I do?

The flower bed is just filled up with dirt, weeds, and little pcs of rock. First I need to clean it out I guess but do I use the dirt that's already in there or do put soil down? If you want to know, I live in Charlotte, NC (Zone 7). I want to plant perennial flowers. I'm new to gardening and want to know how prepare the flower bed, what type of soil I need (if necessary) and any tips on types of flowers to plant. Thanks alot!

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersStart by amending the soil.


Soil by analogy: As we require food to support us so do plants. Our digestive system works to break down dinner to supply the basic units that will become us structurally, and provide energy, so soil acts to feed plants. Soil requires a steady supply of organic mater to support the worms and micro-organisms, which digest the organics into available plant nutrients. Then just as we take vitamins to complement our diet we can give plants trace minerals and other supplements but these are no substitute for the staple of organic matter to feed the plants. Balance and moderation are key.


You can do a visual soil survey by digging a small hole. First look at the hole and take some soil in hand. Check your soil's texture by picking up a handful and squeeze gently: If it feels sticky and stays in a tight mass, your soil is likely too high in clay. If it feels harsh or gritty and won't hold any shape or crumbles it is likely too high in sand. If it feels smooth or floury and won't hold any shape, it's likely too high in silt. If it molds into your hand yet crumbles apart when squeezed, it has the perfect texture. It is loam.


If it formed a sticky ball try to squeeze it upward to form a ribbon. Measure the length of the ribbon. Now wet the soil in your palm til muddy. Rub the soil against your palm with your other fingertips. Is it smooth, gritty or both?


1” gritty ribbon is sandy loam


1” smooth ribbon is silty loam


1” both is loam


1-2” gritty ribbon is sandy clay loam


1-2” smooth ribbon is silty clay loam


1-2” both is clay loam


GT 2” gritty ribbon is sandy clay


GT 2” smooth ribbon is silty clay


GT 2” both is clay











Amounts and Specifications: To make a significant change in your garden soil, an amendment must equal at least one-third of the volume of the soil you are amending.





For clay soils: the goal is to improve soil aggregation, increase porosity and permeability, and improve aeration and drainage. For example, to amend a garden to a depth of 1 foot, you need to add one-third of a foot (4 inches) of material.


*3 to 6 inches of organic material dug in 9 to 18 inches


*Perlite or pumice 5-25% of amendment


*Coarse sand 5-25% of amendment





For sandy soils: the goal is to increase the soil's ability to hold moisture and store nutrients.


*4 to 8 inches of organic material dug in 12 to 24 inches


*Vermiculite 5-25% of amendment








For both soils:


*Fertilizer - the type and amount of fertilizer to use CAN be determined by a soil test. Fertilizer comes in various forms (pellets, powder, liquid) and many nutrient ratios. If you add all the organics suggested above you can suppose a balanced organic like Whitney Farm rose and flower food 4-6-2 will be enough.





Design pointers for making garden pictures





Don't create fruit salad -- Without a focal point, there is nothing upon which your eye can rest. I suggest taking a black-and-white photo of the garden, because this lets you see form instead of color. It will be easier then to discover where you need to include an important feature. Take pictures as if from the house and towards favorite views. No favorites, then with an eye to creating a vista within your garden.





Use a strong evergreen element for year-round interest -- Outside the family room window, try copper or colorful clay pots to represent the "evergreen" element, and the seasonal plantings around them become "moments of glory." Evergreens can include ground covers like Acaena inermis, conifers that never reach 3 feet tall, or a trellis displaying a winter clematis as backdrop. Try an evergreen rhododendron, with hydrangea and seasonal bulbs like tulips, then allium and calla lilies.





Think in threes -- Each plant combination should use these three attributes: vertical, round and spiky. The contrast adds interest to even the smallest garden. Vertical can be the tall Daffodil arising from a bed of Wall Rock Cress with the daffodils orange center matched to the mounding primroses color. The tall waving lines of Feather Reed grass 'Overdam, with Heuchera 'Pewter Vail', and the round solidity of Bergenia.





Play to your strengths -- Choose plants with which you enjoy working. Intermingle plants with scented foliage to ambush you with their presence while simply weeding among them. Choose a play of color that reminds you of a favorite place. Cool blues to greens or flamboyant golds and oranges, vary the shape but stick with a color. Yucca 'Gold Sword' with Coleus 'Pineapple Queen' or Hakone grass with Hosta 'Sun Power'.





Be as organic as possible -- Lots of compost and thoughtful choice and placement are keys to organic gardening. "This is your chance to protect a small part of our planet."





Imagine looking out at the winter garden. Remember, the entire mood changes with the season. As the large vine maple (Acer circinatum) outside the window unfurls its leaves, the room takes on a decidedly spring green feel, while autumn turns the room warm with tones of orange and red.





Questions to ask yourself


Is a particular style of garden desired? Formal, informal, scented, night flowering for evening use, cottage style for growing herbs or vegetables as well as flowers?


What time of day is your garden most used, and by whom?


Will it be used year round or on summer weekends only?


How much time and energy will be available for maintenance?


Is there a particular view or landscape feature you like?


Is it visible from the house while seated?


Is it visible from a possible bench site in the garden?


Do you like what your windows frame?





To choose the right plant for the right place visit your local gardens. Lucky you to live in a state with such a choice of botanical gardens. The North Carolina Botanical Garden is one of the finest in the country and they have lists of plants. The Garden Club of North Carolina %26amp; the botanical garden cosponsor North Carolina Wildflower of the Year program as well as sponsoring many garden talks. It is well over an hours drive from you but would be worth the trip.


http://www.ncbg.unc.edu/


But you have three much closer to visit; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden http://www.dsbg.org/index.php


UNC-Charlotte Botanical Garden,


and Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary


248 Ridgewood Avenue (off Selwyn Avenue)


Charlotte, NC 28209-1632


704-331-0664
Reply:you know seeds? ok well you put them in the ground.... yay!
Reply:First you have to do is take the weeds out then level the dirt to your liking. You don't need to take out the little rocks, you can even put them on top of the dirt to be part of the garden itself. You don't even need to put a new top soil you can use the existing dirt.





Second, you go about and pick the flowers you like. At zone 7 you have a lot of choices for perennials. Check its instructions if it fits your garden location.





Lastly, as a starter gardener you can check this site and decide for yourself what methods you'll use. (www.squarefootgardening.com). good luck.
Reply:Take care of existing weeds first. Then you can either use the dirt that's there, or go get bags of garden soil (organic if you can) to top dress the soil with. Go to the local nursery for your plants, they can help pick out what you want. When planting, put the tallest growers in the back, shortest in the front. Mulch the beds to keep weeds at a minimum, and water daily until the plants are established and you can cut back. You can jazz it up by mixing in annuals for seasonal colors and variety. If you have a bed close to the house, intersperse cooking herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary, and whatever else you want for fresh herbs all summer...remove flowers as they appear and at the end of the summer you can dry the rest for fresh dried organic herbs during the winter.
Reply:Clean out the garden of weeds and rocks. Then, dig small holes where you want the flowers and mix regular dirt with some topsoil. Then, put some of the mixture down, put the seed in, and cover it with the rest of the topsoil. If you don't want a seed, just use a pre-done flower. Your local flower shop manager should be able to help you choose which flowers.





Make sure your flower garden is watered regularly stays weed-free!
Reply:You didn't say how large of a bed you had. I would remove as many weeds as possible. Spread several bags of pine bark mulch over the area. Till and mix well with the soil. Wait a week or so and till again to remove any weeds you may have missed. Plant your flowers in the usual way. If you are using potted plants, apply root stimulator at the time of planting (available at your garden center). Carefully and lightly cultivate between plants with a hoe or rake periodically to keep weeds down.Shoes

My poted plants are producing leaves and flowers on one side of the pot only. how do i get more uniformed grow

sun all around , not just one side so its perplexing

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersTurn your pot anyway. One side is getting more sun than the other.loan

What causes squash plants to grow HUGE, and have many flowers but never produce any squash?

We planted a garden and the yellow squash plants took over! But every time we thought there would be squash....Nope!

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersKeep waiting trust me! Mines just started last week making squash. I live in Virginia. But the person talking about pollination is also right. Pollen needs to be transfered from the male to the female flower!
Reply:Excessive fertilization for the size and heat for the no fruit. Many varieties of squash will only produce male flowers if the temperature is above 90 F. This is especially true with zuchini types.
Reply:Sounds like they aren't being pollenated. There are male and female flowers. The male will be a more slender stalk without a bulge at the base. You can pollenate them youself when the bees are not. Use a small artist paint brush when the flowers are open.
Reply:pollination,, no worry , pick the flowers while somewhat small, batter and deep fry,, they are yummy
Reply:The wrong kind of fertilizer.


There are three numbers on a fertilizer bag.


One feeds flowers/fruit, another feeds foliage, the third feeds everything.


Buy tomato plant fertilizer, it's made to feeed fruit/flowers. And depending on where you live, you might be just a little early yet.
Reply:Honestly I don't know but Squash are like Pumpkins, they have a male flower and a female flower, only the female flower get a fruit on it, sounds like yours are all male flowers.puppy teeth

My rose plants are not blooming with flowers. what to apply?

If buds but no flowers or slow feeble blooms could be aphids examine the buds to tell , the ants tend to raise them like cattle.





Repeatedly washing them off with the spray of the hose will keep the ants busy. think ladybugs might eat them too.





Ob1

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy Flowersweekly once break an whole egg and pour it under the soil near the root.As i have experienced try this.
Reply:horse pooh
Reply:The rose plant is not getting enough sun. Roses need at least 6 hours of direct sun a day to perform well. 2. The rose needs more water. Roses like at least an inch of water per week during the growing season. 3. The plant has been given too much fertilizer, especially Nitrogen. Too much fertilizer can either damage the plant or cause it to grow extra leaves and stems at the expense of blooms. 4. The rose is a new plant. Don't expect too much from a plant during its first year. 5. Rose is a once blooming variety. This means it will bloom only once a year in the late spring or early summer. 6. Soil pH is too low or too high. If the pH is not in the range of 6.0 to 6.8 (ideally 6.5) then nutrient uptake will be reduced, and the plant won't be getting the food it needs to produce flowers. 7. Not enough foliage. If the bush doesn't have adequate foliage, it can't produce the food it needs to make new flowers. Inadequate foliage may result from disease or too little fertilizer.


edit


How much sun do roses need?





Roses prefer a full day of sun. Give roses at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. Morning sun is especially important because it dries the leaves which helps prevent disease.





Most roses do poorly in shade. Plants bloom less, are leggy, and are more likely to get diseases.


edit


Which roses can be grown in shade?





Many Hybrid Musks and some Albas can tolerate partial shade. A few other varieties including the Floribunda "Gruss An Aachen" can be planted in partial shade.





Some other roses that may grow in partial shade are the Rugosas, Iceberg(FB), Zephirine Drouhin (Bourbon), Souvenir du Docteur Jamain(HP) and Madame Plantier.





for more related questions visit this


http://www.wikifaq.com/Rose_Care_FAQs


hope this helps
Reply:epsom salt
Reply:May sound strange, but it works. Use bananna peels. Eat the bananna first of all. And just put it on the ground up next to the stem or stock. Roses love banannas!





They will even get fuller and bloom more flowers
Reply:They need good sunlight, heavy pruning and spray them to protect them from insectsReebok

Zuchinni plant flowers?

I have a zuchinni plant. The flowers started blooming, they are HUGE and yellow.In the morning I see the bloomed ones, but when I get home in the afternoon they are shriveled and closed, but the inside pollen fuzz thing is still intact. Are they supposed to close?

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersNormal, and they're probably males. The female blossoms start afterwards.
Reply:Yes. The flowers come right before the zucchini. If you pay attention, you'll see that a zucchini grows where each flower was. I noticed that the flowers love the morning sun and then close later in the afternoon and at night. These flowers don't last long. Before too long, they will shrivel up for good and fall off. A little while after that, zucchini starts to grow.
Reply:Yes this is were the zucchini grows from. The flower closes and shrivels and then you will soon see your zucchini forming.
Reply:yup. they stay open for a nice sunny day and hopefully will have been pollinated bu the end of the day so you'll get a beautiful vegetable.


tomorrow there will be lots more blooms.


actually some people pick the blooms in the morning and cook them. apparently they are quite delish when fried.
Reply:Yes! It is great you have blooms this means you are doing everything right. The bloom is supposed to close, if you leave it on, it will develop into a zucchini. If you see many blooms, you may want to remove some so that you end up with some large zucchini, that way the plant will not continue to put all of its energy into producing flowers, but will put its energy into growing the fruit. You will have to decide how many zucchini you want! Have fun, it is really exciting to watch them grow.
Reply:Yes, they close, dry up and fall off. Don't pick at them because that "pollen fuzz thing" is supposed to develop into the zucchini.





The Museloan

How do plants (such as trees and flowers) adapt to the environment?

Plants and trees give oxygen. They help us because if we have no oxygen, we would die! That's why it's important to our environment.

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy Flowersi can give u the genetic answer of environs and genes, why one plant may grow in saline or acidic conditions and why those with large genomes, like the giant redwood r so resticted, but i suspect u need pattie labelles 'if only u knew' -hw much i luv u... vs. jerry butlers 'find urslf anthr grl'... who would love u true true true' is what ur aftr.
Reply:Adaptation of plants to the environment is a long evolutionary process. It is found that the plants which are adapted themselves to different habitats survive better in that habitats. Plants in general get adapted to the environment. ( Your question says trees and flowers, I could not understand why you have specified this.)


There are three classes of plants based on three different habitats.


1. Plants growing in aquatic conditions


2. Plants growing in normal conditions


3.Plants growing in desert conditions





Depending upon the habitats, plants have different mechanisms which cannot be explained in detail at this forum as the answer will be tooooooo long.c++

Is it too late to plant flowers in Virginia? If not, what kind should I plant?

I just bought a house %26amp; we close on Monday!!!!!! In the front yard there is a few spots that have like dying or dead long bush looking things. Anyways, I wanted to add some color with flowers and I was wondering if it is too late in the season to plant flowers in Northern VA?? If its not, what is the best kind to get that will grow? Should I get the kind that are already bloomed %26amp; just plant those? Should I get seeds? Should I get the lil mats with the seeds? Plz help - I have no clue about any of this stuff!

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersIt's not too late to plant flowers.


First you need to know how much sunlight that your front yard get and find the plant that will grow there.





Annuals from seeds usually takes 3-4 months to bloom, some seeds are easy to grow like: Marigold, Zinnia, Cosmos, Coleus, Impatiens. Don't buy the mats with seeds, good in theory but not in reality.





If you want to buy plants, you can try Hydrangea (blue flowers in acid soil, pink flowers in alkaline soil), Daylilies (potted from nursery) comes in many colors not just orange, red, yellow.





Bulbs like Asiatic and Oriental Lilies are easy to grow, you can plant to fill in bare spots cause they don't take a lot of space. Gladiolus also very pretty with alot of bicolors.





Happy Gardening.
Reply:I haven't bought my annuals yet and I'm in NVA too. It might be a little late to get them going from seed, but the stores and garden centers are full of them ready to plant.





Impatiens do really well, as do marigolds, petunias and a ton of others.





Congrats on the house, and have fun with it.
Reply:Another Virginian here! I planted flowers just last weekend. If you want small flowers it's not to late to plant seeds. If you nick the seeds with a knife or razor and then soak them in HOT water (faucet, not stove) for a few hours, it cuts the germination time in half! Lilies are also great. There are tons of colors to choose from. I always plant mine closer together than they say to because I like them thick. I planted my Lily bulbs last weekend and they should be up between June and August. I rec. putting in fertilizer with the bulbs when you plant them. Get the timed release kind that releases fertilizer for 2-3 months. That will help make sure they are properly fertilized while they are first starting out. Good Luck and Congrats!yahoo finance

What flowers should I plant?

Ok... i have 2 small children , but want to plant flowers, for curb appeal for the house, when we try to sell it. I know NOTHING about planting please help me, what are the easiest to maintain? I already have mulch in my front yard, will this not help them grow??

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy Flowersi sujest impatients because, it is very easy to maintain, just water them 1-2 every two days. they also come in many diffrent colours and are very pretty. plus they are very cheap! about 59cents or less per basket (which contains 4 flower bunches).





wish u best of luck. ttyl :D
Reply:Crocuses, Impatiens, Bachelor Buttons, Tulips, And I heard there's this new Roll and Grow thing you can get on TV, it's like Fabric, you roll it out, water it, and it grows like 50000 flowers.
Reply:i like lavender.
Reply:plant hostas to come back year after year and you can split them after a couple of years so you get more plants for nothing. they are hardy. Then throw in color the beganning of each year with flats of annuals from your local home improvment place. They are hardy and give color all spring summer and fall. It is fun for the kids to watch them grow when they help plant them. scoot the dirt out of the way with your first two fingers (almost perfect for depth) then push on the bottom of the plastic flats to pop them out pu them in the hole push the dirt around a little andwater well the first time. Really easy.visual arts

What flowers should I plant in a small backyard?

This is the first time that I've ever had my own house to decorate, and I'm really excited to plant flowers/garden, etc. However, my backyard is really small. Any ideas of how I can have pretty flowers in my backyard but still have enough room to have people over for a barbecue?

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersTake the measurements of your back yard. Decide where you want your entertaining area to be, allow enough room for people to walk around the table and chairs and anything else you might have, like a BBQ. Then try to picture what you would like to see from that viewpoint, also from any windows in the house. I have noticed that people with small yards usually make gardens around the perimeter of the yard and leave the center open. Make the garden edges with some shape to them, they do not have to be straight edges. Flowers depend on the zone that you are in and then pick your favorites and also plant different ones that bloom at different times, that way you will always have a colorful display. I always recommend perennials(they come back every year). You can have a few annuals here and there or in some planters. Don't be shy let your imagination go, gardening is fun and very relaxing. Add a bird bath or water feature, bird feeders, hummingbird feeder. A few lights, the list is endless. Have fun!
Reply:Tulips, roses, lilies, dafiodales, anything bright.
Reply:Use your Web Search and enter: Sunset Western Garden Book. Go through the search results and pick your winner. This book is one of THE essential reference sources for LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS, PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE, NURSERY OPERATORS, AND SERIOUS GARDENERS. It is written specifically for you and designed to answer your question.
Reply:There's never an easy answer.


Often the best looking flowers are short-term annuals. You get flowers for a short period and then you dig-up and throw the old plant away.


My suggestion, get yourself some nice pots that fit in your decor. Then buy some flowering plants that you like and just be prepared to toss them when they are spent.


If you want long term, most heirloom-type minature roses are low care and will bloom all season long (and often last a hundred years). You will need to water more often in a container.
Reply:Do you have full sun or full shade?


Lay a hose on the ground to see what kind of design you like for a flower bed. Go to the local nursery and ask what grows best in your area.
Reply:It really depends on where you live and what kind of weather you have. There are all kinds of flowers out there that you can find. Just go by what zone your in and if your in shade or in the sun.





On trying to have room for BB-Q's......that's easy. Just put your flowers in pots, that way you can move them around to make more room. Maybe make flower beds around the border of your property or your fence line with a nice border.





If you have a patio, put your pots and larger container of flowers on and around that, that way you can move them around. If you have any trees or a covered patio, make hanging baskets. To make hanging baskets, you can add all kinds of different flowers together, flowers that you normally wouldn't think would go together and it'll look great.





Anyway, good luck.....I remember when I got my first yard.....how exciting that is. I love flowers and I can spend hours and days planning on how to decorate my yard. LOLmakeup tips

Can i plant flowers in late may & expect them to grow through winter & into spring?

I've already planted 'Alyssum' but was wondering... will 'Heartsease', 'Marigold', 'Snapdragons', 'Ageratum', 'shadeof white' %26amp; 'calendula' grow %26amp; bloom at this time? And what other flowers can i plant? Also, will 'pumpkins' (not squash) grow through winter as well? cuz im doing a vege garden!


thnx :)xx

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersI think in large measure your answer might depend on your location/ZONE. Certainly a decent garden shop, local, will best advise what to grow, when best to plant, gestation/germination of seed, what best to plant as juvenile plants as opposed to seed, and what temps anything has a tolerance for.





No matter what you plant, unless you happen to be in a place like here in Florida, there will be months of dormancy, which does occur here as well. Perhaps a better question to ask at a garden center is, "What can I plant now, and will it SURVIVE a winter?"





Steven Wolf


Just my two "sense"
Reply:Annuals will last the season.


Bi-annuals flower in the second year.


Perennials come up year after year.


Some of the Hardy perennials, i.e.Pelegoniums, will flower on through a mild autumn and stay green through a mild winter.books authors

When to plant flowers?

It's March 16th and the weather here in rocky north west Arkansas has warmed up and plans to stay fairly warm for now. I was looking for a list of flowers that would be good to plant in spring/summer for a teenage that are fairly low-mantinence and when to plant them.

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy Flowerswait till about the last week of march. if it's warm go have fun planting plants. if its cold wait till the next day.


(i live up the northern part of new york so i would know. march or first/second week of april is the best time)
Reply:Its best to consult a nursery. All plant grow in different weather and conditions. Make sure you have the proper soil and how much water to give your plants. You must also factor in how much sun the area you are wanting to plant your flower in gets. It's best to consult a nursery because of all the various factors. Good luck!
Reply:Watch the TV weather channel and don't plant until the nights are in the high 60's.....68 to 70 degrees is a nice range. The soil needs to be warm for seeds. Keep them moist until they are about two or three inches tall.





Have your teenager watch the sun and shade areas. They will need shade flowers for the shaded areas, and a different type of flowers for the sun. Flowers for the sun areas need at least 5 to 6 hours of sun.





Perennial flowers come back each year.





Annual flowers are planted each year. Some annuals re-seed themselves. Annuals are bright and cheerful and lighten up dark spots in a garden.





Send for free catalogs to see what is liked:





http://www.parkseed.com


http://www.burpee.commake up

I wanna plant flowers?

Ok i wanna plant something nice like flowers (because i dont have anything better to do). But i dont know how to. Like the humid for that certain type of flower etc. Anyone's expert in this? Give me a help or tips? Thanks =)

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy Flowersbest thing to do is to ask the flower shop
Reply:Find a nice place of soil to plant them. Plant the seed the right way up. give them a lot of sunlight and water.water them often and wallah u have some Flowers enjoy
Reply:How to Grow Forget-Me-Not





Biennials, Perennials, Boraginacae





For coveted garden coolness, forget-me-not cannot be beat. And the tiny, true blue flowers with yellow centers are so lovely, blooming above hairy leaves and stems! Colors include blue, white, and pink.





Forget-Me-Nots make a wonderful carpet or ground cover under taller plants or small deciduous trees, and looks best planted in large "pools" or masses.





Send or give Forget-Me-Nots as a sign of true love or friendship.








--------------------------------------...





Propagation:





Forget-Me-Not are started from seed. Directly seed Forget-Me-Nots into your flower garden after all danger of frost. Or, for earlier blooms, start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost in your area.





Sow seeds after all danger of frost. Cover lightly with 1/8" of garden soil. Space them 4-5 inches apart and thin seedlings to 10" apart.





Perennial Forget-Me-Nots can be propagated by separating clumps of established plants.











--------------------------------------...





How to Grow Forget-Me-Not:





Forget-Me-Nots are easy to grow. They will bloom profusely in shady areas and do not require a lot of attention. They prefer shade, but will do well in sun, too. They grow well in average soils but the soil should be kept moist.





Add a general purpose fertilizer once or twice a season.





They may need mulching for winter protection in northern areas, or grow them as a biennial.











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Insect and Disease:





Insects and disease are not too common. If problems arise, treat early with insecticides or fungicides as appropriate.














Tulips, the King of Bulbs











No doubt about it. Everybody loves 'em. That's why most homeowners grow at least a few of these attractive, easy to grow bulbs that herald the arrival of spring.





Everyone knows that tulips bloom in abundance in the spring. Every gardener, except perhaps the novice gardener, knows that spring blooming tulips must be planted in the Fall.





Did you know? There are early, mid, and late blooming varieties of tulips. Make sure you consider this when planting your bulbs. You do want a continuous bloom in the spring, don't you!?





Tulips come in a huge variety of bright colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, black, purple , orange, bicolors, and more. There are a profusion of mixed colors to select from, too. The true tulip grower creates a work of art in planting the tulip bed. Some tulip beds are truely a masterpiece, only limited by your imagination.





Size does matter! And in the world of tulips, it's all measured in the circumference of the bulb. This is where the energy is stored for next year's bloom. The bigger the bulb (in circumference), the bigger the bloom. So, when you buy tulip bulbs at discount stores, chances are your are getting what you pay for. If you want the biggest, best blooms, look for quality, name brand bulbs.





Tip: After blooming, let the plant continue to grow until it dies off. During the post bloom period, the plant is sending energy to the bulb to store for use next spring.








The Origin of Tulips Everybody knows that tulips come from Holland, right!? ....wrong. Actually, Tulips are native to Central Asia and Turkey. In the 16th Century they were brought to Holland from Turkey, and quickly became widely popular. They became so wildly popular, that "Tulipmania" occurred in Holland in the 17th century. People traded tulip bulbs for literally a fortune. More on Tulipmania.





Tulips are cultivated in Holland in great numbers ,and in huge fields. Today Dutch bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, are exported around the world.





Like other bulbs, Tulips should be stored in a cool, well ventilated area. The garage in summer is definitely not the place to keep tulip bulbs. Many an inexperienced gardener has pulled up bulbs, and kept them in the garage until fall planting, only to find, dried up bulbs a few months later.











--------------------------------------...


Forcing Tulips


Tulips can be forced to bloom indoors winter months. When you buy bulbs in the fall, save a few to try this fun and easy indoor garden activity. A few bulbs are planted in a flower pot. The pot is then "chilled" or set in the cold for a few weeks. After a few weeks, the pot is brought indoors, and Voila, the tulips will grow and bloom indoors.














How to Grow Sunflower











Some folk see a Sunflower as a flower. Others see it as a vegetable. It is of course both, a beautiful flower and a great vegetable! Healthy, nutritious and attractive, Sunflowers have it all. That is probably why sunflowers have spread from their native home in North America, and are grown around the world!





As homeowners, we adorn our yards and gardens with our choice of dozens of sizes and varieties. We use it to attract birds to our homes. We also enjoy eating the seeds. They are high in protein. Sunflowers are popular as a cooking oil, too.





Sunflowers are also great for kids. The seeds are big and easy to handle, and they require minimal attention. Kids like to grow big things, so a sunflower fits the bill. The end product is not only eye appealing, but makes a great snack. We put Sunflowers, along with pumpkins, as the top two plants for kids to grow.








Did you know?: Sunflowers can grow over 20 feet tall, and their blooms over two feet in diameter? Fall festivals often include competition for the tallest sunflower. Giant Sunflower competitions are a regular at most giant pumpkin weigh-offs.











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Varieties:








Sunflowers are basically separated by size. The giant varieties growing over ten feet. Regular sunflowers typically grow from six to ten feet. Miniatures are gaining in popularity as borders. They are very prevalent in Asia and grow two to four feet.





Some varieties of sunflowers have one big head or flower. They are usually the giant varieties. Other large headed varieties, have a few much smaller heads form on lower branches. Some varieties have multiple heads. These are typically mid sized sunflowers, and are perfect for flower gardens in attracting birds.





Seeds from sunflowers are usually a dark brown to black, or large, medium grey and white striped. The latter being most popular for eating due to their large size. Don't worry over selection. The birds will eat ample quantities of both, and so will you. Whether you are feeding the wildlife or not, there are plenty of wildlife that enjoy sunflower. They include all sorts of birds of course, squirrels, and rodents.





Did you know? If you have a pet hamster,mouse, gerbil or bird, a few sunflower seeds in their diet is a nice treat.











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Sowing:








Sunflowers are best sown outdoors directly into the garden. After planting, cover them with a screen as the birds and animals love to dig the seeds out. You can also start them in a seedbed and transfer them when they are small.





If you plant sunflowers indoors, use individual peat pots. Start two to three weeks before the last frost date for your area. Plant one or two seeds per pot, thinning to one before planting outdoors.





If you grow them to feed the birds, look for seedlings growing near the base of last year's crop. They can be left to grow, or transplanted to another location.





Whether you plant directly outdoors or transplant them, make the final spacing as follows:





Giants: Space three feet apart in rows three to four feet apart.





Regular/Intermediate sizes: Space two feet apart in rows three feet apart.





Miniatures: Space one foot apart in rows three feet apart.





For individual planting, put the seedling or seeds in just about any sunny location. Plant either individual, in groups, or in patterns. Make sure they are visible from your deck, porch and windows.





Did you know? Sunflowers always point their blooms or face to the rising sun in the East. Keep this in mind as you determine where to plant them.





Tip: Miniatures make great borders or edging plants in flower gardens.











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Days to Maturity:





70 to 90 days or more, depending upon the variety. Read the package for the specific time for the variety you acquire.











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How to Grow:








Sunflowers grow in most soils. They need to grow their roots deep and wide ,to enable them to withstand strong winds. If you have a choice, sandy soils are not recommended as they are easily uprooted in loose soil. Rich soil is always helpful, but not an absolute requirement for the big and strong plant.





Contrary to it's name, we found they will tolerate some shade as we put them against an east wall of our house every year.





Deep roots help sunflowers to withstand most droughts. They will benefit from a douse of fertilizer when you apply it to the rest of your garden. Apply extra phosphorus and potassium when the flower bud begins to develop, to promote bigger blooms.





Tip: If you are crowded for space, plant one or two sunflowers amidst your vine crops. One or two will not seriously shade the vines. Make sure not to plant them near their tap roots for the vines.











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Harvesting:








Harvest the seed after the flower begins to die back, and most if not all, of the petals have fallen off. Pull out a seed and open it to see if it is full. Cut off the head, leaving a few inches of stalk. Hang the stalks to dry in a well ventilated area. Do not stack them in a box, as mold can develop during the drying process. As soon as the flowers have dried, extract the seeds by rubbing two flower heads together. They should come out fairly easily.





Sunflowers are also used as dried flowers in vases and for craft projects. They can be cut just before the flowers die off and dried over a few weeks. Miniature sunflowers make lovely fresh bouquets also. For craft projects, it is important to leave a sufficient amount of stalk.





Peak harvest time is actually a little late if you want the whole crop. The birds and squirrels will begin their assault before the seeds are completely ripe. While we enjoy sharing this crop with wildlife, you can protect against this annual invasion by covering the entire flower with an old nylon stocking, a cheese cloth bag, or any other covering that allows light and especially air to flow through. Do not use plastic bags as moisture buildup will rot the flower and heat buildup will scald it. Some people will put a bag below the flower to catch any seeds that fall.











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Insects and Pests:








The birds and squirrels are the primary invaders for your Sunflower crop. Fortunately, most insects are not a problem. Occasionally, ants enjoy the nectar from the flower. They are no real threat to the seeds.











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Disease:








Sunflowers seldom have disease problems. Score another point for an easy to grow and enjoyable plant!











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Hardiness:








Sunflowers are an annual. They can withstand a mild frost. However, cover your seedlings if a hard spring freeze is anticipated.








Try the website in the Source for more info
Reply:I love floweres but I suck at starting them from seedlings...so I go to a greenhoues and pick out the flowers that I want...I have found that my flowers grow much better and last longer if I plant them in the rain...sounds weird...but it works..... good luck
Reply:Take a walk around your neighbourhood and see what is growing that will help you identify plants that will do well in your area. You may also be able to ask for some cuttings from neighbours, get a stock rooting powder from you local nursery (plant store) to help roots establish and away you go...this keeps the costs of plants down. Goodluck :-)make up

Attention Gardners!!!What flowers should I plant?

I am planting flowers for the first time and I have no idea what to plant. I have two beds to work with. One if full sun and one if part shade.I really would like them to bloom as long as possible. I live in Ohio. I was thinking about flats of Petunia's or Pansies...something along those lines. Also, I bought some bulbs that I have yet to plant, like Freesia and a few others, could I plant those now? I need cheap and easy if possible...I can't wait to have a garden of my own. Thanks.

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersUnless you really like planting every year, stick to perennials. There are so many plants that it's impossible to advise you. My preferences might not be yours. You can do contrasting garden colors or do color themes. You might like a garden with just a few types of plants or you might want a specimen garden with one or two of many plants. It's all up to you. Probably the best thing to do is to visit any place that sells magazines and look for the annual garden issues. They have great ideas and in some cases, even plans that you can follow. As far as your bulbs go, plant them in the fall - they need to over-winter in order to bloom the next season. Which, by the way, brings to mind something you might like to try to keep your garden colors year round. Bulbs can be kept indoors in pots so you can enjoy the blooms in the winter. After they bloom and the blossoms die, cut them back and put them outside in the cold for a couple of weeks, then bring them back in. They will re-bloom. Good luck and most of all, have fun!!
Reply:for your sun garden.. petunias or zinnias should be easy.





you can do begonias in the part shade.





When you plant. be sure to get a little container of osmocote or nutricote fertilizer ( you can even buy this stuff at wal-mart). it's a controlled release feeder that will help keep the flowers perky and happy all summer. After all that, spread 3" of bark mulch around the plants.. you will have an easy, inexpensive and pretty flower gardens.





Good Luck!
Reply:I think that pansies and petunias require some more care. They grow long and need to be trimmed.


I prefer maragolds and geraniums for the full sun, they are very easy to care for. For part shade begonias and impatiens are good.
Reply:Are you wanting something that you will have to plant every year (annual), or something that will come back (perrenial)? I live in northwest Ohio and I have tons of Hostas (big green leafy with stalky flowers) Coral bells (various shade of leaves with spikey flowers) Columbine (really cool looking flowers on a green plant) and Astilbe (red leaves, pink spiked flowers). All of these are perrenials. For annuals I get Dreams petunias and Gerbera Daisey's and plant them here and there for immediate splashes of color. Most bulbs are to be planted in the fall. I don't know where you live for sure, but go to your local garden center (I prefer real garden centers over Lowe's, Home Depot etc. kid of store) and simply tell them what side of the house you will be planting on, how many hours of direct sun the area gets, and if you want annuals or perrenials. I love my gardens. I also do veggies and strawberries! As for cheap and easy-petunias do not get any cheaper or easier! You can just about neglect them all summer long and they will keep blooming as long as they have a little rain! Tell the people at the garden center that you have a budget as well. Good luck-enjoy the beauty!skin disease