Hope from my Garden to You Summer 2020

Hi All,

I hope this note finds all doing well and finding means of expression in this time of staying home. My garden has been a an outlet – I bought a few plants from garden centers nearby with my mask on.

I had invested in pots and soil a few years ago so it’s just a matter of harvesting seeds from the Morning Glories, looking to my supply of sunflower seeds and digging holes big enough for seeks and plants alike.

The pots have drainage and Miracle Grow soil for the most part. I have added some wood chips to hold moisture on the top level along with some seed planting soil – very light and easy for seeds to get started. Make sure to give all the new plants and seeds plenty of water when first planted.

I wait until the trees start to leaf out and bloom before I plant anything in my pots. The soil has to be warm for seeds to germinate so the sun has to be able to reach 1/2 inch to an inch into the ground before the seeds will sprout. First I plant the seedlings and starter plants from the garden centers and let them take hold. About a week or so later I plant the seeds. They usually start sprouting within a week or 2 depending on the how much sunshine is available. Don’t give up hope on the seeds they come when they are ready just keep checking.

Sometimes I need to thin out the seedlings and give them a better place to vine – this is especially true for the Morning Glories. The sunflower seeds just need to be planted carefully – too many and it’s hard to thin them out.

I tried a Mandevilla vining and flowering plant this year in my biggest pot with the most sun.

I also planted several Impatience plants some flower and some just with promise.