Archive for January, 2007

Gilia

The gilia genus offers several good garden species. I like Gilia rubra (sometimes sold as Ipomopsis); it features rapid growth and tall (3-5 feet) spires of bright red flowers. These make wonderful accent plants to place among low-growing perennials, as iris or hemerocallis, and they are among the most handsome of background plants. Although easily grown, this gilia is not too often seen. Its common names include standing

50. It’s a good idea to have something unusual in flower in your greenhouse, if only as a special attraction for indoor gardeners. The passion-flower vine (Passifiora) certainly would serve that purpose. In addition, you can be sure of selling some seeds or plants if you have them ready when the vine is in bloom. (Photograph by Eugene Rosing)

cypress and Texas plume. There are also varieties with blue, pincushion-like flowers. Sow the seed in early March in light soil. Grow in the cool greenhouse and pot up in 2- or 3-inch pots in mid-April.

Monkey Flower (Mimulus)

This is indeed a versatile plant. A semi-trailer in shade, it is good for window boxes, outdoor planters, and hanging baskets. With full sun it grows upright and is excellent for use in the border. The brilliantly colored flowers are light yellow splotched red, or red with yellow markings. Here are flowers to liven a garden throughout the summer.

Sow mimulus seed in January in the warm house. Transplant in late February to 2- or 3-inch pots of porous growing mixture. These will be well established for the spring and summer business.

Morning Glory (Ipomoea)

The morning glory vines provide a wealth of exciting garden material to help out in so many different gardening situations. New gardeners need fast-growing material for trellises and fences, as a screening for service areas, or accent plants grown on or near a wall. Morning glories provide all this and, in addition, produce an abundance of blue, rose, or white flowers.

Sow the seeds in April. They are best planted directly into 2-inch pots of ordinary greenhouse soil. If you have a heating cable in your greenhouse, give some bottom heat as a starter. Lacking a heating cable, start them in a warm greenhouse. As the vines grow, the potted plants can be moved to the cold frame or placed in a cooler part (50 degrees) of the greenhouse. Although there are many new varieties, Heavenly Blue remains high on the list of favorites.

Keywords: Greenhouse Gardening, Landscaping, Plants, Pool, Gardener, Landscape, Trees

Planting trees in your yard is a long time commitment that you will have to live with for many years. One it is in the ground it is not moved easily. Doing a little research is very important before you decide on the type of tree that you want to plant. There are a few things that you will need to consider before purchasing that big investment.

Full size of the tree

One of the biggest trees is a sycamore. It is a tree that provides excellent shade, has a long life, and can grow a couple of feet a year. It is a massive tree and you will need to consider how it will look in your yard. You will want a tree that compliments your yard, not invades it. There are lots of small to middle sized trees to use in smaller spaces.

Keywords: Greenhouse Gardening, Landscaping, Plants, Pool, Gardener, Landscape, Trees

Other helpful tools for landscaping are gloves, trimmers, pole pruner, watering can, and of course a lawn mower. If you are someone who works in the sun, then remember to wear your sun block and that oversized sun hat to keep the hot glare of the sun out of your eyes.

You do not and should not spend a fortune on your gardening tools. Most of the above mention can be bought for only a small investment, but the results they bring will leave you with a huge profit.

Keywords: Greenhouse Gardening, Landscaping, Plants, Pool, Gardener, Landscape, Trees

The old Rake

A metal rake is the best garden tool. There are cheaper versions of rakes out there, however, rakes with metal teeth are a lot stronger and last longer then the plastic ones. Rakes are a big help with moving dirt and debris from any landscaped area.

Garden hoses and wheel barrows

The length of your garden hose really depends on the size of your property and where your water hookup is located. It is recommended that you purchase a rack or wheel to keep your hose free from kinks and bends that can interrupt water pressure and performance. Keeping your garden hose neatly stored away will also incorporate a well-maintained look.

Wheelbarrows can be used for anything in the landscaping process. They are great for moving dirt or plants from one location to the next. They are also a big help for carrying supplies and garden accessories around from place to place. However if you are looking for something to help with the load of garden tools and accessories, then you may want to look into getting yourself a cart. They are less expensive and weigh which makes them easier to move around.

Keywords: Greenhouse Gardening, Landscaping, Plants, Pool, Gardener, Landscape, Trees

Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)

Owners of new homes-especially in housing developments -usually have common garden problems. Foremost among these is lack of shade and the immediate need for impressive-looking shrubbery or plants. The castor bean will fill both of these bills. These plants in one season will grow 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide, with very broad leaves. Suggest using castor bean plants also as patio plantings, boundary line markers, or to add a touch of interest to the new garden.

The beans are large. Plant each one in a separate 2-inch pot in March and grow in the cool greenhouse. In mid-May pot up in 4- or 5-inch pots.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis thrive in a sunny location. With their yellow, orange, red, and near-brown flowers, they add splashy color to the garden and are long-lasting cut flowers. Start seed in the cool greenhouse in mid-April and you’ll have salable plants from 3-inch pots in late May.

Cosmos

With lacy foliage and richly colored flowers cosmos make popular additions to most gardens. Most of them are about 3 feet high at maturity but some of the “Mammoth” hybrids grow to 5 feet. They thrive under the same conditions as coreopsis. Cosmos come in deep rose, rich crimson, white, pink, and orange, with single and double flowers.

Dahlia

Planted early in February, most dahlias will produce flowers from seed the first season. Certain varieties such as Unwins have become favorites for pot growing. You can purchase these in mixture and plant them in early February in the cool house for salable potted plants in May.

Keywords: Greenhouse Gardening, Landscaping, Plants, Pool, Gardener, Landscape, Trees

Annual Phlox

The lovely little annual phlox in a vast selection of colors will almost always be among your best sellers. They are useful anywhere. Suggest to your customers that these plants are most effective in the garden when planted in groups of half dozen or more. To have flowering plants in May, sow the seed in December in a cool greenhouse. As soon as the little plants are large enough to handle, usually in about a month, transplant directly into 2-inch pots of average greenhouse loam. Plants will flower right in these 2-inch pots, but you’ll have larger plants and more flowers if you give one more transplanting-to a 3- or 4-inch pot.

Bachelor Button (Centaurea)

This plant with its silvery-gray foliage, bright blue, pink, or pink and white flowers is a great garden favorite. Recommend it for beds, borders, cutting rows, or accent plants.

Sow the seeds in February, planting them inch deep in ordinary greenhouse soil or any seed-starter medium and grow them in the cool greenhouse. These seedlings will be large enough to be sold from 3- or 4-inch pots in May.

Balsam (Impatiens balsamina)

Balsams are old favorites-and they are constantly being improved as in the new rose-, camellia- or double-flowered types. Sow balsam seed in March in pans or flats of sandy soil. The seed germinates rapidly when grown in 65 degree temperatures. Pot into 3-inch pots when the first true leaf shows, usually about 3 weeks after germination. They need lots of light, so grow them close to the glass. To obtain shapely plants remove the first buds from the main stem and side shoots.

Calendula

Calendulas, or pot marigolds, with their bright golden heads, are fine for garden color or for the cutting garden. They thrive in most any soil, and seeds sown in early April will produce large budded plants for late May or early June sales. Grow the seedlings in night temperature of 50 degrees.

Calendulas come in shades of cream, apricot, yellow, and orange. Grown under good conditions, modern calendulas are mostly doubles regular pompoms. If many single or deformed blooms show up on supposedly doubled varieties, they probably have been grown under too high a temperature.

Keywords: Greenhouse Gardening, Landscaping, Plants, Pool, Gardener, Landscape, Trees