Garden Tip #86

Chrysanthemums are at their peak in autumn and will brighten an otherwise gloomy fall day. For a change, try growing one of the single flower varieties like \’Mary Stoker\’ golden yellow fading to peachy pink or ‘Apricot’ a warm pink color.
The National Chrysanthemum Society publishes free article on Chrysanthemum care on its web site and a quarterly journal as a benefit of membership. Annual dues are $20.00 per year. Contact Galen Goss, Secretary, 10107 Homar Pond Dr. Fairfax Station, VA 22039-1650 or go to www.mums.org.

Chrysanthemum coronarium is an edible annual known as Shungiku in Japanese cuisine. Sow seeds in spring as you would lettuce and harvest leaves about 4-5 weeks later. The flowers are also edible, but only the petals taste good.

Garden Tip #419

The secret to creating a professional looking seasonal container is to leave no open space between young annual transplants. When planting annual flowers in the ground generous spacing allows plants to grow bigger. However, planting in pots is different because the limited soil means plants need supplemental water and regular feeding and therefore more plants can be supported in a smaller area. A couple plants may be smothered by larger plants after a few weeks, but by then the lush growth will be a sight to behold.

Container Gardening Complete by Jessica Walliser (Cool Springs 2017) covers the basics of growing plants in pots and also has many fun “recipes” for thematic containers such as “butterfly garden tubs” and building a “beet box” from repurposed CD storage boxes.

Garden Tip #127

Make room for herbs in your garden. Many herbs like rosemary and sage look good during winter, most are edible or medicinal, drought tolerant, and aromatic – what more could you ask for in a plant? Herbs do not have to be planted in a separate garden bed, so go ahead and mix some chives or chervil in with your flowers. Herb enthusiasts may want to join the Herb Society of America. For $50.00 per year members receive two publications and discounts from specialty herb nurseries. Call (440) 256-0514 or visit www.herbsociety.org.

Garden Tip #126

Should you dig your dahlias or not? Enthusiasts dig them up every autumn when the clocks get turned back. They dust the tubers with fungicide, divide them up and finally store them in a cool place in slightly damp vermiculite. For those of us not so dedicated to our dahlias we can leave them in the ground provided that the soil is well drained and doesn’t freeze. A little patch of plastic can help keep the spot dry over winter. For more dahlia growing tips go to the Puget Sound Dahlia Association website

Garden Tip #124

If you’re only familiar with the florist’s cyclamen with large pink or white flowers you might want to give one of the diminutive yet hardy species a try. Some species are in flower now, while others flower in winter or early spring. Even after the flowers fade the marbled foliage provide months of interest. These summer dormant tubers do best in well-drained soil under deciduous trees that allow good light in winter. Check out the Cyclamen Society web site for more details, including how to keep your florist cyclamen alive.

Garden Tip #116

The popular Butterfly Bush, Buddleja davidii, has proven to be a weed. Found growing in natural areas far from any garden, Buddleja’s seeds are dispersed by the wind. Oregon and Washington both list it as a noxious weed.

What is a butterfly loving gardener to do? Try Blue Mist shrub (Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Black Knight’ ) as a blue/purple, summer flowing shrub substitute or at least only grow the named Buddleja cultivars or the species Buddleja globosa which may be less of a threat.

Garden Tip #120

Leaves of snowdrops (Galanthus) are just now starting to emerge by late December, promising soul-cheering flowers in January. This is one bulb that prefers to be planted “in the green,” just after flowering. Look for them at local nurseries in early winter and then plant them under a deciduous shrub, or next to a late appearing perennial like a hosta or peony.

Garden Tip #117

As spring returns, so do migrating birds. If you would like to see and hear more birds read Attracting Birds to your Backyard: 536 Ways to Turn Your Yard and Garden into a Haven for Your Favorite Birds by Sally Roth (Rodale, 1998). Roth suggests providing nesting birds with extra supplies, such as yarn, pet hair, dried grass and straw. Watch robins and other birds choose their favorite nest building items.

Identify the birds around your neighborhood with help from Chris Fisher, author of Birds of Seattle and Puget Sound (Lone Pine, 1996).

Garden Tip #25

Condensed rules for eating flowers:

Only eat flowers that are positively identified to be edible.
Not all flowers are edible, even some served as a garnish in restaurants.
Do not eat flowers that may have been sprayed with pesticides, such as from a florist, nursery, or from the side of a road.
Eat only petals, not pistils and stamens.
If you suffer from asthma or allergies be cautious when eating flowers.

Garden Tip #156

After your first summer water bill arrives, you might want to reconsider what plants you reward with this precious commodity. Give newly planted trees and shrubs first priority because your investment in water now will pay off for years to come. Next in line should be the vegetables, but some are thirstier than others. Don’t withhold water from cucumbers, celery or squash, or you may be disappointed with yield and flavor.
Here is watering guidance for growing vegetables and a vegetable by vegetable guide.