SPRING RUSH on the OLE HOMESTEAD

Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels the rush of spring on my heels. It's as if all that energy for a new season of growing is pushing through the surface of the earth and seeping into the soles of my feet! There's so much to do!!!The best thing to do is to give in and dig in! I've started planting the dahlia tubers now that the weather is more steadily warm. I've purchased a few new dinner plate varieties to replace the tubers that didn't survive their stay in my basement over the winter... Many of them became moldy and simply dried up. I guess if you lived in a basement that would happen to you too!

Here's one that made it! See the little eyes? Those are new stems forming! I learned last year that even if you plant your tubers upside down ( stock facing down ) the new shoots will eventually find their way to the surface! It'll be about 8 weeks until we have dahlia blooms but it's worth the wait!

I ordered my seeds from Renee's Garden Seeds this year ( no GMO's ) because of the amazing variety. I'm going to attempt Sweet Peas this year. Love the vibrant shades of these red and purple blooms above.
Sweet Pea's are climbers so I've gussied up some bamboo tee pees with black spray paint to create a little drama in the garden this summer!

I'm going overboard with Zinnias

and morning glories too!

And, I uncovered some old shutters I picked at a yard sale several years back that I think will be a great addition on the little red hen house! What do you think? Yay or Nay?

Here's wishing you the best of SPRING RUSH on your ole homestead too!

What are you trying in your garden for the first time this year? What are your favorite tried and true flowers that you can't live without?

This obsessed flowergirl wants to know!

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Growing Zinnias

 Even though we have barely set foot into the new year I think it's the perfect time to get started on planning ahead for the next years cut flower gardens. Last year I grew two large beds of  Cut and Come again Zinnia and couldn't have been more pleased with how well they did. Now that I know how easy they are to grow I'm ready to branch out and grow some new varieties this year!

 I'm interested in heirloom varieties so I'll be ordering from

 Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

 

Pink Senorita Zinnia

Meteor Zinnia

I love large showy flowers... Why settle for tiny blooms when you can grow big beautiful blooms just as easily? The Meteor Zinnia grows up to 5 inches across. This one will surely be a show stopper in the garden and the vase. 

Lilac Emporer Cactus- Flowered Zinnia

I love the way the petals go this way and that on the Cactus flower variety. This one promises to be at least 6 inches across!

Orange King Zinnia

A butterfly and bee magnet! 

 Growing Zinnias

Zinnias don't really like being started early in the greenhouse... They much prefer being directly sewn in well drained organic soil in direct sun as soon as the danger of the last frost has passed. 

Once they have germinated and begin to grow keep an eye out for slugs and other leaf chewing insects who love to dine on fresh new greens! 

Treat any issues with Sluggo a non toxic Slug and Snail Bait. Safe for use around pets and children.

Once your zinnias are growing and blooming they only need a deep watering once a week.  To keep those bloom coming all summer and into the fall, feed every 2-3 weeks with any organic plant and flower food of your choice. I went with an organic plant food liquid that I could dilute and easily apply from a 2 gallon water jug.

Here's to the lovely Zinnia Flower!