Gardening!

Getting started!

This past weekend it was wonderful to spend time outdoors- working with plants. On one day the annual plants had been purchased, so the next day it was time to get started.  Potting soil, garden gloves, pots and stones for the bottom of the pots for drainage were found. 

A brightly colored hanging Geranium is a traditional Mother's Day gift for me.  Then, who can resist pairing yellow and orange Marigolds together in one pot?  I sure cannot.  They become my Orange Pineapple Marigolds! Lavendar/Pink flowers of the Geraniums also add so much color to an area. "Mosquito" plants also found their spots in our yard. The Zinnia seeds saved from last year's crop were sown. Click here for Directions for saving Zinnia Seeds.

It's the colorful month of May and it was good to get started!  There is more to be done this week!

Happy Gardening!
Enjoy!

Saving Zinnia Seeds

Sometimes the Zinnias Attract Butterflies!

It's autumn!  It's time to save those Zinnia seeds from the plants you've been enjoying all summer.  You know you'll want to enjoy these beautiful colorful flowers again next summer.  So, save the seeds from this year's crop and plant them in your flower garden next spring!  In other works, it's time to plan ahead.

Before we get a frost this autumn I harvest the colorful flowers (no stems).  That frost will end my Zinnia crop!  Place the flowers in a cut down tissue box.  Then, place the box in front of  a window to dry them out.  After the flowers have dried, pull off the outer petals.  No longer are the petals colorful, but dried out.  Each petal is attached to a "tear shaped" seed.

"Tear Shaped" Zinnia Seeds

Those seeds are a gold mine of new plants for next year!  The red, the orange, the pink and the yellow flowers!  Save the seeds in an envelope for next year.  I always seal it, so none fall out.

Next spring, take out your envelope of seeds!  You will be so happy that you saved those seeds!  Find their spot in your garden & plant them in the warm soil.  Cover with a light coating of soil.  Water.  Before you know it sprouts will pop up & your new Zinnias will be on their way!

This is a tradition with me!  After perhaps 5 years the flowers start becoming a little smaller.  Then, I know it is time to purchase the seed packets to plant.  Until then, I'll be saving my colorful Zinnia seeds!

Enjoy!
Happy planting!

         

~Summer 2015~

Walking up our driveway after every daily walk the colorful vibrant zinnias are a great greeting!  Gotta' save the zinnia seeds again this Fall for next years crop! :)

What a great time of year!

Favorite Summer Sights

As promised on all of our weather reports for today, it absolutely poured buckets of rain - for a very long time.  Yesterday's views of our colorful flowers were a memory.

 
This garden on the side of our home is always a welcome sight as we "round the bend" to our street.  A closer view of the bright yellow Marigolds & pink/ red/ orange Zinnias:

This view will last until we do get our first strong frost.  The Zinnias were planted from seed while small Marigold plants were placed in the soil.  I probably will save the Zinnia seeds to dry & store to plant in next year's garden.  Some of my favorite sights of Summer!

Enjoy!