Flower of the "week"

Echinops

"Globe Thistle"

June 23rd Seasonal Pictures

Here we go with some current pics

This Maltese Cross plant is easy to grow and will have seeds soon if interested.

Yellow Painted Daisy, I think.

From Cuzin Bern

 Verbena Bonariensis 

Spirea- 'Neon Flash' in Center

Oak leaf  Hydrangea

New Herb Garden Pictures-6/23/12

Some new changes made to the garden this weekend.

Built a new herb garden centralized in the "Common".

Got the thumbs up from my 'MOMMA"

Thank You 'Al' for giving me that darker colored pottery in the middle of frame that her husband used to make fires in.  Using it to grow herbs in now.

If this isn't the spirit world's playground I don't know what else is.

Welcome mat is placed

Reservations are mandatory 

Hey farmer farmer
Put away the DDT
I don't care about spots on my apples
Leave me the birds and the bees
Please!

Pic of the Week

My first flowering Zinnia of the year.

*Variety*

'Pop Art Red and Yellow'

Germination rate of seeds-Started 6/07/12

I started some late season trays of seeds noted in title date.

Want to show the high germination rate that I have for these guys.

These are great starter plants for anyone that thinks possessing a green thumb is not in the cards for them.

*Too me its fool proof* 

These seedlings below are Butterfly Weed

'Asclepias Tuberosa'

75% Rate

Morning Glory

'Crimson Rambler'

'Minus 2 guys that didn't sprout"

"yet" 

Rudbeckia

'Herbstsonne'

I would say more than 75%

Availability of seeds- With pictures

All from last years plants.

"Loves Lies Bleeding"

Also have seedlings for this plant, it is easier to start from seed, not to late.

 

 4 O'clock s are below

Below "Butterfly Weed"

All above pictures of plants in this post started from seed. 

*Very Easy*

Anything else below is available as well

"Kerria"

Morning Glory First Flower

First Morning Glory flowers on my "Patio Deck Garden"

West Harrison, New York 

Couldn't figure out why the flower color came out "blue" in Photo?

Used two separate cameras, same result with wrong color.

Below pictures are my "Grandpa Ott"-Variety -"I Hope"

Basically a nice "Deep Purple"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh0iihjANPc

Gotta love it

Spirea cutting update from early spring

This is the same plant in my post titled "Spirea Cuttings"
Dated 03/06/12.

Growth was nice over the winter in rich soil.
Just dug it up and potted it for transfer when weather cools down for a bit.
I used the seed pack for scale.
Plant will eventually grow not pruned, 5ft by 5 ft Minimum. 

Variety
***
"Neon Flash"

Just about to flower nice right now after "One" year from birth.

This Picture below was taken tonight so Flower Buds can be seen.
Another week or so they will be in full bloom.

Deck Mania- 2 Weeks Later

Large variety of different plants growing.
In another month or so it will be a kaleidoscope of color.

The Morning Glory vines are starting to take off now if you can see them in the following new pictures.

Most of what you see in those seed trays on table are perennials grown from seed.

Have more trays with seedlings in greenhouse just started not seen in picture.

 You can see the morning glories starting to work their way up the twine trellises in top and bottom pictures.

Mulching tomato plants

I am a firm believer in mulching tomato plants that are in pots to promote soil homeostasis so moisture is at a constant level.  

This is the simplest way to prevent

 some diseases such as 'blossom end rot'. 

I also water most plants in the morning or during the day to also prevent fungus or water related problems where at night time these problems arise. 

Shredded cedar mulch which doesn't break down fast seems to work the best for myself.  It deters bugs, doesn't break down quickly and seems to hold moisture better.

You can also do this with other potted plants if you wish. 

Morning Glories-Urban Method

** Morning Glories**

I have mentioned in the past how amazing these plants are to me. Talking to other gardeners they don't share in my enthusiasm but, to each his own.

I made a unique trellis out of bamboo poles given to me by friends of mine and used garden twine to aid in the training of the vines.

With the amount of morning glories I have currently growing and from past experience with growth habits, these trellises should get filled up. 

*please see previous post titled "morning glory seeds" for planting instructions*

I have plenty of seeds and its still not to late to plant.

Below are some of my little babies ready to take off.

I randomly plant them among other plants. From my past methods, morning glories thrive on a crowded environment. 
Plants in pot on the left is Edamame, hope they produce.

 

Red Beetle-Insect Invasion

     This year as you all know we had a mild winter.  That means for some reason that the garden pests of the insect world got a stay of execution from mother nature.  They are coming full force in droves on plants with no prejudice.

     One specific insect that I just found new knowledge of is the lily beetle.

All the information is in the first part of the link

http://www.mikesbackyardgarden.org/lilypest1.html

Never experienced this pest before but then again, not a big fan of Asiatic Lilies but its a good thing to know.

I used Seven insecticide which worked before the damage was done at Louie's Garden.

Even spotted them on my Gardner Lake Lilies. 

My Zinnia, Sunflowers, and basically every seedling I have started from seed and planted has been nibbled on by some sort of insect.  Been spraying everything to nip this one in the bud.

   

Gardner Lake pictures, Weekend of June 9th

Pink Deutzia

Not sure of the variety

Rose Campion

Mahonia

Random Pictures