Post a reply

Image
May 2, 2015 4:52 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Wes
Ohio (Zone 6a)
Last year's "first timers" in pots did well but the bed I planted to was "too little, too late" but trying again. It's a shallow bed of baked dirt and lots of heat from a brick foundation, concrete base, and adjacent sidewalk. Early day sun. Last years plants grew large but bloomed little. Going to try to give it a little more attention with a much earlier start.

Ten minutes and a dollar invested, what's to lose? (well, $1.50 and a small amount of fertilized potting soil...LOL) For future reference, "Jewel", mixed color. I did plant as many in pots for back-up/replacement. We'll see how it goes.
Thumb of 2015-05-02/Wes/69c81d
Last edited by Wes May 2, 2015 4:53 AM Icon for preview
Image
May 2, 2015 5:19 AM CST
Name: Geof
NW Wisconsin (Zone 4b)
Dahlias Region: Wisconsin Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 1
Unless they get cooked from all of the heat, they should completely cover that sidewalk by the end of the summer. I have some that have been self seeding themselves for several years - they are the prettiest "weed" I have, but can be 8ft long viney messes if you just let them go.
Thumb of 2015-05-02/mandolls/f5deae
Image
May 2, 2015 5:48 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Wes
Ohio (Zone 6a)
I hope you're right Geof.

It's not a bed where I want to spend a lot of effort or money but cover and color would be nice. I'm the only person that uses the walk, poor view from the street and the house. Last years plants got a little "leggy" and that's perfect. Pretty much why I'm trying again. Last year my mom mentioned my grandmother growing them at the farm she was raised on, trying to add a little nostalgia with the blooms.
Image
May 18, 2015 6:30 PM CST
Name: Angela
(Zone 7b)
Cactus and Succulents Cat Lover Dog Lover Region: New York Garden Ideas: Level 1
I hope it works out Wes I just bought 5 packs of seeds for variety. My DH doesn't love the morning Glory I've been growing so I thought maybe giving these beauties a try.

Nice pic Geof I just love the leaves of this plant Drooling
Plants just make
everything better.
Image
May 21, 2015 12:43 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Wes
Ohio (Zone 6a)
This bed has been less than a focal point and there's an nearly identical bed with tulips and a tiger lily derivative packed full of white clover.

So far so good, germination was probably 85% without getting too mathematical. Slit the seeds with a knife and soaked them in. Weeds already got a good start as they always do. I blasted these beds dead with glyphosate two seasons in a row and mixed fresh soil in. It's just weed happy. This evening I weeded the nasturtium bed, re-seeded the empty spaces, added Preen (which I rarely use) and mulched. The new seeds might be affected by the Preen so I potted some seeds to fill any bare spots. I think annual begonias would actually make the bed a focal point fast but the weed situation (to date) makes these seedlings easier to work around. I don't see nasturtium often which gives the little bed some added appeal. Well, if it works out, I'm confident it was a good choice. The only attention-grabber bed nearby has gained an heirloom amaranth and soon will have some cannas to carry the season of blooms but I've got plans to expand by at least two feet outward, maybe three (?) but the nasturtium should tie in very nicely. The colors of the "jewel" mix should work but I've eyeballed some other varieties I'd like to try.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow when I tackle that mess amongst the tulips. That's such a mess I'm ready to dig bulbs, remove soil, and just start over. It is a focal point as it runs to the front porch. The tiger lily hybrid is always a pleaser, as are the tulips but what happens in between is just a bummer. I've done the best I can, to the best of my knowledge, with the tools in my kit. These beds are so shallow I'm surprised the tulips have done as well as they have. They might be, would certainly be better relocated. Room for more nasturtium...? Whistling
Image
Jun 5, 2015 3:37 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Wes
Ohio (Zone 6a)
Oops!

Well, I did finally get around to that picture... Whistling

Plenty of growth but no blooms yet. Not a big Preen user but I have to admit it appears to be doing a fine job. Hope to see some color soon!
Thumb of 2015-06-05/Wes/99179b


Thumb of 2015-06-05/Wes/1ae816
Image
Jun 6, 2015 9:30 AM CST
Name: Angela
(Zone 7b)
Cactus and Succulents Cat Lover Dog Lover Region: New York Garden Ideas: Level 1
That is going to be beautiful Wes they look great!. Are they all the same variety? I really am in love with this plant having never heard of it before Someone on ATP suggested adding them to a container and I was hooked on those round leaves Lovey dubby Mine are starting to pop up everywhere I'm so excited Hurray!
Thumb of 2015-06-06/AR/503d3e
Plants just make
everything better.
Image
Jun 6, 2015 1:43 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Wes
Ohio (Zone 6a)
Angela, they're all from a packet labeled "Jewel Mix". It shows a wide variety of colors with red, purples, yellows, and oranges. I grew the same variety in a pot last year and it leaned towards orange as the predominant color. Good enough for me but I'm hoping for a little more variety this time around. The bed looks so much better than weeds or bare soil, I got motivated last night and cleaned out the other similar bed. Thinking I'll go with zinnias up there since they're a little quicker to mature...
Image
Jun 14, 2015 11:25 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Wes
Ohio (Zone 6a)
I've noticed some splotchy patches on some of the foliage. I plucked a few but there's been an increase. I sprayed with organic insecticide last night but I'm thinking it might be more a sickness than bugs?

We've got a healthy population of slugs but no slug damage. Raw, burnt up old dirt with the only fresh being a half-handful that I dropped each seed in. Growth is fantastic. I'll add a picture in coming days to see if you might recognize anything.
You must first create a username and login before you can reply to this thread.
  • Started by: Wes
  • Replies: 8, views: 1,020
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )