GROWING FLOWERS
Whether you are planting bulbs, annuals or perennials, growing flowers adds a beautiful splash of color throughout the season. While organic flower gardening is not difficult, there are many decisions that must be made prior to planting. The more closely these decisions are based on meeting the needs of your plants, the more likely you are to be successful growing flowers. Some of the most basic factors to be considered include light, moisture, soil quality and when to plant. Click on the articles below to learn more. |
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| Bachelor Buttons - Discovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamen who died in 1340 B.C. The flowers were woven into a beautiful... |
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Begonias - Anything of value must be treated with respect, and begonia tubers are no exception. As soon as the lower leaves on the plants... |
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| Calendula - A cool season plant, calendula can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly seeded outdoors after the last frost. |
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California Poppy - First noted on the Pacific coast by Dr. Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz, who was the leader of a Russian expedition in 1815. |
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| Cosmos - Easy to grow, plants thrives in full sun and will flower more abundantly in poor soil than in rich. Excellent for xeriscaping. |
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Dahlias - At planting time, select a spot in full sun, then incorporate some slow release, low nitrogen, fertilizer into the planting hole. |
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| Delphinium - If growing from seed, sow outdoors two weeks before the last frost, just beneath the soil surface. Seeds will germinate in... |
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Echinacea - Purple cone flower will produce lots of seed but you must beat the birds. When the blooms dry out, cut them off and hang upside... |
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| Fuchsias - Plants are heavy feeders, so pour on the organic fertilizer. It's actually best to use frequent applications at 1/2 strength... |
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Gladiolus - For best results, take cuttings when at least 3 of the "florets" on the stem have opened. They will continue to open in... |
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| Hollyhock - The classic variety (Alcea rosea) has graced outbuildings and farmsteads for more than a century. Single blooms of... |
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Lilies - A good rule of thumb is to plant bulbs with their bottoms resting at a depth three times the diameter of the bulb. For best results... |
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| Lupine - Ripe seed pods naturally explode. When the seed pods begin to turn yellow and the seeds "rattle" inside, they are ripe. |
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Marigolds - Provide nutrients monthly with a flowering fertilizer once they have begun blooming. Pinch off the spent blooms to... |
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| Morning Glory - This vining plant is often found covering old wire fences where their delicate flowers greet you with the morning sun. |
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Nasturtium - Suitable for container gardening, nasturtium (Tropaeolum) is a fast growing annual plant that reseeds itself freely. |
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| Pansies - If growing from seed, sow indoors 1/4 inch deep, 10-12 weeks before planting out. Seeds will germinate in 10-14 days. |
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Petunia - Native to South America, the first petunia specimen was collected by an explorer at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata and was... |
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| Roses - The Queen of Flowers! Gardeners have been growing roses for well over 2,000 year. Loved for their beauty and fragrance, they... |
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Shasta Daisy - The simple white flowers with yellow button centers are a symbol of purity and are perfect for cutting. Easy to grow, they are... |
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| Snapdragons - Pinch back young plants after 4-6 leaves have appeared to encourage a bushy habit and apply an all-purpose organic fertilizer... |
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Sunflowers - Easy to plant from seed, sunflowers are available in sizes ranging from miniatures at 1-2 feet tall (good for edging) to... |
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| Sweet Peas - Sow as soon as the soil can be worked for summer bloom. The seed casings are hard, soak overnight for best... |
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Zinnias - Fertilize monthly with an organic fertilizer once they have begun blooming. Pinch the spent blooms off to extend the... |
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