Week 18

I am in the throws of back-breaking work, planting my seedlings. A task I have worked so hard to get to this point. Starting seeds, watering them, watching for germination, removing covers, and hardening off. Learning a new water routine because outside plants dry out faster than indoors. I pot them into larger plugs when my garden beds are not ready. Paying close attention to the weather, moving the seedlings to protection with the threat of heavy downpours or cold nights. It's a lot of observation and moving. Then, the time comes to put them into the beds. It does not matter how detailed my plans are; the planting ultimately comes down to the quantities I have in front of me and the space to fill. I strive to plant in groups and create patterns, but the landscape changes everything. Once I reach my garden bed, the perennial border, I work around the markers of plantings I've started. I find myself working through a hint of anxiety. I'm frozen in fear and not sure where to start. I don't have enough variety to repeat throughout the row, and I don't know how these colors will look together. I must remind myself that the plans are only building blocks to get here. This is when I let go of control and work with my landscape. I make decisions based on the flats I have in front of me and plant them.

Week 18 blooms:

• Allium
• Baptista
• Honeysuckle
• Last of the Iris
• Roses

Week 17 recap:

• Planted seedlings:
  • Basil
  • Hollyhocks
  • Lisianthus
  • Marigolds
  • Sweet Peas
  • Zinnias
• Succession seed starting for:
  • Asters
  • Phlox
  • Marigolds
  • Red-leaf Hibiscus
  • Rudbeckia
  • Sunflowers
• Potted up:
  • Jewels of Opar
  • Phlox
  • Rudbeckia
  • Snapdragons

Week 18 plans:

• Continue planting lisianthus
• Direct sow:
  • Pumpkins
• Start seeds for:
  • Amaranth
  • Cosmos
  • Rudbeckia
  • Zinnias
• Prune Barberry
• Weed and remove tulips from rock-wall beds.

Happy Gardening,

Lelo