Favorite Plants from Seeds

Easy to grow seeds for a 

bright summer punch of color in your Garden.

1. Nasturtium .
-  Plant these easy care seeds in your garden for bright color.   Personally, I love the orange ones.  I'm a little obsessed with planting these in every container (spilling over) 
These flowers trail happily from containers and thrive in sunny spots in your garden or patio.

Thrillers, Spillers and Fillers    (P. Allen Smith)
Nasturtium seeds are great for teaching kids to plant, grow and enjoy flowers.
Even I can grow Nasturtium.  The seeds are large, easy for kids to pick up.  They grow and bloom profusely all summer.

These flowers are also edible and add color to a summer salad.

Nasturtium are Annuals. 

 

2.  Marigolds
Bright sunny Marigolds.  
What a big punch of color from such a small seed!
Sow in groupings of the same color for a big impact wave of color.
(I love to pair these with Nasturtiums in pots- as part of the Thriller, Spiller and Filler theory, - Thank you,  "P. Allen Smith")
- sow seeds directly into the soil, a pot or in the ground for easy bright color all season. Marigolds are Annuals- hmmm,  there may be some Zinnias in the photo below from Google Maragold search...?  The Marigold is fun to see and brightens any day.

3. Zinnias - quick to grow and colorful 

provides beautiful color and texture.  Sunny area.  likes moist soil.  plant from seed into soil, water soil from below, not above flower.   soil not amended ok- watch out for powdery mildew


(my notes below are from Burpee seeds, - link to a Burpee Seed online catalog, or Google Burpee Seeds Zinnia )

Zinnias are recommended for beginning gardeners.
Zinnias are undemanding annuals that simply need full sun, warmth, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. If soil is poor, incorporate lots of compost or leaf mold. Zinnias can be direct sown or transplanted into the garden. Space taller varieties about 12 to 18 inches apart. Space shorter growing varieties about 6 to 8 inches apart.

(-I've planted dozens of Zinnias in a sunny spot. I'll post a photo later, fingers crossed ; )

4.  Cosmos - 
provides beautiful color and texture.  Sunny area.  likes moist soil.  plant from seed into soil, **note** Cosmos likes to be watered in the soil below, not above, on the flower or leaves. 
(text from Burpee Seed Online Catalogue)

Lacy foliage and silky flowers give an airy touch to the garden from midsummer to frost. Wonderful for cutting. Tolerates poor soil, heat and humidity. Easy to grow. Grows best in full sun. Attracts Butterflies. Proven tops for performance and adaptability. Space 12-15" apart. Start outdoors after danger of frost.

Febuary- Time to paint the garden!

Oh! How I love to paint the garden in Feb.
(Such a dreary dull time.  Why is Valentine's day in Feb?  Maybe to give people a little lift )
Thinking of spring is warmth.

Petunias with creeping jenny, vivacious purples and chartreuse colors against greens, alive and vibrant.

Impatiens did well in the fall in this pot with feathery textured leaves

Sometimes I try a planting, if it does well I plant more, if it doesn't...it gets transplanted, life lessons learned from Tasha Tudor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasha_Tudor

The life lesson of my garden--
Try something, then try something else.
Where do you thrive?
Why do people try to take the worst soil, then plant themselves there and force themselves to grow even when it isn't right?  Why are we angry and upset when we don't grow nor blossom?

To grow, we need good soil, the right light, growing conditions, the right amount of water and nutrients.

My soul needs time alone to recover.
I have to close the door to shut out the storms.

I am blessed.  God has blessed me, indeed. 
Just look at this plant!  Vibrant and full of life.
I will put my trust in Him, always.

Thank you for good things, thank you for Spring!