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21.07.2023 - 22:41 / awaytogarden.com
NOTHING LIKE ORGANIZING LEFTOVER SEED PACKETS to set a girl straight on what she may, and may not, order this year. I have enough beans and winter squash (like ‘Pink Banana’ and ‘Triamble,’ above) and a number of other things thanks to the last two years’ seed orders, to meet my 2011 needs and then some. But I’m not well-stocked in everything, thank heaven, so I do get to shop…a little.My inventory revealed I am also good on carrots, beets, Asian greens of various kinds, salad things (from mesclun mixes to lettuce, arugula and mustards), and all the herbs I like to grow. I’ve ordered tomato seedlings from a grower at my local farmers’ market; with my new book coming, I’m simplifying my seed-starting this year.
HERE’S WHAT I AM allowing myself:
CHARD, specifically ‘Argentata,’ with its giant leaves and thick white midribs; ‘Fordhook Giant,’ and ‘Ruby Red’ or ‘Rhubarb.’
SPINACH, including ‘Tyee’ for good bolt-resistance among the Savoy types as the weather warms, ‘Corvair’ (a recent smooth-leaf type, 40 days), ‘Regiment’ (new, 37 days, large leaves) and maybe ‘Giant Winter’ (for the other end of the growing season).
KALE (‘Lacinato’ or ‘Dino,’ and ‘Red Russian’—I don’t like the frilly ‘Vates’ kinds as much).
PEAS, both for shelling and freezing (‘Early Frosty’ and old reliable ‘Green Arrow’) and edible-pod sugar types (‘Sugar Anne’ or ‘Cascadia,’ and ‘Sugar Snap’).
PARSNIP, and also TURNIP (‘Joan’).
POTATOES (“seed potatoes,” not actual seed). This year I’m going to try some assortments from Fedco: “Classic Keepers” and “Specialty Organics.” After reading all the descriptions, I just couldn’t decide; bring on the assortment.
ONIONS: ‘Copra’ is a great keeper, and I love the ample size of ‘Ailsa Craig,’ but not to store.
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As native grasses such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium and cvs., Zones 3–9) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis and cvs., Zones 3–9) increasingly gain traction in gardens, exotics such as miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis and cvs., Zones 4–9) are losing favor because of their invasive tendencies. But not all exotic grasses are troublesome and need to be avoided. Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora and cvs., Zones 5–9) is a natural hybrid of C. arundinacea and C. epigejos, which are both nonnatives and prolific self-sowers, but the hybrid rarely sets fertile seed—a major plus for an exotic grass, right? So why are other reed grasses—‘Karl Foerster’ aside—so underused? To answer that question is to understand the phenomenon of ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (C. × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’).
The Brown Turkey fig, Ficus carica, produces large, sweet, juicy figs even in British conditions.
Violas are perennial and grow best in well drained soil that has an open structure to encourage fibrous roots and promote many stems from the same root. They may get a bit leggy so cut back two or three times during the spring and summer to encourage new shoots and more flowers. Aid this by applying a liquid rose fertilizer or seaweed and keep watered.
When God became the first gardener after creating the earth and heavens he noted that ‘no shrub of the field had yet grown on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, he had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.’
While gardening, people often stick to the classic, tried-and-true plants we all know and love. But, with endless available options, all of us are missing out on some blooms in bright yellow and purple hues that would add character and charm to our landscapes.
Garden designer Alison Jenkins in her Somerset smallholding
The Russia-Ukraine grain deal that has been critical to keeping global food prices stable and preventing famine is currently in tatters. On July 17, 2023, Russia said it was pulling out of the year-old deal, which allowed shipments of grains and other foodstuffs to travel past the Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea. And to make matters worse, over the next two days Russia bombed the Ukrainian grain port of Odesa, destroying over 60,000 tons of grain.
In South Carolina, where many of our ponds have been constructed in clay soils, pond water quality may be less than ideal for fish management. Liming can be an important step in a productive and healthy fish pond as lime can improve pH, hardness, and alkalinity conditions, all important factors in fish health. For highly-fished, low-flow ponds where fertilization may be needed to support a beneficial phytoplankton community, liming may be required for effective fertilizer applications. (Contact your local Extension agent to find out more information on pond fertilization and if it is appropriate for your pond.)
While enjoying a slice of delicious locally-made pecan pie, I felt motivated to share with you some tips on growing and enjoying pecans. Whether you say “pee-can” or “peh-cahn,” they are one of the most nutritious nuts you can buy. Or grow for yourself!
By now, everyone involved with gardening or growing plants has heard the term “soil health” thrown around. What is soil health, and why is it important?
T HERE IS LITTLE CHANCE THAT ANYBODY on this dirt road is stealing my garden-design ideas; they don’t want to go stark raving and have to take care of all this stuff. But our doodling friend Andre’s right: Cookie-cutter gardens all in a row would be no fun, and the garden’s a place for each of us to express our individuality, not try to recreate someone else’s picture or point of view.