Some of my seeds are sprouting after only one day. This method with the moist paper towels is awesome! Especially when combined with a hot pad — things can happen quickly. The white coneflowers are definitely sprouting — several had little “tails” poking out. And they’re supposed to take 10-21 days to germinate. The cosmos are starting, but I only saw one actual sprout in my quick look. I also think the Salvia transylvanica are just getting started, but the seeds are so tiny, it’s hard to tell. The Salvia nemorosa seeds all have secreted a little clear sticky stuff…
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All right — the growing season begins! I started my seeds today that I’m going to grow in the basement until I set the plants out in the garden in May. Here’s the list of what I started today: California poppy ‘Summer Sorbet’ – seeds from Thompson & Morgan Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Double Click’ – seeds from Thompson & Morgan Salvia nemorosa ‘East Friesland’ – seeds from my garden – I grew these from Wal-Mart seeds last year Salvia transylvanica – seeds from my garden – I grew these from T&M seeds last year White coneflower (Echinacea, unknown variety) – seeds from my…
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Hey, it’s warming up this week! It got to over 50 yesterday, and the sun finally feels like an actual sun again. You can feel the radiant warmth on your face when you stand in the sunlight. It’s nice to know the worst of winter is behind us, and spring is on the way. I need to start my seeds tomorrow.
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I’ve remarked before that it has been a very warm winter, and I’ve been able to do a bit of garden work that I usually can’t do this early. But we got hit with a major storm yesterday, and temps are very cold now. They say it might hit 10 degrees tonight. Salt Lake Valley got much more snow than us yesterday, but we’re all frozen solid. The roads were so bad and slippery that it took me two stinkin’ hours to get to work this morning! Hard to believe it was that slow. I’ve been tempted to do some…
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Exactly one week after I ordered them, those seeds from Thompson and Morgan arrived today. I’m excited to get them started, along with the ones I gathered from the garden last week. I also found some seeds left over from last year that I didn’t use, including some purple alyssum. I thought perhaps I wouldn’t have as many seedlings this year, but it’s clear I’m going to have at least 100! I also have some things I’d like to directly sow outside, including some nice single marigold seeds I gathered in the fall-before-last when I grew them in the corners…
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Today, I ordered seeds for two annuals from Thompson & Morgan. They are: California poppy ‘Summer Sorbet’ – pink flowers instead of the typical orange Cosmos ‘Double Click’ – a double-flowering cosmos I was reading some reviews at Dave’s Garden on the weekend, and it looks like people have a love-hate relationship with Thompson & Morgan. They love their selection but many are disappointed at the germination rates of their seeds. I’ve never noticed bad germination rates, but I usually throw a bunch of seeds in between moist paper towels sealed inside a ziploc bag, and it makes them germinate…
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Today, I spent quite a few hours working in the garden, mostly in the front yard. I collected seeds from my Salvia nemerosa ‘East Friesland,’ white coneflower, lance-leaved coreopsis ‘Mayfield Giant,’ and a tall flower that’s either salvia transylvanica or nepeta transcaucasica. Can’t remember which, because I have planted both. Those are names from the Thompson and Morgan catalog, but I can’t find them in the Sunset Western Garden Book. I’m going to look up some info on those plants online right now and I’ll post a follow-up entry if I find different names for them. I’m thinking what I collected was the salvia seeds,…
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I walked by Temple Square today and saw a lot of daffodil stalks rising out of the ground about 3-4″. I haven’t checked at home yet to see what’s growing, but I think I will clear out last fall’s dead perennial growth tomorrow. Then, I’ll see how many of my daffodils are coming up. The pansies, wallflowers, and other things that overwinter at Temple Square aren’t doing much yet. There are a few small blooms, but the plants are still small.