and the butterflies: these are just a FEW of the many pollinators on this earth that serve such a secretly beneficial and beautiful purpose on this earth. But why do we need to make an effort to attract them to our gardens? Because pollinators are responsible for three-quarters of the world's food crops and many of the foods that we enjoy on a daily basis would not be existent without them. Because plants can not exist without the process of pollination…
If you have hot summers like we do, here in Burlington, North Carolina, you understand that not all flowers will measure up to our hot summers. Some flowers just won't hold up to the hot sun, and are too delicate for the heat, like Foxglove, Stock, or Sweet Pea. BUT fear not, because there are still some BEAUTIFUL flowers that THRIVE in the heat. Here are some great suggestions for your flower garden this summer:
Gardening can be such an exciting experience. With Pinterest and our neighbors' beautiful homes as inspiration, we can plan our future spring garden in hopes that we achieve those huge blossoms and healthy vegetables. And all of those dreams are awesome... except when those plants don't actually grow, and we're left feeling disappointed and discouraged. Good thing we, at Garden Valley Market, are here to help you prepare this spring! Here are 8 of the most common gardening mistakes we hear about, and how you can avoid them.
This time we decided to make a vegetable medley frittata, including our vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh zucchini and onion, hand picked rosemary directly from a local garden, and some fresh local farm eggs provided by a local family here in Burlington, North Carolina…
The calibrachoa form excellent colorful ornaments for gardens, wonderful bedding plants and gorgeous hanging baskets.
They make great additions used alone or as part of hanging baskets or window boxes as their long stems, spill and and cascade over the pots or containers.
Moreover, unlike petunias, do not produce seeds and stop blooming. Instead they keep on blooming until the environment freezes. You can pinch them off if you are fond of bushy shrubs.
Million bells require minimal care. Fairly moist soil and dry temperatures with regular fertilizing are primary care needs for calibrachoa.
Full Sun Plants – Million Bells are considered to be full sun plants. They can do best when placed in direct sun for at minimum of 6 hours daily. If plants do not get enough light they may look tired and blooming will decrease and the plants will begin to stretch. This is an indication that the plant needs to be moved in a location where it gets at least 4-6 hours of direct and filtered sun in a day.
Fertilizer Needs – Lighting is important to a bright, eye-popping, color display Calibrachoa provides. But fertilizer is also very important. Heavy blooming the entire summer means heavy demands on plant nutrition. To keep plants strong fertilize every other week with a liquid fertilizer. Fertilization, in short is the key for blooming you calibrachoa throughout the season well.
Soil – Calibrachoa prefer very well-drained soils. Most garden soils do not have the best drainage. This is why Calibrachoa is normally found growing in containers. Use a good quality potting soil in your containers, with excellent drainage.
Water Requirements – Calibrachoa needs generous amount of water for “soaking” the roots. However, the soil needs to be given time for dying out until the next watering cycle. When watering water the soil thoroughly and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before watering again. Soggy soil lead to plants rotting.
Grooming Million Bells For More Flowers – When plants start looking tired or non-vibrant, it signals for trimming. Trim your calibrachoa up (1-4 inches) in mid-summer time. This process is not complicated. Trim plants to a neat and tidy status. This will temporarily reduce the blooming for a week or two but picks up quickly as trimming stimulates root growth resulting in fuller bushy plants. There is no requirement of deadheading calibrachoa. They are a self-cleaning plant. Spent flowers automatically drop following another batch to bloom.
Though slightly fussy about moisture and temperatures, fuchsias are still considered an easy plant to grow in container gardens. Most will thrive in part shade to full shade, but they don't like to be too hot and they especially hate dry heat.
Fuchsias are happiest with temperatures between 55-80°F, though there are some heat-tolerant cultivars that will keep their blooms up to 90°F. Fuchsias thrive in humidity, so if you live in a dry climate, you may have to mist your fuchsias to keep them sufficiently moist.
Though some fuchsias don't need deadheading, for peak bloom production pick off spent blossoms. During the blooming season fuchsias have a huge appetite, so you have to feed them regularly with diluted liquid fertilizer. Fuchsias like to be moist, but not soggy. Susceptible to root-rot, they require a fast draining potting soil and very good drainage.
