Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Seeds

I had to do a little thinning and transplanting to give my seeds some room.  I am not sure if I received some inferior impatiens seed (Wild Thing) or if it was something that I did.  Whatever happened, germination was only about a third of what it was supposed to be.  All of the other seeds produced 100% germination.


Impatiens Wild Thing

Petunia Silver Tidal Wave

Zinnia Zahara Highlight

Zinnia Zahara Double Orange

La Bella Snapdragons on the left and Amaranthus on the right

I didn't get very fancy this year with the veggie garden, radishes, onion sets, slow bolting spinach, two types of lettuce and italian and curley parsley.  All of the cold crop vegetables can be planted now for optimum harvest.


The radishes are up but the lettuce and spinach are so small they are not photo worthy yet.

I ordered two new tomato cages from Gardeners Supply for my Beefsteak tomatoes.  These cages are supposed to handle the heaviest - I've heard this before!

Another important seed activity will be my lawn.  I don't have much of it, but what I have in the back garden doesn't look so good - spots of snow mold.  Many of the patches are small and I will leave them to fill in on their own, but the larger ones need some help, pulling out the dead grass, some topsoil, starter fertilizer, a little seed and some peat moss to hide from the birds.  We are supposed to get rain and warmer temperatures for the next several days so this should help with germination.


Snow mold is a problem when lawns go into dormancy having been fertilized late with lush growth and of course heavy snow does not help.



A landscaper told me that I didn't even need to get this fancy, just rough up the dead grass and drop in some seed.  I have done both this year so it will be interesting to see which is the most successful.

My bareroot roses arrived from California, soaked them overnight and put them in last weekend.  I have had very good luck with product from Garden Valley Ranch.  I am expecting some perennials from another California company Digging Dog Nursery, Brunnera, Hellebores and Phlomis.

Of course, I can't end this post without some eye candy to look at around the garden, not much yet but better than a winter landscape.


My only Hellebore for now, some on order.  I had so many at my last home so I am anxious to add some each year.


Striped Scilla

Early Sensation
Blooming a full two weeks later than those on the south side of house

28 comments:

meemsnyc said...

Your seedlings look great!

Larry said...

I like the striped scilla Eileen... I never have very good germination on impatiens either. One wonders if it is the seed... I've started 4 varieties of primula polyanthus... what a difference in germination and all the same conditions... then again, maybe it's me... L

Lily said...

Your seedlings are very healthy! Thank you for sharing. Love your hellebore too!

Lona said...

Hi Eileen. I do not know what the problem is or there just may not be a problem with your impatiens seeds.Every time I buy impatiens seeds they do not grow for me either. That is why I started saving my own seeds from them. The ones I save always does terrific. Your other seedlings are looking wonderful. I love your blue striped Scilla and your hellebore.It is good to be getting some blooms isn't it?

Diana LaMarre said...

I am loving the scilla and the Hellebore. I don't grow either. I don't know why I have not tried them as I always love seeing them in other people's gardens.

I think your garden is going to be fun to watch this year with all of your new flowers!

Becca's Dirt said...

The seedlings are looking good. And what pretty eye candy you are showing us too. Love the blue Striped Scilla. Hope you are having a good day.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Larry,

I really didn't know they had stripes until I saw the close up photo. I am glad to know that impatiens are a problem.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lily,

I am hoping to plant a lot more Hellebores. I had forgotten how lovely they are!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lona,

It is great to finally get some blooms, few as they are.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Zoey,

I haven't grown Hellebores in several years, don't know why because they are so carefree.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Becca,

I am going to order more Scilla for next year. They are slow to spread in my garden but I can imagine how lovely a completely filled in area would be.

Eileen

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Eileen,
The cold weather continues here.I am so jealous that you have daffodils already!I also like the little blue striped scilla-I have never seen it before. Despite the one dissapointment, your seeds are doing very nicely.

BernieH said...

Just catching up with what's going on in your corner of the world. Well I can see lots of plants germinating which is wonderful ... wonder what the problem with the Impatiens is? It's a shame the germination rate was so low, but at least there's a few.

Love, love that striped Scilla ... that's an unfamiliar plant to me. Your Hellebore is just lovely too.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jennifer,

Early Sensation just happens to be the earliest daffodil I have every had in my garden, even ahead of Tete-A-Tete.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Bernie,

We are finally getting some warmth, the garden really needs it to wake up.

Eileen

joey said...

Very impressed, Eileen! Way ahead of me, all looks green and lush. This weekend promises to be more spring friendly for us ... I do so hope! (Love your striped scilla)

Anonymous said...

Eileen, These are beautiful seedlings, so healthy and strong. They should do really well for you. I love that striped scilla.

Karen said...

Eileen, oh I'm so envious! We just put our greenhouse up on today (Friday) and I planted my first three flats of flowers. I don't know how much my plants will grow before June 1, but all I can do is hope.

Your zinnias look amazing....I have a Xahara mix I'm trying this year, trying to change the color scheme for once. I bought some new impatiens this year and I'll let you know how the germination goes; like you, I have had issues with impatiens in the past. Everything looks so wonderful, Eileen! I hope you have a nice weekend.

Sissy said...

Zinnias are becoming my favorite flower. I grew State Fair last year and had dozens of cut blooms for vases, every day. This year, Purple Prince for me...

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Seedlings are always fun to watch, and they promise excitement! Love your Scilla! My Scilla is a bit late this year.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Joey,

Things are greening up, lots of rain and high temps tomorrow.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Grace,

The petunias are getting ahead of me, hope to harden them off soon.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Karen,

The Zahara line seems very promising, no mildew.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Sissy,

I do like zinnias because they stand up to heat better than most annuals.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Tatyana,

The scilla is always a surprise to me as I seem to forget the places I have planted it.

Eileen

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Your seedlings look so good! I'm having a hard time keeping mine watered enough with the grow lights. I had no idea they dried things out so fast. Next year I'm trying petunias, yours look so healthy. Very pretty Hellebore. I love that they bloom for such a long time.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Catherine, I couldn't believe the price today of Hellebores at the nursery $25.00 each. They were lovely, but I restrainted myself. I have some on order but I am sure they are going to be small.

Eileen

garden girl said...

Looking good Eileen! My two mail-ordered hellebores are finally blooming/budding here - it only took 3 years. :)