Planting-How to Plant Seeds and Add Color to the Garden With Flowers, Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, and Tubers

Gardening is a great way to color your world.But,it can do so much more.This is how Igot started and the many joys it has brought to myself and my family and friends. I will also add some of my garden favorites that are simple to grow. If you don't have alot of space in your garden you can get creative and use decorative containers, such as wheelbarrows,Old milk cans,empty buckets,jugs,or coffee cans just use your imagination.You can get inspiration by looking at magazines,flowers shows and online sources.When you are digging a spot in the yard keep in mind where you are digging ,make sure you know where gas and electrical lines may be as you don't want to create a problem.You can make your garden into any shape you want, a heart,circle square or whatever works for your plan.

There are so many ways to add a splash of color to your world and you will be amazed how simple it is. Gardening is a great way to get exercise, a little fresh air, some sunshine (vitamin D). Gardening is also a great way to attract birds and butterflies to your yard.

You will also be able to share flowers with friends (Its nice to share). Don't worry about not knowing where to begin-just pick a spot and get started.Start with a small area so you don't get over whelmed-the idea is for you to feel rewarded for your efforts.You will be rewarded with beauty,color,birds and butterflies,and also watching the things you plant grow, gives a nice feeling of accomplishment and appreciation.

You will notice as I did,flowers do not, talk back,they do not tell you off they just dance where you put them.Keeping flowers is not as hard as you may think-just like a child or anything else in life flowers need TLC.I found that when you first plant a new flower,bush,tree,shrub you may notice it wilt a little-don't get discouraged keep it watered until it perks up-some plants just go through transplant shock. If after a week it still is not responding you may try some 'PLANT FOOD' such as Miracle Grow,keep in mind that some plants need more acid like 'Miracid' usually plants like evergreens,azaleas,rhododendrons and some others.You may try moving the plant to a different area.If you are not sure just ask someone at your local garden center or wherever you buy your plants.

Perennials can be divided about every 3-5 years and can be easily shared, you may know someone with a beautiful garden who would be more than happy to give you a few bulbs or plants. Once your garden is established you will be able to share with others also. Dividing your plants is a good thing to do and sometimes will give the plant new life-especially with bulbs like Daffodils, Iris and lilies. These bulbs sometimes get overcrowded and stop or slow flowering, dividing them will bring new life. You can simply move them to a new spot in your garden or share some with a friend or neighbor. Some plants you can multiply easily such as vinca vine which most people buy every year over and over for hanging baskets ,if you plant it in the ground in the fall it will come back year after year and spread, you can then just dig up what you need for your baskets and containers. You can also lay the vine on the ground cover with soil and it will root producing a new plant.

Annuals are simple to grow from seed,I usually do not even bury most seed instead I scatter it on the top of the soil and keep it moist.If you decide to start seeds indoors you may want to use a grow light and a fan (not blowing directly on the plant) to prevent mold spores.

Directions are usually on back of the package. You do not need to plant every seed and the smaller the seed the less dirt it needs to be covered with.If you bury the seed too deep it will not be able to push its way though the soil. You can also scatter seeds in the garden late march early spring the last snow will take them into the ground slowly.Larger seeds like morning glories may be soaked overnight in water or a wet paper towel.This is my story of how I became addicted to gardening.

How I got involved in gardening is a long story in itself,so I will share with you the short version. I was about 25 years old in 1990 when my now mother in law built a new house and offered this house to my husband and I to live in. Not long after she moved into her new house-she decided she would take the landscape with her. She had sent some of the guys (employees) to our house daily for like the next three weeks digging up every tree,bush,shrub flower bulb-whatever was movable and then some. I didn't really mind at the time, after all they were hers originally. Not very long after the yard was wiped of all Landscape I decided,I had to do something to add a little bit of beauty and color and texture and just a little bit of life to my surroundings. I was not a gardener, I knew very little about plants. I decided planting some things could not only brighten my landscape and up the value of the property,But the possibilities were endless.So I decided I would work one small area at a time and just plant a few flats of flowers from the local garden center.I did not know the difference between an annual,biennial or perennial.But I headed to the garden center anyway and picked out some bright petunias and pansies.At the garden center I noticed that the majority of the plants were labeled, most had tag saying the plant name and a brief description of the plant- what soil it preferred, what kind of light it required (part sun,full sun,shade) and how tall and wide it would grow. That was cool.I planted what I bought and stood back in amazement just so impressed what a little bit of color could do.I watched daily at the progress of the plants as they adjusted to their new soil and conditions.It wasn't long before I had to get more plants,this trip I added some perennials. As I said I knew nothing about the plants-other than the information given on the tag.I mostly was picking out plants because I liked the color of the leaves or the flower or the shape and texture,sometimes I picked the flower with a cool name like the ' Queen of the Night ' Tulip or 'Red King Humbert' Giant canna.I was finding it very rewarding seeing color outside my window. I became addicted -seriously,I could not drive by a place that was selling flowers or I might miss out on something. The more I planted the more I wanted to plant. I watched the birds, hummingbirds and butterflies enjoy my work-it was amazing how quickly they made themselves at home.By the second year I received a Landscape Beautification Award from the local garden club in my area. I was excited,the garden club had talked me into entering a few flower shows.I entered with pride. I did not know as much as I thought I did,but it was fun and encouraged me to learn more.I kept experimenting moving things around until they looked happy.(Yes,plants let you know) I planted flowers for many reasons

I made excuses to plant more. I use to say I was planting a flower for everyone who made me feel something happy or sad.I was burying my problem so they could grow into something more beautiful. I remember running outside to capture the hummingbirds on video or to snap a picture of the bright red rose that was just beginning to open.

I found that Gardening did alot more than add color it relieved alot of boredom and stress.I was able to teach my daughter 'colors' with the flowers. And numbers by counting the birds and butterflies. I taught her to be creative with nature; we made head bands with only flowers. Her friends loved to come and pick flowers to bring home and looked forward to doing crafts with them while they were here.

We learned to dry flowers by hanging them up side down.We also made a flower press,and pressed flowers to make tags for gifts.I saved seeds from every flower I possibly could and in the spring I would just scatter them, when the seedlings came up I would divide them and spread them around to different parts of my yard.

Perennials come back every year, annuals flower, set seed and die. Use Annuals for instant color they are also a great addition to beds and borders and containers. Height may vary depending on variety and location.

Ageratum- bright tiny blue or purple sometimes in white; about 6"-12 some varieties may grow taller

Alyssum Easter bonnet- grows about 4-6 inches tall and are extremely fragrant usually white,purple or pink

Asters-All varieties- excellent long lasting cut flowers usually 12-18 inches tall

Begonias all varieties--double varieties are nice good in baskets and containers

Coleus- Rainbow mixed

Celosia- Pink Castle or castle mix. The feathery tops add a lot of interest. about 12" tall

Geranium-all colors are pretty and grow fairly easy

Gladiolas- Absolutely worth trying-beautiful and awesome for arrangements

Larkspur- all colors excellent cut flower

Mexican Sunflower-Tithonia Sundance or torch--unusually bright orange 6' tall amazing color

Marigolds- I like all varieties for instant color and they are very hardy.height depends on variety.mixed colors

Nigella-Persian Jewel-great cut and seed pods are very pretty and can be used in dried arrangements

Nasturtium-Beautiful in any color and edible.my favorite is "Empress of India' a dazzling scarlet

Pansies-Swiss giant or any variety-These are excellent for pressing-available in many colors

Petunia-I like all varieties and colors-wave petunias I love in hanging baskets-double varieties are nice also

Salvia- Lady in red

Thunbergia- Black-eyed Susan vine

Zinnias- Excellent cut flower-all varieties are pretty

There are thousands of annuals to choose from so pick you own preference-

Asters-many varieties-great cut flower

Baby's breath-great in arrangements

Delphinium-awesome color and excellent as a cut flower

Lupine-Russel Hybrids really pretty and unique

Columbine-Many color choices and unique

Cornflower-Centura Montana-like an airy star

Cornflower-Echinacea-great cut

Gaillardia-Blanket flower-thrives in heat,sun and drought

Hollyhocks-I prefer double-these get tall like 6 feet but real nice in back ground(biennial)

Painted Daisy-awesome cut flower -like pink or red daisy

Monarda-Bee Balm--hummingbirds love this in any color-especially the red

Rudbeckia-Goldsturm Strain-Black Eyed Susan

Tithonia Torch-Red Hot Poker-great fiery spikes of narrow,tubular flowers

Shasta daisy- nice cut flower

This is just a short list of some of my many favorites. There are also many other plants I enjoy growing.Dahlias,Iris, lilies,daffodils,crocus,hyacinths,hibiscus,are also favorites in my garden.Roses are stunning great as climbers, I like the hybrid tea roses and floribunda.Roses do require at least 6 hours of full sun.

Full Sun is approximately 6 hours

Part Sun is about 4 hours

Shade is usually less than 2 hours of sun

Don't be afraid to try and grow things -tropicals are nice in containers around the pool or patio but will need to be brought to a warmer inside location in colder areas.Check to see what planting zone you are in.

Enjoy your garden.

The Flowers you receive in pots at easter and other holidays like Tulips,Lilly,Daffodil,Hyacianths,Iris.and mums-just to name a few can be planted in your outdoor garden.I usually plant these outside in the garden after the flowers have faded. Do not cut off the foliage until it turns brown as this feeds the bulb-so next year you will have better flowers.As time passes (a few years 3-5) your bulbs will multiply-you can then dig them up and start a new garden or share some with friends.

You can do this with many other plants as well, like Dahilas.Although depending on what zone you are in you may need to dig them up every year. I plant the more delicate, closer to the house usually the ground stays a bit warmer and they are a little more protected from wind and heavy rain.