Lettuce Grow Some

Depending on where you live and what the current weather cycle is running, you may be able to start growing lettuce, now. This year, here in Oregon with El Nino causing warmer weather, we can actually begin growing some cold crops such as lettuce. This is exciting news, as there is nothing better than the flavor of fresh produce.

Even if you live in an area that is not quite warm enough, yet, especially if the fear of freezing is still possible, using a small greenhouse or clear plastic covering may still enable you to plant some early lettuce varieties. Remember, when starting seeds, keep them moist. By keeping the seeds and seedlings protected by a sheet of clear plastic over the growing container, but not touching them, gives them the oxygen necessary while retaining moisture for healthy germination.

Many leaf lettuce varieties are fairly hardy in cooler temperatures and if you are able to plant in a large container and keep it close to the house to offer protection, you may be quite successful. Oak barrels make an effective growing container and are tall enough to make picking easy while helping to keep pests out.

The nice thing about leaf lettuce is that you can pick what you need for sandwiches and salads. As the lettuce grows out, it is easy to just seed in some more. Try growing different lettuce varieties to add flavor and color. Plant some peas and radishes for more salad ingredients and texture and enjoy healthy eating.

Annual Flowers

Annual flowers are plants which fulfill their life cycle in one season. In some mild climate locations, many annuals behave like perennials (meaning they come back every year), but usually not without some special care. The wonderful thing about annuals is that they typically have large, brightly colored flowers. Plants such as Petunias, Pansies, Marigolds, and Impatiens are typical varieties of annuals. Of course, there are many more than just these.

Don’t be afraid to plant annuals close together. This “crowding” can give a wonderfully full look that doesn’t harm the plants. Fill containers and flower beds with plants. When working with several varieties of flowers, I like to take the plants and place them while still in their pots, on top of the ground so I can get plant height and colors where I want them before planting. Placing your plants in advance of planting also helps to organize your space effectively, even if you are doing mass plantings.

Once you have your plants in the ground or in the containers, water them in so the soil settles around the roots and fills any open spaces. For best blooms and foliage, use a water soluble feed such as Miracle Gro or Peters every second or third watering. Deadheading is also an important part of maintaining continued blooming of your plants. By keeping the plant from going to seed (developing seed pods), your plant will be forced to make more flowers. If your plants get too leggy or stretched out, feel free to prune them back. This actually promotes branching and will make your plant fuller with more places for flowers to bud.

The biggest thing I see most often is that people neglect to regularly water and feed their plants, especially in hot weather. Container plants, especially, will dry out faster in warm weather, than plants in ground beds. Remember, never feed a wilted plant. The salts in the feed will kill your plants. Water them first until rehydrated, then feed them the following day. Also, never allow plants to sit in a container of water for a long period of time, as this will cause the plant to drown.

A little extra care of your annual plants will make your investment a showstopper for the entire season. There is nothing like annual flowers to add color and brightness to your home or business. Happy planting!

Indoor Herb Gardens

Virtually everyone has heard of container gardens, in all of their myriad of sizes, styles, and content. I might add here, that if you have containers on your balcony and you live in an apartment or condominium, please remember to put drain pans under your containers. That way, when you water them, you don’t drain water over the edge of your balcony onto your neighbor!

Remember, as with any plants that are in containers, it is important to not let them dry out. Conversely, don’t allow them to sit in water. Too much water will drown them. A good rule of thumb is to water just enough so the water begins to drip out of the bottom, then stop. Always use containers that have drip holes and holding pans, especially with container gardens.

People who don’t have a balcony, but have good windows that let in lot’s of sun can still grow plants. Maybe, not tomatoes or peppers, but many herbs do well against an indoor window. Basil, sage, marjoram, oregano, and thyme are nice, basic herbs for indoor growing. Depending on your style of cooking, would depend on the number and types of plants needed to supply you with enough herbs.

Genovese Basil is a nice, compact variety with large, green leaves. It has a wonderful, rich flavor that adds a special quality to salads and sauces. Lemon Basil is not only fantastic in salads, but when you brush you hands over the leaves to release some of the oils, it sends out a fresh, lemony scent into the air. Basils can get leggy or stretched out when grown indoors if they are not getting enough sun, so using them regularly is good.

Try different varieties of the herbs you love. This is a great way to experiment with dishes you already make to add a new flavor. Remember, fresh herbs are much stronger than dry, so use only a leaf or two at a time, especially in cooked meals where you might add a teaspoon of dry. This also gives you permission to frequently taste what you are cooking!

This type of growing is rewarding and money saving. Your house will have that fresh, herbal smell that helps to relieve the stress of the day. What could be more special than that?

Grow A Garden

My husband and I owned a plant nursery several years ago. It was a wonderful opportunity to teach our daughters a good work ethic, how to handle money, and deal with customers. Of course, it helped pay the household bills, too. I was also a Master Gardener and subsequently our local chapter president. Part of my duties as a Master Gardener was to share my knowledge at gardening clinics, from fair booths, and to clubs and organizations that wanted a speaker. Since we owned a nursery, my calendar was always full. One of the topics most requested was on container gardening.

Container gardening is wonderful way to grow vegetables, not just flowers. It is also a good way to “contain” certain plants that you don’t want to get away from you, such as strawberries. Creative gardeners can actually grow more than one type of vegetable in their containers, which makes better use of available space. One the things we have done, is plant lettuce around the outside of a container with a tomato or two in the center. As the tomato grows larger, it helps protect the lettuce from too much sun, while the lettuce helps keep moisture in the pot. Adequate moisture and feed are critical to successful container gardening. Too much water and the plant will rot, too little and it dries out and dies. Being watchful of outside conditions and adjusting these levels will enable you to grow good plants.

The same applies for us, as people. We are walking “container gardens”. The food and water we intake nourish our bodies, while what we read, hear, and see feeds our minds and souls. The “fruit” we bear depends on how well we have nourished ourselves. The better we take care of ourselves, the more we have to offer to those who need us.

May your garden be plentiful!