Whether or not spring has officially sprung, it's time to start thinking about seeds. An unusual annual I've grown and loved is Agrostemma, or "Rose of Heaven." If you have a sunny spot of ground that's not too fertile, sprinkle the seeds as soon as you can work the soil. Workable soil for a flower like Agrostemma involves the ability to rough up the surface without leaving ruts.
In other words, it should be dry enough to not hold footprints. Space seeds one to two inches apart and 1/4- inch deep. Firm the soil and keep it moist until germination, which can take up to three weeks. Once the seedlings reach two or three inches tall, thin them out to around eight inches apart.
A seed mix available through Renee's Garden Seeds combines Purple Queen (lavender) and Pink Contessa (shell-pink). Agrostemma blossoms are simple, shimmering, and silky. They're great for cutting, and their wiry stems stand up well in the weather.
Another annual that is easy to grow from seed is sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), available in a nice range of colors, including a variety called Summer Peaches. Seeds are tiny, so you'll have to sow them as thinly as possible about 1/4-ich deep. After they sprout, thin to three to four inches apart. Alyssum will bloom just six to eight weeks from sowing. Plant them now for a fragrant flush of bloom in early May.
Another flower that does well when planted early is Calendula officianalis, or pot marigold. In years it doesn't get too hot, I've had great success with Calendula. They are attractive to butterflies, make great little bouquets, and have edible petals that can brighten up a salad. Sow seeds an inch apart and cover 1/2-inch deep. Germination takes place in one to two weeks. They can be prone to mildew, so make sure they have good air circulation by thinning to eight inches apart.
LaPorte County Master Gardeners offer Spring Symposium
The La Porte County Master Gardener Association, along with Purdue Extension-La Porte County, will host its annual Spring Garden Symposium, "Gardening Green," from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center, 444 Pine Lake Avenue (North US Hwy 35) in La Porte.
Mike Nowak, Chicago radio host on station WCPT 820 AM and award-winning columnist for Chicagoland Gardening Magazine, will offer new ways of looking at pests, pathogens, and low-impact gardening solutions. Liz Maynard, Purdue University Extension specialist with the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture will present "Heirloom Vegetables." Ruth Semones, owner of Root Seller LLC, will offer "Container Gardening- Mixing Veggies with Bloomers."
Tickets are $28 and may be reserved by e-mail at lpmastergardener@purdue.edu or contact Marcia Wolff at the Extension Office at (219) 324-9407.To access a registration flyer online, go to www.extension.purdue.edu/laporte; then click on Master Gardener and scroll down to Gardening Green Symposium to download a PDF file.
The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Reach her at jeanstarr@verizon.net.
