Here's a quick update on my first-ever container flower garden.
What the 100+ temps doesn't kill must be a very tough type of flower. By late July I had four empty flower pots, all of which had formerly been filled with gorgeous blooms.
(all that's left of Geraniums)
A few hearty souls are hanging on and I'm trying to enjoy every minute with them - before fall arrives and brings them to an end.
Seven things I've learned this summer about gardening:
1. When temps are in the 100s, I'm not sure you can ever "over-water."
2. I do not want to raise Geraniums again, nor do I want to raise flowers from seed.
3. I love zinnias - who knew? just happened to buy a pot of them and fell in love.
4. I prefer Impatiens over Vinca, though I'm told that Vinca need less water.
5. You must, must, MUST put adequate drainage in bottom of the pots (a hard lesson learned).
6. An empty milk jug with holes cut in the plastic lid makes a fine watering can. There was a gorgeous blue watering can for sale at Target this summer and I wanted it - wanted it bad - waited for the "final sale" to reach my acceptable price - they were all gone. The milk jug worked fine.
(found this at the thrift store last week)
7. I also love my ivy and succulents and must grow those again next summer. In fact, I'm hoping to bring them inside and try to keep them going as long as possible, my dear little friends.
If someone ever told me I'd some day speak of flowers as my dear little friends, I'd have laughed them off the deck. But Brenda at Cozy Little House convinced me (via her gorgeous gardens) that flowers can bring such joy into your life.
This summer, I proved it to myself.
How's your garden growing here in mid-August?
Hugs ~ Mary
Great tips. My container flowers look horrible. I think that I am just going to reload them with some pretty fall flowers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - is it too early to start them, with this heat?
DeleteBeautiful flowers:) The picture of the zinnia is gorgeous! I love being outside with my little pretties! I love succulents, they take so little work! I have lots of flowers that are suffering thru the heat! My roses are always happy! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how some plants come back when it rains. (I'm too lazy to water them.) I drooled over mums when I was shopping at Lowes for the new washing machine. I've about decided to give up completely on flowers and just add more hostas to the front yard.
ReplyDeleteContainers are best left to spring and fall around here. The same I am sure where you live. So hard to keep them wet in the summer. Zinnias are a summer favorite for me too. I love the Pyrex in your header.
ReplyDeleteI like your thrift store watering can, very pretty. Love those zinnias too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you learned that flowers bring joy to your life. They do take work, especially with a hot summer like we had. I love the zinnias. I've never had them, but I think there will be some in my pots next summer.
ReplyDeleteMy potted plants look pretty much like yours Mary! Except for my Gerbera Daisy - it's actually re-blooming! Also, some Coleus that is in the shade is doing well.
ReplyDeleteIt's just been too hot for too long for our poor friends, even with lots of watering. If I put the pots in partial shade they do better, but my big pots are too heavy to be dragging all around.
Nice post. Live and learn, right? I guess the most important lesson being; flowers bring you joy. We've had some hot weather. It's been 107, but it's a dry heat here in California. Even with a drip system I have my daily routine of watering all my potted plants/flowers. I love your blue watering can. Nice. I use an old plastic pitcher. I should look for something more fun and inspiring! I love the flags in the ivy. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteI have had a lot of problems with my container flower this year too Mary..They don't like 100 degrees anymore than we do I guess..lol
ReplyDeleteMary, I understand your frustration about your flowers. I have a container of coleus and potato vines that have done well even with the heat but the petunias and vinca are all but gone. I have red geraniums on the front porch and a container of white ones on the deck and they have faired pretty well. It has definitely been disappointing trying to keep plants alive this summer. Your watering blue watering can is cute. Maybe things will cool off soon and we can enjoy some pretty fall flowers.-------------
ReplyDeleteShannon