It’s Time To Plant...

• Petunias
• Geraniums
• Primrose
• Spring Veggies…Tomatoes, squash, peppers, etc.
• Peas
• Seeds
• Summer-Flowering Bulbs (Indoors)
• Perennials
• Trees & Shrubs
• Evergreens
• Herbs
• Pansies

Easter And Early Spring-Blooming Plants

Bulbs:

- Bulbs can be planted outside for bloom for next spring. If you can work the soil you can plant the bulb.

- In the house the less heat and direct sun the flower gets the longer you will keep the bulb blooming indoors.

- When planting outdoors the bulbs can be planted in a indirect bright light locations.

*Daffodils are great for naturalizing areas and can grow in lower light.

**Crocus are a great early bloomer and again can grow in lower light conditions.

Pansies – great cool weather annual, will bloom up to July, variety of colors, bright indirect light.

Geraniums - colorful annual that will bloom throughout the season, be sure to remove spent blooms to produce new blooms, can be planted outside after frost date.

Easter Lilies – great fragrant favorite for Easter very large beautiful flowers, pretty much an indoor annual bulb.

Calla Lilies – A bulb that has bright color and graceful growth habit. Likes cooler temps, moist soil, more of an annual bulb.

Hydrangeas: Endless Summer

These hydrangeas are hardy but have been forced for Easter so they cannot be planted or kept outside after May 15th.

*Inside Care

• Prefers cool temperatures in indirect bright light (morning sun is good) 55-65 degrees.
• Allow the plant to dry out before watering
• Fertilize every 2-3 weeks (Miracid) – for blue flowers (Miracle Gro) pink

*Outside Care

• After frost date they can be planted outside in a indirect bright or filtered light, morning sun is best or a filtered afternoon sun
• Prune after flowering because buds are set on old wood
• Likes a well-drained soil
• For blue flowers – acidic fertilizer (sulfate), for pink flowers use lime.

Herbs As Companion Plants

Practiced by organic gardeners for years, companion planting has become very popular with gardeners. The concept is to plant together species which will benefit each other, and help prevent disease and insect infestation without the use of chemicals. In general, herbs and other aromatic plants like tomatoes, marigolds and onions are helpful in warding off insects. Certain colors, like the orange of nasturtium flowers, are thought to repel flying insects. While these practices have not been scientifically proven, many gardeners have been using them for years. Try it - and see if it works for you!

Basil - Enhances the growth of tomatoes and peppers, dislikes rue. Repels flies and mosquitoes.

Borage - Companion to tomatoes, squash and strawberries. Deters tomato worm.

Chamomile - Companion to cabbages and onions; improves the growth of all garden plants.

Chervil - Companion to radishes.

Chives - Companion to carrots. Deters Japanese beetles, blackspot on roses, scab on apples and mildew on cucurbits.

Dill - Improves the growth of lettuce, cabbage and onions, dislikes carrots.

Fennel - Most plants dislike it - plant it away from the garden.

Garlic - Plant near roses and raspberries. Deters Japanese beetles.

Horseradish - Plant at the corners of your potato patch; deters potato bug.

Hyssop - Companion to cabbage and grapes. Deters flea beetles and cabbage moths. Dislikes radishes.

Marigolds - Plant throughout the garden as they discourage nematodes and other insects.

Mints (esp. Spearmint and Peppermint) - Companion to cabbages and tomatoes. Deters aphids, flea beetle and many types of cabbage pests.

Nasturtium - Companion to radishes, cabbage and cucumbers. Plant under fruit trees. Deters aphids and squash bugs.

Onion - Repels cabbage loopers, potato beetles, carrot flies and imported cabbage moths.

Oregano - Improves the growth of beans.

Parsley - Enhances the growth of roses. Repels asparagus beetles.

Pot Marigold - Companion to tomatoes, but plant elsewhere, too. Deters tomato worm, asparagus beetles and other pests.

Rosemary - Companion to cabbage, bean, carrots and sage. Deters cabbage moth, bean beetles and carrot fly.

Rue - Companion to roses and raspberries, dislikes sweet basil. Deters Japanese beetles.

Sage - Plant with rosemary, tomatoes, strawberries, cabbage and carrots, dislikes cucumbers. Deters cabbage moth and carrot fly.

Summer Savory - Companion to beans and onions. Deters bean beetles.

Tansy - Plant under fruit trees. Companion to roses and raspberries. Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and ants.

Tarragon (French) - Enhances the growth of all vegetables.

Thyme - Improves the growth of tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. Repels whiteflies and cabbage worms.

Wormwood - As a border, keeps animals from the garden.

Yarrow - Plant along borders, paths and near aromatic herbs; enhances production of essential oils. Also, attracts beneficial insects including ladybugs and predatory wasps.