There’s nothing more satisfying than dianthus crowned in blooms during spring. My Stargazer plants burst into bloom early April, and unlike the chinensis varieties, this perennial hybrid has reliably returned despite some harsh summers.
I’ve had Coconut Punch on my plant wishlist for sometime, but I’m thinking of adding more such as striped Pinball Wizard and green eyed Mojito.
If a longer-lived Super Parfait-type dianthus ever came on to market, I’d be a happy gardener.
I’m stepping up my tomato growing game in 2021. I started my Sun Sugar cherry and Sugar Gloss currant tomatoes indoors in late January. They were seedlings by February 2. The vigorous young starts were then up potted in early March.
About the same time, I planned to take 5 of each tomato to raise in grow bags, so I picked up some 15g grow bags off Amazon.
But remembering the last time I raised a single Sun Sugar tomato, I decided to purchase cages from Texas Tomato Cages. On my order are MDC6 6 Medium 20″ Diameter Cages @ 169.99, which are 6 foot cages, coming 6 per pack. I already have 2 collapsible cages from a previous purchase, but from a different source (got them from Calloways), but these Texas cages are definitely quality. Yes, my math didn’t quite match the number of tomato plants I plan to grow, so I may have to get more cages. They are in-state so shipping is fast.
I’m always hesitant to broadcast seeds directly into the garden because of the risk of poor germination rates. Granted, previous experience had me neglect seeds sown directly into the beds, which need the right temperature and moisture to thrive. Daytime highs are in the upper 60s while nighttime lows in the high 40s and low 50s. It’s still too cold for some delicate summer plants to tolerate, as some of the starts are beginning to show.
I hedge my bets wherever I can, sowing indoors those seeds that I trust will germinate successfully and can handle transplant.
Seeds I’ve sown and re-sown both inside and out:
| Agastache rugosa, Korean Hyssop |
| Salvia coccinea, Scarlet Sage |
| Salvia farinacea, Sirius Blue Sage |
| Monarda citriodora, Lemon Bee Balm |
| Gomphrena haagena, Strawberry Fields |
| Tropaeolum minus Nasturtium Black Velvet (presoaked) |
| Nigella damascena, Miss Jekyll Blend |
| Zinnia elegans, Fireball Blend |
| Cosmos sulphureus, Diablo |
| Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium Alaska Variegated, Jewel Blend (presoaked) |
| Tithonia Speciosa Mexican Sunflower Red Torch (2017 seed) |
| Mirabilis jalapa, Marbles Yellow-Red (presoaked) |
| Tagetes tenuifolia Lemon & Tangerine Gems Signet Marigold |
The last vegetable seeds I direct sowed beginning of March were the bok choy Tiny Hedou and Purple Lady, along with bunching onions Tokyo White. They are finally beginning to emerge. Meanwhile I’m giving the Thai Long Green Eggplant another try although I haven’t had any success with the last batch.
Thalia daffodils and dwarf iris in bloom!
What’s blooming now?
