5 Tips TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER COLLECTION
My children tell me I have a flower problem.
If you have seen the movie “UP” you may remember Doug the dog. He had a squirrel problem. Mid-sentence he would yell, “SQUIRREL!” whenever he saw one. This is me with flowers. Not only am I completely distracted by them – I am drawn to them. I love them. They bring me happiness and joy. I never have enough.
I LOVE growing flowers just as much as I love growing fruit and veggies. They make me happy. If you want to surround your home, garden and farm with flowers there are a couple of things you can do to ensure they will look great all season.
I have been growing many varieties of flowers for…… well…… a long time.
Many of my flowers have been complete failures. Many have soared. I’ve learned a couple of tips over time that have really helped my flower collections remain stunning.
TIP #1 TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER COLLECTION – Start with the Right Flowers
To tell you the truth, the main reason my flowers die is not because of my “not-green-thumb.” It is due to the weather. I think most flower lovers everywhere have experienced this.
You water, you provided perfect soil, you “dead-head” and still your flowers are turning brown and dying.
I found have that the best way to keep my flowers looking fabulous all season is to pick the correct varieties. I am not a flower expert, but staying in the “full sun” department works well for people (like me) with no trees and lots of hot sun.
If you have a yard mingled with shade and sun you can probably grow anything you want. Shade varieties will be happy and so will the sun lovers.
TIP #2 TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER COLLECTION – Water Water Water
As annoying as it is, flowers must have plenty of water if they intend to stay beautiful.
I water my flowers once a day. Because I realize that this is a huge pain, I only plant my high-maintenance flower collections near a water source.
TIP #3 TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER COLLECTION – Plant them in the Right Places
In the past, I have sprinkled the entire farm with hanging baskets cascading with petunias in the past only to watch them all fry and die. I know my limitations. I am not going to carry 5 gallon buckets all over the 23 acres to water hanging baskets. It’s just not going to happen.
For this reason, I have learned to go big in certain areas & not try to put flowers everywhere.
The places I have concentrated my flowers are easy to get to, easy to water and easy to remember.
TIP #4 TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER COLLECTION – Keep the Pests Away
By pests, I mean everything. Diseases, bugs, powdery mildew. I use Neem oil (very organic)sometimes, BUT I also use systemic, chemicals on my flowers. GASP! I know, I am Mrs. Organic when it comes to my meat, dairy and garden. When it comes to flowers, well, I don’t mind using a little of the bad stuff. I’m not eating my flowers, and I want flowers, and I don’t want to reapply Neem oil every time it rains.
The easiest way to keep a pot of flowers fertilized and repelled of all flying things is a systemic liquid. Just mix with water and water the plants with it. Stuff works for 6+ weeks & your flowers will be gorgeous.
TIP #5 TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER COLLECTION – Keep the Chickens & Cats out of the Pots
This is easier said than done, I realize. I also realize that it is a bit on the adorable side to find a chicken nesting in your mum. And even more enduring to find 3 eggs in there.
If you want to kick your chickens & cats out of your pots for good I do have the answer – but it’s not very cat or chicken friendly….
If you don’t want bowl-shaped indentations in your purple mums, just get some wooden kabob skewers. Shove them into your pots. When the cat or chicken steps into a pot filled with spikey skewers, they will quickly relocate & find somewhere else to nest.
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Happy Planting!
Candi
