ML's Top 10 Seeds: Part Two, Veggies, etc.

Purple Noodle Bean

Top 10 Seeds: The Final Five.  

 
Monday was Flower seeds, today is Veggies.

These are in no particular order. Check out this UGA Planting Chart for more info.



6.  Lettuce
      So many varieties. UGA recommends Butterhead, Romaine & Buttercrunch for
      Zone 7/8 (Augusta GA), but don't hold back from experimenting with some gourmet types
      such as Arugula, Red Choi, Butterhead, and the colorful mixes.




7. Radish-My favorites are Cherry Belle and Easter Egg... We love them in salads.

Okra & Baby G-Mo in the Monkey Grass

8.  Spinach
     Malabar Spinach is an ornamental yet edible climbing spinach that I will plant on the 3 tee pees in the home garden this spring. Otherwise, get your "green" on with Melody, Giant Noble, Winter Bloomsdale, and Avon.



9.  Beans/Peas
      The Purple Noodle Bean or Yard Long beans are very interesting because of their color and length. Edible. 

English Peas can be started now & are fun to pop open while in the garden...also throw them in stir fry. Many varieties for Zone 7/8- Lincoln, Maestro, & Little Marvel.For traditional snap beans, I  am growing bush type beans instead of pole beans this year.






10.  Okra--tip: "Eagle Pass"is not a variety I've had success with but it is sure 
pretty in the catalog. 
Southerners should be successful with okra! Burgandy and Clemson Spineless
are your best bets! Burgundy looks great in fall arrangements!

SunGold(small) & Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes

I can't stop here! I have more, so check back!
Blessings from the Garden. 
ML

PS. Have you subscribed(FREE) to  MLCHgarden Tools newsletter mailing list?
Will email it on Saturday 2/5/11...

Organic Fertilizer

 Llama Beans!

Living with two outdoorsmen, Marianna & I are subject to unsolicited conversations
about various forms of waste. This post is about a good one, Llama Beans. Sounds like our southern "lima beans" but it's not.

High school buddy Louise Meadows raises Llamas in Lincoln County.
These are champion llamas bred and raised for show. What do llamas
have to do with gardening? Well, their manure is one of the best forms of
nutrients for the garden--pure green and organic~. No worries about burning your plants as with synthetic and
some animal manures. You can throw the Llama Beans around your plants with no worries and
no smell!



Using the "beans" whole can be compared to using a slow release fertilizer whereas putting
a cup of beans or so in a bucket and filling with water to make a tea is even better- and
more direct.

Visit Louise and Sean's website and see the beauties, and buy a bag of beans- 15 bucks for beans!

Blessings from the Bean Garden.
ML

MLCHgarden...: ML's Top 10 Seeds: Part One, Flowers.

MLCHgarden...: ML's Top 10 Seeds: Part One, Flowers.

ML's Top 10 Seeds: Part One, Flowers.

For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated with growing anything from seed. 

The excitement of gently placing a seed in the newly worked earth, and the anticipation

of germination renews my enthusiasm for the upcoming harvest. This eagerness for life is what drives this experienced gardener and newbies to the "fields". 

Try some of these easy to grow seeds this spring. Remember, Augusta has a last frost range between March 15 & April 15, so be prepared to cover those seedlings if you plant early!

1.   Zinnias- try a new variety, perhaps "romantic" colors this year!

2.   Nasturtiums- a long time favorite of Robert's grandmother, Ma Maw...soak these seeds in warm water for a few hours before planting to speed germination. 

3. Rose Campion (left)

Long time gardener, Joe Agostas, 

shared a film canister(if you remember 

what that is!) filled with seeds. I sprinkled them around the garden, and poof! a spectacular show of this fuschia perenial.

If you know someone with this plant who can share, get some.

4.  Sunflowers

      If you have children or grandchildren, the sunflower is a must. Lots of memories      generated with this happy annual! There are so many varieties, here are just a few of my favorites: 

                   **  Teddy Bear--great for a container

                   ** Moulin Rouge--reminds me of burgundy wine!

                   ** Tithonia--actually a Mexican Sunflower, but so easy! 

                   ** Mammoth-perfect for kids, grow some beans on this one.

5.  Celosia

     

Sounds odd, but this knotty, brain like variety is

oh, so  popular in bridal bouquets. 

There are "flame" varieties, too, which are

just as beautiful but not as unique. 

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Part II...later. 

Blessings from the Garden. 

ML