The summer is a very busy time here at the Treworgy Gardens at Friend’s Corner. We enjoy sharing this 65 year old, second generation gardens with garden clubs, civic groups and family and friend gatherings of all kinds. Each year we host several weddings and receptions in the garden. We hope you will come visit us and share the peace and tranquility of our very special place.

Linda
  Contact me via email  ( Lfaatz@maine.rr.com ) if  you are interested in booking an event for your special occasion.  On subject line write “Garden Events.”

Seed Starters

Empty toilet paper rolls make ideal seed starting pots.
I am trying a different technique for growing tomatoes this year. I stand
toilet paper rolls tightly upright in a low water proof container and fill
the tubes to the top with seed starting mix. Water from the bottom until
the tube and soil are damp. Don’t let them sit in water after that but
keep soil only moist always watering from the bottom.I will plant my
tomato seeds( or vegetable seeds) in them. Because the tubes will
decompose in the ground there is no need to transplant them.( that is if
they are not started too early as we are often tempted to do.) When I
plant them in the ground I will leave the top part of the tube exposed to
deter cut worms. If you leave the tubes undisturbed in the tray there is
no need to close the bottom of the tube. The wet soil and eventually
roots will hold each planting tube together. Remember to give them bright
overhead light as soon as the seeds germinate. If growing them in a SUNNY
window turn them often so they don’t get leggy while reaching for the sun.

Will keep you update

mini greenhouse

Save those deli platters. They make great mini greenhouses. Place your starter trays on the platter.and place the dome lid over them. Water from the platter.  Lift top on hot days to let air circulate.  Place in good overhead light from plant light or sunny window.When seedlings are read to go outside acclimate them right in the platters. After awhile you can plant them directly into the ground continuing to use  the top as a cold frame cover and prop up with a brick on warm days.  The addition of a row cover will make it even warmer. Works great.

The bees are still buzzing around the flowers in the garden.Love to know that they are such great pollinators. I have not treated my lawns or sprayed in the gardens which keeps the insects are moving around in a healthy manner.  Am sad not to see many butterflies. Just today , September 3, I saw my first monarch. They are on the verge of extinction so the national news said. How sad.  There can be several reasons and they are all environmental.  We all must take better care.

Bulbs are getting ready to bloom. It is time to fertilize with a bulb booster fertilizer. This is a great time to weed. Even grass comes up easily. Perennials can be easily transplanted now. Hopefully you have all your tools sharpened and ready to go. Now is an excellent time to edge all your gardens to give them a deliberate frame.

It is the season for pansies. Plant them around your porch for a very colorful “Welcome Spring.”
I will be selling perennials this year and have many varieties to share. You can be sure that those that I sell have wintered over in my garden for several years and are tried and true growers and bloomers. I am partial to the old fashioned varieties that fair so well in zone 4 and 5.
See you in the garden.

When I was weeding the other day I noticed that my white bleeding heart had seeded itself everywhere around the mature plant.  My Nepeta , Six Hills Giant, also had many seedlings around it.   Instead of leaving them there I potted them up in a soil-less mix ( promix ) and will let them grow in pots near my potting shed until they get big enough to transplant into my garden again.  REMEMBER  GROUPING Of THE SAME KIND OF PLANTS MAKE A GREAT VISUAL SPLASH.  What a way to get free plants.  Plants can successfully be divided now that they are through the ground.

Happy gardening. Linda

SPECTACULAR DISPLAY OF DAYLILIES IN BLOOM. I can’t remember when they have been so beautiful.

The summer gardening season is the time I look forward to throughout the year.  I  love to be outside puttering and enjoying the plot planning from the year before.  Well I must admit that some of the plantings just happen.

The vibrant pink Lichnis seeded itself throughout the gray Artemesia   in a striking combination.  In the spring I weed carefully to keep the scattered Foxglove plants. They have Just finished blooming. I must remember to let the seeds mature on the plant and drop on their own. Planting the lady¹s mantle on a slope or berm is the best as the profusion of chartreuse long-lasting blossoms cascade down a slope.

Norway Savings Bank in the center of Gorham is a prime example of mass plantings of lady’s Mantle on sloping land.  Just another reminder of what a statement can be made by planting groupings of the  same kind of perennial plant or encouraging your favorite spreading plants .  This technique is especially affective when a garden is viewed from a distance.

Each year I fill containers with some favorite plants to display where I want an accent of color.  The joy is finding new plants that will complement my old favorites.  New for me this year and is definitely a keeper is an Impatiens for the sun called SunPatiens.  It grows up to two feet tall to fill a whisky barrel and comes in two shades of pink. Also an annual that I regularly use  to lighten up the visual appeal in containers is Diamond Frost, a euphorbia with a mound of  airy white blossoms all summer.  This in combination with variegated foliage plants is striking.

When I recently discovered trailing Mezoo , (Dorotheanthus) also called Aptenia, Ice Plant , I felt like I hit the jack pot. This succulent had variegated foliage that cascades easily over the side of containers and stays very fresh looking all summer.   You can bring it in the house for the winter and propagate it by taking cuttings.   It will take some neglect and loves sun to part sun.

Remember to water deep and deadhead the spent blossoms of garden plants and potted plants.   When deadheading petunias be sure to take off the blossom and the seed pocket .   Consider planting another shade tree for the future. The most noteworthy thing about Gardeners is that they are always optimistic.  We will always envision the most beautiful  garden.

As dry as it has been this summer it is important to water deep. Sprinkling the garden is just a tease for plants and will not establish healthy roots.

I cut back day lilies to about 6 inches because they looked so bad. with an extra watering some new green leaves will show up shortly. The plants will not bloom again but will look refreshed in about ten days.

In early summer I cut down the wire tomato cages and placed them over my then short sedum spectable plants. Now the plants are tall and the wire cages don’t show. The plants will continue to stand tall and won’t split in the middle when the blossoms get big and put out their glorious fall bloom.  Yea, It worked!!!  these sedums have survived the drought very well.

When a plant produces seed it takes strength away from the roots and growing strength. Spend some time cutting dead flower heads off before they go to seed.   Also seeds left to ripen on the plant will fall to the ground and often create many new plants.  Some plants become invasive in this way.   Cutting back some plants may also  encourage another flush of bloom. Dead heading will make the garden look tidy.