A mesh garbage can protect the seedling from birds, until you see at least 3 inches of growth.
It’s that time of year. Our part-time residents are migrating to cooler places, and our full-time residents are settling into their summer schedules. As you rush past your garden in the early morning on your way to your daily activities, stop and take a look. Do you wish you had more color in your space? It’s not too late.
Here are two colorful heat-loving annuals that can be planted almost any time of the year in our climate:
Sunflowers! They love the heat and they can be planted from seed year-round. If you get a multi-branching variety, they can shade surrounding plants and help them survive the summer. If you can plant them on the west side of heat sensitive plants, that is ideal. But no matter what, you will provide relief from the scorching sun. In the fall, chop them down and leave the roots in the ground to compost. Everybody wins. Cheerful color for you, shade for your other plants, pollen for the bees and healthy amendments for your soil.
Sunflowers come in many colors and sizes. A few common multi-branching sunflowers are Lemon Queen, Autumn Beauty, Rouge Royal (Moulin Rouge), Gold Rush, Ring of Fire, and Apricot Daisy. Not a true sunflower but Mexican Sunflower are extremely easy to grow and grow fast and big. A very popular variety is Tithonia Rotundifolia, Red Torch Mexican Sunflower.
Zinnias! Plant starts are commonly available in garden centers but growing from seed will give you more variety and possibly healthier plants. As things heat up, it can be difficult for garden centers to keep their plants watered and healthy. Zinnias come in every imaginable color, size and shape. They will bloom through the summer, fall, and possibly into the winter.
Let’s get you started with some easy summer color:
Seeds: Amazon and your local garden centers can be good places to look. If you want to get ideas or prefer to shop online, here are a few seed companies with good variety: EdenBrothers.com, FloretFlowers.com, SelectSeeds.com, and ParkSeed.com.
Plant stakes and string: Not always needed, but Sunflowers and taller Zinnia might appreciate a little support as they grow. Amazon and garden centers will have plenty of options.
TIP! Your seeds will stand a much better chance of survival if you give them a little help.
* Put a small piece of garden burlap over the dirt to help retain moisture and help germination.
* Use a Dollar Tree mesh garbage can to protect the seedling from birds, until you see at least 3 inches of growth.
We are the Pebble Creek Garden Club. Our Mission is to expand interest in gardening for all skill levels, increase knowledge of growing in the desert to improve our environment, participate in social activities, and give back to our community. Please visit our website at pcgardenclub.org.