Tonia’s Garden

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First day of Fall- I should have some garden wisdom to share…but not today!  I’m visiting mom- her birthday is tomorrow-...
09/22/2024

First day of Fall- I should have some garden wisdom to share…
but not today!

I’m visiting mom- her birthday is tomorrow-
Sitting out on the back patio looking out over what was once Dads garden-listening to the Roosters Crowing and a dog yapping…lol

Enjoy the day y’all!

The dahlias are loving the cool nights! ♥️♥️Breakout- Cafe Au Lait- Marrn and Hokie Dahlia!
09/21/2024

The dahlias are loving the cool nights! ♥️♥️

Breakout- Cafe Au Lait- Marrn and Hokie Dahlia!

09/18/2024

Fall is the best time to transplant peonies. To transplant, cut the peony stems near ground level. Then carefully dig around and under each plant. Try to retain as much of the root system as possible. Plant peonies in a sunny, well-drained site.

To divide: After cutting foliage and digging up the plant, gently shake the clump to remove loose soil from the root system. Using a large knife, divide the clump into sections. Each division should have at least three to five buds (eyes) and a good root system. Smaller divisions will require several years to develop into attractive plants.

To plant: Dig a large hole so roots fit comfortably with plenty of room. Position the peony plant in the hole so the buds are one to two inches below the soil surface. Fill hole and water.

For more info: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2021/08/horticulture-dividing-peonies.html

Image text: Dividing and transplanting peonies
Fall is the time to plant bare-root peonies and divide or transplant peonies
To transplant, dig up carefully retaining as much root system as possible. Replant promptly in a sunny, well-drained site.
Dividing:
1. Carefully dig up and gently shake the clump to remove loose soil from the root system.
2. Using a large knife, divide the clump into sections with at least three to five buds and a good root system.
3. Replant in a large hole with comfortable room for roots. Buds should be no more than 2 inches deep.

The fall sunflowers have started to bloom!  I planted these at the end of June…60- days to bloom- 😀. I have about 15 mor...
09/03/2024

The fall sunflowers have started to bloom! I planted these at the end of June…60- days to bloom- 😀. I have about 15 more plants to set out that I started in July and I’m going to put some seeds in the ground just to see what happens! 😀

From seed- to seedling- to plant- to flower, Sweet Williams are worth the time!  My grandmother grew these- I remember t...
08/28/2024

From seed- to seedling- to plant- to flower, Sweet Williams are worth the time!

My grandmother grew these- I remember thinking “They named this flower after my Granddaddy!” 😀♥️

His name was William- they called him Bill. He dug wells for people when they built a new home. He was known far and wide in SWVA…

I was so lucky to call him my grandfather- he had a bit of Irish in him- and it was his mom that instilled the love of flowers into my grandma and mother- so I get it on both sides of my family!

More hummingbird feeders needed!  Ya know they eat a ton of mosquitos!!!
08/27/2024

More hummingbird feeders needed! Ya know they eat a ton of mosquitos!!!

For hungry hummers in need of nectar to fuel their high-speed lives, territorial disputes can get ugly.

Featuring Rudbeckia:If you don’t grow rudbeckia, it should get on your list quick! Perennials in most zones, drought tol...
08/26/2024

Featuring Rudbeckia:

If you don’t grow rudbeckia, it should get on your list quick!

Perennials in most zones, drought tolerant, pollinator friendly, native flowers to North America and pretty great cut flowers… they check every box!

These are a combo of Sahara, Indian Summer and Cherry Brandy and are some of my favorite colors out of the different types within this variety of flower.

Best time to start seeds is either now for overwintering or about 7 weeks before your last frost in spring.

They’re not complicated to start: just good potting soil, keep it damp but not wet and make sure they get good light.

I personally prefer using recycled trays so I can transplant where I want to but you can also try direct sowing if you prefer.

If you need a good seed source or have other questions about growing let me know in the comments!

You can find me in my garden today- 😀
08/25/2024

You can find me in my garden today- 😀

Have you ever seen a WHITE HUMMINGBIRD!?
08/24/2024

Have you ever seen a WHITE HUMMINGBIRD!?

Queen Lime Red Zinnia-I seeded over 30 seeds this past spring- I think I have 4 that survived the earwig onslaught!  But...
08/23/2024

Queen Lime Red Zinnia-
I seeded over 30 seeds this past spring- I think I have 4 that survived the earwig onslaught!

But it’s so beautiful-
I’ll try even more next year…hopeful to get those earwigs under control!!!

Don’t discount those spent bloom seed heads left behind!  They add a little interest to your flower arrangements-This is...
08/22/2024

Don’t discount those spent bloom seed heads left behind! They add a little interest to your flower arrangements-

This is Crocosmia (aka English Lilly) who’s blooms faded a few weeks ago-

It’s a wonder my nosy neighbor has not called the police! 🤣🤣🤣Mahogany Splendor is a beautiful foliage that gets HUGE!  I...
08/21/2024

It’s a wonder my nosy neighbor has not called the police! 🤣🤣🤣

Mahogany Splendor is a beautiful foliage that gets HUGE! If you start cutting it when it’s young it bushes out.

Really Pretty-

Not much of a harvest today but I’m excited cause I saw large green tomatoes and tomato flowers!  I pulled a quart of ri...
08/19/2024

Not much of a harvest today but I’m excited cause I saw large green tomatoes and tomato flowers!

I pulled a quart of ripe tomatoes to use for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow- I pulled only my 2ed squash of the season last night- we grilled half & saving half for zucchini cakes mid week- and saved some seeds from my Orlaya- loved that flower this year! One huge flower haul from the yard!

Ollas are an ancient irrigation system to slowly release water right to the roots of plants. They are crazy expensive - ...
08/15/2024

Ollas are an ancient irrigation system to slowly release water right to the roots of plants.

They are crazy expensive - but I saw where you can easily make your own with a terracotta pot.

I may try this next spring in the front - I HATE dragging the hose up there!

Folks- they are saying we are going to have a cool fall!  I’m ok with that as long as we don’t have an EARLY WINTER! Som...
08/14/2024

Folks- they are saying we are going to have a cool fall! I’m ok with that as long as we don’t have an EARLY WINTER!

Some of My Pretties from the garden today- still not much blooming tho…

Big Picture is Cafe Au Lait Blush top right is Queen Lime Red Zinnia next is Osiogo Gladiolus then Pink Zinnia and last is Cana Lilly (coral)

08/13/2024
Well- got into the garden and pulled as much as I could.  My back was really bothering me today for some reason. I had a...
08/13/2024

Well- got into the garden and pulled as much as I could. My back was really bothering me today for some reason.

I had an hour so I pulled all that I could and then layered the grass clippings over top- I tried to keep the clippings thin so it will all dry out this week. 🙅‍♀️

I have more work to do but there’s always tomorrow! 😀

Wow! Look at that Pumpkin plant- it is ONE PLANT!  A volunteer from last year- I named him Seymour…🤪 and yes, it’s full ...
08/13/2024

Wow! Look at that Pumpkin plant- it is ONE PLANT! A volunteer from last year- I named him Seymour…🤪 and yes, it’s full of small pumpkins!

Cleaning up the garden today!  I think everything grew 2ft from the rain…we needed it…only got 1.5” but what a differenc...
08/12/2024

Cleaning up the garden today!

I think everything grew 2ft from the rain…we needed it…only got 1.5” but what a difference!

Be on the lookout for pictures- 😀

Snapdragons- I have a mix here as well but I also have these beauties in there! **Not my pic-**
08/08/2024

Snapdragons- I have a mix here as well but I also have these beauties in there! **Not my pic-**

Sweet William I have a mix of colors but this one is my favorite!
08/08/2024

Sweet William
I have a mix of colors but this one is my favorite!

Woo Hoo!!!We have Germination!Sahara RudbeckiaSweet WilliamsSnapdragons - it takes Snaps a bit-
08/08/2024

Woo Hoo!!!
We have Germination!

Sahara Rudbeckia
Sweet Williams
Snapdragons - it takes Snaps a bit-

Sahara RudbeckiaLooks like Hokie Colors!Maybe I should rename it?!!
08/08/2024

Sahara Rudbeckia

Looks like Hokie Colors!
Maybe I should rename it?!!

oooh!  I think I'm going to try this!  I have more time in the fall than I do in the spring for all these seedlings-
08/08/2024

oooh! I think I'm going to try this! I have more time in the fall than I do in the spring for all these seedlings-

On a hot summer day in August you will find us in a greenhouse starting onion seeds for overwintering . You might wonder what is the benefit to overwintering onions? If you're an onion fan like we are, it will provide you with a continuous supply of onions all year round. Right now, we are harves

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