Planning Ahead for 2024

Notes for Next Year- June 18, 2023

Companion Planting in the Garden

It is definitely worth it to start marigold and borage seeds. This year I had little luck with direct sowing. The zucchini takes a while to come on, so having lots of borage in that bed defines it in the early summer.  Also, I like the look of the yellow marigold lining the tomato and strawberry beds.  Next year, start 50 marigold, they are so easy to grow and don't take much care so why not. The borage is also easy to grow and putting it along the fence helps keep it upright. Start at least 24 of these. 

The calendula seeds I direct sowed came up, but are going slowly.  Next year start 24 of them to put in the "wet" herb bed for color and as an aphid trap drop.

Front Slope Flowers

The second year of Dianthus Arctic fire came on nicely. The first year, it was just a clump, but it flowered in spring this year and looks good. Same with the Veronica. Year one, just green, this year nice showing. 

The African daisy grew nicely in the ground, and bloomed starting June 28.  Starting 50 of them made a nice swath across the middle of the new bed. Next year, start the same number again.  Since the middle of the bed is where the Phlox (white and blue) are going to go, the African Daisy are going to have to go somewhere else. Maybe in the spot at the top of the slope right in front of the Catmint?

The Pearl Yarrow actually come on nicely this year and bloomed at the end of June in most places. It grows a little lower than I thought, but seemed easy to start from seed, so is worth it to use gain next year. Maybe in the front of the bed? 

The low growing dianthus did not turn out as I hoped. First the Siberian Blue, is more of a fuchia. Since I have really given up on the "true blue" color scheme, the purple of the other flowers like Veronica is working,  but these are not really the color I wanted. Also, the white ones are not really doing anything since I put them in the ground. Maybe they will come on in the second year in the ground as many perennials do. But probably not worth it to start from seeds again.

Make a Choice!

Having three spiky flowers is too much. Choose one!

Salvia Blue Sage Mealycup Sage- Really blue, but as a salvia, it might not come back every year.

Veronica Royal Blue- I picked this because it was a truer blue.

Spike Speedwell Veronica Spicata- I like how this one shades into green at the top of the flower. Didn't do much the first year, second year looked great! Move the existing plants to the middle of the bed in the spring.

New Plants

Electric Blue Penstemon- start from seeds

Phlox dwarf blue flame and Phlox dwarf white- These will be the basis of the front of the border. You can only buy them in plants, so get four of each when finances allow. Hopefully this can be divided in three years.

    Phlox Blue- 4 x $9

    Phlox White- 4 x $9

Hydrangea- Blue Jangles- This is the showpiece of the bed. I hope I can keep it alive and flowering, and also add the correct amount of acid to keep them bright blue. It might need more water and less sun that this spot has.

    Hydrangea- 3 x $23 

Spirea Blue Kazoo- Bluestone Perennials

Cool blue foliage provides a perfect backdrop for sparkling white flower clusters. Hints of burgundy in the newly opening foliage foreshadow the rich red fall color. A neat mounded plant, easy to grow. Outstanding tucked into your existing border or plant in mass for a showy low-growing hedge.

Spirea- 2 x $25 each