Hello, dear readers, it’s good to be back! It’s taken awhile, but I have some pictures to share of my newly planted garden beds. It was a steep learning curve, but I am quite satisfied with the results.

Although several of the items you see in the after picture ended up being bought from starts, I am excited that they are alive in August. Many are perennials which we’ll continue to enjoy for years to come, but I am most proud of those which were grown from seeds or bulbs. The dahlias went WILD and the zinnias, gladiolas and acidantheras are also doing very well. The pea plants had their heyday about 5 weeks ago and we enjoyed eating those peas!

Most importantly, the enthusiasm and knowledge I have gained from cultivating my own garden has positively influenced my job as floral manager. When I give advice about pinching back, pests, transplanting, etc., I now have first-hand experiences to share as examples. I look forward to sharing these experiences with our customers for years to come.

Well, I have put off updating my blog for a bit, because I kept hoping to have some great pictures of my new growing garden to show you. But thanks to this crazy long, wet spring we’ve been having, that’s not going to be a possibility!

A few things have grown: lilies, dahlias, acidantheras, gladiolas and sweet peas have all shown their first green growth above the soil, some about 5 inches or so, but my daughter and I are still waiting patiently for the soil to warm enough to nurture our other plantings. The hollyhocks, columbine and sunflowers have little baby seedlings up which we are hoping will survive. And of course, the faithful hostas and heucheras in the beds from previous years have faithfully returned, making sure we have something stable to celebrate no matter what.

Looks like this may be a year of note-taking, patience, and learning for next year. Though we had hoped for wild, jubilant success, what we are instead experiencing now is also a good lesson about nature’s whims and the realities of farming. Certainly we are grateful to be living in Oregon where the weather is mild, if often uninspiring, and not where we are subject to frequent tornadoes and flooding! Given the choice, I will definitely take a cloudy June over being the subject of national news coverage. And who knows, by August I may actually have those photos I have fantasized about sharing!

As I write this, the backs of my legs are aching…it hurts just to lower myself into this chair. And you know what means: it’s planting season! I spent three hours doing some hard digging in my garden beds yesterday: weeding, leveling, and mixing in used coffee grounds from the Market Espresso Bar. On my next day off, we’ll bring in the new soil, and get those seeds and summer bulbs in the ground!

Spring’s exciting for those of us that love to nurture plants. There are always new plant varieties to try and new techniques for which to experiment. My 7-year-old daughter and I did our seed and bulb shopping on the spring equinox this year. I hadn’t planned it to be on that day, but it was a nice coincidence. And it’s a new tradition I think we’ll continue in coming years. What better way to welcome spring than joyfully choosing this year’s flowers, vegetables, and herbs? We selected many of the varieties with a particular family member’s tastes in mind. We’re so excited anticipating the presentation of the first harvest of each plant: whether in a vase or on a dinner plate!

Start your garden plan now! Even a balcony or windowsill can provide enough space for a few special plants to grow. Your Market Florist is ready to help you with questions you have about plant selection. Our many quality growers are poised to deliver great variety and quality to your Market as the weather warms.

Happy Planting!

It’s shamrock week! This perky plant is most associated with Ireland, but in fact, its origins are South American. The word shamrock is derived from the Celtic word for clover.

Many of us have received one as a gift or picked one up as a festive décor plant for the home or office. But many folks feel they don’t seem to last long and get discouraged. We all hate to throw out a plant we feel we’ve cared for the best we know how. So what’s the secret?

Well, the secret is that clover is actually a bulb plant! It needs periods of dormancy, like any bulb. But it will come back and look great again, with a little patience and care. Yes!

Shamrocks like cool air, moist soil, and bright light or indirect sun. They also like to dry out a bit before being watered. Take daily care of your shamrock in this way for as long as it seems to be thriving. Then, when the plant starts to look tired and gangly; stop watering it. The leaves will brown and can be plucked off. For a period of two or three months, you can then set the pot somewhere cool and dry. When it’s time to revive the plant, give it water and a dose of 10-10-10, all-purpose houseplant food, and soon new growth will appear!

Now you, too, know the secret, and can have a “green thumb” caring for shamrock plants! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!