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Marigolds – Summer’s Gold

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Marigolds – summer’s gold are simply beautiful in a vase…

Marigolds are Summer’s gold from start to finish for this gardener. From seed to ground to vase, marigolds provide golden nuggets of beauty to the garden all season long. They are one of the easiest additions to the garden. Growing marigolds guarantees a season-long, easy to maintain display of color for the garden border. There are benefits that complement the beauty of this simple flower. As children, my siblings and I helped my Mom plant a border of marigolds right outside the kitchen. The size of the seed makes it easy to plant by little hands. Marigolds bring smiles to gardeners of all ages. Many elderly plant lovers remember it as being a plant from the past.

LET’S TALK ABOUT MARIGOLDS

The most common type of marigold is known as Calendula or Pot Marigold. This is a Latin word meaning clock. Pot marigolds are used in tinctures and edible products. The unexpected color of a Calendula bloom is a welcome surprise in a fresh salad. The sweetness of the leaves is also a welcome gift.

The other marigold commonly found would be the Tagetes type. Tagetes marigolds are named after a religious prophet. This marigold was used in religious ceremonies, as well as offerings to the Virgin Mary. The usually larger blooms are not edible. In some cases, Tagetes can be a skin irritant.

FUN FACTS

Here are a few fun facts:

Marigolds represent a desire for joy and wealth. This everblooming annual promotes good cheer as well as representing the beauty and warmth of the rising sun.

Did you know the marigold is one of the most popular annuals in America today?

W. Atlee Burpee founded the Burpee Seed Company. Financial struggles almost ended this resource for gardeners around the world. David Burpee took over the company and embraced marigolds. Recognizing the history and popularity of this hardy, well-traveled plant, David seized the opportunity to hybridize marigolds. In a way, marigolds (and David) resurrected the Burpee Company.

One bloom, dried and crumbled marigold bloom will allow me to save and share for next year’s garden.

LET’S GROW THIS PLANT

Did I mention how easy marigolds are to grow? You seriously cannot go wrong with seeds. Easy to handle, quick to sprout and a terrific idea for crafting seasonal gifts.

Loosen the existing soil to a depth of 4 – 6 inches. lant each seed between 8 12 inches apart. Smaller blooming varieties or marigolds should be planted close together. Larger blooming varieties like such as the Tagetes are planted further apart. Check the back of the seed packets for optimum planting instructions.

Add a layer of organic material to suppress weeds and to provide a moist environment. Water when the temps are high and if there is a drought. Only use a very diluted fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer for this annual. (If you pay attention to the health of the soil, you will inevitably have healthier plants.) Planting marigolds in rich soil is not a good idea. Fertilizing marigolds will create an abundance of foliage and minimal bloom.

In most gardens neatness counts. To encourage more blooms, deadhead the finished blooms. What is deadheading? Pinching the finished bloom back to the closest set of two leaves and voila – you just became a Deadhead expert. While not really required, the finished blooms can become unsightly, however, it is all a part of the normal garden cycle. Think of it this way, removing and drying the finished blooms can make a great gift from the garden. Consider gifting them for friends or to the local school for next year’s garden program or to community centers for summer programs.

GOT ISSUES?

Notice a bit of speckling on the leaves? Most likely those are mites. One of the few insects that just love marigolds. A quick shot of water or a spray of insecticidal soap will remedy this quickly.

Fungus or moldy leaves showing up? Try to remember to water at the right time of the day – early morning or early evening, allowing the foliage to dry quickly. Excessive sitting water on the leaves or overhead watering of most plants is just a bad idea. Practice proper garden watering. Marigolds can tolerate a ridiculous level of dryness.

MARIGOLD BENEFITS

A bit of yellow, touch of orange marigolds placed in a small vase is sure to bring cheer to any room.

Marigolds are great friends with benefits in the garden. French marigolds can repel nematodes. Nematodes feed off of the roots of garden vegetables like tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and more. Planting marigolds is like having a colorful army protecting the beauty of the garden.

A vase of marigolds will last about a week indoors. What an inexpensive way to have a cluster of cheery yellow, red, or orange at your fingertips. If you really want to remember the blooms of a marigold planting, strip the leaves and hang them upside down for drying. Adding the dried blooms to seasonal wreaths or potpourri are perfect for curing winter blues.

TRUE STORY OF AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

A simple gathering of marigold blooms.

Last month I used marigolds for a few office arrangements. I brought them home at week’s end so I could savor the beauty of local flowers on my table. I hate to see anything not repurposed if there is an opportunity for repurposing.

Time for harvesting finished blooms for next year’s garden.

When it was time to discard this arrangement, my thoughts were on deadheading the withering blooms, dry the seedheads, and save them for my garden next year. That is when I noticed a surprise in the vase.

It seems as though these stems are taking root!

I had never used marigolds as a cut flower before this year. They have always been so inexpensive, I would just grow them in the garden and enjoy them outside. I had no idea they had the ability to root! I am going to pot up the rooted cuttings and see if they will produce a few late-season blooms in my garden. Saving pennies in the garden is always a good thing. I am considering the original bouquet garden gold, as I will have seeds for many seasons to come!

Do you grow marigolds in your garden? There are so many to choose from. Take time to explore some of the great selections of cultivars from reputable seed companies like Burpee. Won’t you try some in your garden?

Heading to the garden to plant my garden gold!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out more about marigolds click here

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Perennial Presence In The Garden

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A perennial presence in my garden is ever-present.

Perennial presence makes a difference in gardens everywhere. Perennials are my favorite type of plant. In most gardens, perennials are the tie that brings yearly beauty to the garden from season to season. The gardener plants a perennial for a reason. Positioning a perennial in a garden serves as a place keeper. A perennial plant will most likely return yearly with optimum care. Perennials are always growing and putting down roots.

On Monday, August 5, 2019, I lost a perennial in my literary world of familiar authors. Toni Morrison was the perennial that encouraged me to write. I counted on her words to know that it was okay to write in my own way. I wrote about how losing this perennial in my literary world has encouraged me to continue to write.

PERENNIAL HABITS

All my life, I have been a book worm. As an adult, I continued to read with passion. As my seedlings grew into womanhood I read. In the midst of a divorce, I found time to read. I found time to write. In midlife, I decided to write words that I did not see coming from someone who looked like me. Toni Morrison was an author who I admired and looked like me. I admired how she executed the written word on topics of interest to me.

Gardening has always been of interest to me. It has been difficult to find books on gardening written by someone who looked like me. I really have not found many authors of color who write about the beauty of the garden from our perspective. There are books, talks, blogs, and ebooks at the moment that communicate about food in urban environments and community gardens. Books on urban farming are easy to find these days. African Americans authors can write about urban farming from necessity and experience. I say a huge THANK YOU to each of these authors inspired to share this perspective in our voice.

As an African American, we must share the beauty of seeing gardens as a thing of beauty to be enjoyed. We are capable of designing them, tending them and embracing them as they grace the spaces we dwell in. We appreciate the beauty found in the garden just like everyone else. Thoughts on the intoxicating fragrance of a Lilly lingers in our minds and invokes a smile on our lips. Recognizing or how an evergreen changed our perspective on their significance in the seasonal landscape, makes a difference. In a world where we acknowledge connecting with our familiar, we can inspire a new generation of gardeners. A generation of garden communicators that look like us. Our words – written or read – can make a difference in a way our ancestors never could.

Why not share our words? As we travel and see great gardens of the world -be they famous or private – let’s share our perennial perspective. We realize beauty feeds our minds, lift our spirits and inspire us to enhance the beauty that surrounds.

PERENNIAL SUPPORT

I have to say a huge Thank you to Gardencomm and the Garden Bloggers Fling. These perennial entities have helped me share my voice as I enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. They encourage everyone to communicate about the horticulture and sharing your unique voice in all forms of communication.

Chicago gardens were a great example of how important a perennial presence is in the garden.

Gardencomm has a yearly meeting that connects garden communicators with leaders in the horticultural world. Part of the conference experience is exploring beautiful spaces. In 2018 the conference was in Chicago. What a memorable experience that was. Our visit to Lurie Gardens, private landscapes, and the private tour of the Ball Headquarters were inspirational. I had time to explore the Chicago Art Museum where I found a landscaped courtyard. This curated courtyard created a private room enjoyed by all museum attendees. This year the conference is in Salt Lake City, Utah. Every year this conference inspires me to see more of the world in different settings with like-minded people. If you are interested in gardens, this is a conference you might want to attend. Gardencomm welcomes garden communicators from all walks of life to join and actively participate.

Denver shared diversity in nature, promoted camaraderie within the group and created memories along the way.

The Garden Bloggers Fling is the community that cultivates connecting and developing friendships with others that blog about gardening. Every year we get together and explore someplace different. In June, June we explored Denver, Co and what a terrific time we had. The stunning mountain views, the Tea House and a day at the Denver Botanic Gardens are in my dreams. Even the rainbow – all worth their weight in horticultural gold. Each Blogger had a different perspective on what we found beautiful and we continue to share. Next year we will be in Madison, Wisconsin.

A perennial presence in the form of organizations like Gardencomm and The Garden Bloggers Fling are planted in fertile soil. Fertile soil created by positive members. The unique opportunities offered are a bonus, like a second crop. Exploring places I typically would not consider as a gardening destination has broadened my perspective on gardening. I get excited about the possibilities of connecting with old friends, making new industry connections, and seeing someplace new. As in the garden, I value my relationship with both of these organizations every year.

Actively involved with both, it would be quite refreshing to see more people that look like me. If we consider our stories unimportant, we suppress our unique voice. We truly have something to say. Where are we? With our knowledge, where are our voices? Why are we not showing up and communicating our experience?

PERENNIAL VOICES ENCOURAGE DEEP ROOTS

There are quite a few African American’s who will never grow their own food. Urban farming is not going to be a hobby they ever intend on embracing. These same folks can tell you about a flower that Grandma grew or the Gardenia scent of Aunt Ethel. We can even share the beauty of the amazing blue hydrangeas that graced the house in South Carolina. I want to share a big “Thank You” to Aunt Parthenia and Uncle James for those trips. The Hunter ancestors gardened with a passion. A week down South in the summer is a part of my life landscape. The mental memories of experiences with meaning. Perennial experiences unimagined at the time. These perennial memories make me smile. You know what I am talking about, right?? Why are we not sharing these stories?

I now know this is Hydrangea Macrophylla…as a child it was simply the pretty blue plant.

I challenge other’s to step forward and write about the beauty that surrounds us. In this instance race, age or station in life does not matter. What matters is the legacy that we can leave the generations that will follow us. Let’s be the perennial influence in the minds of future generations.

A PERENNIAL PRACTICE

I am about to embark on a journey to see gardens and all things beautiful. For the past ten years, I have traveled to Europe to see gardens and mentally reset my soul. Many African American travelers do not seek the beauty of gardens in their travels. I have read about the beaches, the Islands, skiing and more. I rarely read about the flora of the places visited by my community. This saddens me.

I will heed my own advice and be a perennial presence in the world of garden writing. I will write to encourage others to notice the natural beauty that surrounds us. Writing in my unique way, in my own voice, I will share.

I can always appreciate a perennial presence in a garden…no matter where I am…even in France.

Beautiful gardens touch my soul and I weep. Weeping for missed opportunities. I know someone has walked a similar path. Someone missed the beauty along the way. I am obligated to share. Perhaps the next person, will savor the moment and embrace the opportunity.

The important thing is that I will share, in my own unique voice.

Noticing seasonal changes,

Teri – Cottage In The Court

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Denver…Thoughts on Flinging

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Denver has a blue bear that stands tall by the Convention Center. Curiously peering into the window, just checking up in what might be happening.

Thoughts about Denver have been on my mind since the Garden Bloggers Fling. In June, I was packing for the Garden Bloggers Fling 2019. This year, Denver, Colorado was the host City. For 5 days, it was this gardener’s mini-vacation or as some called it Garden Camp for Adults. Yes…we had fun, got to know new people and rekindle friendships with others.

As usual, after a trip, I digest my memories and find the words to share. On this journey, I was thinking about how I could spend more time at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The last time I was there, I did not have enough time to see every nook and cranny. This time, it would be different.

A floriferous garden in Denver as we strolled to our closing dinner at the Denver Botanic Garden, Chatfield Farms location in Littleton, Colorado.

Camaraderie and inclusiveness demonstrated to me and other new Flingers was amazing. I can’t speak for everyone but my personal experience has been delightful. As I continue my journey of discovering, sharing and encouraging others to garden, I am choosing to linger along the way. The people I have met and continue to meet are supportive, encouraging, and willing to help.

This garden bloggers fling community has deep roots. The seeds of wisdom are scattered in the communal soil along the way and sprout when the time is right. It is a group where new garden bloggers find a home. We are diverse and encourage the voices that are not in the forefront. With a committed effort to open the garden gates for ALL levels of garden bloggers, garden vloggers, and garden storytellers. If there is a garden, there is a story. If we write about the possibilities, we educate each other along the way.

Denver is more than rock gardens and crevice gardens. However, there were some awesome examples of both!

A few words that come to mind when I think about the garden community that has given me a voice and a sense of peace. Words that are familiar to some, but perhaps new to others…

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away… Maya Angelou

As I travel, experience community, and embrace the beauty that surrounds me, there will be more moments that will take my breath away. These are moments I look forward to. Are you engaged in a community that is positive and encourages memorable experiences? Does your passion take your breath away? Do you share your experiences with others to encourage?

Thinking about Denver allows me to reflect. A few things that came to mind as I smile while remembering this year’s Garden Blogger’s Fling. I will hopefully make you think and reflect on breathless moments.

D is for Diversity. There was so much diversity in the landscape.

E is for the environmentally savvy gardens we visited.

N is for the natural beauty found everywhere we explored.

V is for the vertically appealing mountains that graced the sky

E is for the enhanced color of every single bloom we saw

R is for the rejuvenation of spirit when you attend a Garden Bloggers Fling.

Denver shared diversity in nature, promoted camaderie within the group and created memories along the way.

A few breathless moments as I reminisce about the Denver Fling 2019.

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Then What for The Garden…

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From one season to the next, while we wait for the next bloom, we often wonder…then what?

Then what? A message that has been planted in my mental garden. Message’s are sent to enlighten, advise and to share knowledge. Sometimes we are sent messages to make us think. If you listen carefully, the garden sends us message’s that we might miss if we are simply too busy.

As I become more seasoned, I listen to my garden and listen carefully to the messages of gardens I visit as well. Quiet time spent mentally communicating with the garden leaves me full and rejuvenated.

Neighbors and Friends…

Last Fall, my neighbor George informed me that John had passed away. They were not just neighbors, but brothers in law. The three of us were friends. If you saw one, you saw the other …or the other one was not far behind. Both of these gentlemen are gardeners. I was honored when they came across the cul de sac and asked me to identify a plant. I walked over and handled the task at hand and they both grinned from ear to ear. George shared that they discussed whether I could identify it or not. I am so glad I did not disappoint them. They understood the message my garden across the cul de sac shared. They often watched in wonderment as I planted flower after flower.

All flowers and no lawn signals that I want to be surrounded by beauty and enjoy my garden each and every day. I plant closely so that weeding is kept to a minimum, use mostly perennials and seed the areas where I want unexpected flashes of color. I have no need for a manicured suburban lawn. George and John’s lawn’s are perfect. Especially from where I can see them…from the sidewalk.

As I walk by John’s place daily, it is almost as if he will be out in a minute. The buckets are still strategically placed for gathering weeds, and the mulch bags lay in place, ready to be slit and spread. Some mornings I convince myself the John will be deadheading the Iris’s and strategically moving the yellowing daffodil foliage later in the day.

A bench sits empty on the shady side of the house. Perfectly positioned to sit and pause on the hottest of days. John would welcome me to chat and discuss all things gardening, of course. John’s garden, with what appears to be a fishing pole leaning against the lamp post, appears to be silent. Although, the message I hear is, “Who will take care of us? ” What a meaningful message from a well loved garden.

Uncle Shorty…

Let there be collards…and a lot of them!

“How many plant’s did you grow?” he asked. “I think I have 12 or so”, I answered. Uncle Shorty in his own way said “That’s all you grew? I am gonna need more than that.” So I started more collard seeds (even though I grow more than collards) because Uncle Shorty needed more collards. Mostly because he was my very “Real, OG” Uncle, I grew a whole packet of collards. I was going to show him that he would eat those words.

I knew Uncle Shorty was quite ill. All of us assumed we would have more time to listen to his wise words, extreme logic, as well as discuss current events…HIS way. Uncle Shorty had raised beds built last summer to accommodate a substantial crop of assorted greens. Not kale, no tomato’s…just collards.

My Uncle Delman, the last sibling, shared a moving eulogy at the funeral. He shared a message that applied to life…and the garden. A eulogy that asked a question which is now always on my mind. The words from Uncle Del planted deep thoughts in my mind.

Then What?

Then what about the garden…

A question – “Then What?” – was the title of the eulogy. As I age, this has crossed my mind on occasion. We select, install, coddle and adore the gardens we create. After all is said and done, then what? Our gardens are personal, in a sense. It is our tastes that matters – rarely anyone else’s. The gardens we curate and maintain reflect a personal version of what we consider beautiful. If we do not love and care for them…then what?

We debate on buying that expensive tree. Justifying another hydrangea comes easy. 20 just might not be enough, 21 is better. If we don’t stay on top of watering and things wilt while we vacation, then what? Not feeling like consistently maintaining the “perfect” garden, then what? If you can never just sit and enjoy the beauty of the garden, in the early morn or in the still of the evening…then what? Is it a garden, more work, or is it just something else to do?

Make time to listen to the messages that your garden is sending you. At the end of the day, if it brings you joy, buy that expensive tree. Purchase all the annuals you want, take that trip to the far off garden, and eat gelato for breakfast (so good first thing in the morning in the summer with melon). When is the perfect day, the right time or that special moment? The garden, just like life is ever evolving. There will always be a weed to pull, a limb to prune or a perennial to divide. If we choose to do everything right now, we are missing the message from the garden.

Listen to the message from your garden. If you do not make the time to listen now…THEN WHAT?

I am going to wallow in the midst of my hydrangea blooms til I figure out my Then What?

Make time this month to pause and listen to what your garden is saying…

From My Heart…Teri, Cottage In The Court

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