Tater Update Three!!!

May 23, 2019 ~ illbtru ~ Leave a comment

The potatoes are growing very well! The plants are starting to get flowers! The extra drainage is paying off, despite the heavy rains.

So far no sign of Potato Beetles. Plus, I’m on the look out for fungus!

The next step is to feed the potato rings with seaweed emulsion and watch for critters and disease. When the plants die back and turn brown, then the potato harvest will begin (probably in late June).

It appears this is working so well, I’m going to try this with sweet potatoes.

Talk to you soon!

Papa

Papa is back!!! Spring Has Sprung!

April 3, 2019April 3, 2019 ~ illbtru ~ Leave a comment

Welcome Back!!

After health issues, Papa has returned to give you the best in horticultural information!

There will be more to come! Stay tuned!

Papa

Who Wants to Volunteer?

June 11, 2018June 10, 2018 ~ illbtru ~ Leave a comment

Larkspur was planted three (3) years ago. The seed pods let go of their seeds and new plants come up every year!!! These self sown plants are an absolute joy!

What beautiful tall plants with flowers of white, pink, lavender and purple. The plants look so fragile yet they are very sturdy! I look forward to seeing them every year.

What volunteers do you have in your growing spaces? What an encouragement that will be!!!

Papa

The Not So Common, Common Milkweed!

June 8, 2018June 10, 2018 ~ illbtru ~ Leave a comment

The Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) was a familiar sight in the Missouri Ozarks. Between mowing and spraying herbicide this beautiful plant has become more scarce.

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This particular milkweed can grow very large (up to 6 1/2 feet tall). The profuse flowers vary from pinkish to purplish in color. The coveted Monarch Butterfly caterpillars are the chief consumer of the leaves and stems. The caterpillars prefer the more tender newer smaller leaves.

monarch caterpillar monarch

The Great Spangled Fritillary adores this plant! Today I counted 20 butterflies on one plant!

Great Spangled Fritillary

It is an amazing spectacle to see how the Fritillaries covet this “common” plant!

Do yourself a favor and plant as many of these special plants to perpetuate the threatened Monarch Butterfly and enjoy a truly beautiful perennial plant!

Papa

Spring has Sprung! A Month Early!

February 22, 2017February 22, 2017 ~ illbtru ~ Leave a comment

Garden peas and sugar snap peas were planted a week ago! They should be up in about a week.

Bachelor Buttons, Shasta Daisy, Pansies, Snap Dragons, Marigolds, Foxglove and other flower seed were planted in cell trays. Broccoli, Cabbage and Cauliflower were started as well.

Tomato and Pepper seed will be planted tomorrow. Full production has started in earnest!

Flowers have started to bloom. The Crocus and jonquils are showing their lovely blooms!

Watch for more gardening goodies!!!

Papa

The Joy of Fall!

October 13, 2016October 13, 2016 ~ illbtru ~ 1 Comment

The Fall season is my favorite time of year! Leaves changing color, final summer harvest and cool, delightful weather. The Fall mums are in bloom. Time to enjoy!

I almost forgot, beautiful sunsets!!!!

There’s more to come.

Papa

Heat Resistant Dahlias!!!

July 20, 2016 ~ illbtru ~ Leave a comment

Absolutely amazing! 110° (F) heat and my dahlias are thriving. Originally from Mexico, dahlias can take it to a sultry 120° (F). These two heirloom seed varieties (Double flowered & Cactus flowered) will grow to a height of 6 feet.

From this:

To this!!

I love the colors and shapes. Check out this collage!

These beauties will be great for cut flowers. Make sure you have 15 to 18 inches of stem. Immerse the flower stems in 160° (F) water until water cools off. Place the flowers in new water with a floral preservative and they will last for 4 – 6 days. I hope to have enough to sell by mid-August.

Zinnias are up next to sell in the Fall. Florists love the bright colors when you can’t get them!

See you soon!

Papa

Heritage Day Festival with Papa

June 6, 2016June 6, 2016 ~ illbtru ~ Leave a comment

Sunday was a beautiful day for a festival. It was a wonderful day to meet and greet new people and the Bluegrass music from the Missouri Ozarks was amazing! What more could you ask from the day?

My Miss Sunshine was a wonderful helper.

Gardening questions included “How do you change the color of hydrangeas?”, “Why did my strawberry plants die?”and “You can grow lettuce during the hot summer months?” I plan to address these questions in future posts.

The booth was a stunning success. Heirloom Tomato and Hot/Sweet Pepper transplants in addition to potted June bearing Strawberry plants, Annual Phlox and Hollyhocks were for sale.

The lettuce bowls with Oak Leaf, Amish Deer Tongue and Red Romaine lettuces with edible Pansy’s were well received.

Sweet Peas on the vine, Bachelor’s Buttons and Snowball Hydrangeas complimented the booth receiving surprised and rave reviews. People in this area are not familiar with cultivated Sweet Peas and were pleased with their knockout colors and fragrance.

Thanks again for visiting the world of Papa’s Gardens.

Papa

See you Sunday!

June 4, 2016June 4, 2016 ~ illbtru ~ 2 Comments

Sunday, June 5, I will have a vendor space during the Baker Creek* monthly Heritage Days festival.

I will be selling tomato and hot/ sweet pepper transplants. In addition I will have potted June bearing strawberry plants, Hollyhocks, Annual Phlox and Lettuce bowls for sale.