As I gaze out my open back window, I am being treated to a beautiful array of color, aroma and sound. Azaleas, bridal wreath and spirea have all exploded with color. Wisteria and clematis vines, climbing the arbors and trees, have meanwhile permeated the air with the delicate perfume of their exotic flowers. If that is not enough to stimulate our winter-dead senses, pansies, snapdragons and Indian hawthorns surround the freshly cleaned birdbaths and pole feeders acting like beckoning nymphs to our many-voiced backyard visitors. The cacophony of color, sound and scent is enough to hold one spellbound for hours!

Seeds for summer blooms

Alas, those who snooze, lose - and summer will be upon us before we know it. Spring garden’s enjoyment will continue well into the summer, but only if we get busy now. Let’s start with the obvious - seeding. Many plants do not like to go from pot to soil, so seeding is necessary. Sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, larkspur, bachelor buttons, salvia, nasturtiums, phlox and poppies are all examples of beautiful summer flowering plants that enjoy blossoming where they are seeded.

To prepare the soil, aerate the beds and work in a mixture of bone meal and phosphate. Once turned in, spread the seeds freely. Now cover lightly with soil and keep the bed moist. With the help of lots of sunshine and three weeks of time, you should begin to see the seeds germinate. As leaves begin to develop, spray with a mixture of biodegradable soapy water to prevent insect invasions. Also, now is the time to remove a few of the seedlings to prevent crowding. Do not fertilize yet, as the roots are not mature.

What will your garden gain from all this hard work? Sunflowers provide beautiful large flowers for dramatic arrangements, as well as seeds for the many birds and other wildlife they will surely attract to your summer garden. They also love full sun and very dry soil, so take advantage of this and fill those hard-to-water areas of your garden with their bright faces. Nasturtiums make a wonderful border plant, and can easily fill a hanging planter, but what makes them a wonderful garden addition is that they can also be used in your salads! The tender young leaves are delicious and peppery, and the flowers can add a little visual interest to your everyday greens - just remember to use soapy water instead of pesticides to be sure they are edible.

These are just a few examples of what seeds can add to your garden. And the bright, colorful array of flowers will help to fill your garden with bees and butterflies to boot!

Planting a meadow

Have you ever thought of turning your yard into a meadow? Meadow plants have deep roots and keep the soil from compacting. They also reseed themselves. Many of these plants are now available at your local nursery. The native iris is one of the most popular. Lots of grasses and clover are available, as well - and don’t forget the climbing honeysuckle. Plants like these should not be moved once established. They are easy to maintain and require so little watering. They do, however, like full sun and some dividing may be necessary. The wildlife will certainly thank you for their addition to your garden!

The tropical look

If you crave that tropical look, we are blessed to have available banana trees and palms. There are many varieties of each. Also interesting and dramatic for the tropical garden is the variegated ginger and the bird of paradise. What a splash of color and leaf drama these two can add! Check with the nursery for planting tips and care on any of these before you make your purchase.

Hostas for shade

If shade is your problem, look to the hostas for your solution. They do well under and around trees and provide color in the way of variegated leaves and stems of flowers. With good watering and fertilizer, they will bloom all summer.

A fruitful garden

In summary, don’t be afraid to try something out of the ordinary. Be brave, be resourceful and be ready for summer by planting in your spring garden four rows of “peas”: Presence, promptness, preparation and perseverance. Follow that with three rows of “squash”: Squash gossip, squash indifference, squash unjust criticism. Next, plant four rows of “lettuce”: Let us be faithful to duty, let us be unselfish and loyal, let us be true to our obligations, let us love one another. Finally, no garden is ever complete without “turnips”: Turn up with a smile, turn up with new ideas, turn up for meetings, turn up with determination to make everything count for something good and worthwhile.

Now you are ready to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Happy gardening!

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