HEIRLOOM SEEDS NEWSLETTER week of 05/13/01 EASY TO GROW FLOWERS Flowers should always be part of any garden. Not only do they provide beauty to the landscape, but also help draw pollinating insects into your vegetable garden. Flowers, such as marigolds, help lure beneficial insects into your yard, plus repel many harmful ones. Hummingbirds and other helpful birds are more likely to visit a yard filled with flowers. As an added plus, your yard will be the envy of all your neighbors! The varieties below can all be started from seed directly into the garden. MARIGOLDS One of the easiest flowers to grow. Plant outside after all danger of frost has past. Space the plants 8 to 12 inches apart, depending on the variety. Marigolds need plenty of sun, so pick a location that is appropriate. Marigolds are very versatile and can be grown in borders, beds, containers and in the vegetable garden. Marigolds exude substances from their roots into the soil that control harmful nematodes. Try planting marigolds at the base of your tomato plants and peppers, or around the perimeter of your garden. Their scent repels many harmful insects. Remove the dead flower heads throughout the season to keep them blooming all summer. NASTURTIUM Very easy to start from seed. Plant outside after the last spring frost. Space the plants 8 to 12 inches apart, depending on the variety. Nasturtiums grow from 6 inches (dwarf varieties) to 6 feet tall for the vining varieties. DO NOT over fertilize, especially with nitrogen, as nasturtium does well in poor soil. The beautiful flowers not only bring joy into the garden, but the flowers can also add a little color to your salad. Want to add a little "spice" to your next sandwich or salad? Just add a few leaves of nasturtium. You can even use the seeds to make a winter snack. Cut the seed clusters from the plant when about half grown, with a little of the stem still attached. Clean thoroughly and place in a clean canning jar. Cover with boiled cider vinegar and can as you would pickles, in a boiling water bath. A delightful little garnish during the winter months! STRAWFLOWER Plant outside after the last spring frost. Strawflowers prefer full sun and a rich, well drained soil. Space the plants about 12 inches apart. They grow from two to three feet, and may require staking in windy areas. Strawflowers are a duel purpose flower. They look beautiful growing in the garden, but are just as attractive as dried flowers to enjoy during the winter months. Many people grow them in the vegetable garden, as they attract a variety of beneficial insects. To make dried flowers, cut the stems when the flowers are about half open. Strip the leaves from the stem and hang upside down in a well ventilated area until dry. If it is very humid in your region, you may need the help of silica gel for drying. This can be purchased at most craft stores or in the craft department of large retail stores. Follow the directions on the can for drying flowers. SUNFLOWERS Plant outside after all danger of frost has past. Space the plants 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the variety. There are many varieties of sunflowers, from the small dwarf varieties (6-12 inches tall) to the large mammoth ones (6 ft. or higher). They make fine additions to any garden. The flower heads turn during the day to follow the sun. They are easy to grow and have few insect pests. They are often grown for their seed, which is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Harvest the flowers when the back of the seed heads are brown and dry. At that time, the inner rows of seeds are ripe, but will need further drying. Cut off the heads with about a foot of the stalk still attached. Hang the heads in a dry, airy place. Once dry, rub the heads lightly to remove the seeds. The stalks of the plant can also be used as livestock or poultry fodder. In our gardens, we leave the seeds for the birds to enjoy. A pretty good trade off for their delightful songs all summer long! ZINNIA [butterflies like these]k Plant about a week after the last spring frost. Zinnias are one of the most popular flowers grown today. Space the plants 10 to 20 inches apart, depending on the variety. Zinnias come in many different sizes and colors. They love warm weather and do best in full sun. Once the plants are thinned out and off to a good start, they need very little maintenance during the season, except to keep watered during the dry summer months. Cut off the first center flower bloom and the plants will branch out and grow bushy. Pick off the dead flowers heads during the season to enjoy fresh flowers right up until the first fall frost. That's all for this week. Happy Gardening, HEIRLOOM SEEDS