This summer I decided to make plans to open a perennial garden business next year. My plan was to do it in such a way that I did not have to take out a loan and have a large overhead in inventory.
photo credit: laudu

I was lucky enough to attend an auction at a greenhouse where I picked up around twenty different perennial varieties.  I also traded plants with friends, which lead to another 15 varieties. Scavenging at a few local abandoned houses (anyways ask first) lead to another 15 varieties and last but not least there is a wholesale $2 a shovel perennial business nearby which I purchased $20 and divided up the plants into around two hundred new plants. I also plan to start a few perennial plants from seeds so I will have close to 75 varieties of plants for my first year with very little money in the project… but a lot of time.

If your thinking of starting a small perennial garden business you can read my first article here, How to start a Perennial Garden Business

In September I tilled the ground and worked leaves and star into the soil each week for the entire month. This made the soil more workable and this material will break down and add nutrients to the soil. The last week I added well rotted sheep manure and then added my plants. This is a working garden. I plan on transplanting the plants from here into other gardens but I still want an interesting look so I laid the garden out into 6 small sections and planted the perennials by size and color combinations. In between the small sections I placed flat rocks to add interest and to create walkways.

The plants have been watered each week and are doing well so far.

My next step in the business for this year is to make sure all my plants are marked well for easy identification in the spring, to make sure the gardens have a good mulch covering to protect the newer plants and their root system and to make raised beds for some of the other gardens I will add in the spring.

During the winter months I will be making the raised beds over in the barn out of salvaged barn boards. I will also be planning out the layout of additional gardens and starting perennial plants in a small greenhouse. So far I have spent less than $50 and have a nice start for a future business.
photo credit: Markles55

I hope to start perennial herbs in the spring, pick up a few additional plants and possibly put in a cutting garden. In the spring photos will follow of my progress. If you have a small perennial garden or wish to start one contact me. Denise

Technorati Tags: Backyard Flower Garden, perennial flower, perennial garden business

It’s time to bring your indoor plants in at night and any plants that you want to over winter.

Indoor plants

If you leave your indoor plants out when the nights get colder, in the low 40’s or lower, they suffer from shock and it takes too much of a toll on the plant to recover. So bring them in after 5pm and if you wish set them back out during the day as long as the temperatures are in the high 50’s.

Geraniums

Many people bring in their geraniums and save them over the winter months. There are two ways to do this. You can bring in pots or pot them up and put them in a cool place and cut back on watering them.

Or you can take the geraniums out of the soil and take off all the soil, them place in a brown paper bag and store until spring. I usually use the brown bag method. I find the plants do better in the spring in my zone 5 area. You will need to bring the plants out in late march and replant them. Cut the plants back and water. Wait until you see new growth and give them a liquid fertilizer. I will often place plastic bags over the plants to give them a greenhouse-growing atmosphere.

I also save mums, begonias, potato plants and tomato plants.

Tags: bringing indoor plants in in the fall, overwintering geraniums, The Gardeners Rake weekly gardening tip

Perennials pretty much take care of theirselves once they are established in their new garden beds. They add color and unique textures throughout the season plus they also add value to your property. I wouldn’t consider my yard complete without them and with proper planning you can have color all season long.

Here are a few tips for growing successful perennials.

• Cut back old stems and flowers in late fall for spring-flowering perennials, or early spring for perennials that bloom summer through fall. Cutting back the old stems and flowers gives the gardens a clean look and insects will not have a place top hide and breed. It also gives the plants more light and air.
• Apply an organic fertilizer to the soil in early spring – except for perennials that do not need yearly fertilizing. I have switched to compost. It seems to give me better control over my plants and the flowers and foliage are beautiful. Use about 3 inches of compost near the plants. Make sure not to get the compost on the plants.
• Cut old flower stems off spring-blooming plants to a place on the stem just above where you see new leaves growing. This will encourage the plant to bloom again. I have noticed this really works well with mums. I have more flowers in the fall and the plants are full and beautiful. (I also take the cuttings and start new plants from them)
• When you first plant perennials they need to be watered every week to encourage new roots. After that Water well until soil is completely moist. Most perennials do well in dry weather and will need less water than annuals, particularly if the ground is mulched.
• There are long-lived perennials and short-lived perennials. Your local greenhouse or nursery can help you select the plants and advise you of their care

Many of the perennials on our property have been family favorites for generations. They bring back many memories of grandparents and parties throughout the years.