Today is Plant A Flower Day.

Can someone tell me how you only plant one flower? A single rose is lovely, but dozens of fragrant blossoms blooming on the bushes in my garden are heavenly. Sadly, nothing is growing in my garden today. Snow and ice cover the ground, and Spring has not officially arrived. In my area, the last Spring Frost Date is May 19, but I can never wait that long to plant out my garden.

I like to start my seedlings indoors, and I set a target date of May 1 to transplant everything into the garden. Most seedlings need 6-8 weeks to germinate and gain enough hardiness to survive a transplant, and so I am sowing my seed this weekend. I have it all planned. The first things on my planting list are an heirloom tomato (Costoluto Genovese) and my favorite Romas. Both varieties will find new a new home in a raised bed. Next up is half a flat of Sweet Genovese Basil. Tomatoes and Basil are great companion plants, and the Basil will go in the same raised bed.

Another brilliant companion for tomatoes is Marigold. Personally, I detest the smell of Marigolds, but the odor I dislike also helps deter some common garden pests. Marigold fragrance annoys rabbits, deer, and cats, and they can also repel moths. They are practically adept at repelling the moth that begins its life as a caterpillar named the Tomato Hornworm. I definitely don’t want those monsters of destruction anywhere near my tomatoes. While I may not like the flowers’ aroma, they are pretty, and their benefits compensate for their smelly flaw. I am planting out an entire flat.

This year I also plan to expand my herb garden. Mint and Thyme already grow on my windowsill, and Oregano, Rosemary, and Chamomile will soon join them. The tiny patch of Chives I planted a few years ago has taken over an outdoor bed like a bunch of weeds. After I thin them back, I will sow a patch of Boc Choy and perhaps see how carrots like that location.

A flat of Mixed Color Zinnias will add a nice splash to that green spot. I can already see them blooming. They will create a beautiful backdrop as I sit outside and write.

Did you write yesterday? Are you writing today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer