The growing season is quickly coming to an end. The leaves are just starting to fall, and cold weather is poised and ready to slide in as daylight dwindles.
A friend recently told me that she loses gardening momentum as summer fades. I usually do, too, but this year the weather has been so consistently sunny and beautiful that I’ve worked a little longer as the last perennials and annuals throw out their bloom finale.
I’ve cleaned out about a third of the beds at the lake house. There’s so much more to do!
Still. I’ve taken the time to walk around the property and think about plans for the garden next year.
Rather than writing notes, I’ve been taking photos. Then, I can sit down and write my ideas in my garden journal. I look at the photos to remember what I was thinking!
Seedlings
I’ve done a lot of seed starting in the last thirty years. Lately, though, I gave up on this hobby because there was so much else to do.
Now, I’m ready to raise seedlings again.
So, what kinds of plants do I grow from seed rather than buy from a garden center?
Polka-dot Plants
Polka-dot plants do well even with heavy deer foraging. This past season I was lucky to find some plants at a local discount store. Other years, I’ve not been so lucky. Starting my own from seed guarantees I’ll have these annual plants (as long as I can get them to germinate).
This is a prime example of the advantage of starting your own seedlings.
Another advantage is that you control what’s in the seed starting mix – and what’s not. Pests and diseases are easily transferred if you buy contaminated plants.
Some Herbs
Lavender
New lavender plants are a must. Old lavender plants get leggy and twisted, and they have fewer blooms.
I discovered that lavender is easy to grow from seed, and new plants grow quickly and flower abundantly here in the full sun.
Basil
I’ll also start basil plants indoors. But, parsley gets seeded directly in the garden because of its tap root. It doesn’t transplant well.
Rosemary is one plant that I buy rather than grow from seed. I think it’s because the local market has such well-shaped and healthy looking rosemary plants in the spring; I don’t see an advantage to raising them myself.
Perennial herbs like oregano, sage, and thyme are doing well in the garden so I don’t see any need to mess with them next year.
Vines
Plants that climb (vines) are another important part of the garden. If you look at your garden and say. “Blah,” it might be because you’re missing that vertical element.
Choosing annual vines rather than perennials ensures that you won’t have to worry about the vines taking over your plantings. If you’ve grown English ivy, you know what I’m talking about.
One annual vine that I have grown in the past is morning glory. Yes, I love the flowers, but the heart-shaped leaves are so pretty, too.
Bulbs and Tubers
I want to start some elephant ears and cannas, and maybe some dahlias indoors and then transplant them outside when frost is no longer an issue.
These plants grow from bulbs and tubers. By starting them indoors, I’ll have decent sized plants earlier in the season.
You can see elephant ears planted in containers by our city horticulture department in the photo above.
Elephant ears, cannas, and dahlias make a big statement in the landscape and in planters so I’m excited to include them in my plans.
In fact one of the best aspects of starting plants indoors to get a jump on the season is that it gets you excited for a new year in the garden.
