Plant of the Week
Native to South America and naturalized in most parts of the U.S., the tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis) is the perfect-see through plant. A self-sower that is easily transplanted and drought-hardy, it blooms all summer long. Tall, light, and airy, with sweet lavender blooms, it won’t block any other garden beauties from view.
Guest
Jenny Hopkins of the cut-flower farm Big Arms Farm places community at the center of her operation. Sustainably and organically grown, Jenny gives 10% of her profits to Women for Women International. You can find her at the Nelson County Farmers’ Market from 8-12. Talk about feel-good gardening! Jenny has an advantage on us home gardeners—a plastic-covered hoop house and a greenhouse—but we can still enjoy a modest cut-flower garden of our own. For the beginner, Jenny recommends sunflowers, zinnias, snapdragons, celosias, and globe amaranth. Tune in for her tips on how to properly pre-irrigate, cut, condition, and fortify your flowers.
Playlist
Re-sow your sunflowers, cilantro, etc.
Prune your early-flowering shrubs—azalea, witch hazel, daphne... There’s still time!
Prime your topsoil with frequent watering to allow your sprinkler system/rain to penetrate deeper faster.
Be mindful of your pots. Clay, metal and plastic retain moisture at different rates.
Listen
Podcast: Gardenerd Tip of the Week with Christy Wilhelmi.