Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - 79
SINGING IN THE GARDEN
But flowers aren't just pretty faces. If your soil includes
compacted clay, then cilantro is your go-to girl. In addition
to spicing up your salsa, her lacy blooms are great
in cut bouquets while the deep tap roots dig down and
soften soils. At the end of the season, chop and drop the
spent foliage right into the garden while allowing the tap
roots to stay and decay. Both will feed the soil for the
next season
Flowers can also help reduce pest problems. Calendulas
create a sticky sap that traps aphids and white flies.
Meanwhile, hoverflies, green lacewings and lady bugs
come for the sweet nectar but stay for the buggy buffet.
Sweet alyssum and nasturtiums both make great living
mulches, shading the soil below and between taller plants.
In addition to helping control weeds, they also hold moisture
in the soil. And, if you plant red clover, you also get
the benefit of nitrogen fixation, while buckwheat roots are
great at grabbing phosphorous from the soil and returning
it when the stems are mulched. Just be sure to chop clover
and buckwheat down before they set seed.
This year, my son accidentally plowed my garden a
third bigger than I had anticipated. At first I was annoyed.
What was I going to do with an extra 15 by 50 feet of dirt?
Then it hit me. I had more room for flowers!
When I was growing up, I spent a week or two every
summer with my Nana and Papa on their farm in southeastern
Virginia. Our simple pleasures included fishing in
the pond, lazing in the hammock and eating strawberries
fresh from the garden. But one of my most beloved memories
is the armfuls of zinnias which we cut and arranged
every day in riotous bouquets around the old plantation
house.
So, after planting a few pumpkins for my grandchildren,
I sowed the rest of the bonus space with a festival of
zinnias. I chose a mixture called " Lava Lamp, " for its fiery
oranges, reds and yellows. I chose " Mardi Gras " because I
loved the carnival colors. I added " Pumila Bordeaux " for
its cut and come again qualities and " Cherry Queen " to
share with my sister who loves all things red.
Each evening, My Own Farmer and I
take some refreshments out to the deck and
enjoy the party. As day fades to night and
the bees buzz away, we raise a glass to the
garden's glorious beauty. Then we slip back
inside to enjoy her delicious bounty.
Summer is a celebration of all the best
things in the garden. So go ahead, plant a
party. You will be glad you did.
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JULY/AUGUST 2023 79
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Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - Cover1
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - Cover2
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - 3
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - 4
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - 5
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Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - Cover3
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - Cover4
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