GARDENING
By MELODY DOCKERY
Celebrate the season of renewal T h re e ga rd e n i n g p ro j e c ts to c u re s p r i n g feve r
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pring e xplodes with the promise of new hope, and there’s never been a s p r i n g m o r e a n t i c i p at e d t h a n t h i s y e a r. T h e l a s t f r o s t in Pr es t o n Ho llo w w a s f o r e c a s te d for Ma r c h 1 2, an d I’m g i d d y w i th gardening plans to celebrate the season. T he only c ure I’ve discover ed fo r sp r in g fe ver i s to p i c k u p a shovel a n d dig in ! My to p th r e e easy backya r d pr o j ec ts f o r n atu r e enthusia s t s t o la un ch to d ay a r e a c u l i n a r y ga r d e n , a h u m m i n g b i r d gar den a n d a c utt in g ga r d e n . What could be easier than picking up a variety of herbs and tomato transplants from a neighborhood gar den cen t er ? C l e a r a n d p r e p a s u n n y, w e l l drained spot with afternoon shade, and enjoy snipping aromatic herbs for cooking all season. I love using lavender and rosemar y in c ut flo wer a r ran ge me n ts . C o n tainer her b ga r den s a r e p ra c ti c a l , b ut r equir e j us t a littl e e x tra w a ter ing. My fav o r it e h e r b s to g r o w in our area include varieties of basil, rosemar y, sage, lavender and thyme. I’m dreaming of fresh pesto and pasta sauce at this very moment. Min t is a m us t i n e ve r y c u linar y garden. It’s easy to grow and refreshing in e ver ything from tabb oul eh t o iced t ea . Ju s t b e s u r e to contain the mint - it ’s an intrusive
neighbor and will dominate t h e ga r d e n . I ’m par tial to cherr y tomatoes: sweet, juicy little flavor bombs that continue to produce throughout the Melody Dockery in her cutting garden. Photo Courtesy of Dockery. season. Migrating hummingbirds refuel in our Presily in our area. Pick up seed packs ton Hollow oasis in mid-March a t a l o c a l ga r d e n c e n t e r o r o r d e r and circle back in August and Septhem from wildseedfarm.com. Prep tember. I’ve ne ver needed a feeder t h e s o i l i n a s u n ny, w e l l - d r a i n e d to attra c t th e feis ty travelers, a nd p at c h . L i t e ra l l y s c att e r t h e s e e d s ruby-throated hummingbirds keep a nd lightly s tep o n them ( no di gme on their flight path e ver y year, ging o r c o vering w ith so il) . K e e p l e av i n g my ga r d e n w i t h fi v e - s t a r the area moist until you witness the reviews. Their favorite plant varietmiracle of life: tiny sprouts bursting fo r th fro m the ea r th in a bout ies: salvia, Turk’s cap, trumpet vine (cross vine) and yellow bells. Keep s e v e n t o 1 0 d a y s . I c o n f e s s , i t ’s a fresh water source as well for painful at firs t, but sacrifice some your je t-lag ged gues ts. If you love of your offspring and thin out the geeking out about hummingbirds, little sprouts - leaving room for air you’ ll find the knowledgeable pros circulation and ample space for the at North Haven Gardens are “ birds rainbow of blooms that will supply of a feather” with all the plants and a surplus of cut flowers throughout a d v i c e n e e ded. t h e s u m m e r a n d e a r l y f a l l . Fo r a There is something life-affirming prolonged display and vases full of about planting seeds and expericolor throughout the summer, plan seq u entia l pla ntings e ver y tw o t o encing the whole sprout, growfo u r week s. a n d - b l o o m pro c ess. Start with one inspiration or My “absolutely cannot fail” f lower from seed pick is Zinnias. tackle them all. Embrace this sea Resplendent with happy colors and so n o f rene w a l in the ga rden! sentimental charm, the y grow eas-
APRIL 2021
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