We need flowers!

You know how when you’ve done something right forever, then lots of other people jump in and do it too, you feel a bit conflicted? I’m truly, from my heart and mind, thrilled that so many people are growing veggies. Especially pleased, am I, that lots of my friends seem to be doing this because theyre gaining an understanding that most veggie sold in big stores really lack nutrients.

This isn’t your GrandDaddys tomato! Yeah, well more and more of us wish it were.

Perennial Borders in the Edible Garden

But. But. But. Don’t turn into evangelist about it ok? I’m a little tired of the locals only snobbery! And I’m way over the Kill all the turf and flowers stuff!

This blog is about Perennial Borders! We need them. Even if you can’t eat every single plant in them. SOMEBODY can! Bees, birds, worms, and bacteria – even some plants eat some bugs right?

I love that Charleston’s amazing horticulturist, Jim Martin, insists on calling his veggie garden an edible garden – because someone is always eating in this space, if anyone eats too much, I squish them. He even has pitcher plants, insect eating perennials, so the plants get to eat too. And a few crinum lilies mixed in and he lets all his herbs set flowers.

So flower guys, keep planting perennials!

Here’s what I’ve been doing in the garden this week:

Seeded in Zinna and Okra seeds into a bed.
Stripped the seed heads of Guara and Gallardia and scattered seeds around.
Planted some poor, tired gomphrena I found at Mega-store on sale.
Planted some poor, tired Princess Caroline, grass.
(Booth and all poor, tired, rescued plants get a long SOAK in liquid fertilizer and Super Thrive before they go in the ground)

Here’s What’s Looking Great:

Millettia reticulata – Dark purple, Evergreen Wisteria
Hypericum – Yellow Saint Johns Wort
Mirabilis – Rainbow of colors, Four Oclock
Salvia Henry Duelburg Purple/Blue tough as nails Salvia
Crinum x herbertii Red & white striped Milk and Wine Lily
And another Jim Martin-ism, Forth of July Lily – I love Tropical Giant, but there are some really cool new ones available now.