Rusty At The Nursery

Sunday, June 13, 2010

It was quite a day at the nursery today. I got started early hoping to get everything set up for the day before Gail arrived. Just after I opened the gates, neighbor Gerry drove in for a chat followed by a van from Maine and two shoppers. They said they had been here last week and were back for more hostas. By now I have forgotten where they live as their last name was Gray which is also a town in Maine, not too far from Naples where I think they said they lived. I'll find out next time as they said they would be back again soon. Regardless, they picked out more hostas and some pots of rosemary and headed home about the same time Mike and Michelle arrived with Rusty, the Jack Russell. Rusty likes to visit as our 5 acre field is fertile ground for a hunting dog who has no fear of woodchucks and likes the speed of a red vole.

Rusty got a good run and as we regrouped under a shade house, he seemed intrigued by the John Deere 320 that we brought down and placed on exhibit yesterday. Mike put Rusty up on the seat and he immediately sniffed out an empty dashboard socket still waiting for a new instrument. Apparently a field mouse had climbed the tractor and entered the engine compartment through the hole and Rusty wanted to pursue it. I finally climbed aboard to slow him down a little and Michelle snapped a few shots of the two of us. I'm especially grateful to Mike for his flawless work rehabbing this old tractor to the point that it runs like a top. I also appreciate having a free hunter visit each weekend to help with rodent control. The fact that Rusty likes the tractor too is a bonus.

As the day progressed there was interest in the Siberian irises. I could really go crazy with these as they are so beautiful. Each bud only blooms for a couple days and many customers won't buy anything that isn't in bloom. This one is Sugar and Cream which has been on the market for some time but sure is an eye catcher. I sold a customer three last night and two people bought them today including friend Eric from Massachusetts by way of his camp in Groton, VT. Eric described winter losses at his camp and these were consistent with what many gardeners have reported to me except that he lost some Lilium canadense too. Usually I remind people that canadense often takes a break for a summer or two but the loss Eric described sounded more like the work of voles or moles to me as his loss was excessive.

Customers were consistent until just after 4 PM so I had more time to weed out some more daylily beds. I am not certain I'll get everything cleaned up before the heavy bloom starts in 2-3 weeks but I am trying. Poor soil really does breed good weeds and getting out a well fertilized dandelion growing in the middle of a clump of three year old daylilies is a challenge. I'll be back to the same task tomorrow morning!

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where tall bearded iris and peonies add beautiful colors to hosta scapes and trollius, sweet williams and spirea blooms, rugosa roses and bachelor buttons, violas and daylilies.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Facebook as a personal page where blogs also land: George Africa
On twitter as vtflowerfarm

Hostas Days Begins!

Friday June 11, 2010

6 AM and still clouded over, 51 degrees, 98% humidity, 29.70 on the barometer and windless. When I checked the rain gauge last night there was almost an inch of new water so that's almost 3" in 5 days. Today is supposed to be clear but another front is coming in and rain is expected again this weekend.

Rainy days often keep gardeners away from the nursery unless they are dedicated or bored. Last night 12 ladies from a Circle of Friends group that reaches from Burlington and Williston to Barre and Williamstown visited Vermont Flower Farm in Muck boots and crocs and carrying all color and size of umbrella. They came prepared and I think enjoyed what they saw despite the rain. I offered to show them our new hosta and shade garden which continues under construction for now its second year. In the top image the new garden is on the right just behind my tractor. The garden on the left is a new daylily garden where I have lined out quick sellers such as Red Ribbons, Tetrina's Daughter, Valley Monster, Orange Vols and Wayside King Royal. That garden is also planted with annuals such as giant cactus flowered zinnias and cosmos.

If you remember some previous posts about this new garden I started out with removing all the weeds and swamp grasses from an area of about 3000 square feet. The front of the area accepts water run off from the adjacent slope so I had to trench the runoff into a settling pool and accept the fact that an eighth of the new garden would have to be used for plants that can tolerate lots of moisture.

I had access to hundreds of burlap bags from a Vermont coffee company so I laid them down for further weed control as I planted. My plan was to cover the bags with maple leaves and wood chips as I planted so moisture would be retained and weed control would be easier. My most recent accomplishment has been covering the bags that form the paths.

Just down Route 2 a couple miles from the nursery is a quarry that crushes granite into stay mat. Stay mat is a common name for crushed rock material that includes an assortment of fines which help the entire mass pack down like concrete. The granite stay mat is less expensive than shale stay mat which I would have preferred but in my situation granite is a good start. It costs $13.65 a yard and is closer by so less transport cost for my limited budget. This stone material is very heavy and it's a job best left to a tractor whenever possible. It's the same material I have used in the parking lot and under all the plant display areas and inside the shade houses. It rakes over easily when fresh and begins to pack as rain falls or you resort to a hose.

Just below is a picture as I started to lay out one path. Big blocks of the same eye catching daylily variety form the garden's border on the left and three varieties of maples and a few lindens are joined by 6 katsuras, 6 yellow ninebarks and some small (very small!) yellow locusts. The natural backdrop to this garden is box elders, a tree belonging to the maple family and one I don't care for. Let's just say the area is in transition and the trees while change over time.

I have the main walkway artery designed to accommodate folks who use scooters or power chairs for travel. That's not possible yet as the work is in progress and the paths aren't packed yet but that is the plan. More slender paths allow those with easier access a chance for different views now but over time I will insure that access is equal for everyone. This is a challenge because the garden is more than a hundred yards from our main display area and down a fairly steep bank. As with everything I do there is a remedy in mind, slowed only by one man's energy, time and money.

Two years ago I explained the plan to a customer and she returned yesterday. Her first response was to the amount of work I had accomplished in such a short amount of time but there was an air of misconception in her reaction. She had purchased a number of hostas during her last visit and I gave my customary "here's how to get them growing as efficiently as possible" speech. When she looked at the new garden she was in awe over what she felt were one gallon pots of hosta like she bought growing to mature garden giants in one year. I corrected the observation and rehashed my method of using Epsom salt and fish emulsion with kelp to encourage my plants along. I added that some use lots of triple phosphate but I try to steer clear of that fertilizer because in my opinion it changes the leaf color.


There's a lot of work left with the paths but they should be settled within the week if the rain gives me a break and I don't run out of stay mat. I have that feeling of conflict going on where I'd really like to get the paths done but I'd also like to have so many customers show up that I'd be forced into customer service and grabbing money and loading cars. We'll see what happens.


Over the next couple years I think the garden will mature nicely and the view to and from the parking area will be sufficient to entice new arrivals to want to come see what's going on. if you like hostas and other shade plants, stop by for a visit. There's lots to see!


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the sky is clearing already and there's promise of a nice Friday. Rain gear and umbrellas should be packed in the car if you're heading anywhere this weekend. We hope Vermont Flower Farm is on your list as Hosta Days begins today with some special prices! Have to get going to the nursery.......

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
Also on Facebook as George Africa--take a look!
Frequent tweets on Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Blue Colors, Bright Morning

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A beautiful morning here on the mountain. 38.5 degrees so no frost last night despite the warning. A brownish red doe deer is walking through the lower garden as I write, one ear tipped to the side to try to ascertain where the keyboarding noise is coming from. I wonder where she left her new fawn? It's hidden away someplace and it will be a few weeks before she will bring it out to visit.

I haven't made it to the nursery yet to see how cold it got in the cold pocket on the north side but I suspect it is fine. Also haven't been out for a walk with Karl the Wonder Dog as he is making a slow recovery from his latest ailment and although a little perkier, he is yet to start bugging me for a walk.

This is the time of spring when colors begin to mix and change from day to day. The peonies are coming on but the lack of a bazillion buds like last year is reminder to my negligence last year when I failed to weed around them and fertilize. If you have peonies and want good bloom remember that the root should never be more than 1.5" below the surface and the plants should be kept free of weeds. They also need to be fertilized as they grow bigger and need good water in mid August when they set bud for the following year. Last summer I was working two jobs and rebuilding Gail's mother's house for sale and things like peonies never made the priority list.

Perennial bachelors buttons are out now and they are a nice blue color that works well with many other flowers. I don't really like this plant because towards the end of the first bloom they get scraggly and sometimes during wet spring seasons succumb to fungal problems. If you cut the entire plant back right after it blooms the first time it will regrow quickly and bloom some more. I like plants that show more independence--kind of like telling the kid that wants another pay raise that yes, the plant he just pulled up was another hosta....just as I had reminded yesterday and the day before.

I said earlier this week that I would pay tribute to the farmers and suppliers who contributed to Saturday night's localvore at the Marshfield Inn and Motel. Friends Tracey and Diana did a terrific job and local chef Tony Martinez brought it all to plate. They were bright stars that night just as the peonies of various shades of red stand strong among the blue bachelor buttons on this bright June morning. Enjoy today!


Localvore contributors included: crostini from Elmore Mtn Bakery, bacon and pork loin from the Cleary Family Farm in Plainfield, asparagus from Annie on Hollister Hill, eggs with beautiful dark yokes from Anna Marie Clark in Cabot, goat cheese from Vermont Butter and Cheese, crisp greens from Justin Kevnal, also from Hollister Hill, tofu and soy milk from Vermont Soy in Hardwick, cream from Butterworks Farm, mushrooms, ever so tasty, from Wild Side of Vermont/Wild Branch in Craftsbury, rhubarb from the front garden at Marshfield Inn, potatoes from Chappells in Williamstown, chives from Chef Tony's own garden, basil from Mimi Arnstein at Wellspring Farm, Marshfield, and early spring vegetables from Pete's Greens in Craftsbury.

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the doe is gone but the ravens are fighting at the compost pile. How can you get excited about strawberry parings?

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm where Hosta 'June' is on sale for $12 a gallon pot
On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens, and as just me, George Africa
Almost ready for morning Tweets on Twitter as vtflowerfarm
Find us, join us, come visit!

First Daylilies

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Just back from a morning walk with Karl the Wonder Dog. He was feeling poorly last night and this morning he was eating grass during our walk. If you have a dog you know what this means. He's seven years old and what he thinks he can eat and what he should eat are two different things. Kind of like older people.

It's a beautiful morning out there. 40 degrees and motionless. The small birds of the woods are in conversation. As much as I wish I knew these birds I have never had anyone around to teach me their names and calls. Warblers prevail here but they hide well. They must take music lessons from a very good voice instructor at an early age as their songs are so beautiful.

Gail made me laugh last night as she pulled a Vermonter trick and as soon as she got out of the car on return from the nursery she walked straight to the lawn mower, pulled the cord and mowed for a tank and a half. I guess she bored of waiting for me to catch up with the high grass. As I prepared dinner I could see her following the mower through hidden rows within our old flower gardens. It must be a genetic thing as her dad did the same thing at age 80 when Gail's mom instructed him to weed the flower garden and he knew the ground was too far away from his finger tips. Gail said later that she wanted an easy way to go look at the various lupines at the far end of a row.

Up top is a picture of the daylily known to many as 'lemon lily'. I took this picture last July 9th at the nursery with a bleeding heart in the background, still in bloom. Things are much different this year after one of the warmest Mays in history that arrived with snow and presented repetitive storms on Mothers Day weekend and the week before. Despite the snow the month still averaged quite warm. This year the bleeding hearts are about done and other daylilies such as Corky and Jersey Spider are already (oddly) budded out.

Lemon lilies typically are the first to bloom here in New England. They arrive on tall, thin scapes and bloom nocturnally causing fragrant notice to happy gardeners because they open with a light perfume that makes gardeners smile.

During this morning's walk I noticed three different trollius continue to bloom here although only Pritchard's Giant remains in bloom at the nursery. The difference between elevations of 1530 feet (here at house) and 780 feet (at nursery by river) must make the difference. The trollius are a nice companion to lemon lilies and the yellows that some gardeners report being bored of are actually complimentary.

As well as the lemon lilies, lupines and trollius, the gardens are beginning to brighten with Oriental poppies, perennial bachelors buttons, lots of peonies, Siberian iris in shades of blue, purple and yellow, and tall bearded iris in various colors. Some late blooming scilla bulbs continue to bloom on old flower bed borders and the entire area surrounding the house is perfumed with the fragrance of the lilac Miss Kim. I like this lilac a lot, Gail doesn't and neither of us have taken to pruning it back away from the walkway......perhaps a ruthless job for Alex but not until the shrub is past bloom time.

I have to get moving here as I need to get back to my job at the new hosta garden at the nursery. I toiled for 6 hours yesterday putting stay mat down for new garden paths. This is crushed granite and granite dust and even with the tractor it is very heavy. Gail has the Vermont Farm Bureau coming next week to do an article on Vermont Flower Farm and I want to have the old John Deere and plow moved down and on display as it's such a treat. Cannot make the move until I use the brush hog to trim the fields and woods roads here at the house. Boy it's going to be a busy day!

Out an about today? Stop by Vermont Flower Farm and see what's going on. I may not be there but Gail will be for sure.


Writing from the mountian above Peacham Pond where a boisterous loon just flew over the house heading for Osmore Pond. After 20 years I could be a flight director for this bird simply by the direction of their calls.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens. Sign up....click "Like" Also on a personal page, George Africa, where every The Vermont Gardener blog appears as soon as it is written.
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Much Needed Rain

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Rain continues at Vermont Flower farm. 1.9" has fallen since yesterday and the Winooski River is flowing faster and higher than it has for several weeks. The flower seeds we sowed three and four days ago --zinnias, cosmos and sunflowers--have all germinated and give us encouragement that cut flower sales will be better than last year when repeated rains and frosts rotted many seeds before they even got started.

Color in a garden and what color will sell well is a challenge in any year. Earlier this year we had a beautiful viola--those "little pansies" that appear here and there in the garden for years to come. It was a yellowy orange that made you want to take home an extra pack even if you didn't need one. It was a color that you knew your best friend would like in her garden even if she didn't have any violas or maybe didn't really even care for them. The color was so popular, they sold out in a couple days. Gail found a very nice back up but it wasn't the same and only half have sold in a week.

Today a customer stopped. The lure of another nursery to visit on the way home was greater than the hassle of opening and closing the umbrella again. The lady and her two friends challenged the rain and toured our gardens. The woman's gardening skills were obvious and she raised questions about our selection of hydrangeas, our temperate zone by the river, and our success with a small appearing yellow leaved Ninebark.


Just talking about hydrangeas reminded me of two we had growing at the old farm house back in the 50's. One was the smaller snowball type and one was a massive, unpruned shrub better than 8 feet tall and full of large blossoms that we brought into the house as "cuts" or hung upside down in the "summer kitchen' and dried. I mentioned "Pinkie Winkie", a fairly recent introduction and explained that I had seen several in my travels in northern Vermont but none seemed to live here for a second spring.

Our discussion turned to an astrantia named 'Claret' that Gail likes. I have never been happy with how long it seems to take to get started here but the abundance of blooms when it gets settled in is worth the wait. These are popular plants from English gardening times and hybridizers continue to explore new colors.






As our conversation ended with the sale of daylilies 'Nile Crane' and 'Woodside Ruby' and the customer and her companions drove away, I made a quick tour of the gardens. Rain drop bubbles were everywhere as the rain continued. My friend and personal mechanic, Mike just called to report that my Troy Built Horse rototiller is finished save for the muffler. He is replacing the standard muffler with a quieter type made especially for people who have just signed up for Social Security. He says it's quieter and I'll like it. Stop by later this week and see for yourself!


Writing from the nursery where the only noise is rain on the roof and an occasional car on Route 2. Sales have been surprisingly good today despite the rain. Some gardeners have to buy new plants and get them in the ground on a day like today. Gail has Hosta 'June' on sale for the entire month for $12 from a regular of $16. This is a "must have" hosta! Come see.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm & Gardens and also as just me George Africa
Tweets on Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Spring Gardening Respite

Sunday, June 6, 2010

A second wet day here in Marshfield. Yesterday arrived with pouring rains and slightly over half an inch of rain in the gauge. I cannot remember a stretch of May weather that went so long without rain as yesterday and now today offered welcome moisture. Folks remind us how lucky we are to have a nursery on the Winooski River which we can draw from but working hoses and sprinkler systems is more difficult than turning on the river.

The sunny days of the last two weeks of May were quite a contrast to standing in a snow storm on Mothers Day, repeating bad storms of the previous week too. Just the same, gardeners finally tired of bad weather and began to appear to walk our houses and pick out new plants. We have been very pleased with sales and attribute part of this to Gail's Friday @12:40 PM commentary on local radio station WDEV. We think that daily tweets on Twitter and our two Facebook pages, Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and personal page George Africa help too. Last year this blog, The Vermont Gardener, won best gardening blog in Vermont which honored us; already we feel badly that we have not worked on it as much as we should as a thank you to our kind following. Only so much time in a day.

All gardeners get tired and need a little break once in a while. Last night Gail and I had an opportunity to sit still for a couple hours and enjoy a great meal and good conversation. Our friends Tracey and Diana at Marshfield Inn and Motel here in Marshfield held their first ever Localvore Dinner. This was our first localvore and there is absolutely no doubt that we'll be back again and again as more events are presented. The culinary creations of local chef Tony Martinez masterfully combined fresh local food from 15 local farmers and suppliers. Here's a quick summary to make you know you should have been there too!

Basil string beans and mixed cheeses after Gail and I and friend Ron picked through conversation and Vermont stories. Chive blossom accents for color contrast.

There were two choices for each of the courses. Gail picked this Spring Minestrone with Pesto which I really wanted but I was lured to (next picture) Crostini with soft boiled egg, asparagus and bacon. Gail is still talking about the lightness of the minestrone, the pesto accent and the perfection of the vegetables. The flavors of the bacon, egg and asparagus encourage me to go pick some wild asparagus today for a similar treat.

Next course could be Spring Greens with goat cheese and Maple Vinaigrette but Gail and I have an interest in wild mushrooms and we went with Mushroom Ragu with buckwheat crepes. I wish I could send a sample of the flavors (and a better picture) because the group consensus ranked this course option as tops.

The second choice for the main course was Crispy Tofu with rice and gravy served with sauteed arugula. Gail and I went with the Pork Loin with rhubarb chutney, rainbow chard and herbed potatoes. The local greens are so fresh and nice right now.

And finally, Course 4 offered Maple Brulee or Rhubarb Cream Cake. Gail and I had Chef Tony's Maple Brulee at Tracey's birthday party so we opted for the melt-in-your-mouth Rhubarb Cream Cake. A great way to end a great localvore!

Localvores are happening all over the country now. The integration of farm foods and the masterful creations of chefs and organizers requires an incredible amount of work but the result is something you will remember for some time. When I get a minute I'll summarize the local farmers and suppliers as their products are impeccable and the flavors last even now twelve hours later. Wish I could go back but the garden beckons! Try a localvore, support your local growers and producers!


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the loons are conversing loudly as large rain drops fall straight down.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
Try us on Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
Weekly tweets on Twitter as vtflowerfarm. The place to learn about sales and events!

A Little Different Day

Monday, May 31, 2010

A hazy morning here on the mountain as the sun pulls slowly to the top of Hooker Mountain casting orange rays on the fields below. Hard to believe that on April 28th, barely a month ago, Vermont Flower Farm was under 18" of snow and the prospects for an early spring were icy cold.


Karl the Wonder Dog and I had a great walk this morning although I made him stop for a minute so I could sit on the boulder bench and watch the sunrise. His sniffer was working overtime as a bear had passed between the boulder and the woods line last night and its scent was still obvious.

I have a ton of things to do at the nursery today and have a new person starting in a couple hours. Sarah will try her hand at finishing off the millions of undone tasks within the new shade garden and I just hope that she is the independent worker I think she is. Oddly, many people who apply for jobs cannot work by themselves and without constant chit chat from companions, they fall into a slower than slow pace which drives the guy paying the bills kind of nutty. I shouldn't generalize but fact is you need to be able to make this observation when hiring. All jobs do not take two or more people to be completed.

Today is Memorial Day. I remember our past and the men and women who have given of themselves to get America to where it is. I remember every day and I am thankful. Our family has given its share but everything has a price. My uncle George died at Normandy, an uncle lost to Cambodia, and my dad on the USS Kearny almost didn't make it as his ship was torpedoed in the North Atlantic even before WW II started. More members of our family including my son Adam, were in the Navy but all the services were covered. I recall my grandmother's stories of serving as a nurse and tracking possible west coast invasions during off duty time. Everyone played a role.

Today at the nursery we have a number of nice columbines either blooming or starting to bloom. 'Blue and White' is really purple and white to Gail and me but flowers abound and it is a very nice front-of-the-border plant or rock garden plant. It works well, especially during Memorial Day, with the red 'Songbird Cardinal' that is about the same height. Gail noticed that we have a few cardinals in the brush along the Winooski River and the color is a tad different. If you stop by today, these are displayed just in front of the office building.

The hostas are especially good and with over 2000 pots to choose from, you should be able to find one of over 250 varieties to fit with your gardens. Ask me about planting and care if you are new to this plant.

Have to get going here. Temperature and humidity will rise sharply today in anticipation of tomorrow's thunderstorms. Enjoy today and stop by if you are in the area.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens as well as my personal page: George Africa
No tweets today but on twitter as vtflowerfarm

Bright Yellow Morn

Sunday, May 30, 2010

48 degrees with 98% humidity here on the mountain. It's quiet like something might happen soon. The birds are not even awake. Karl the Wonder Dog and I just returned from a morning walk and even he went right back to bed. Something about yesterday that tired everyone on into today. Perhaps real summer is coming.


This is the summer of not enough time for me. We are playing catch-up at the nursery and there is a long list of items that must be done but seem to take more time than they should. Even yesterday's planting of the new "hot garden" took time as visitors meandered over and wanted to chat about garden construction, soil amendment and how low the adjacent Winooski River was flowing. It's all part of business and chatting with people often pays dividends. I can tell we are doing a great job when people come with questions. Yesterday a man said he learned more in a ten minute discussion with me than in the gardening course he just took. Maybe the real point was that he was standing in a garden and I had his attention and he had mine.

In late spring I really enjoy taking wildflower pictures but once again I have too many chores and not enough time this year. I never got the pictures I wanted of Trillium undulatum, the painted trillium, and bunchberry colonies are on my list right now. Hope is fading as I have the daylily garden to weed at the nursery and lots of fertilizing and watering to do because of the odd weather. I have to say I am happy to have been able to spend a couple minutes with my friend pictured up top here. Vermont has more orchids than many think and finding them is a joy.This one gets bigger every year. It would probably grow better if it wasn't sitting at the base of a large sugar maple but the two seem meant for each other and I wouldn't think of changing that.

A friend stopped yesterday and told me to get to the state forest real soon or I'll miss the other spring orchids. I like them all but guess for this year I'll have to accept memories and pictures from prior years. If you have more time than me, take you camera and get into the forest today. You won't be sorry!

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where a doe deer is looking up the hill at me. She doesn't understand the sound of keystrokes. The technology of the woods is more important to her. That's a nice thought.


George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm-a must-see collection of hostas and a new shade garden in process. On-line sales for those who canot make it.
On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
Twitter at vtflowerfarm

Hot Gardens

Thursday, May 27, 2010

56 degrees here on the mountain, 98 % humidity with a rising barometer. Gail and Karl the Wonder Dog have been out since 5:30, enjoying the bird songs of the morning and an occasional deer or moose visit. Gail has taken over some of the morning walk-the-dog duties so I can get to the nursery and start watering. Division of labor is an interesting affair.

A week ago this past Sunday I was standing at the nursery in a snowstorm. Since then the temperature has risen and not a drop of rain has fallen around here. The grass on city lawns is already yellowing and dust rises as lawn mowers or farm tractors navigate grass of any kind. It was so hot yesterday at the nursery that people came to look, only briefly, and couldn't make themselves buy a plant in 90 degree weather. Around 8 last night the large mass of humidity hit another hot front and in places there were big storms with lightning and high winds. Although the National Weather Broadcasts kept going off, nothing serious got to Marshfield--this time.

Despite today's repeat of hot weather, I will start planting a hot garden in hot weather. I have a garden planned mentally for along the Winooski River that when in bloom will be observable from US Route 2. The soil along the river is terrible as it's a mix of river gravel with many large stones and a thin covering of alluvial river soil from ancient high waters. I have amended a piece 10 feet by 75 feet and that's where the planting will commence today. All the plants will be heat lovers that do well in poor soil and with limited water. I will plant intensively so the large flowers will shade the roots of the smaller ones and I plan to over-mulch with shredded maple leaves when everything is up to try to retain moisture.

All the flowers will be planted in big swaths so when the flowers bloom the color will be like a flower tapestry. I will use Benary zinnias toward the front as they provide lots of color variety and are in the 28-34 inch range. They usually don't need pinching but when they are up a foot I'll pinch them hard and water well and get them to branch to the max.

Purple and white liatris make nice clumps of color in time and bring in butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and moths. They bloom from the top down and provide a more obvious vertical element. For some reason I can't remember this morning if I ever received the white variety I ordered but do know there's a big bucket of the purple.

Part of the back drop will be swaths of yellow heliopsis (just above) and helianthus in lots of colors. I have 14 plants that are the end of last years garden rows and those will all be moved. This is a nice cut flower too and a flower that gardeners should use more for cuts and August-into-late-September bloom.

There are two crates of echinacea and rudbeckia and a crate of white shasta daisies to bring it all together. It will take another year before it fills in the way I want but there should be some good color this year anyway. The final backdrop will be sunflowers of various heights and colors. These are the bigger eye catchers that draw people close up for a better view. I love to look at sunflowers as they always remind me of two friends--my gardens and me! Have a nice day. Come visit!

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where 56 degrees feels really nice!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm: where astilbes are on sale today 3/$21
On Facebook at two accounts: Vermont Flower Farm & Gardens and also, George Africa
On Twitter at vtflowerfarm