I then went on to sprinkle the turf builder on his lawn with a shovel, and, I admit, his lawn did get a little greener. The thing that scared me, though, was that within the first 5 minutes or so sprinkling this dust, my throat hurt like there was something stuffed inside it that I was breathing through. I didn’t even inhale any turf builder, and drinking water didn’t help. That was my first and only encounter with fertilizer. I have researched a bit on the web since then, and have read a quite a few stories of the family dog getting sick from the lawn company treating the next door neighbor’s yard. I think the dangers of fertilizer are worth more discussion. I will continue to be on the lookout for more information.

Here are a few tips to help keep your flowers healthy. Start your flowers in the early summer when the threat of frost has definitely gone. You could even start them inside, and wait for the right time to transplant them, or simply move the pot outside to your porch.  Remember to deadhead flowers that are finished blooming, because doing so will increase bloom time and strengthen the plant. Help tall, slender flowers stay upright by placing stakes next to them. When the hot weather sets in, be sure to give your beauties plenty of water to get the roots to dig deeper into the soil. Keeping this up will be sure to give you beautiful flowers through spring, summer, and early fall.

Pete Skenandore

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This herbaceous perennial grows in moist woods from sea level to mid-elevations west of the Cascades.  Pacific bleeding heart grows 10-20 inches tall in full to part shade.  The seeds have a small fat deposit (white) that encourages ants to harvest and thereby transport the seeds around the forest floor. Try pinching the flowers to encourage summer long blooming.  If you are lucky enough to live in the Cascade foothills there are plenty of alpine hikes to be taken where you can enjoy these native beauties first hand.  But you better get out quick!  You will enjoy their light pink to purple hues.  On one very special family hike along the I-90 corridor from Seattle I spotted a super rare white patch. That was neat. If you find them please remember the “look but don’t touch” rule. And tell them I said hi!

MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU

If your mother would break out the worlds tiniest violin and play this song for you then raise your hand. If you want some of these beauties in your garden then raise your green thumb! You can contact the Washington Native Plant Society (wnps.org) and ask where you can get some. A Gardenview™ encouragement is to become a native plant specialist (for your local) and learn how to cultivate native species and get them back into people’s yards and gardens. Spread the love with Native Plants.

Pete Skenandore

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New World natives, marigolds were the sacred flowers of the Aztecs. They attributed magical, religious, an medicinal properties to the marigolds. The marigold was taken from the Azteks by early Spanish explorers to Spain. These cultivars were grown in monastery gardens. From Spain they made their way to France and northern Africa. In the early 20th century they were introduced to the American gardener, making a full circle where they are one of the most popular garden flowers today.

Bright yellow, orange and red marigold blends make a fantastic border for your vegetable garden. They prefer rich light soil and a sunny location. They take 45-60 days to germinate and will flower all summer long.
Marigold (Calendula) can be used in fish and meat soups, rice dishes, salads and as a coloring for cheese and butter. This flower is also used to heal wounds, including internal and external ulcers, improves blood flow, and is an antifungal agent used to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm and candida.

-Pete Skenandore

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