The COVID-19 Pandemic rages on, the smoke from the West Coast fires has dimmed the sky here in New Hampshire and the political division on our country is the worst I’ve seen in over 50 years. When things look bleak I find solace in Nature. 

This year I planted a lot more flowers than I usually do. I decided it was important to grow food for the soul as well as the body. To my delight they did quite well.

Morning Glories

Morning glories might take up to 120 days to flower which does not make them a good candidate for direct sowing. The seed coats are very tough, so I soak them overnight before sowing in flats.  I put them out after the frost free date. The have climbed all over the deck and even an azalea bush. They must be tasty because a woodchuck was on my deck munching on the vines.

I have a nice collection of purple, pink and pale blues. Next year I’ll add Heavenly Blue and Flying Saucers to the mix.

Zinnias

This was my first year of growing Zinnias but won’t be my last.  I had no idea that they were so prolific. You cut one flower and two take its place. They also make great cut flowers.

Cleome (Spider Flower)

Another first for my garden is the Cleome (Cleome hassleriana) flower. My cousin has these growing alongside her Dahlias near her deck. She told me that they self seed. They have a unique flower and leaves which resemble cannabis. 

 

Dahlias

Bob Romeril is the Dahlia Man of New Ipswich. Every year he adds new varieties to the flower bed in front of his home. He donates plants and flowers to  the Garden Shop at the annual Children’s Fair.

Western Fires

Bob gets his plants from Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, Oregon.  Sadly that nursery is being impacted by the smoke from the West Coast fires. The nursery posted this photo on their Instagram page.