Aint Nobody Happy if Nasty's Aren't Happy!

But, I'm not complaining today!

These Nasturtiums have shown that they Really Prefer cooler weather. They started very well this past spring. However, once summer weather arrived, even though it wasn't nearly our traditional hot, dry summer, the nasturtiums began to yellow, die back, and generally look terrible. I was quite disheartened.

However, if you click here, you can see the difference between September 9 and today!
Amazing, don't you think?

Happy Days are Here Again! :-)

These 'Spitfire' nasturtiums were provided by Renee at Renee's Garden (click here) for the "Grow Project." Thanks, Renee!

Clicking on the logo below will take you to the Grow Project where you'll find the other participants.


Thanks Mr. Green Thumb! :-)

Seed Grow Project - 'Spitfire' Nasturtiums!

"I'm growing Nasturtium "Spitfire" for the Grow project. Thanks, to Renee's Garden for the seeds."

(Click the logo above to see who's posted so far this month) (Click "Renee's Garden" to visit her site)

It's time for the September Update!'
These first three photos were taken yesterday (Sept. 8, 2010).

These are the nasturtiums in the Sunny Corner Bed.
They seem to be looking a bit better.

Speaking of looking a bit better,
so do these. A bit better... ;-)

Here's a very little fellow...
(Randy... is this a Pearl Crescent?)

...on the ground next to the nasturtiums.

Here's a shot of a nasturtium with my Japanese Blood Grass.
(photo taken today)

Has this been a fun project in which to participate? Yes, of course. I may not be the best nasturtium fan . . . at least not here . . . but I must admit that the flowers are gorgeous! :-)

Seed Grow Project - 'Spitfire' Nasturtiums

"I'm growing Nasturtium "Spitfire" for the Grow project. Thanks, to Renee's Garden for the seeds."

This is my July Post.

You have perhaps noticed that my once-a-month post occurs at the End of the Month. Somehow it makes sense to me...

At any rate, perhaps Nasturtiums are not my "cup of tea?" They had great beginnings (check the sidebar for previous posts...), but perhaps it's the weather - tons of rain and very high, hot temperatures lately?

The big pot in front of the house is not doing as well as it once was.

This is what the plants in the foreground of the Sunny Corner Bed look like.


This has been a fun experiment, however. I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate.

Seed Grow Project - 'Spitfire' Nasturtiums!

Welcome!

My last post related to this project was dated April 14. This update will show you the progress of the two batches of seedlings I began indoors.

This was batch number one (photo dated April 21, 2010). The little pot in the upper left actually did bear a seedling after a few days. He was planted with his siblings in the following two locations on May 6th.

May 6, 2010

(Those tiny fellows, above, were started in newspaper pots a couple of weeks ago. The weather has been quite cool ever since, so they're not germinating as quickly.)

May 7, 2010

That evening we had a nice rain (1 1/2") - see the gauge?

Don't they look happy?

I'll take photos of both sites again next month. Hopefully we'll have a happy result!

Keep watch. If I don't create a quick "May update" post before the month is over, my June post will include the planting of the last few seeds directly into the ground (somewhere special)!

Until then, would you like to see who else is posting? Click on the word "Grow" below. Would you like to visit Renee's Garden? Click on her name below. She's sponsoring this project. So far, every one of her seeds has germinated. They're very sturdy plants.

"I'm growing Nasturtium "Spitfire" for the GROW project. Thanks, to Renee's Garden for the seeds."

POSTSCRIPT: Given the maturity level of the plants this season, it's hard to believe it's just the first part of May instead of mid-June! However, this is what my front gardens look like as of 3 minutes ago.
Believe it or not, our overnight forecast LOW temp is to be 35 degrees F. In that vein, I have to show you two more photos of what those "Spitfire" Nasturtiums are "up to!" ;-)


Word has it that north of Interstate 80, the temps are supposed to be at a hard freeze. Guess it pays to live "down south!" ha. I'm going to assume that all is well.

Have a good night!

Seed Grow Project

My last post, dated March 3, 2010, described this project. I included photos of the project seeds, as well as the free cosmos seeds (a bonus!). :-) You might want to click the link to find the post.

We are in SE Iowa - traditionally zone 4, but now considered to be zone 5a. I continue to be leery about planting anything tender prior to May 1, but I will probably be planting the remaining Nasturtium 'Spitfire' seeds, as well as the Double Cosmos 'Rose Bon Bon' seeds by the end of April.

For now, check out the seeds that I began recently indoors. I created my own pots from rolled and folded newspaper. What do you think? Looks promising to me!! :-)

today... 4 out of 8

I almost forgot to mention that these eight seeds were germinated between wet pieces of paper towel, placed in a ziplocked plastic bag and in a dark kitchen cupboard for two days and nights before being planted in the little pot-lets you see here. ;-)

For you readers, click on the links to visit both the other Grow project participants and the website for Renee's Garden.



"I'm growing Nasturtium "Spitfire" for the GROW project. Thanks, to Renee's Garden for the seeds."