Dear ##firstname[Friend]##,
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| Kirsten Sweet |
The weather here in Wisconsin has been a tease with hardly any snow and 40 degree temperatures. Needless to say, it’s got us longing for spring. One way to occupy time and ward off the cold temperatures is to start seeds. Visit our blog for some seed-starting tips and learn the seed-starting lingo.
Happy Gardening!
–Kirsten
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Birds & Blooms Blog
Visit the gardening section of our blog for gardening advice and ideas from our bloggers and Birds & Blooms staff. Northern gardeners can “oooh and ahhh” over what was blooming in our blogger Jill’s garden in the middle of February.
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RDA/GID |
Plant of the Month
Bleeding heart
Delicate-looking foliage and heart-shaped flowers make this bloom a captivating spring favorite. Long-lasting blossoms open in late spring, covering the plants with charming pendant flowers in shades of rose pink and creamy white.
The plants are dormant by midsummer, so they're best planted at the back of a border, where later-blooming flowers can camouflage the dying foliage. Waiting to cut the plant back enables it to self-seed, ensuring an even more heartwarming display the following spring.
Common Names: Bleeding heart.
Botanical Name: Dicentra spectabilis.
Hardiness: Zones 3 to 9.
Bloom Time: Late spring.
Size: 2 to 3 feet high, 2 feet wide.
Flowers: Rose pink, white or bicolor.
Light Needs: Partial to full shade. Can take more sun if the soil is moist.
Growing Advice: Nursery-grown potted plants can be added to gardens whenever available. Sow from seed in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Take care to protect brittle roots when dividing. Will freely self-seed.
Prize Picks: Alba has white blooms.
Take a look at our Top 10 Old Fashioned Favorites list for more classic bloomers.
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Yard Smarts
Boot Bargain
I found an old pair of work boots that I was just going to throw out, but I thought they would make great planters for my succulents. This one filled with hens and chicks always gets compliments. —Mary Hammer, Atwood, Illinois
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Question of the Month
Too Cold to Plant
Last March, I purchased an orange tree peony from a plant show in Chicago. How do you handle bareroot plants when it’s too cold to plant outside? —Brenda Langerman, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Melinda: The crazy Great Lakes weather can make it difficult to manage bareroot plants in spring. Move dormant plants into the garden as soon as the soil is workable. If this isn’t possible, store them in a refrigerator or other cold but frost-free location.
If the plants start growing, you will need to pot them and grow them indoors until the danger of frost has passed. A cold frame or floating row cover will allow you to move these and other transplants outdoors a bit earlier. The covers hold the heat near the plants, protecting them from frost.
For answers to your gardening questions, visit the Plant Doctor section of our website.
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Frugal Backyard Tip
Stop Rust Before It Starts
After your garden tools have been cleaned and dried following a day in the dirt, mist them lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Then wipe them with a clean, dry cloth to keep them rust-free and ready for gardening. –Catherine Young, Arlington, Virginia
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Submit Your Story
Do you have a DIY gardening project you’d like to share with us? Send us your photos and projects using our Submit Your Story form.
Submit your story»
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