"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Friday, September 25, 2009

Fertilizer Friday - Compost: Does a garden good!

As I've mentioned before, I'm really not very good about fertilizing.  I try to remember the roses (organic fertilizer) and have started using Miracle Gro Soil in my containers, but really that's all I do.  My favorite and easiest way to "fertilize" is to put down fresh compost each spring, and what a difference it makes.  The previous couple of springs the compost job was overlooked, I was a little busy with the girls and there wasn't much time to water let alone spread compost.  This spring it was at the top of my "to do" list, I knew it had to be done.  What a difference it made this summer.  My plants were much taller, fuller and had more flowers than ever.  This wasn't because they had been in the ground for awhile, many of them were planted where they are only a year or two ago.  We even had one of the driest summers on record that required more watering than usual.  I'm sure the difference was getting the compost spread and mixed in the soil around the plants.  
Things are still look good this far into September:
Rose 'Iceberg' is getting close to 6 feet tall, Verbena bonariensis is almost as tall and Cleome 'Rose Queen' isn't too far behind.   The "Lazy Gardener" Dahlias are still blooming like crazy.  I even had our neighbors from across the street comment on the Dahlias, I've promised them a division.

Nicotiana 'Sensation' was a winter sown annual that I cut back several weeks ago.  They are blooming heavier now than they did all summer.  What a wonderful fragrance they have on these cool mornings we've had.

Pink Flower Carpet Rose blooming again, I've lost track how of how many times it's bloomed.

Phlox is on it's last blooms, but they still look fresh.  This is 'Bright Eyes' (finally found its tag), it's by far the longest blooming Phlox in my garden and also has been resistant to powdery mildew.

This far side of the front garden is out of the hoses reach, unless I really want to unwind the whole thing and drag it over here it doesn't get much extra water.  I see many seedlings of Red Valerian sprouting.  Also blooming besides the Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) is Moonbeam Coreopsis, Rudbeckia 'Rustic Colors', Cosmos 'Bright Lights' and Bachelor Buttons 'Blue Boy'.

Rose 'Julia Child' has lots of buds.  I read that Julia Child hand picked this to be the rose that was named in her honor.

Pink Penstemon, I love this one.  I thought it had died over the winter, it was black and not a sign of green anywhere.  It bloomed later than usual, but it's loaded with flowers now.

Another late bloomer was this Monarda which I don't remember planting and found hidden under an overgrown daylily.

Join Tootsie at Tootsie Time to see more beautiful flowers for Fertilizer Friday.
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46 comments:

  1. LUSHNESS!!!! Compost must be the ticket!!

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  2. Things are still looking good in your garden! Thanks for leaving such a kind comment on my blog regarding my father-in-laws passing. It was so very sweet of you. I've been MIA for the past 2 months due to 2 deaths in the family in past 2 months so it's taking me a while to catch back up on my blogging.

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  3. You are right, Catherine, good compost makes a big difference. Plus your TLC. My phloxes are still blooming, too. They've been eaten three times by a deer, and now put all their energy in the last blooms. Happy autumn gardening... and composting!

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  4. Love that pink Penstemon and your Monarda. What are the purple flowers in your first picture? I think I remember you showing bags of compost at the beginning of the season so I assume you didn't haul in a truck load. What kind do you use? I think I need some. LOL

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  5. Such pretty blooms Catherine. That's interesting about Julia Child's rose - there's been so much talk of her this summer with the movie that is out but I had not seen this rose until today on your blog. That is such a sweet color. I hope you have a great weekend with family.

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  6. Things look great in your garden Catherine-fertilizer or not. Have a great weekend.

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  7. Catherine, your dahlia is still blooming so pretty along with the roses. I love the gold one. May have to add the Julia Child to my rose garden list. My monarda bit the dust long ago. They are young yet maybe they will bloom more as they get bigger. Since phlox is so wonderful your Bright Eyes looks wonderful. Does it have a fragrance or mildew easily?

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  8. I love the wild far side garden!!

    Compost is the only fertilizing I do as well, after some bad experiences with more potent (though natural) stuff.

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  9. Wow! I've got head out and turn my compost so we can get it ready to lay out in the fall and then again in the spring...I want results like that! Your garden(s) are gorgeous!

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  10. You have so much color still in your gardens. The roses are to die for. The yellow rose bud is so pretty. The far side of the front garden is so full. I would love to have any seeds that you might want to share.

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  11. I agree, compost makes all the difference. Your garden looks perfect.

    By the way, I've grown cleome rose queen this summer as well. As with yours it's about 5 feet high. I'm growing it again next year but am going to pinch it out and see if I get more branching and a little less height.

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  12. Beautiful. I see so many people posting about their latest blooms in the garden. I need to get my camera out there and do the same! I loved the picture of your penstemon, too. Compost is a wonderful thing. I recomposted this year, too, and it REALLY made a huge difference. Sounds like you've had a dry summer like ours, but I don't think ours was as dry as yours. Have a good day.

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  13. You have a wonderful collection of color! The white rose mixed in with the Verbena and Cleome and Dahlia makes for a wonderful array of bloom mix of color and form.

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  14. I really must empty out my compost bins this spring. I'm rubbish at fertilising as well but do notice the difference when I do

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  15. you are doing something right cause this is a gorgeous scene!!! thanks for joining in again. I love to visit your blooms!

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  16. It's always nice to take a walk through your garden.

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  17. Julia Child sure selected a delectable flower to honor her memory. I'm a great proponent of compost in the garden, too. It does make a difference.

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  18. Linda - The purple flower is Verbena bonariensis. It self seeds everywhere and seems to look good no matter where it shows up.

    Lona - 'Bright Eyes' hasn't had any mildew and it has a light fragrance, not very strong.

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  19. I'm not good about applying fertilizer either but I do try and add either manure or compost in the spring if I can get it. It is surely better than commercial fertilizers.

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  20. You are right about compost. Your flower borders are simply divine!

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  21. That Julia Child rose is just gorgeous. I think it is my favorite of your pics today.

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  22. Your compost seems to have done the right thing for your garden. It's still booming it's little heart out for you. Lovely. The penstemon is a favorite of mine also.

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  23. Ah, the photos are just marvelous, Catherine! A good advertisement for compost! Our own homemade stuff is not nearly enough to cover even one bed. We need to find a good source that will deliver. Put it on the list. Your combos are just brilliant! :-)
    Frances

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  24. Isn't it amazing what a little compost will do for a garden? I am not very good at fertilizing either but am always rewarded when I do! Your blooms still look amazing!

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  25. I love the shape of the Monarda flower! It looks so exuberant!

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  26. Your plants and flowers look beautiful and very happy with the compost. I agree, there is nothing better for a garden!

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  27. How incredible to still have penstemons and monarda blooming Catherine! Is that the compost too? Both of those are long over in my garden. Julia Childs rose is indeed lovely. Did you see the movie about her this summer (Julie and Julia?) I thought it was great. Your gardens are too ~ I think I need some compost if it will make mine look like yours! Have a good weekend.

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  28. Yes, I too believe in the benefits of compost.

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  29. Catherine, I do believe you have one of the most colorful gardening blogs out there. Lovely.

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  30. Catherine, Your garden looks fantastic~~Your photo of nicotiana makes me want to plant it! What a treat to have penstemon and monardas this time of year. The arborist told me the best thing we can do for trees is to add compost to gardens that grow beneath them!
    Btw, all our photos are lovely. gail

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  31. Are you sure you don't have the magic touch? Three cheers to the compost, anyway!

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  32. I like the Julia Child bud .. I'll have to go look that one up .. might have to add that to my dull yard

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  33. Thanks for sharing such beauty. I will log on to your site when I need to see some color in my life.

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  34. You have lots of lovely blooms. Mine are fading away fairly quickly.

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  35. Catherine, those verbenas are such butterfly magnets no? My Bright Eyes and Jacob Kline monardas are still blooming too! Fertilizing is worth the effort! Lovely tour, thank you! Btw, I didn't realize there was a 'Julia Child' rose...pretty!

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  36. I've just got to remember to put down more compost this fall after everything dies back. I should have done it right from the start, before planting, but didn't think of it till too late. My Jacob's Ladder is so small and new that I'd have to crawl down to the ground to sniff it. But I've tried!

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  37. Catherine,
    Very nice September garden. So many pretty blooms. You are doing the right think using compost to amend your soil and fertilize. It is the best practice for enriching growth. I always do it in the fall and in the spring.

    Congrats on your Blotanical nominations, too. Best of luck. Always a treat to see your gardens.
    Meems @ Hoe and Shovel

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  38. Lovely pictures! I have to agree. This spring I didn't spread any compost since we neded all of it for the new raised bed. And I can see the difference / gittan

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  39. Your Julia Child rose is looking better than mine. Plus, mine has gotten so tall in the spot I have it that it is blocking being able to see the David Austin rose behind it. Apparently I have been neglecting mine and should have given it more love, like you have done for yours!

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  40. I want a Julia Child! I think it looks like you fertilize perfectly but it's probably all that good dirt and sweet kiddos talking to them. They look happy at your place.

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  41. here's to a great week friend...I am praying we don't get the forecasted snow this week!

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  42. Hello, this is my first time in your blog, and I agree with you, compost is the best fertilizer ever!!! I´ve been doing my compost for four years now and nocited the difference when I add it to the soil not only in springtime but anytime of the year, when compost is ready.
    You have an incredible beautiful blog.
    Cariños from Chile, southamerica
    María Cecilia

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  43. wow amazing. Its great to see the compost is doing wonders for your garden. lovely flowers and so cute and delicate.

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  44. In New England, and many other places, fall is a great time for making compost - all those leaves! And congraatulations on your Blotanical nomination!

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  45. Your garden is just amazing Catherine;-) Each bloom is outstanding! I'm not good about fertilizing, either. We did put some compost in the back yard when we 're-did' it, and I'm sure that has helped those plants to do well. In my front, however, I only mulch. I know things would really take off if we'd put some compost in! Your photos are proof of that! Remind me to do that next spring. Send me an email, or do a post about it: "REMINDER. COMPOST TIME!"

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  46. Catherine, your yard rocks. I have never seen a yard with so much color. I really enjoy visiting your site. Scott from tendingthegardenwithscott.com

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