Native Perennials for Lasting Beauty

Gaillardia

Gaillardia, also known as blanket flower, is a beautiful and bright addition to any perennial garden. Native to the US, blanket flowers are low maintenance and tolerate poor soil as long as it is well-drained. They will please the eye with bright yellow to red blooms with brown to deep red centers. Blanket flowers are a very good choice if you are planning a pollinator garden as they attract bees and butterflies of many varieties. Gaillardia can be sensitive to rich soil and over-fertilization. So be mindful not to fertilize these gorgeous bloomers too often. They will grow best in full sun and tolerate heat very well. If you are planting from seed your blanket flower will most likely bloom in its second year. However, if you purchase plants from a local garden center you will see blooms likely on the plant when purchased or shortly thereafter.

Coneflower
Echinacea or coneflower as it is commonly known is not only a beautiful native perennial, it has also been used as an herbal remedy for generations. The purple coneflower was used by the plains Indians and early settlers for internal illnesses such as the common cold or upset stomach. External wounds were often treated with salves made from the plant. Teas made with the leaves and petals have been thought to boost the immune system and fight off viral infections as well. It is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties as well.  While science has studied these claims for many years their findings have been less than impressive. In spite of this, many still depend on its healing power in the form of supplements added to their daily diet. However, you should discuss it with your doctor before taking any herbal derivative as it may interfere with any other drugs you may be taking.
If you decide to add a coneflower to your perennial or pollinator garden you will not be disappointed with the results. With big beautiful flowers, they will have the bees, butterflies, and birds visiting you often. They will grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. Fertilize lightly.

Blackeyed-Susan

Rudbeckia or blackeyed Susans are found all over the United States. They brighten the sides of many back roads across the map. You can plant them from seed or buy them from your local garden center. Not only are they native, but they also attract a variety of pollinators in the summer and birds in the fall and winter as they produce seed. These plants are tough. They will grow in poor soil and are drought tolerant. They love full sun but will tolerate some shade. If you take time to deadhead these beauties. you will encourage more blooms to develop and help to build a sturdier, more compact plant. If your area is prone to visits from local wildlife such as deer and rabbits, you may want to think about planting some repellent plants such as rosemary or lavender nearby to keep them from feasting on your blackeyed Susans.

Yarrow

 What's not to love about this stunning native? Yarrow is a hardy plant that withstands a lot of adverse conditions from poor soil to drought but what it doesn't like is shade. Plant this lovely perennial in full sun but be mindful of your spacing as yarrow can become invasive. Give it plenty of room to grow. If it has to battle for the territory it will undoubtedly win. Early Native Americans used this plant medicinally for the treatment of mental disturbances such as depression and anxiety. There have been some studies that have suggested, though not proven, that yarrow can offer some help for ADHD. However, do not take any herbal derivative prior to speaking to your doctor. Yarrow is also an excellent choice if your goal is to attract pollinators. Butterflies and bees will flock to your garden to visit these beauties daily.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis or tickseed as it is commonly referred to is a tall delicate looking flower that grows well in the moderate climates of zones 6 through 8. It isn't delicate as it has been spotted growing in traffic islands in the heat.

If you pinch off spent blooms often you will encourage new blooms throughout the summer. If you cut the plants back by one third about halfway through the summer it will generate new blooms late summer into early fall. 

Tickseed is named such because of the resemblance of its seeds to ticks. The seeds are a favorite of the goldfinch in the fall and winter and the flowers are a favorite of many pollinators throughout the summer. 

These gorgeous summer bloomers love poor well-drained soil and are still surprisingly drought tolerant once established.

Mulch well in the winter and say hello again in the spring. 

Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna

2 medium zucchini sliced thin lengthwise ( I use a mandolin to slice)

1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce

1 lb ground beef 

1 small onion (chopped)

1 bell pepper (chopped)

1 tsp minced garlic

1 cup Ricotta cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese grated or sliced

Brown ground beef and add onion and green pepper. Cook until veggies are tender. Add minced garlic and let simmer for 3 minutes.

In a 9 x 11" baking dish put 3 Tbs of the pasta sauce in the bottom and spread evenly.

Add a layer of zucchini slices.

Spread the ground beef mixture.

Add a layer of pasta sauce.

Add a layer of mozzarella.

Add another layer of zucchini.

Spread all of the ricotta cheese as evenly as you can (can be warmed in the microwave to help spread).

Add a layer of mozzarella.

Add a layer of pasta sauce.

Add a layer of zucchini.

Add a generous layer of pasta sauce and the rest of the mozzarella.

Bake at 350 until the cheese is golden and zucchini is tender.

July's To-Do List in the Garden

Things to do in the Garden in JULY

Check plants and treat for insects or disease.

July presents us with the perfect time to give our gardens a proper check-up.  First, you probably want to rid the area of weeds. Weeds will compete and ultimately win the competition for space, water, and nutrients. If you keep the weeds to a minimum, your vegetable plants can give you their maximum. Weeds also harbor insects that will attack your crops. Check the plants closely. Look at everything. Start at the base of the plant and look for signs of disease or damage caused by insects. Be sure to check the underside of leaves and the areas where leaf and stem meet. If you see anything out of the ordinary now is the time to treat the problem and rid the plant of the stressors.

Plant for late harvest

You can still do some planting in July to continue the harvest into the fall. Squash, cucumbers, cilantro, basil, and dill will still grow fast enough to produce a harvest before frost. A late crop of tomatoes may still be planted in early July. If you have extra tomatoes, chop them and freeze for sauces and soups later. If you are growing for the goal of preserving, you may want to plant successive crops two to four weeks apart to keep the bounty coming. This will allow you time to prepare each crop for preserving without being overwhelmed. Likewise, if you are planting just for consumption, planting in succession will keep fresh veggies coming to the table for you and your family well into the fall.

Fertilize your heat-loving plants

You should have fertilized your plants when you planted them. Now is the time to do it again. Replenishing the ground with nutrients can help your plants make it through the hottest part of the summer without all the stress. If you use a slow-release fertilizer you likely won't have to do it again this season. But, if you prefer to use a water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro, you may want to do it about every week.

Plan Your fall veggies.

On the really hot days, you may want to stay inside and put some thought into planning your cool weather crops. It is still a bit early to plant as most cool weather crops do not grow well in the heat of summer. Hence, their cool weather classification. If you are like me, making a plan is the easy part. Executing it is when the real work begins. Now is the perfect time to do some research and plan what, when, and where you want your cool crops to go.

Last, but not least, you may want to keep a journal of your garden journey if you are new to the gardening scene. Write down what you have planted, where it is, how it is doing along the way, and how many you planted of each.
Make a note of any pruning or fertilizing you do as well as the varieties that you planted. If something didn't work so well this year, make a note of that too and do something different for next year. Once you get something that works, make a note of that as well so that you can repeat it in the following years. It is also good practice to make note of the weather, maybe not daily but at least weekly so that you can use that as a reference tool for the future. A rain gauge is cheap and helps you track the actual rainfall.

Gardening is not complicated. However, there is a science to it for sure. If you are a novice, you will learn from your mistakes. If you are a seasoned pro you have learned from your mistakes and will continue to make new ones. There is no way to have a perfect plan. Sometimes you will get it right, and sometimes everything goes wrong. We cannot control every aspect but we can do our best to put all the pieces into play that your plants will need to grow successfully. When mother nature gives you drought, you water, water, water. Watering should be done in the morning to afternoon. Be careful not to water in late day so plants won't stay wet all night, which causes disease. Always be sure there is no hot water in the water hose when you water. When she gives you rain, you pray, pray, pray. No matter how it turns out, enjoy the journey and the challenges. After all, that is what it is all about.