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Summer Sowing
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Posted by blaithinbeka Zone 6- SW Virginia (My Page) on Thu, Jun 21, 07 at 17:56
| This is my first year of growing cut flowers for the market. And, boy, did I choose a great year. I know other areas of the country are having the similar problems with no rain as we are here in Virginia. Anyways, I am very discouraged. I was wondering if anyone knows of any seeds I could sow right now that would have a chance in "dust bowl" conditions to fill in some of the areas in which flower seed wouldn't come up. I have very limited capital so I am merely watering with a hose and sprinkler(although I envy a nice drip irrigation system, especially after the driest May on record). I was considering some wheat or other decorative grass for fall decorations but I don't know whether it would survive in record heats and dry weather. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Is any one else in SW Virginia struggling? Beka |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Summer Sowing
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| Hi Beka, sorry to hear of your troubles, especially as it is your first year. We are also pretty dry but I do highly recommend a drip irrigation system if you can do it. It not only will actually save you water, it will cut down on your disappointments with plants that need really regular water. T-tape works great and with the initial investment of the tubing and the attachments, it will last you a long time and not cost much in the future. As to plants for planting now, try sunflowers. There are several great candidates for cuts that bloom in as little as 50 days. Try the sunrich series, procut series, and a beauty named 'strawberry blonde' all from Johnnys Seeds. The other thing you might try are zinnias, I dont know what your growing season is like but you might get a decent crop. As to the question of grasses, I dont know. I grew purple majesty millet this year with great success but I dont know if the remaining time in your zone would allow it to come into bloom. I am a novice at this, but there are pros on this forum who, I am sure, will chime in as time allows. Best of luck. Kat |
RE: Summer Sowing
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Beka:
Like Kat said, Sunflowers and Zinnias are two good cut that can be sown still. I still will be making 2 more planting of Sunflowers. Those are the only two that I plant this late. Hopefully someone from your area will beable to give you better input. Heidi |
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