For Mother’s Day I received flowers for my window boxes, and mulch. I love this! It’s become a tradition and nothing could make this girl any happier. Over the years I’ve tried out a few different combos for my front window boxes, the first year I planted reds, whites, and lime greens. The second year I planted pinks, purples, greens and oranges, and then last year I tried an minimalist approach doing only white sunpatiens.
I’ve made a habit of keeping all my plant info from year-to-year, that way, if I find a combo that looks great and works well, I can go back and reference it re-buying the same flowers. Anybody with me on this approach? This year, I decided I was going back to year two, the year of the neon window boxes. I don’t know if it looks the best, but all those color make me happy, and I really wanted to see what the bright flowers would like against the new dark blue paint color.
I really love these window boxes, and I can’t wait to see them fill in. I missed not having overflowing boxes last year, and I’m happy to have lush potato vines back in my life.
I also usually fill two pots near the front walk up of our house. Instead of repeating the window box flowers, I think I might try and fill them with impatiens, something I have never attempted before. I can imagine them turning into a big mound of flowery beautifulness. I still have about 4 pots to fill in the backyard too, I’ll get it all done in time, and it will look great. This is the year that my garden is going to finally all come together, I know it, and I can’t wait to see the hard work pay off!
Mulch! Guys, I love mulch! It’s the best, and this year I tried something new… black mulch! I guess the black mulch is way more modern looking then your natural cedar, but I really like it because it looks like fresh soil. I have my fingers crossed that it will retain it’s darkness for the entire summer. What do you think about black mulch? Anybody ever tried it?
I spent a full two days last weekend in the yard mulching and planting away with no kid interruptions, I seriously couldn’t have been happier.
I’ve used black mulch in the past. It makes the garden look very crisp but you definitely need to use gardening gloves when you apply it or you end up with stained hands.
Do you mulch the beds where you plant your zinnia seeds? If so, before or after you plant the seeds?
Hey Becky!
Good call on the black hands. I had a date with the manicurist this week already (also part of a mothers day treat).
Regarding the zinnia seeds. I mapped out where I wanted the zinnia patches to go, then I added top soil and compost to those areas. I then mulched around the “dirt circles” and I have a bag of mulch saved for filling in once the seedlings become mature enough. I seeded on Sunday so I’m anxiously awaiting the first signs of new life. Good question!
Have you mulched where you have planted zinnias in the past? Curious to hear how you did it.
I planted a row of zinnias in one of our raised vegetable beds as something pretty to look at so they weren’t mulched…they were so pretty and huge (it was actually hard to get into the garden because they were right next to the gate and they were enormous) that I am going to plant them in one of the flower beds this year. I have been trying to wait patiently to plant them out because I wasn’t sure how tolerant of the cold they were and it frosted 2 days ago in Ottawa.
Looks great!! Tip (for next year maybe?) – Buy the hanging flowers at the store and then you start out with awesome drapeyness and fullness in your windowbox!! Just thought I’d let you know that little tip (if that’s even what you’re going for, it might not be). I’m sure you’re already aware though! :) Also, I love your brick bed lining! I might have to do that when I overhaul my front porch. Right now it’s gross evergreen bushes that I hate and can not keep in control. Yuck!
Good tip, I just bought a hanging basket today actually and had the same thought myself. I’ll have to consider that for next year. For now, I will water, water, water.
When we bought our house, there was untended mulch everywhere and I banished all of it. I have expanded the garden a lot, and I am seeing the there would be a benefit to mulching. I didn’t know black mulch existed. Another great idea for me to consider!