New Plants in My Montana Garden, Spring 2020

This beautiful dahlia, like other annuals, will add cheerfulness to the garden all season long, while the perennials provide structure and backbone, with a brief bloom cycle enjoyed year after year. Both kinds are going in today, along with some herbs and vegetables in a fenced in area, which is key around here!

While the existing garden is coming along nicely, additional planting continues in both the flower beds and the veggie garden. In flower land, we're adding more annuals for season-long color, and a few additional perennials for structure. Herbs are ready for transplant, along with onion, garlic and shallot starts, plus beets, carrots and peas from seed. The tomatoes are getting used to the outside weather and should be in shortly, plus we've harvested greens for our first salad! They were delicious. Here's a little slideshow for your viewing pleasure.

New plants join existing ones while Jack the dog supervises.

It's a big space, and it takes a lot to fill it. Annuals include pansies, wave petunias, million bells, coleus, zinnia, dahlia, snapdragon, marigolds and sunflowers. New perennials joining existing ones include lupine, poppies, columbine, plus two with long names that I forget, begins with "L"? Colors are various shades of purple, pink, yellow and orange, both hot and cool. For herbs, we have sage, chive, basil, cilantro and flat leaf parsley, with more on the way. Veggies (for now) are onion, shallot, garlic, beets, carrots and peas, plus lots of container greens that are already providing and should last all season! As I said, we’ve got a lot of room here, AND I HAVE HELP, but even a simple container on a patio can provide visual enjoyment plus delicious treats to add to your meals. To the new gardener, I say give it a try, it’s a fun and relaxing hobby that given a little time and attention, really reaps rewards. Stay tuned, there will be more to come!