Dear Helen: A bouquet of flowers I was given recently contained a daisy type flower that was an exquisite work of art, with lacey structures surrounding a dark centre. The flower was identified for me as a gerbera daisy. Can they be grown from seed?
P.V.
Yes, but they need to be seeded indoors early, in February, in warmth, to produce a satisfactory period of summer bloom.
Seed sources vary from year to year, and need a bit of searching for. The last time I grew gerberas, the seeds were from William Dam, a company that doesn’t list gerbera this year. This year’s online Stokes seeds catalogue lists a colour mixture, as does Veseys Seeds. These two sources will likely continue listing at least one gerbera blend.
It’s too late for growing from seed this year, but if you are keen on having gerberas to grow this spring and summer, with some luck you may find transplants or potted plants locally. Start looking through the online catalogues I’ve mentioned in December or January.
Dear Helen: The few kale plants I grew last year came through the winter well and have been producing an abundance of young leaves, which we have been enjoying in salads and cooked dishes.. My question: At what point do the plants complete their productive season and are dug up to make space for new plantings? I’d also appreciate knowing what kale variety or varieties you grow.
G.L.
Kale plants are at their most bountiful in March and April, when I too relish the constant supply of young leaf rosettes to snap off the plants. It’s a pleasure also to send visitors to the garden away with plump little bouquets of prime nutrition gathered from the kale plants.
Only people who grow their own get to enjoy kale at its most tender, in these spring leaf rosettes. All the kale I’ve ever seen for sale, even at farmers’ markets, are the larger single leaves.
Kale plants head into the grand finale of their life cycle with flowering and seed formation. On the way, the flower buds offer a taste treat. They are like tender little broccoli florets. These begin to appear on the plants as the weather warms in spring. Buds that are left open into clusters of yellow flowers that are a major source or nourishment for bees.
After the flowers, come the seeds. At this time, in late spring, gardeners often need the space occupied by the kale as it finished up its life cycle. I try to leave the plants in place for as long as possible, to feed the bees and also to encourage a little self-seeding. Self-sown plants are almost always outstanding in health and vigour.
The varieties I grow vary from year to year as I try new ones, but my standard kale trio comprises the attractive Red Russian, an Improved Siberian from West Coast Seeds, and Sweet Hardy from Salt Spring Seeds.
I continue to be impressed with Sweet Hardy, an heirloom from Prince Rupert. Each plant fills out into a thick bush, filled with leaf rosettes. The leaves live up to the variety name. They are thick, tender, and sweet, on plants unfazed by weather extremes.
Of the indoor kale seedings I made last month, Sweet Hardy surged out of the seeding mix in four days, the little seedlings already sturdy little things. That germination make me think what a speedy and satisfying harvest of microgreens this kale would produce.
GARDEN EVENTS
Plant sale. The Cairnsmore Volunteer Gardeners, a group that cares for the gardens around Cairnsmore Place care home and Cowichan Hospice House, is back with its popular annual plant sale, with online orders taken from Saturday, April 16, and pickup of plants on Saturday, April 30, at Cairnsmore Place, 250 Cairnsmore St. in Duncan. Master Gardenrs will be on hand to answer questions on plant pickup day, and garden tours will also be available. By mid-April, a list of available plants will be sent out to all who are on the mailing list. Orders will be accepted on a specific date that will be included in the emailed list. There is a huge selection of plants this year. To be placed on the mailing list, send your request to [email protected].
