Introduction

Summer is in full swing, and your vegetable garden is likely bursting with produce. But don’t let the season end there! June is the perfect time to sow a second round of seeds for a continuous harvest into autumn and beyond.

Vegetables to Sow in June

• Pak choi: This Asian green is known for its crisp texture and umami flavor. To grow it in summer, sow seeds directly into the ground and harvest the baby leaves at 10cm tall.
• Night-scented stock: Enjoy the sweet fragrance of this flower in the evenings. Sow seeds directly into any patch of ground and provide support with peasticks as the seedlings grow.
• Poached egg plant: These cheerful flowers add a splash of color and attract pollinators to your garden. Sow them in the vegetable patch to boost bean production.

More Vegetable Varieties:

In addition to the above, here are a few more vegetables that you can sow in June:

• Beans: Bush beans, pole beans, and lima beans
• Carrots: Nantes and Chantenay varieties
• Cucumbers: Slicing and pickling varieties
• Lettuce: Loose-leaf and romaine varieties
• Radishes: Cherry Belle and French Breakfast varieties
• Spinach: Bloomsdale Long Standing and Melody varieties

Flower Varieties for Autumn Blooms

• Cosmos: These daisy-like flowers come in a variety of colors and bloom profusely.
• Marigolds: These cheerful flowers deter pests and add a touch of gold to your garden.
• Zinnias: These showy flowers are easy to grow and attract butterflies.
• Sunflowers: These towering flowers add height and drama to any garden.
• Salvia: These colorful flowers attract pollinators and add a touch of elegance.

Growing Tips

• Start seeds indoors: If you live in a cooler climate, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
• Sow seeds directly: For warm-season vegetables like pak choi and cucumbers, sow seeds directly into the ground after the last frost date.
• Choose the right location: Select a sunny spot with well-drained soil for your seedlings.
• Water regularly: Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
• Fertilize: Fertilize your plants regularly according to the package instructions.
• Protect from pests: Use netting or row covers to protect your seedlings from pests.
• Harvest regularly: Harvest vegetables and flowers when they are mature to encourage continued production.

Conclusion

June seed sowing is a great way to extend your growing season and enjoy fresh produce and beautiful flowers well into autumn. By following these tips and choosing the right varieties for your climate, you can create a thriving vegetable garden that will provide you with a bountiful harvest.

Introduction

September is the perfect time to take cuttings of many plants to keep them going for next year. This is especially important for plants that don’t do well in cold weather.

Best Plants for September Cuttings

Here are 10 popular plants that you can easily propagate in September:

• Fuchsia: Take cuttings from both hardy and half-hardy varieties and pinch out the tips to encourage bushier growth.
• Hebe: Propagate variegated forms and varieties with bottlebrush-like flowers to protect them from harsh weather.
• Lavender: Take cuttings of compact varieties and French lavender to keep them from dying in the cold.
• Penstemon: Cuttings are a good way to protect these plants from severe weather and keep them thriving.
• Geranium: All types of geraniums root easily in autumn, making it a great time to propagate them.
• Felicia: Also known as the kingfisher daisy, this charming plant can be preserved through cuttings.
• Salvia: Cuttings are a good way to keep your salvia plants going from year to year, especially for varieties that are hard to find.
• Lemon verbena: This tender plant needs to be overwintered indoors, but you can take cuttings to keep it going.
• Verbena: Both trailing and upright types of verbena do better as rooted cuttings indoors during winter.
• Helichrysum: Take short cuttings in September and pinch out growing tips to promote bushier plants.

Benefits of Taking Cuttings

Taking cuttings in September has several benefits:

• Ensures that you can enjoy your favorite plants next year, even if they don’t survive the winter.
• Increases your stock of plants for free.
• Protects tender plants from cold weather.
• Preserves hard-to-find varieties.

Tips for Taking Cuttings

• Use semi-ripe cuttings from this year’s growth.
• Cuttings should be woody at the base and soft at the tip.
• Pinch out growing tips once rooted to encourage bushier growth.
• Keep cuttings warm and moist until they root.

By following these tips, you can successfully propagate your plants in September and enjoy them for years to come.

Introduction

Salvia ‘Amistad’ is a stunning perennial sage that adds beauty and benefits to any garden. With its showy purple flowers and attractive foliage, it’s a favorite of gardeners and pollinators alike.

Plant Characteristics

• Height: 1.2 meters (4 feet)
• Spread: 50 centimeters (20 inches)
• Flower color: Deep purple
• Foliage color: Green
• Sun exposure: Dappled shade or full sun
• Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soil

Benefits of Growing Salvia ‘Amistad’

• Attracts bees and other pollinators
• Adds color and interest to borders and containers
• Said to repel mildew and black spot on roses
• Tolerates coastal and dry conditions
• Makes an excellent cut flower

How to Grow Salvia ‘Amistad’

• Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil.
• Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage flowering.
• Mulch annually with compost or manure.
• Don’t cut back flower stems in autumn; leave them intact to protect the plant from frost.
• Cut back flower stems in spring after new growth emerges.

Tips for Buying Salvia ‘Amistad’

• Look for healthy plants with no signs of damage or disease.
• Ensure you have the right growing conditions before purchasing.
• Consider buying online for a wider selection of sizes.

Companion Plants for Salvia ‘Amistad’

• Roses
• Dahlias
• Bananas
• Cannas

Additional Information

• Salvia ‘Amistad’ is non-toxic to pets and humans.
• The plant is known to attract other pollinators besides bees.
• It can be grown in containers as well as in the ground.

Salvia, also known as sage, is a popular perennial that adds beauty and fragrance to gardens. With over 900 species, there’s a salvia for every gardener’s taste. If you’re looking to expand your salvia collection, propagating from cuttings is an easy and rewarding way to do so.

Benefits of Salvia Cutting Propagation

• Ensures identical plants: Unlike seed propagation, cuttings produce plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant.
• Faster results: Cuttings can establish roots and start growing new plants in a matter of weeks, compared to months for seeds.
• Preserves desirable traits: If you have a salvia plant with particularly beautiful flowers or foliage, you can propagate it from cuttings to preserve those traits.

How to Take Salvia Cuttings

The best time to take salvia cuttings is in the spring or early summer when the plants are actively growing. Here’s how:

1. Choose healthy stem tips: Select stems that are firm and have at least one bud at the top.
2. Make a clean cut: Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears to make a clean cut just below a leaf node.
3. Remove lower leaves: Trim off all leaves on the lower few inches of the stem cutting.
4. Prepare the cuttings: Place the cuttings in a glass of water to keep them fresh while you prepare them for rooting.

Rooting Salvia Cuttings

There are two main methods for rooting salvia cuttings: in water or in soil.

Rooting in Water:

1. Fill a vase or jar with a few inches of water.
2. Place the cuttings in the water, cut-end down.
3. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh.
4. Roots should develop within a few weeks.

Rooting in Soil:

1. Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone.
2. Plant the cutting in a moist potting medium, such as a 70/30 mix of perlite/vermiculite and potting soil.
3. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
4. Roots should develop within about 14 days.

Tips for Success

• Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears to prevent disease.
• Take cuttings from healthy, vigorous plants.
• Keep the cuttings moist but not soggy.
• Provide bright, indirect light for the cuttings.
• Be patient, as rooting can take several weeks.

Troubleshooting

• Cuttings wilt or turn black: This could indicate overwatering or a lack of oxygen. Try reducing watering and providing more air circulation.
• Cuttings don’t root: This could be due to several factors, such as using unsterilized tools, taking cuttings from unhealthy plants, or improper rooting conditions.
• Roots are weak or stunted: This could indicate a lack of nutrients or light. Fertilize the cuttings and provide more light.

Conclusion

Propagating salvia from cuttings is a simple and effective way to expand your collection of these beautiful and versatile plants. By following the steps and tips outlined in this article, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of salvia for years to come.

Introduction

Adam Frost, the renowned gardener, has shared his favorite plants for taking cuttings in the summer. Cuttings are a great way to propagate new plants, and summer is the perfect time to do it because the plants are actively growing.

Choosing the Right Plants

Not all plants root equally well from cuttings. For beginners, it’s best to choose plants that are known to be easy to propagate, such as:

• Penstemon
• Salvia
• Fuchsia
• Pelargonium
• Clematis
• Flowering currant
• Dianthus
• Chrysanthemum
• Dahlia
• Rosemary

Taking Cuttings

• Select healthy stems: Choose new growth that is firm but flexible and free of blemishes or flowers.
• Prepare the cutting: Remove any leaves that would be below the soil line when planted.
• Use the right compost: Plant the cutting in a gritty peat-free compost with added perlite for drainage.
• Keep it moist: Water the cutting well and cover it with a clear plastic bag to retain moisture.
• Provide good air circulation: Place the cutting in a light position with good air flow to prevent rot.

Specific Plant Instructions

For more detailed instructions on taking cuttings from specific plants, refer to the following guides:

• How to take penstemon cuttings
• How to root salvia cuttings easily
• How to take fuchsia cuttings
• How to take cuttings from bedding geraniums
• How to take clematis cuttings
• How to take carnation cuttings
• How to take rosemary cuttings

Conclusion

Taking summer cuttings is a fun and rewarding way to propagate new plants. By following these tips and choosing the right plants, you can easily create a beautiful garden filled with your favorite flowers and shrubs.