A compact, clumping perennial with lance-shaped, crinkled, glossy green leaves that support spires of dark blue flowers. These flowers are great as cut flowers and also will attract butterflies into the garden. Prefers average well-drained soil, will tolerate dry conditions and thrives in summer's heat, but is also cold-hardy.

Here is an excellent garden performer that produces a carpet of color wherever planted. They also work well in mixed containers or individual pots.

Little Lizzy mini-impatiens grow 6 to 10 inches tall and prefer shady conditions. They resist the clubby look associated with other miniature impatiens, have greater branching and are available in many colors.

A well maintained yard (including lawns) can add 15% to your home's value. Lawns help muffle noise, moderate temperatures, reduce dust and pollen, control erosion, improve soil, improve air quality by reducing CO2 levels, cushion the legs, and, though some may disagree, help keep dirt out of the home.

Maintaining a healthy, vigorously growing lawn is the best way to prevent a severe disease outbreak in a turfgrass. A 5,000 square foot lawn contains about four million turfgrass plants, each requiring optimum amounts of water and fertilizer, the right mowing regime, and an aerated, well-drained soil. About 75 to 85% of common lawn diseases can be avoided altogether just by optimizing these practices to avoid stressed grass, which is much more susceptible to disease outbreaks than healthy grass.

Proper Watering:

Water as infrequently as possible, but make sure you water enough. Watering infrequently but deeply will encourage the roots of the turf to go deep.

Water for as long as possible to get deep soil penetration (up to 30 minutes). It may be necessary to cycle irrigate if runoff occurs after just a short time. To cycle irrigate, water until runoff occurs, then stop and wait for the water to penetrate (usually 1 to 2 hours), then repeat.

Water as early as possible--first thing in the morning. Do not water between 4 pm and 4 am.

Do not water areas in the shade as frequently as the areas of your lawn that receive full sun.

Fertilizing:

Fertilization timing, amount, and type depend on the turf you have and your soil type. Unless your soil is very nutrient-poor, fertilize sparingly, as you can actually over-stimulate plant growth, making the lawn more susceptible to dry conditions and disease. Our professionals can help advise you on the best fertilizers to use.

Mowing:

It's very tempting to set the lawn mower very low so that you don't have to mow as often. Don't do it. If your lawn looks like Astroturf, you are mowing it much too short. Lawns mowed at 2-3" tend to have deeper roots, fewer weed problems, and look much better. On any given mowing, you should be removing about 1/3 of the grass blade.

If you are mowing regularly, let grass clippings stay on the lawn; they will readily decompose and return nutrients to the soil. If you have just inherited a meadow, and don't have a mulching mower, you can get the same effect by remowing several times, thus slicing up the long clippings that are lying on top.

Spot Care:

If there are brown spots in your lawn and you have ruled out fungus and insects, it could be a simple case of the soil's being too compacted. Try aerating the area and adding some grass seed; if it is very bad (dead turf) remove the turf, turn over the soil and amend with a good soil amendment such as Gardner & Bloome Planting Mix. If you reseed, lightly cover with a good organic topper such as LGM Seed Cover. The seeds must be kept moist continuously for the first two weeks or they will die.

Just a note here: What most gardeners know as a "geranium" is probably a plant of the genus pelargonium and not the genus geranium (more commonly known as cranesbills). We are using the term 'geranium' here in deference to the common usage.

There are four main types of garden geraniums: zonal geraniums, Martha Washington geraniums, the scented-leaf geraniums, and ivy geraniums.

Zonal geraniums (pelargonium hortorum):
The most popular garden geranium, getting their name from the "zoned" leaf markings. They have clusters of individual flowers held on long stems above the foliage. There are many cultivars, with wide range of brilliant flower color and attractive leaves. Most will grow about 3 ft. tall.

Martha Washington geraniums (pelargonium domesticum):
The group known as the 'orchid of geraniums.' Flowers are orchid-like blooms; colors may be white, pink, red, purple, or mixed colors. These geraniums require cool (50 to 60°F) night temperatures in order to bloom. They may stop flowering in the heat of the summer but will resume once the weather cools in the fall.

Scented-leaf geraniums (pelargonium - various species and hybrids):
Grown for their beautifully scented foliage. They vary in shape, size, flower color and growth habit. Foliage fragrances include rose, chocolate, mint, apple, lemon, lime, ginger and nutmeg.

Ivy geraniums (pelargonium peltatum):
Named for the ivy-shaped foliage and trailing growth habit; flower colors are more pastel than zonals. Ideal for hanging baskets; also great for window boxes, or as ground covers in a protected location. They like moderate temperatures. If the temperature is between 65 and 80 degrees F, put them in full sun. If it is hotter than that, move them to an area with partial sun.

For planting geraniums in flower beds, work in a complete fertilizer like Dr. Earth Organic 2 Starter Fertilizer before planting. In mid-summer fertilize again with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Organic Advantage Plant Food. Space plants 10 to 12 inches apart. Water well after planting, but don't overwater.

For planting in containers, use Gardner & Bloome Blue Ribbon Potting Soil Potting Soil, and top-dress with Cocoa Mulch. Water thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch (so water comes through the drainage holes).

Geraniums of all sorts are a great addition to your home and garden. Try a few this year for your window boxes, hanging baskets, and flowerbeds.

This Week's Trivia Question:

The Latin word this genus name comes from means 'diseased lungs.' The name reflects a 16th century belief that a plant resembled the disease it was supposed to cure. What is the common name of this plant?

This Week's Prize:

Hanging basket Chenille Plant (Acalypha 'Firetails')

A superior blend of fish bone meal, feather meal, alfalfa meal, mined potassium sulphate, soft rock phosphate, humic acid, seaweed extract, beneficial soil microbes — plus ecto-mycorrhizae and endo-mycorrhizae.

• Contains seven champion strains of soil building microbes
• Contains ecto-mycorrhizae and endo-mycorrhizae
• 100% natural and organic
• More vigorous flowers
• More consistent results; no growth spikes
• More natural available phosphorous
• People and pet safe

Use to feed:
Begonias, petunias, marigolds, day lilies, geraniums, lavender, chryanthemums, bedding plants, blooming perennials, and flower gardens.

A 4 pound box feeds 30 square feet or 40 one-gallon plants.