Great pics Sherry! I would love to have acreage too, could have that massive cutflower garden I've always wanted But for this summer I think I'll just get me some Smart-Cote.

What beautiful flowers. I can't wait for spring, but we're supposed to get more snow tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing!

no more snow, no more snow, no more snow.........maybe if I say that enough it will stop snowing?

Steven said:no more snow, no more snow, no more snow.........maybe if I say that enough it will stop snowing?

Steven, I'm with you all the way. Someone turn off the snow machine!!!!!!

I was saying that all day.. it didn't stop

Question 1.Can someone give me the NPK of Slow-Cote? Does it contain any other nutrients or minerals?

Trying to see how it compares to the USA's Osmocote or the generic slow release I've been using...

Question 2. Joanne, do you start your petunia seeds in seed starter mix or ProMix BX?

I've used both Pro-mix PGX & BX for petunias. PGX is a finer grind or particles, but contains the same stuff as BX. There is a link to smart cote on the right panel under Helpful Web Links.


SmartCote Hanging Basket formula: http://www.plant-prod.ca/produ...

There's a MSDS document there too

I may do petunia seeds the way I did a few other seeds last year. Course I neglected to track whether my bright idea was so bright

Last year, I filled some cells with about 3/4 PromixBX and topped with 1/4 seed starter mix (which is so much finer and lighter). My reasoning being the tiny seeds come up in the finer mix easier, but then would have the heavier mix to root into. The intention was to be able to leave them in the 6 packs longer. Seemed they had to be transplanted from starter mix to Promix at some point. I was trying to buy time and in some cases eliminate doing that step all together...Does that make ANY sense?...Anybody have thoughts/comments?

That's a GREAT idea....we need a little "light bulb" smiley face


Since I have everything so crammed indoors under lights, I use the 72 cell trays to start everything.

That's what I use, too. Now...If you could just send me someone to fill those cabillion cells, I'd be the Happiest Gardener on cubits.

That's one task I detest. I do them ahead and stack them and before I know it, I need to fill more...

I've been using the Promix PGX for about 3 years now for winter sowing and I find it works great. Its nice and fluffy and doesn't compact and go hard with the freeze thaw cycles like some other mixes do. I use it for everything, including petunias! What also works really well, but comes in a ridiculously small bag is miracle grow seed mix. I had great results with that for the few things started indoors last year.


Chris, is it still snowing for you? It is here........last time I looked...

Steven, it has been snowing all day, very fine and wet. This system has dropped at least 14 inches so far. I went out side to refill my birdfeeder this afternoon and didn't know if I would get through a drift.
Due to the economy a lot of the towns are not sending out plows till late Sunday night. Can't or don't want to pay over time. It's a good night to stay home and dream of spring.

But my petunia seedlings are happy in the basement.

Showing off my little ones.

Petunia, Avalanche White, They were originally sowed to shallow so I carefully lifted them and set them deeper, they bounced back nicely over night.
I had 100% germination.

they look great

Awesome! I hope to get mine seeded over the next few days

My goal also in the next day or two. Got other plants that need attending to today...
Joanne...I'm sure you've addressed this elsewhere or on DG, but...I know you start your petunias in the cells. Do you transplant them into 4" pots to grow bigger prior to doing your baskets in May?

Yes, usually cells to 2" in 3 weeks & the 4" in 3 weeks. Tidals are in 6" by the end of April

The snow was actualy melting here today! YAY! Hopfully because its March in one hour the snow will make like a tree and leave! I'm looking forward to seeing my snowdrops and crocus.

It has been gorgeous here. I seeded over 300 petunias & have about 360 more. I doing the "10 weeks before last frost" annuals this week.

Approx. how any or what percentage of those are for personal use, as opposed to the baskets you do for others?

How many would you put in a 16" basket that will have a bunch of other types of plants also?