May 1st Potager Palaver (pruning calendula, direct sowing)

I think most of you know that I prefer to direct sow everything that I can. Less fussing with little pots, seeds, watering, etc... toss the seeds into the ground at the right time, water, walk away. 

Like my zinnias... I absolutely love everything about growing zinnias in the potager. They attract beneficials, feed the birds and the bees, are drought tolerant, go from summer through till frost, bloom profusely the entire time, are super easy to grow... what's not to love? 

I always direct sow them for the best results as they can be quite prone to fungal issues. I usually sow in mid to late April here on the west coast as our 'last frost date' here is at the end of April.  

Here is a good article about what to direct sow when and how to do it. Tips For Direct Sowing Seeds Before Last Frost (bloglovin.com) Totally worth your while to try, you'all! 

I have a great selection of zinnias and sunflowers left, if you want to give it a go : ) 

Did you pick up a pollinator pack this week? Are you growing Calendula, which is one of the very best attractors for the beneficial insects? This short video will show you the best way to deadhead them so that they keep blooming all the way till fall, even into winter. Should i deadhead calendula? (moviecultists.com)

This is a great article. Really gets you thinking! For those of us who are trying to attract beneficial insects and feed the pollinators, it is a bit alarming, too. Read to get ideas on what to do to keep our wee part of the planet a happy, healthy place Averting the Insect Apocalypse | Garden to Save the Planet | joegardener®

This one is about organic sprays... the only thing that I would add to this is to say... if you find that you have to spray, let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse it off to make sure bugs and spray are all washed off before the beneficials and bees come back to the pollen. April 10 Column: Organic Products - Susan's in the Garden (susansinthegarden.com)

Here is an interesting read about foraging. Food outside the box. I know several foragers, they amaze me with their innovativeness! 7 Canadian Foragers Share Their Favourite Spring Wild Foods (chatelaine.com)

From Attainable- Sustainable  

In the same line of thought... here is a recipe using nasturtium leaves! Whoa! Stuffed Nasturtium Leaves: Foraging for Your Dinner (attainable-sustainable.net)

Information about using hydrogen peroxide in your garden...Garden Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide (Facts & Myths) (empressofdirt.net)

My flower lawn for the bees and beneficials is starting to do it's thing! 

Several ideas for how to prep your lawn or space to grow an alternative lawn, a flowering lawn, or a pollinator lawn, like I have : )  

Manure As Fertilizer: How Manure Effects The Soil (gardeningknowhow.com)

I was reading through Margaret's chore list, trying to think of what to share with you and decided to share the entire post as there is a whole bunch of great information in this month's what to do list! the may garden chores - A Way To Garden

The only thing I would add, as you know that I always have lots to say (cheeky), is that this is also a great time to go around and feed your roses, trees, shrubs with a few good shovelfuls of compost or manure. It works as mulch feeds your trees each time it rains and when you water. The soil life will also help to move the nutrients down to the roots. Add a bit of bone and blood meal, or a good granular, organic fertiliser, for an added boost, if you like. If your tree is in the lawn, this is still the best way to feed it, spread the manure at the drip line of the tree, rake it in a bit, and it will soon disappear into the grass. 

I am off to prepare for a day of basket making. 

See you all soon, have a great week ahead ~ Tanja