This month is Lawn and Garden Month. One flower you will find in abundance at a fairly low price at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Wal-mart is the petunia.
Here’s an interesting fact about petunias. They are in the same family Solanaceae as tobacco, gooseberries, tomatoes, chili peppers, and even deadly nightshade.
Petun, in fact, is an old French word borrowed from French explorers in the Americas. It means tobacco. Petun was a regularly traded item between French explorers and Native Americans.
Along with marigolds and geraniums, petunias are a fairly hardy annual plant that most beginner gardeners can work with. Petunias also spread out and some varieties cascade over the tops of garden containers. They are perfect for hanging baskets.
According to the Old Farmers’ Almanac online, petunias grow through Spring, Summer, and Fall. They come in mostly 5 shades: red, pink, yellow, purple, and white. Petunias should be planted in full sun to achieve more flowerings.
The great thing about petunias is that they only require water once a week except in dry extreme heat. If you plant them in containers, expect to water more. Pinch back or deadhead the wilted ones and more should grow in their place throughout the season.
Petunias are fairly resistant but you do need to protect them from mold, rot, leaf spots, and insects like caterpillars.
I like to write. I have 5 books currently on Amazon, mostly fiction. I try to write positive and uplifting children's stories, expressive poetry for women, and interesting articles about personal growth, alternative medicine, and spirituality. My stories are often about diverse people but with human connection in mind through inner perspective. I love my characters especially the ones from my first book, Searching for Fire.
I moved recently to Vermont. I live in the North Country region near Lake Willoughby, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. My heart will always be with Kansas but I love travel and meeting new people with diverse perspectives on life. I have found Vermonters to have many admirable qualities like stoicism and a love and stewardship of nature.
My hobbies are writing, gardening, outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and hiking. I am an amateur herbalist. Many years ago, an alternative medicine doctor cured me of a respiratory illness by teaching me about vitamins and for that, I owe her a debt of gratitude.
I recently bought a Jeep Wrangler that fits my personality and love for adventure. Associated with the military in my younger years, I have lived in Israel, Germany, and Virginia as well - all of which I loved in different ways. I thoroughly believe in the military spouse phrase, "bloom where you are planted" and endeavor to carry a positive optimism wherever I roam. Most days are good but admittedly I get down sometimes. I am prone to sadness or severe cynicism at times, so I turn to music as my consolation and source of expression or inspiration. My favorite songs currently are "How Deep is Your Love" by the Beegees, "La Vie en Rose", "A Million Dreams" or maybe Karen Carpenter singing "Close to You" or Elton John singing "Your Song." I also like "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us" by Starship or "I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders. "Faithfully" by Journey always reminds me of rollerskating with friends in the 1980s.
My favorite quotes are from the Velveteen Rabbit, Steve Jobs, and this one..."To the caterpillar it was the end of the world, but to the butterfly it was merely a beautiful beginning." Or there is the quote from Peter Pan teaching Wendy..."What if I fall? But, oh my darling, what if you fly?"
I also believe in being a pearl - graceful on the outside but full of grit and gratitude on the inside. My favorite women of the Bible are Ruth, Hannah, and Hagar.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Cheers, friend.
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