Herbal Face Food Plant of the Month: Lavender
Growing Rudbeckia
Did you know the name Rudbeckia means encouragement and motivation? And if there is anything people may be needing right now it’s encouragement and motivation. Growing Rudbeckia is a joy; and, I always felt their name fits perfectly. The meaning of course just explains why one tends to feel so happy when they see them in a yard. With all of their brilliant yellow they are almost like mini suns, shining in corners and filling up sunny spots.
About Rudbeckia
There are around 25 different varieties of Rudbeckia; however, their most common name is black-eyed Susan or Becky’s. Black eyed Susan’s also come in different categories with petals that range from solid yellow, to slightly burnt orange, to extremely black or dark brown centers that spread out towards bright yellow tips. I love having all of them all around my yard.
Rudbeckia is similar to Echinacea in that their roots can be used in some home medicinal remedies. I hope to look further into this as spring comes closer! If there are plans to use ones Becky’s in medicinal remedies then consider growing several spots around the garden space. As well as planting them at different intervals. This ensures as the roots of one plant is being harvested several others are growing in their stead.
Growing Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia can be grown by seed or by division of established plants. Division is simpler as Rudbeckia seeds again, similar to Echinacea, need winters cold to germinate. If planting by seed sow in the fall when winter is just coming on. Doing this will ensure enough of a cold spell to germinate well when spring arrives.
Give Becky’s plenty of sun, and well drained soil. Deadhead them to promote more flowers or to stop them from spreading. Otherwise allow the seeds to fall and they will return each season naturally.
Companion Planting with Rudbeckia
There are so many plants that will grow well with Rudbeckia. Their flowers for sure bring the bees. Therefore, just having them in the garden supports any vegetables one grows. Some of my favorite plants to grow with Rudbeckia are:
- Zinnias
- Globe thistle
- Sedum
- Perennial hibiscus
- Echinacea
- Ornamental grasses
- Dill
- Basil
- Oregano
- Sunflowers
- Strawberries
- Squash
Visit me on Instagram for more tips and tricks on your garden journey!
Growing Basil in the Garden
Growing Skyscraper Sunflowers
The Skyscraper Sunflower is just one of the funnest sunflowers to grow! It is SO large, so tall and so bright that I do believe every Bee in the nation can see it! Or at least it seems that way as they all fight for space across its giant Yellow flowers.
About Skyscraper Sunflowers
The Skyscraper sunflower earns its name as it is one of the tallest 
sunflowers there is to grow! This baby here grew fifteen feet high and was actually slightly taller than the roof of my house! As a result, you can see from the photo above the flower head was a good thirteen inches across. Not only are the flowers beautiful the drying stage and the seeds are beautiful as well.
Skyscrapers also produce the largest sunflower seeds making them the best to eat! Their colors range from bright white with gray stripes to light and dark grays and their seed heads are just amazing to look at!
Tips on Growing Skyscraper Sunflowers
- Skyscrapers grow best in zones 3-9 and need full sun all day long if possible.
- SF Home Gates recommends tilling the soil to around two feet deep in prep for these giants. That may be the best for sure as their root systems are solid. However, I will be honest I did not till more than 10 inches and they still grew well.
- Sunflowers like well-drained soil, no water should be standing as it will cause root rot.
- Sow seeds directly in the ground after all danger of frost. Seeds can take approximately 10 days to germinate.
- Water deeply two times a week rather than short bursts of watering each day. This will help your sunflowers grow deeper root systems preparing them for the heat. You can see more about watering in the article, "Helping Plants Survive the Heat"
- These plants are large so give them room to spread. Plant 2-3 seeds per section approximately 18-24 inches apart. Thin to the strongest plant in the grouping once established.
- Plants should mature in approximately 60-75 days.
- Use fish emulsion once a month on these giants!
Challenges with Skyscrapers Sunflowers
- Aphids love sunflowers! This is actually what makes them such a good companion plant as I swear they will go there before your other plants. Be on the look out for them under their giant leaves and act quickly or they will soon look like this!
- Ants will often congregate around sunflowers you can sprinkle DE at the base of the plants to avoid this.
- Sunflower Months of course are one of the largest predators as they actively seek sunflowers to lay their eggs in. Read about managing sunflower moths in The Article "The Sunflower Moth"
Companion Plants
- Squash
- Beans
- Corn
- Cabbage
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
Find Sky Scraper Sunflower Seeds in Oma's Store Front!
Growing and Caring for Garlic Chives
Garlic Chives are my favorite herb to grow; and, it's not because of the culinary uses, although those are amazing too. It's singularly because of the beautiful white flowers that sit on long sturdy stems from around July to October. It's no wonder I received so many requests to confirm what these lovely flowers where when posting some of their pictures!
About Garlic Chives
Garlic chives, sometimes called Chinese chives, are a part of the Allium family and are similar to onion chives. You can certainly see the family resemblance if you look at the grassy leaves and rounded flower tops. However, onion chives have more of a purple flower with rounder hollow chive leaves. Garlic chives on the other hand have dark green flat shiny leaves and brilliantly white flowers.
Tips for Growing Garlic Chives
- Garlic chives are perennials that can be grown up to Zone 3 and planted in spring either from their seeds (which there is plenty of) or from separation of their root base.
- Although garlic chives are very hardy, they are most week when young. They have very tiny tender leaves that are easy to mistake for grass or weeds if growing in an area that is not established for chives.
60 day old chives As such, if growing from seed it's best to start them in planters and move them to their permanent home at around 30 days old. Or, be strategic in where you plant them so you recognize them when the seedlings start to grow.
- Chives can grow in full sun. By full sun I mean all day in some of the hottest areas, even those crazy southern states. They can also do well in shade, on a patio in a pot or under a tree. They won't however produce as many flowers.
- Although chives can take the heat and are drought tolerant they do best (grow the largest with the most flowers) with a moderately moist soil.
- Garlic chives flowers give their best show after they have established their roots for a season and improve as they get older! These chives you see here are four years old! They are quite happy with large mounds of chives and many flowers!
Things to Consider When Growing Chives
Managing the Seeds
Garlic chives make a beautiful addition to a boarder or as you see here growing in front of taller plants. Gardeners however, need to be aware of their seeds! Each one of the individual flowers will form a seed pod.
In all honesty the seed stage of the Garlic Chive is quite beautiful. Flowers will stay on the stems for at least thirty days while the seeds form and the flowers dry out. There will be many many seeds and they will propagate themselves where ever they fall. However, what is left behind on the plant is dried pods that make very interesting dried flower arrangements. When going through the seed stage, to avoid issues, one should place their plants where they either do not care where the seeds fall, or simply cut the flowers and take them in to enjoy.
Companion planting with Garlic Chives
Planting garlic chives in your garden adds both beauty and sensibility as they are a natural deterrent for insects! Gardening Know How (one of my favorite sites) even reports they deter black spot on roses and scabs on apples. I actually have them growing under my apple tree! Honestly there are chives growing in multiple places around my yard. In addition as you can see from the short video below the bees absolutely flock to these flowers. so if your planning a fall garden, having garlic chives blooming should be a must in the drive for strong pollination!
Some key plants that benefit particularly well from chives are:
- Carrots
- Grapes
- Roses
- Tomatoes
- Corn
- Okra
- Squash
- Peppers
It is said to be an issue to grow garlic with peas and onions. I grew my garlic chives within two feet of peas this year and found no issue. This however may be because the garlic chive does not have the traditional bulb that garlic has. Unfortunately, one season does not make a trend as such I will be testing these combinations out some more.
Uses for Garlic Chives
- Both the flowers and the chives themselves can be eaten.
- Place chives or the flowers in salads.
- Use chives for stews or to season meats while cooking them. I love clipping long strands of chives, placing them on the grill and laying the meats on top of them. The smell is amazing!
- Here is a quick video on growing chives!
Growing Zinnias!
About Zinnias
I find it hard sometimes to actually say how enjoyable Zinnias are. They are one of the only flowers that is simultaneously wild and controlled! One can clearly envision them sprawling across the dry grasslands of South America, growing in an urban garden or, in a planter on ones patio! Regardless of where their placed growing zinnias, at least for me, is a must in my space! Zinnias come in a rainbow of colors promising summer long beauty and are almost maintenance free. And, as far as pollinators go I'll steal from Kevin Costner’s “Field of Dreams,” and say if you plant them they will come!
How to Grow Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the easiest annual plants to grow. They do well in full sun 6 or more hours and even hot southern states can trust them to survive. There are several different kinds of Zinnias, tall from 4-5 feet or, dwarf for boarders and containers.
With so many options every spot in your garden can have color. Zinnias ideal soil is fertile and well drained; however, they need very little prep. I honestly do not do much for the soil outside of compost. I simply choose a spot with good sun, loosen it up and drop the seeds. They don't let me down! In about 30 days I'll have that beautiful color. Therefore, plant your Zinnias and then sit back, relax and watch them grow.
Grab your favorite photo and visit Oma’s Custom Art Corner!
Growing Dill
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