MARCH IN THE SANDPIT

Around here at the Sandpit March is a pivotal month. The Winter is long gone and the heat and Sun's intensity is getting stronger as each day passes. This is the time that a lot of the plants here get moved to the precious semi shade spots. Shade or even partial shade here is very limited and in high demand at the sandpit for the survival of a lot of the plants growing in the garden.

This little Zinnia seems to like it in the direct sun. I read an article not to long ago that you can't grow Zinnia's in South Florida. It is really difficult to grow them here as they seem to be a target for every fungal disease that comes around as well as irresistible to the bugs. Maybe it is the humidity here that comes with summer. Don't know for sure but I keep trying different hybrids hoping to find one that can handle this climate . This guy is a hybrid Zinnia called Highlights. I had two seeds in an old pack of seeds from several years ago and planted both seeds on January 15Th of this year into small pots made from old newspaper. One sprouted, this guy, and was transferred to this small plastic pot collected from someone's garbage. It's blooms are supposed to be exceptionally bright hence the name Highlights like the marker pen highlighter. Comes pretty close it turns out. Since this was my last seed I might just have to break down and get some more of these Zinnia seeds. I believe they came from Parks Seed best as I can recall.

Another new favorite that I discovered just last year has reseeded itself and is producing some exceptional blooms. This is a heirloom Morning glory called Granpa Ott. It has it's origins as a heirloom seed given to Diane Whealy in 1972 by her grandfather from his farm in Iowa. One of the original variety that started Seed Savers Exchange.

This Morning Glory bloom produces some of the deepest rich purple colors I have ever seen on a plant. In the sun this bloom is hypnotic as it seems to change luminance. With it's rich colors it is hard to look away. The Granpa Ott will stand out in any garden and will positively draw attention to itself. Also reseeds itself so you get lots of free plants or next season which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it.

I am also using this month to plant out some of the brick planters with the plants that were sprouted back in January and February from seed. The brick planters are heavy and will not be blown around by the winds we get here as well as get the plants up off of the ground so they get good airflow.

I put one of the Four O'clock sprouts that were germinated from seed in the left side and an wild Tomato plant that had volunteered itself in the right.

I have a lot more seed sprouts that will need to be planted out in the hear future. But that's ok because I have a lot of the brick planters with empty holes to stick the new sprouts in.

But March is not all replanting work in the garden. This month we also get to reap some rewards for the work on the planting beds last fall. The Southern Collard Greens are ready to start harvesting before it gets to hot.

This batch is fresh from the garden and is on the menu for dinner. If I can find where I put the cornbread mix we are going to have us a feast -Southern Style.

And you just can't beat that.

---SANDDUNE--