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5 Reasons Your Elephant Ear Bulb Won’t Grow

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We’ve all been there! You planted your Elephant Ear bulb and it’s been a few weeks and nothing is happening. I’ve got you covered and more than likely your bulb is just fine!

5 Reasons your Elephant Ear Bulb Has not Sprouted!

Elephant ear plant

It’s still dormant

Elephant ear bulbs can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to wake up. Patience is a virtue when you are starting Elephant Ear plants from bulbs.

It’s too wet

I hate to say it but overwatering is one of the big reasons why Elephant Ears do not sprout. It’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to watering. Aim to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

It’s too Cold

When it comes to waking up elephant ear bulbs you will want to maintain a minimum temperature 65 degrees in order to spur the bulbs to break dormancy. Using a seed starting heat mat can help maintain warmth if your room or space is cool.

It’s too Dry

For your Elephant Ear Bulbs to break dormancy it needs to remain moist. Having a dry bulb in soil it not typically enough to encourage the bulbs to wake. For success water your bulbs when the soil has dried halfway down in the pot.

Elephant Ear bulb
Potted Elephant Ear Plant

It Needs more time

I know that it can take a while but growing Elephant Ear Bulbs need time. When your bulbs are fully asleep it can take a while for them to wake all the way up. I have started bulbs in mid February only to have them wake up in June and July. Most if conditions are right wake up much sooner than that.

Tips

If you are worried about your bulb you can pull the soil back until you see the top of the bulb. Use your finger to press around the top to confirm that the bulb is still firm. If it is firm then your bulb is likely fine.

If when you pull back the soil and you see growth then you know your bulb is up and you can cover it back with soil and continue with regular care.

Elephant Ear Plants are no doubt gorgeous plants to have in your garden. They provide that tropical feel that for a second makes you think you are on an exotic vacation.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to Grow Dahlia From Seed

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I don’t know if you know this but Dahlias are so easy to grow from seed. They make beautiful cut flowers adding whimsy and wonder to any garden they reside. You can start your Dahlias from seed outside directly in the garden or start them early indoors and get a jump on the garden season.

This blog post may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase you will be helping me continue my love and passion for gardening.

close up of dahlia blooming outdoors

Before you begin you will need to source out Dahlia seeds. There are many retailers that will have seeds in stores starting in January and sometimes earlier. If you want more variety than what’s in store I suggest ordering online. Here are some of my favorite places to shop online.

Park Seed

Seedville USA

Amazon

Etsy

Now that you’ve got your seeds it’s time to decide when and how you want to plant them. The easiest way to start Dahlias from seed is to plant them directly in the garden after your first frost date. You will follow the depth requirements on the seed packet then once planted water them in and let nature do the rest! Kidding, well not entirely. You will need to keep watch for birds and other critters that would love to dig up and eat your seeds

Inside or Out?

gardener planting seeds on a tray of soil

Outside

Whether you start your Dahlia seeds inside or out is up to you. Both options are wonderful depending on your situation. Starting your Dahlia seeds outside will be the easiest by far but you will have to deal with pest pressure.

Birds, chipmunks, squirrels among many others will be after your seeds as soon as your plant them in the ground. Aside from watering nature will take care of them for you. You will have stronger seedlings that grow into healthy plants.

Follow the planting guide on the seed packet for planting outside in ground. You will likely need to plant your seeds about 2 inches apart and and inch or so down in the soil.

If you also love Zinnias you can learn how to grow them here!

Inside

To grow indoors you are going to need patience and space because Dahlias sprout and grow very fast! Here’s what you need to get your Dahlias started.

Seed Starting Supplies

Seed Starting Mix

Small Pots

Grow Light

Dahlia Seeds

You can get high tech/ expensive with seed starting if you want, but you can totally do it low cost. All you need is what’s listed above. Using seed starting mix when starting seeds indoors is important because seed starting soil is sterile. Potting soil can have bacteria that can aid in seedling death called damping off. So you need to keep clean tools, pots and soil for the best germination rates.

a close up shot of a dahlia flower in full bloom

How to grow Dahlia From Seed

Fill your pots with seed starting mix then depending on the size of your pots plant your seeds 1/2 inch down, cover with soil and water them. Be prepared to keep your seed mix consistently moist. Dry soil can be the death of young seedlings

If you don’t have strong window light or overhead grow lights you will get leggy (stretched) seedlings. While you can grow your seeds in a window sill but I highly recommend you get a grow light or two.

Aside from overhead lighting you will want to keep your seedlings in a warm area of your home. Sunflower seeds don’t need to much heat to germinate but do best in a warm room.

Dahlia Sprouts

Once your Dahlia seeds sprout you will want to make sure to keep the soil moist, light consistent and the space warm. Seedlings need at least 13 hours of daylight. This is made easier by the use of artificial lights. You can leave your grow lights on for at max 16 hours a day to keep your seedlings happy.

When you begin seeing roots growing from the bottom of your pots it’s time to repot your plants. If your outdoor temps are warm enough ( Above 46 degrees at night) you can transition your seedlings into your garden.

To learn how to transition your seeds I recommend you read this post!

If it’s not yet time to plant your seedlings outside then continue with regular care until the weather is right. You may have to repot your seedlings several times before transitioning them out into the garden.

Planting Outside

Once you’ve transitioned your seedlings it’s time to plant. You can plant your seedlings in containers, raised beds or in ground. When you plant be sure to use an organic fertilizer to feed your plant. Annuals grow quite fast and are very heavy feeders so make sure to provide them with fertilizer all season long.

pink ball dahlia flower in selective focus photography

Growing Dahlia from seed is such a great way to add beauty and life into the garden and what’s amazing is that you can collect seeds from your own plants and grow your own stock year after year. Dahlias are amazing in potting arrangements and come in so many different heights. You can add them to your landscape or in a cut flower garden.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to grow Sunflowers from Seed

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Sunflowers are some of the most gorgeous flowers you can grow! They make amazing cut flowers and are very easy to start from seed and maintain. They come in all different varieties, colors, and heights. There’s one for everyone and every size garden.

sunflowers

This blog post may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase you will be helping me continue my love and passion for gardening.

Where to Buy Seeds

With so many retailers that sell seeds the world is your oyster when It comes to where to buy seeds. Here are some of my favorite places to shop online for seeds.

Park Seed

Seedville USA

Etsy

Inside or Out?

gardener planting seeds on a tray of soil

Outside

Whether you start your Sunflower seeds inside or out is up to you. Both options are wonderful depending on your situation. Starting your sunflower seeds outside will be the easiest by far but you will have to deal with pest pressure.

Birds, chipmunks, squirrels among many others will be after your seeds as soon as your plant them in the ground. Aside from watering nature will take care of them for you. You will have stronger seedlings that grow into healthy plants.

Follow the planting guide on the seed packet for planting outside in ground. You will likely need to plant your seeds about 2 inches apart and and inch or so down in the soil.

If you also love Zinnias you can learn how to grow them here!

Inside

To grow sunflowers indoors you are going to need patience and space because sunflower seeds sprout and grow very fast! Here’s what you need to get started.

Seed Starting Supplies

Seed Starting Mix

Small Pots

Grow Light

Seeds

You can get high tech with seed starting if you want, but you can totally do it low cost. All you need is what’s listed above. Using seed starting mix when starting seeds indoors is important because seed starting soil is sterile. Potting soil can have bacteria that can aid in seedling death called damping off. So you need to keep clean tools, pots and soil.

growing sunflowers

How to grow

Fill your pots with seed starting mix then depending on the size of your pots plant your seeds 1/2 inch down, cover with soil and water in. Be prepared to keep your seed mix moist. You don’t want to let your pots dry out.

If you don’t have strong window light or overhead grow lights you will get leggy (stretched) seedlings. While you can grow your seeds in a window sill but I highly recommend you get a grow light or two.

sunflower seed planting

Aside from overhead lighting you will want to keep your seedlings in a warm area of your home. Sunflower seeds don’t need to much heat to germinate but do best in a warm room.

Sprouts

Once your seeds sprout you will want to make sure to keep the soil moist, light consistent and the space warm. Seedlings need at least 13 hours of daylight. This is made easier by the use of artificial lights. You can leave your grow lights on for at max 16 hours a day to keep your seedlings happy.

When you begin seeing roots growing from the bottom of your pots it’s time to repot your plants. If your outdoor temps are warm enough ( Above 46 degrees at night) you can transition your seedlings into your garden.

To learn how to transition your seeds I recommend you read this post!

If it’s not yet time to plant your seedlings outside then continue with regular care until the weather is right. You may have to repot your seedlings several times before hand.

Planting Outside

Once you’ve fully transitioned your seedlings it’s time to plant. You can plant your seedlings in containers, raised beds or inground. When you plant be sure to use an organic fertilizer to feed your plant. Annuals grow quite fast and are very heavy feeders so make sure to provide them with fertilizer all season long.

sunflowers in shallow focus lens

Growing Sunflowers from seed is such a great way to add beauty and life into the garden and what’s amazing is that you can collect seeds from your own plants and grow your own stock year after year.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

6 Plants that make your garden a tropical paradise

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There is nothing wrong with a traditional styled garden, they are classic but tropicals just pack a punch in the garden. There are so many tropical plant combinations that make you feel like your on vacation as soon as you step outside your door. Here are my favorite tropical plants that pack a punch in the garden.

Banana Trees

Banana trees are grown as annual and perennial plants depending on your gardening zone. You can grow them in ground or in pots and their big leaves have a way of making you feel like your on a tropical vacation when you step outside your door!

banana trees near a metal railing
Photo by esrageziyor on Pexels.com

Hibiscus

There are several types of Hibiscus and all are gorgeous! They have big beautiful blooms that come in different colors. Did you know Hibiscus is often used for tea?

yellow and red hibiscus flower on plant box
Photo by Raquel Tinoco on Pexels.com

Elephant Ears

Elephant Ear plants are so gorgeous and boost big leaves that are shaped similar to you guessed it Elephant Ears.

green plant beside white concrete wall
Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels.com

Coleus

Coleus come in so many shapes and colors! They add that bright pop of tropical colors to the garden and are so easy to propagate.

purple and green leaves in close up photography
Photo by Jeffry Surianto on Pexels.com

Canna Lilies

Gorgeous Canna Lily plants come in different sizes and colors there’s a perfect one or two for your garden

green leaves of a canna plant on close up shot
Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

Ferns

Ferns are so beautiful! They have the frilly foliage and looks so beautiful when it blows in the wind.

close up photo of green fern plants
Photo by Darius Krause on Pexels.com

Palm

Palms are so stunning in the garden and are available at any garden centers from spring through fall. They look amazing in the garden and add height to any space.

green leafed plant
Photo by Lena Khrupina on Pexels.com

Which tropical plants are your favorite to grow in your garden?

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

10 Tips For Small Space Gardeners

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selective focus photography of strawberry fruit
Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

You would be surprised at how much food and flowers you can grow in a small space garden! Even if all you have is a windowsill you can grow! When you start thinking differently about the space you have you’ll begin to see all the possibilities. Once you seed the possibilities you’ll be able to grow a garden to its full potential!

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

  • Maximize Your Space

No matter the size of your outdoor space, there’s always room to grow food and flowers. Sketch out your space and what you would like for it to look like. Then make a list of what you would like to grow and what materials you’ll need. Check for container-friendly plants that won’t grow as large, but will still produce lots of fruit. Planning is the key to a good gardening season.

  • Install Drip Irrigation

Automating your watering will save you so much time and money. Drip irrigation waters your plants for however long you want and how often you want; it’s a garden game changer! To get you started, here is a basic drip irrigation system to reference.

  • Prune to Maintain Size

Because you are growing in a small space, you will want to make sure you are pruning to maintain the size of your plants. If you are growing indeterminate tomatoes or flowers like petunias, they can easily take over your garden space, so pruning is a must. Here are my favorite pruners.

To purchase reliable garden seeds and plants check out Park Seed!

  • Grow Vertically

Growing vegetables and flowers vertically is a great way to utilize your small space garden. Use hanging planters and trellises to grow off the ground.

dog resting in cafe garden
Photo by Thắng Lê on Pexels.com
  • Utilize Hanging Baskets

Using shepherd’s hooks or hooks screwed into posts, you can hang many hanging baskets and grow a multitude of plants.

  • Grow in Raised Beds

Raised garden beds are a great way to grow in small spaces. They come in so many configurations, or you can build your own. Here is a raised garden bed that I love and use every year!

For tip on how to grow in raised beds checkout this post!

  • Grow in Pots

If all you have is a patio, then pots will be your best friend. You can grow flowers, vegetables, herbs, trees, and so much more in pots.

  • Plant Multiple Plants Together

What could be a better way to grow more than to plant multiple plants in the same pot?! You can mix and match plants like herbs and vegetables, or petunias and hydrangeas. Dealers choice!

person digging on soil using garden shovel
Photo by Lisa on Pexels.com
  • Leave Space for Sitting

Don’t forget to leave space to sit and enjoy! The garden shouldn’t just be about work. It’s also about the view, so nestle in a little table and chair so you can sit amongst the jungle you’ve created.

  • Love Your Space

No matter how big or small your garden is, you have to love it. You’ve put your time and energy creating a space that is edible and beautiful. Take pride in what you create even if you only planted one plant or harvested one tomato.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

11 Tips on How to Save Money Gardening

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I’m going to be completely honest with you. Gardening is EXPENSIVE. This is not a cheap hobby to have and pile that on top of all the other financial responsibilities you may have and it can quickly become too much. There are so many ways to save on garden expenses but you have to be realistic with yourself, that while you are saving money you will still be spending. It’s no secret that gardening is beneficial to our well being as well as mother earth but how can we save money?

assorted plants with trees photography
Photo by Creative Vix on Pexels.com

Stop growing grass

People spend hundreds of dollars trying to achieve the perfect lawn. I used to be one of them. While I wasn’t as crazy about it I did spend money on weed killers and fertilizers to keep my grass looking green and lush. Using weed killers are so bad for the environment. The run off of these chemicals make their way into various bodies of water and cause harm to the living creatures that inhabit those areas. Aside from that those pesticides and fertilizers are very expensive and if you use a company to come spray and fertilize your going to be emptying out your wallet. I’m not against grass but there are other alternatives that look great, require less water and are beneficial to our environment.

Propagate Your Plants

This is a great way to expand your garden without spending money on new plants. Many plants require dividing after a few years to be healthy. Many plants are easily propagated from cuttings which will also help to expand your garden.

Trade with neighbors or go to plant swaps

This is a great way to meet people and share plants, tips and maybe even make a few friends. Having a community you can always count on for your garden questions is priceless.

tender white edge hosta plant leaves
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Save Seeds from your plants

There are many plants that can easily be grown from seed. Hosta’s, Black Eyed Susan and Heuchera are a just a few that I’ve grown from seeds collected in my garden.

Shop second hand

Second hand is the way to go if you are short on funds. You can buy second hand in many ways such as yard sales, thrift stores, auctions, word of mouth, heck people put good garden tools and supplies on the curb all the time.

Take care of your tools

This is very important for the longevity of your tools. Clean and sterilize your tools after use. Oil and sharpen your shears. Clean your edger and lawn mower after each use. Keeping up with regular maintenance can prolong the life of your garden tools.

red and silver hand tool
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Be a forever student

This! The more you learn the better gardener you will be. Research every question you have. Research every plant you have and how to take care of it. The more you learn about plants the less plants you will kill. The less you kill the less you have to replace.

Start your own compost pile

There’s no doubt that having your own compost pile is beneficial to your garden and your budget. Getting started can be as easy as taking a storage bin your not using, poking holes in the bottom and tossing your scraps in.

Save your potting soil

This is a BIG tip! I have always tossed my old soil but with rising costs of everything I decided to not trash it. I either toss it into the compost pile or I “recondition” it by adding compost and a granular fertilizer then reuse it. I do not keep the soil from tomato plants. Tomato plant diseases can survive in the soil and if your compost doesn’t get hot enough to kill it, it can come back and harm your tomatoes the next year.

Buy clearance

Shopping clearance is a big money saver! Not only can you buy some great plants on clearance you can get soil, pots and other garden accessories. It is worth it to check for clearance garden supplies every time you walk into a store.

person digging on soil using garden shovel
Photo by Lisa on Pexels.com

Use what you have

The best way to save money is to not spend any. Work on improving what you already have. You don’t have to bring in new plants to have an amazing garden. Keep your plants happy by watering when needed and pruning when necessary and they will reward you with beautiful foliage and blooms.

Using these tips will save you money for sure but the act of gardening provides you with so much more!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

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