homestead

Canna lilies are beautiful, easy-to-grow plants that can add a touch of tropical elegance to any garden. I grow Canna Lilies every year and love how they transform my suburban garden into a tropical oasis. They are relatively low maintenance and grow beautifully in pots and in ground. I am going to teach you how to grow your Cannas in both ground and in pots!

I have a short garden season and I like my Cannas big when it’s planting time. I start my Canna lilies in pots at the end of February till mid-March. Starting them early gives them a head start on growth as opposed to planting tubers in the ground after my first frost date which is in May. When I plant out my Cannas in May they are roughly 3ft tall.

Growing Canna Lilies in Ground is the most easiest way to start your tubers by far. Nature plays a big part in ensuring your tubers sprout and continue to grow beautifully. If you live in a warmer gardening zone then you may be able to plant your bulbs out early or rather earlier than us in colder zones. You may also be able to leave your Cannas out during the winter months.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may receive a small commission to keep me in the garden.

Here’s how to start your Canna Lily Bulbs directly in the garden

• Choose a location. Canna lilies need full sun to reach their flowering potential. They will also tolerate partial shade, but the flowers will not be as abundant. The soil should be rich and well-drained. If your soil is sandy, add some compost or peat moss to improve drainage.
• Plant the rhizomes. Canna rhizomes can be planted in the spring or fall depending on your growing zone. If you are planting in the spring, wait until the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant the rhizomes horizontally, with the eyes (the small bumps on the rhizome) facing up. The depth of planting will depend on the size of the rhizome. A good rule of thumb is to plant the rhizomes 2-3 inches deep.
• Water and fertilize. Canna lilies need regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Fertilize them every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• Deadhead the flowers. Deadheading will encourage the plant to produce more flowers. Simply remove the spent blooms from the plant.
• Overwinter the rhizomes. In colder climates, the rhizomes will need to be dug up and overwintered in a cool, dry place. To do this, dig up the rhizomes after the first frost. Shake off the soil and store them in a container of peat moss or sand. Keep the container in a cool, dark place until the spring. A basement or an attached garage works perfectly for this.

To learn what gardening zone you live in read this post here!

How to Grow Canna Lilies In Containers:

I grow Canna Lilies in containers every year. I pull my Canna bulbs out of my basement in mid February. I let them sit in my dining room for a few days to get to room temp. Then I prepare to plant them.

Grow Canna Lilies in containers step by step:

• Gather large clean containers. I reuse 1-2 gallon plastic containers year after year to start my Canna Lily bulbs. Choose Containers that are at least an inch or two wider than your tuber is long.
• Prepare your soil. You can mix up your own soil but I like to use Promax soil for potting up bulbs. Fill your containers 3/4ths of the way full.
• Plant your Canna Bulbs. Press your Canna Lily Bulbs into the soil and cover them with more soil.
• Water your Bulbs. Water your container thoroughly until you see water come out of the drainage hole. Don’t water again until the pot has dried half way down.
• Placement. Place your container in a warm bright room.
• Fertilizing. When your Canna Lily Bulbs have pushed out their first leaves it’s time to start fertilizing. Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• Watering. Water your Canna Lilies when the first two inches of soil have dried.
• Lighting. When your Canna Lilies have started to push out more growth you will need to give them more light. If it is past your frost free date you can begin transitioning them outside into your garden. If not add a grow light or put them in the brightest light you have.

While your waiting for your first frost date continue caring for your Cannas as advised above. When it’s time to move them into the garden you will need to transition them gradually. One hour in sun the first day then two hours the second day until your plants are in eight hours of sun.

Canna Lily Seeds

If you love seed starting like I do then you should definitely save seed from your Canna Lilies. Cannas can be a bit difficult to start but they grow so big in one season from seed. It’s crazy!

Here’s how to get Canna Lily Seeds:

• Leave your flower stalks. Don’t cut off your spent flower stems. Leave them on to allow them to go to seed.
• Dried Pods. Do not harvest seeds until your seed pods have dried completly.
• Harvest. When your pods are completely dry cut them off and open the pods. You will find round black seeds.
• Store. Remove your Canna Lily seeds and store them in a cool dry place until your ready to start them. You need to put your seeds into a storage container within a container for the best survival of the seed.

When it’s time to start Canna Lily seeds you will first need to scar the seed. Then soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting in seed starting mix.

Here are some additional tips for growing canna lilies:

• Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. If you live in a cooler zone you will want to mulch around your plants before winter sets in.
• Protect the plants from strong winds.
• Watch for pests and diseases, such as aphids, spider mites, and leaf spot.

Canna Lilies are one of my favorite tropical plants to grow in my garden year after year. They add that tropical feel to my sometimes blah suburban garden.

Happy Gardening!

Sweet potatoes are a relatively easy vegetable to grow, but they do require a long growing season of 85-120 days and warm weather but you can easily get your Sweet Potatoes started indoors early if you have a short growing season where you live.

Sweet potatoes are a healthy and nutritious vegetable that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a good source of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for vision, immunity, and cell growth. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may earn a small commission which keeps me in the garden.

Ways to incorporate sweet potatoes into your diet:

• Baked sweet potatoes
• Sweet Potato Bread
• Sweet Potato Cookies
• Sweet Potato Biscuits
• Sweet potato fries
• Sweet potato soup
• Sweet potato pie
• Sweet potato muffins

How to Grow Sweet Potato Slips

Sweet Potato slips are young plants that are grown from sweet potato cuttings. They are the rooted sprouts that grow from an actual mature sweet potato. They are used to grow new sweet potato plants.

To grow sweet potato slips, you can cut a sweet potato into 2-3 inch pieces and let them sit in a warm, moist place until they start to sprout roots. You can also start slips by planting a whole sweet potato in a pot of soil. The sweet potato will eventually sprout roots and shoots, and the shoots can be transplanted into the garden.

Grow Sweet Potatoes In water

An even easier and soilless way to grow sweet potato slips is to put the Sweet potato in water. Sit the potato upright in a cup or mason jar fill with enough water to cover the bottom half of the Sweet potato. In several weeks you’ll see roots and shoots / slips growing out of the potato. You can cut off the slips after they reach 3-4 inches and plant them in soil or put them in water to root. Once rooted you can follow the planting guide below.

How to plant Sweet Potato Slips

Once the slips have grown to about 6 inches tall, they are ready to be transplanted into the garden. Plant the slips 12-18 inches apart, in rows that are 3-4 feet apart. Water the slips regularly, especially during hot weather. Sweet potato slips can be grown indoors or outdoors. If you are growing them indoors, place them in a warm, sunny spot. If you are growing them outdoors, plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Sweet potato slips are a great way to start your own sweet potato plants. They are easy to grow and can be transplanted into the garden once they are large enough.

Important tips for growing sweet potato slips:

• Use a mature sweet potato that is free of blemishes.
• Cut the sweet potato into 2-3 inch pieces.
• Make sure the cut ends are dry before placing them in a warm, moist place.
• The slips will start to sprout roots in about 2-3 weeks.
• Once the slips have roots, they can be transplanted into the garden or into pots.
• Water the slips regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize the slips every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• Protect the slips from pests and diseases.

How to grow sweet potatoes:

1. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Sweet potatoes don’t like wet feet, so make sure the soil is loose and sandy.
2. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter. This will help to improve drainage and add nutrients to the soil.
3. Plant the slips 12-18 inches apart, in rows that are 3-4 feet apart. Slips are young plants that are grown from sweet potato cuttings. You can buy slips at garden centers or start your own by cutting a sweet potato into 2-3 inch pieces and letting them sit in a warm, moist place until they start to sprout roots.
4. Water the slips regularly, especially during hot weather. Sweet potatoes need about an inch of water per week.
5. Fertilize the plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
6. Keep the plants weeded. Sweet potatoes are susceptible to weeds, so it’s important to keep the area around them free of weeds.
7. Harvest the sweet potatoes when the leaves start to turn yellow and the vines die back. You can dig them up with a garden fork.

How to grow Sweet Potatoes in containers

1. Choose the right container. Sweet potatoes need a container that is at least 12 inches deep and has good drainage holes. You can use a plastic pot, a clay pot, or a fabric pot. The bigger pot the better!
2. Fill the container with potting soil. Use a potting soil that is specifically designed potted plants. You can also add some compost or manure to the soil to improve drainage and fertility.
3. Plant the slips. Slips are young sweet potato plants that have been started in water or in a nursery bed. Plant the slips 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart.
4. Water the plants regularly. Sweet potatoes need to be watered deeply and regularly, especially during hot weather. Don’t let the pots dry out!
5. Fertilize the plants every few weeks. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer.
6. Provide full sun. Sweet potatoes need at least 6 hours of full sun per day.
7. Protect the plants from pests and diseases. Sweet potatoes are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, such as aphids, whiteflies, and powdery mildew. To protect your plants, you can use insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Last minute tips for growing sweet potatoes:

• Sweet potatoes are susceptible to pests and diseases, so it’s important to inspect the plants regularly. If you see any signs of pests or diseases, treat them immediately.
• Sweet potatoes can be stored for several months in a cool, dark place.

Sweet Potatoes are an amazing and healthy vegetable to add to your garden and diet! If you follow these tips you can harvest big healthy sweet potatoes!

Happy Gardening

Strawberry plants are heavy feeders and need regular fertilization to produce a good crop of berries. The best time to fertilize strawberries is in the spring, when the plants are actively growing. You can also fertilize them again in the fall, after the harvest.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may receive a small comission which helps keep me gardening.

There are two main types of fertilizers that you can use for strawberry plants: granular fertilizers and liquid fertilizers. Granular fertilizers are easy to apply and can be spread by hand or with a broadcast spreader. Liquid fertilizers are more expensive, but they are absorbed by the plants more quickly.

If you are using granular fertilizer, you will need to apply it according to the directions on the package. For liquid fertilizer, you can mix it with water and apply it with a watering can or hose.

The type of fertilizer that you use will depend on your budget and personal preference. However, it is important to use a fertilizer that is balanced, meaning that it contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can also use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for strawberries.

If you need help growing Strawberry plants checkout this post here!

You can also fertilize strawberry plants with compost or manure. Compost and manure are slow-release fertilizers that will provide nutrients to the plants over a long period of time. It is important to avoid over-fertilizing strawberries. Too much fertilizer can lead to leaf growth at the expense of fruit production. It is also important to water the plants well after fertilizing.

Here are some additional tips for fertilizing strawberry plants:

• Test your soil before fertilizing to determine what nutrients your plants need.
• Apply fertilizer evenly around the base of the plants, being careful not to get any fertilizer on the leaves.
• Water the fertilizer in well after applying it.
• Don’t fertilize strawberry plants in the summer, when the weather is hot and dry.
• Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Stop fertilizing strawberries after they have finished fruiting.

When you fertilize properly you will notice healthy plants and abundant fruit!

Happy Gardening

Growing strawberries in pots is a great space saving way to enjoy fresh strawberries when you don’t have a lot of space to grow. Or if you don’t want your strawberries taking over your garden pots are a great option. Strawberries are a delicious and versatile fruit that is enjoyed by people all over the world. They are native to North America and have been cultivated for centuries. Strawberries are a member of the rose family and are closely related to raspberries and blackberries.

Strawberries are relatively easy to grow at home. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Strawberries can be planted in the spring or fall and they will produce fruit in the summer.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may receive a small commission to keep me in the garden.

How to grow strawberries in pots:

1. Choose the right pot. Strawberries need a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and wide. The container should also have drainage holes to prevent the roots from rotting. You can use a plastic pot, a terracotta pot, wooden planter or something that can hold soil and drain water.
2. Prepare the potting mix. Strawberries need a well-draining, loose potting mix. You can buy a commercial potting mix that is well draining, or you can make your own by mixing equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
3. Plant your strawberries. Plant the strawberries so that the crowns (the point where the stem meets the roots) are just above the soil surface. Make a small mound in the potting mix, and spread out the roots over the mound. Then, cover the roots up to the crown with the potting mix, and water the soil well.
4. Place your pot in a sunny spot. Strawberries need full sun, so place your pot in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
5. Water your strawberries regularly. Strawberries need consistent moisture, so water them deeply and regularly. Get on a schedule to keep your Strawberries watered.
6. Fertilizing strawberries. Strawberries benefit from a balanced fertilizer. You can use a liquid fertilizer or a granular fertilizer.
7. Mulch your strawberries. Mulching around the strawberries will help to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the berries from the sun. Use wood chips or hay to mulch your strawberry plants.
8. Protect the strawberries from pests and diseases. Strawberries are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, so it is important to inspect the plants regularly and take steps to control any problems.

Learn how to grow strawberries from seed here!

Top Tips for Growing Strawberries in pots

• Use a container that is the right size for the number of plants you are growing.
• Make sure the container has drainage holes.
• Use a well-draining potting mix.
• Plant the strawberries so that the crowns are just above the soil surface.
• Water the strawberries regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
• Fertilize the strawberries every 2-3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• Mulch around the strawberries to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Protect the strawberries from pests and diseases with a protective netting.
• Harvest the strawberries when they are ripe.

If you follow these steps you can grow your own strawberries year after year.

Happy Gardening!

Strawberries are a delicious and versatile fruit. They are a favorite fruit for many people including myself. They can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, made into jam and so many other things like fruit leather. They are also pretty easy to grow from seed, even if you don’t have a lot of experience gardening you can grow Strawberries from seed.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may receive a small commission to help keep me gardening.

How to grow strawberries from seeds:

1. Choose the right strawberry seeds. When choosing strawberry seeds, it is important to select a variety that is suited to your climate. You can find strawberry seeds at most garden centers or online.
2. Prepare the seed starting mix. Strawberry seeds need a well-draining, loose potting mix. You can buy a commercial seed starting mix or make your own by mixing equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
3. Sow the seeds. Strawberry seeds are very small, so it is important to sow them thinly. Sprinkle the seeds on the surface of the seed starting mix and gently press them down. Do not cover the seeds with too much soil.
4. Water your seeds. Water your seeds and cover the container with a plastic dome or plastic wrap. This will help to create a humid environment, which is necessary for germination.
5. Place the container in a warm spot. Strawberries need warm temperatures to germinate, so place the container in a spot that is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Or place your seeds on a heat mat.
6. Germination. Strawberry seeds can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks to germinate. Be patient and keep the soil moist. Don’t worry if you don’t see growth right away.
7. Transplant the seedlings. Once the seedlings have their first true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden. If you are transplanting them into the garden, wait until the weather has warmed up and there is no danger of frost.
8. Water the seedlings regularly. Strawberries need consistent moisture, so water them deeply and regularly.
9. Fertilize the plants. Strawberries benefit from a balanced fertilizer. You can use a liquid fertilizer or a granular fertilizer.
10. Protect the plants from pests and diseases. Strawberries are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, so it is important to inspect the plants regularly and take steps to control any problems. It’s best to take care of issues before they get to bad.

Choosing the Right Strawberries for your garden

Strawberries come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. There are three main types of strawberry varieties: June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral. June-bearing strawberries are the most common type of strawberry. They produce a single large crop of fruit in the spring. June-bearing strawberries are typically large and flavorful. Some popular June-bearing strawberry varieties include:

• Chandler: This variety is known for its large, sweet berries.
• Albion: This variety is resistant to many diseases, making it a good choice for home gardens
• Tribute: This variety is known for its high yields and long shelf life.

Everbearing strawberries produce two crops of fruit per year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Everbearing strawberries are typically smaller than June-bearing strawberries, but they have a longer harvest season. Some popular everbearing strawberry varieties include:

• Seascape: This variety is resistant to many diseases and pests.
• Tristar: This variety is known for its large, sweet berries.
• Ozark Beauty: This variety is a good choice for colder climates.

Day-neutral strawberries produce fruit throughout the growing season, as long as they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Day-neutral strawberries are typically smaller than June-bearing strawberries, but they have a long harvest season.

When choosing the perfect strawberry variety for your garden, it is important to consider your climate, growing conditions, and personal preferences. If you live in a cold climate, you may want to choose an everbearing or day-neutral variety. If you are looking for large, sweet berries, you may want to choose a June-bearing variety. And if you are looking for a variety that is resistant to diseases and pests, you may want to choose a variety that has been bred for those traits.

To learn what zone your garden is in check out this post!

No matter what type of strawberry variety you choose, be sure to plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Strawberries also need regular watering and fertilization.

Tips for choosing the right strawberry variety:

• Consider your climate. Some strawberry varieties are better suited to certain climates than others. For example, June-bearing strawberries are not a good choice for colder climates.
• Consider your growing conditions. Strawberries need full sun and well-drained soil. If you have poor soil, you may need to amend it with compost or manure before planting.
• Consider your personal preferences. Some strawberry varieties are larger than others, while some have a longer shelf life. Choose a variety that you think you and your family will enjoy.

Important reminders for growing strawberries from seed:

• Start the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
• Use a light potting mix that is well-draining.
• Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
• Fertilize the seedlings every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• Transplant the seedlings into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
• Space the plants 12-18 inches apart.
• Mulch around the plants to help keep the soil moist and suppress weeds.
• Water the plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
• Harvest the strawberries when they are ripe or you risk pests getting to them.

Growing Strawberries from seed is a labor of love. With a little patience you can have your own strawberries from seeds to enjoy for years to come!

Happy gardening