Pollinator
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Sunflowers Pollinator – The Birds & The Bees – Renee’s Seeds
$4.79Enhance your garden’s eco-system with these sturdy, 6 to 8 foot tall sunflowers whose golden-yellow petals and chocolate discs seem to literally follow the sun. During blooming season they offer a rich pollen and nectar source for foraging honey bees, native bees and any other garden pollinators. At maturity, these black seeded sunflowers provide particularly oil-rich kernels with somewhat softer shells than others, yielding an abundance of nutritious feasts for birds.
Approx: 130 seeds
Non GMOANNUAL
Spring/summer/fall bloom
Frost tenderEASY TO START OUTDOORS
Plant in full sun in good garden soil when all danger of frost is past and temperatures have reached at least 50°F (10°C) both day and night. Poke seeds into well-worked soil 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart. Press soil firmly over seeds and keep moist as seedlings emerge.
Thin or Transplant: When seedlings are about 3 inches tall, thin them to 12 inches apart with 2 feet between rows, to give growing plants room to establish strong roots and sturdy stalks that won’t blow over.
GROWING NOTES
Keep soil moist and well weeded and protect seedlings from birds at planting time with netting or plastic berry baskets, removing before plants get crowded. For large heads, space seedlings properly 12 inches apart so plants can grow to full size.
HARVEST AND USE
As flowers bloom, bees pollinate the florets in each head and the seeds begin to mature. When the center disk florets have dried up, birds of all sorts will visit to snack on the ripening seed heads.
To harvest for feeding birds in fall and winter: cover heads with paper bags till ripened kernels are plump and hard-shelled, then cut entire heads, let them fully dry. Remove the seeds by hand into a basket, then blow off loose chaff. Store in closed containers to feed as needed.
Add to cartApprox: 130 Seeds.
Helianthus Annuus
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Dahlia – Blazing Saddles – Renee’s Garden
$5.59Add to cartThese strong and exuberant dahlias from seed produce dozens of informal bright blossoms. The 3 to 4 inch free blooming flowers greet you with a carefree canopy of color in fireworks shades of scarlet red, orange red, deep red and red coral in striking contrast with the bushy plants’ deep burgundy-purple foliage. Cut stems of bloom often for long-lasting centerpiece bouquets. At season’s end, the 2 1/2 to 3 foot plants produce tubers to replant for next year’s flowers. 45 seeds, Non GMO.
PERENNIAL, GROWN AS ANNUAL
Frost tender
Summer/Fall BloomBEST TO START EARLY INDOORS
Sow seeds 2 inches apart in containers of seed starting mix, 4 to 6 weeks before last spring frost. Cover 1/2 inch deep, keep moist and warm and provide a strong light source until ready to plant outdoors. When weather is warm and settled, acclimate seedlings gradually to outdoor conditions. Plant 12-14 inches apart in full sun.TO START DIRECTLY OUTDOORS
Wait until weather is warm and settled and night temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds 1/2 inch deep and 12-14 inches apart in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun. Cover lightly and keep soil moist but not soggy while awaiting germination. When well-established, thin carefully, leaving one single seedling per group, so plants have room to grow. Keep well-weeded and evenly watered.GROWING NOTES
Encourage growth and plentiful flowers by feeding plants monthly. Remove faded flowers to prolong bloom. These dahlias will produce underground tubers after their first season of bloom.In mild winter climates: tubers can overwinter in the ground.
In cold winter climates: dig up the tubers in late fall to replant next spring.Container Growing: Space seedlings 8 in. apart in containers at least 16-18 in. across and 16 in. tall.