Posted by admin on April 16, 2009
Romaine Lettuce ‘Parris Island’ has been quite the performer so far. I would recommend starting out this lettuce from seed. We found that given good spacing between plants, at least 6 inches, this romaine lettuce produces and produces. Either it can be cut about an inch from where each of the leaves grows, to wait for all new leaves to grow, or better it can be picked from the outside in.
Always leave at least ten leaves in the inside to give the plant strength and photosynthesis. The outer larger leaves can be picked for a nice salad. We would recommend growing lettuce staggered, meaning starting new lettuce from seed every month. This ensures that as any heads of lettuce no longer perform, others are coming in. Romaine Lettuce ‘Parris Island’ matures in about 70 days, and likes well drained soil. I fertilize with an organic fertilizer
every month, and mix compost and aged manure into the soil. Purchase Organic Parris Island Lettuce 400 Seeds 3 Grams.
Romaine Lettuce
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Growing African Daisies can be quite a pleasure! African Daisies (Margarita Africana) come in a number of colors and types. This sun perennial grows fast. In our garden, with fertilizing once a month, it quadrupled in size within only a few months. It also has bloomed almost nonstop. It attracts bees and other wildlife for a healthy garden. African Daisies prefer full sun, or at least 6 hours of sun. Watering should be done so these plants don’t dry out, although they can become drought tolerant after established for a few months. They are known to bloom in the summer and fall, but ours has bloomed winter and spring nonstop so far. The height of this perennial is an average of 20 inches, and they can get quite a few feet wide when cared for well. They do not like weather colder than 32 degrees farenheight. The African Daisy in the photo below started out in a regular nursery pot a few months ago. Check out these African Daisy - Dimorphotheca Sinuata — 2,500 Flower Seeds.
African Daisy
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We have found Sicilian Oregano to be a pleasure to grow in a pot. Sicilian Oregano can also be grown in the ground or in planters. This herb is Origanum x majorana. It enjoys full sun, or at least 6 hours of sun. Although this herb does bloom with white flowers in the summer, it is best to remove flowers so that all plant energy goes into new foliage production. This particular herb grows to a height of about 24 inches, although other varieties of oregano grow taller and shorter. Sicilian Oregano does not like to dry out between waterings, so while it gets established, it should be watered 2-3 times per week as needed. This herb can be dried or used fresh. We have tried it in Chicken Parmesan and Pizza with good success, and it can taste good for many other dishes. To pick the leaves, either pick part of a stem, or some leaves off of a stem. Always leave at least 1/3 of the stems on the plant so that it can continue to grow and photosynthesize. Check out these Italian Oregano Herb 4 Plants with Good Scents - Organum!
Sicilian Oregano
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Fraser’s Photinia (Photinia x fraseri) is a perfect large evergreen shrub to use as a privacy screen between your house and a neighbor. Plants can be very affordable to buy. They are beautiful, with bright red and green leaves. These can also be used as a hedge or beautiful bush in the yard. Photinia flowers in the spring are sweet smelling. Photinias generally like at least 6 hours of sun. This Photinia does not want to dry out between waterings, although after being established for about 6 months, this shrub is fairly drought tolerant. Generally these do grow to 10 or 15 feet high and wide, so it is best to give ample spacing between plants. The Fraser’s Photinia in the below photo is just under two feet in height, but will grow fast. This shrub can be shaped with pruning, and likes to be fertilized in the spring. It does not like weather to be colder than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you like Photinias, also check out this nice Waxleaf Privet Five Gallon.
Fraser
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Bacopa can be a terrific, fast growing, trailing annual to grow as a ground cover. This plant is very floriferous, growing about 2 - 3 inches in height. It is important that this plant receive at least 2-3 hours of sun. Ideal is 6 or more hours of sun. This plant acts as a perennial so far in San Francisco, California. We have found it spreads in all directions. These can have small white or purple flowers. As you can see in the photo of this one, the one we grow has white flowers. This ground cover likes to have soil that does not dry out too much in between waterings. It can bloom from the summer to fall, but for us it has bloomed in winter and spring as well. We generally fertilize this plant every month or two. We recommend this book about ground covers. 
Bacopa Trailing Annual