Most native plant seeds need a period of cold before it will germinate. Place seeds dry in fridge

for 6 - 8 weeks. Here are some of the easiest wildflowers to grow from seed.

Great Blue Lobelia, Cardinal Flower ( Lobelia Cardinalis), Black Eyed Susan, Wild Bergamot

New England Aster, Eastern wild Columbine, Blue Vervain, Joe Pye-Weed, Butterfly Milk weed.

Use clean seeds. Don't bury to deeply. Cover no more then twice the diameter.

Don't over water , seedlings need lots of light.

Plant a Raspberry Patch

Raspberries are so delicious and not always too plentiful, so having raspberries growing in your

backyard would be a real plus.

Choose a sight in full sun with well draining soil. If you plant ever bearing varieties in the spring

you will be able to harvest some berries a few months later. Look around for diseased free plants

like Egg Plants, Peppers, Potatoes, tomatoes, or Strawberries they are host to raspberry disease

so avoid planting the canes where those plants were previously planted. Prepare your soil.

Mark out your beds about two feet wide and as long as you desire. It's a good idea to put a couple

of posts and wire to support the canes before you plant. Trim roots to 18" and soak for a couple

of hours before planting. Trim the stems to ground level after planting. This will force new canes

to develop. Complete the planting to settle the soil by pouring a gallon of water around each plant.

Insects and Disease

When confronted with insect and disease, HALT before reaching for the chemicals. Try the alternatives.They do work. First practise keeping health environment in the garden. If your foliage is too thick,your plants will not get enough light and air. Keep the ground around your plants free of dead foliage which might harbor disease.

Use plants to keep bugs and disease at bay. Plant them through out the vegetables. Marigolds planted here and there between the vegetables is a preventative measure against the root destroying nematodes.

Petunias or marigolds planted close to bush beans will discourage Mexican bean beetle, sage protects cabbages and carrots, Use mint leaves and stems to repel flea beetles and cabbage moths. Nasturtiums discourage striped cucumber beetles, Garlic planted through out the vegetables will repel aphids.

Annual flowers planted at random through out the vegetables add diversity and help to lesson bug problem.

Remember the soap and water spray

One part soap to 40 parts water, good for white fly, aphids and others.

Spray the infected plant being careful to thoroughly spray undersides of leaves. Leave then minutes and then

rinse off with water. Repeat in a few days, if necessary.

Here's a suggestion for scale - Sour milk applied with a paint brush or rag, apply carefully a few times each

week.

 A great Disease & Insect Reference Book for home gardener is put out by Rodale.