Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Baby Sun’

Botanical Name: Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Baby Sun’
Common Name: Tickseed
Plant Type: Perennial
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Part Sun
Zone: 4-9
Growth Rate: Fast
Height X Spread: 15-20” H x 12“ W
Bloom Time: Late spring through fall
Bloom Description: 2-inch yellow daisy like flowers with orange center
Foliage Description: Bushy upright stems with medium green narrow leaves
Soil: Well drained, neutral pH
Water: Regular, drought tolerant
Tidy: Deadhead for continuous bloom
Fertilizer: 1 small handful of Espoma Flower Tone
Fertilizing cycle: In spring before new growth begins
Special Maintenance: Cut back to the ground in the fall
Divide: Divide clumps every 2-3 years in the spring
Propagation: Sow seeds in a seedbed in mid-spring, root basal cuttings in spring
Pests & Diseases: Aphids, powdery mildew

Notes: Coreopsis is a drought tolerant plant, but it needs regular watering (1 inch a week) in the first season to establish a deep root system.  Coreopsis attracts butterflies and is ideal for cutting.  Do not over fertilize or you’ll end up with a tall floppy plant.  A small handful of general purpose slow acting fertilizer, such as Espoma Flower Tone, in the spring should be enough for the whole season.  If you want the plant to reseed, leave the dried blooms on the plant at the end of the season.  The flower seeds will mature and drop off the plant into the soil.

Organic Lawn Care Book

I switched over to organic lawn care about 8 years ago.  I’m glad that I made the switch, and for the most part, I'm happy with my lawn.  But, I have to admit that it isn’t picture perfect.  Part of the reason is that I focus most of my time and attention on my garden beds, and then really just don’t have enough energy to fuss with my lawn.  I’m satisfied if it’s green, even if some of the green is weeds.

However, this spring I noticed that the north side of my property was being taken over by clover. So, I decided to research the best way to get rid of it. My first thought was some kind of chemical weed killer. Then I came across a book that I found to be very helpful:  The Organic Lawn Care Manual by Paul Tukey.

The author spent many years as a lawn care professional.  After suffering from some medical problems related to the use of lawn chemicals, he decided to eliminate chemicals and find organic alternatives to lawn care.

The book explains how to evaluate your lawn’s current condition and how to make the transition from chemicals to organics.  There are instructions on how to start a lawn from scratch as well as how to renovate an existing lawn.  The author is a proponent of compost tea, and gives step-by-step instructions (with photos) on how to make your own brew.   There is a very detailed description of common weeds and what they are trying to tell you about your soil (in my case, the clover is an indication that my soil lacks nitrogen).

Overall, I found this book to be well written and would recommend it to anyone interested in organic lawn care.