The Geraniums of Cordoba, Spain, above. 

The common geranium becomes extraordinary when planted en masse. Ivy-leaf geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) grow like vines, up to three feet or more in length, making them an ideal selection for hanging baskets and window boxes. 

Scented geraniums (Pelargonium graveolens) have edible flowers and fragrant leaves, and work well as house plants. Flower production is more modest than the ivy-leaf geraniums, but the soft, fine-textured leaves make up in fragrance for the lack of showy flowers. Choose from rose, lemon, nutmeg, peppermint, or apple-scented geraniums. 

Color-massing geraniums in window boxes or planters for decks and patios is an inexpensive way to add seasonal color to outdoor living spaces. Use large containers so they don’t dry out quickly in the heat of summer, and group them together to make watering easier, and create more of a visual impact. 

Geraniums are heavy feeders. A regular feeding schedule (once a month) will produce an abundance of blooms. Mildly acidic soil is ideal (pH 6.5) for healthy plants. Be sure to water plants first thing in the morning, before the heat sets in, so the roots are well irrigated. Plants weakened by drought are much more susceptible to unwelcome pests and diseases.

Window boxes on the veranda. 

This year, the National Garden Bureau and the Herb Society of America have designated 2012 as the Year of the Herb, so why not choose a few herbs to have on hand for summer? Herbs provide wonderful flavor in marinades and salads, and nothing tastes better than home-grown. Start from seed now, or pick up an assortment from your local garden center later this spring.

Here are a few ways to incorporate herbs in the garden, or in combination with other edibles for summer enjoyment. Scroll through the photos to get some ideas on how you can grow an edible garden this summer. 

Window Boxes.  

Herbs grow well in window boxes. Place them on a sunny balcony, near the kitchen door for easy access.  Every spring I install window boxes full of herbs and flowers for one of my clients, right outside her kitchen windows. 

Edible Container Gardens.

Large containers placed in full sun are a perfect way to start a vegetable-herb garden. Use a tomato cage in the center to support your favorite tomato, and surround it with herbs, such as parsley, chives, thyme, and basil. Incorporate a few geraniums and marigolds for bright blasts of color all summer long. (We added a large ornamental owl to guard the tomatoes against the squirrels, who made regular raids on the containers.)

Strawberry Pot.

This makes such a pretty container, when strawberries are streaming down the sides of a pot.  I have also used strawberry pots for herbs gardens with great results.  Full sun and regular watering is the key to success.

Border Gardens.

There is nothing prettier than a border of summer-blooming Lavender.  Plant it along a front walk or near the pool deck where it can be enjoyed when it’s in full bloom during the summer.  Shear it back after the first flush of flowers for repeat bloom throughout the summer. 

Other Uses.

Pick fresh herbs (mint, for example) and freeze the leaves in ice cube trays to add to lemonade. The lovely blue flowers from Borage also freeze well in ice cubes.

Where to Start.

Select from the Top Ten Herbs for 2012 chosen by National Garden Bureau and the Herb Society of America:

Basil, Chives, Cilantro (Corinader), Dill, Thyme, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Parsley, Sage. 

The French Potager: what you should be growing in your kitchen garden, and what kind of soil you should use.

Here’s the link! Some of my favorite plants and seeds are listed here, along with a list of edible flowers you can grow, and the best garden salad collection for the family.

Make a list of your favorite things to pick up from the local farmer’s market, if you can’t grow it all yourself. But winter lettuce season is just around the corner, so you still have time to get the garden ready - even if it means planting in containers!

Summer planting season is well on its way, even though temperatures in north Georgia dropped into the 30’s last night.  Here’s a collection of flowers and foliage from the Wallace Gardens summer container garden menu.