Award Winning Zinnias and Other Accolades

My zinnias won a second-place ribbon at our local fair, earlier this month. I was so excited -- this was the first time I'd entered anything. I put them in the "floor-display" category under the theme "Tea Time." I interpreted the theme with an English display incorporating the London Olympics and the Queen's jubilee.

This was such a special year for England and my display made me feel I had a little part in it. Not as good as being in London, though, for the festivities.

Some of my coronation memorabilia enhanced the theme.

Zinnias are a 'must have' in my garden. They are one of my favorite annuals. I grow them from seed every year then plant them in tubs and among the vegetables in the kitchen garden.

I am choosing zinnia as my ninth signature plant for Elephant Eye's meme "A Dozen For Diana." I am enjoying creating a virtual garden that incorporates plants I would choose if I 'did it over again.' I encourage you to visit Diana's wonderful South African garden and see her lovely choices.

Zinnias and marigolds in my kitchen garden.

I won a couple more ribbons at the fair. I am proud to say my red beets took a first and my chocolate mint took a second place ribbon.

Burpee's Organic Beet, Detroit Dark Red

Also, I have been given some blog awards by fellow bloggers. I am embarrassed that I haven't acknowledged them sooner. My thanks (and apologies for the delay) to Lee of A Guide to Northeastern Gardening and Helene of Graphicality-UK. Lee and Helene each nominated me for the 'One Lovely Blog' Award. I am so honored! Lee and her husband live on the South Shore of Long Island, New York, and Helene gardens in East London. I love reading their great blogs.

At the beginning of the year, Jayne of Green and Serene gave me the Liebster Blog Award. Jayne gardens in Texas and like me, she is a former Brit. Liebster is German for 'favorite' so I was delighted to receive this award from one of my favorite bloggers.

 I don't follow the rules when I'm nominated for blog awards, but I am really grateful, and I encourage you to click on the links and pay Lee, Helene and Jayne a visit.

Another nice thing happened to me this year. I received a certificate from PennState Master Gardeners recognizing my garden as being pollinator friendly.

Lots of monarch cats in my garden this year.

Any Pennsylvania gardener can apply for this certification by following four steps: 1) provide nectar and laval food sources, 2) provide water, 3) provide shelter, and 4) safeguard habitat by removing invasive plants and reducing pesticide use.

Nectar food for the monarch butterfly.

Milkweed provides larval food for the monarch caterpillar.

For more information go to PennState's Center for Pollinator Research site. I'll write more about this wonderful program in a future posting.

It was too cold for me to work outside today; fall has definitely arrived. I took the following photo through the kitchen window. While many plants are going to seed, there are still blooms to enjoy. It is hard to believe summer is over, but autumn is a beautiful season.

View across the fishpond.

Wishing you joy in your garden whatever the season in your part of the world.

Love, Pamela x

Zinnia's in the Kitchen Garden last year.

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