![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.laguardiacornergarden.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/156797477.qRySsTWn.jpg\")
<\/a>Pots on the patio in summer 2014 (photo by Hubert Steed)<\/p><\/div>\n
However, others grow best (or even only) where they want to. We call them volunteers. The most reliable volunteers\u00a0are hollyhocks and the annual delphinium\u00a0Consolida ajacis.\u00a0<\/i>Both self-seed readily. Hollyhock seedlings seem to prefer narrow cracks and the poorest soil. This is how these\u00a0plants appears right at the fence or in the path. What conditions the delphiniums like is still a mystery. A small plant appeared last year in the part-shade under our apple tree. This year, an entire family of delphiniums germinated there.<\/p>\n Annual delphiniums\u00a0Consolida ajacis<\/em> and\u00a0hollyhocks, here peeking through the fence, are reliable volunteers (photo on the right by Hubert Steed).<\/p><\/div>\n Some of our volunteers choose\u00a0dangerous\u00a0spots. A pretty sunflower grew outside of the fence. Soon after its flower opened, some passerby picked it; apparently, the temptation was just too great. Growing between the gravel of the\u00a0main path is not especially safe either. A little petunia tries this right now. It is still doing fine, but someone may step on it any day.<\/p>\n A sunflower dared to grow on the outside of the garden.<\/p><\/div>\n The volunteer petunia in the path<\/p><\/div>\n A fertile (pun intended) source of many volunteers is compost. Tomato and pepper seeds, as well as seeds of melons and pumpkins survive the composting process mostly unharmed. Thus, we will find seedlings of these plants\u00a0soon after we spread compost into our flower beds and pots.<\/p>\n A tomato came up in a planter on the patio. The plant on the left appeared “suddenly”. We don’t know whether it is a melon or a pumpkin. We decided to let it grow to find out.<\/p><\/div>\n Talking about volunteers: We are also looking for volunteer gardeners who can help us with some of the work in the\u00a0garden!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Some of the plants in our garden grow exactly where we want them to, for instance those that we\u00a0plant into pots. However, others grow best (or even only) where they want to. We call them volunteers. The most reliable volunteers\u00a0are… Continue Reading <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>