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This particular mix of Pansies is my seed crop for the course in Greenhouse Management. The ultimate goal is to produce a commercially viable crop to sell at our fall plant sale. Lest you think it's just a matter of water and fertilizer, let me tell you what all goes on in Pansy-Land.
We sowed the seed and placed the trays on the mist bench until we saw signs of germination (about 6 days). The trays were then whisked off to our assigned benches for growing on. Once the cotyledons, or seed leaves, were all present and accounted for - and even some of the first sets of true leaves (about 9 more days) - the teeny seedlings were pricked out to cell flats (a plastic liner consisting of 12 6-packs).
Gavin demonstrates the fine art of transplanting seedlings
My requisite three trays (July 17) with some to spare
Once the newly transplanted seedlings had some time to acclamate to their new surroundings, the science of Pansy growing began. Each week we engage in a ritual known as root media pH and EC monitoring. Huh? Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil substrate. Measured on a scale of 0 - 14, 7 is neutral. Anything less is acid, anything more is alkaline. Soil pH can be adjusted up or down by the addition of certain elements. Pansies happen to enjoy a bit of an acid trip and prefer a pH between 5.4-5.8 for the type of root media we're using.
And what is EC, you ask? EC stands for Electro-conductivity. Simply put, it's a measure of the soluable salts in the soil solution (say that five times fast!). You see, soil nutrients are present in the soil solution as charged ions. There are positively charged ions called 'cations' and negatively charged ions called 'anions'. The nutrient ions are transferred across the negatively charged root surface into the plant cells. Too much salt (high EC) impedes this exchange which can, in turn, negatively influence plant growth by burning the tender root tips, which further restricts water and nutrient uptake.
Conversely, too little salt (low EC) and the plant will suffer from lack of fertilizer. Nitrogen and Phosphorus in particular are not taken up by the plant and it becomes malnourished, stunting growth.
HUH!?
Think of it this way, Pansies like it 'just right' so we monitor the pH and EC to keep it that way. This entails saturating the root media, collecting the leachate (water that runs out the bottom of the flat), measuring the amount collected, then testing the EC and pH with a handy-dandy little probe, and adjusting our fertilizer regime accordingly. Tracking the numbers this way allows us to make adjustments before the plant begins exhibiting outward signs of nutrient stress.
As if that weren't enough, we have the additional challenge of growing this crop in the greenhouse. In the middle of summer. When a power outage caused the greenhouse to reach 102 degrees F. The trick is not to let the plants get too tall and leggy, which is a balancing act between the amount of fertilizer, temperature, and light.
Don't get me started on Plant Growth Regulators; trust me, you'll be sorry.
The same plants as above (July 29)
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On the southwest side, another nursery gift, the Cercidiphyllum japonica, takes center stage. This tree will eventually reach 40' - 60' in height and width. We saw a jaw-dropping specimen at the Morris Arboretum that could easily house a Swiss family of Robinsons. It is reputed to have spectacular fall color and the scent of caramel or cotton candy. Since this tree was unknown to me until I came to PA, I can't wait to find out!
The northwest lot is the wild child, which I tried to keep somewhat contained with a boundary of Marigolds. 
Probably my favorite corner is the Herb Garden. Surrounding the container garden are a variety of herbs, some of which I'd grown before, some not.
The Borage were a gift from my new friends the Rebers, and had self sown in their garden. Now that they've filled out and are bedecked with lovely blue flowers, they absolutely throb with bees. The Fennel was intended to attract butterflies and their larvae but I've yet to find any. Meanwhile I enjoy the feathery texture and sunny blooms.
The Chamomile is in full bloom and the Stevia is happy as can be. I've been using Stevia powder to sweeten my coffee and tea for ages, so I'm interested in learning how to harvest the plant for its sweetening abilities.
In the container, the smoky foliage of the Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Majesty' plays well with the two Datura (one dark, one light) and the Salvia discolor. 
A couple of container tomatoes succumbed to the deer but the variegated silver Thyme has moved in to fill the void.
One of my favorite ornamentals, which is actually in the veg garden, is this Mina lobata, also called 'Firecracker Vine' or 'Exotic Love Vine'. I first saw it at Great Dixter in England and knew right then and there I had to have it. I bought seed from Dixter's shop and voila! A bit of England in my garden. The inflorescence starts off with the colors of the sunset that fade to pale cream as the flowers mature. The hummingbirds adore it, but so does Bambi and friends..JPG)
As the student gardens are meant to be teaching as well as learning gardens, labels are a mandatory accessory. The only rule was that we had to have them, what we made them with was entirely up to us. Shannon used pieces of cork, Gavin used seed pods from the Kentucky Coffee Tree and a silver Sharpie, Steven paid exhorbitant sums for fancy copper labels, Suzanne made hers on the computer and laminated them. I recalled the black plant labels I saw in the garden at Coton Manor and how sharp and sophisticated they looked. They also blended into the background during the winter months and weren't as obtrusive as glaring white labels. Another bit of England I had to have! Apparently, only England sells them because I couldn't find a US distributor so I did the next best thing and bought a can of black spray paint. Several painted wood stakes and a white paint pen later, I had labels!.JPG)
And I liked the view from the ground much better... 
And then it was on to The Bog...
Nate to Emma: "Over here is the orchid I was telling you about."
"I'm sure glad I wore white clothes!"
A group shot in the bog...before...
...it was every man for himself...
And Shannon is still cleaner than the rest of us!
We couldn't understand why no one would offer us a ride...
