How many Jatraqueros have put thought into their gardens yet? It's Time! It's Past Time!
What will you grow this year? How? Do all those seed catalogs have you fantasizing yet?
Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
We got some 4 O'clock seeds last year and will start them off in the little greenhouse. Other than that, we'll probably have the same mix of herbs, peppers and strawberries from last year.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
I'm going to be helping my friend get her garden ready on Saturday.
I also need to pull out the millions of weeds in our yard too. *curses desert weeds*
[ February 19, 2004, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: ludosti ]
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
It's hard to imagine a garden when it's covered by 18 inches of hardpacked snow.
Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :
You obviously don't receive stacks of seed catalogs.
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
Ditto TheTick
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
You guys are just living in the wrong places. Snow, bah!
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
My Burpee catalog is all marked up with each item we plan to buy this year.
We are BIG gardeners.
Just waiting for that tax refund to send in that order....
Farmgirl
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
I cringe when I walk past my flowerbeds.
How do you get rid of an invasive variation of lavendar? We planted it a couple of years ago and it has taken over every bed we have. I like it for one area we have, because we really want that area to be a bit wild and it is very pretty in bloom. But I'm getting desperate to get it OUT of the beds in our front yard. I really don't want to tear the beds out completely...I'm afraid of what that would do to my roses and rhodedendrons.
My crocuses are all up and blooming, and the hyacinths are coming up. The tulip greens are just starting, and my early daffodils are growing their heads. The snowdrops are all in full bloom. And joy! Our viburnum finally bloomed! We've watched for it the past three winters, and it's just now getting pink blossoms. Lovely!
But I have so much weeding to do I hardly know where to start.
Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :
Dig that lavender and send it to me!!
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
We do get the catalogs (rather, they go to my mother-in-law rather than get them at 2 places) but they'll be languishing for at least another month. We're just happy to be seeing temps above freezing for the first time in weeks. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote: How do you get rid of an invasive variation of lavendar?
Good organic way: Depending on how the lavendar is spread throughout your bed -- cut it all off real short, as close to the ground as you can get it; then cover the lavendar area with several layers of black plastic, anchored down. No light (no sun) and it will kill it off. Will take awhile though. This way you can still have openings in the plastic for your roses, etc.
Farmgirl
Posted by MidnightBlue (Member # 6146) on :
FARMgirl, a GARDENER? Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
The only way to really control something evasive like that (in my experience) is to pull it out by hand then mulch heavily. Eventually, if you get all the plants before they are able to set seed, you will get them under control. But you will never get rid of them completely if you are growing them somewhere else. There are just to many ways for seeds to migrate where they're not wanted. But as weeds go, you could do worse than having rampant lavender. I wish I could trade you for all my nutgrass and dandelion. We also have an enormous ilanthus tree up the block so I'm pulling its seedlings out of my yard by the handfulls all summer long.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
For free advice, help, and other Garden tips, I could suggest my mother-in-laws web site, but we aren't supposed to advertise for profit here.
Posted by knightswhosayni! (Member # 4096) on :
we've got this awful groundocver that the previous owner planted, it STINKS when you pull it up, and it's ugly and just all around awful. My mom and I spend half our gardening time just pulling this stuff. we've determined that the guy who used to take care of the garden had way too much time on his hands. he planed MINT, too.
My mom's got a bunch of annuals she's gonna plant, and I'm taking care of the strawberries again.
Ni!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
My bonsai plant recently died. I've been thinking about getting another one. Does this count?
---
I want an indoor lemon tree. My uncle has one, and it gives just enough lemons to put in water and tonic water year round. Does anyone have one?
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
Really need to get that vegetable garden planned.
Sadly, I planted too early last year, so I've been more reluctant this year. Its not until very late May/early June that most vegetables can safely be planted in WI. I also had a terrible time with weeds.
Need to overseed the "prairie" early, though. Which mixture did I finally decide on again?
Posted by dangermom (Member # 1676) on :
Sigh. I don't have time or money to do all I want. But, the daffodils are up, and the almond trees are in bloom!
We planted lettuce in our garden box, and sweet peas among the rose bushes. Whereupon it commenced to rain very heavily for several days. I think my seeds are drowned.
But I can do lots if I can find the time. We at least need some pansies and other annuals...
Posted by MoonRabbit (Member # 3652) on :
Just do like I did. Planted Arugula and Tomatillos one year, never had to plant them again.
Bought the 8 oz bag of basil seed and fed everyone at work basil for four months. Do you believe people were actually getting sick of fresh basil?
Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :
bump
Just heard about Square Foot Gardening on the radio. This fellow has been teaching welfare service missionaries, who in turn teach people all over the world.
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
Question for Jenny and other gardeners:
Just outside the window of our semi-basement apartment, there is a 2–3-foot-diameter wooden pot. Apparently, we can plant whatever we like in it while we're living in our apartment. I've never had a "garden" of my own before, and I'd like to plant something in it this year. The problem is, it's shaded by a tall house and a lot of large trees in the mornings and by our building in the afternoons. I expect the spot sees less than an hour of sunlight all day. Is there anything that will grow in it?
Posted by BYuCnslr (Member # 1857) on :
I'm curious, where does everybody buy their seeds? Of course back on the farm, the scale and timing that I'm used to is different from the average gardener. But its awesome to know what everybody likes in the range of who to buy from and what they like to grow... Satyagraha
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Does anyone have a link to a good how-to site for maintaining an indoor herb garden? I've fallen in love with fresh herbs, but they're way to expensive to justify using very often, especially because I like to use several at once and they only sell big packages of each at the store.
I guess I'd be most interested in tarragon, oregano, basil, mint, rosemary, cilantro, thyme, and chives, although there must be a dozen others I'd like to have as well.
Dagonee
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Lots of plants like shade. Actually, all my favorite annuals are shade plants
Some things I can think of off the top of my head are New Guinea Impatiens (bright bright flowers and really cool foliage), some groundcovers like English Ivy and Vinca Minor, coleus (there are some very, very cool varieties of these), and ivy and ferns.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
skillery -- that square foot gardening looks exactly like the now-popular method called Raised Bed gardening, which many gardeners are switching to now. Not a new concept -- just now beginning to catch on.
Brinestone -- which side of the building is this one (this space)? North, south, east or west? That will affect what we suggest you plant.
Bernard -- I buy most of my mega-garden seeds from Burpee. Have been a devote follower of their company for years. But when I go to buy plants (assuming it is something I don't start on my own indoors) then I usually just go with the local feed & seed store, but I then I buy by variety -- I know which varieties I want.
Farmgirl
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Dagonee -- I have grown Burpee's herb garden combo, but I have never tried it indoors. It would work well, however, as a container garden on a patio, etc.
Farmgirl
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
brinestone:
For flowers: vinca, impatiens, lobelia, hosta(which will return), astilbe, many others.
You could also try a little lettuce in there as well, if they gt a good start.
Where do you live? What climate?
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
I've been cultivating a crop of crabgrass in my backyard. It's coming along nicely.
The dollar weed is doing outstanding if I do say so myself.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Thanks, FG. Two problems. First, no patio. Second, I'm gonna need waaaay more help than that. I have the proverbial black thumb.
I was hoping for something with the difficulty of a Chia Pet.
I'll look around and see if there's anyone who sells whole kits - container, seeds, how-to book, dirt, etc.
Dagonee
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Indoor herb gardening is probably much easier than you'd think... herbs love to grow in containers, just make sure they get full sun - ie, put them right on the windowsill, and plenty of water. Herbs are great like that Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
I'm a veggie farmer -- I'm not much good for questions about ornamentals, flowers, orchard trees, etc., but if anyone has any question about veggies, feel free to ask Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Chia actually has a mini herb-garden kit. Linky Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Man, and I thought I had had enough of plants today! ^^
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Plaid! How is it that this Kansas farmer never knew there was a Missouri farmer on this forum?
(or did I know and just forget? gettin' old, ya know)
Farmgirl
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
ehh, I'm not too active (I average, what, a post a day?), and don't think I've gone in a gardening thread recently...
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Thanks rivka and MyrddinFyre - I'll check that out. I think our office has western exposure - that would be nice.
Dagonee
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
East.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Brinestone, did you specify whether you were thinking of growing edibles, or ornamentals/flowers?
Farmgirl
plaid -- checked out your community web site. Pretty cool.
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
I'd be okay with either. I just want to grow something. Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
quote:I'm curious, where does everybody buy their seeds? Of course back on the farm, the scale and timing that I'm used to is different from the average gardener. But its awesome to know what everybody likes in the range of who to buy from and what they like to grow...
some current UNfavorites = Totally Tomatoes (slow, poor service, I'm NOT gonna link to them!) R. H. Shumway's (ditto)
I'll add links later when I've time, I should go switch over the irrigation lines
[edited to add links]
[ April 09, 2004, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: plaid ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
dagonee and skillery
Hydroponics all the way...
Our back yard has an invasion of Creeping Charlie. Is it borax that gets rid of it?
Also we have random bulb plants coming up in odd spots where the crazy old guy planted them (we didn't see them last year becasue we hadn't moved in yet) Is transplanting ok?
AJ
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Brinestone, Bee balm would grow OK, and is very pretty. Another idea is Stella d'Oro lilies. They come in a few colors, grow anywhere, vloom most of the summer, and last the winter to bloom again.
Yeah, Stella D'Oro. That's my pick.
Or, go to a garden store and buy a hanging basket for the shade, and plant those pants in your planter.(or look around the store for the same plants in singles-cheaper.) Just get a fertilizer for them.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Banna, Borax gets rid of ants, I know that.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Hydroponics, huh? I'll look into that. Any good resources on that?
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Dag, There are tons. Just punch in hydroponics, and prepare to hear a lot about growing marijuana.
My parents bought a house in Prescott, AZ. In the basement, in the bathroom, there is a shelf. My mom was cleaning it, and pushed it a little. All of a sudden, fantasy novel style, the shelf swung back, to reveal a secret room with a giant box lined with shower material(that linoleum)
It was kind of cool-spooky.
Anyway, there are tons of links. You can get kits, too, but it is pretty pricey.
Liz
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Elizabeth -- that is another good idea.
Via AIM -- I told Brinestone to consider Calla Lilies. So I think we are thinking along the same lines....
Farmgirl
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Yes, those would be good, too.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Elizabeth, it really isn't pricey. And yes while you will find sites on marijuana, there are also many many useful sites on growing other things.
In all of the "square foot gardening" books I've read there is a section on hydroponics. It has been proven that you can get higher yield per square foot compared to just about any other method.
The reason why you can fit more plants into a smaller space is because by directly feeding nutrients to the roots you eliminate the need for soil for the roots to spread out in to find nutrients.
You will find that the pre-made systems are more expensive. But with a few specialty parts and nutrients and some ingenuity you can make a system for under $50 at your local hardware store.
AJ
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
We have the coolest hydroponic and fish growing place near us. It looks like a gigantuan bouncy house. They grow organic, hydroponic basil, in water that trout swim in.(in channels) The fish poo fertilizes the basil. It is very neat, and, as you said, uses a minimum of space.
I always grow in raised beds, and I multicrop, rotating the beds each year.(not hydroponically, though.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I haven't tried total hydrophonics, but I have tasted produce grown locally totally hydrophonically, and the flavor is just not the same as that grown with soil.
I mean, it is still good, and a wonderful alternative, but don't expect as rich of flavor as plants grown in soil.
Farmgirl
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Really farmgirl? Out in CA where I lived our hydroponic lettuce always tasted better than the store lettuce and as good as the farmers market lettuce. Our iceberg lettuce definitely was more flavorful than the white stuff that passes for letucce some places. So much more chlorophyll Maybe they don't have the right micronutrient balance. Using high quality micronutrients is key and if they are trying to shortcut that could be the problem.
Plus, I hate weeding.
AJ
[ April 09, 2004, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Eek! We need to get hopping! Pack Meeting was keeping us so busy....
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
here's another do-it-yourself hydroponic link with plans on how to build your own system.
(oh but they want you to pay $20 for the book, looking at their systems I would buy it) When I get the time to build my own system again I probably will buy it.
AJ
[ April 09, 2004, 05:18 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
A fun website = http://gardenwatchdog.com/ -- customers' reviews of their favorite -- and non-favorite -- seed companies.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
I love Shepherd's Garden Seeds, which is now a subdivision of White Flower Farms, another good source.
Also, Tomato Growers' Supply Company has a huge variety of vegetables and supplies. Excellent.
Posted by BrianM (Member # 5918) on :
It's hard to grow thing in the winter here in AK, but during the summer it's the best. I have a greenhouse for some of the finer stuff like chard & herbs, but potatoes, corn, tomatoes and all kinds of good stuff grows well and HUGE in the 24 hour sunlight and warm weather we get in the summer.
[ April 10, 2004, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: BrianM ]
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Brian, I have a book called "Cold Weather Gardening" which talks a lot about Alaska. it is amazing what you can do(simple things) to extend the growing season. One thing is using gallon plastic milk jugs as cloches(mini greenhouses) You cut the bottom out, place the jug over a plant, and the open the cap to let the heat out in the day, and keep it in at night.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Ahem. OK, I have a COOKBOOK called "Cold Weather Cooking." I have a gardening book called "Intensive Gardening Round the Year."
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Brinestone -- There was one other plant I was thinking mainly of recommending to you for your shady spot, but couldn't think of the name yesterday when I was talking to you from work.
Hostas. You might consider putting in hostas. They love full shade and are quite beautiful.
Don't know if you'll read this thread again or not, but I had post it once I thought of it.
Farmgirl
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Yes, there are some amazingly striking varieties of hostas. Some are huge, like jungle plants. It goes nicely with astilbe, too.
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