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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.
Posts: 3956 | Registered: Jun 2001
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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.
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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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. Posts: 5422 | Registered: Dec 2001
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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.
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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.
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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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.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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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.
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My bonsai plant recently died. I've been thinking about getting another one. Does this count?
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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?
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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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?
Posts: 1777 | Registered: Jan 2003
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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...
Posts: 335 | Registered: Feb 2001
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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?
Posts: 173 | Registered: Jun 2002
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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.
Posts: 2655 | Registered: Feb 2004
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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?
Posts: 1903 | Registered: Sep 2003
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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
Posts: 1986 | Registered: Apr 2001
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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.
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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.
Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
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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.
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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.
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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 Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
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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 Posts: 2911 | Registered: Aug 2001
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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...
Posts: 2911 | Registered: Aug 2001
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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...
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?
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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.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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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.
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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.
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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.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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