OT - Are there any gardeners amongst us?
Liz,
I made up raised beds behind my house on a patch of macadim, which is the only area where I get enough sun for the veggies. I did lettuces, kale, swiss chard, beans, peppers, failed with the tomatoes that I tried growing from a hanging bag. Blossom end rot I think, I had a good return on my strawberries, and just ordered more raspberry canes. Floweres and shrubs, 70% are for shade/light sun are in my front yard. My idea of heaven would be a shopping splurge in a garden center or the garden catalogs!
Chris
I made up raised beds behind my house on a patch of macadim, which is the only area where I get enough sun for the veggies. I did lettuces, kale, swiss chard, beans, peppers, failed with the tomatoes that I tried growing from a hanging bag. Blossom end rot I think, I had a good return on my strawberries, and just ordered more raspberry canes. Floweres and shrubs, 70% are for shade/light sun are in my front yard. My idea of heaven would be a shopping splurge in a garden center or the garden catalogs!
Chris
awesome Chris!! I am so right there with you! I don't really wear jewlery, I hate shoe shopping, I only shop for clothes when I HAVE to but take me to the garden center and you better hide my credit card!! I am sure that I will buy less each year as I am trying to do mostly perrennials, no sense in having to buy everything each year.
I am so ready for spring it almost hurts! lol then I hear a chance of snow for tomorrow and it just saddens me to no end.
Liz
I am so ready for spring it almost hurts! lol then I hear a chance of snow for tomorrow and it just saddens me to no end.
Liz
Liz,
I'm sorry to tell you, but someone has to break the news.The concept of buying less each year is a myth... because there is always, always something new to try ! There is never enough time, space or money for all the possibilities to be had. I find the garden catalogs and flower shows are like the Sears catalog before christmas! So like all good new years intentions, this concept will be buried in the dust( or dirt) in the coming spring! Enjoy your passion.
Chris
I'm sorry to tell you, but someone has to break the news.The concept of buying less each year is a myth... because there is always, always something new to try ! There is never enough time, space or money for all the possibilities to be had. I find the garden catalogs and flower shows are like the Sears catalog before christmas! So like all good new years intentions, this concept will be buried in the dust( or dirt) in the coming spring! Enjoy your passion.
Chris
Ok! I might just have to take you up on that offer. I think what I need more than anything is somebody to go shopping with to tell me what I'm looking for.
I definately want basil. After that - I haven't decided.
Pam
I definately want basil. After that - I haven't decided.
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
We just bought our bags of seed starter mix and plan to start planting this week (indoors/grow lights). You gals in the Philly area are two planting zones ahead of us (N. Pittsburgh)...I'm jealous! When we lived in West Chester I was able to start so early (even planted Crepe Myrtles there). We have 1/2 acre lot now and I put in a huge perennial garden, herb garden and a small pond/waterfall. We also put in a large raised large vegetable garden w/trucked in dirt (my youngest/DH tend this).
Keep an eye out in your local papers for local Garden Club sales this spring (sometimes great deals on plants people are dividing). This is even something you can do with each other, since many of you live close to each other...we (was really involved with local garden club when we lived in OH) called them 'friendship' or 'pass-along' plants: Perennials thrive when they're divided after a few years of growth, so you can divide them and give 'starts' to others (if you're ever near Pittsburgh in the early Spring, I'm always throwing away my extras into the woods). So, find some friends to share with and your perennial garden will be full in less time.
Tip on soil: Good soil (get a good garden SOIL- look for that word as others have a lot of peat/sythetics), water, and fertilizer are important, but one thing new gardeners don't think about is air. Compacted soil, even in a container can kill a plant fast. Loosen the dirt in the spring and never walk where you'll be planting, and try not to water too "hard" (don't squirt a hard stream on the soil).
Tomatoes- Great veggie in a container and if you're new to gardening. If you're buying plants at the nursery, take off the bottom 1/4 of the plants leaves and plant it up to were the leaves now start (bury the 1/4 + old root ball and try to plant the buried part somewhat sideways/angled at least down-without snapping the stem, not just straight down). The old 'stem' will grow new roots (so you'll get a much healthier plant). Also as the plant grows it will develop 'sucker' stems...look at the main 'trunk' and where a heavy 'branch' comes out of it...right where those two meet (trunk/stem) you'll see a 'sucker' stem usually develops ontop (in the crook). Pinch these off as they start to grow and you'll get more tomatoes as the big branches will be healthier. Tomatoes need very deep/even watering...meaning it's best to water them heavily as they dry out (don't let them wilt) instead of a little water more often (encourages the roots to grow more deeply, and less chance of tomato rot- black spots on bottoms of the tomatoes). Water in the early morning and never at night (if they go to 'sleep' wet the plant will stay wet longer and have a greater chance of developing molds/blossom rot...this goes for all plants even your lawn). Have a pole, cage, fence or trellis to tie them to as they grow and use something that's flexible (use pieces of old tights/panty-hose to tie them up).
I love Spring! Have fun! -BG
Keep an eye out in your local papers for local Garden Club sales this spring (sometimes great deals on plants people are dividing). This is even something you can do with each other, since many of you live close to each other...we (was really involved with local garden club when we lived in OH) called them 'friendship' or 'pass-along' plants: Perennials thrive when they're divided after a few years of growth, so you can divide them and give 'starts' to others (if you're ever near Pittsburgh in the early Spring, I'm always throwing away my extras into the woods). So, find some friends to share with and your perennial garden will be full in less time.
Tip on soil: Good soil (get a good garden SOIL- look for that word as others have a lot of peat/sythetics), water, and fertilizer are important, but one thing new gardeners don't think about is air. Compacted soil, even in a container can kill a plant fast. Loosen the dirt in the spring and never walk where you'll be planting, and try not to water too "hard" (don't squirt a hard stream on the soil).
Tomatoes- Great veggie in a container and if you're new to gardening. If you're buying plants at the nursery, take off the bottom 1/4 of the plants leaves and plant it up to were the leaves now start (bury the 1/4 + old root ball and try to plant the buried part somewhat sideways/angled at least down-without snapping the stem, not just straight down). The old 'stem' will grow new roots (so you'll get a much healthier plant). Also as the plant grows it will develop 'sucker' stems...look at the main 'trunk' and where a heavy 'branch' comes out of it...right where those two meet (trunk/stem) you'll see a 'sucker' stem usually develops ontop (in the crook). Pinch these off as they start to grow and you'll get more tomatoes as the big branches will be healthier. Tomatoes need very deep/even watering...meaning it's best to water them heavily as they dry out (don't let them wilt) instead of a little water more often (encourages the roots to grow more deeply, and less chance of tomato rot- black spots on bottoms of the tomatoes). Water in the early morning and never at night (if they go to 'sleep' wet the plant will stay wet longer and have a greater chance of developing molds/blossom rot...this goes for all plants even your lawn). Have a pole, cage, fence or trellis to tie them to as they grow and use something that's flexible (use pieces of old tights/panty-hose to tie them up).
I love Spring! Have fun! -BG
Band_Groupie My Blog "The Sweet Spot" HERE
Proud member of the Century Club...100+ pounds gone forever!
I'm now in the middle of a Normal BMI.
*My new adventure; At the suggestion and support of many LBers, I'm now writing a LB book.
Thanks for all the great info!!
I got a lot of my plants last year by listing swaps on craigslist. Thats how I got almost all of my hostas, cannas, wisteria and daylillies! Just post what you are looking for - chances are someone has it.
I am going to try starting things from seed more this year - I was reading that red and blue LED lights seem to be the best for starting seeds - just so happenes that we work with LED here so I am going to see how it works!
Thanks agian!
Liz
I got a lot of my plants last year by listing swaps on craigslist. Thats how I got almost all of my hostas, cannas, wisteria and daylillies! Just post what you are looking for - chances are someone has it.
I am going to try starting things from seed more this year - I was reading that red and blue LED lights seem to be the best for starting seeds - just so happenes that we work with LED here so I am going to see how it works!
Thanks agian!
Liz
Most Active
Recent Topics
