Garden thread
Replies
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I know (from a neighbor who worked on it with the prior owner of my house) that when the buffer area first arrived it had horrendous soil, but they replaced it. I'm not sure what exactly is in there now. I need to do more research. It is in full sun.2
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Curious what you all would do here. I'm in 9b and started old heirloom tomato seeds not really expecting any to grow and a bunch did, they have their second leaves right now and are really small under lights on a table. In my zone it's time to plant in the yard. I'm not planning to go to the gardening center but if you were me would you wait or grab some plants if they're at the grocery store? Obviously they won't taste as good as the heirlooms. To make it harder I don't have much sun because of oak trees so I only have room for about 5-6 plants and currently have about 30 various heirloom cherry tomatoes like Reisentraube, Sungold, Golden Isis, and a few others.
Non-tomato and showing life isn't on hold my lavender's bloomed and gorgeous, peonies are about to bloom. Weird since in so many ways things seem paused but they're really not. First sunny day was yesterday and I enjoyed it opening all the windows and doing yoga on the lawn under the oak tree.0 -
If you have room and want to plant some more things besides the tomatoes and can get them at the grocery store, I would. If you don't have enough space for anything but the heirloom tomatoes, good reason to concentrate on just the heirlooms, though.2
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If you have room and want to plant some more things besides the tomatoes and can get them at the grocery store, I would. If you don't have enough space for anything but the heirloom tomatoes, good reason to concentrate on just the heirlooms, though.
That's what I'm leaning toward, just hate being behind. They'd taste a lot better than regular tomatoes so the energy put into growing them would be a better bet. My herb garden's going to be twice as big on the deck, I can't have bigger pots on the deck because water's more likely to pull but may try a few vegetables in smaller pots. My other containers are homemade self-watering containers, just unfortunately the oak trees have matured since I made them and shade all but three. Can't have anymore wine barrels in the sun as they were attacked by termites, pretty gross when I'd been eating the strawberries before I knew!0 -
Last year I bought these herb carts for my back porch -- each of them has 8 compartments, and my back porch is pretty sunny. I love them and don't have to use garden space for herbs, and my kitchen is quite close to my back porch, so it's extra convenient. I am going to plant up my raised bed with cooler weather plants, so may build another for the tomatoes and peppers that I grew in there last year -- here it's too early to put peppers or tomatoes outside so I have time, although I know it goes fast.
I managed to get some radish, carrot, string beans, and pea seeds today, among others (including marigolds). I went a little nuts so need to decide what else I want to plant and where.
I currently have flowers coming up (and some blooms), and my strawberries look good (although just leaves so far), and my blueberries seem to have buds, so this is all encouraging.3 -
Curious what you all would do here. I'm in 9b and started old heirloom tomato seeds not really expecting any to grow and a bunch did, they have their second leaves right now and are really small under lights on a table. In my zone it's time to plant in the yard. I'm not planning to go to the gardening center but if you were me would you wait or grab some plants if they're at the grocery store? Obviously they won't taste as good as the heirlooms. To make it harder I don't have much sun because of oak trees so I only have room for about 5-6 plants and currently have about 30 various heirloom cherry tomatoes like Reisentraube, Sungold, Golden Isis, and a few others.
Non-tomato and showing life isn't on hold my lavender's bloomed and gorgeous, peonies are about to bloom. Weird since in so many ways things seem paused but they're really not. First sunny day was yesterday and I enjoyed it opening all the windows and doing yoga on the lawn under the oak tree.
You could give some of the plants away. In my Facebook gardening group and for freecycle.org we've usually just left things on the porch for pickup even pre-coronavirus.
In your case, I might pick up just one more mature plant, but at the garden center, as I trust their plant care and quality more. My garden center lets you order and pay over the phone and have curbside pickup.
At my last place, I had oak tree limbs trimmed to get more sun into my garden. Great investment!
Not applicable to you but since I'm thinking of tree-trimming - here, we were lucky to get the city to cut down dead trees against our fence but on their land. My neighbor had done the four years of nagging to get that done for her property, and we just tagged along to the project with only two phone calls and one site visit by surveyors who confirmed that the dead trees were indeed on their property. This gave us tons more sun.3 -
@Kshama2001 Thanks for the advice! I have a huge ancient oak tree that hangs over the house then a few smaller ones that really have grown since I moved in so it's more than one tree. Just had my microwave break in my oven/microwave combo so that's my unexpected upcoming purchase, the trees will have to hang in there a bit longer but I'd love for them to get serious haircuts! It's illegal to cut down oak trees here but boy do I wish I'd pulled the one out before anyone would've noticed! I think you're right about getting one from the garden center, I'll look into it. It's not near my house and I love going in person and talking to people (I'm actually introverted unless people want to talk books, gardening, or health) but not really a choice now. When I grew from these seeds 10 years ago I gave plants to all my neighbors. I'll just have to see what grows further than first pair of true leaves, they're all pretty small. I've never been on freecycle, totally forgot about it!0
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@Kshama2001 Thanks for the advice! I have a huge ancient oak tree that hangs over the house then a few smaller ones that really have grown since I moved in so it's more than one tree. Just had my microwave break in my oven/microwave combo so that's my unexpected upcoming purchase, the trees will have to hang in there a bit longer but I'd love for them to get serious haircuts! It's illegal to cut down oak trees here but boy do I wish I'd pulled the one out before anyone would've noticed! I think you're right about getting one from the garden center, I'll look into it. It's not near my house and I love going in person and talking to people (I'm actually introverted unless people want to talk books, gardening, or health) but not really a choice now. When I grew from these seeds 10 years ago I gave plants to all my neighbors. I'll just have to see what grows further than first pair of true leaves, they're all pretty small. I've never been on freecycle, totally forgot about it!
You could still give plants to your neighbors - just don't hand them to them
They should also wash their hands after picking them up and planting them, just to be safe.
None of my neighbors are gardeners, so I use freecycle and FB to rehome excess plants.
Actually! Now that one set of neighbors is working from home, they have a lot of extra time and did spend 9 hours on their yard yesterday, which was nice to see. I gave them some baby tiger lilies, and they gave me excess marigolds.
I planted more tiger lily babies at my neighbors on my other side.3 -
I am beyond excited!! I ordered a heat mat and grown light off of amazon (cheap, I think $25 for both? Maybe $35) for two seeds in particular - some heirloom tomato seeds from 2015 that were my dad’s (that he had saved seed from for a couple of years from a tomato given to him, probably in 2010), and purple Thai Holy Basil that I read were quite finicky to get started (makes a very tasty tea, hoping this is the same seed type that I had a plant of years ago... the green plant doesn’t have the same spicy clove flavor) - both have emerged!! Yaaaayyyy! And they are even starting into their first set of true leaves. The basil seeds that I tried starting in the window sill never grew, nor did the ones I direct seeded last year so it feels like a major plant victory for me! (I had a major brown thumb when I first started and learn a little more each year... mainly what NOT to do
). 3 -
For those that plant marigolds, do you have problems with them attracting those miserable nasty earwigs? If so, what can you do to deter them?
Thanks!!0 -
We dug all of the dandelions out of the back lawn. Wonder how long before I see yellow all over the place again
Note: I leave dandelion flowers for the bees for a bit, and just dig them up right before they go to seed.
I was considering making dandelion wine, but didn't want to sacrifice that much sugar, and didn't have some of the ingredients, and really don't drink anymore, so gave it up.1 -
I am the weird one that actually likes dandelionskshama2001 wrote: »We dug all of the dandelions out of the back lawn. Wonder how long before I see yellow all over the place again
Note: I leave dandelion flowers for the bees for a bit, and just dig them up right before they go to seed.
I was considering making dandelion wine, but didn't want to sacrifice that much sugar, and didn't have some of the ingredients, and really don't drink anymore, so gave it up. we picked all our neighbor’s flowers and made dandelion honey/syrup and I made some dandelion lemonade that was tasty!
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moonangel12 wrote: »
I am the weird one that actually likes dandelionskshama2001 wrote: »We dug all of the dandelions out of the back lawn. Wonder how long before I see yellow all over the place again
Note: I leave dandelion flowers for the bees for a bit, and just dig them up right before they go to seed.
I was considering making dandelion wine, but didn't want to sacrifice that much sugar, and didn't have some of the ingredients, and really don't drink anymore, so gave it up. we picked all our neighbor’s flowers and made dandelion honey/syrup and I made some dandelion lemonade that was tasty!
We have our first dandelion sightings right next to our house and I felt a nostalgic excitement yesterday, seeing them for the 1st time and remembering all the bouquets daycare kids have picked for me through all the years.
I'm silly sentimental this way. 
It used to delight me seeing our vases and cups on the table, filled with them. But it would sadden me when their children would meet their parents at the door, their little chubby hands filled with a special yellow bouquet to give them, their hearts filled with love and kindness, and the parents would say 'oh great, more weeds'.
I know they're just weeds but they're such a pretty color and brighten up the yard too. Lol It's like feeding squirrels at the feeders during the winter. People don't like them and try to deter them but I figure they're cute and have to eat too.
So, I'm trying something I've never done before....I'm going to attempt sweet potato sprouting so I will hopefully have some plants to plant when the time comes. 1 -
20s and snowing. We'll see what this does to my plants. (I took my two big containers of flowers that I had out in front for Easter and which I knew were a little early inside, hopefully soon enough, and am hoping everything else will be okay.)1
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Yes! My children are always so excited to bring me the first dandelions of the season to tuck behind my ear, and I always have a small “vase” or two of wild violets, dandelions, clover, etc. on the table or windowsill. One of the “vases” is actually a vintage nail polish bottle we found under our old house (my husband’s great grandmothers house)...moonangel12 wrote: »
I am the weird one that actually likes dandelionskshama2001 wrote: »We dug all of the dandelions out of the back lawn. Wonder how long before I see yellow all over the place again
Note: I leave dandelion flowers for the bees for a bit, and just dig them up right before they go to seed.
I was considering making dandelion wine, but didn't want to sacrifice that much sugar, and didn't have some of the ingredients, and really don't drink anymore, so gave it up. we picked all our neighbor’s flowers and made dandelion honey/syrup and I made some dandelion lemonade that was tasty!
We have our first dandelion sightings right next to our house and I felt a nostalgic excitement yesterday, seeing them for the 1st time and remembering all the bouquets daycare kids have picked for me through all the years. I'm silly sentimental this way. It used to delight me seeing our vases and cups on the table, filled with them. But it would sadden me when their children would meet their parents at the door, their little chubby hands filled with a special yellow bouquet to give them, their hearts filled with love and kindness, and the parents would say 'oh great, more weeds'.
I know they're just weeds but they're such a pretty color and brighten up the yard too. Lol It's like feeding squirrels at the feeders during the winter. People don't like them and try to deter them but I figure they're cute and have to eat too.
So, I'm trying something I've never done before....I'm going to attempt sweet potato sprouting so I will hopefully have some plants to plant when the time comes.
And I even have a pack of gorgeous dandelion fabric that I have been hoarding, waiting for the perfect quilt pattern! (I might have finally found one, too!)
(Flowers are probably a week old... time for a new bouquet!)2 -
20s and snowing. We'll see what this does to my plants. (I took my two big containers of flowers that I had out in front for Easter and which I knew were a little early inside, hopefully soon enough, and am hoping everything else will be okay.)
I woke up to the white stuff on the ground too. (Cleveland-6) I planted some lettuce, kale, chard and even after covering it up last night, it looked "frozen". Does this mean they're going die??
I really wish it warms up. Looking at more cold days ahead. 😔1 -
weatherking2019 wrote: »20s and snowing. We'll see what this does to my plants. (I took my two big containers of flowers that I had out in front for Easter and which I knew were a little early inside, hopefully soon enough, and am hoping everything else will be okay.)
I woke up to the white stuff on the ground too. (Cleveland-6) I planted some lettuce, kale, chard and even after covering it up last night, it looked "frozen". Does this mean they're going die??
I really wish it warms up. Looking at more cold days ahead. 😔
Not necessarily. Sometimes things shrink back (wilt, kinda) as part of their defense mechanism, but will recover. WIll need to wait and see. Kale, in particular, tends to be pretty darned tough.
I don't veggie garden anymore (did for years), but still have flowers. When I post flower photos on FB in early Spring, it's a common thing for friends to say "Oh, but that's gonna get killed by tomorrow's frost/hail/snow/sleet/other Michigan Spring weirdness".
My usual response is "Nah, those plants know what they're doing". And nearly all the time, they do. Some of the veggies are a little more marginal in Northern climates, so they may be more vulnerable. But I'd predict some will be fine, maybe even most/all.2 -
moonangel12 wrote: »
Yes! My children are always so excited to bring me the first dandelions of the season to tuck behind my ear, and I always have a small “vase” or two of wild violets, dandelions, clover, etc. on the table or windowsill. One of the “vases” is actually a vintage nail polish bottle we found under our old house (my husband’s great grandmothers house)...moonangel12 wrote: »
I am the weird one that actually likes dandelionskshama2001 wrote: »We dug all of the dandelions out of the back lawn. Wonder how long before I see yellow all over the place again
Note: I leave dandelion flowers for the bees for a bit, and just dig them up right before they go to seed.
I was considering making dandelion wine, but didn't want to sacrifice that much sugar, and didn't have some of the ingredients, and really don't drink anymore, so gave it up. we picked all our neighbor’s flowers and made dandelion honey/syrup and I made some dandelion lemonade that was tasty!
We have our first dandelion sightings right next to our house and I felt a nostalgic excitement yesterday, seeing them for the 1st time and remembering all the bouquets daycare kids have picked for me through all the years. I'm silly sentimental this way. It used to delight me seeing our vases and cups on the table, filled with them. But it would sadden me when their children would meet their parents at the door, their little chubby hands filled with a special yellow bouquet to give them, their hearts filled with love and kindness, and the parents would say 'oh great, more weeds'.
I know they're just weeds but they're such a pretty color and brighten up the yard too. Lol It's like feeding squirrels at the feeders during the winter. People don't like them and try to deter them but I figure they're cute and have to eat too.
So, I'm trying something I've never done before....I'm going to attempt sweet potato sprouting so I will hopefully have some plants to plant when the time comes.
And I even have a pack of gorgeous dandelion fabric that I have been hoarding, waiting for the perfect quilt pattern! (I might have finally found one, too!)
(Flowers are probably a week old... time for a new bouquet!)
Yep, time for the little ones to pick more, I'd say. Lol
I really like your fabric! I found a tee shirt I want to buy soon, with dandelion fluff on it. If I were to get a tattoo, that'd also be what I'd get. Out of all the daycare books I had(100's Lol) I kept only a few and The Dandelion Seed was one of them. It has the most amazingly gorgeous illustrations. 1 -
Leaves are starting2 -
weatherking2019 wrote: »20s and snowing. We'll see what this does to my plants. (I took my two big containers of flowers that I had out in front for Easter and which I knew were a little early inside, hopefully soon enough, and am hoping everything else will be okay.)
I woke up to the white stuff on the ground too. (Cleveland-6) I planted some lettuce, kale, chard and even after covering it up last night, it looked "frozen". Does this mean they're going die??
I really wish it warms up. Looking at more cold days ahead. 😔
Not necessarily. Sometimes things shrink back (wilt, kinda) as part of their defense mechanism, but will recover. WIll need to wait and see. Kale, in particular, tends to be pretty darned tough.
I don't veggie garden anymore (did for years), but still have flowers. When I post flower photos on FB in early Spring, it's a common thing for friends to say "Oh, but that's gonna get killed by tomorrow's frost/hail/snow/sleet/other Michigan Spring weirdness".
My usual response is "Nah, those plants know what they're doing". And nearly all the time, they do. Some of the veggies are a little more marginal in Northern climates, so they may be more vulnerable. But I'd predict some will be fine, maybe even most/all.
I brought in the tomatoes in pots, lettuce that was not yet in ground into the garage last night. Thank god, cuz there was 4,5 inches of snow this morning!!! The others have to stay tough out there... I did cover with sheets last night. Either way, I'm so over with this.2 -
My flowers that I brought in look pretty bad. I put them out again today (it's sunny, and above freezing, although still not all that warm), as I was wondering if that might be better than the light in the house (even by a big window).
My plants that are in the ground look okay, and so far same with my herb cart, despite getting snow dumped on them. It's mostly gone already, at least.1 -
Sigh, and apparently several more inches of snow are predicted for tonight.2
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weatherking2019 wrote: »weatherking2019 wrote: »20s and snowing. We'll see what this does to my plants. (I took my two big containers of flowers that I had out in front for Easter and which I knew were a little early inside, hopefully soon enough, and am hoping everything else will be okay.)
I woke up to the white stuff on the ground too. (Cleveland-6) I planted some lettuce, kale, chard and even after covering it up last night, it looked "frozen". Does this mean they're going die??
I really wish it warms up. Looking at more cold days ahead. 😔
Not necessarily. Sometimes things shrink back (wilt, kinda) as part of their defense mechanism, but will recover. WIll need to wait and see. Kale, in particular, tends to be pretty darned tough.
I don't veggie garden anymore (did for years), but still have flowers. When I post flower photos on FB in early Spring, it's a common thing for friends to say "Oh, but that's gonna get killed by tomorrow's frost/hail/snow/sleet/other Michigan Spring weirdness".
My usual response is "Nah, those plants know what they're doing". And nearly all the time, they do. Some of the veggies are a little more marginal in Northern climates, so they may be more vulnerable. But I'd predict some will be fine, maybe even most/all.
I brought in the tomatoes in pots, lettuce that was not yet in ground into the garage last night. Thank god, cuz there was 4,5 inches of snow this morning!!! The others have to stay tough out there... I did cover with sheets last night. Either way, I'm so over with this.
Prediction: Some of those beaten & bedraggled babies will survive, then thrive, and boost your spirits when they do. At least, here's hoping! :flowerforyou:2 -
I'm attempting Lemon/Attar of Roses cordial today - I have an abundance of both just now. The simple syrup and leaves will steep overnight. I'm also toying with a lemon geranium scented cake as those bushes are going crazy right now too. I love anything rose!
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I just got an email from my favorite garden center and they received word that they have been added to the list of essential businesses. They will be following recommendations offering things like curbside pickup and limiting the number of people allowed in at any one time. It is a huge place, mostly outdoors, but they do have greenhouses and will limit how many will be allowed in a greenhouse at any one time.
I have a list and think I can get most of my plants via curbside pickup but there are a couple I really need to see in person before I decide on which color. If I do curbside for the bulk it will limit the amount of time I need to spend inside.2 -
Hope you'll indulge me in posting another Spring flower pic, since it's not veggie garden season yet in a lot of places. This is a double bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). When they first come up, they look like 3-4" sci-fi pod people, with leaves wrapped around the bud (lower photo, April 7). Today, with a little warmth, they're quite fully unfurled, blossoms 2" or so across and very full (top photo). The standard form of the species is a single blossom, a common wildflower in the Eastern US, simple and lovely. The doubles are an oddball. Lummesome oddballs.
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@AnnPT77 , That's so pretty! I like them! Anything that bring a bit of beauty is
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Hope you'll indulge me in posting another Spring flower pic, since it's not veggie garden season yet in a lot of places. This is a double bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). When they first come up, they look like 3-4" sci-fi pod people, with leaves wrapped around the bud (lower photo, April 7). Today, with a little warmth, they're quite fully unfurled, blossoms 2" or so across and very full (top photo). The standard form of the species is a single blossom, a common wildflower in the Eastern US, simple and lovely. The doubles are an oddball. Lummesome oddballs.
I love it. Checked a couple of local garden centers and none of them have it. Boo.1 -
My strawberries and in-ground flowers are still slowly coming up, and my sweet alyssum (which I currently have in baskets) and pansies (in containers) are still fine. I've now planted outside my herbs in my herb cart (will keep an eye on them if it turns cold again), and then in my raised bed: lettuce (2 types), cabbage, chard, collards, spinach, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and arugula. Plus, this weekend, radishes and carrots. I am going to plant pole beans and cucumbers this coming weekend, and am building another raised bed for peppers and tomatoes and maybe eggplants, which I will plant once the no frost day comes. I started today some flowers for replanting post no frost day. I bought too many, so will see which ones do well and where I want to plant. I have some California poppies which apparently should be planted outside, do well in poor soil, but also do better in drier conditions. Thinking about using these should I start some flowers in my parkway, which is full sun and likely poor soil, but spring here is often quite wet, so not sure.2
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Planting peas today. I planted 4 slices of tomato and 2 of them have sprouted so many of the seeds!! I have lots of marigolds growing. But my pepper seeds and spaghetti squash seeds are doing nada. I planted kale seeds but we'll see how those do. My sister gave them to me and they're a few years old.
Still waiting another month before planting cucumbers, green beans and sunflowers. My strawberries seem to have survived the winter, now to protect them from the birds who like to take a nip out of each one.
My local go-to nursery is reopening for the season tomorrow. I hope. I usually wait and go Memorial Day weekend but might have to go at another time to avoid any rush. 0
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