Gardening- For those who love to grow.

[jams]

If you enjoy gardening this thread is for you.

Stories, experiences, sharing info, seeds, cuttings, and anything else.

[Mackenzie68]

You asked for it, I've got questions. My lot has an inch or two of dirt over clay. There is standing water on flower beds right now. I need suggestions for plants that can handle this. I have eastern and southern exposures to deal with, and some partial shade under the old olive tree.

Thanks in advance.

[jams]

You asked for it, I've got questions. My lot has an inch or two of dirt over clay. There is standing water on flower beds right now. I need suggestions for plants that can handle this. I have eastern and southern exposures to deal with, and some partial shade under the old olive tree.

Thanks in advance.
It will take some time, but digging in organic materials like compost or peat moss will make a world of difference in the drainage. In the meantime choose plants that tolerate "wet feet".

[Alley]

anyone know if the garden claw is worth investing in?

[MoparDan]

anyone know if the garden claw is worth investing in?
Never tried it. But the Weed Popper is a lifesaver, esp on the lower back.

[pkbroch]

The garden claw works only in fairly loose soil. Never did well for me.

My hubby uses the weed popper on those really tough weeds with roots to China, like Canadian thistle.

This is a great idea for a thread.

[Johnlodge]

Directions to make your own rain barrel:

http://www.cityofbremerton.com/content/sw_makeyourownrainbarrel.html

Save money on water for your garden, God is handing it out for free.

[Mama Jackson]

Russian Sage is reputed to grow in clay.
Grows to around 3 feet, has a purple flowers along the stem. Very pretty to establish itself, after a couple of years. Needs full sun.

Other suggestions: refurbishing your growing areas with sand, compost and dirt. Rent a tiller for the project.

[MoparDan]

Question for you Detroiters: What kind of grass do y'all usually have in your yards? In Texas there is still a large abundance of St. Augustine, but because of our hot summers &, for the moment, drought-like conditions, the trend has been towards Bermuda & Zoysia. Occasionally put down some winter rye to provide some cover during the colder months; yeah, I realize the ground cover up there is probably white & a few inches thick. :D We deal with caliche clay which is like asphalt in the summers & can make it tough for some yards to thrive. :eek:

[Gannon]

Well, I will need lots of help getting started over at the Bohemian National Home...Jams, what is your going rate for consulting?!

[pkbroch]

mopar


Up here in michigan we grow Kentucky blue for sun, various hybrid bluerasses. fescue for shade, bent for golf course greens. Although most of our grasses are mixes of the cool weather grasses.

Do you guys still have a cinch bug problem. It used to drive my father-in-law in Houston nuts.

[Pam]

I realize the ground cover up there is probably white & a few inches thick.

Nope. We have grass and it is actually starting to turn green.

[MoparDan]

mopar


Up here in michigan we grow Kentucky blue for sun, various hybrid bluerasses. fescue for shade, bent for golf course greens. Although most of our grasses are mixes of the cool weather grasses.

Do you guys still have a cinch bug problem. It used to drive my father-in-law in Houston nuts.

I'd heard about bluegrasses before & wondered if the more northern states grew it.
Yep, we have cinch bugs but they seem to be more prevalent in St. Augustine. I have Bermuda in the backyard & rarely see them there.
One huge pest problem are fire ants; if you're not careful they'll fill the yard with mounds in a matter of days it seems. They swarm over your feet quickly & waste no time biting the living hell of out of you. I don't know if they've actually migrated that far north though.

I'm still learning about that white stuff since we rarely get it this far south. We just always assumed y'all are constantly bombarded with it.

[jams]

Well, I will need lots of help getting started over at the Bohemian National Home...Jams, what is your going rate for consulting?!
Well, we'll start with the composter. I have more than enough seeds of cukes, tomatos, lettuce, herbs, for my little space. I don't have any good windows for inside seeding, so we might work a tradeoff there.

And, of course, after a good day's work, beer is good.

[Bigb23]

anyone know if the garden claw is worth investing in?

I bought the garden claw, (tiller?), last year at Meijer for about $12. I looked in every store for months to find one, but I'm more than happy with the quality of it. It also converts to 12" hand use.

Now if only I didn't have a black thumb.

[jams]

Finally! The soil along the fence was just right to plant the peas today.

My favorite season is now official. :)

[Mackenzie68]

Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming, please,

I put in some Russian sage last fall, just dumb luck, I think. I didn't know it would take a while to settle when I planted it. Now that I think of it, the rule of perennials would apply.

I'll get a bag or two of sand to mix with compost and the ever present clay to start a new bed, thanks.

I used the garden claw happily in better soil but I don't think it would do well in clay. Too heavy to mix well.

I'm planning some small raised beds but I neglected to mention that this is not really my yard so I don't want to go as far as renting a tiller.

Will daffodils divide themselves here like in warmer climates?

[oladub]

Dump sand on your garden and turn the soil over. After a few years, it will be worked in.

Always have a ditch one spade deep somewhere in your garden. Collect your garbage and dump it in the ditch. Cover the garbage with a couple of spades of dirt. Start a new ditch when that one fills. It makes more sense than grinding garbage in your sink to make it go into the River.

We like a front tiller roto-tiller because it digs deeper and can be maneuvered better. If you have time to spade your garden, it is better exercize.

[jams]

Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming, please,

I put in some Russian sage last fall, just dumb luck, I think. I didn't know it would take a while to settle when I planted it. Now that I think of it, the rule of perennials would apply.

I'll get a bag or two of sand to mix with compost and the ever present clay to start a new bed, thanks.

I used the garden claw happily in better soil but I don't think it would do well in clay. Too heavy to mix well.

I'm planning some small raised beds but I neglected to mention that this is not really my yard so I don't want to go as far as renting a tiller.

Will daffodils divide themselves here like in warmer climates?
I thought about raised beds as another solution for you while I was doing some clean-up in the yard today. Hopefully Cub will step in here, he has had a lot of recent experience with them.

And yes, daffodils will naturalize and spread here. I really noticed this year how sparce in this first season. At my last home, I had planted them 10-12 years ago and they had spread so much.

[sumas]

You asked for it, I've got questions. My lot has an inch or two of dirt over clay. There is standing water on flower beds right now. I need suggestions for plants that can handle this. I have eastern and southern exposures to deal with, and some partial shade under the old olive tree.

Thanks in advance.

Try the website listed below for a very good list of plants who like wet feet


http://www.greenhousegardencenter.com/_borders/logo.gif

[Mackenzie68]

Can't talk now, too busy reading! Thanks all!

[jams]

Sumas,
You've mentioned you sell herbs at a local weekend market. If you wouldn't mind , PM me with the location. I'm restructuring my back yard, mostly with seeds, but some established plants will be required, I would rather buy from you than my usual sources if you have the things I want.

A cool event today. While, still early, a small plot by my garage I have planned for Roma tomatos and basil was dry enough to do some digging and add some of the compost that cooked all winter. Gave me a reason to turn the pile, and raise the soil level in that spot.

[jams]

For us cheapies:
http://www.wintersown.org/

[sumas]

Sumas,
You've mentioned you sell herbs at a local weekend market. If you wouldn't mind , PM me with the location. I'm restructuring my back yard, mostly with seeds, but some established plants will be required, I would rather buy from you than my usual sources if you have the things I want.

A cool event today. While, still early, a small plot by my garage I have planned for Roma tomatos and basil was dry enough to do some digging and add some of the compost that cooked all winter. Gave me a reason to turn the pile, and raise the soil level in that spot.

I haven't figured out how to PM yet. My computer skills are limited. So I'll list here. I have a table at West Park Market in Grosse Pointe Park. I am located in front of Grace Church on Kercheval and Lakepointe. My main business is herbs, but I do stock perennials and specialty veggies. I also take special orders.

WPM's opening day is May 16 with extended hours (9-3) due to a food festival. The market is small, 3to 4 blocks has live entertainment and is very dog friendly. I hope to keep my prices the same as last year but I don't know yet. Last year my plants were $2.50 ea for a three inch pot or 2 for $4.50, I also have a flat (18 ct) discount but I forget at the moment what it is. This will be my third year doing the Saturday market. What inspired me to start was I went to check out the market four years ago and vendors were selling the same size plants for $6.00. I was outraged. I knew I could do much better. Of course, I am not popular with other vendors that carry similiar plants because they had to drop prices or look like whores.

Doing this has been so much fun. Spending a day talking about plants, giving and getting advice is a blast. Gardeners are such friendly people.

If I can hold my pricing with the same margin, anyone who tells me they are a Dyer can buy wth a greater discount. I'll update people in May.

Thanks Jams

[sumas]

For people who missed it, Home Depot has a 4 day only (4/2 thru 4/5sale) on 2CF bags of Cypress mulch for $1.48. Limit 20 bags. Outstanding savings.

[jams]

Thanks Sumas,
I'll make it a point to stop by.

[Zimm]

For people who missed it, Home Depot has a 4 day only (4/2 thru 4/5sale) on 2CF bags of Cypress mulch for $1.48. Limit 20 bags. Outstanding savings.
you have to watch that stuff. it's often labeled as "cypress" but often contains little or no cypress. Usually there's a disclaimer printed somewhere on the bag.

i learned this one the hard way...

[Pam]

What are some dwarf veggies that are easy to grow in pots? I've done a patio tomato before but might want to try something else.

[jams]

What are some dwarf veggies that are easy to grow in pots? I've done a patio tomato before but might want to try something else.
Here's a start:
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/containerindoor/container2.asp

I wish my kichen window didn't face north, I'd grow lettuce in a window box, just to have it handy.

[LodgeDodger]

For us cheapies:
http://www.wintersown.org/

How timely...I had to wintersow "Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate" this year.

I love this thread. Gardening keeps me sane.

[eriedearie]

Just want to throw this out here...I had a flash back last night and remembered when we had such wonderful success one year with a huge garden we planted.

It just so happened that our three boys each got a bunny rabbit late in the fall. Mr. Erie built them an elevated house out in the back yard where they were protected from the weather through the winter months. He built it with a special floor so their waste product would fall through and it had all piled up quite a bit come spring - BTW, by spring those three bunnies had multiplied and we had eleven! So when we planted our garden we used the rabbit stuff and tilled that in with the dirt. My dad said it would be good stuff to use. And was he ever right.

We had such wonderful vegetables that year. Our tomato plants grew taller than our 8 foot privacy fence. The neighbors behind us and along the side where the garden was were able to pick all the tomatoes they wanted.

So if anyone can find rabbit manure, mix that in your garden. It works really great. :D

[reddog289]

Glad I stumbled upon this.The rain barrel article reminded me to start making my own. I planted my peas & some of my lettuce two weeks ago and am waiting for them to sprout.Since I get to work days for the next two weeks I thought that might be the time to drop a few things off at Cubs, Well blame me if it snows. Good luck to all this growing season.

[oladub]

reddog, My grandmother had a metal rain barrel off the back of her garage for her garden . She always put a little veggie oil in the barrel. Otherwise, the rain barrel would have bred a lot of mosquitos.

If the garden gets real dry, cultivating the soil allows the soil to breath and in turn wick ground water to the surface. it is amazing how little water established plants need if the ground surface is not hard.

[sumas]

I am an early riser and love to hear the birds singing in the morning. I recently rearranged our 2nd floor bedroom which overlooks my backyard gardens. I put a small writting table under a window that over looks my yard since that is where it fit into the floorplan. I got an unexpected bonus. Our candian field stone patio was built around a mature Sour Cherry tree. Now I get a birdseye of birds perching in the tree.

I love feeding the birds and have several feeders but I had to stop feeding them when a neighbohood cat started killing my birds. They moved about a month ago and I just realized I can start feeding my birds again.

[reddog289]

Oladub, Thanks for the veggie oil info. That is one of my concerns about the rain barrels. I like SKEETERS as much as anyone. I have a recipe for non toxic bug spray from an almamac have to find it. it too contained oil.

[Islandman]

I wonder if using neem oil in the barrels would work too? That would also give you the added bonus of it's bio-pesticide qualities. Using neem oil is very important in indoor gardens to prevent spider mite infestation, primarily.

[oladub]

Islandman, I think that neem oil is a great idea if it is cheap enough. Oil works because it spreads out on the water surface and when the mosquito larvae come to the surface for air, they run into a film of oil instead. The additional cost of the neem oil might offset its additional benefits.

When a pail is dipped into the rain bucket, some oil comes out with the water and has to be replaced every so many days. I've never tried siphoning but that wouldn't remove surface oil. Another idea that might help reduce the amount of oil might be to make a floating wood 'lid' that would cover most of the surface area requiring oil for a much smaller peripheral area. That wouldn't work out so good though if it hasn't rained for awhile and the barrel is low on water.

I was used to a 52 gallon metal barrel. It wasn't nice to look at but it worked fine. Its water became very warm in the summer. If white larvae could be seen bobbing up and down, it was time for oil. It was cleaned out and put away for winter.

[Islandman]

Thanks for the reply Oladub. Yes, it would be a tad pricy for this application. Thanks for clearing that up.

[reddog289]

I like cost effective solutions to stuff more than any thing. Thats why I'm glad I heard about the veggie oil. I plan on having at least 6 to 8 rain barrels this year. Last summer I got hit with a $300.00+ water bill and I hope I never see one like that again.

[LodgeDodger]

Well, we'll start with the composter. I have more than enough seeds of cukes, tomatos, lettuce, herbs, for my little space. I don't have any good windows for inside seeding, so we might work a tradeoff there.

And, of course, after a good day's work, beer is good.

Beer is ALWAYS good.

What else would you need, Gannon?

[Lnfant]

There was a gardening show on PBS years ago that featured home products that could be sprayed onto a garden to repel insects and for plant nutrition. I recall beer being an ingredient, along with dish soap? There were more ingredients.

[LodgeDodger]

Pam mentioned earlier dwarf plants to be grown on a patio. I'm wondering if anyone has tried those upside-down tomato plant growers they advertise on TV? I know most of the stuff they advertise is crap, but something like that might work for me. The bunnies and other creatures have been particularly aggressive the last two years. I'm looking at some alternatives for the tomatoes. I've completely given up on lettuce other than Roquette.

[GOAT]

I have scale on all of my Euonymous plants. Hoping to spray dormant oil to kill the bastards but it I don't get them all then I have to spray an insecticide which is now banned by the OnTaliban gov't in Ontario.

This is not fun because I have a lot of Euonymous in my landscaping.

If anyone else has had this issue let me know how it turned out. Thanks.

[Islandman]

There was a gardening show on PBS years ago that featured home products that could be sprayed onto a garden to repel insects and for plant nutrition. I recall beer being an ingredient, along with dish soap? There were more ingredients.

There are many different recipes, some use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, others rubbing alcohol. The soap is used to make the solutions "stick" to the plants better, but some people even use a diluted solution of soap and water.

[LodgeDodger]

Last year, I purchased a living wreath. It's beautiful and I love it. I'd love to start one of my own, but succulents aren't something I know much about. Are they difficult to root?

[oladub]

reddog, The rainbarrel I referenced received its water supply from the backside of a garage and shed roof of roughly 500 square feet. The garden averaged about the same size and was adjacent to the barrel. One barrel was usually enough. Sometimes, after a couple of heavy rains, it overflowed. It ran dry during prolonged dry spells. The hose was then employed. If you can get away with one barrel, you will be better off. The closer the garden and barrel are to each other, the better if you use pails or a watering can.

[reddog289]

Thanks for giving me a reality check.Ola. I do need to measure my roofs. My Dad said "Son do you have any lawn left in your backyard?" Not really. I have a 3 and 1/2 car garage. If 500 sq ft of roof can provide for the same amount of garden then, I guess I have to do some math.I have at least 3 barrels for the garden.But in another way I do not want floods or to see the water that I can collect go to "waste". my whole backyard was pretty much 'wild geraniums' so I have no problem plowing them under for stuff I can eat.

[jams]

Pam mentioned earlier dwarf plants to be grown on a patio. I'm wondering if anyone has tried those upside-down tomato plant growers they advertise on TV? I know most of the stuff they advertise is crap, but something like that might work for me. The bunnies and other creatures have been particularly aggressive the last two years. I'm looking at some alternatives for the tomatoes. I've completely given up on lettuce other than Roquette.
Planting Marigolds near the lettuce patch will keep those bunnies away. For some reason marigolds to bunnies are like garlic to vampires.

[LodgeDodger]

Ahhhhhh, no wonder the neighbor has a ton of marigold lining his garden. I just thought he liked them...

[jams]

It's amazing how much you can learn about things, seemingly unrelated, but have an effect on other things, because of gardening.

[rjk]

Any advice for a 1st time potato grower?

I'm thinking of having a raised bed separate from my vegetable garden.
How many potatoes could I get out of a 3'x6' bed?

Thanks.

[cycledetroit]

I also am trying Potatoes for the first time this year. I have been reading a lot about growing them in a bag, a garbage can, or a stack of old tires. I think I am going for the tires, because I can paint them, and they might look cool. Here is a link. .. http://www.kiddiegardens.com/growing_potatoes_in_tires.html

[eriedearie]

Sounds like this guy knows his potato growing stuff.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4418748_cure-potatoes.html

[jams]

Nothing of relevance to say at this moment, other than bump.

[sumas]

I have scale on all of my Euonymous plants. Hoping to spray dormant oil to kill the bastards but it I don't get them all then I have to spray an insecticide which is now banned by the OnTaliban gov't in Ontario.

This is not fun because I have a lot of Euonymous in my landscaping.

If anyone else has had this issue let me know how it turned out. Thanks.

I worked as a gardener for a couple with extensive landscaping. Lots of Euonymous in seven different gardens. One beautifully trained hedge on a stone wall developed scale. I tried everything known to man to save it. Nothing worked.

Fotunately it did not spread because I cleaned my shears with rubbing alcohol after pruning each shrub. I also did root injection fertilizer to help the health of the other shrubs Also use dormant oil religiously on non infected planting too as a preventative measure.

[sumas]

This weather is driving me nuts. Have lots of customers lined up for work but between snow, rain and just plain cold we are two weeks behind schedule. Now I look at the forecast for next week and it will be rain, rain and more rain.

This weekend will of course be beautiful. Weekends are when we work free for community gardens, friends and family. We are spending two days at a friends doing a major yard clean up. I know I am whining but I can't do my service to community if income from paid work is limited to a few days a week.

This year I will be doing a large veggie garden. I am a whiz at landscape design and maintenance of evergreens, flowering shrubs and ornametals but have always sucked at the practical things. I hope people will share advice on kitchen gardens here.

Also thanks for sharing info on rain catchers. The tip on vegetable oil was intriguing.

Thanks Sumas

[reddog289]

Sumas, I know what you mean. The last 4 Saturdays have been beautiful, Yet I myself have been pre occupied with other projects. Hopefully next weekend will be good. I,m looking forward to this year in the garden,Eventough it has been a 50/50 year with my planting/seedlings so far.
Potatos might be in the future in my garden yet it might be hard to convince a few friends/family to get them to eat the spuds because they were not grown in Idaho.

[Maof]

I have scale on all of my Euonymous plants. Hoping to spray dormant oil to kill the bastards but it I don't get them all then I have to spray an insecticide which is now banned by the OnTaliban gov't in Ontario.

This is not fun because I have a lot of Euonymous in my landscaping.

If anyone else has had this issue let me know how it turned out. Thanks.


I too had a problem with scale on my euonymous. Used everything that was recommened (volck oil spary, myalathon, etc.) to get rid of it to no avail. Not sure if I didn't get to it in time or what but nothing worked. I ended up pulling them out.

Now does anyone know anything about Zoyzia (sp) grass? I have lived here 10 years and all of a sudden, it came up last year. I've read that it's put in as "plugs" and that some people love it because it becomes very thick and green but, I don't like what it looks like now and in the fall. I guess I'm just curious as to why, all of a sudden, it appeared and how to stop it from taking over the whole lawn.

[slick]

Who knew it was going to be 25 degress this morning with a light frost, at least in the Lansing area.

How will the garden grow. Supposed to warm up, last saturday I planted beet, lettuce and radish seeds. I have seen the seedling covered with snow before so not a problem.

Good luck on your garden

[Det_ard]

1/4" of ice on the bird bath this morning. The only thing I'm planting right now is grass seed.

[reddog289]

Got a question for anyone out there. Who starts there plants off as seeds? and what has worked better for you, The Jiffy disc or peat pots? My Jiffy disc seem to be doing better then the peat pots. Any info would help, Thanks.

[sumas]

I rarely start from seed but when I do, I use a medium labeled ziplock bag. I fill 1/4 to 1/2 of the bag with vermiculite and dampen. Throw in the seeds. I put them in indirect light and then the window sill after germination. I turn the bag once in a while and check to make sure the vermiculite stays damp. This works best for larger seeds. Doing it this way saves lots of room. Using a tweezer, some times I direct sow and other times I transplant into newspaper cups I make. The news paper cup can be planted with the seedlings. It is cheap, easy, saves loads of space and it is energy efficient using natural light.

This year for my planting, I plan to use Soil Moist, it's a little pricey but a little bit goes a long way. It is a polymer that collects water then releases it back to plant roots as the soil drys. It is safe for use with veggies. Saves a lot of watering and is more efficent then lots of rain buckets. One note, if too close to the surface it will bubble up when loaded with water and be visible. Plant it deeper than your plant roots.

[jams]

As the weather has gotten warmer and my wallet is thinner, I'm experimenting with sowing seeds in open, prepared soil, thinning and transplanting seedlings as they reach 2".

I've no good windows indoors to start seeds, as I had in the past, so it's interesting to watch a garden from seed in open soil grow.

[reddog289]

Thanks Sumas and Jams, I experimented this year. I started stuff out this year in peat pots, My tomatos started out good , Peppers not so good, I picked up a window sill greenhouse with the jiffy disc, Every thing seems to be doing good , Now the Tricky part for me hardening up the plants.Last 2 yrs my garden has had seed started in the house plants, seed started in the garden plants , and store bought and given to me plants. My BEST producing plants were the ones I got for cheap near the end of the planting season. Sumas were do you get vermeculite? I know my Grandpa used it in his garden.

[jams]

I found this site and plan to build one this week to start my tomatos and pepper seeds outside.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_an_Easy_5_x_5_Home_Greenhouse_for_under_25/

[Mackenzie68]

I went to the Plymouth Green Street Fair today. There were some nicely set up rain barrels from a Michigan company. 616 283 3104. They had a 55 gallon with an overflow valve, a brass faucet at the base and a clever screen at the water intake. $79.95 for that one, ten dollars more for a 65 gallon setup. Nice folks, their booth is on Main Street near the Home Depot booth. I didn't pick up their literature, and the web site I wrote down is generic for the fair and not running.

They suggest switching back to the original drain pipe after the growing season and say to drain the drum, leave the faucet open and just lay it on its side for the winter. When in use it should be on blocks or bricks about 18 inches high so you can get a bucket under the spigot.

I didn't ask about any potential leaching of roofing materials, probably worth checking into for the veggies.

[reddog289]

I should have listened to my cousin and went to the Green Fair. Have to put up my gutters on the garage, But better get my cousins gutters cleaned out first she has two rain barrels that she wants to get running.

[sumas]

Vermiculite can be found at any garden center. Anyone have good advice on growing green peppers? As mentioned I am a whiz at growing anything pretty but useless at growing eatibles. I have good luck with herbs, cherry or grape tomatos and hot pepper plants but no luck with much of anything else. Advice please!

[Mackenzie68]

I went browsing last night to see how the rain barrels stacked up and found this
http://www.helpfulgardener.com/phpBB2/ board. I didn't read extensively but it looks interesting.

About the barrels I saw at the Green Street Fair in Plymouth: they compare favorably to what I saw on line. I went back and got an actual flyer today. His web site isn't up yet, too busy making barrels. phone is 616 283 3104. Email is todolistdave@yahoo. Name is David Smith He is planing a trip back with barrels with drop off in Dexter and I think Northville. He can haul 40, already has orders for 24. He will paint them any color Krylon Fusion or Rustoleum Plastic you want.

I didn't have the cash budgeted to order one and he doesn't know my name so I'm not benefiting from this. His website will be www.gogreenstep.com, when he gets the time to work on it.. You might suggest trading web design skills for a barrel or two.

[Mackenzie68]

The only thing I actually bought at the fair was Grow Rite Pellets. Compost pellets (100% organic) smaller than erasers on pencils. Made in Clare, they need only one application a year and should do a nice job of rejuvenating the potting soil I've been using in containers for the last two years. They are distributed by Sullivan Corp. in Bloomfield Hills. www.sulli.com I'll let you know how the tomatoes do when the time comes. I used Vigoro synthetic last year, this smells better already.

[reddog289]

Sumas Thanks for the info, and as for the green peppers can't say much as I only had one california wonder gp plant in my garden last year. I plan on having more. Mine was in the back part of my garden which receives most of the sun. Because I don't belive I am planting corn this year ,That area will have my maters and peppers.
Mac68,As I heard from my cousin alot of info was to be had at the green fair. I will try to find out more on where she got her rain barrels.The compost pellets are something else I need to look into.
I normally work afternoons, and don't like to wake up early,But this is the time of year where things change and with my third year of planting my own garden. I can actully say that I will look forward to the last day of school and going on days for a few months.

[reddog289]

Good thing I went to this thread tonight, and thanks to Mac68 and that helpful gardening deal, I got info on my newly accquired Lilac bush. Now gotta figure out the best place to put it.

[jams]

Prepping the soil is the key, it's not pretty and takes patience but the results are worth it. I've three beds planned for tomatos, just mud now, but I've added egg shells and compost for the last month, but I expecet a bumper crop this summer once I actually plant the seedlings.

[redvetred]

Checkout craigslist for rain barrels. Some food grade ones are less than $50 including hardware. Focus on food grade ones as you don't want to introduce chemicals, petroleum or detergent into your garden. It is time to plant your potatoes and getting late for onions.

[jams]

Checkout craigslist for rain barrels. Some food grade ones are less than $50 including hardware. Focus on food grade ones as you don't want to introduce chemicals, petroleum or detergent into your garden. It is time to plant your potatoes and getting late for onions.
Thanks for the tip, I just put new gutters on my garage with the plan to add the 2 rain barrels as I can afford them.

My neighbor decided to replace decades old garden bricks with Home Depot's generic stuff and offered me the old bricks, damn, those old weathered bricks look good defining the various beds

[Pam]

Plant sale at the botanical gardens in Ann Arbor this weekend:

http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/happening/calendar.asp?date=5/9/2009

[9936Sussex]

Went to the Northville Farmer's Market this morning (first of the year) and I saw dwarf hostas. I had never seen them before. Does anyone have any experience with them? They sure were cute!

[Pam]

Frost advisory tonight.



A FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 AM EDT MONDAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL FALL RAPIDLY AFTER SUNSET TONIGHT AS SKIES
CLEAR AND WINDS WEAKEN ACROSS THE AREA. TEMPERATURES WILL DROP
INTO THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 30S OVERNIGHT. THESE CONDITIONS WILL
SUPPORT FROST FORMATION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT FROST IS POSSIBLE. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR
PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT UNCOVERED.

[jams]

Finally built up the soil in the corner of my yard that I planned for my shade garden. The hostas and lily of the vally seem to be doing well transplanted from my kind neighbors' allowing me to thin their plantings.

I did buy three ferns for a background planting today. I'm so geeked that in a month or so, I'll be able to sit in the small plot of grass I've allocated in my backyard and enjoy the flowers that are poking out now from the seeds planted earlier.

Hopefully, other gardeners will share their happiness on a side of the forum noted for its political BS.

[sumas]

Well, I had my first market day selling herbs. I pretty much ran out of saleable plants so I closed down early. The funny thing is last year I had tons of requests for flat Parsley so I got some from a grower. My error, what I got was celery. Today if I go past Georgia Street Gardens I will drop some off to Cub.

I don't make much money at the West Park Market but it is just so much fun talking to other gardeners. One couple were from the UP, they bought Basil, Rosemary and Pineapple Sage. The farthest my plants have traveled.

My best selling herbs are always Basil, Rosemary and Lavender. Greek Oregano, Cilantro and various Thymes always do well too. I also sell quite a lot of Pineapple Sage because I like it so well.

On a earlier post, germination from seed was discussed. I got some specimum day lillys from a plant exchange a few year back. I have had good luck with germination and hope to pot up about 50 plants. This fall if all goes well, I'll give some away. I took pictures last year but haven't got the film developed yet. I will post pictures later. They are truely quite unique.

For good measure, I am throwing in a dumb luck story. Last Christmas my mother got an Amarylis plant. I was going to regenerate it but it would not cooperate. Despite doing nothing right, it is now in full bloom, with four flowers. Nature is sometimes kind.

[Mackenzie68]

I saw the sign for this on my way to the gym today. I'll be there Friday after my dental appointment. Wonder how many holes I can dig between now and then. Or how many dandelions I can transplant to the big paper bag.

http://www.northville.org/Events_Calendar/Content/FLOWER_SALE/

22ND ANNUAL FLOWER SALE
DOWNTOWN NORTHVILLE
May 22, 2009 9:00am - 6:00pm
May 23, 2009 9:00am - 5:00pm

[lugotown]

Belle Isle Botanical Society
Annual Plant Sale

May 23, 2009
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

The doors open at 9 am on May 23 at the Belle Isle Greenhouses. We recommend that you come early to secure the choices tomato and flower offerings. A wide variety of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, unusual perennials, annuals, herbs, geraniums and water plants will be available. This is our biggest and most important fundraiser and is staffed by BIBS volunteers. Plan to enrich your garden this summer!

[gibran]

in soil that is less than perfect ..peat moss (as mentioned earlier) and herds..mint can grow in just about any soil...I had a lot of post building materials and crap soil when my house was built.. I used a lot of peat moss and pebbles under the soil to promote drainage (used layers) ...I planted ground cover in one area but it spread way to fast ..swithed to herds to do double duty, breaks up soil...warning mint can also take over..but if rotated it helpd fertile soil but it does taste great in cooking and tea...of course eggs shells..and becareful with grass clippings (weeds)...promote earth worms ..after your fishing trip..place the left over ones in the garden..and I have bought lady bugs to combat little nasties...

[LodgeDodger]

Would anyone know where I might purchase a full-sized barrel locally? Something like a whiskey or wine barrel--must be wood.

Thanks!

[jams]

Would anyone know where I might purchase a full-sized barrel locally? Something like a whiskey or wine barrel--must be wood.

Thanks!
Try the wine supply shop on Fort Street near Springwells.

[LodgeDodger]

Will do! Thanks, Jams.

[slick]

It's harvest time.
This week I have picked lettuce and radishes from the garden. Planted on April 15.

Tomatoes and peppers are in, potates went in a week ago, they are sprouting.

Good luck to all the gardeners out there.

I

[reddog289]

<P>My lettuce and peas are getting there.Got a few plants left to go in the ground. Pretty soon it will be water and weed time.</P>

[sumas]

Had another great week selling herbs at West Park Market. I get so many great tips on cooking with herbs. This week's advice and must try, is to take a whole chicken, place A large sprig of Rosemary doused with lime juice in the cavity and bake. I love simple stuff that smells and tastes good.

My yard's prep work almost done. Hah, every gardener knows our work is never done. So far my lilacs have bloomed, peonies were fantastic, as were the poppies. I grow mostly perennials and ornamental shrubs. More people should go to Eastern Market. For my planters, I get fillers and fluffy stuff there. Local nurseries want $5 and $6 dollars a pot, at the market I get it all for roughly $1.60 a pot. My current favorite filler is Diamond Frost. My new favorite perennial is Turtlehead.

[reddog289]

Ok Sumas, You sell parsley. I planted it last year and it came back. But I myself don't cook and havn't delt with this. The stuff is, In places almost 3ft tall and looks like it is going to flower.I can't belive how the herbs take off in the garden.I myself wonder if these shoots of parsley are weeds or what?

[cheddar bob]

Planting my first garden this weekend. A little late to start I know, but I just closed on the house on Friday so I didn't have much choice in the matter. Luckily, the previous owners where fanatical gardeners so there's compost piles and the soil should be good.

[jams]

Planting my first garden this weekend. A little late to start I know, but I just closed on the house on Friday so I didn't have much choice in the matter. Luckily, the previous owners where fanatical gardeners so there's compost piles and the soil should be good.
Congrats Cheddar bob, welcome to my favorite hobby.

Still time to get warm weather crops like tomatos, cukes, etc. in especially if you use transplants.

Peas, lettuce and other cold favoring plants, hold off on for a planting later in the summer for a fall harvest.

reddog289 A weed is just any plant you do not want, as I have been arguing with our local city inspectors who claim the ferns I purchased (within the city) and planted are weeds and are to be cut down, despite the obvious careful placement of them as a background to the other plantings. Hell, I could make an argument that grass is nothing but a domesticated weed!

Parsley, dill, or for that matter any perennial or self seeder will usurp a great deal of room in just a year or two, so careful consideration needs to be made of its siting. I've a section of my garden that is dedicated to allow parsley, chamomile, dill, oregano, etc free reign to spread as they will.

In your case though, to keep the parsley in check snip off the flowers as they appear in order to prevent new seeds from forming and reseeding itself.

sumas Great news from you. I'm just sad I can't check it out in person. Afer a year of only very part-time work, I've been fortunate enough to be working so much lately, I can bitch a bit about not having time for myself. And my new-found favorite perennial is Astrilibe, perfect for color in my shade garden.

[jams]

Yay, I finally found some free raspberry plants.

My Mom's neighbor let me dig up a few today to start my stand behind my garage.

In just a couple of years I should have enough berries from these plants and progeny to make several pints of my favorite jam.

One thing gardening teaches you is an acceptance that some things just require time to enjoy the benefits.

Enjoyed my dinner tonight, a salad of young bib and leaf lettuce mixed with raw peas from my garden made for a great side dish to stuffed pork loin

[Lorax]

I'm growing Belladonna and Hemlock and having a Republican fundraiser later in the week.

I'm inviting Batts to speak just before tea time. :)

[jams]

I'm growing Belladonna and Hemlock and having a Republican fundraiser later in the week.

I'm inviting Batts to speak just before tea time. :)
The Socratic Method?

[Lorax]

The Socratic Method?

Yes, in a word.

However, if we advertise it as Socratic, Batts may get the wrong idea and bring his Village People CD :eek:

[reddog289]

Thanks Jams, I have a small section in my garden for herbs. I guess then I have to maybe put a barrier between the herbs and the rest of the garden.

[sumas]

If you don't want invasive herbs, than never ever grow lemon Balm or Garlic Chive. I won't sell these at the market along with assorted mints. I know how invasive these plants are and don't want people mad at me.

I have raspberries to dig, Jams if you want more. I took out a large patch last year because my neighbor's tree now shades the whole patch ... no sun, no raspberries. Some went to Georgia Street and some to a friends farm. I have 10 to 12 plants still, some mature and some newbies. If you want them, I could bring them to West Park or leave them for you at Georgia Street. I am also digging Lillies of the Valley for a customer at the market.

I am thinking of doing a free table at the market too. So many of our gardening customers during week want great plants removed. I try to find homes for them but many just get pitched. It makes me sad.

[redvetred]

Here's a trick you might consider if you want to plant invasive herbs or most any plant but don't want them to overrun your garden - plant them in a pot sunk into the ground. I have a couple of invasive grasses that I like the color, texture and form but can't risk them overrunning the flower bed. I planted the grasses in 12-inch deep terracotta pots and planted the pots into the ground with only about the top 1/2 inch of the pot showing. This was more than three years ago and the grasses are still within the pot and under control. I know the same technique is used to control non-clumping bamboo and works fine.

[jams]

Thank you, Sumas,
mavbe a third alternative? I'm at Foran's almost every afternoon until 6 or 7. I'll happily trade a drink or two for raspberry plants, or even a serving of Rueben dip, now on the menu, thanks to the cooking thread here.

And, of course, Gannon's next door at Eph's, so between the two of us, we might be able to offer you a spare pickle barrell as well .

[sumas]

Forans might be a possibility. My partner can't work this Friday and Tuesday/Wednesday of next week due to other obligations so I am sadly idled. Are you working any of those days? Also is one or two o'clock too early? What is the closest parking that isn't an arm and a leg?

Barrier contruction works great for plants that spread by root but doesn't help for invasive plants that spread by seed. A great example is my battle with Lillies of the Valley. There is no barrier so I am always fighting them back into place. I know I need to contain them and install a barrier but I never seem to have the time.

[reddog289]

I have the same problem with the Lilly of the Valley. I need to control that stuff this year. I never knew the stuff was in front of my house till after I rottotilled. I am having trouble with some chocolate mint I bought, the opposite of the lily deal. It's dead or dormant.Another thing I hear that will spead if you don't watch out.

[jams]

I'll be there at 2 every day except Monday.

3 meters in front, and more around the corner on Cadillac Square

[sumas]

I know I have recommended staying away from invasive mints but am thinking about planting Corsican Mint as a filler for a wall stone patio. Anyone try this or have comments? I like Wooley Thyme and have good luck with it on commercial jobs but Mom doesn't like green gray plants. In the past, I've used lemon thyme and also Mother of Thyme between the stones but they get too tall and not tidy looking. Right now I have weeds which is definitely ugly and time consuming to remove weekly.

Today was a fun day as a gardener, I installed field stone edging for a customer and it came out great. Most plant/nurseries supply places grade the stones by size but not the place I went to today. I had to climb a mountain of stone and boulders to hand select the stones and sizes I wanted. My partner says she is going to call me the stone warrior or stone woman from now on. Thankfully she didn't have a camera with her. I most likely looked ludicrious on top of that heap.

Jams-I'll get you the raspberry bushes soon. When, I am not working, I maintain two personal properties. So I stay busy! I want to dig the bushes fresh and get them to you. If Friday, Tuesday or Wednesday are inclement you'll see me.

[Dutch]

Back to the Euonymous dilemma, I had a row along one side of the garage that became badly infested with scale. A couple of weeks ago I cut them to the ground and burned all the branches. I'm experimenting to see if they grow back from the stumps disease free - has anyone else tried this? - otherwise I'll chop out the stumps and plant something else.

Sumas, I'm doing the rock thing tomorrow. The place I go to has a huge selection of stuff, and I can hand pick what I need to finish up a project I'm working on. I've not tried Corsican mint, I thought it was more of a Zone 6 so I've shied away from it.

Good thread.

[courtney]

Back to the Euonymous dilemma, I had a row along one side of the garage that became badly infested with scale. A couple of weeks ago I cut them to the ground and burned all the branches. I'm experimenting to see if they grow back from the stumps disease free - has anyone else tried this? - otherwise I'll chop out the stumps and plant something else.

I've heard that going that route will work sometimes but other times they'll just get re-infected as they get larger. I'd maybe try spraying it every couple of weeks with some neem oil - it may help to prevent the scale from recurring.

Summer before last I bought a Euonymus fortunei 'Sarcoxie' which has grown wonderfully. Absolutely no signs of scale (it's supposedly more resistant than most other Euonymus) but when the little flowers come out this time of year - ick. The flies are more attracted to it than a bag of smelly garbage and every carpet beetle in the state seems to plant themselves on the flowers.

This year, I was late planting everything due to 7 weeks out of state helping my mom after her knee replacement so I won't be having the peas and garlic I wanted. I'm not hopeful for the outcome of the seeds of corn and beans I planted, but I'm hoping the tomato plants I put in will give me something other than last years diseases.

Has anyone had any luck/seen anyone who has had luck getting a crape myrtle to survive and not die back to the ground every year?

[sumas]

Courtney, you didn't say what zone you are in. Crape Myrtle isn't zone hardy in #5.

Dutch, I keep looking into your scale problem and not finding great answers. Varigated varieties are more susceptible, there are 5 varieties of scale bugs, dormant oil should be applied in late winter and late summer, the bugs can be airborn and the best treatments are only available to people with IPM liscenses. I am intrigued as to cutting back the plants as a solution. I will keep researching til I get a good answer. A good reminder is to clean cutting tools from shrub to shrub to not transmit disease.

Just completed week #5 selling herbs at West Park Market. I'd never get rich doing this but talking to other gardeners, new and experienced is so much fun. I also get such great recipes using herbs. Just got another today on cooking with Sorrel.

Cute story, last week a potencial customer came up and asked where to find Lillys of theValley. I told her I would dig some from my personal garden for her for free and bring them next week. Another (very good customer, saw the bags and begged for some) I brought more than one bag so I said sure, take some. Potencial customer showed up and was thrilled I had remembered. She told me friends, relatives and coworkers had promised her cuttings for four years and never delivered. She was thrilled that a "total stranger" had finally delivered.

She also never bothered to look at the product I was selling and made no purchase. Too funny! No good deed goes rewarded.

Also thanks for the heads up on Corsican Mint, it's labeled as a "tender perennial" ie: not zone hardy.

[Dutch]

Thanks, courtney and sumas, for sharing your thoughts.

Planted a bed of daylilies near the stone path I just finished. Years ago, we would go to a place on Lahser between Nine and Ten Mile called Hughes Gardens. They had all kinds of plants, but specialized in daylilies and irises. When you arrived they would hand you a chart showing where each variety was, and I could spend hours wandering through the vast plantings studying flower form, color, bloom time, etc. When you decided what you wanted, a worker would grab a shovel and dig up a hunk of the plant, put it in a paper grocery bag, and charge you according to how big a piece they gave you. After old Mr. Hughes died, his son ran the business for a while, then he closed it down. Sigh . . . I miss that place. Now I usually order stuff from catalogues.

[courtney]

Courtney, you didn't say what zone you are in. Crape Myrtle isn't zone hardy in #5.



I'm in St Clair Shores so it's 6b. I have heard of success of some varieties in other 6b areas but they seemed to have slightly better soil than we've got here. I just don't want it dying back to the ground each year because I want it for the bark, not the flowers so much - not to mention I don't have such a strong love for the shrubby non-tree shaped crape myrtles.

Anyone else having general bug issues big time this year? This has been the worst year for me so far that I've been in Michigan. If I get one more honeylocust plant bug on me I swear I'm going to nuke the damn tree next spring with the most toxic crap I can find and I've been getting way too much joy seeing how many ants and baby crickets (they destroyed one of my prettiest zinnias last year grrr) I can douse in diatomacious earth. And yet I haven't seen a single ladybug or firefly here yet - just a few fish flies.

[reddog289]

Into the 1st night with my new rain barrel, A few bugs to work out yet, I will be happy to put it to use.It is quite full.

[sumas]

Aphids have been my bane this year. As to the scale problem, I checked with my partner who is an advanced master gardner, she said its in the soil and plant something else.

You might try cooking your soil this fall. Not everyone has the luxury of rotating crop locations and so fungus and disease can over winter. To cook the soil, use plastic landscape rolls, anchor with rocks or spikes and I cover with mulch for aethtic look. Remove plastic in spring. Up side, it kills bad bacteria and fungus, down side, is it kills benneficials too. So you have to amend soil with compost etc.

My personal garden is mostly perennials and flowering shrubs but I do a lot of pots hanging or other wise of annuals for extended color. Mostly, I've been doing it this year on the cheap but I did do three pots of creative plantings (I used to be a florist). All the colors in them are foliage only plants although in one I did some diamond frost as an accent.

[reddog289]

I must be jinxed or be glad we got plenty of rain.My rain barrel has bugs to be worked out.Yet I plan to have another online by the end of the month.I myself would never imagined that you could get so involved into planting a garden.

[jams]

I myself would never imagined that you could get so involved into planting a garden.

I'm sitting in my garden right now, enjoying the scents of those flowers that started out as tiny little seeds just a couple of months ago wafting over me and watching a bee busily moving from flower to flower on some amazingly huge tomato plants that had looked so tiny and frail just a month ago.

No matter how bad my day was in the "productive" world, my garden is my refuge where sanity prevails and nature's laws rule.

[reddog289]

Thats the good thing about gardens they sorta draw your attention away from other deals.But there are times when I look at my garden and say where is my lawn?.OH WELL at least I got some peas already.

[jams]

.But there are times when I look at my garden and say where is my lawn?.

That is the thing I enjoy about my backyard, three very small patchs of lawn to pull up a chair and enjoy lots of veggies, herbs, and flowers. This morning, in my wild flower bed some new flowers bloomed, I've no idea yet what they are, but just the idea they are there makes my world more tolerable.

And I hope your peas were as good as mine.:)

[cheddar bob]

Slugs are laying waste to my hostas. Fuckers. I'll fix their wagons.

[cheddar bob]

What the hostas looked like before. They don't look so well now...

[alsodave]

Morning glories and grapevines are trying to take over one corner of the yard. Of the three neighbors next to us, two do great jobs with keeping up with their yards. You can guess where the invaders are coming from...

[jams]

Put a bit of beer into a small tuna or cat food can and bury it so the top is about 1" above the soil near the hostas, slugs, like certain forumers, love beer, but at least the slugs drown.

[cheddar bob]

Put a bit of beer into a small tuna or cat food can and bury it so the top is about 1" above the soil near the hostas, slugs, like certain forumers, love beer, but at least the slugs drown.
Yeah, I already did that. I hated to waste a beer on them, but I didn't have any old beer left in the empties. It was just Bud Light, though. I also put salt on them when I found them. Hope the salt doesn't hurt the plants.

Gardening is pretty difficult when you have about 150 different plants in your yard and you don't know anything about plants.

[reddog289]

I was gonna say try the beer in the cup method of trying to catch slugs. I caught more slugs in a couple of buckets of water the with the beer. Slugs must be beer snobs. As for my peas they were better before they got overcooked.Good off the vine though.

[eriedearie]

I'm just gonna throw this out here - one of my grandmothers always washed dishes in a dish pan. When she was finished she would take that pan of soapy water and fling it over the porch railing onto her flower bed. She never had any problems with bugs or anything on those plants. And had the nicest flowers.

When I water our outdoor hanging baskets I put a drop or two of dish washing liquid into the watering can and we don't have any problems with bugs.

It may work on your hostas - give it a try Cheddar :)

[cheddar bob]

I'm just gonna throw this out here - one of my grandmothers always washed dishes in a dish pan. When she was finished she would take that pan of soapy water and fling it over the porch railing onto her flower bed. She never had any problems with bugs or anything on those plants. And had the nicest flowers.

When I water our outdoor hanging baskets I put a drop or two of dish washing liquid into the watering can and we don't have any problems with bugs.

It may work on your hostas - give it a try Cheddar :)
I did that yesterday, too. I checked my beer traps tonight and one of them caught 7 slugs and had a couple more drinking out of it. The other one wasn't full enough because the foam had gone down. I had to open a beer to fill it, so it gave me an excuse to drink the rest of it (like I've ever needed an excuse).

[Maxine1958]

I did that yesterday, too. I checked my beer traps tonight and one of them caught 7 slugs and had a couple more drinking out of it. The other one wasn't full enough because the foam had gone down. I had to open a beer to fill it, so it gave me an excuse to drink the rest of it (like I've ever needed an excuse).

The soapy bath should work on all but the most determined bugs. When my moss roses came under attack a few years ago by some sort of bug that ate holes clean through all the buds, I tried the soap bath. That slowed them down but didn't stop them completely. Some one recommended adding a cayenee pepper to the cocktail. End of the boring bugs. Again, this is a cheap solution so even if it doesn't work, you're not out a bunch of money for insecticide.

Good Luck!
;)

[jams]

Just wanted to share this piece:

http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2009/07/04/city_gardening/index.html

It brought up several salient points.

I garden not because it is a "cool" thing to do, or to save vast amounts of money by not giving my money to the chains for my tomatoes, or to make a political statement, I simply have gardened for over 20 years simply because I enjoy it.

I bought my first house in Detroit, with almost a half-acre lot in Old Redford in 1981. One of my neighbors taught herbal gardening, my other neighbor tapped the sugar maples in the area in the spring and made his own syrup and sugar, and the old Italian guy behind me taught me about the best way to plant escarole and peppers.

I learned a bit about mixing cow manure and peat moss with the soil before planting tomatos will increase the yield from these people (BTW my Beefmaster tomato plants now exceed 5 feet tall following their advice).

Gardening, I believe, is one of the best teachers of patience available, one cannot rush nature to fit a schedule, but it has given me many pleasurable surprises.

[reddog289]

First thing I thought of after I looked at my yard when I bought my house was "where am I gonna put MY garden?" . With that said I am glad I did. But also looking at my garden, I do think I might have went overboard on some things.

[Pam]

the old Italian guy behind me taught me about the best way to plant escarole and peppers


What are the tips for peppers? I'm trying to grow one in a container and it is not doing too well. (No fruit yet.)

[jams]

A rich soil works wonders, I mixed cow manure and peat moss into my pepper bed, before planting, as well, every two weeks, I feed them with Miracle-Gro. They are approaching 3 feet tall with each plant having 4 to 6 peppers already with still lots of flowers.

I didn't do it this year, but in the past, I mulched around the plants with aluminum foil to reflect the sun as pepper plants are sun worshippers and did get better yields from those plants than those I didn't.

Hmmm, maybe a trip to he kitchen may be in order, I've a yearning for my garlicky pickled peppers suddenly, mmmmmmmmmm

[Pam]

A rich soil works wonders, I mixed cow manure and peat moss into my pepper bed, before planting, as well, every two weeks, I feed them with Miracle-Gro. They are approaching 3 feet tall with each plant having 4 to 6 peppers already with still lots of flowers.

I didn't do it this year, but in the past, I mulched around the plants with aluminum foil to reflect the sun as pepper plants are sun worshippers and did get better yields from those plants than those I didn't

I used enriched potting soil and have given it some Miracle Gro. It could be the sun issue, since it only gets direct sun half of the day.

[reddog289]

Have a ? for all on the forum. Has any one here grown ICEBURG LETTUCE?. Mine looks like nothing in the store.

[LodgeDodger]

Put a bit of beer into a small tuna or cat food can and bury it so the top is about 1" above the soil near the hostas, slugs, like certain forumers, love beer, but at least the slugs drown.

Hey! I resemble that remark!

[LodgeDodger]

I used enriched potting soil and have given it some Miracle Gro. It could be the sun issue, since it only gets direct sun half of the day.

IMHO, there is nothing that works better than composted soil and a tiny bit of organic fertilizer.

Gardening has been my savior with all the things going on in life this summer.

[Pam]

IMHO, there is nothing that works better than composted soil


I don't have a compost pile, because I don't have a yard.
A couple of new flowers opened on the pepper, so maybe I'll end up with something.

[reddog289]

How are your gardens doing? Just wondering.

[ccbatson]

Doesn't the stuff the big corporate farmers use work better than compost?

[jams]

Nope, but since you find a Big Mac a fine dining experience, enjoy your ingestion of artificial chemicals.

[jams]

BTW don't you find gardening tedious?

[reddog289]

I find it tedious at times, Frustrating, and also adicting too..But had some of "My green beans my Mom cooked they sure were good. I might scale back next year myself. When the maters do turn red I will be happy.

[vetalalumni]

Any updates from the green thumbers?

[ccbatson]

The closest I ever want to get to gardening is to visit one of the many U-pick farms/orchards.

[sumas]

As mentioned before, I don't do much with veggies. I love my flowers. I did plant one heritage tomato plant in a large pot. Watered every day, only got three tomatos but critters ate big chunks out of two.

[jams]

From my little plots, I've had peas, beans, bib and leaf lettuce, hungarian hots, tons of cukes and tomatos. I've loved "shopping" in my garden for my salads, too bad some don't understand that.

Quite a bit went to Foran's where I made salsa, creamed cukes and other items with picked fresh from the garden that day.

It was a bit funny when some patrons were upset with me when we ran out of the salsa made from my garden and I used the commercial produce for the next batch.

the squrrels and the birds are loving my sunflowers, 8 ft. tall and dozens of blooms, but I'll be more careful where I plant them next year.

One thing I regret is not planting more herbs, I've got plenty of basil, parsley,and oregano but only a small rosemary and no thyme, again next year.

[vetalalumni]

I wanna see pictures of these gardens (please)! It is interesting. Use flicker, tinypic, whatever.

To say it the way we used to back in the day - Set em out! :p

[PCE]

Hi All,
This is one of my favorite threads. I haven't had a garden since moving to Montana in 2003 from Detroit. Living at 4000' and only having 2 months of frost free weather, I just assumed that my gardening days were over. Then, in March, I had the good fortune to meet Cub over on Georgia St. His raised gardens made me think about a system I utilized in the 80's, square foot gardening. http://www.squarefootgardening.com/ I came back home inspired. I now have 4-3'x7' rectangles contained in a 10' x 16' area with posts and half log rails. Chicken wire on the lower section to keep out rabbits and such with fencing on the top part to keep out the deer and elk. Not much I can do if a griz gets interested but we'll see what happens. I found some used greenhouse plastic at a nursery in the valley which will hopefully extend the growing season and built a compost bin with some scrap pieces of wood I had. This winter I'll gather seeds for the spring.
I'll post some pictures when I learn how to do that.

[reddog289]

PCE, Good for you, I got to see the raised beds at the GSCC last year and should have did some this year.My Dad did the square foot gardening thing back in the 80's. He did well till he just went to growing maters and got tired of the varments.If and when I get the cord for my scanner, I will post some pix of my mess of a GARDEN. 3 yrs of having my own garden and I am just starting to learn.

[PCE]

Hey Reddog289-Would love to see pictures of your garden. I hear you about the learning thing. I've got very different growing conditions than what I'm used to.It snowed here on August 8th. Didn't stick but snowed all the same. Next year should prove interesting.

[jams]

Sad day today. I cut down my sunflower stalks after our fat little squirrels had eaten almost all of blooms.

Still was able to harvest enough green beans, Hungarian hots, an onion and basil to make a veggie saute that was delicious last night.

I'm now collecting seeds for next years garden from various plants and waxing poetical about how one generation leads to another in the cycle of life.

[reddog289]

Need to save my Purple Tomato seeds for next year.Next year I will build stronger mater cages. Need to get the scanner working, for things other then garden photos.
Sad to say I am getting older, All those cars in my yard, take up space that can be used for plants.

[Pam]

All those cars in my yard, take up space that can be used for plants.


Maybe you can use them as planters? :)

My pepper plant has more peppers on it now, than it did back in July. I don't think they have time to get full grown before the first frost though.

[reddog289]

Hear its gonna frost Thursday morn, Better get picking today. Found out how to send pix from phone. Took some pix have to read up on loading them here.

[reddog289]

Forgot about the cars, TWO will be gone soon and the other hopefully on the road next year. Gonna try bucket planting. But that car planter deal might work.
Funny thing before I got into gardening, I have another car at a different location. It is in a garage. Well it was warm out on a sunny Febuary day, So I went to the garage to mess with the car. I climb over, around, and even upside down to get underneath said car. After the lights had fully kicked on and I turned on the trouble light to see what work lay ahead of me. I noticed something green and growing, wrapping itself around the engine stand and the block that rested on it. Sure enuff A vine had grown. In the middle of winter, in the middle of a normally dark during the winter garage.
I was puzzeled, So I asked my Uncle the gardener, ''How can this be?" He said "A message from God" or a mouse dropped a seed and something was right to make it grow.I let the vine grow. Till one day I came back and it had died. Then I had noticed some thing I never noticed before.Through a vent came Sunlight. And when the heater was turned on, Moisture. Be it from snowy boots or condensation.Somewhere I have pictures of this "plant". Not that I will ever find them, Yet at the time I just looked at the MYSTERY asspect of it all.
Back then as now, It could be one of my stories that had Friends,Family and anyone else thinking, "What is he on?".
I think back on that vine and them times,wayback in the 1990's. Yet winter is on it's way and the car nor the "trellis" engine stand has moved. Only time will tell.

[sumas]

I am already planning next years garden. Can't believe it's a frost warning for Thursday. This year I think I am going to store my annual geraniums. I just pull them out of the planters. Toss them in a brown paper bag and store them in a cool dry place. In many of my planters, I use perennials. I just leave them out all winter and most survive. Best luck is with choral Bells (any variety) Catmint, Snow on the mountain and Sedums. Coolest experiment was I took some cuttings from a customers' yard, of trailing sedum. I had a cement pedestal from an old bird feeder and a strawberry planter. The sedum almost looks like a perpetual trailing fountain now.

[reddog289]

I know my garden will be smaller next and with stronger mater cages.

[eriedearie]

reddog - I just gotta ask...by any chance were you born and bred from south of the Mason-Dixon line? Love the way you refer to them as maters! Just brings me memories of my kinfolk from down south. :D

[eriedearie]

Have any of the gardeners on here tried growing tomateos? Not tomatoes or maters...these are the little, round, spicy balls of flavor that grow wrapped in a papery-like shell. 3364

One of our local farmers sent some home with my husband for me to try. First taste...I wasn't too sure...was kinda spicy, sour with a hint of sweetness to it. But, I took all of them out their paper wrapping and washed them. Sat them on the kitchen counter and now every time I walk by, I have to pop one in my mouth - I think I'm hooked.

Anyway, these are little, like a marble. I have seen them sold at Honeybee - but they were way larger. Does anyone know if the larger ones have the same taste? I can't seem to find too much about them on Google. Just wondering???

[reddog289]

Erie, I myself have never grown those Tomateos,But would try if I liked them. I bought some strawberry tomatos at Eastern Market cause I only planted one cherry tomato plant this year. The strawberry maters were grown in a greenhouse in Essex or somewhere round there.
BTW people think I might be from the south, But only because of my fathers side, and not that far{West Virginia and Kentucky}. Moms side were first generation Detroiters. And to confuse things even more my StepDad's GreatGreat,X? Grandfather is said to have brought over the first plow to Quebec. There is a statue of him in Quebec City.
I was born in Wayne, raised in Garden City and Westland, although spend alot of time at both sets of Grandparents in Detroit, That when I went to High School my newer friends thought I was livin in Detroit and going to school in Westland..
But if you were to see the desk me and my co-worker share at work You might think we/you were south of the Mason Dixon line. Newspapers from Tennesee and Hunting magazines from Kentucky.
Now I need to figure out how to put pictures of my garden on here.Took some before I ripped out the dying plants.

[sumas]

A perfect rose. This year was not a stellar year for roses. Trying to put my garden to rest I found it. One perfect rose bud.

I felt a bit shameless, but cut it off and brought it indoors. A week later it still looks flawless. Tropicana is the name. It is the only flower, it (the plant) has produced all year. I thought briefly of taking a photo. But then I decided to just keep the image in my minds eye.

[redvetred]

Erie,
They are called tomatillos. Here's some info from the GardenNet.com:


"Tomatillo is also known as Toma Verde or Ground Cherries. It is a member of the nightshade family, related to tomatoes. It is grown like a tomato, and the plant and leaves look like a tomato plant. That is where the similarity ends. Twenty years ago, most Americans did not even know of Tomatillos, let alone think about growing them. Now, avid gardeners looking for something different to grow, often turn to Tomatillos.
The fruit of the Tomatillo is green, and about the size of a large cherry tomato. The inside is white and meatier than a tomato. Tomatillos grow inside of a thin paper-like husk. They are used in Salsa, jams and other mexican recipes."

I liked the taste and they were easy to grow.

[reddog289]

Looks like sumthing I should try to grow. Every one I know makes salsa. Except me. None of my Tomatos did real well this year, I had bumper crop of Hungarian Wax Peppers and Habanaroes. Got pictures but haven't figured out how to post them.

[eriedearie]

Redvetred - thank you for the information. I was using the name that my husband relayed from the farmer. Gosh, I am totally hooked on those little guys! This past week alone the farmer has given me two-2 quart baskets of them. I'm eating them like they're M&M candies! There's no time to make salsa or cook anything with them. I get them out of their little paper wrappers and wash 'em and pop them in my mouth! :D

I'm gonna need to find a supplier in the coming months. I can't wait till next harvest in Ontario for another batch! So if you know of someplace that sells them - please post their location here.

[sumas]

Unfortunately for me I hate winter. Did get the snowblower fixed but then the lawnmower died.

Just finished the last customers fall clean up and my partner and I agreed that nature is just amazing. Already signs of new plant life waiting for spring.