BS: Gardening, 2009

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 10:34 AM

Oaks are not friendly to things in their understory.....not friendly at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 10:13 PM

Seriously. If the trees are an impediment to what you REALLY want to do in your yard, then modify the yard so you can do what you want. Most people struggle to get some kind of tree cover over their houses, but you've moved into a place where not only are the trees well-established, they've excluded all other activities. It's time to decide what you want to do, and where the best place is to do it. Then take out the trees that are in the way.

Pull up your socks, Janie. Tell those trees who is boss! :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 07:07 AM

Walked out the door this morning to discover the juncos polishing off the last of the lettuce seeds I had pressed into the soil in those pots! It's off to Southern States for a bit of chicken wire to lid the pots with before I replant.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 08:02 AM

Fried junko... Yeah, they are small but about 4 of the little guys will fill ya' up... Awww, jus' funnin'... I loves all the birdies...

(Starlings too, Boberdz???)

Well, okay, not "all"...

As fir oak trees... Our shade gardens are under oak trees and they do fine... It's all in soil prep... So put that chain saw down, Janie....

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 10:15 AM

But if she wants vegetables, Bobert, she'll need some sunlight. I'm not proposing a clear cut, just a partial cut, thinning where needed. :)

Starlings may be annoying little birds, but they have a memory. And if you go out and bang a trash can or something else noisy enough to startle them a few times, they'll stay out of the trees in the yard for the rest of the season "perching in large numbers in urban trees season."

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 08:31 PM

I'm not sure I could get enough sun, Maggie, unless nearly all of the trees were taken down.

There are thick stands of tall trees immediately to the east, south and west of my lot, which is about 110 feet wide. Even if I took down every tree in the front and on the east, those stands would still limit the sun to the minimal amount needed for a veggie garden to do well. The lot behind my house is clear, and I only have 3 large trees behind the house, but two of them are split by the property line. It is also north of all the other trees and the house. This house is oddly situated on the rear northwest corner of the property and there isn't much space behind the house. It is all front yard, which faces and slopes south. These were not trees that were planted. Rather, the lots on my street were woods, and the trees were thinned. They are very, very tall with narrow canopies as they have had to compete with one another to reach for the sun, as happens in woods and forest. If I cut everything down, it would still just be a small clearing and only the very center of the clearing would get 5-6 hours of sun.

My sister and I have taken out a bunch of small trees and gobs of saplings. I do have one rather large oak that I am going to have to have an arborist take a look at as I am noticing a big chunk of bark right at the base appears to have loosened from the wood itself and in the crack around the margins it looks like the cambium layer may be dead underneath.   There are also a couple of holes through the bark near the base that look like boring insect holes. Given the evidence of older trees taken down with hollow centers, and one sickly hickory that was no more than 9-12 inches at the base that Sis and I took down and which proved to be hollow at the base and filled with "sawdust" (but no bugs in obvious evidence),   I'm concerned.    If it were to fall it could take most of the house with it.   If it needs to come down it is much, much too big for my sister and I to do it, and will probably cost 2000-2500 to have taken down.

Having said all that, there is one area of the rear side yard on the east that gets 4-5 hours of mostly morning sun in the summer, and if I take out a dogwood to the west of that area I may get enough sun to make a go of a small summer veggie garden. There is only me and my son on alternate weeks, so I don't really need for tomatos, cukes, squash, etc. to bear heavily to meet our needs for fresh produce, and no longer have a freezer or the time to do canning.

It just occurred to me that I could stick with shade ornamentals and subscribe to one of the several CSA's in the area. Still, there is nothing so satisfying as getting home from work and going out to the garden to harvest most of what will be on the table for supper.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 08:34 PM

Oops. One of these days I'll start using preview. What I was trying to say is even if I took down all the trees on the front of my lot (and nearly all of lot is front yard), the tall and dense stands of trees immediately to my east, south and west would still limit the amount of sun.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 08:40 PM

Lowe's has primroses in. I've never had enough shade to grow them before. It seems a bit early to plant them out, so I didn't buy any, but think I'll grab some in another week to try in pots.

I wasn't situated in the fall to plant violas, and am eagerly keeping my eyes open to snatch some when they are in the garden centers. Violas are about my favorite annual. I love the look of them tumbling out of the side holes of strawberry pots.

Joybell, what do you plant in the fall?

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 11:14 AM

OK here's a question. My brother wants to go in together and buy the Burpee Ultimate Growing System so we can start our own tomato, squash, okra, cucumber, etc. plants. Last year I bought the little plants at the local garden center and they did great. I could put the system in a room upstairs, but would I need to rig up lights to shine directly on the plantlings, or would just the overhead lights in the room do if I left them on for several hours a day? Advice from other gardeners much appreciated.

I've got a feeling Bobert was right that I planted the peas and lettuce too early. We had some majorly cold weather after that brief warm spell that inspired me.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 11:38 AM

You can find plant trays like that for a couple of bucks each at the local Dollar General store (here in Texas). Putting some cellophane over the top would take care of the clear cover. But it looks like a tidy arrangement if you don't want to work out the setup yourself.

We have a warmer day today, without the wind of yesterday. My garden is calling. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 11:56 AM

Mary,

If you just set out a few of any particular veggie and are happy with the varieties commonly offered at garden centers, it probably is more cost-efficient to buy seedlings. If you want to plant a bunch of anything, starting your own plants ffrom seeds is more cost efficient. If you like to try different varieties, are interested in heirlooms, or have a preference for varieties that are not commonly available at garden centers, seeds are the way to go.

I would do it without a grow light ONLY if you have a sunny, southfacing window where you can place the seed-starting tray and can control somewhat for temperature. If the window is sunny but cool because of cold outside temps, things like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, which require warm soil temperatures to germinate and thrive won't do well. You will need to turn the tray 1/4 turn daily.   Without sufficient light, seedlings are weak and leggy.

Overhead lights are entirely insufficient, regardless of the type of light bulb or tube you use.    Grow lights usually are height-adjustable and should be positioned just a couple of inches above the plants to provide sufficient light. In addition, incandescent lights do not have a sufficient spectrum.   Although you can buy special spectrum lights for grow-light systems, regular florescent lights work plenty well enough, and are a little less expensive.

If you are going to buy a seed starting kit, I would suggest you consider Gardener's Supply
APS system. The up-front cost is a little higher, but the cells and trays are extremely durable and last for years. I've been using this system for 10 years and have never had to buy any replacement cells or trays. I don't fool with their seed-starting mix. It's nice, but not necessary. Any good quality potting soil will work just fine.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 12:01 PM

What Maggie says is true, especially if you have time to carefully monitor. It made sense for me to invest in seed-starting because I did it extensively and for so long. But if you just want to grow one flat of plants, or are not sure how much you want to get into it, those $2.00 trays at Dollar General or Wally World are the way to go.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 01:05 PM

We hate throwing plastic away even if it does supposedly get recycled so we keep alot of clear plastic containers that food comes in... Costco sells wondefull organic spinich in one that is about 8" tall, 8" wide and maybe 14" long... This container makes for a wonderfull seed starter and keeping the the top closed also acts as a little hot house... I'd bet that most everyone just throws these away or in the recycling bin...

No need to spend extra dough if ya have these...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 01:22 PM

The buds on the dogwoods have swollen significantly over the past week, and are starting to redden. Flower buds are just beginning to emerge on the one redbud in the yard.   A few flowers have opened on a flowering almond, the earliest of daffodils are blooming and the tulips are about 5 inches high. There is a puny forcythia out front that has a few flowers opened.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 01:33 PM

Good point. I tend to keep larger yogurt plastic containers because quite often someone will be here I and want to transplant some small plant for them to take home. Those are handy for transfer and storage of plants and various garden items.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: paula t
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 02:18 PM

I have experimented with growing seeds in half a plastic drainpipe. It makes transplanting a doddle. All you do is thin the seedlings to the distance apart you want ,then dig a shallow trench and slide the whole contents of the pipe into it.Less root disturbance and the plants can be left a little later before planting out if frost threatens.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: GUEST,MAG
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 03:59 PM

All my bulbs are up, thanks to the warming we usually get in February.

Every year I tell them: no, not yet, not yet ...

I think I'll spend the summer digging out bramble roots and trying to take better care of my roses.

And tomatoes, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 06:18 PM

I have lots of iris and daffodils coming up, and this is the time I need to transplant those that decided to volunteer in the middle of the turf, or that stubbornly remain in an area where I no longer want to maintain a bed. It happens every year.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: robomatic
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 07:25 PM

We don't put things outside until there is no more chance of evening frost, and that is Memorial Day!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 08:22 PM

The plastic containers, etc., work fine if you have enough light, have enough time to tend them carefully, and/or you are starting plants that sprout quickly and are ready to set out within 6-8 weeks of germination, and/or you are not growing large quantities of plants from seed. I was working full-time, plus growing flowers, veggies and plants for market, plus maintaining a large perennial garden just for the fun of it. I needed a system that worked well if I neglected the seedlings.

If you have large flowerbeds to fill it is much less expensive to grow them from seed. You can also get exactly the varieties you want. The range of perennial plant varieties available at most garden centers is extremely limited. Sometimes you want to be very sure of your color or shade of color. For example, I love yarrow "Colorado Mix" because of some unusual shades of cream to apricot that it produces. When those creams and apricots are sufficient the mix is stunning in a big sunny bed. However, it tends to produce high numbers of pink, burgandy and white plants and many fewer of the cream to apricot shades, which are also not as vigorous and easily crowded out after a couple of years by the burgundies and pinks. So I started them from seed every few years, planted them out in a nursery bed until they flowered, and transplanted the desired colors into the yarrow bed out front. When I was selling at the farmer's market, I potted up the other colors and sold them there. Once I stopped doing the market, I'd send out an e-mail to the two garden clubs in Hillsborough as well as pass the word to people who worked in my building when I was getting ready to dispose of plants I didn't want or was getting ready to divide perennials. I'd also put a sign up by the street that said "free perennials to good homes." Then I'd just dump the bare-root plants by the curb, sprinkle a little dirt or leaf litter over them and then water the mess a bit to delay the drying out. The majority of the plants usually got taken and the street department would pick up what was left as yard waste.

Also, once I stopped doing the market, I'd take leftover flower and veggie seedlings that I didn't need for my gardens, as well as excess produce from the garden to church and set up a table with a basket for money on the sidewalk. People would take what they wanted, toss money in the basket, and the proceeds went to the Rector's Discretionary fund which was generally used to help with things like eviction notices and utility cut-offs for folks in the community who weren't eligible for emergency funds from DSS. Soon, other people were bringing eggs from their chickens, bouquets from their gardens, etc., and putting them out also.

Even if I had the sun, I don't have the time anymore to do those sorts of things (and probably not the energy.) But I am grateful for having had that time and that opportunity in my life. For all the time, effort and money it took to garden as I did, I got back much more than I put out. It fed my soul. I won't say that I don't look at photos of my old garden with sadness and grief at leaving them behind, but the truth is I had neglected the garden terribly the last two years before I moved and that neglect showed. I am beginning to understand that it was a once in a lifetime experience for me that I got to participate in for more than 10 years before age and life-changes made it impossible to continue on that scale. What a blessing to have had that opportunity.

Sorry for the ramble, but thanks for listening.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 08:42 PM

Well, Janie, the nice thing about gardeners is that there really aren't too many rules... Yeah, once you get it then you always kinda know what a plant needs to be happy but that's the extent of it...

We make the decisions as to what we want given our planting conditions...

When we left our West Virginia gardens we thought that that we'd never again be so blessed to have what we had there...

But then we started looking at this spot or that spot and next thing ya' know it, we figured some of it out...

But, as you know, gardening is the journey, not the destination... We do it because it feels good to create...

BTW, we have the opposite from you... Our West Virginia garden was created in what you have now and our Virginia garden is what you left behind...

We are just getting out "sun legs" under us...

Wish we could bottle some of it up and send it to you...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: GUEST,MAG
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 08:43 PM

hmmm, I'm dialing in from home, and I see I show up as guest.

Guess I'd better go reset my cookie.

Or maybe my 'puter knocked it out and that'swhy I can connect ...

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 12:05 PM

I have a bag in the laundry room with a type of narcissus I haven't seen before. It doesn't match what I have in the yard, but I'll find someplace new to tuck them in and see how they do. This is a "gift" from my ex with the not-so-green thumb (the stuff still growing in his yard is the stuff I planted there years ago when I still lived there). A co-worked dug out extras and gave him some, and he figures they'll die at his house. Probably not. I offered to send back one of the bag (of bags and bags) of root stuff that I have sprouting in the garage and beside the house. I could spend all of my time trying to find someplace for all of these iris and daffodils. I'm guess I'm going to have to put a bunch in behind the back fence, where they can look wild. It's a place where I haven't planted any of my extra stuff yet.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 06:15 PM

Well, seein' as it was a warm day today I took off work and stayed home and did a little early spring clean up... There was a nasty Paradise Tree on the east side of the veggie garden that I cut down a couple weeks ago so the garden would get better morning sun and half of it is still laying in the veggie garden but I got the other half cut up and outta there... Arranged to get a nice load of chicken manure and weather permitting should have it down and the other half of the nasty Paradise Tree gone within a couple of weeks...

We have had our eyes on some fine looking blackberry canes growing on the side of the driveway and plan on digging them up and planting them on the fence line of the veggie garden... The ones we put in year before last gave us one heck of alot of blackberries...

The poor P-Vine is a mental case trying to get her orders in with all the wholesale growers in NC and Virginia and we are still trying to plan our trip for next weekend... Seems that every day there are new variables...

One plant that we love is the long needle pine and no-one other than us uses them in their landscaped around here but that is going to change as we're going to buy 10 of them for the garden center... The problem now is figuring out just which trailer and tow vehicle to take to bring home plants... The Honda CRV has a 4X6 covered tariler which is only about 4 feet high and gets 25 mpg... The Chevy truck has a 7X10 trailer and is about 6 feet high inside but get about 14 mpg...

We'll know in a couple days...

Meanwhile, Janie and Dani, hang in there...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 11:24 PM

I've started a sort of impromptu blog on an organic gardening site out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I've been a member for a while, and have dabbled in the forum, but there is a category for member blogs, so I thought "what the heck." I described my yard, the process I used to find it and what I was looking for in a yard (space and good soil! sunlight, water, and shade!), and I've posted some of my photos of insects (in the first instance, the tobacco hornworm caterpillar and pupa stages). The guy who owns the site likes the photos and asked to move them into the library on his site. This is only the beginning--he hasn't been aware of my penchant to photograph everything going on out there, with perspective but also as close as I can reasonably get. :) It would be nice to be able to provide photos for his site or even books. We'll see what happens.

I wonder if they'll smile at the photo of the vulture hanging out on my next door neighbor's TV antenna? Or of the big black and white bug rolling a nugget of dog poop? Time will tell!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 06:08 PM

Onion sets are in, and a new little bed in a sunny corner next to a fence where I'll staple on some chicken wire for climbing is set for beans.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 06:30 PM

What variety of beans, SRS???

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 07:42 PM

Well I guess I did jump the gun on the peas and lettuce, considering that now they are covered with eight inches of snow and it's 12 degrees outside. Shucks!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 08:03 PM

Sorry, Mary, but ya' can't trick nature...

Didja get an almanac??? The plant times are right in there and they are based on real lunar cycle stuff... The better farmers around here swear by it... It will tell ya' the best times to plant based on the moon... No, I don't get it but I do know that it seems to work???

BTW, we're goin' be in yer neigborhood next Friday... No, not this one but next... Sandy's Nursery is having an open house with food and we are going to be buying a,lot of stuff from them so... why not??? Plus, any chance I get to go back to Richmond, I'll take... Got a lot of history there...

B~

p.s. Cheer up... It will be 65 on Saturday...

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: maeve
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 08:16 PM

On the other hand. I've had peas and lettuce do just fine under similar conditions. Wait and see.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Mar 09 - 12:31 AM

Bobert, I'm going to go see what they have at the garden center. I love snow peas, but they only grow here in the spring, it's too hot after about May. I'll look also for something in addition that likes more heat. Do you have any recommendations? Green beans/blue lake, etc.? Something to steam, stir fry, drop into soup? Freezes well? I'll probably start them from seed.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 04 Mar 09 - 08:50 AM

Got any place for pole beans? Or Scarlet Runners? They go well in a stir fry and tend to like the heat. Have you ever grown Malabar spinach? If I recall that's a heat lover as well; and likewise good in stir fry.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Mar 09 - 10:11 AM

I have Swiss chard in a couple of beds, and it does very well through the summer here. Anything you can make with spinach, you can make with chard, and chard in a lot of ways is more flexible and tastes better.

I hate scarlet runners. My mom grew them all of the time when I was a kid, I didn't like the smell when they cooked. Maybe after 40 years I ought to give them another try? But you'll never ever get me to grow Lima beans. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 10:09 AM

You'd think with all of the time I spend in the garden that I'd have built up various immunities to pollen that drifts through the area. But here I am again, another spring, another series of sinus headaches and starting down the path of Allegra + decongestant + motrin + neti pot. Does anyone else on this thread suffer for their gardening?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 12:27 PM

Malabar spinach isn't spinach - I think it's an Indonesian vine of some sort, and doesn't really taste like spinach, at least to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 12:58 PM

pollen allergies both me no more in the garden than anywhere else - (Or maybe they bother me just as much out of the garden as in the garden?)

The exception is grass mowing. It not only stirs of respiratory stuff, but my skin breaks out in a rash and I start itching, so I always have to mow with long pants, long sleeves and a dust mask.

Maggie, you were asking about beans - I like Provider and Jade bush beans. My favorite french filet bean is Tavera.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 02:34 PM

We grow a flat pole bean (smeraldo) that grows to about 8 inches long... You cut them up into 1 1/2 lengths, blanch them, vaccum pack 'um and put 'um in the freezer until time to eat 'um... The P-Vine sauteas (sp?) 'um in a pan with a little garlic and olive oil and yummy...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 07:32 PM

sautee. Mmmmmm! Sounds good!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 08:01 PM

Well, its not the only way to have 'um, SRS, but they sho nuff good that way...

But we use 'um in soups and casseroles, too...

We grow a 35 foot row on a sections of 5 foot fence and we get about 50 pounds outta that little amount of space...

If ya' compare it to lima beans they are real prolific... We might get 10 pounds of limas for the same amount of garden space... But they is yummy, too... Actually, I love limas... Especially when they are fresh...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 09:40 PM

I'm lazy - I like stringless beans. I know many say that pole beans have a better flavor and yield better, but I have never had much luck with them. Probably because disease becomes a big problem in the hot and extremely humid summers we have here, and I can't grow them under row cover to keep out disease-spreading insects.

My favorite snap bean recipe:

About a lb. of whole, young, tender beans, tips removed.
2 tbsp. sesame seeds
1 to 2 tblsp. softened butter
1 clove garlic
2-3 tbsp. finely chopped or minced onion
Fresh tarragon or Mexican Mint Marigold
Any combination of the following fresh herbs: Parsley, oregano, summer savory, marjoram)

mash the garlic and herbs into the butter with a fork. Set aside for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Toast the sesame seed in a dry skillet. Remove.

Add 1/4" to 3/8 " water to the skillet, cover, and bring to a boil. Add the beans and onion. Boil over medium high heat, uncovered, until the water is evaporated, but absolutely no longer than 5 minutes. Reduce heat and shake the beans in the skillet briefly over the burner until the skillet is dry. Add the sesame seeds and herb butter. Toss until butter is melted.

Yum!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 10:04 AM

We do beans almost the same way , with the folllowing differences.

No butter - start the beans in about a tablesppon of olive oil; and once the onion and garlic start to soften toss in a tablesooiin or so of soy; cover briefly to take advantage of the steam from the soy boiling off.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 08:16 PM

That sounds delish, Leo. I'll definitely try preparing them that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 07:10 AM

Onions are breaking through. The kale seeds have sprouted. Gonna re-sow lettuce and spinach today and cover the pots with chicken wire to keep the Junco's out.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 04:15 AM

2 crocus blossomed, the 'tete a tete' daffodil (singluar) in the front is blooming, there's a suspicion of colour in the clemetis and the primroses are still flowering... otherwise, it's still all ivy and garbage.

But the fence is still erect!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 12:58 PM

I bet that's in honor of tits being out in your yard, eh? A place for them to perch and preen.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 06:32 PM

I just can't seem to visual what I want to do here that is within my budget (time, as well as money,) and my physical capabilities.

So I worked on taking apart a rock pile today and whacking back ugly shrubbery.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 07:19 PM

uhmm...visualize. I seem to be forgetting to type the suffix on an awful lot of words lately.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 10:20 PM

I am glad to hear so much talk hear on vegtable growing in flowerpots.. I just got Smith & Hawken to go for making less expensive Large Tara Rose pots from a Dutch pottery friend in Ixing .. I remember Steve Jobs getting large pots from me to put tomatos in along his walk-ways years ago . Cool idea !

I had the fun of demonstrating flowerpot making at the Phili Flower show today . The last day of the show and still wall to wall humans . Sorry to hear the Boston show died this year .. With the lack of money in the world it is great to see how many people are growing things !! Very inspiring .. All my best to all here .. Yours Guy

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: maeve
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 10:58 PM

A gardener could build a whole garden around Mr. Wolff's pots. I'd surely enjoy trying. What a treat to stop by tonight and see your post.

Janie, you'll figure it out. For now, just do what gives you pleasure.

maeve, with a riverbank full of clay but no wheel.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 01:04 AM

I have had a couple of photos on my fridge that I pulled out of magazines with gardens that I'd like mine to look like. Don't know if I'll get there. Ideas will occur to you.

I see garlic coming up in the newest bed (the one I used for the first time last summer). I poked a whole bunch of those dried little corm things in to see if they'd sprout. Looks like they will! I love using my own garlic when I cook. That bed is going to be my kitchen garden--in that when I'm cooking I can go pull something out of it to use right now. It isn't going to be stuff that will be ready to use later. At least, not much of it, and not stuff that takes up a lot of space. I'm evicting the tomatoes to a different bed this year. The eggplant can stay. They were big, but wonderful.

100

SRS