[Diana in Wisconsin]

Really simple tips for an advanced gardener, but good basic information for the rest of us. :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Garden Ping!

[PERKY2004]

Thanks!!!!!

[Starfleet Command]

Victory Garden II ping!

[Califreak]

Thanks.

I’m such a noob!

This year, I finally started mulching the beds with leaves & clippings.

I did get the seedlings started early for a change.

Tomatoes are sprouting on top of the fridge.

Turnips are coming up, possibly brussels sprouts but still no sign of carrots, taters or peas.

I miss the weekly gardening thread.

[HiramQuick]

As a master gardener I concur with the list but would add get a soil sample and test done before any seed or seedling touches the ground. Soil is a key ingredient. A soil test can be usually done through your local extension office. It is 12 bucks here.

Two fundamental rules in plant problem diagnosis. 1. Look up. Proper amount of light needed for the plant. 2. Look down. Is the soil at the correct ph for the specific plant. What are the elemental needs of the plant compared to the soil. This is why you do a soil test if you have never grown anything in the area/

A humorous picture. Using discarded sinks and such to use as planters. I had a neighbor that got into a urinating contest with the local city council on zoning. A plumber by trade .. he lined his property with a 100 toilets and planted flowers in each one. Eclectic ... in the eye of the beholder. I thought it rather funny ... City council was fit to be tied .. as usual they were the laughingstock of the community. (It seems govt always is)

[Paul Heinzman]

My compost bin spontaneously combusted in October. The fence didn’t catch fire, thanks to my quick-thinking son Jeff. Turn your compost and if it’s nitrogen rich and you’ve neglected it, don’t dump a bunch ashes in there.

[girlangler]

Thanks Diana, for the ping.

I started seeds too late last year, so ended up buying tomatoe and pepper sets.

So, I started tomatoes from seeds this year. I have baby tomatoe sprouts, if they make it I’ll not have to buy them this year. I also bought one of those miniature greenhouses to use to start seeds, and apparently it works. The tomatoe sprouts verify that.

Mom and I went to an indoor flea market a few weeks ago, and bought these huge, beautiful, and awesome tasting tomatoes. The guy we bought them from said they were vine ripened in Florida. I used those seeds to start the sprouts I have up now. Of course, I realize they may not work well here, but I am nurturing them.

I also planted some Big Boy Hybrid seeds yesterday.

I composted last year, put that in my raised garden beds. It was a disaster. Something went wrong, the soil was sandy and not productive. I also had cantalopes, etc, come up from the compost. I still have a lot to learn about composting, apparently.

I did save the white runner beans from my garden for seed, and that’s what I’ll plant this year. They are producers. I had bought some bush beans at the coop and planted them (what a waste of space). They didn’t produce enough to bother.

Remember me telling you about the ladies down the road who gave me all the flower cuttings last year? Their brother’s house caught fire and I called them a few days ago to ask if I could help, bring them some clothes, etc. (the house was a total loss). I have some flower seeds a friend sent me from England (all perenials) and I plan to share these with my neighbors this spring. These include Canterbury Bells that came from some cottage connected to Shakespeare.

I have been sick for two days with some kind of bug (chest, head congestion), so I am not thinking or posting sensibly. However, my aunt from England who lives near here was THRILLED when I told her my friend in England had sent me these Canterbury Bells.

My British friend sent me some perinials two years ago that are among my favorites now in my flower beds. She said they are called “Love in a Mist.” They are delicate fernlike foliage, with a beautiful purple flower.

Sharing is one of the best parts of gardening. I turned a bunch of my Mom’s neighbors, “Old biddies,” into friends by sharing my bleeding hearts. They are now fans of me and Mom.

I actually went and bought one of them a $10 gift certificate from Lowes at Christmas. I put a note in the card saying “I know you love your flowers, and they are beautiful. So, wanted to tell you how much it means for my Mother to have a good neighbor (worth more than Gold) like you.”

I really like this woman, although at first I wanted to strangle her for being mean to my Mom. Amazing how many barriers a green thumb can break down. Presidents should be gardeners, true diplomats!!!

[blam]

I’ve read that if you put green lawn grass clippings into your compost pile that it will rob the pile of much needed nitrogen.

[Vicki]

I have been an avid gardener for years, that is up until I moved to our new house. There is almost no sun. Only in the backyard where I have some large containers in the only area that gets any signicant sun can I have some tomatoes or cucumbers. I have plenty of room otherwise but very limited sun.

What can I grow to eat that doesn't need much sun? Thanks for any suggestions.

[CottonBall]

Soil is the key to a wonderful garden. Making compost is a low-cost way to improve soil.

I'm trying to learn to garden in the mountains. At least, I will when all the snow melts around May.

A friend up there is an avid gardener and tells me she never fertilizes or does anything to improve the soil. She believes the natural mulch of pine needles and aspen leaves, along with at least 5 feet of snow on the ground for 5 or 6 months, creates rich soil up there. The soil is pretty dark and every plant she's given me has thrived in our meadow.

Does anyone know about this? It sure is hard to find mountain gardening books or info! (We're at 7200 feet)

[Constitution Day]

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[Just mythoughts]

BTTT .... Thanks for the post... got my mind thinking about some projects I have wanted to attempt... Discarded windows can be converted into cold frames. I have saved couple of old sliding glass doors for this purpose.

[Big Giant Head]

I can’t wait to start my seedlings this year! When I start them too early, they get spindly. I’d love to do the coldframe growing this year. We’ll see.

Mrs. BGH

[Alia]

Bump!