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Post by hollygolightly on Apr 1, 2019 2:32:11 GMT
We've started planting - last weekend we planted the petunias, marigolds, gerbera daisies (I have some from last year still but they aren't blooming yet - sometimes they skip a year). I've got two hydrangeas in the front bed that I'm hoping will be spectacular this year - this is their third year at my house. We have two gorgeous shrubs that bloom when the mood strikes them - last year they were perfect - Rose of Sharon is what they're called. There's two large planters on my patio that the Ogre just puts random stuff in - always a surprise what grows there - he likes to buy the stragglers at Lowes/WalMart/Home Depot - the things that are practically free because they're so pathetic - and he nurses them back to health. He's got a great green thumb. Last year our vegetables were terrible. We're not even trying this year - though I might have to put some tomato plants where I'm certain they'll grow. We always put things in the back yard, but our side yard gets the most constant sun, and tomatoes like to fight to live - so I think they'd grow nicely there. The best tomatoes we ever had were the ones we always forgot to water and prune. Since we're not doing vegetables, the Ogre has turned the vegetable plot into a sunflower field - I can't wait to see that. And he's staggering the planting dates - apparently they have to lean on each other to stay strong. I hope it turns out the way he wants it to. Our blueberry bushes and our raspberry bushes are doing great - lots of little buds on them. The blackberries seem to be starting slowly. I think they are like tomatoes and prefer to be left to their own business. He also started several pots of herbs: parsley, basil, sage, mint - I can't remember them all. Right now they are in little pots inside on the window ledge - waiting until they sprout.
Here's a sweet Ogre story. Last year he planted several tubers of pink caladiums around different spots in the yard. I had no idea - and they are my favorite plant. I was so thrilled as they surprised me all season. It's ridiculous how he knows just how to thrill me. I'm going to try posting pictures of my Rose of Sharon and my sweet little caladium babies.
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Post by neesy on Apr 1, 2019 13:36:07 GMT
Hi - we have a couple of peony plants - one dark pink and one very light pink (they smell lovely)
Yesterday I bought rhubarb seeds at the old hardware store on Main Street.
Did you know you could grow rhubarb from seed?
I always thought you needed to inherit or be gifted a clump of roots to start those big hardy plants.
It says to start them indoors in April and not to harvest anything the first season.
Okay - I'll do that - you just reminded me - I need to get some wire cages or supports for the plants before they get really big - the weight of the flowers causes them to bend over
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Post by neesy on Apr 1, 2019 13:38:31 GMT
We've started planting - last weekend we planted the petunias, marigolds, gerbera daisies (I have some from last year still but they aren't blooming yet - sometimes they skip a year). I've got two hydrangeas in the front bed that I'm hoping will be spectacular this year - this is their third year at my house. We have two gorgeous shrubs that bloom when the mood strikes them - last year they were perfect - Rose of Sharon is what they're called. There's two large planters on my patio that the Ogre just puts random stuff in - always a surprise what grows there - he likes to buy the stragglers at Lowes/WalMart/Home Depot - the things that are practically free because they're so pathetic - and he nurses them back to health. He's got a great green thumb. Last year our vegetables were terrible. We're not even trying this year - though I might have to put some tomato plants where I'm certain they'll grow. We always put things in the back yard, but our side yard gets the most constant sun, and tomatoes like to fight to live - so I think they'd grow nicely there. The best tomatoes we ever had were the ones we always forgot to water and prune. Since we're not doing vegetables, the Ogre has turned the vegetable plot into a sunflower field - I can't wait to see that. And he's staggering the planting dates - apparently they have to lean on each other to stay strong. I hope it turns out the way he wants it to. Our blueberry bushes and our raspberry bushes are doing great - lots of little buds on them. The blackberries seem to be starting slowly. I think they are like tomatoes and prefer to be left to their own business. He also started several pots of herbs: parsley, basil, sage, mint - I can't remember them all. Right now they are in little pots inside on the window ledge - waiting until they sprout.
Here's a sweet Ogre story. Last year he planted several tubers of pink caladiums around different spots in the yard. I had no idea - and they are my favorite plant. I was so thrilled as they surprised me all season. It's ridiculous how he knows just how to thrill me. I'm going to try posting pictures of my Rose of Sharon and my sweet little caladium babies.
That's really sweet of your hubby to do that for you!
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Post by Sundrop on Apr 15, 2019 14:16:11 GMT
What are you growing this year? Any vegetables? Flowers?I pruned the gardenia bush in the back yard but it seems to be dying. Does excessive flooding kill trees and shrubs? My sister is supposed to be picking up some yellow marigolds for me. My intention was to plant some dahlias by the back fence last year but I didn't get the land cleared in time. Maybe this year. In this video, this guy's back yard is stunning, and his dahlias pair up well with the yarrow. If I had the money I'd plant some hydrangea bushes and around the apple tree I'd put irises and lilies. My aunt passed away a few years ago from cancer and whenever I pass her house around this time of year her Easter lilies thrive. In the afternoon they nod in the cool shade of the toolshed like swans.
Chrysanthemums are another favorite but I'm not sure when to plant them. Seems like they come up in spring and early fall. Who doesn't want their own little private Eden in their backyard?
I also got sweet banana pepper seeds. I'm going to try growing them in a pot on the porch as well.
New bulbs for the flower garden include Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Canas, Caladium, and Elephant's Ear. I still need to pick up another banana tree, some daylilies, and I'm thinking about some raspberry bushes.
I'd love to find an old fashioned Hydrangea tree like my grandma had. |
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Post by Sundrop on Apr 15, 2019 14:18:35 GMT
I’m growing big boy tomatoes and the little cherry ones, sweet peppers and Hungarian wax peppers, radishes, scallions, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, baby spinach, leaf lettuce, and arugula. (I like bush or planter varieties of seeds whenever I have a choice as it takes up less space in the garden and the yield is the same). I got a fantastic deal on a big variety of seeds this year… paid next to nothing. Have enough for years worth of plantings. Anyone need any… no charge, just don’t want them to go to waste? Lots of different kinds of flowers, but that’s the wife’s bag, not mine. |
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Post by Sundrop on Apr 15, 2019 14:34:42 GMT
neesy That's what I thought about rhubarb as well!
(If you grow some - not sure how long it takes - I have a super easy and delicious cake recipe that I used to make out on the farm: a boxed white cake mix and whatever extra ingredients it calls for - eggs, oil..., cover batter with diced rhubarb, sugar and a pint of cream. IIRC it takes about 60 minutes. When it cools, cut and use a spatula to flip over the individual pieces onto plates. The sugar, cream and rhubarb sink to the bottom. Easy peasy rhubarb upside down cake!) |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2019 18:41:10 GMT
I’m growing big boy tomatoes and the little cherry ones, sweet peppers and Hungarian wax peppers, radishes, scallions, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, baby spinach, leaf lettuce, and arugula. (I like bush or planter varieties of seeds whenever I have a choice as it takes up less space in the garden and the yield is the same). I got a fantastic deal on a big variety of seeds this year… paid next to nothing. Have enough for years worth of plantings. Anyone need any… no charge, just don’t want them to go to waste? Lots of different kinds of flowers, but that’s the wife’s bag, not mine. You betcha. PM me here (if you can, don't know how that happens here) or over at the SKMB and I'll get you out some. And sorry, but I don’t have any poison parsnip, deadly nightshade or wolfsbane seeds.  |
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Post by osnafrank on Apr 15, 2019 19:05:18 GMT
If it can be planted in a container, or let to go kinda wild, I'd like some seeds. I enjoy watching things grow. The deer here are the big problem for me. You betcha. PM me here (if you can, don't know how that happens here) or over at the SKMB and I'll get you out some. And sorry, but I don’t have any poison parsnip, deadly nightshade or wolfsbane seeds. |
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Post by neesy on Apr 15, 2019 20:48:56 GMT
Today we got snow in our garden so it's a bit early to start the seeds yet
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Post by Sundrop on Apr 16, 2019 1:19:15 GMT
If it can be planted in a container, or let to go kinda wild, I'd like some seeds. I enjoy watching things grow. The deer here are the big problem for me. You betcha. PM me here (if you can, don't know how that happens here) or over at the SKMB and I'll get you out some. And sorry, but I don’t have any poison parsnip, deadly nightshade or wolfsbane seeds. Well, dang! Here I was really kinda hoping for some Belladonna (AKA Nightshade).  |
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Post by Sundrop on Apr 16, 2019 1:27:24 GMT
Today we got snow in our garden so it's a bit early to start the seeds yet
I'm just itching to plant things, but I know better. Gotta wait until early May to avoid frostbite. |
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Post by neesy on Apr 16, 2019 13:38:56 GMT
Today we got snow in our garden so it's a bit early to start the seeds yet
I'm just itching to plant things, but I know better. Gotta wait until early May to avoid frostbite. Lemon balm sounds great - this year I would like to plant the type of plants that are known to attract butterflies
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 14:04:25 GMT
I haven't started mine yet either. I did pick up some really pretty painted clay pots today, and some Lemon Balm seeds as well as seeds for various wildflowers and daisies.
I'm just itching to plant things, but I know better. Gotta wait until early May to avoid frostbite. Lemon balm sounds great - this year I would like to plant the type of plants that are known to attract butterflies
I have a couple of Butterfly Bushes and they really attract butterflies. Marigolds also do a good job of attracting butterflies and you can get them already blooming at garden centers right now. Gladiolas are great for attracting hummingbirds but they bloom on their trip south at the end of the season. Hummingbirds going north come through my area around the middle of April. If you put out a hummingbird feeder when they come through there is a better chance some will stick around as they have a feeding source available in the area. I put out my hummingbird feeder two weeks ago. |
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Post by doccreed on Apr 16, 2019 17:49:30 GMT
What are you growing this year? Any vegetables? Flowers?I pruned the gardenia bush in the back yard but it seems to be dying. Does excessive flooding kill trees and shrubs? My sister is supposed to be picking up some yellow marigolds for me. My intention was to plant some dahlias by the back fence last year but I didn't get the land cleared in time. Maybe this year. In this video, this guy's back yard is stunning, and his dahlias pair up well with the yarrow. If I had the money I'd plant some hydrangea bushes and around the apple tree I'd put irises and lilies. My aunt passed away a few years ago from cancer and whenever I pass her house around this time of year her Easter lilies thrive. In the afternoon they nod in the cool shade of the toolshed like swans.
Chrysanthemums are another favorite but I'm not sure when to plant them. Seems like they come up in spring and early fall. Who doesn't want their own little private Eden in their backyard?
I also got sweet banana pepper seeds. I'm going to try growing them in a pot on the porch as well.
New bulbs for the flower garden include Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Canas, Caladium, and Elephant's Ear. I still need to pick up another banana tree, some daylilies, and I'm thinking about some raspberry bushes.
I'd love to find an old fashioned Hydrangea tree like my grandma had.
Unfortunately I learned too late that something is killing the plants and trees in my yard, probably poor drainage from the excessive flooding. @dio'Bolic was nice enough to send me some seed packs and I went ahead and planted a few flowers on the far edge which I hope will get enough sun to grow: columbine, marigolds, and a wildflower mix. I planted verbena seeds in a pot on the back porch and I'm going to get some potting soil and pots at Walmart in order to grow the cucumber seeds he gave me. Also included in the package was some arugula seeds and chives seeds and several other herbs. I may try to do these in a long planter, too.
Is spearmint and lavender difficult to grow? I may check Home Depot for different herbs. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2019 12:56:43 GMT
You betcha. PM me here (if you can, don't know how that happens here) or over at the SKMB and I'll get you out some. And sorry, but I don’t have any poison parsnip, deadly nightshade or wolfsbane seeds. Well, dang! Here I was really kinda hoping for some Belladonna (AKA Nightshade). I'm getting your seed package together, and hope to ship it out Friday. And there will be weeds invasive plants boring white flowers daisies in the mix. |
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Post by Sundrop on Apr 17, 2019 23:10:34 GMT
Well, dang! Here I was really kinda hoping for some Belladonna (AKA Nightshade). I'm getting your seed package together, and hope to ship it out Friday. And there will be weeds invasive plants boring white flowers daisies in the mix. Thanks so much!!! P.S. I knew you liked daisies!!! olfEOEbpO0rxuamBULVg |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2019 12:46:36 GMT
I'm getting your seed package together, and hope to ship it out Friday. And there will be weeds invasive plants boring white flowers daisies in the mix. Thanks so much!!! P.S. I knew you liked daisies!!!  How in heaven's name did you get -I like daisies- out of that?  |
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Post by Sundrop on Apr 18, 2019 23:12:46 GMT
Thanks so much!!! P.S. I knew you liked daisies!!! How in heaven's name did you get -I like daisies- out of that?  Well, you bought daisy seeds, didn't you?........ |
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Post by Sundrop on Apr 18, 2019 23:41:14 GMT
I picked up some seeds for my porch herb garden yesterday. I've got fernleaf dill weed, rosemary, sweet basil, lavender, and spearmint.
I also got sweet banana pepper seeds. I'm going to try growing them in a pot on the porch as well.
New bulbs for the flower garden include Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Canas, Caladium, and Elephant's Ear. I still need to pick up another banana tree, some daylilies, and I'm thinking about some raspberry bushes.
I'd love to find an old fashioned Hydrangea tree like my grandma had.
Unfortunately I learned too late that something is killing the plants and trees in my yard, probably poor drainage from the excessive flooding. @dio'Bolic was nice enough to send me some seed packs and I went ahead and planted a few flowers on the far edge which I hope will get enough sun to grow: columbine, marigolds, and a wildflower mix. I planted verbena seeds in a pot on the back porch and I'm going to get some potting soil and pots at Walmart in order to grow the cucumber seeds he gave me. Also included in the package was some arugula seeds and chives seeds and several other herbs. I may try to do these in a long planter, too.
Is spearmint and lavender difficult to grow? I may check Home Depot for different herbs.
Yep, Grandma and Grandpa had a small farm when I was growing up. A cow, chickens, and some pigs that I was not allowed to make friends with, no matter how much I protested to Grandpa they needed me to pet them. Later on, I learned that he didn't want me to get attached to them because he didn't want to explain to me why Arnold had "disappeared", but doesn't this ham taste good.....A huge garden, two horses, a duck, several dogs, huckleberry bushes, strawberry plants, and a sugar plum tree. I have such vivid and fantastic memories of visiting them, and playing in the garden, and chasing the chickens, and trying my darndest to pet those pigs!!
I hope you can figure out what's killing your plants. Around here, there is a lot of clay in the soil. I will usually mix some potting soil with a little sand and add that into the garden soil to help a little with the drainage. For some things, I've had good luck. Other plants, not so much. Sounds like you've got a good start of a nice container garden. I'm trying one this year, too!
Spearmint is easy to grow, and if you try some, I'd recommend keeping it in a container because the stuff will spread and take over very quickly. I don't know about lavender.....this year will be my first attempt. |
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Post by doccreed on Apr 19, 2019 2:29:08 GMT
Hey Sunny, thanks for responding. That sounds like a beautiful combination. I like caladiums a lot. Elephant's Ear, too. I don't have any hydrangeas but my neighbor does and it has periwinkle blooms which are sometimes marbled pink. I like hydrangeas and gardenias and the big leaf azaleas, as far as shrubs are concerned. I have a tea olive tree (which is almost double my height) and it blooms once in spring and once in autumn and the blossoms give off a strong citrus fragrance that reminds me of oranges mixed with peach. Did your grandmother have a farm or did she live in the suburbs? I just wondered because you mentioned riding a blind horse in the Weekly Survey thread.
Unfortunately I learned too late that something is killing the plants and trees in my yard, probably poor drainage from the excessive flooding. @dio'Bolic was nice enough to send me some seed packs and I went ahead and planted a few flowers on the far edge which I hope will get enough sun to grow: columbine, marigolds, and a wildflower mix. I planted verbena seeds in a pot on the back porch and I'm going to get some potting soil and pots at Walmart in order to grow the cucumber seeds he gave me. Also included in the package was some arugula seeds and chives seeds and several other herbs. I may try to do these in a long planter, too.
Is spearmint and lavender difficult to grow? I may check Home Depot for different herbs.
Yep, Grandma and Grandpa had a small farm when I was growing up. A cow, chickens, and some pigs that I was not allowed to make friends with, no matter how much I protested to Grandpa they needed me to pet them. Later on, I learned that he didn't want me to get attached to them because he didn't want to explain to me why Arnold had "disappeared", but doesn't this ham taste good.....A huge garden, two horses, a duck, several dogs, huckleberry bushes, strawberry plants, and a sugar plum tree. I have such vivid and fantastic memories of visiting them, and playing in the garden, and chasing the chickens, and trying my darndest to pet those pigs!!
I hope you can figure out what's killing your plants. Around here, there is a lot of clay in the soil. I will usually mix some potting soil with a little sand and add that into the garden soil to help a little with the drainage. For some things, I've had good luck. Other plants, not so much. Sounds like you've got a good start of a nice container garden. I'm trying one this year, too!
Spearmint is easy to grow, and if you try some, I'd recommend keeping it in a container because the stuff will spread and take over very quickly. I don't know about lavender.....this year will be my first attempt.
Anyway, I had fresh pig meat once and it was out of this world.  I had fresh ground cow meat, too, and it was crazy how good it was. That's funny that your grandparents kept that from you. You should write down some of your memories for your kids. I solicited my family to do this not too long ago but I ended up donning my reporter cap and writing their stories myself.
Yes, I heard about adding rusty nails or pennies to the soil to change the colors of hydrangeas but I've never seen it done. Maybe that's what my neighbors did. Tea olive trees don't really have flowers (at least they don't look like flowers) but I suppose they are. The blossoms are small and white. I will take a pic and share it when the time comes.
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I had fresh ground cow meat, too, and it was crazy how good it was. That's funny that your grandparents kept that from you. You should write down some of your memories for your kids. I solicited my family to do this not too long ago but I ended up donning my reporter cap and writing their stories myself.