Mark asks…
How to start a Vegetable Garden?
Hey! I plan on starting a vegetable garden soon, I’ve never done any gardening before. Would an experience gardener like to offer some advice? I’ve got a few basic questions!
1) Do you test pH levels of the dirt in your garden? If so, can you have different pH levels in each row of plants?
2) I read that you can’t plant strawberries close to peppers because they spread diseases. Have you tried this before? Is it better to have 2 gardens?
3) What do I need to do to the soil beforehand? Obviously I need to loosen it up a bit, maybe get some nice healthy dirt in there. Make it moist. Anything else?
4) What tools should I buy to start off with? I’m thinking a shovel, a trowel, some gloves, and a cultivator.Would you suggest anything else?
5) I know I’m a bit late on the spring season. What are good items to plant at this time? (I live in Tallahassee, FL) I would really like peppers, strawberries, spinach, and butternut squash (or pumpkin). Possibly blueberries or raspberries. Are these ok to plant at this time of the year?
6) Where is a good, local, informative place to shop for plants, seeds, tools, etc? I’d like an organic garden.
Any other advice you’d like to offer? Thanks a bunch for any help!!! I really appreciate it!!!
Any other advice???
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Veggies need at least 6 hours of sun per day. And lots and lots of water everyday if you do not get rain.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about home gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com (vegetables and flowers)
http://www.burpee.com (vegetables and flowers)
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com (pests and insects)
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can grow vegetables in large containers too.
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Vegetable potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for veggies, OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
William asks…
I want to plant a flower garden im SE Missouri.?
I just need some help picking the best ones to stay around all spring and into fall… Are there any like that? Or you can just tell me some good flowers for SouthEast Missouri.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Checkout Springhill Nurseries. Their catalogs have “planned gardens” that are designed to compliment each other in color and bloom, with plants that bloom continually with plants that bloom at different times.
I don’t know if their website offers the same feature — but they’ll be more than happy to send you a catalog and a discount coupon.
These planned gardens — some for shade, some for sun, some for around a fence, next to the house, etc. Etc., will give you lots of info and inspiration. The catalog — as well as the site — will indicate the zone-hardiness for the plants they sell.
Your local garden center will also be helpful, as they will carry plants that are suitable for your locale.
Perennials will offer blooms only once, unfortunately. Annuals will continue to bloom through a season. The ideal is to create a garden with a mix of perennials and easy-to-deal-with annuals. The “exception” to this rule are roses. Hybrid bush roses will bloom intermittently from early summer to the first frost, but rarely will they have blooms continually.
All that aside, look into Columbines. They are billed as “biennials,” but are actually perennials — blooming their second or third year after planting from seed. You can get mature plants from the garden center, and they will reseed themselves, often creating offspring of unusual color. Generally, Columbines start blooming early-to-mid-May and continue through mid-to-late June. Columbines are beautiful, graceful, medium tall, and attract butterflies and humming birds, so I am always eager to suggest a gardener to get a few established in their yard.
Good luck and happy gardening.
ADDED: Laney made a good suggestion, but they are called Purple Cone Flowers, otherwise known as Echinacea. They are perennials, medium tall, and bloom from mid-summer to mid-to-late fall, so they do have a long blooming season. Another is bee balm. This is a perennial that spreads rapidly and comes in various purple to red flowers, is very aromatic, and true to its name, attracts bees and often hummingbirds. This also blooms from early-to-mid summer to late-fall. (Makes great potpourri also).
Http://springhillnursery.com/default.asp?t=xx&eid=081506&sid=411065&gclid=CNTH0aKUxZECFQUolgodJDiJ3Q
Chris asks…
where can i buy some decollete snails for my garden ?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Http://gardeningzone.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=64&osCsid=2dbabafdee18f0c0b17cccea0265601c
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Helen asks…
Where can I purchase a rare Parrot Plant?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi
http://www.growbyseed.com/Tropicals.html
Sharon asks…
praying mantises?
i live in taylor michigan, i want a praying mantis, i dont nowwere to look,please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Many garden Catalogs sell Praying Mantises in the spring. Try a farm and garden supply store, they will be able to help you.
Carol asks…
Brand new to gardening…Help!?
I am brand new to gardening. My husband rented a tiller and tilled up a spot to put our veggie garden. We bought seeds for bell peppers, sugar snap peas, tomatoes, cucumber, and yellow squash. I call my mother to tell her about it and she said we need to start it inside first, then move it outside to the garden. My hubby says we can plant the seeds directly in the garden. Can we? Any other advice to help our garden? Thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Yes, you can plant outside once the weather has warmed. It is best to wait until the night temperatures are in the 60’s every night. We usually wait till the temps are between 68 and 70 degrees. Lots of people wait until after Mother’s Day to plant seeds. Your packets will have all the information on the back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
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]]>
Joseph asks…
ANSWER URGENT EDIBLE GARDEN QUESTIONS?
yoyoyo
okay well i have to find 3 images of different landscape designs for gardens that include edible plants such as watermelon,tomatoes,pears,strawberries,parsley
If you find any images can you write down the link
thaaaanks
x
miley cyrus is cool
GardenersCardiff answers:
Search your garden catalog sites.
Daniel asks…
Where can I buy red, blue or colored Calla Lilies bulbs other than the white variety?
I hope I can order here in Canada some of the bulbs.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Most gardening catalogs sell them as bulbs: springhill, parkseed, burpee, etc. You can often buy them potted at Lowes, Home Depot or other such garden shops. Walmart often sells the bulbs in their garden shop.
Callas don’ t come in either blue or true red. They come in yellows, pinks, lavenders, burgandy’s & shades of orange and there is one called a “black calla,” which is a darker color than the color of an eggplant. (Not actually black-black. Super dark purple almost black.)
Sandy asks…
My first garden – help please!?
I am looking for help with my very first garden. I just rented an entire house in Northwestern NJ with a large property. I’ll be moving there in about a month but I will have full access so I can start as early as this week. There’s no garden currently established but I’m sure the soil will grow things just fine – the property is right in the middle of good ole Jersey farmland – I just need to dig up an area and get to work!
I’d like to plant some vegetables (thinking maybe tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, peppers and green beans), some herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme, basil, parsley), and I would love it if I could have flowers that attract butterflies and maybe even some hummingbirds.
What is the best and most cost efficient way to do this? Am I too late in the season to start? I’m so excited and really want to do this but unfortunately don’t know the first thing about it. Thanks in advance for any and all help – I really appreciate it!
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
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]]>
James asks…
Starting a garden,,,what are the easiest flowers to begin with?
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
Thomas asks…
Ok is there an easy way to garden ???
Ok I want to plant a garden (never done it before) I want both Veggie and flower garden how hard is it and what is the easiest things to take care and hard to kill I am afraid I will kill everything but I love the looks and I really want to have a sucessful couple gardens (flowers and veggies)
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
Sharon asks…
English Flower Garden?
I’m interested in creating an authentic English garden, and I was wondering if anyone knows of any English seed catalogs that I can order through the mail? Thanks…
I’m zone 5, and where I’m at gets a good amount of rainfall all year…
GardenersCardiff answers:
You will need Thompson and Morgan, and Sutton’s seed catalogues, they have the finest varieties (possibly too many) that you can grow. Both are English companies and will send postal. Where are you ? Climate plays are large part in the `English` garden, and if you are in any of the arrid Southern States you may need to be very selective. If you care to post again with US zone or climate description before you buy seed, I can advise.
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Donald asks…
What should I plant in my garden?
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
Daniel asks…
designing a garden?
are there any cd’s that will help me design a garden or is ther any free website that would help me
thanks
GardenersCardiff answers:
Try BHG.com, gardengatemagazine.com, or finegardening.com. They have garden plans as do the flower supplier catalogs like DirectGardening.com.
Helen asks…
How Many People Actually Enjoy Getting Catalogs Door-To-Door vs. How Many Do Not?
Now, no one get angry or hostile..lol. I’m not looking to annoy anyone with leaving my home decor catalogs on peoples door to door, but I did want to know how many of you have actually enjoyed a catalog left at your door, how many actually bought from that catalog, and how many threw it away. Thanks ya’ll!
GardenersCardiff answers:
I love receiving my garden catalogs. In fact I order them directly from the companies.
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Nancy asks…
starting a garden?
i want to start a garden in my backyard. i’m not sure what we’re going to plant yet, but i really want a garden! are there any websites that anyone knows that is like gardening for beginners? i need to figure out how to do the soil, fertilizers, get the ground ready, basically everything to start a garden. thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
William asks…
So, who else has started to plan their garden?
I received my favorite gardening catalog in the mail the other day, and now I’m planning my garden. Are there any other gardeners out there who have started planning their gardens already? What do you plan to put in them? Just curious… :o)
Oops! I guess I should mention what I’m planting, eh? :o)
Seeds of Change is the only catalog I order from, and, boy, do they have some cool varieties this year! I may even try amaranth or quinoa if I can find space for them. Otherwise, I always plant tomatoes, potatoes, hot peppers, sweet peppers, sunflowers, squash, corn, basil, and I need to replant strawberries… that’s where I’m at, for now. I have asperagus and blueberries plus catnip, beebalm, and chives (assuming they make it through winter) already in the garden. My daughter has her own garden, though I don’t think she’s planned it, yet.. I have grapevines, but I neglected them last year. I’ll be busy trimming them and installing trellises this spring. Fun, fun, fun! :o)
GardenersCardiff answers:
Yes, that’s me 
I always plan my garden for the coming year in winter time. It’s nice to look at flower catalogs and try to match them together (growing conditions, colors, etc), it’s a good way to be active during winter.
Mostly I grow my plants from seeds except perennials that only available as potted plants or slow growing. I already got 12 catalogs: Burpee, Parkseed, Jungseed, etc and with that many catalogs to look at, it’s hard to choose which ones I’m gonna try
Here is my list so far:
Begonia Queen White, Petunia Avalanche, Aster Bouquet Powderpuff, Baptisia Australis, Miss Lucy (Double) Oriental Lily, Rudbeckia Prairie Sun, Echinecia Baby Swan, Laurentia and some bicolor gladiolus (Flaming Meteor, Blue Frost)
Donald asks…
i need catalog suggestions?
i shop at lilian vernon and fingerhut….but are there any other catalogs that offer that type of stuff for your home,car and garden?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Lakeside Collection has a nice variety and low, low prices on home and garden , gadgets and other stuff. I always enjoy looking through this catalog, although I don’t always buy.
Ginny’s is mostly home and garden and has an easy-to-get choose and charge plan.
Seventh Avenue is affiliated with Ginny’s and has similar items.
Collections Etc. Has a lot of fun, seasonal items, most things are less than $20.
There are tons more catalogs available but these are some of the ones that I enjoy. Google ‘catalogs’ for lots more choices.
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Laura asks…
I need so much help with what to plan outside. I do not have a green thumb when it comes to outside plants.?
Anyway, I need some help in figuring out which shrubs I should plant to border my lower deck. the shrubs will be in a rock garden. I need a shrub that grows quickly and is hardy. Also, something that isn’t toxic to my dog. Please help!
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
Jenny asks…
Why are some knives banned while others, bigger and just as sharp, are sold for kitchen use? Or garden use?
I see catalog descriptions of knives, both folding and fixed blade, various lengths and materials, there seems to be no consistency as to why some are forbidden in certain states.
GardenersCardiff answers:
The “why” might be lost to the whims of history, but there probably is some consistency. You can look up individual states’ statutes regarding knives to find the restrictions.
_
Maria asks…
Does any one know a garden center, nursey, or other place that has alot of different seeds, in Greenwood IN?
I’m starting a garden and I wanted some strawberries seeds or a little strawberry plant. My garden will have flowers and vegtables in it. I have enough flower seeds, but I want vegtables seeds too. I know that I want to grow strawberries, blue berries, lettace, tomatoes, and other vegtables. I also wanted some other vegtable plants.
GardenersCardiff answers:
You can buy seeds online. This nursery sells hundreds of different seeds: http://www.naturehills.com/catalog/Seeds.aspx
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Daniel asks…
help me with mydrooping plants?
i have just bought a purpureis and red robbin (yesterday) today they look almost dead. I have put the first in a pot with compost and the second in a raised bed with some compost added in (normal soil) and have watered them. why do the now look almost dead/ What can I do? any other garden tips?
GardenersCardiff answers:
If you just bought them yesterday and they are already drooping (make sure they are not broken off at the base) then I would take them back TODAY. They will replase them or refund your money. Good luck.
Ruth asks…
Isn’t the suggestion that UV lights are beneficail for plants a myth?
I was reading some indoor gardening tips and I have reading again and again about how UV light lamps are so beneficial. But using common sense, UV light is higher above the visible light spectrum, and plants only absorb visible light with the exception of the green spectra for photosynthesis. So what is with the hype about UV light?
GardenersCardiff answers:
“Like all living organisms, plants sense and respond to UV
radiation, both the wavelengths present in sunlight (UV-A and
UV-B) and the wavelengths below 280 nm (UV-C). AI1 types
of UV radiation are known to damage various plant processes.
Such damage can be classified into two categories: damage
to DNA (which can cause heritable mutations) and damage
to physiological processes” – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC160223/pdf/041353.pdf
“Dr. Brent Pemberton has found that exposing plants such as impatiens, tomatoes and cucumbers to ultraviolet B, (UV-B) treatments for a few hours slows their foliar growth and stem length without reducing color or other favorable characteristics.
“Simply put, it acts as a growth regulator and stunts them somewhat, but with bedding plants this may be desirable,”” – http://newagnews.tamu.edu/stories/HORT/Nov2798a.htm
Steven asks…
What flowers a decorations should i use etc…?
Well im doing up my garden and im wondering what flowers do you recommend that are nice and easy to look after? Also what vegetables are easy to grow? And we are having grey patio and path, so what would you put as decorations? Also what borders should i use to seperate the flowers from grass, thank you 
Also any other gardening tips would be helpful
GardenersCardiff answers:
Hey Kyle you need to remember that this question goes all over the world , so we don’t know if you are in Texas or New Zealand or Glasgow. Depending on where you are different plants and veggies will be suitable.By the way I am on the south coast of Australia just to show how far your question has probably travelled.
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Joseph asks…
What are your favorite catalogs you receive in the mail during the holidays?
I’ve been getting all kinds of catalogs lately. They’re gearing up for Christmas. I look most foward to the cheese gift baskets and cool gadgets catalogs. I’m just wondering what some of your favorites are.
GardenersCardiff answers:
I like the Figis catalog, Harry & David, Lillian Vernon for personalized gifts, Bloomingdales, Sharper Image (but I don’t think they are still in business), Smith & Hawkins garden tool and stuff, Spiegel, Brylane Home and Home Decorators.
Lizzie asks…
How do I determine if the plants in my garden are weeds?
Is there an online picture gallery of weeds so that I can look at the plant in my garden and compare it with the pictures? I think I know what some weeds look like, but I don’t want to pull a good plant accidentally. Yes, I forgot what I planted in my garden.
GardenersCardiff answers:
That happens to a lot of us!
Go to this link and you will find several website to check out:
http://www.google.com/search?q=flower+photos&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7
You can also send for free gardening catalogs:
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
William asks…
Can you give me some tips on how to keep a small garden neat, tidy and presentable?
I’m hoping to get the garden in order as we come into spring, anything you can share? I’d like to have a small vegetable plot or some flower beds but any advice would be very helpful.
Thanks a lot.
I’m certainly not a “dole dosser” as you put it Malcolm.
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
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William asks…
Gardening tips for 15 year old?
I want to become a part time gardener for people down my road just to earn a bit of money. I cut my back and front garden lawn every week and my lawn is 25 meters sq. I know how to pull out weeds nd all that but I need to know more. Anyone got any tips?
GardenersCardiff answers:
You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.
Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.
Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.
Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.
And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.
To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.
Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:
http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Container/pots/window boxes needs:
All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.
Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:
http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html
Richard asks…
What are your gardening tips for new gardeners?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Know basics before you start
Only plant what you can use and love to eat, No more.
Start with a few of each vegetable to see inherent problems.
Have basic insecticides and fertilizers before you start.
Patronize ONE garden center. NOT HOME DEPOT OR LOWE’S. You’ll get more help if you’re a regular customer.
Shop at local garden centers, not the Big Box stores. Support your neighbors, not the corporate office.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Stick a perennial in, too. Like rhubarb, horseradish, asparagus, etc. If you like them More rewarding, ‘cuz they come back next year without doing a thing.
Laura asks…
As a legitimate gardener would take gardening tips from someone who only grew marijuana?
GardenersCardiff answers:
I would only take gardening tips from someone who only grew marijuana if they shared the goods first :). They probably really know their stuff since that is their cash crop. Anytime money is involved people usually know what is going on. And if they don’t know help you – at least you got a good buzz out of the conversation.
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