Richard asks…
What’s an easy plant to grow for an apartment?
I recently moved into an apartment and I’m very interested in growing my own veggies. Mostly peppers and herbs. I was thinking about something small I could keep out in the patio.
Also, is there any veggies that I can grow indoors? Please keep in mind I’m a single guy in a tiny apartment so it doesn’t have to be a huge arrangement.
thanks
GardenersCardiff answers:
Since winter is coming on, you should plant winter vegetables. Things like peas, beans, broccoli, cabbage, radishes, and lettuce. I once grew about a half-dozen red romaine lettuce plants. Every three days or so, I could go remove the outermost leaves of each plant and have enough for a good salad. I just kept doing that all winter until they finally went to seed in spring.
Peas are pretty rewarding, too. When they’re immature, the pods are edible, and the raw peas are sweet and crunchy. If you have a handful of plants, you can get enough pea pods for a little snack every couple of days. Or, you can collect the peas and keep them in the fridge for a side dish every week or so. Or, put the raw peas in the salad you made with your lettuce.
Herbs can be grown inside in a window planter. Basil, oregano, and parsley are very easy to grow. And, you can use the fresh basil to make a balsamic vinagrette dressing for the salad you made with your lettuce and peas.
Betty asks…
How do i go about growing my own herbs like basil and parsley?
I watch alot of the cooking shows on the food network and they always have basil and parsley in pots on their cabinets…I would love to have my own but dont know how to go about it.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Go to your local nursery or home depot or somethin and buy them – rosemary is nice too, it will eventually grow into a nice bush that smells wonderful in the summer
if you like or need a good groundcover, you could get some creeping thyme
but they will also have your basil and parsley, and it beats growing it from a seed
Sandy asks…
What is the best way to make perfume from my herb garden and how do I make the herbs into essences?
I am about to start to start to build my own herb garden – I have the plans for which herbs I will grow. I want to start making perfumes but don’t know how to make herbs into essences. Which way is the best to do so and which is the best way to make perfume?
Please help,
All contributions greatly received. xx
GardenersCardiff answers:
There is already a great deal out there on this. Go to your library and for a book on making perfumes. I quick way if you already have something going is to buy cheap vodka and soak the herb in then strain through a coffee filter. I made some about 12 years ago using things like coffee, vanilla extract, and magnolia oil. Remember that good perfume always has a fouls smelling odor in dilute quanties to enhance the stuff that smells good. It is called an earth note. People have used everything from the scent glands of musk deer and civet cats to manure, I used garlic
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Lisa asks…
Where can I buy Vermiculite for gardening other than online?
Does anyone know where I can buy Vermiculite for gardening other than online?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Try your local garden center or greenhouse.
Charles asks…
What is the best way to get rid of a garden full of weeds, before I plant flowers?
I plan on beginning my gardening this weekend. My garden currently consist of a large patch of soil loaded with weeds. What is the best way to get rid of these weeds and make sure they don’t come back this summer? There is nothing planted in the garden right now, so anything goes in getting rid of the weeds.
GardenersCardiff answers:
If you have a few days or a week to wait, lay a sheet of black plastic (available in rolls at home centers or just use trash bags) over the garden when temperatures are warm.
Any weed seeds under the plastic will “cook” and become unviable when temperatures are in the 70+ degrees F range.
Otherwise, boiling water works great or you can spray Roundup if temperatures are warm enough for it to work (when weeds are actively growing).
Good Luck.
Sharon asks…
When is the best time to start an herb garden in Florida?
I hear gardening is very theraputic,And I love to cook with fresh herbs.What should I do to get started?
GardenersCardiff answers:
I am in southwest Florida, and I usually wait until after the middle of february to plant new things. That gets me past the risk of a hard freeze. You have a chance of frost for a month after that, but you can cover new plants to protect them from frost. Depending on how far you are north or south of my location you can plan accordingly. That gives you time to prepare your garden for planting. Herbs do not take alot of space, so you can use part of an existing flower bed. I find that herbs do best in partial shade here in Florida. The summer sun and heat can be too much for them.
So just get started. Clear out the grass and weeds from a section of garden, till or mix in some organic matter, and get some mulch. Then you can shop for herb plants, which are readily available. Try as many types as you want. Some will do better than others.
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Michael asks…
I have some Korean licorice mint seeds on the way. What is the best way to grow them?
I am in zone 9 for gardening and in zone 5 in Arizona. I’m not sure what the best method is to start germination, what kind of sun/warmth it needs or watering and soil or if I should sow indoors or outdoors.
If you have any tips for sowing camellia sinensis seeds, as well, fel free to share. 
Thank you for your help!
GardenersCardiff answers:
If you are talking about Agastache rugosa or really any plant in the Agastache Genus, the best way to germinate the seeds is to sow them in peat pots at about 55-65ºF. If you are growing them indoors plant 6 to 8 weeks before planting outside. Barely cover the seeds with soil. The seeds can take up to 90 days to germinate but usually between 30 and 90 days.
Mandy asks…
When to plant a vegetable garden in zone 4a?
I want to plant a variety of vegetables:
green beans
tomatoes
green peppers
cucumbers
jalepenos
carrots
I am wondering when to plant? I live in central MN on the Western side, which is zone 4a. When should I plant my seeds in the ground????
GardenersCardiff answers:
I’m pretty sure Donna meant to say Memorial Day. As long as there is no risk of frost, you can plant. Check to see when the average last frost date is for your area.
Susan asks…
Is it too late to start a garden in zone 5?
I’ve been thinking about a garden all year. Now that it’s time, I’ve been really busy. Is it too late to start a garden? If not, what are the first things I should do, and when should I start planting?
Thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Not too late! Actually, you’re exactly on time! Cold weather plants can be put in now, like radishes, lettuce, peas, spinach, kale, pansies and stuff. Start seeds for tomato and peppers inside now (or wait and buy starts in may).
You can weed now, till, dig, add manure, and otherwise get ready even if you’re not planting now. Most of your tender veggies will not go in for another 6-8 weeks or so, but there’s plenty you can do to get ready, and always some things you can plant now.
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