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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Joseph asks…
Do you think I can be a catalog model?
I’m 15, not exactly tall so theres no way I can do runway. I’m in decent shape. 5’2”.
Here are a few images:
http://i53.tinypic.com/140au4k.jpg
theres a shard of glass because we celebrated halloween today at my school, haha.
http://i54.tinypic.com/2zylsvl.jpg
sorry both the pictures are edited but effect and sharpness only. I didn’t do any retouching. Thanks for your opinion!
haha, this one was just for fun
http://i53.tinypic.com/rud1mf.jpg
no edit.
I’m only asking again because I didn’t get very many responses to my previous post. Sorry.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Catalog models have even stricter requirements than runway models. You MUST be 5’7″ – 5’9″ with a 34-35″ inseam and measurements between 34-24-34 and 36-26-36 — no exceptions unless it’s for something like a toy or gardening catalog that doesn’t feature clothing.
And for petite catalogs, you must be 5’5″ – 5’6″ with a 32-33″ inseam and measurements within 1″of 34-24-34
A catalog model needs to fit perfectly into production samples without any alterations. Unlike runway where the clothes are one of a kind pieces that can be fit to a specific model, catalog shoots do not have a seamstress on the set – they need people who can put on the clothes and have them fit perfectly as they come off the hanger
You are cute and could do commercial print work but not catalogs
Sandra asks…
Gardening – Do you have a green thumb?
Going on my first spring/summer season in my new home and I would like to make a nice little garden in the back yard with both some flowers and veggies.
Is it better to start your seeds inside in like a makeshift greenhouse (out of egg cartons, for example)?
I live in the Chicagoland/NW Indiana area. What are the best flowers and veggies to grow?
Around when should I start preparing?
Any other thoughts or tips?
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. You do not have to buy from them:
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
Ken asks…
How to Start a Garden?
I’ve had a garden behind my house for the past 2 years, the ground is cleared and everything. I’ve never shown much of an interest in it though, and my parents usually took care of it.
Now, I’m a freshman, and I took some science classes on agriculture, and I really want to test everything I know by growing food in the garden behind my house.
So, how do I get started with that? If I want to start this weekend, what food should I grow? How much? What seeds should I buy for this time of year? How do I make sure my plants grows well?
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Instructions
1.
* 1
Grow only those vegetables you enjoy eating. Give priority to those prized for incredible flavor when eaten fresh from the garden: sweet corn, beans and peas, tomatoes and young spinach, among others.
* 2
Prepare a plot of flat ground that gets full sun nearly all day. Break up and turn the soil and add compost or other organic material (See How to Buy Soil Amendments). A full day of blazing sunshine is especially important if you grow vegetables in the cool weather of early spring, early fall or winter.
*
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* 3
Figure out how much growing space you have and plant accordingly. Lettuce, for example, can be grown in a solid mat, but tomatoes need to be spaced about 2 feet (60 cm) apart. Give pumpkins at least 4 feet (120 cm) of growing room. Growing requirements are provided on seed packets, in catalogs, and on nursery tags, as well as in books on growing vegetables.
* 4
Choose crops that require less room if you have a small vegetable garden or grow vegetables in a container. Lettuce is a great pot plant, and ‘Patio’ or ‘Tumbler’ tomatoes will grow well in a hanging basket. Plants that climb and vine, such as cucumbers and pole beans, can be trained up a trellis to take up less room horizontally. Tuck herbs and parsley into flower beds.
* 5
Schedule plantings around the two main growing seasons which vary by region: cool (spring and fall) and warm (summer). Common cool-season vegetables include beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach and turnips. Warm-season crops include beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes.
* 6
Sow some seeds directly in the ground as they grow best that way: beans, beets, carrots, chard, corn, lettuce, melons, peas, pumpkins, squash and turnips. Starting seeds is, of course, much less expensive than planting seedlings sold in flats, packs and pots.
* 7
Start with nursery seedlings of certain other crops unless you are an experienced vegetable grower. These plants tend to do better when set out in the garden as seedlings: eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Squash and cucumbers are among a few you can plant just as effectively as either seeds or seedlings.
* 8
Buy seeds at nurseries or by mail order starting just after the New Year, when the selection is freshest. Look for seed packets marked as having been packed for the current year.
* 9
Buy vegetables online and from mail-order seed companies for a far greater selection than you’ll find at neighborhood nurseries. Burpee (burpee.com), Johnny’s Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds .com), Park Seed Company (parkseed.com) and Thompson and Morgan (thompson-morgan.com) are a few long-established sources.
* 10
Shop for seedlings when your soil is prepared and you are ready to plant. Keep them moist and don’t let them sit around for more than three days. Buy healthy and vigorous seedlings. They should stand up straight and be stocky, not lanky, with no yellow leaves or bug holes.
* 11
Save money and get truly involved with your garden by starting seeds indoors in winter and transplanting them into the garden in spring. It’s simplest to start with complete kits, sold at garden centers and through catalogs, containing fluorescent lights, soil mix, containers and watering devices.
* 12
Sow seeds of colorful radishes or giant sunflowers to introduce children to the satisfaction and fun of growing their own food. Or lean 3 stakes together, tie them together at the top, and train pole beans up the stakes. Voila! A bean teepee.
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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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William asks…
Wind spinners/garden windmills?
Hi,
Does anyone know where i can buy online in the uk the coloured wind spinners or garden windmills that are very bright and colourful???
GardenersCardiff answers:
Premier Wind Generators – Wind Spinners – Garden Pinwheels – Lawn Ornaments
Premier Wind Generators. Giant-sized decorative windmills that command attention! … Think of these extra large wind spinners as an eye-catching “Barber Pole” …www.turningcolorz.com – 38k – Cached
Wind Spinners – lawn and garden spinners; Tractors, Animals, Birds, Flowers and more!
Wind Spinners that spin with only the breeze. … Garden Spinners … Our triple spinner wind spinners, garden windmills and others bring colorful …www.kiteandwind.com/wind_spinners_s/19.htm – 53k – Cached
Let It Blow Wind Designs For Wind Spinners Sun Twirlers and other Garden & Home decorations
All types of garden wind generated ornaments from Wind chimes to Spinners, Flags to Balloons, Kites and much more, we offer a full money back guaranteewww.letitblow.com – 19k – Cached
Windmills Windmills, Wind Spinners, summer decorations, summer toys, colourful wind spinners, colourful windmills, …
… Of garden windmills, Wind Spinners, summer decorations, summer toys, colourful … A Windmill is actually an engine powered by the energy of the wind to mill grain …www.purplepuffin.co.uk/category.asp?cid=28 – 120k – Cached
eBay.co.uk Shop – NorthCoastKiteShop: Wind Spinners: RED FLAME 4X4 MONSTER TRUCK GARDEN WIND SPINNER
Wind Spinners (9) Tractors (1) Trucks & Bikes (4) Land & Sea (1) Windmills & Pinwheels (3) … PATRIOTIC WINDMILL GARDEN WIND SPINNER PREMIER DESIGNS. £13. …stores.ebay.co.uk/NorthCoastKiteShop_Wind-Spinners_W0QQfsubZ5 – 59k – Cached
Wind Spinners Bamboo Basic Metal Acrylic Gifts Cabin
Bright colourful garden windmill is made from bright durable weatherproof fabric … Rose Windmills x 3. Height 77cm. Rose Windmill, available in 3 …www.gifts-cabin.co.uk/acatalog/wind_spinners.html – 30k – Cached
Seasonal Garden Wind Spinners for Yard and Garden – KiteandWind.com
Windmills, Triple Garden Wind Spinners, Lighthouse and more make for delightful … Patriotic Windmill Wind Spinner. List Price: $30.99. Our Price: $27.95 …www.kiteandwind.com/garden_spinners_s/20.htm – 74k – Cached
Wind Generators – Garden Art – Decorative Windmills – Garden Spinner – Wind Art
Ideal as wind art, garden spinners, ground displays. Color and Motion, Powered by the Wind. … A. These Decorative Windmills come complete with everything …www.turningcolorz.com/faq.htm – 24k – Cached
Small Smiley Face Windmill – Puckator Wholesale Giftware & Gifts – windmill, windspinner, wind spinners, windmills, …
Small Smiley Face Windmill Each windmill is made from bright durable … Home > Garden > Windmills > Small Smiley Face Windmill ** NEW …www.puckator.co.uk/product.php?product_id=MS115 – 92k – Cached
Wind Toys Online: Garden Windmills
Bug Spinners. Disney Windwheels. Garden Windmills. Sea Life Wind Wheels. Sports Wind Wheels … The Patriotic Windmill planted in your garden or on your …www.wind-toys-online.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=135 – 154k – Cached
Richard asks…
About Gardening?
Okay this spring I’m going to make my own little garden (Nothing big now) And I don’t know where to start off too… here some questions:
1) How do I stop the soil from washing away
2.) What will I need?
3.) How do I get rid of the bugs?
4) Anything special I need?
5.) What should I look out for?
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. You do not have to buy from them:
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
Helen asks…
I want Garden.?
I am renovating my yard and have tons of roses and I have existing Jasmine. I want to add an herb garden and possibly a free fruit trees. Can someone help me out being a beginner? THnaks.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Do an online search for nurseries or seed companies. Almost all of them have free spring catalogs coming out now and many of those catalogs have garden diagram plans in them. They will happily mail you their catalog and will probably put you on a mailing list for other gardening catalogs. I love going through them in the spring! All of them provide info on how much sun each plant needs, how tall they get, what your zone is and if the plant is hardy there. Here’s a few:
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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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Mary asks…
What are some easy flowers to grow outside in pots?
I live in Las Vegas, and we do not have a garden area. I would like to grow some flowers in pots and keep them on the patio. What flowers would be good for that? Our patio gets bright sunshine AND plenty of shade.
GardenersCardiff answers:
We have your kind of weather too. My hubby and I do lots of container gardening…..even vegetables. You can grow anything you like in pots. Here is our method (USA):
Plastic pots 14 inches across the top.
Holds 25 pounds potting soil-we use Miracle-Gro Potting Soil with Plant Food for flowers (not vegetables-ask the clerk at the nursery for vegetable potting soil).
Mix water crystals into the top six inches of potting soil-these hold water so you do not have to water more than once per week when the temperatures hit 100 degrees.
Water well and leave it alone for a few days so the crystals can absorb the water. Do not plant or the swelling crystals will push your flowers up and out of the potting soil.
After a few days, mix 4 tablespoons Osmocote flower fertilizer into the top four inches of potting soil. Water in well and wait a day or so. There is also a vegetable Osmocote fertilizer. (Read and follow the directions on the container just in case your container is different from ours.)
Now you can plant. Water well.
Every 14 days fertilize with liquid fertilizer – we use Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster.
Check for a vegetable liquid fertilizer.
Stop fertilizing one month before your first autumn frost. But keep watering.
Let your flowers go to sleep after the first frost or take them indoors and place in a south facing window (sunny window).
Lightly water through the winter months, but do not fertilize.
Do not put back outside until all frost has past. We usually wait till the nights have reached 68 or 70 degrees.
Add the Osmocote fertilizer again each spring (or other good flowering fertilizer).
When flowers start failing, change the potting soil’s top 1/3 or 1/2, mix in well, add new water crystals, add fertilizer. Buy new plants. This is usually done every third spring.
Hint: Always water till it runs out the bottom. Wait a few minutes and then water again. This only need to be done about once per week to ten days when using the water crystals.
Take a look at this self watering large container, we love ours:
http://www.earthbox.com
Send for free gardening catalogs to get use to the different types of flowers and colors:
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com
(there are hundreds more free catalogs, google “free gardening catalongs” )
Happy gardening to you.
Laura asks…
How do you get the Pikmin Garden in Animal Crossing?
I saw this one person with the Pikmin Garden in Animal Crossing City Folk and I wanted to know how to get it. I looked it up and it said as a Special Event in Animal Crossing Wild World or to hack it in. What is the hack code? Thanks.
GardenersCardiff answers:
It definitely wasn’t from an event. I hacked it myself in Wild World and then when I sent one of my characters from Wild World over to City Folk that had had the Pikmin garden it automatically appeared in her catalog. But there is no code you can type or punch in, if that’s what you mean. You will have to buy an Action Replay and then download the hack/code for the Pikmin garden.
Your best option is to have that person buy it for you from their catalog.
James asks…
How do I harvest and dry my chamomile?
I am a first time gardener, and I have some idea of what to do…but I don’t know if I need to make any preperation for drying, or if I should hang dry stalks. I realy need some help because I can’t find any answers in herb books.
Thank you so much for your aid in my gardening.
God bless you
K.K.
GardenersCardiff answers:
The easiest way to do this is to use a chamomile rake, a short, scoop-like rake that you drag across the plants, and it just harvests the flowers. You can find them in most gardening catalogs, Johnny’s Selected Seeds I know for sure has them. Barring that, though, you just want the flowers, so just pick of as many as you need, just pinch them off below the flower, and spread them out on an old window screen in a dry, well-ventilated corner of your house or garage. Food dehydrators also work well for this. Let them dry for a week or two, and store them in a not completely air tight container-don’t use plastic bags, as the chamomile can mold without a small amount of airflow. There you go, good luck!
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