Donald asks…
How To Plan Your Herb Garden?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Hi Sharon Salt,
This is Ricks Picks. I work in the Garden Department for The Home Depot. Thank you for your question about planting an herb garden. The “How to” part depends on where you are planning to put your garden, inside or outside. If you are in an area that freezes, then you will need to plant your herb garden inside in the brightest part of the house. The southern exposure is usually the brightest spot and is recommended for successful herb planting indoors. You can also use grow lights to supplement the lack of bright sunshine indoors.
Whether you are planting indoors or outdoors, you will want to use the right soil. For outdoor planting, you can use a garden soil. For indoor plants, you will need to use a potting soil. The big diffrence is that potting soil has perlite in it and garden soil does not. The perlite in the potting soil helps the plant breath better since all the sides of the pot are covered except for the top. Your local Home Depot carries several types of potting and garden soils, as do many other nursery supply stores. Check with you local store associate for more information.
One thing to be aware of if you plan on having your plants indoors is the window sill. If you do not have thermal windows, you herb plant could get too hot or too cold, depending on the weather outside. Glass can also magnifying the sunlite which can possibly burn your herb plant.
Regular watering will be the key to keeping your herbs alive inside. You will want the soil to be damp but not wet to the touch. The environment plays a key roll in how often you will water. If you have a low humidity location for your plants, they will require more water. Try not to have the plants in direct line of the heater vent. This will dry them out too quickly.
For planting outside, place your plants in a full sun area, this is usually in a south facing part of your property. Be sure to amend the herb garden with a good quality garden soil. Pre-place the plants on the ground before you actually dig the holes and plant them. This will give you a preview of what your herb garden will look like. If you do choose to move the plants around, it less stressful on the young plants. Once you are happy with the placement, it is time to dig into your amended soil and begin your herb garden. After you have your plants in the ground, water them in with a hose or watering can so that the soil around each plant will settle. Try not to bury the plant. The level of dirt around the plant in the pot should be the same on the ground, unless the roots are showing. You will need to make sure that the roots are covered.
If you are in an area that receives regular rain, you may not have to water your garden much. For the first week, you will need to water your plants once a day, unless it rains that day. Watering after that first week will depend on the weather. Regular weeding may also be necessary, although in the cooler weather the growth should have slowed some. Try to keep your garden soil damp but not wet. Keep an eye out for things like snails and slugs which love to eat the young tender plants. You can tell if there have been snails or slugs traversing your garden by looking out for that silvery slim on the ground first thing in the morning.
Other than a few precautionary checks for bugs, your herb garden should be in good shape. Be sure to take some before and after pictures of your garden and send them in. Have a happy holiday.
Ricks Picks
Nancy asks…
cheapest gardening shop?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Local garden centres are probably best – otherwise http://www.diy-supplies.co.uk has plenty of gardening and outdoor equipment. It allows you to search all the major household DIY and garden retailers (like Wickes, B&Q, Robert Dyas) and loads of gardening shops using one search.
Richard asks…
What’s a catchy name for a Lawn, Garden, & Pet store we are opening soon?
We are not looking for any other advice, just some name ideas from some creative people. Thanks everyone!
GardenersCardiff answers:
The Green Thumb, Garden and Pet Supply
(your last name here)’s Garden and Pet Supply
the Garden of Eden, Lawn and Pet Supply
Mother Earth, Garden and Pet supply
Farmer’s Essentials,Garden and Pet supply
maybe these will help or give you some ideas
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Paul asks…
How to buy foods without artificial food coloring additives?
I was just reading an article about the affects of artificial food colorings and behavior changes.. (E102,E110,E122,E124, & E129). These colorings are found in a number of common foods and medicines, peas, squash, meats, capsuals and colored flavoring used in meds., etc. How do we as consumers make wise healthy choices considering the possible side affects and how can we be certain of what is additives are used in the products we buy?.
How do you cope w/ this issue?
Are there any “reliable” resources on-line to research ingredienats of products we consume?
What works for you?
Thank you in advance for your replies. I am a concerned Mom and just want to be reassured I am doing the very best I can when feeding my children (outside of growing our own vegetables.)
GardenersCardiff answers:
Aside from growing your own, the next best alternative is to buy, as much as possible, from local growers or find a “farmer’s market” to buy from.
Nancy asks…
When is the best time to grow tomatoe seedlings/plants in NSW, Australia??
My husband i would love to start growing some of our own vegetables, but firstly we’d like to start growing tomatoes. Does anyone know when is the best time to grow tomatoe seedlings or plants in Western Sydney of NSW, Australia??
GardenersCardiff answers:
Spring just after the last frosts have finished.
You can grow them from seed but buying seedlings is quicker and they’re hardier, if your just starting out.
You could try now but it is so hot they may not fruit and you won’t have enough time to get a decent crop before the autumn frost cuts them down. Better to prepare a bed with plenty of manure and organic matter and wait till early next spring.
Chris asks…
How do I grow vegetables in containers?
I want to grow vegetables in containers or pots. I need advice on what types of veggies grow best in pots and what size pots to use. I also do not know what type of soil to use, I though of mixing dirt and fertilizer?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Don’t use garden soil in container gardens, unless you have a nice, sandy loam. Garden soil contains clay and silt particles, which settle and pack too densely in containers, squeezing out all the air. This creates container garden drainage issues, and often results in root rots that kill your plants.
Use a “soilless” mix instead. You can buy pre-bagged mixes, or make your own, if you’re doing a lot of containers. There’s a recipe here:
http://www.grow-it-organically.com/container-gardening-drainage.html#makeyourown
The size and type of containers depends on what you’re growing. Lettuces, spinach, and Asian greens can grow in shallow 4″ trays–see
http://www.grow-it-organically.com/salad-table.html
Peppers, chiles, eggplants, and cucumbers grow best in 5-7-gallon pots. Tomatoes do better in 10-gallon pots. It depends on the root depth of the vegetables you’re growing–see this page for a table of root depth matched to container size, with recommended varieties:
http://www.grow-it-organically.com/container-gardening-vegetables.html
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Jenny asks…
What type of joint would you use for a interchangeable garden tool?
For my resistant materials second paper on Monday the theme is “Garden Hand Tools“.
We need to know about Single and interchangeable tools and i was wondering what you would use on the tool to make it interchangeable so that the head of the tool could be changed into about 3 tools e.g. a trowel, small fork, small rake.
So, what type of joining (fabricating) would you use?
Any information you have on garden hand tools would be useful as well please.
Thanks 
How would you do the threaded or pinned connection?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Threads wear out too easy I think i’d go with the pin connection like vacuum cleaners use. It is a spring loaded pin that can be depressed to slide of one head to change it to another. More than one of the pins can be used for more strength. Naturally the handle would have to be hollow, therefore metal.
Joseph asks…
Out of Eden, Inc., is planning to invest in new manufacturing equipment to make a new garden tool. The new gar?
Out of Eden, Inc., is planning to invest in new manufacturing equipment to make a new garden tool. The new garden tool is expected to generate additional annual sales of 9,900 units at $36.00 each. The new manufacturing equipment will cost $150,100 and is expected to have a 10-year life and $11,500 residual value. Selling expenses related to the new product are expected to be 5% of sales revenue
GardenersCardiff answers:
1. This is a question of Internal Rate of Return(IRR).
2. IRR is that return which makes the present values of cash outlows and inflows equal.
3. IRR is found through discounting tables by trial and error methods.
4. There are also IRR calculators, even online ones. An online calculator can be seen at the following website:
http://tools.financial-projections.com/IRRInternalRateOfReturn.html
5. As per question, the requisite data are:
— 0 Year Cash Outflows(investment in equipment) 150,100
— 1-10 Years:
i. Cash Inflows (Operating Income)
=(Sales)-(5% of sales as selling expenses)
=(9900*36)-(9900*36)*5%
=(356,400)-(356400)*5%
=356,400-17,820
=338,580
ii. In Year 10, there will be additional inflows of 11,500 being residual value of machinery.
6. An equipment of $150,100 producing annual income of $ 338,580 is abnormally high.
7. Anyway, the IRR will come to a fantastic figure of 225.57% per annum.
.
Mandy asks…
How do I prepare soil for a vegetable garden from a grassy lawn?
I have already started the seedlings, but I want to transplant them into the ground tomorrow. I’m hoping to prepare a little patch of soil on my grassy lawn, but I know nothing about gardening.
I understand I have to till the soil several inches deep, but what do I do with all the grass? I know I don’t want to get rid of the top soil, but do I just mix all the grass in with the soil??
All I have is a shovel, hoe, fertilizer, and some muscle, but no fancy gardening tools.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Have you explored the “Planters Box”? It is an elevated box on top of a grassy lawn made out of 6″X 1″ wood to form either a square or rectangle? First put a weed block cloth on the area you wish a be a garden. The install your planters box fill it up with garden soil and presto! You got yourself a garden. Planters box and garden soil is locally available at any Home Depot Store. Elevated garden is better than “On soil” garden as soil is better aerated. Soil is always fluffy and not compact. Less chances of being step on by humans.Block from pest originating from the lawn. And can easily be converted back to lawn or grass again if you decide to remove the planters box! Trust me. Been there, Done That!
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Sandra asks…
Do I send my neighbour a christmas card?
In the summer I had an argument with my neighbour over her cats(she has many who continue to defecate in my garden) which resulted in her mother verbally abusing and threatening me on my own doorstep. I am normally an easy going person who keeps to myself and gets on with everyone, but this resulted in me putting my house up for sale and sinking into depression. Thank fullly I feel much better. The question is i want to send a card to my other neighbours, so do i leave her out?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Yes leave her out, she made you depressed. Bet she wont be sending you one. Defecate in her garden see how she likes it. Make sure you stick a bit of mistletoe on top, and if she says anything tell her it’s her christmas gift, and a little thankyou for all the cat defication she has sent to you over the years. Happy Christmas btw.
Joseph asks…
What is the difference between garden soil, top soil, potting soil, etc?
And which should be used to fill a raised bed for growing veggies? Thanks.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Potting soil is made to be light and drain well to make it better for containers, it is a lot easier moving a plant potted in potting soil than one with topsoil
Paul asks…
how common is chemotherapy related infections on cancer patients?
how some people who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment and get infections becuase of white blood cells droping. how easy is to pick up an infection what is the common way that people get infection like neutropenic sepsis?
GardenersCardiff answers:
I am also in the leukemia boat as the child of the first poster. Leukemia patients are neutropenic for far longer than most other patients, and therefore naturally get more infections.
However, while neutropenic, it is incredably easy to get an infection. You have to be very very strict with your hygiene. Constant hand washing, dailly baths and bed linen changes, do not reuse towels or clothing without washing, do not share towels or clothes, make sure the house is clean and someone else needs to be doing that cleaning. Pets need to be clean, and you shouldnt clean up after the pets. And then of course the neutropenic diet – no fresh/raw fruits or veggies, all meats must be cooked to temp, no fresh anything from the garden, no honey and definatly not the comb, and all dairy needs to be pasturized. You should not be around anyone else who is sick. If your care giver is sick, then you need to call your doc and get admitted (if you need a care giver, and most patients that sick do). You should not be around anyone who has had a live vaccine within two weeks (typically babies) and being around children other than your own is debatable, sometimes being around your own is debatable as most bacteria and viral infections are passed around through the kids at school/day care. Most patients are also instructed to wear gloves and a face mask while outside of the isolation area – either out of your room at the hosp, or out of your house at home.
I have had several infections while neutropenic, but again, leukemia patients are neutropenic more often and a lot longer.
I did go into septic shock with one infection. I had bad diareah, and had rubbed a raw spot on the anal opening. In my sleep, some of the diareah seaped out (I know its gross, but most things with cancer are gross). The raw spot by that point was an open wound. I woke in the middle of the night with a 102 fever, was in the hospital 45 mins later, and was on life support in the ICU an hour after that.
I made it through, but it was touch and go for a while.
The most common way people get infections while neutropenic is not washing hands enough, violating that neutropenic diet, and being around someone else who is sick, and not calling at the first signs of infection like a fever. It is extremly important to check your temp frequently, even if you feel fine. The rule of thumb is that if your temp is 100.5 or above, you need to call the doc.
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Betty asks…
How can I plant seeds on a community lot on Sims 3?
I’ve made a park and I want to add some vegetables etc. but I cannot find a way to plant any seeds. Is it possible?
EDIT:
To the first answerer, I know that method, but you can only plant on your home lot, I want to plant on a community lot, a park.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Ok is very easy!Go to the market and buy vegetables/fruits.
Look in your inventatory,click on a fruit/vegetable and press “plant”!Now you can have your wishes garden!
Ok.Click on Ctrl+Shift+C,and write this code “buydebug on”.Now,press shift and click on “bulid on this lot”.And,where is sorted by type click on “?” button.You can see now,on the choice exist seeds.
Carol asks…
Can I use compost in house plants?
I’ve made compost and want to use it for houseplants but I don’t want to track inside the insects that live in the compost. Is there a way to kill/sterilize the compost by baking it in an oven?
GardenersCardiff answers:
How to Sterilize Potting Soil
Sterilizing soil for seed starting is one of the easiest things you can do to make seed sprouting a success. Here’s how you do it:
Put your desired amount of soil in an oven roasting bag
Add some water to the soil
Tie the bag
Poke a hole for a meat thermometer
Put the soil bag on the pan
Heat the soil to between 160-170 degrees. (Set the oven on 200, and lower if temp. Of soil goes above 170).
Use the meat thermometer to check the soil temperature.
Leave it in for about 30 minutes
Remove soil and let it cool thoroughly before planting anything in it!
If you want a recipe for making your own potting soil mix, be sure to sign up for our free report! We include several recipes
Solarization Sterilizing Garden Soil
Garden soil is a bit more difficult to sterilize, but it can be done using a process called solarization. This is a method of using heat from the sun to kill disease organisms that cause plant problems like verticillium wilt, root rot, damping off and others. In order for your garden to have the full benefit of solarization, the soil needs to reach a temperature of 114 degrees F (46 degrees C) for at least four to six weeks. Here’s how to solarize your soil:
Rototill the soil in the area you want to solarize.
Water the area so that the top foot is moist.
Cover the area with clear plastic, held down with bricks or tacks.
Leave in place for at least a month. In cooler areas, leave in place for two months.
Check the soil every two weeks to make sure it is still moist.
Remove plastic and plant the garden!
A few notes about sterilizing garden soil: For the most part, beneficial organisms will survive the solarization. You can add humic acid or compost to the soil to put back in the good stuff after you’ve solarized. It is not a bad idea to test the compost for weed seeds by watering a little and seeing if it grows. You can water with compost tea to add beneficials back as well.
Solarization goes most quickly in the south, during sunny, dry days. For almost every location, it works best in the summer. If you solarize in the summer, try to leave the soil covered with black plastic during the winter, or plant a thick green mulch crop to build up fertility, and keep weed seeds out until you plant the following spring. (Always remove the plastic before planting!)
Robert asks…
what are some easy recipe ideas using all of the food groups?
i am a busy mom to be who is health conscious. i am wanting some easy meal ideas using all of the food groups. breakfast lunch and dinner options as well as healthy in-between snacks. any one have any ideas? or know of any good websites that offer solutions? i am wanting things especially strong in calcium and iron, and other nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. thanks! bianca and baby
GardenersCardiff answers:
Search Better Homes and Gardens, they have quick and easy recipes with a healthy balance of all the vitamins and iron you need.
I made chicken breast and pasta with steamed broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. It’s easy and my kids like it.
Don’t fry your foods. Do a lot of grilling or baking. Take vitamins daily, you and your kids. The best prenatal vitamins is Stuarts and for babies and toddlers to age 6, Enfamil’s Polyvisol with or without Iron. The best price is found at Walmart.
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Laura asks…
What supplies do you need to start a garden?
I have a garden plot but it’s just dirt with some tanbark on top. what supplies do i need to prepare it? I just moved and i dont even have a hose.thanks
GardenersCardiff answers:
You will need to get a hose for sure! Also you will need at least a shovel and a rake. A rototiller would be good to rent or borrow if it a good size plot. Depending on the quality of the soil you might need compost mixed in . I would remove the tan bark instead of mixing it into the garden soil though other would just mix it in .you will have so much enjoyment! I had my first tomato yesterday from my garden .
Ken asks…
If I were to start a gardening club at my school what kind of supplies would I need to buy for us to use?
Hypothetically speaking, that is. This is a project for my economics class. (However we do have a chance at actually getting this to happen) I need to know what kind of supplies to get. I’ve never done gardening before but the idea was proposed by my partner. I’ll handle how much to get and researching the places to buy/the cost…. but it would be really helpful if someone with experience in gardening could help me out in preparing the equipment/materials. Any tips would be VERY appreciated, too! Thanks a lot!!!
GardenersCardiff answers:
First thing would be to have your soil checked and see what you might be missing and need to add. Not sure how much they charge for that. With that done, collecting the needed supplies wont be cheap. Renting a tiller would be the best- you really don’t want to own one they break down a lot. Once the area is tilled, its time to add what the soil is missing, and u will need rakes- there are 2 kind, one fan, one straight tine. Actually you might need both. And lets don’t forget, the shovel’s to break up the clods. There are 2 types of them also – flat head and pointed, use both. The 2 shovel’s will help break up the soil. Ok now if your half dead now you will need to amend the soil with rake and shovel, Buy some seeds, and some fertilize that are made for them. Plant the seeds water them in. Oh, yea that’s one hose, length and water source? Next you will need markers to remember where what is planted, and if the plant is a vine, or needs a trellis, cage for tomatoes. Then you have to keep watering them if there is no rain, and if there is you have to watch so the seeds wont go where there not suppose to. Then watch it grow.
Richard asks…
What is a way to get donated plants and supplies to start gardens at my middle school?
I work for Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, MS and am planning to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by planting flowers and need potting soil, flowers, etc. I cannot afford all of this on my own. Any suggestions?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Call around to your local nurseries. If they donate the things to your school, they can get a tax deduction for it, plus it’s free advertising for them.
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