garden supply place – gardenerscardiff.co.uk

Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:05:02 +0000

Carol asks…

Gardening/relandscaping question?

I have an approximately 900sq/f grassy/flower bedded area in my back yard that has been long forgotten and long unloved. I’d like someone’s advice on a diy project that would entail planting new grass, starting a small garden and filling the small flower beds with perennials. I live in sunny, hot southern california.

my main questions are:
1. if I want to replace the dead, dry, burr-filled grass, do I need to take out what’s there, or do I plant new things above it?
2. what types of flowers are the easiest to care for in a dry, hot climate, and which will give me the most color variety? also, I need them to be ok near a pool.
3. lastly, is this an attainable project to complete in 200 dollars? I’ll do all the labor myself, and I already have the things for the garden, I just need flowers (preferably already grown, but I can start from seeds if needed) and grass seedlings/supplies.

Thanks so much in advance for the help!

GardenersCardiff answers:

If this was mine to do, I would smother the square footage with tons of newspaper and horse manure until next spring. Once that is done, you can plant anything without digging. Or you can try lasagna gardening with the first layer being newspaper, lots of it, manure, peat moss, soil amendment and keep layering the last three over and over and also add compost, even fresh compost from your kitchen.
If you visit sunset.com, you will see photos of a yard that was smothered with newspaper and manure and then replanted with flowers and a small patch of grass.

We have a 500 sq ft of common area next to our house that we have been working on. Fortunately, my husband has a skid-steer, so he excavated it and prepared a garden for me to plant in. He will be putting a fence up soon. We have planted two Colorado Spruce trees with plans to plant more trees, including flowering trees. My only concern is the south winds. It’s actually my greatest concern because the winds can dry your plants so quickly.

You live in a great area for growing so many things. Marigolds have different varieties now, and I really swear by them when it comes to hardy and long lasting. There are also many beautiful ground covers and grasses that do not require a lot of water. If you visit davesgarden.com you will find a list of plant and seed companies to visit. I like bluestone perennials, urban farmers and american meadows.

Wish I could have been of more help to you. I hope you also have good friends willing to help you.

Richard asks…

Gardening help and support?

im wanting to start my own garden but i need help. I want to know what grows good, what supplies i need to start it with, when is the best time of the year to start, and if u could tell whats the average price of starting one?

GardenersCardiff answers:

If just starting, begin by selecting your favorite plants/foods. Then pick varieties you wont find in the store, this way anything you get from the garden is always special. Next depending on space, pick only 3 or 4 items that will fit in your space, then add more space permitting in the coming seasons. I prefer to choose those items that are the most expensive at stores and grow these first as this helps offset expense. Try tomatoes for example, but always get at least 2 different varieties. Each season is different and sometimes a tomato for example will do better if they can tolerate certain diseases or dry/wet weather. Beginning gardeners need not worry too much about what is what, just buy 2 different types of the same plant and that will increase the odds you get some return and allow you to test and compare what you like if you make some notes along the way.

What grows well, depends on where you are located. First thing first, just get something in the ground. You will learn a lot over a single season. One easy thing to check that will make the whole experience better though is to check the ph of the soil. Either get a soil sample tested or get one of those hand held ph testers at a local garden store ~$10. The ph is easiest to balance with Lime or Gypsum. Grab some time released fertilizer to side dress your plants and you will be set. For a small garden space about $40+ is expected. Mulch with whatever you have on hand to save work and improve the soil. In most areas of the US mid to late March is time for cold weather crops: broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, onions then around mid May begin some of the warm weather: tomatoes, corn, beans, melons. Look for lows on average that don’t go below 50 degrees F before planting warm crops.

Some people like to make certain plants part of their garden which help you know when to plant such as Lilacs, you can do an Internet search and find other examples. The idea is when they bloom you can start planting as plants know best. My experience is its one tool that helps, buts its not fool proof. Happy gardening!

Maria asks…

garden tillers_________________________?

hi
do tillers like this
Vhttp://cgi.ebay.com/Yard-Garden-Electric-Power-Soil-Cultivator-Tiller-98_W0QQitemZ310198810427QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item48394a373b
get rid tough grass thanks 10 points for best asap

GardenersCardiff answers:

I recommend getting one from your garden supply place such as Home Depot, or Lowes. They are cheaper, and better built. I bought one there, it was great! Really dug down into, and turned the soil breaking it up, and aeriating it quite nicely. All I had to do thereafter, was line up the rows and plant.

Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:05:02 +0000

Ken asks…

What supplies would I need to start growing bhut jolokias and chocolate habaneros inndoors?

I just bought some of these seeds and I would like to start growing them but I don’t think the conditions outside are very good right now. I live in New York and it is pretty cold here. I don’t really know anything about gardening, so any help would be appreciated.
Also, how much would all the supplies cost?

GardenersCardiff answers:

Hi Andrew,

This is Ricks Picks. I work in the Garden Department for The Home Depot. The biggest issue with getting you indoor garden going successfully inside is making sure that your new plants are receiving the full spectrum of light. Having a grow light will be a must for successful propagation of your garden Jolokias and Habaneros.

Initially, getting the seedlings to sprout can be done with your window box and a standard grow light found at The Home Depot or other hardware supply store. As the plant gets bigger the light requirement will increase. Temperature is also a key factor in getting your plants to grow well. LED’s are great for giving out a good light spectrum but do not produce the heat needed to help your plants grow to their full potential. With spring not too far away, it may be enough to just get your young seedlings to sprout and then come spring, transfer them to on outside area that gets more light.

Fluorescent bulbs are a great way to start off our indoor gardening adventure. To maximize your results, you will need to switch you bulbs out at the different stages of growth of your vegetables. The cool white bulbs give off more of the blue light spectrum which is great for the initial growth of your vegetables. The warm white bulb gives off more of the red light spectrum and is good for your plants blooms. To keep your project affordable, remember that you will need about 20-40 watts per square foot of growing area. Check out your local nursery supply for a heated seed starter that should help in keeping the “feet” of your new seedlings nice and warm.

Best of luck with your indoor gardening project. Be sure to take pictures of each step you take and share it with all of us!

This has been one of Ricks Picks

Mark asks…

Where can I buy the supplies (as least expensive as possible) to start my own balcony garden?

To grow vegetables/fruits etc. I live in an apartment and would like to grow these in containers on my balcony. Where in my city (Austin, TX) could I purchase the things I need?

Any tips are welcome as well!

GardenersCardiff answers:

Http://www.containergardeningtips.com/

Watch for sales at your local Home Depot, and Lowes. Walmart and Target have good prices also.
The main thing to remember is keep the soil moist and not to over water, or dry out. I live in a climate similar to TX and it gets really hot in the summer. I check my containers every morning and every evening.

Good Luck

John asks…

What is the name of the garden supply place in Stanton, MO?

I’m looking for the garden supply shop/statuary just off Highway 44 in Stanton, MO. It’s either on the road (Hwy. W/Y ?) leading to Meramec Caverns or it’s on the outer service road near the Toy Museum. I tried an on-line search and found other garden supply places in the area but the one near I-44 and Stanton exit is what I’m specifically looking for.

Thanks for any help.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Hey Lady Bug,

Hoods Discount Home Center
(573) 468-4490
308 Park Ridge Rd, Sullivan, MO 63080

Thomure Lumber & Home Center
(573) 860-8888
4087 N Service Rd W, Sullivan, MO 63080

Hanneken Home Improvement LLC
(636) 584-8650
107 Old Farm Estates Rd, Union, MO 63084