Donald asks…
container garden…what’s best?
I have a small patio area and would like to start a container garden. what is the best plant to plant that will provide me color and look really nice. I’m thinking impatients….I think there is more out there. I live in zone 6. Where is a good place to buy large pot inexpensievly…other than big lots
thx
GardenersCardiff answers:
Fine gardening magazine may be a good place for you to start. They put out a special edition each year about container gardening and a fool proof method of designing fantastic planters that will WOW your neighbors.
As far as large pots go, search your local garden centers. Stores in my area are trying to get rid of last years containers and have some for 1/2 off or better.
Try thinking outside the box or container and look for things that could be used for containers, but are not typically thought of as a container i.e. A bushel basket, an old wooden wheel barrow, a cart on wheels and old child’s wagon. Once you get a feel for what you want you could hit the yard sales and pick up some neat stuff for cheap.
Http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/plants/articles/10-plants-for-year-round-containers.aspx?nterms=74896
David asks…
Decorating magazines?
what are good decorating magazines?
modern theme
to give ideas for the home.
thanks
GardenersCardiff answers:
K.C. Home and Garden
Florida Interiors (anything with “Florida in the name is a popular one with the folks in the high end properties here in Kansas)
Architectural Digest
Boston Interiors
Charles asks…
Is Better Homos and Gardens a good magazine to subscribe to?
I’ve been considering learning about gardening lately. My yard is beginning to look really bad since my sorry husband has stopped taking care of it like he used to. As a matter of fact he took the wrong medicine the other day and fell into one of our bushes. Now the poor bush is all ruined!! Plus the dogs in the neighborhood always come over and poo in the grass. I guess they are attracted to old man pee.
So would that be a good magazine to start reading and learning from or is there a better one for gardening? Thanks and blesses!!
-F U
GardenersCardiff answers:
High Times has some great tips on getting your garden back to its full budding potential.
Welcome back (((FU)))!
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
Chris asks…
What gardening zone is Sacramento, Ca?
I am starting an herb garden outdoors–growing cilantro, garlic chives, sage, thyme, sweet cherry tomatoes, sweet basil, and parsley. What climate zone am I in (so I know if any of these herbs will NOT grow and I shouldn’t even bother planting them)? Will they all be okay in full sun in my zone?
Gardeners, and especially those from Sacramento (or the same zone), your thoughts would be much appreciated. Also, what kind of soil is best for growing this bunch of herbs? A brand name recommendation–along with the product would help a lot! This is, obviously, my first “go” at this! Thanks in advance!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Try www.sacramentogardening.com. It looks like a very good site. Sacramento has a wonderful climate to grow things and I honestly think everything you have listed should grown great. Also you can check out your local garden centers or places like Lowes and Home Depot. They can tell you what is good or not good to plant and don’t be shy about asking about how much to water your plants and how much and what kind of fertilizer you should use. Try to go organic as much as possible. You will be healthier eating what you grow that way. Have lots of fun. For your tomatoes, you will want to get a tomato cage or stake the plant. Tomato plants grow big and are heavy so they need a strong support. When planting the tomato plant, pick off several of the lower branches and plant the tomato plant very deep or make a trench and have it go horizontal and then slowly branch upward. It sounds strange, but your tomato plant will grow roots all along the stem that is under the ground and it needs a good-strong root system. All other plants that you listed plant at the level in the soil they are already at. Tomatoes love full hot sun and do best in it. All of the plants listed can be in full sun. You will love the wonderful flavor from your home-grown vegetables and herbs.
Nancy asks…
Which plants grow *freeze-proof-winter* flowers that hummingbirds favor, & grow in the Garden Zones:?
Sunset Zone 18 / USDA Zone 9 . . . ?
Cape honeysuckle freezes here, and so do Aloe flowers.
What—if any—are some other winter garden choices for this zone,
which hummingbirds would surely visit?
I am trying to establish a winter garden for our hummingbirds.
I will definitely appreciate link/s to site/s that have a list of winter-hardy-hummingbird-favored flowers!
(Lows are only rarely down to 22F, but we’ve had some nights this year that got down to 26 or 28F.)
Thank You for your help.
‘reynwater’ > I don’t put synthetic feeders out, but a lot of my neighbors do. In the hills around me it is warm enough for Cape honeysuckle, which I had a lot of when I lived on one of those hills. The hummingbirds were all over it throughout the cold of winter, and I truly enjoyed its vibrant green foliage back-dropping for its bright orange-red flowers. Nothing much else was ever in flower in our yard then, so I am trying to find flowers they will like as well, which can take the slightly cooler temperature in our valleys. Besides the flowers, I keep a stash of rotting kitchen refuse in the yard, for bug to grow in, which hummingbirds feed to their young. And I also grow cattails in my yard, which they gather fluff from to line their nests in neighboring trees with. . . In other words, ‘the hummers’ are already here . . . and I can’t stop the neighbors from either feeding them or planting plants that they harvest nectar from. Nor will I uproot my cattails so as not to support t
‘Michael Keen’ > I have neither the desire not the time—they must be scrubbed thoroughly between refills, and the water & sugar must be boiled & then cooled before filling the feeder each time—to do so. Nor do I want to provide them with further synthetic nutrients, which are totally devoid of important nutritional factors (besides sugar carbs) which are found in natural nectar. (Anything other than white sugar—like brown sugar or honey—causes the mixture to quickly become toxic to the birds.) I am trying to provide more *natural* habitat, as far as possible. Besides which, I decidedly dislike seeing man-made items in my garden, such as sugar-water feeders. They clash with the natural landscape I am gradually building. Having flowers that hummingbirds feed from give both their beautiful flowers for us to enjoy, plus pull in the hummingbirds for *healthy* feedings, several times each day. In this way they get both appropriate nutrition, and, the exercise of buzzing from
GardenersCardiff answers:
If your neighbours are putting out synthetic feeders the birds are around so why not attract them to your patch by doing the same.
Daniel asks…
What can I have in my garden in zone 2?
I would like to have shrubs, trees and flowers that will be bright and colourful in my garden. Both in the winter and summer. As I am in Zone 2, for 6 months of the year, my garden is covered in snow. What will survive the winter and will also bring colour to a winter garden? Please help.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Here is a site that has a listing of trees and shrubs for Zone 2. Sorry, wish I could have been more help.
Http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hrdzon4.html#2
I found this Holly Hock for zone 2:
http://www.gardencrossings.com/index.cfm
You may have better luck speaking with someone from your local garden centers. They typically carry plants that will grow in your zone.
Good luck
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
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.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>