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.
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Mary asks…
How can I bring my lawn back to life?
My dog has reeked havoc in my backyard. Bald spots,urine stains, and holes from her digging, have made my yard an eyesore! I’ve search the web for information on”Patch Perfect”, only to end up here, dazed and confused. I’ve decided to leave it as a last resort. Money is tight what else is new) but I’m willing to put in some time and sweat equity. All I know about grass is how to cut it, so talk to me like I’m 2.
GardenersCardiff answers:
1) dig out the urine areas and fill with clean soil. Urine isn’t good for new grass, fill the holes with dirt…in other words prepare the area for replanting. And de-thatch/loosen up the entire lawn.
2) find out of the way areas on you lawn where the grass is good and thick and cut little round plugs of grass out, about 3 inch’s across, then plant in the bald areas, if you are good in caring for these plugs the grass will grow and fill in those areas.—-or—- if the grass is a common variety, cut a 4-5 inch sample from an out of the way spot in your lawn, go to your local garden store and buy a few blocks of matching grass and cut them up to patch the lawn (might be easier).
3) cutting the grass: your grass is now in a repair cycle and the plants need to grow strong and put down strong roots, to do this they need a lot of green tops. Most people cut their well established lawns to about 3-4 inches in height which is not good for any lawn, but especially yours right now. While you are in this stage of re-establishing the lawn, cut it at the highest setting your mower will allow (preferably with a really good mulching mower, why put all this care into growing a good lawn and remove the leaves that will decay and help the soil)
4) feed the roots. Get a good fertilizer and read and follow the instructions to the letter. Over fertilizing can be harmful also.
5) never allow the newly planted areas to get over dry or over wet. You want the roots to have a chance of establishing themselves as strongly as possible.
If I have forgotten anything..I’m sorry.
Maria asks…
Does anyone who has lost a parent or their parent left feel like this?
I live with my dad and step mom and most of the time im really happy.
Its a long story, my parents divorced when i was 2 but my mom left when i was 10.
Most of the time it doesnt really bother me, she has made it perfectly clear she doesnt love me.
But sometimes, it suddenly hits me and i get really upset and angry.
Does this happen to anyone else with a similar story?
GardenersCardiff answers:
My father left when I was six and I haven’t seen him since. If I ran into him on the street today I wouldn’t recognize him and chances are he wouldn’t recognize me either.
I don’t think of him often. I am so used to him not being around that he is only a fleeting thought which only comes to my attention when people actually ask me about my parents.
It hasn’t always been easy to handle this kind of rejection, specially when I was little. I remember wishing to have a father and also wondering if I did something wrong that caused him to leave or think that there was something bad or defective about me and that was the reason why my father didn’t love me. Now that I am older and understand things under a different light it doesn’t bother me or upset me that he chose not to be in my life. I don’t judge him harshly or wish him ill but he is irrelevant and invisible in my existence and accept that he made a choice that was hurtful, but ultimately something that I cannot change and lead me on a different path. All things considered, I’m pretty sure him leaving was for the best, because he was and probably is a violent man who took out his rage on my mother, siblings and I. It is better to have an abusive jerk out of your life than an abusive parent inside of your house and mind.
My mother died almost three years ago. My relationship with her was much more complex and she was more involved in my life, for better or for worse, so yeah, I do feel anger, resentment, rejection, frustration and pain, as well as love and compassion when I think of her.
Every now and then I wonder how my life would have turned out if I had an average family with two parents, lived with my siblings and the whole home and garden thing going on, perhaps even be rich enough to live in the suburbs. As it is, my family is what it is and I accept it gladly. I live with my oldest brother in an inner-city apartment and my other siblings live in different places, with different people and see them rarely. But life is good. One can only wonder how things would be in a another world but its just a silly question.
Sandra asks…
My grand son is overweight, any ideas for weight loss for a 10 yr old?
My grandson doesn’t like to many veggies. My daughter and I try to get him to try different foods. He totally refuses at times. I worry about his health. Sweet talking doesn’t work. He’s at the age where you can’t tell him anything. He also doesn’t need the added stress of being made fun of.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Why on earth would you even consider making fun of him?
First, your daughter needs to show him who is boss. Stop buying anything that is considered junk food. Even ease up on the juice as well. Even though juice is supposed to be healthy they contain a considerable amount of sugar. Another thing is instead of 3 big meals a day (which is what most people do) break it down to 6 small meals so that it is easier to digest. When I was a kid, the one thing that caught my interest in eating healthier was my father had a garden that we would work in. Just the idea that the vegi’s I was eating came from my hard work was enough to make me want to eat them more often. Well, good luck.
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Helen asks…
How should i start my garden?
Im 13 and starting to make a garden. the garden is going ti b around a tree. i just mowed it and now what. i never made my own garden.
how do i start?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Hey Lydiabun123,
If you like the tree, be sure not to cut its roots by putting your garden too close to it’s base. Your garden should be outside the drip line of the tree. Otherwise, you will hurt the tree (sorry, not trying to be harsh, just informative).
Once you have your garden area marked – turn over the soil to 24″ deep, it should be loose enough that your shovel will easily be thrust into the soil. Remove all the weeds, lawn, and roots ( hope not your tree roots). You should add compost to that soil and mix it up well. Now is when you get creative. Do you want raised beds? Or Rows?, Containers? Boarders? What plants to you want to grow? Draw out your area to scale on paper, then mark off what will go where. Now you have a plan, get the plants. If you plan to use seed, you still have time this year, but have missed the spring planting season. You should try Summer Squash or Zucchini – they are really easy and will give you a sense of accomplishment. Try some Tomatoes and stake them up (or use cages). In my past, we cut Maple branches for the stakes – low cost and they work. Carrots are easy, try them.
If seeds or plants, go to your local garden store and stare at the plants and seeds. Read the labels, pick enough to fill your garden space, and follow the planting instructions. Be sure to water enough, but not to drown the plants. A good rule about watering seed rows or raised beds is to water like it is raining, and move the hose away. See the shiny wet disappear? When it takes 3 to 5 seconds, you have watered enough.
For your mature plants, water at the roots, and not at night. Early in the day is best. Use some simple fertilizer, like 10-10-10 Miracle Grow – you dilute in water, and use a watering can to put around the roots of the plants. Follow the instructions. Come back here and ask more questions too. We want you to be successful and enjoy your new hobby.
Laura asks…
Why do trees and shrubs tend to cluster in private gardens?
I made a map showing the location of Fatsia Japonica near to my home. I covered 5000 houses and found 13 Fatsia plants. The strange thing is they all tended to be in streets near to each other and one area of 3000 houses only had one plant. Why do they cluster like this as each plant was planted by a different person.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Ppl tend to use the same plants in their areas because if the plants r growing successfully in someones elses garden then the odds r that specific plants will grow in your own as good. Also, its easy to take a sly grab at plants as u walk past them to get a piece of the plant & propagate yourself.
Mark asks…
Looking for best companion planting chart or personal experience companion planing tips.?
I am planning my garden for next year. Yes already. I would like to use companion planting method for better yields and to reduce harmful insects. I have seen many websites, but am looking for a gardener who uses companion planting each year what website they recommend or tips from what they know works. Thanks, i appreciate your time and help.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Good afternoon Frank Ford,
I hope you had a great day. It is great to see you are into companion gardening. Companion gardening is important but it is not number one when it comes to being a great backyard gardener. You should learn a combination of other benefits to help companion gardening. I hope my report explains and answers your question. If I may:
Your soil’s pH is the big difference between the average gardener and the best. All the fertilizers, hard work, watering, and care will not help if your soil’s pH level is not correct. Each plant or tree requires a different pH level for maximum yields, less insects, and fewer diseases. A pH Soil Testing Meter cost $9 at Home Depot. The meters also test the nutrients in your soil. They last for years. They require no electrical plugs or batteries. I hope you do not mind, but I included two (2) of my favorite websites which helps explain and verifies my report to you. You can also order one of their meters.
Http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/ph.htm
http://www.frostproof.com/soilph.html
I have been an organic gardener for years…many years (smile). I do not use any chemicals or pesticides on anything I grow. Between companion growing, proper pH levels, earthworms, crop rotation (very important), proper/correct variety, and a little hard work, my vegetable garden and nine (9) rare fruit trees have fewer insects and high yields.
The first companion crops I learned about as a child was from the old school (Indians), “The Three Sisters”?? I still use “The Three Sisters” today. The website is included below.
Http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html
If you decide to use “The Three Sisters”, I use a purple green bean. The color purple attracts fewer insects because the insects have a harder time avoiding predators against the purple background. The taste is the same. The color will turn green when the beans hit hot water. Again this means less work for Frank Ford.
Most gardeners plant tomatoes. I always plant the herb basil close to my tomato plants. I do not have trouble with aphids. If you decide to plant tomatoes, try planting some yellow tomatoes. They are beautiful and easy to grow. The color also attracts fewer caterpillars. Yellow tomatoes will make a great conversation piece at your dinner table.
Garlic is the best companion vegetable for almost all flowers, trees, and vegetable plants except asparagus. Garlic is like the super drug or penicillin. Stop trying to invent a new mouse trap. Why not specialize in garlic? I have used it FOR YEARS. The good properties of garlic are too numerous to type. Therefore I have included two great websites below.
Http://www.gardenguides.com/101323-control-insects-garlic-plants.html
http://www.gardenguides.com/509-growing-garlic.html
There are hundreds of different varieties of garlic. Ninety (90%) percent of the grocery store garlic is grown in China. This garlic exports well but the taste is not good. Most people would not know the difference because they have nothing to compare good garlic. The Gilroy Garlic Festival is the biggest in the world. You may wish to get a link, from websites below, for ordering a bulb for future plantings.
Speaking about varieties in garlic, most gardening outlets do not carry the best varieties of any vegetable seeds. The reason is because major/corporate farmers only grow vegetables which mankind can import/export the best. The quality and taste of these vegetables/fruits are not the best. In fact, some are very bad and used truly for animal feed. But again, the consumer has nothing to compare. I can no longer find the many vegetable seeds in stores. I can only order the seeds or dry them myself. This is happening all over the WORLD. In fact, we now have seed bunkers to try and save many varieties in the plant kingdom which mankind has destroyed or made extinct. Therefore try to research and find the better varieties of vegetable seeds. Your research will be greatly rewarded at the dinner table.
Sometimes overlooked; Frank Ford, I would hire some extra workers. I would spend another $5 and buy a few earthworms at your local sporting goods or fishing shop. Earthworms work day and night. They continuously carry nutrients deep into the soil in order for your plants roots to feed. They are a home gardener’s secret weapon. They also work for minimum wages (smile). Place them around your plants. They will multiply in time.
Http://www.stumblerz.com/earthworms-fun-facts/
In closing do not forget about crop rotation, especially tomatoes.
Http://www.oisat.org/control_methods/cultural__practices/crop_rotation.html
Good luck with your garden for next year. Right now I am researching and thinking about planting a “Peanut Butter Tree”.
Http://www.daleysfruit.com.au/fruit%20pages/peanut.htm
You and your family have a beautiful week. Peace, from Los Angeles.
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