Carol asks…
Is it a good idea to grow your own flowers for a wedding?
GardenersCardiff answers:
I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are a professional or very experienced gardener. I grow my own garden every years with both vegetables and flowers that I grow for the purpose of having fresh cut flowers in the house. But I know my limitations. I grow peonies, dhalias, roses, gladiolus, hydrangeas, and gerber daisies every summer. But I am no professional, and most of the flowers I grow are not perfect. And I don’t use pesticides or sprays, so the flowers I cut often have bugs in them that need to be knocked off (mostly earwigs), and sometimes have bug feces in them. They also tend to get a few wholes in some of the petals due to bugs eating them. As I said, I am no professional. My fiance and I are also on a budget. So the only product I use to care for my flowers is Miracle Grow. It can get mighty expensive and complicated buying all the right products to get perfect flowers.
In addition, at any one time I only have maybe three or four fresh new flowers that are in good enough condition to bring in the house in a vase. For wedding flowers, you probably want flowers in excellent condition – free from bugs, bug feces, bug bites, or wilting. In order to get enough flowers in good condition for your wedding, you would need to spend a ton of money on gardening products, plant a very large garden to get enough blooms at one time, and spend a lot of time caring for your garden. In the end, it’s worth the money to just buy fresh cut flowers from a florist for this one special day. Plant a garden for flowers in your home – but I wouldn’t do it for your wedding.
Paul asks…
Need help on starting my own organic vegetable garden to grow indoors! will give points to most helpful :D?
okay..so i’ve never grown anything before,complete noob at this stuff..but i really would like to live organically & get practice on growing my own foods for the sake of my familys health & for the money in my pocket. it’s going to be winter soon,so i need to start with simple things to grow indoors for practice & eventually get outside & start a bigger better garden.. i don’t know HOW to start,what vegetables grow well indoors,how to have my own organic compost (i’ve heard coffee grounds are good to use) what to grow my veggies in ect..i would like to grow tomatoes,carrots,potatoes,spinach,sugar snap peas,a variety of different herbs,maybe some berries etc etc….please help! i don’t know how to get started & need creative ideas to grow these things indoors for this winter!! any tips & advice? MUCH APPRICIATED!^_^
GardenersCardiff answers:
You need to get proper soil for inside. (:
You could try multipurpose compost but you can sprinkle gravel or sand over it. I’ve never really done this stuff before.
You need a grow light. Or jusst alot of light. Foil helps to reflect.
To start yur own compost make sure you have a place to compost it. In your garden preferably. Use browns and greens- leaves for browns and greeen leaves, weeds, old plants for greens. COFFFEE grounds are great.
I heard that pepper plants do very good inside. Pineapple plants, pomegranete. Coco bean. Herbs on the windowsill- basil, dill, oregano etc. Beans and peas. Basically tropical plants do welll. You can try tomatoes.
Root veg although it won’t look as impressive but you can grow radishes, beet. Potatoes.
Blackberries, and lycheeberries are brilliant.
Leafy plants are goos too.
You need to keep your grow room warm and full of light as winter will be very cold you need to feel the heat when you walk into the room.
GOOD LUCK. (:
David asks…
How many of you grow some or all of your own vegetables/fruit?
and what methods do you use?
acowen: they might think your grow light was for something else huh;)
Fabulous: if you’re in Indy like your name suggests, I’m about 40 minutes north of you…
I’m trying to make our garden completely sustainable but that’s a project in the making……last year was not real great (sweet corn was terrible but we had a ton of squash and tomatoes)
Fabulous….I’m not veggie now, just used to be and I love vegetarian meals (I’m just outside Lafayette and we have a couple of really good health food stores, Nature’s Pharm and Sunspot)
Harley, companion planting is great and it’s not as commonly used as it should be!
Mike: I find it very disturbing that people can’t do what they want in their own backyards, especially when it’s something so good as growing your own food……zoning laws don’t prevent me from it yet but boy if they ever try…..
Andro…..oh how I agree, there are alot of resources on using native plants instead of turf (more natural and don’t use as much water) you can’t go to your states’ d.n.r. (if you’re in the u.s.) for regional sales of native plants.
GardenersCardiff answers:
I used to garden when we lived in the Berkshires on 47 acres and our planting was done in raised beds with bio-dynamic consciousness and companion planting. We also had a fabulous organic garden and orchard at Koinonia in Stevenson, MD years ago before it was sold. And there was an organic garden at the Merciful Lion too.
My grandfather had an organic farm on sandy Rhode Island soil that had never seen a chemical in 300 years. He gathered the sea veggies after a Nor’easter down at the beach to add minerals to his soil base. He also moved his hen house every three years to plant asparagus after a fallow season to grow the best asparagus in the state. Composting was very important to the success of all of these gardens.
If you are serious about gardening fruit and vegetables check out the work of Rudolf Steiner on BioDynamic Gardening. You may know about him through his educational philosophy — via Waldorf Schools. Steiner was a visionary and intellectual giant who had positive, practical ideas about everything from growing food to growing children and healthy living hich includes education. His work has which has stood the test of time. Weleeda products are connected to his philosophy.. Interesting man – great information.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
Mark asks…
What equipment would i need to supply electric to my garden shed?
GardenersCardiff answers:
If you are on a very limited budget, then you can simply buy a pre-wired kit which plugs into an outside socket. These are a dead simple, but not particularly effective, alternative to fixed wiring. They will give you temporary power over a short distance.
Like this: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p27175
Here’s a more permanent kit you wire yourself using armoured cable: http://www.water-garden.co.uk/Power_Management_Blagdon_SWA.php
Here’s a B&Q version: http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9290684&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=outdoor+power&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1279056664079&isSearch=true
The professional way to do it (and it depends on the location etc) is to run Steel Armoured Cable from the supply (fusebox) to the shed. This can be clipped to a fence line (using cable cleats) or buried underground with warning tape buried above it.
In the shed, the best thing would be to fit a Garage Consumer Unit. This is a mini fusebox with a breaker for sockets and a breaker for lights. You will then need whatever you want to connect to it (cable, sockets, lightswitch, light fitting).
At the supply end, you can fit a switchfuse unit (if you anticipate heavy use or need to use high current equipment), a 13A switched fused connection unit (for small loads), or wire directly into the fusebox using an available breaker.
The armoured cable uses special glands to connect at each end. At least one end of the armour must be earthed. The switchfuse can be wired directly into the supply using a service connector, or into an available breaker.
There are calculations to be made, such as design current, voltage drop and supply type, which determines the wiring system and cable sizes you will have to use.
As this work requires LABC notification (in England & Wales) as well as an installation certificate, it will be cheaper and safer to employ an electrician to do the design work, final connections and testing and notification for you. Many electricians will be happy for you to run your own cable and even do most of the installation work, as long as the methods can be verified and they are done correctly. But definitely employ an electrician BEFORE starting work – even if it is to just have a look at the site and advise on what to do next.
Generally, you are better off just biting the bullet and have an electrician do the whole job, or go for one of the pre-wired DIY kits above.
Good luck.
Donald asks…
How can I use wild animals and livestock to increase biodiversity in my garden?
I want to increase biodiversity in our very large garden. How can I use wild animals and livestock to do this?
GardenersCardiff answers:
PERMACULTURE ANSWERS ON ANIMALS WITH IN AND AROUND THE GARDEN
Try to think of the animals as components in controlled eco systems ,instead of being the king (like a pig in a pen)with you working as a slave to clean its place and supply food all the time.
PIGS
We have used pigs as labor,corralled in a place too difficult to clean .such as grass over rocky ground ,or forest or places full of bugs snakes etc.
They will clean it better than any machine or man going half a meter into the ground eating up the roots ,
When they are done ,move them to another place ,and after you have taken out the rocks the site is ready to plant.
You may have to moisten the ground and supply water and a bit of food like corn.
DUCKS & CHICKENS and other FOWLS
Normal chickens and normal ducks will destroy your garden
the chickens scratch and all the upcoming little plant literally
hit the dust
Duck work like miniature plows doing maximum damage ,especially if the ground is moist ,they work with their beaks like hoes
However Ducks contained in a pond provide a lot of fish food
Normal Chickens that are contained can be used to clear land in a chicken tractor (a movable corral )
There are many animals that can be used walking about free amongst you garden with out damage and a lot of benefit such as pest control and fertilization
The best are ,Chooks (chickens with feathers on their feet,Partridge ,Guiny fowl ,My Favorite Silkeys and Bantam chickens ,these are small chickens that run about and chase anything that moves ,they go all over the garden fertilize and catch 70 % of all garden pests that walk, jump or land .
There is also a miniature white duck which does not do a lot of damage and they are the top expert in getting rid of snails their favorite food .
Breed these little ducks and chickens and sell them to other gardeners everybody that has them is delighted with the results
The danger to them is cats and other predators and they need a dormitory to sleep in a closed chicken house with staggered pols to roost on (staggered like a staircase so thy don`t poop on each others head )
,everyday they will return in the late afternoon ,
some body must close the door after them ,
And in the morning they will rouse you to open the door so that they can go to work .
SOME MORE ANIMAL USES
Just a few more examples of organic pest control and there are thousands
In Mexico we got a sort of small lizard that lives on the wall ,and sit near the lamps ,and eat mosquito’s all night,
In the mango orchards we release laboratory bred wasps to attack and kill the caterpillars that go for the mango’s
Birds we also don’t kill
when the passion fruit is ripe ,a little black Caterpillar comes and wants to destroy them,luckily a little finch type bird turns up and eats the black caterpillars.
Place poles with bird feeders on some compost
and visiting birds will drop some interesting seeds ,that can germinate below,
Have bird houses in the trees to encourage caterpillar feeders to move in.
In Mexico we have let mazacoas,which are, python type snakes in to the garden to take care of the rats.
In Africa we released mole snakes into the garden and field to combat the plagues of Norwegian rats that were destroying the fields
Ant eaters take care of leaf cutting ants that can destroy a large tree in a week.
Armadillos eat Beatles and such,but they will eat all the worms in your worm culture and dig up the garden like pigs, so you have to fence them out
Potbelly pigs and deer and normal pigs are good in an orchard because they eat fallen rotting fruit which breeds a lot of small flies.You have to corral these in
In our water reservoirs we put fish to eat the mosquito larva’s.
I have bred tree frogs from eggs and released them in the garden to eat mosquito’s and horse flies.
Apart from the fact that many animals serve as food for people Animals In Nature have jobs ,each full fills a function in their respective eco -systems
some examples that can be around a garden are
squirrels who plant trees ,so do many birds
bees and other insects pollinate so have some bee hives
fish keep the waters clean from contamination
Any other animals you may have place them in the most useful place,so that an energy flow can be created
For example the chicken house above the vegetable patch and below the house in elevation so that you can lead the rain water from the roof of the house with a channel (from the house roof gutter) ,through the chicken house ,washing it clean and leading the fertilized water ,on into the vegetable patch ,every time it rains.
You can also have pigpens with a sloping floor or chicken houses with the roosting poles .on the edge of a fish pond to supplement the fish food.
Have gutters sloping floors in the stables to collect urine and make for easy cleaning of the manure ,to be used as fertilizer.
Make a worm culture to produce the best compost in the world with the house hold organic wastes.
NOTE
So the main job is housing and management
Peacocks are very destructive and the noise will drive you crazy after a while
Chris asks…
amateur gardening?
does anyone know if it’s easy enough to begin an organic vegetable garden in your own back yard??
GardenersCardiff answers:
Gardening is hard work, but it is satisfying. You need to chose a sunny part of your yard, some shade during the day is fine. You need to figure out what size you want. Then you need to till the spot up that you want to garden, you will need to go over this spot a few times to make sure the garden isn’t lumpy and no weeds. And once this is done you need to stake off each row. You can go to the toy department and get kite string. This works great for staking off the rows and you will need a measuing tape , to measure from row to row and you will need to do this to make sure you can get in between the rows will a tiller to till up the weeds when your garden planted . Then you need to go to the flowers nursey’s to buy the plants you want to grow..or the seeds..fallow the directions on the seeds packets closely. Then you will need to decide on where you want to plant your veggies (which rows). I always do tallest to smallest. Dont start out with a large garden, it can be over whelming at times..Once everything is planted, if you grow tomatoes or a certain kind of bean they need to be staked so they dont lay on the grownd and rot, you will need to water the garden everyday or every other day, dont let it go much more then that. You can also plant some flowers in your veggie garden. But once the weeds start to grow you will need to get a garden ho and chop up all the weeds probably at least twice a week. You can also lay wood mulch down under all the veggies to keep the weeds out, the water can get in but weeds wont grow. Then just sit back and watch it grow..i use mircale grow spikes and then i use mircale grow liquid feeder also, i also have to use 7 dust to keep the bugs off of the veggies cause they will eat them and destroy them.
Supply list..
Shovel,,, mircale grow
hoe… 7 dust for bugs
rake …. Water hose
tiller … Mulch..but not nesessary
kite string … Measuring tape
plants … A little hand shovel to help plant the veggies
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
Jenny asks…
What kind of dirt to use in elevated planter for vegetable garden?
My wife wants a couple of elevated planters for a garden. These things are going to be about 3×3 with legs, so they will sit 2 or 3 feet off the ground. I am wondering if I can mix regular dirt with some sort of potting mix so that it is not so heavy.
I would appreciate help with this, I don’t really know much about gardening. How deep should the dirt be? should I line the box with something? Should there be gaps in the bottom for drainage?
I think she wants to plant things like carrots, green peppers, lettuce, etc.
Thanks for the help, I know this was a lot of questions.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Dirt: Yes you should mix regular soil but not heavy clay soil, with planting mix purchased from the store. Don’t be tempted to put too much manure in, it will burn young roots. Be certain to support the beds in the center. Wood rot will be a problem so use pressure treated wood for the frame.
Manure makes a great fertilizer if you use it to make “manure tea”. Soak some manure in a bucket of water overnight and irrigate the plants with the brown water.
Depth: 9″ minimum which means you can purchase pressure treated 2×12 for the sides. Come to think of it you could use those for the bottom and the space between the boards will provide drainage
Lettuce needs cool weather so you may need to wait until fall and next spring [depending on your climate zone.
If you plant French carrots which are stubby you will be ok, others are too long.
Sandra asks…
What are good flowers to plant in a New England garden?
I’ve decided to take up gardening in our new home and would like to spruce up the curb appeal. What kinds of plants should I incorporate into my New England garden that would withstand the climate? I would also like input on a pretty flowering bush that would be relatively low-maintenance. (I’m fine with trimming, but prefer a bush that doesn’t need constant trimming!) Also I would appreciate input on a bush/tree that might work well for privacy? Our yard is not very private, and I would prefer plants instead of a fence for privacy.
Right now, I have one lilac bush and a few daffodils, however I’m trying to get rid of the daffodils (I have infant triplets and two dogs who are in the yard often, and I’m afraid they will injest them – the triplets may come in contact with them as they get older). Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Hi.
It will depend on the zone in which you live. You will need to research that first. I listed a good site to help you do that.
Once you know the zone, then decide what you want. Flowering bushes are great, and are showy in spring or early summer (azaleas etc.) Lillies are amazing, when planted in bunches along the fence or walkways. Vinca (perrywinkle) is an awesome ground-cover and is pretty hardy, but so is phlox. Butterfly bushes and sage are beautiful as well. The longer you have any of these plants in your garden, the more lush they become. And of course,t here are the roses.
The best advice though will come from your local nursery (Lowes or Home Depot tend to be very general and therefore may not be your best option). Your local nursery can show you what to grow as well as when, where, and how.
Good luck!!
John asks…
What soil is best for a natural, organic vegetable garden?
What soil mixture is best for a natural, organic vegetable garden?
I want to grow:
-carrots
-radishes
-tomatoes
-cucumber
-peas
-lettuce
Should I use a mixture of peat moss and composted sheep manure?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Do you plan to put the peat moss and sheep manure in a bucket and plant the veggies in there? Or did you wish to mix in the p.m. And sh. Manure INTO YOUR EXISTING soil??
Big difference.
If you will be doing the latter, I suggest that you use a rather small amount first off – manure is HOT STUFF and too strong for a garden in its infancy. Peat moss is not toxic to plants.
Depending on where you live, you may be too late for peas. Get a gardening book and find out what “Garden Zone” you are in and follow the advice they give. The books are SO helpful.
And start a compost pile. I have four compost piles that are in different stages of decomposition and over the years i have amended my soil with compost, until I tell people you could EAT my garden’s soil, it is so good and rich.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
Jenny asks…
What website has gardening tips on it?
Name of website only needed and what it contains
GardenersCardiff answers:
Www.gardeningtips.com
Laura asks…
Good gardening tips?
I want to start a garden and i’ve tried to grow flowers before but they never seem to grow or even stay pretty.Is there any good tips I should know?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Well… Plant flowers that ALWAYS work good… Zinnias, marigolds, Cosmos, Nasturtiums… All work fine as Beginner plants… Good luck!…
Nancy asks…
does anyone have any original good organic vegetable garden tips for my home gardening class?
GardenersCardiff answers:
This is a good first step:
http://successfulgardening.50webs.com/
This site has hundreds of organic gardening tips
I like this site because, as an organic gardener, knowing the nutritional content of compost materials is valuable information. This site offers an easy to interpret table of nutritional values.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>