Charles asks…
How big of a garden does one need to live off of it all year round with different fruits and veggies?
How big of a garden does one need to live off of it all year round with different fruits and veggies?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Hello x s,
I guess I was to poor to know the difference. I have always lived off my garden and fruit trees. Even today we have a 20×20 feet garden. We buy no vegetables or fruits (except watermelons) from the grocery stores. I can taste the chemicals farmers use on their vegetables they sell in grocery stores. A person could easily live off of a 10×10 feet (no melons) garden.
We give alway more vegetables and fruits than we can eat. This year we canned over 30 quart jars of tomatoes. Each Christmas, our relatives and friends will receive a big basket as a gift. Inside is a red and white checked table cloth, 1 quart jar mixed yellow and red tomatoes, 1 quart jar pickled beets, 1 quart jar pickled green cherry tomatoes, 1 quart jar carrots, 1 quart jar plum jam, 5 Ruby Red Gradefruit, 10 lemons, a bag of dried figs, and 15 Mandarin Oranges. They love us at Christmas. I also have nine rare fruit trees.
In order to live all year round, you would need to live in a place like Southern California. Today my garden still has tomatoes, green beans, garlic, onions, eggplants, brussel sprouts, and bell peppers.
You would need good soil. I use no chemicals or pesticides. I use home made compost and chicken manure to enrich my soil. Good soil produces twice the yields of bad soil.
If you wanted a variety all year long, you would have to learn to can your vegetables and fruits. We have enough canned vegetables to last us all winter.
Your question: A 10×10 feet garden is more than enough area. If you want four (4) dwaft fruit trees, than you would need a 20×20 feet area.
I have been a gardener for sixty (60) years. I love to help new gardeners get started. Just like my uncle helped me get started in the hills of Kentucky at the age (smile) of three. I helped.
You have a great day, from Los Angeles.
Laura asks…
What should I get as a gift for my host family when I go to Japan?
I’m 15 and I live in Canada. I’ll be hosting a student in March for two weeks(He’s the same age as myself), then in April I will stay with him for two weeks in Tokyo. But I wasn’t really sure what to get his family as gifts.(I already know what to get him since his form showed his interests) His Father is 47, his mother is 44 and he has a younger brother who is 13. My teacher said it was a good idea to look for Canadian made items. Any suggestions would be amazing thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
While Canadian foods are nice, try to include something that they can remember you by long after the food is gone. There are tons of items like a photo calendar of Canada, picture books, coasters, ashtrays, fragrant lotions or soap, cologne, sports team shirts, and so on. There are many food items you can bring also: cookies, syrup, flavored coffee, tea, and jam (try less known ones like boysenberry, blackberry, etc), powdered marinade mixes, sauces, dressings, etc. You can get lots of ideas just walking down the supermarket aisles.
Try to give an item to each member of the family as well as to the family as a whole, and when the student is visiting your place, get him active as a family member – do the shopping, laundry, gardening or light chores together – it will make him feel included and be a new and educational experience for him as well.
Donald asks…
What types of plants do i need to put into a small to medium memory garden?
I am a life scout and i want to make a memory garden for my church for my eagle project and i dont know what types. i want plants that bloom year around and all so, if u have any thing to help me out with plants, ideas on how to get donations, and umm mabye advice on a memory thanks a lot
GardenersCardiff answers:
Cameron, the plant donations should primarily come from the church membership itself. Each family could donate a plant, depending on where your garden will be placed (shadey, sunny, or semi-shadey location). You might want to make small signs for each plant, telling people what the plant is and who it is in memory of.
At this time of year, church members could also buy some new tulip bulbs or other spring bulbs to add to your garden.
Some good hardy perennials? Daylilies, peonies, sedum, tiger lilies, asiatic lilies, irises, and daisies. And mums really add a lot of fall color.
A little shrub rose would look nice too.
You might too want to ask for money so you can buy seeds or annual plants for next year to add to the garden in the spring. If it is a really sunny place, throw some moss rose seeds near the front. This is a type of plant that reseeds itself every year too. Allysum is another fine border plant.
Another thing you are going to have to consider too is who is going to take care of your garden once you are finished. Who will water it? Who will weed it the next year? See if someone will help you out there from the congregation membership. Remember, everyone has certain “gifts” given to them in a church, and there are people in your church who were blessed with green thumbs.
Good luck! A great idea for an Eagle Scout project!
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
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.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
George asks…
Suggest materials to make a raised bed with that are long lasting, and that can be recycled from trash?
Pretty please?
I want to build a raised bed garden, but I am doing it on a shoestring (no actual money, just a nasty old shoestring). I am looking for at least 140 linear feet of material. The wall will be around 10 inches tall, so it should be something that can either be easily cut down with normal tools, or that can be stacked that high somehow. The material shouldn’t leach any toxic whateverz into the soil, as the plants will be vegetables.
Thanks guys!
GardenersCardiff answers:
I use old tanks from an out-of-business seafood store. The drains mean a ready-made drainage system, and I didn’t even bother to clean the insides, since the fish waste makes good fertilizer.
Plus, they’re up on legs, about waist-high, making it easier to work ’em, especially for my sweetie, who has physical problems and doesn’t bend over so easily.
Eight bucks apiece plus twenty dollars to a fella with a pickup truck to bring them to my house.
.
Mark asks…
How do I make a homemade composting bin?
I’ve looked at composting bins online and the prices are steep for a a house of college students, ranging from 150-200$. I was wondering if anyone knew how to construct one for a lesser cost.
A slat wood built bin?, Can one just be made out of a large rubbermaid bin? Other ideas?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Good Evening ShyGirl,
I was always to poor to know any other way. I have been gardening for 60 years. I don’t know why people love to spend so much money on gardens. I use nothing but natural ingredients. I use no chemicals or pestcides. I think people forget they eat whatever they put on their plants or in the soil. My garden is 20×20 ft, and I have nine (9) rare fruit trees. You see why I have two 55 gal compost drums.
You sound like you need help on making a good compost bin. Since you are new at compost, it may be easier for you to start with a plastic bin. A 32 gal is just find.
Make sure your bin is away from the house. Compost bins will give off odors. Cut out the bottom and add holes around the sides. You must vent the sides. Place four inch bricks shaped like the letter “I_I” or V” on the ground. Place your bin on the top of the bricks. You can shovel compost out of the open end of the bricks when your compost is ready.
Layer in your soil, your vegetable and grass cuttings, dead plants, egg shells, and coffee grounds. I do not use other materials because they can draw mice, and the smell is bad. Never use meat or cooking oils. I mix my compost with chicken manure. Chicken manure is by far the best. Therefore add chicken manure every (about 2 cups) few inches. Keep the mixture lightly moist. You will never buy soil again. A 1cu. Ft. Of chicken fertilizer will cost about $4. The plastic can will cost about $20.
Do not use wood of any type. Wood will draw termites in the summer in certain areas of the country. It does not take them to long to find wood and dirt. I hope I helped. Good luck to you and your family, from Los Angeles.
Lizzie asks…
How long does it take from seed to sprout?
I am new to this, and get some flowers seeds from target store, and plant in my backyard, how long can I see it out of soil? I am in CA, temp near 70F.
What kind of flower is most easy to be cultivated? wildflower?
GardenersCardiff answers:
I’m guessing that there alot of things that might be easier for you to grow from seed in CA than they are for me in WI but I’m going to give you some sure fire ones because that’s what makes starting your first garden so much fun and it makes you want to learn and do more. I recommend Cosmos, Marigolds, Zinnias, Nasturtiums, Morning Glories (if you want a climber), Sweet Alyssum and annual Candytuft. These are all annuals but most, if not all of them will probably self sow in CA. It’s nice to start a new garden with annuals especially from seed because you haven’t made a huge commitment of money or space before you’ve learned exactly what you want. All of the plants I suggested come in a wide variety of heights and colors and all are vigorous and reliable. Follow the seed packet instructions for planting depth and remember to keep the soil moistened but not wet. I sprinkle my seeds lightly at least every day, twice if it’s very warm or windy. Some of these seeds sprout very quickly and the packet will give you some information on that as well though I find that mine usually sprout sooner than the estimate. Good luck and enjoy! I love a new garden!
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
Mary asks…
What are some tips for starting an herb garden and growing berries and vegetables?
…and can I grow them in the same garden or should I use pots for them?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Good Evening Jack Lapidus,
My first and most important tip would be: If you are going to be a gardener, than grow the best. What does that mean? Ninety (90%) per cent of the vegetables and fruits in the grocery stores are not the best as far as taste. Commercial farmers grow a variety of vegetables which can import and export better.
Examples: garlic. Most garlic is imported from China. The taste, smell and flavor is not the best, but it does export better than other varieties of garlic. Also, most people would not know the difference. They have nothing to compare. Cooking with good garlic is awesome.
There are many varieties of garlic. It is my favorite vegetable to grow. Try and get some garlic bulbs from Gilroy, California. They grow one of the best in the world. Their garlic festival each year draws people from all over the world. Hopefully, web site below can link you to a supplier.
Http://www.ksbw.com/garlicfestival/index.html
Corn is another vegetable which is grown commercially. The taste of grocery store corn is terrible. But the variety is easy to ship and export. I grow a Honey Corn. The corn ear is white, but every third kernel is yellow. It is the best tasting corn I know of.
I grow a purple green bean, because it has less insect problems and the taste is great.
I don’t grow strawberries, because I grow a Strawberry Guava Tree. The guavas off my tree taste better than a strawberry. Plus it bears twice a year. The fruit is very high in vitamin C. I eat ten a day (smile). I am sorry but I do not grow berries. I could advise you, but I only back what I grow.
I could go on but I hope you get my point. Some varieties are getting harder to find. But it is worth searching and hunting for.
Second tip: Soil. Buy a Ph soil test kit. Soil ph is very important to plants. Your plants are healtier. With good soil, you get twice the yields and less insects. Therefore test your soil. Most plants like a ph of 6.5. If your soil is too acidic add lime. If your soil is too alkaline add pine needles. Changing soil ph can take two years. Test your soil Ph every two or three years.
Third tip: Herbs. I grow a lot of dill, because we eat fish every week. Grow dill in your garden or in your flower garden around the house. The plant is too big for containers. My dill plants grow three feet tall. The wind can blow the plants over. Plant in three week intervals.
Rosemary is a good container plant, because you have to bring it inside in the winter.
I grow two diference varieties of Basil. Each variety has its own taste. Grow the plants right in the garden. Keep leaves cut, otherwise they turn to seed very fast.
Well Jack Lapidus, I hope you know about compost and fertilizers. I use chicken manure. It is the best. I mix the chicken manure in my home make compost bin.
I could go on but I put down twenty (20) bags of steer manure this morning on my lawns and my wife’s flowers. We are looking for rain tomorrow and all next week. I am a little tired, and I am not getting any (don’t smile) younger. Which reminds me. Start with a small garden. A garden is work. I hope these were the tips you needed.
You received these tips from a gardener with sixty (60) years experience. I started learning at the age of three (smile) from my uncle in the hills of Kentucky. I do not use pesticides or chemicals. I go out at night and hand pick the few insects. We do a lot of canning.
I have a 20×20 feet garden and nine (9) rare fruit trees. Each Christmas my friends and relatives receive a basket with a red and white checked table cloth. Inside, 1 quart jar of red and yellow tomatoes (with one clove of garlic and basil leaf), 1 quart jar plum jam, 1 quart jar of pickled green cherry tomatoes made with fresh dill seeds, 1 quart jar green bean, 1 quart jar bread & butter pickles, a bag of rudy red grapefruits, bag of lemons, bag of Mandarin Oranges, and a bag of dried figs. They love to see us coming, and we enjoy giving.
I hope this can be you in a year. I love to help other gardeners. You have a great day from Los Angeles.
Ken asks…
How to stop neighbors looking into my garden?
We have fences as high as were allowed where we live, but my neighbors to the left, right and down the back are all really nosey and whenever I’m in my garden (gardening or just chilling) I always catch them looking. How can I stop them? :/
haha@Cathy…love the second option.
GardenersCardiff answers:
I’d say taller plants and or bushes and trees. Some are fast growing and give you the added benefit of flowers through the growing season.
Could you get away with strategically placed arbors or panels that plants could climb on? Then you could add climbing roses, clematis, bittersweet (the birds love the berries!) and other plants. We’ve done that in certain areas; our neighbor is a doll but he’s messy and we hide his garage mess with a couple rose arbors made from 4′ x 8′ lattice panels and have climbing roses mixed in with some taller bushes and shrubs. We opted for the PVC lattice because it never needs painting and is easy to work with.
Joseph asks…
What are good websites for affordable and easy to make recipes? ?
I lived at home up until June, and am starting to realize that eating out/microwave/ready made dinners are really getting gross and probably not healthy. I don’t know anything about cooking but I want to learn, also I am on a tight budget, any ideas? Individual recipes are appreciated as well!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Good for you for wanting to start learning how to cook your own food! As far as expense goes, I think that you will find that just by switching to making your own food instead of buying pre-packaged, frozen dinners, you will save a lot of money. RecipeZaar and many other cooking sites (AOL’s cooking section is another one) have an option to select recipes that use only 5-ingredients or less, so, with a few basic items in your cabinet you can make a variety of meals. Here is the link to that site:
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes/5-or-less-ingredients
Other tips: Prepare ahead! If you can make, say, enough rice for more than one meal, you have it pre-cooked and can eat it as a side, as fried-rice, use it in soup, etc. The same is true for things like pasta.
Try and use similar ingredients for a few different dishes- this will save you money and cut down on waste, as you rarely need, say, 4 chicken breast for one meal, especially if you are only feeding one person!
Have a good, easy cookbook handy. One I like that has really helped to build my confidence in cooking is called ‘Anyone Can Cook’. I think it is published by Better Homes and Gardens. It is super basic, but with some excellent, easy to follow recipes and a lot of extra reference guides. Here is a link to more info on this book from Amazon.com, but it is pretty easy to find at bookstores as well:
http://www.amazon.com/Anyone-Cook-Better-Homes-Gardens/dp/0696232936
Good luck!
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>
Daniel asks…
Gardening gifts?
what is a good gift to give someone who likes to spend time in the backyard watering and taking care of plants
GardenersCardiff answers:
Find a small garden bench or paint an old chair to have them sit amongst the plantings if possible.
Maybe give them some herbs to plant that they do not have, or if they like to add annual flowers, buy them some starter kit supplies and seeds to grow their own in the winter and be ready to plant in the Spring. Bundle your goodies in a nice watering can or bucket and add some small hand tools & gloves to use.
My favorite thing is getting a mailbox painted with the name on it and say like Anna’s Garden or something special on it. Tell them to plant amongst the plants and have everything they need right there inside of the mailbox. It holds tools, plant food, gloves, and even a small hat. It is organized and original, and out of the weather too.
Iron cut out sculpted figures, wagon wheels for trellises, etc. Would work for me too. Butterfly houses, hummingbird feeders are a good choice as well.
Richard asks…
Gardening Gifts ideas for my 80-year old nan?
Limit is £40 (50 for an amazing gift)
GardenersCardiff answers:
If she’s already a keen and active gardener, she’s probably got all the basic equipment, though she might like a really lovely soft, strong, expensive pair of leather gardening gloves, or maybe one of those long, thin windowsill propagators with lots of small containers for different batches of seeds and cuttings. Alternatively, a catalogue and gift token for a nursery specialising in the sort of plants you know she likes to grow would be welcome, because she’d have all the fun of choosing for herself, and could say when she wanted the seeds or plants to be delivered – midwinter isn’t always the best time. If she’s becoming less active, and you want this to be a winter/christmas present, then something to grow which will bloom indoors would be a good idea, eg a basket of bulbs or spring plants ready planted up. It really depends on what sort of person she is – it’s hard to make suggestions for someone when all you’ve told us about her is that she’s in her 80s, and presumably interested in growing things!
Donna asks…
Cool gardening gifts?
Im still trying to by my dad a gift for Christmas but im looking for something he could use for gardening..he likes to plant flowers and plants..definitely has one of the nicer yards in his neighborhood so does anybody know any nice ideas?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Hello Lady me,
I have been a gardener for sixty (60) years. I have nine rare fruit trees, a big vegetable garden, and a beautiful front and back yard with dozens of flowers. If your dad has one of the best yards, I am sure he has just about everything for gardening he needs. But I will give you a gift he will remember, and you will be very proud of. He will be in his garden the next day.
In order to maintain and keep a good garden, every great gardener should have one. His first words will be, “I always wanted one of these.” If you truly wish to see an unbelievable smile on your father’s face at Christmas, buy him a “PH TESTING KIT” for his soil. Believe me, your father will truly love it. It is something no one will think of giving as a gift. It will be a gardener’s dream.
Http://www.Gardeners.com
This web site will give you an idea of what you are looking for. Type Ph testing kit in the “keyword or item#” search box on the upper right hand side. Then go to second page.
Cost: The cost can be anywhere from $7 to $100. They all work good. The more expensive will last longer. A nice one will cost about $20 at Home Depot or any good nursery. I can already see the smile on your face as he opens his gift from his daughter.
I hope I have helped. You have a great day, and I wish you and your family a happy holiday season, from Los Angeles.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
]]>