Jenny asks…
I want to start my own little vegetable garden, what are some good vegetables to plant this season?
I’m a first time gardener.
I live in Ohio if climate matters, and I want it to be outdoors. Veggies that are relatively easy to grow would be nice. I want to save a little on my grocery bill and I also just like the idea of growing my own food. Thanks!
GardenersCardiff answers:
Tomatoes, broccoli, bush beans, cucumbers, peppers are all easy vegetables to grow.
Broccoli likes cool weather so early planting works well – you have to cut it before it flowers which will happen if the weather is too warm.
Beans and cucumber seeds need the ground to be warm to germinate. I grow my cukes on a piece of fence so they grow upward instead of sprawling all over.
Tomatoes need to be staked.
Each year you need to rotate the garden plot so veggies are in another spot.
Use black plastic to keep down weeds and keep moisture in the ground. I cut coffee can size holes when planting the veggies. Good luck. You will love it.
Mandy asks…
What materials do I need to grow my own coffee?
Why are you asking me questions? You’re supposed to be answering, not asking. And since you’re so nosy, this is for a class. It’s not real.
GardenersCardiff answers:
The only thing you’ll need is Juan Valdez.
Donald asks…
Would an American student visiting the Netherlands make a fuss about a weed plantation on his balcony?
I live in the Netherlands. While my roommate is going on an exchange program this summer, an Asian American chemistry student from Boston will stay in his room for one or two months. Our dorm has a balcony which can only be accessed through his room. On this balcony we have our weed plantation.
Will the exchange student most likely feel like arriving in heaven or hell?
I wouldn’t want him to make a problem of it. He should be ok with me going on the balcony about once a week to check on the plants.
I realize this situation confirms some of the prejudices about the Netherlands.
Though we have a weed plantation, that doesn’t mean my roommates and I are potheads. We smoke once every two weeks at most and some of us don’t smoke at all. We do have quite a stock – a least two ounces should be left over from our previous harvest by then – and some top notch bongs.
Please note that our type* of weed plantation is essentially legal in the Netherlands. The landlord knows about it. If the cops would find out, worst case scenario is that our plants get confiscated, but we wouldn’t face criminal charges. It’s a controversial subject, though.
Our reasons for having a plantation are that it’s much cheaper to grow your own than buying it in a coffee shop at €6 per gram minimum, and that gardening in general is fun to do.
*Outdoors, limited to five plants per household, no ‘professional installation’, such as artificial lighting, and for personal use only.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Asian Americans aren’t big pot users in general. Act normal about it and don’t confront him with the end product.
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Lisa asks…
Any gardening tips for a newbie?
just started gardening a few weeks ago, already have peas carrots cantalope watermelon tomatoes and cucumbers and lettuce growing. im excited but just wondering if anyone has tips or secreats they want to share with me?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Wow for a first time gardener you have alot good luck if your growing all this i suggest you make a salad
Charles asks…
what are some vegetables that are easy to grow? What are some good gardening tips?
What is a good way to keep bugs and animals away from my garden? When should I strt my seeds. Note I do not have seeds I need to buy some. I start my post secondary eduation in the fall and think I will be low on cash I want to grow some food.
GardenersCardiff answers:
I don’t know where you live, but these have proven easy for me to grow in soil that does not have much clay in it.
Tomatoes,
Okra,
Squash,
almost any Beans,
cantalope,
and onions and garlic.
Oh, and let’s not forget the main staple…potatoes.
I would start from seed right now in your window sill. Get one of those seed starter kits, and you will only need a few of each. Say two to four plants. Trust me. After the first week of April, if you are in the southern area of US, you can transplant the plants into a garden outside. Make sure they get plenty of sun. Keep garden bug spray handy and watch for the leaves turning brown or yellow.
Good luck.
Jenny asks…
Any gardening tips for someone with a bum back?
Trying to figure our how to pull weeds when I can’t bend over…Any “lazy” gardeners tips? Thanks 
GardenersCardiff answers:
First, you may want to try this for your back…(it works for me!).
Lay on your back, on a carpet or floor.
Now, bring both knees up to your chest. Hold it there for 10 seconds. (yes, you can hold them with both of your arms), then, after that, shift them to one side, and hold there for 10 seconds then shift to the other side, and hold again for 10 seconds. This will help “loosen” your back so that you dont have much pain.
(I know, it works for me and I used to take a 500 mg of vicodine a day!).
Then, you can try this..(though, it will bother you for a while, it “loosens the back muscles and straightens the spinal cord so that you can be more flexible…I hear my spine “popping” when I do this, so I know that the spine is lining up).
Sit on a chair, and keep your feet planted firmly on the ground.
Now, lift your arms to below shoulder height, (what ever your comfortable with). Now, move your upper body all the way to the left (not too far, from the start, or you may “twist” your back, and have a charlie horse in it, or pull a muscle…give it time), then, swing it all the way to the other side.
Do this about 25 times the first few times, and keep working up until you can do this for 5 minutes each day.
You will probably be sore for awhile, but, this will bring flexibility in your life and you may get away from pain pills.
If your overweight, lose it! It will help a lot in lessening the pain on the back.
Cold packs also help in stemming the pain.
I would get the “garden weasel” or other implements they sell on TV to help in your gardening needs. I dont know if they work, but, I would rather do that, then bend over.
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