Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff answers:

For a really good detailed list of what should be planted when in your area, get a farmer’s almanac. Also, the information will be on your seed packets. They will show a small map of the U.S. To show what zone you’re in, so you’ll know when to plant. Good crops to start with will be tomatoes (from plants), peppers (also from plants), zucchini (be sure you have a lot of friends/family if you plant much), radishes, carrots, beets, pumpkins or other winter squash, and lettuce. I wouldn’t start with green beans (a lot of work) or corn (not a lot of bang for your buck). Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and cucumbers can all be planted under black plastic, and if you plant much, I’d recommend it. Roll out your black plastic, secure the corners and edges to keep the wind from pulling it up, cut X’s (every 3′ for all but the zucchini, and 4′ for them) in the plastic, and plant your plants/seeds in them (make the holes a little bigger for seeds, and watch them to make sure the plants don’t get covered by the plastic when they sprout). For tomatoes, peppers and eggplant, pour a cup of Miracle Gro for tomatoes (mixed per the directions) in with them (they’re all members of the nightshade family, so it will work for all of them). For the others, use regular Miracle Gro. Plant the tomato plants all the way up to the first branch of leaves–the small hairs will turn into roots and make them more hardy. The rest should be planted only to the level they come at. When you plant the zucchini, plant about 3-4 seeds in each hole. Again, the seed packets will tell you how deep you should plant everything.

GardenersCardiff answers:

It’s time to cut back those spring bloomers and spruce up with either late blooming perennials or some fresh annuals.

Here’s an article: http://www.ehow.com/how_4407772_that-summer-burnout-perennial-garden.html

GardenersCardiff answers:

Look for part sun plants or shade plants. Perennials – Black eyed susans, echinacea, daylilies and poppies come to mind – they are all pretty easy to grow in various conditions as long as they get some sun. Hostas are also an option, and shrubs – look for weigelia and spirea – also very easy to grow. Azalea is an option, too. Climbing flowers – or vining flowers – morning glories, an annual, are easy, and my favorite is nasturtiums – they aren’t really a climbing flower, they are more of a cascading flower. Also an annual.

All of these plants do very well in various locations in my yard, and I live in upstate NY – zone 5. Ensure that you boost your soil before planting – add some compost (you can purchase bags) and I like to add a bag of top soil. Mix it all up good, and you should be in good shape.

Please accept my apologies if I spelled some of the plants wrong. Good luck!