Calling all gardeners.....

[TklDuo-Ann]

It's getting to be that time of year again. So, what are you planning to plant this year?

I know, I know! Many of us just got over another snowstorm. But for those who start their own seeds inside, it IS time to do so.

As for me... The flower gardens out front will take care of themselves. I planted a shitload of bulbs in the fall. Out back and on the sides of the house is another matter. In another week or so, I'll be starting plants for those areas including... marigolds (to keep the critters out of my veggies), catnip, basil, hot peppers, tomatoes (grape and beefsteak), zucchini, sweet peppers, and whatever else I decide to throw in this year's mix.

Anyone else?

Ann

 

[unclebill]

Until last year I grew tomatoes, green peppers, greenbeans and even tried growing watermelon one year, but with all of the homebuilding in my area the critters are all over the place. My yard runs into a few acres of woods and it has become a haven for every type of critter you can imagine. We even have coyotes that I see roaming my yard early in the morning. So outside of hiring Elmer Fudd or moving, I think my garden days are over for now. Ann, you sound like you have quite a garden, how big of an area does it cover?

 

[sadira]

Well, yes, I have found my driveway and sidewalk again this winter and hoping that's the last time I have to shovel the darn thing. I just bought this great house in Dec and am so very much looking forward to planting in the yard. Only problem is that, we have the potential to get snow into April. I know the place has a great bunch of Hostas at the front edge of the house and some wildflowers at the opposite side.

But, question...if I want more wild flowers in the back yard, do I need to start those inside now or can I just plant the seeds outside in a few weeks?

Hugs,
Sadira

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Bill.... My veggie garden is about 20 X 25 feet...not huge, but big enough to allow the few critters who DO come in to have their fill and still have plenty left for us. We've got tons of them in the area too. Planting a combination of marigolds and garlic around the perimeter tends to keep most out. Those who don't mind one general mind the other. I'll likely be doing a combination of sunflowers and strawberries along the side of the house that gets sun all afternoon. It's the perfect spot for them.

Sadira... It's really up to you and when you want them to come up. If you want to have some early (since many wildflowers don't bloom until further into the season) you can always start some inside and add them to the areas you'd like to fill out. But, if you don't mind late spring into early summer, you'd be fine just scattering the seeds once the ground thaws. If you DO get a late snow, provided it's not a surprise, you can always cover the area with several layers of newspaper on top of plastic to act as insulation. I've cheated like that a few times if we have warm weather early and then a snowfall. I don't think I'd try it with veggies. But, wildflowers are pretty hardy. So, you should get away with it.

Have fun!
Ann

 

[unclebill]

Ann, you should make your garden a little bigger and sell some of your veggies and make a few bucks off it during the summer. It sounds like you have the knowledge and the patience to do it.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Ann, the Miz is the one with the green thumb; she usually plants zooks and eggplants (white ones, as well as the red) and, as they call 'em in Arkansas, da-maters, but this year, I'm going to try to plant some horseradish. Something completely different.

We also grow green peppers. We really don't have to grow anything, actually. My next door neighbor has like at least 30'x 85' dedicated to the most diverse garden you can imagine. A dog breeder by occupation, he started his garden because he was sick and tired of mowing his lawn. He usually comes over in the summertime, while I'm mowing my lawn, and says, "you want beans?" And then he hands me a sack of ripe green beans, and I make them for dinner. This is one great neighbor...

 

[giggleygirl25]

sounds like my neighbors...they own a greenhouse and offer up veggies every once in awhile...we get alot of our flowers from there too...last year i had my container garden...with daisies and potato vines and spikes and a hanging basket with a purple petunia and a spike (the daisies were blue and the other was gold)...then in another part of the yard outside my bedroom window i have my climbing roses...i may have to replace a couple of them this year though depending on how they survived the winter.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Ann, you should make your garden a little bigger and sell some of your veggies and make a few bucks off it during the summer. It sounds like you have the knowledge and the patience to do it.

Nice idea, Bill. But, if I made it any bigger, we wouldn't have much of a back yard left. Our lot is 100 deep and 55 wide. Most of the depth is out front because of a water main that runs diagonally across the lot. So, that's about as big as it's going to get. AFA knowledge...Eh. I learn what I have to when I have to...like everything else I do.

Knox...I actually planted horseraddish last year.....and forgot about it when I harvested things. lol

AFA giving things to neighbors....I do a lot of that. It's actually half the fun for me....esp. when we have older neighbors who can't do their own any more.

Ann