Lasagna gardening (layering), any tips?
Hey.. Has anyone ever did what is considered "Lasagna Gardening", aka the "No dig garden", or "Layered Garden"?
I'm planning to try it… …and am wondering - anyone here ever have success with this method? Any tips to share?
=)
I was fascinated when I first heard of this…. so I tried it… I hate to till!!…. I did a large bed in my backyard…. covered it first with newspaper and compost, then started building my layers…. started early fall….. built layers until the weather turned really cold, then covered it all up with mulch and waited till spring….. when I started planting, there were already changes to my red clay soil.. and more worms than I'd ever seen in there before!…. it's now a happy and great-growing part of my garden….
for layers, I used anything and everything EXCEPT the listed peat moss…. here in the south, that's not used much since when we dry out, the peat dries out, too and it's miserable to try to rewet that mess…… so in mine there was
compost, shredded newspaper, soil, fall leaves (shredded or whole) …old potting soil, straw, grass clippings from the neighbors….coffee grounds, egg shells, black cow bagged manure, soil conditioner (bagged, shredded fine, pine bark and additives)… leftover granulated fertilzers…. kitchen goodies… etc…
every time I went to Lowe's I grabbed a bag of something to take home and spread on it…. that way it didn't cost me much at one time….. and the layers don't have to be THICK, just 'there'…. so coffee ground were broadcast each day…. and anything that showed up like grass clippings and bags of leaves , same deal….
this is basically just 'sheet composting'… so to keep it working, add water when it's dry outside… rain usually takes care of it, but it will 'cook' best if kept on the moist side…. just like a compost pile…..
since learning of this, I'll never dig and till again…. and no more scraping off grass, either!!… I'm hooked!…
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What "product" would you like/expect to receive from a gardening consultant?
I would like to take jobs as a gardening or landscaping consultant, working with homeowners as clients. I do not want to take measurements/draw landscape plans. That takes too much time outside of the meeting/appointment. I feel many people just want to pick my brain and ask questions anyway. But I feel I need to leave them with something, written notes, a list of plants, etc. I want them to feel they got their money's worth. What would comprise a good product? I'd like to make up a form or sheet to use.
Garden Consultant eh?
I've done it before… but you'd better be well versed in all manner of garden products. What I've done is offered a 'garden calendar'. All the things you recommend doing, you compile as a 'to do' list, at the appropriate times. Home owners are smart, but unless they know when to do it, they might not get the results they should. So if you suggest a water soluble fertilizer every other week, note it on their calendar. When should they trim their Forsythia? Note that too… Sort of instruction manual for their garden. Offer it at a small charge (print calendar pages on your computer), otherwise let them take their own notes.
I wouldn't expect to have a whole lot of customers, but if you target younger home owners, without a lot of experience- you might do okay.
Good luck-
Gardening Tips Please?
Im planning on transforming my backyard into a haven..theres this big hill in the backyard and it has few weeds on it, no grass, and some pines.. and they're all burnt from the sun.. and so i want to change it and make it beautiful.. any tips would help.. if u want pics please e-mail me at burhan_2o3@yahoo.com
Sounds like you need to do some terracing and spend some time learning and deciding what you want. Visit some gardens, hang out at garden centers, look through books, and visit websites.
Looking for a site that sells gardening statues and home decor?
My mom loves gardening and little things in her yard to show off. What are good sites for gardening and yard statues or home decorations?
good sources here
http://mariesmanorbedrooms.com/decor-accessories.html
Gardening tips….bell pepper?
Does anyone have any gardening tips for growing bell peppers?
What, is cyanne2ak nuts?? The plant HAS to flower to produce peppers!! The pepper comes from the flower.(a very small white flower about the size of a dime) I have been growing Bell peppers in the N.E. for 40 years. Plant seedlings outside after the threat of your last frost. Water and fertilize with all of your other vegetable plants in the garden. I plant mine right next to my tomato plants. They are very hearty and easy to grow. Good luck and BON APPITITE!
i need gardening help! what can grow well in indirect sunlight, north central texas?
the north side of my house has a small garden area that used to have just hedge bushes…i dug them up and would like to have a cactus garden with indigenous texas plants…the main problem with this area is that it does not receive direct sunlight most of the year…will cactus grow there? is there something else attractive that will? do you have a link to a great beginner gardening website? thank you!
I live in Ft Worth I see cactus of all types but usually away from house. I would do mthe corner so it will get some sunlight a way out from wall. I found that Cannas doing well here most anyplace I put them. Just need water hot evenings and actually will come back again after winter and you can thin and start new spot. OURs got 6 ft tall with miracle grow, which we use for everything. Soak a little with roots then add to water for planting then about every 2 weeks , easy instructions on bag. Worth the cost. TEXAS A M has site under Texas gardens and lots others too.
Do you need gardening tips? Want to know how to attract butterflies?
CHEK OUT THE NEW YAHOO GROUP! LOCATED IN WISCONSIN! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monroecountyseedplantexchange/
yes, I love everything it happen all over the garden, the butterflies came all along, over some bushes with rose and red flowers, called Santa Rita , this is the name of that kind of bush, in which branches the sparrows, thrushes, and calenders too, like to rest in the middle of their wings,
What should I get for my gardening grandfather for Christmas?
I’ve bought for everyone but my grandfather. He’s 82 and loves gardening and water gardening. Usually, I get him a bird feeder (he loves bird watching) or something that has to do with hummingbirds. This year I’m at a loss. I’m a first year teacher on my own and on a very limited budget. Any ideas?
Subscription to Birds and Blooms
I'm new to roses and gardening in general….Any tips for pruning?
I live in an apartment, so I am limited to patio gardening. I have minature roses in an 8 inch pot, and a 'Victory' rose (med. sized, also in 8 inch pot) both in Miracle Grow potting soil, in full sun watered daily or as needed.
The mini's are doing great, I've had them for weeks now and they look even better than they did when I bought them, no questions there.
The med sized, 'Victory' roses, I have only had for a few days now, they were budding when i bought them and now fully bloomed for the most part. I live in southern california, so frost pruning is not necessary (during the colder months I intend to leave them outside during the day for full sun, and bring them inside at night)
My questions are, when should I prune? And how exactly should it be done?
Also any other tips you think I might need to know.
(Please understand that I am new to gardening in general so if you could explain in detailed lay-man's terms it would be greatly appreciated.)
Thanks
Prune in the winter months, but only prune if they have actually grown too big. When you cut the blooms, use pruning shears or scissors and cut the stem just above the closest cluster of 5 leaves from thee bloom. Clip the blooms as soon as they reach full size, and the roses will bloom all year in S ca. I have blooms from March to November in Atlanta. Have 200 rose bushes and 14 rose trees.
Do they have gardening clubs just about everywhere to join?
and what exactly does one do once joined? does everyone go as a group to one anothers house for fun and work of helping each other w/their gardening or what?
Garden clubs vary greatly. You need to ask what YOU want from a club and find one that fits. Many are geared towards the social aspect with education such as flower arrangement, gardening and some social project. Many help with a garden in a school, nursing home and the like. Many also hold flower shows.
Garden clubs may run from mostly social to those really dedicated to public service. I've never heard of one going to each others' home and helping with the garden, LOL! cool idea.
Plant societies gear their activity towards a certain plant, say rose society or daylily society. Their's is education based, they may have a public garden and usually have a flower competition.
Then there is the Master Gardener programs. These are for experienced gardeners who receive around 40 classroom hours in education and return those hours in public service thru the Extension Service.
If you are in or near a big town, look in the phone book. Sometimes a group of garden clubs may purchase a building to hold their meetings. Ask at local nurseries and garden centers. Call the Extension Service, they often keep track of local garden clubs or have a name of someone to contact.
If the garden club is having a flower show, they will list it under the happenings section of the paper. Also the State Fair may have state wide flower competition. That would be a good way to learn about clubs throught out the state.
Also check out this site: http://www.gardenclub.org/links/links.aspx?path=Root/HelpfulLinks/StateGardenClubSites