Should I wait for flower gardening or can I start now?

I live in TN. So, far we have had about 2 weeks of warm weather (60s & 70s) before spring even set in. Last year, our winter ended right around this time also unlike past decade where cold weather ( < 60F) would last through April. So, should I wait a little longer or can I go ahead and start my flower gardening now?

You can start now but the ideal weather will be around a month or month n a half away. I live in southern IN and started planting last week. For your state the zone is April thru or March thru June. I cant tell exactly on the map on the back of this seed pack but it looks like your safe to start planting now.

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I have a pretty big backyard and I am prepared to do the work required for eating primarily from the garden. Do you have any tips or links?

I am already a basic gardener and I have grown things but I'm taking it to the next level this year.

Thanks everyone.

Try square foot gardening.Its not how much you plant but how much it produces per plant.

in pot containers..all tips and suggestions greatly welcome here..good day..

STEP 1-PREPARE THE GARDEN FOR PLANTING
Locate vegetable gardens away from manure piles, well caps, garbage cans, septic systems and
areas where wildlife, farm animals, or the family pets roam.
Use compost safely. Compost is the natural breakdown product of leaves, stems, manures and other
organic materials-and also a source of pathogens. To be safe for gardening, your compost must
reach a temperature of at least 130°F. Check the temperature with a compost thermometer. Do not
use any animal waste, including pet waste, meat scraps or dairy product waste into your compost bin.
STEP 2- MAINTAIN THE GARDEN
Water source: Be familiar with the quality and safety of the water source(s) you use in your
garden.
If you get your water from a municipal or public water system, you can be sure that it is safe and
potable (drinkable).
Surface water (lakes, ponds, rivers and streams) can be polluted by human sewage or animal waste,
fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and farm fields, or chemicals from industry.
Ground water (which is the source for well water) is less likely to have microbial contaminants than
surface water. If a well is your water source, you need to take a little more care to be sure that it is
providing you with safe, clean water.
Conduct a standard water test at least once a year to determine if your well water meets the standards
of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Animals: Animal waste can be a source of bacteria, parasites and viruses.
During the gardening season, keep cats, dogs and other pets out of the garden.
Curtail nesting and hiding places for rats and mice by minimizing vegetation at the edges of your fruit
and vegetable garden.
Do not feed wild animals, even birds, near your garden. Fencing or noise deterrents may help
discourages other wild animals.
STEP 3-HARVEST GARDEN PRODUCE
Use clean, food-grade containers. Food-grade containers are made from materials designed
specifically to safely hold food. Garbage bags, trash cans, and any containers that originally held
chemicals such as household cleaners or pesticides are not food-grade.
Use clean gloves (that have not been used to stir compost or pull weeds) or clean hands when picking
produce.
Brush, shake or rub off any excess garden soil or debris before bringing produce into the kitchen.
STEP 4-STORE GARDEN PRODUCE
If you choose to wash fruits and vegetables before storing, be sure to dry them thoroughly with a
clean paper towel. (NEVER wash berries until you are ready to eat them.)
If you choose to store without washing, shake, rub or brush off any garden dirt with a paper towel or
soft brush while still outside. Store unwashed produce in plastic bags or containers.
Keep fruit and vegetable bins clean.
When washing produce fresh from the warm outdoors, the rinse water should not be more than 10
degrees colder than the produce. If you are washing refrigerated produce, use cold water.
Fruits and vegetables needing refrigeration can be stored at 40° F or less.
Fruits and vegetables stored at room temperature (onions, potatoes, tomatoes) should be in a cool,
dry, pest-free, well-ventilated area separate from household chemicals.
STEP 5-PREPARING AND SERVING FRESH GARDEN PRODUCE
More often than not, we eat fresh fruit and vegetables raw so we cannot rely on the heat of cooking to
destroy pathogens that might be on our lettuce or tomatoes, it is important to prepare raw produce with
food safety in mind.
Always wash your hands first.
Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under cool, running, clean water even if you do not plan to eat the
skin or rind.
Never use soap, detergent, or bleach solution to wash fresh fruits or vegetables. These solutions can
affect flavor and may not be safe to ingest.
Avoid cross-contamination when preparing fruits and vegetables. Cross-contamination occurs when a
clean work surface such as a cutting board or utensil (paring knife) or uncontaminated food is
contaminated by dirty work surfaces, utensils, hands or food. Be sure to wash your hands (as well as
the knife and cutting surface) before preparing any ready-to-eat foods such as salad, fresh fruit or a
sandwich.
If you have leftover produce that has been cut, sliced, or cooked, store it in clean, air-tight containers
in the refrigerator at 40°F or less.

I would like to do container gardening this year.do you have any ideas for containers made from things around the house and yard or otherwise free?

I use old things like old cottage cheese containers, old cans from soups or chili, deflated balls cut in half work too, get creative. Have an old jar? Use it! Old plastic containers from yogurt or face cream? use that too! You can also find pots and stuff at thrift shops usually. You could probably even use an old fish bowl, or a basket that was tightly woven or even old hosiery!

I really like faires, and lawn gnomes and stuff like that to be involved with my garden's style. Any gardening blogs would be great. I just want something to give me ideas for this coming growing season. Thanks a ton!

I loooove The Garden Witch. She always keeps it updated with gorgeous pictures and she has lots of fabulous paintings of fairies. I even bought a poster of one from her to put on my wall!

My house is a gray ranch with white trim and burgundy shutters. My front window is a bay window, about 10' long and 5' high. What kind of perennials can I plant to make the area look inviting? I used to plant annuals every year but I would like something more permanent. They should not be more than 2-1/2 feet high. I like hot pinks, purples, yellows, and white flowers.

First I'd plant bulbs. Tulips, etc come in yellow. That will give you color in the spring.

Find a perennial that blooms for each season if possible.

Make sure you get plants that will do well in the shade/sun etc - whichever that area is.

Lowes usually has people that can be quite knowledgeable in which plants work best.

Oh - and don't use mulch. Roaches love mulch. Get something else - ask for suggestions especially if you do plant bulbs. You don't want to plant bulbs if you use rocks for example.

I love to garden but have not been able to lift even 5 lb. garden soil bags since last season, or enjoy gardening as just pulling up soil with the shovel can put me in pain for days, due to a congenital back defect which is deteriorating. I have a very limited budget. Any suggestions? Thanks!

try bonsai