What are some of the best gardening forums for fruits, vegetables and tropical plants?
I'm looking for a gardening forum that has many people and provides quick answers. I mainly garden fruits, vegetables and tropical plants.
Garden Web…. they've got forums for everything and the advice from their 'regular' folks is pretty darned good!…
http://www.gardenweb.com/
clik on 'gardenweb forums' to get started….
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Gardening tips, Annual year round collection of flowers?
Ok, I'm trying to find flowers, that will grow in ireland, that are annual.
I'm trying to make windowboxes that never have to be changed, that old flowers grow when the ones before them are dying, that doesnt have to be reset and every year the flowers come again. I like daffodills, but they only last for a certain amount of time. Does anyone Know a collection of flowers I could stick into the boxes for a year round(or close to) annual flowering?? Plus I have hanging baskets if you have any annual trailing one?
Try some evergreens like lavender or rosemary together with some spring bulbs like daffs and tulips and some small perennials that are also hardy so will survive the winters.
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.
How to feed a family of 2 with a garden? Tips or links?
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.
Do you have any gardening tips or suggestions on how to keep well maintained garden?and also for growing vegs?
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.
What types of containers have you used for vegetable gardening?
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!
Could you help me find a good gardening blog?
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!
Need gardening tips for 3×10' area below my front window.?
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.
Anyone know about the best gardening strategies if you have severe back pain/strength issues?
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
Any Tips for someone new in gardening?
I have this new interest now and that is caring for the yard. I haven't tried gardening all my life except in school projects. I live in the Northwest Coast and it is spring and I want to put up a garden. I read online that there are kinds of flowers,plants, etc and they fall into categories such as annual, perrenial and others. Wow this is all new to me the language of plants and I want to get down on my knees and start a garden. What plants and flowers and herbs should be easy to grow for starters like me? And does anyone give free seedlings, seeds,plants,flowers to grow? 
just trying my luck.. Thank you and have a wonderful and lovely springtime..we get rains here though…
Do I ever have some suggestions for you. I do landscape design, amoung other things and always enjoy sharing information.
The very first thing you want to do is buy a 2 cubic foot bag of soil conditioner from Home Depot or a good nursery. It will cost you 6 - 8 dollars and condition a good size garden. Spread the soil conditioner evenly over the surface of the ground. If there is less than 2 inches of compost after spreading, You'll need a second bag.
No one can tell you what plants you can grow without knowing your sun exposure.
The main catagories of plants are
Annuals (they grow this year and don't come back next year. However, your colder climate means some plants which are annuals there, In our warmer climate, become)
Perenials (Perenials are plants that bear foilage year round, Evergreen, if you will. They may bloom at any point throughout the growing season depending on the plant. There is a second type of Perenial called)
Deciduous (Deciduous plants are those Perenials that go into a sort of hibernation for the winter and reapear when the climate warms. Many trees are deciduous. They loose their leaves in the fall and regrow them in the spring)
Conofers (Conifers are the evergreen trees and plants that have needle or needle like leaves such as pine trees)
Succulants (Cactus' are a major member of this catagory. These plants store water for use during dry times).
Bulbs and tuberous (These plants have storage underground for hard times)
So, back to the garden. A mixture of the different types of plants is usually the best solution for a garden. Lets say your garden gets some sun but it is Morning or Late Afternoon sun which lasts 4 hours or less. You should select plants that are labled Part or Partial Sun. In this type of exposure, azaleas are a good choice for the background or random spot planting. They will bloom their little hearts out for you each spring and remain green the year round. You might want to plant some Iris and or Holland bulbs (tulips etc…) for a dramatic effect in late Winter to Spring depending on your selection. These are Desiduous and will return eack year. Taller bulb plants are good planted 4 to 6 inches apart in groups of three, five or seven bulbs. The shorter bulb plants can be used as above or planted in a row as a border.
Monkey grass, Liriope, is a great border Perinial that enjoys partial shade. In fact there are a lot of grasses that work well in a Part sun garden.
I would reserve no more than 1/3 of your garden for annuals. This is the only way you can preserve a "finished" looking garden throughout the year. You would want plants that are labled, Part sun or Part shade. Just go to your garden center once a month and pick up what is blooming. Replace the plants that are spent with the new bloomers within this 1/3 alloted area.
If a plant calls for full sun, it means about 5 hours of sun per day. Due to the length of this answer, I would like to ask you to contact me through my profile and I will add full sun suggestions to this answer.