[rocknchic]

That is a HUGE garden, man you will be SO busy. I remember my grandpa's garden, he had the most wonderful peas.. mmm... and raspberries and cannot forget him out there digging up potatoes... and asparagus... *swoon*...

I've started doing flowers.. landscaping etc. I haven't delved into the big vegetable garden project yet. I should tho... green peppers... carrots... hmm... this is sounding better.... maybe next year.

I have a kick but garden shed that I can start seedlings in... what a waste on a chic who doesn't have a decent garden. sheesh lol

angelize, I just bought 2 dwarf lilacs at Franks. If you go to any garden center just ask, they'll find em for you. Oh and the little "zone" thing is on the back of every seed packet.

Hello artweave,

Beautiful tree - is it a weeping birch or beech - I can't see it well enough to tell?

Hello rocknchic

The Chelsea Flower Show is on here at present. There are some amazing garden designs on the tv program from the show. The floral clock is also a sight to see - it's a copy of the one in the gardens in Edinburgh.

Here is a link about the clock.

http://hcs.osu.edu/ukstudy2000/postcard/clock.htm

Rained all day on and off. Cut back some cotoneaster that is running riot under the windows.

Bye,
Penny

Hello again,

Have you heard of the lovely Chelsea Physic Garden. I've never visited it but it looks a marvelous garden.

http://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/

Bye
Penny.

[Davey7549]

Bruce
Hope all your plantings weathered the extremes OK. Sure hate to loose much of the efforts. Let us know!

Penny
You sure make me envious of your climate for growing and some of the great plantings you have shown. The Pink tree you saw in the Pic is actually lavender Lilac Bush which is quite common in our zones. The blooming is relatively short in spring and the bush itself grows to 12FT easily and in many ways high maintenance to keep trim. Here is a link to a sample of it.
http://www.2shoptrees.net/product/pr...n+Purple+Lilac

artweave
I so look forward to the Tulips and Daffodils being first bloom in spring. Sure lets us know the winter is about over!

Rocknchic
The Garden is actually smaller than the one I tended before so hopefully this one will consume less maintenance time but still give me the pleasure of fresh veggies!
Thinking about gardening... Hummmmm....... you know you will if you enjoyed your Grandfathers work!

Dave

[angelize56]

Dave: Ok help a gal out on a budget! I get 18 free plants from the townhouses....annuals.....ofr out front. What should I plant on my patio which would be about 10 feet of plants on two sides that will grow nicely? (The ones I have to buy.) I use Miracle-Gro. Last year I just used the free plants in the front of the house. It was a miracle how well Miracle-Gro made the weeds grow! The townhouses make us tear the plants up in the fall. It doesn't mater what combo of annuals you use, right? Take care. angel (With the light green thumb!)

Davey - Thanks for the information. Angel was looking for a small lilac not long ago.

Yes, we are very lucky with our gardens. I hadn't thought that in some area perennials would not last through the hard winters. I suppose you have to replant the more tender plants each year.

Happy gardening,

Bye,
Penny.

[angelize56]

Thanks Penny! My Mom loved peonies! I want to get some purple plants as that is her favorite color. See I can only use plants that bloom and die never to return as the townhouses make us pull them up and then mow over the areas. I do have a nice rosebush on the patio. Pink roses. When do roses bloom?

Has anyone ever used those seed carpet things you just roll out and water? Is it too late for that? I definitely am getting already grown annuals from Super-K. Just not sure what kind! Take care. angel

P.S.-Too late for bulbs right? Those could get torn down and grow again...right? Gotta go....the thumb is changing to yellow!

Angel of the light green thumb. Is it too late for you to plant sweet peas, they would be lovely and climb.

Here is he paeonie that my mother planted way back when - probably well over 40 years ago. It still blooms each year. It's becoming overgrown with another plant, so I must sort it out soon.

Best of luck with your garden.

<img src="http://forums.techguy.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=871386">

Hello Angel,

You can get roses that bloom at different times of the year. Here, the climbing roses are in blossom now, but the pink "English Miss" that I have in a tub (it has the most incredible scent) is still in bud. You can get patio roses to put in tubs, they are small and very sweet.

This sort of thing: http://www.rosebuddies.com/patio_type.html

Bye for today,
Must be off to bed,
Byee
Penny

Just one more.

You might find this site useful for finding roses. This is my English Miss.

http://www.helpmefind.com/sites/rrr/pl.php?n=2629

Bye
Penny

[Davey7549]

Angel
Seems you may have a green thumb problems not so much because of attention but more so due to basics. What I mean by that many people make the same basic mistake. Here is what I show people who want to have a lush annual potted garden or even a limited strip of land next to walkways or foundations in apartment areas.

First the list of common mistakes and suggestions:
1) Never use Tap water for watering. Most drinking water is conditioned and this will hurt or dwarf the plant. If you are experiencing dry conditions save your milk cartons rinsed or other suitable containers then take a run to a nearby lake and fill. Use a sprinkling can to dispense accumulated water to plants. Another option is to collect rain water for use during dry conditions.

2) Soil must be prepped well before planting. Many people just dig a hole and plop the plant in. Take a spade, overturn the soil, then use the spade tip or a hand hook to pulverize the soil. You should be able to easily push your hand into the prepared soil down to at least six inches.

3) Stay away from the Miracle Grows, Ortho fertilizers and the like. Unless you know which nutrient you soil is lacking you can do more harm than good. If you want locate Fish Emulsion and mix per instructions with the water you obtained or captured. Most times 1 tablespoon per gallon is the ticket. Note: You can fertilize several time a season without worry of burning the plant.

4) No soil additions are done before planting. If soil is brownish and not the rich black you see in potted plants then grab a couple of five gallon buckets or the like an locate some swamp land around your area and confiscate some good peat, (rich black soil) and mix that in with the pulverized soil as stated above. This will help retain moisture and give the baby plant an easier time to set up a root system.

5) Many people over water plants. If your zone is getting rain twice per week even a little then watering is not necessary. To tell if water is needed during dry spells overturn a bit of soil near the planting and see if water is present at 1 1\2 down. The soil should stick to your finger and smear. If not use the water you collected to re-moisten plant and root. Water early AM or late PM so water absorbs and does not evaporate.

6) Locate plant in wrong place. Depending on the variety of planting you pick should depend on its location. If your garden is exposed to sunlight for the better part of the day make sure the plant you pick will tolerate and thrive on that sun duration.
For instance do not plant Inpatients in full sun. Most markers will provide a suggested plant sun duration so match your choices to the location.

7) Many people plant their flowers and never tend. Annuals are fussy until they develop a decent root system so it is best to remove competing weed growth and loosen soil periodically around the plant base making sure you keep at least two to three inches from stem. This lets the watering penetrate deeper further out of plant and indirectly forces the plant to extend its roots out to capture the water and nutrients.


Well the above tips should help a bit with the planting so browse the available plants for your selection and make sure it is a fit to location.

Dave

[angelize56]

Thanks Dave! I was holding off dinner waiting for your reply. I will try to follow your hints! Are there any specific plants to buy in the annuals....or just go for the color variation? I'll be back later tonight or tomorrow morn for your reply! Take care and have a great night! angel

[Davey7549]

Angel
Again it depends on the environment they will have to exist in. Full sun, partial sun etc. There are many varieties of annuals that love full sun and are quite tolerant too forgetting about them for a bit and then their are others that require your constant attention.
For instance Marigolds are very forgiving as are Geraniums and Pansies.
Cockscomb, Inpatients, Snapdragons and many others require a bit more tending so pick your plant for location and anticipated time to tend.

Dave

[artweave]

Originally posted by davey7549:

artweave
I so look forward to the Tulips and Daffodils being first bloom in spring. Sure lets us know the winter is about over!


Dave

Hello Dave,

I think the first few flowers to bloom are the most spectacular, but I agree, Tulips and Daffodils are a welcome sight!


As soon as I get my tomato plants in the garden, then I will take another photo of this same spot and post it here.




Hello Penny,
The tree behind the Tulips and Daffodils is a Weeping Birch. It has just begun to form its leaves, and along with the Linden tree that is about fourty feet to the left of it (not in the picture) these are my favorite trees.

Paulette

[eggplant43]

Everyone is sharing lots of info, I love it. Paulette and I love the same tree, I'm not surprised. Penny, I hope to see your garden personally some day. Willi and I have been talking about coming over for Chelsea Market some year.

Haven't lost a plant yet If we get through tonight, I think we'll be OK.