[Steppinstone]

It could be almost anything.... These pots are sitting on big cut logs so I don't back into them when exited the driveway.. I did look up to see if petunias are an edible flower but they are not.. and according to the list I have tons of edible flowers in my yard.. Some of the plants were actually pulled out and missing and others look like they wer cut off.. In the picture I posted you can see that the stem looks cut.. Oh well, I will try some different flowers in there next year and perhaps move the pots somewhere else... It's just, when I drive down my little road and see my pots of flowers at the enterance of my driveway and pull in... well it just gives me a joyful feeling.... Plus I miss saying to myself... Damn my flowers look good out there!

Soon I will have tons of money tree seeds, let me know if anyone wants me to mail them some!!

[franca]

[quote=Steppinstone] Plus I miss saying to myself... Damn my flowers look good out there!

So ! you talk to your flowers also........just like we do......

Multi colored Hydrangea taken July 19th-2006.

Keep getting those hands dirty......

cu Frank.....

[Steppinstone]

Hi Frank, I am just getting back online... 19 hours no power 2 days no tv or internet.. We had bad thunderstorms blow thru... It is too bad I just went grocery shopping more meat than I can eat in a few days..

I do indeed have buds on my dahlia! I'll post some pictures when they open!

Take care.

[franca]

Originally Posted by Steppinstone

Hi Frank, I am just getting back online... 19 hours no power 2 days no tv or internet.. We had bad thunderstorms blow thru... It is too bad I just went grocery shopping more meat than I can eat in a few days..

I do indeed have buds on my dahlia! I'll post some pictures when they open!

Take care.

Yikes !!!!!! that's a looooooooooooooong time without power....... Bummer..

Nothing like that here in paradise, just nice pleasant temp's and clear blue sky....

Looking forward to the pic's of you Dahlias.......

Here are a couple of ours I took yesterday.......

Keep getting those hands dirty now......

cu later, take care,

Frank......

[Steppinstone]

Nice photo's as always Frank!! Yes it has been a really tough week, Last Friday one our bestfriends were killed in a car accident. Monday the storm hit and I totally was not prepared, flashlight batteries were dead, one candle in the house and when the electricity goes so does our water ( well water) so I am going to get my storm bag together in case it happens again.. That was the worst blackout we have had in my immediate area.. Luckily we live by the lake, we could atleast flush the commode.. I won't even mention how bad life can be without morning coffee... Things are good today and that is what counts... I am going to brighten my mood today by getting out and playing with my flowers..

Take care!

[Steppinstone]

Hi everyone!! How does your garden grow??

Frank, just as promised, my first Dahlia bloom.. The picture isn't the best as I can't figure out how to lessen the blur with my camera software..

Also sending out a pic of my tomato plant.. and of Wee One!!

Take care and happy harvesting!

[carolm0108]

my mom (Galium) goes to a website called my garden web she got her degree in horticulture some years back and does amazing things to her lawn. I always appreciate going over there. She keeps giving me plants though I have a black thumb and can barely keep them alive. So kudos to anyone who can work magic with plants!

[franca]

Originally Posted by Steppinstone

Hi everyone!! How does your garden grow??

Frank, just as promised, my first Dahlia bloom.. The picture isn't the best as I can't figure out how to lessen the blur with my camera software..

Also sending out a pic of my tomato plant.. and of Wee One!!

Take care and happy harvesting!

Well done Chari..... very nice.............. I tried to sharpen the pic a little.....

I see tomatoes.........

Who are the two cuties....?......

cu take care.and keep getting those hands dirty.......

[Steppinstone]

Thanks for the sharpen Frank! It looks like it in the picture but the plant is not in the ground, it is in a pot sitting on a log 3 feet off the ground!

The two cuties are my youngest daughter Dana ( aka as WeeOne) and our sheltie Zoe!

The tomatoes are cherry and a new one that I am trying this year for the first time, a yellow pear tomato. I don't like tomatoes so hubby will have to be the judge of how the taste when ripe!

Take care, Hello to Carole and pats to Jaki! and Did I see a pic of a new pup somewhere??

[Galium]

Good Thread,
Just to let you all know I studied Horticulture in college. Be glad to answer questions if I can. If not I could probably find the answer. I am always learning something new can't get enough posies.

[Davey7549]

Hi all

Well this year in the flower and vegetable gardens have been a great challenge. Between the extreme heat, lack of rain, and an insect invasion it is a wonder anything is doing OK.
It has been a struggle keeping some plants alive let alone flowering. As for the vegetable garden I have lost virtually all but one half of two zucchini plants to squash borers and much of the bush beans to stripped beetles that adore the leaves and eat small spots out of the bean. The bell peppers have leaves but refuse to flower due to the heat and the bush cucumbers are finally producing some fruit after an attack by the Japanese beetles but the yield is much lower than years past due to that. So far the tomatoes are OK but have noticed some insect attacks occurring. The tomatoes are already shedding leave structure to bear the fruit as normally happens late August or early September.
Have not used any insecticides only a soap solution to deter them.

Anyone else having problems this year?

Dave

[Galium]

Originally Posted by Steppinstone

Davey, nice to see you!! Your gardens look great! Thanks for the fish emultion tip!

Frank, remember last year when my flower pots at the end of my driveway had the petunias come up missing? It happened again.... I just looked at them they day before and they were nice , full and plush, got up the next morning and the petunias are either gone or broken off.. I don't know if someone yanked them or if something chewed them down.. There wasn't any flowers laying on the ground... I don't know what to think about this one!

Here are some pictures...

The first one is of one of the mentioned driveway pots.. The second one is blackeyed susans along my back fence area.. Next one is part of the front garden.. Then another front garden pic..

Take care everyone!

You are absolutely correct if you think something is eating your plants. With no visible signs of plant parts lying around something had a fine meal.
If you have a deer problem I use a combination of eggs and water as a deterrent. Mix 1-2 eggs in a blender with about a cup of water. After it's blended strain it into a gallon sprayer (I strain it to keep the nozzle of my sprayer from clogging). Fill your sprayer with water to make a gallon. I spray my plants with this and it works. Unfortunately unlike commercial products it does wash off with the rain. Repeat applications are necessary. Eggs contain sulfur and deer don't particularly care for the odor or taste. They may take a bite but usually that's all. I have found spraying is especially important in the spring when adults are teaching their new offspring the culinary treats of your garden.
Don't know if that helps but I hope so.

[KMW]

Originally Posted by Steppinstone

Soon I will have tons of money tree seeds, let me know if anyone wants me to mail them some!!

Hmmm, your telling us money grows on trees, could be a good lurk going here fellas depends though, does the tree produce notes or coins

[Steppinstone]

Welcome to the thread Galium and CarolM, and thank you kindly for the tip!!

Kmw, they are the silver dollar plant, also called the Honesty plant, I don't use the scientific names, they confuse me

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...D%26safe%3Doff

They seem to be quite the spreaders too, so I am going to fill a hill with them.. I have extra seeds, let me know if any of you want some!!

Take care!

[moonifa]

Hello to all and my apologies for not being a regular visitor during this summer.

We too have had our challenges with our veggies, and learned more along the way LOL. For instance this was my first encounter with Blosson End Rot on my tomatoes. But now I know what I need to do next year!

However, I do know that "companion planting" is often a natural and effective way to deal with those 4 and six legged critters LOL. Planting Marigolds with tomatoes repels many insects. Deer hate garlic and you can plant it with your other flowers for an effective repellant. (There are many other combos but you get the idea).

Diatamaceous Earth is a natural, non-toxic insect zapper and slug repellant, and can be safely used around edible crops. Your local health food store should have it. While it doesn't feel rough to us, slugs won't cross it.

Maybe this will help next year? GBU!

Rachel aka Moonifa