[angelize56]

Popping in to say howdy to Penny!!

[teengeekgrrl]

What do you think would be the best thing to plant in my garden? Around here, the soil tends to be very clay-like and carrots don't work well here. (I know because that's one of the few things I've tried.) I could always buy a bunch of bags of topsoil... but that's way expensive and very messy (not that I mind that much).

One of the few things we've actually had success with was green beans. We grew them one year a long time ago and had enough beans to freeze for nearly two years.

Also, any other newbie tips? What's the best way to systematically clear a plot of land with four-foot tall monster weeds in it?

I'm going to have a garden this year. I'm sick of looking at that freaky pit of gloom and despair that was once cleared to grow food.

Thanks guys.

[Steppinstone]

Hello everyone! Penny, Can your plants and flowers handle that cold and bit of snow that fell?

Still a few feet deep here so I just have to go on believing that things are growing and preparing to pop up under all that snow

Just this morning it became brighter outside earlier so hopefully that means the days are getting longer It makes me itchy to get outside more!

TGG, your just planning a small gardening plot? If so, you can work the soil with a shovel,pitchfork or any tool that allows you to loosen the soil. If you know someone with a tiller that would be a bonus! With clay type soil you will need to amend it.. I would use compost and not top soil.. I live in a wooded setting so no actual veggie plot. I plant tomatoes in pots that I can move aroung if need be. Lots of things will grow in flower pots

Take care everyone!

[AKA Arizona]

I just love to do gardening but after last years fiasco im not sure, the idea of having fresh is something I want, but im afraid my green thumb is a killer I am gonna try again this year hopefully it won't be so hot this year.

[Tuppence2]

Hello everyone.

Still freezing cold here, especially during the night, though lovely sunny days. All the soil in my bonsai pots is solid and the ground far too hard to do anything with. You are very "lucky" over there in British Columbia, Frank, to have the climate you have.

Tiny miniature crocus and purple iris are blooming and I've seen several shrubs in flower in other gardens. There are people who've already cut their grass!

Hope you're managing by yourself, now Carole is away! How is Jaki doing without her?

Bye
Penny.

[franca]

Originally Posted by Tuppence2

Hello everyone.

Still freezing cold here, especially during the night, though lovely sunny days. All the soil in my bonsai pots is solid and the ground far too hard to do anything with. You are very "lucky" over there in British Columbia, Frank, to have the climate you have.

Tiny miniature crocus and purple iris are blooming and I've seen several shrubs in flower in other gardens. There are people who've already cut their grass!

Hope you're managing by yourself, now Carole is away! How is Jaki doing without her?

Bye
Penny.

Hi Penny....... how are you today ? well I hope,

It will warm up for you soon, your poor plant will be fine I'm sure.

Why do you think I always call it " PARADISE ".....? nice sunny mild morning for my day off

Had to mow the grass again over the week-end.

Carole stiff sunning her-self, you where just fixed breakfast for us guy's , Jaki still waiting for his Mum to come home.....as you can see

Well Penny must dash lots to do,

cu later, take care,pats for all the gang,

Frank & Jaki

[Bush Lady]

Originally Posted by teengeekgrrl

What do you think would be the best thing to plant in my garden? Around here, the soil tends to be very clay-like and carrots don't work well here. (I know because that's one of the few things I've tried.) I could always buy a bunch of bags of topsoil... but that's way expensive and very messy (not that I mind that much).

One of the few things we've actually had success with was green beans. We grew them one year a long time ago and had enough beans to freeze for nearly two years.

Also, any other newbie tips? What's the best way to systematically clear a plot of land with four-foot tall monster weeds in it?

I'm going to have a garden this year. I'm sick of looking at that freaky pit of gloom and despair that was once cleared to grow food.

Thanks guys.

I have the same clay-like soil that you have and I put carrots in. They grow alright. Try to pick carrot seeds, were the carrots do not get to long. You will not be able to pull the carrots out by hand, you will need a potato fork. (a four tooth fork, with wide spocks)

You weeds are going to be hard to get out of there. You not only have to pull the weeds out, but you will have to make sure the roots are all out of the ground. Some weeds just need a little root to get started.

I put everything in my clay soil, like cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, peas, potatoes, and beans.

The secret is to make sure the soil is loosen off well when planting. It will get hard after the a heavy rain, but there isn't anything you can do about that.

And try to plant things a little closer together. When the soil has more shade it will not get so hard. You will need to use a hoe to loosen off the soil. And the soil is hard like a rock. But you can plant in it. It is just hard work.

[Tuppence2]

Hello Folks. Wave,Wave, Angel!

Most of the plants that are coming up are spring ones, obviously, and can tolerate the cold and snow to a great degree. It will be in a month or so, when we still have the possibility of sharp frosts and very cold nights,that the more tender plants will think it's time to start growing. A big problem is the magnolia, which has "come back" in it's flowering by many weeks and produces blossoms while there is still the danger of frost. It used to blossom in June and July, it's now producing flowers in April or May.

I've put my bonzai azaleas under the outdoor staging. Most of the trees I'm growing are native and used to our climate. The more tender ones are the problem. The pines are fine as they are used to cold weather.

I was given bluebell bulbs today. A friend dug them from his garden as they've spread a lot. They have long green shoots already and will need to go into tubs or the garden as soon as possible.

The peonies are sending up big red shoots, even the one in a tub which didn't flower last year. I wonder whether it will this!

People are mowing lawns all around me but my grass is too long and damp to do anything just yet.

I know Frank, in British Columbia, has cut the complex grass already, but he has a ride-on mower to cover such a big area.

Looking forward to hearing what you have growing.

Roses love clay, teengeekgirl. I've just put in a cultivated, thornless blackberry that has very attractive serrated leaves. I think most fruit bushes would do well. Potatoes have always grown well here, too.

Bye,
Penny.

[Steppinstone]

Sounds like everyone is staying busy!! I can feel and smell Spring in the air for the last few days! The sun is starting to rise earlier , so time for me to get busy planting some seeds indoors. Just need to get over the muddy drying out phase and things will be perfect

Take care everyone!

Chari

[trekguy]

Originally Posted by teengeekgrrl

What do you think would be the best thing to plant in my garden? Around here, the soil tends to be very clay-like and carrots don't work well here. (I know because that's one of the few things I've tried.) I could always buy a bunch of bags of topsoil... but that's way expensive and very messy (not that I mind that much).

One of the few things we've actually had success with was green beans. We grew them one year a long time ago and had enough beans to freeze for nearly two years.

Also, any other newbie tips? What's the best way to systematically clear a plot of land with four-foot tall monster weeds in it?

I'm going to have a garden this year. I'm sick of looking at that freaky pit of gloom and despair that was once cleared to grow food.

Thanks guys.

Ok J/W ...how big is this plot?

First off, clear off everything by pulling up the weeds and getting rid of them. Try to get as much of the roots as possible. If you can legally burn there, that would be easiest. Otherwise, haul them to the landfill, there probably full of seeds.

Then you will have to dig it all, as deep as you can... or till it if you have a tiller. At this time, especially if you tilled, you may see root pieces in the soil... it might be worth it to rake out as many of them as possible. As you have clay, now is the best time to add organic matter... compost... lots of it.... till it in. This should be done every year... you can't have too much organic matter.

I have heavy clay/ black soil mix... after I have tilled it a couple of times, I make raised beds. Just shovel a walking path in the garden, about a foot and a half wide, shoveling the soil to the left and right. When your done, it kinda looks like a long grave. The raised beds drain better, and the soil stays loose longer... plus you're never walking on the planted areas. It is a lot of work, but it's a pretty good solution for heavy soil.

It's planting time! Plant whatever you want... plant everything! You'll find out that some things will do well, some won't... and it will probably change every year.

Weeds. If your plot has been neglected for a while, you no doubt have a thousand-year supply of seeds in there. There is however, a simple solution.... maintenance. Be diligent with the hoe... get them when they're little... it's a LOT easier! You'll probably want to be out there every day anyway, even if just for a short time... bring the hoe with you. The smaller, triangle shaped ones are nice for small weeds, and tight places. Keep on top of them, and it will be easy work... let them get away from you... you may not find what you planted. (Been there, done that)

How big is your yard? Do you have much grass to mow? I would recommend starting a compost pile. Just collect your lawn clippings, and pile them up in a pile about 3 feet high. You'll need a pitch fork to turn it over every few days... to keep it aerobic. If it smells sweet, it's aerobic and composting as quick as possible. If it smells like a giant cat peed on it, it's anaerobic... means your not turning it enough, and it will take longer to compost, too. I usually have two or three piles going... the first one I start in the spring is nice and brown, and crumbly by late summer... ready to be spread on the gardens in the fall. The later started piles are ready the next summer. It's the best stuff you can add to your soil.

Woohoo..... I'm ready to get out there! Oh right....still snow and ice here

[Bush Lady]

Clay-type soil can be used for planting just about anything in you garden. It is the type of soil a can absorb a lot of water.

I have heard others say that if you have straw and put it around plants after they have grown, this will help so the soil will not be so hard.

[franca]

Originally Posted by Steppinstone

Sounds like everyone is staying busy!! I can feel and smell Spring in the air for the last few days! The sun is starting to rise earlier , so time for me to get busy planting some seeds indoors. Just need to get over the muddy drying out phase and things will be perfect

Take care everyone!

Chari

What was that about " Spring in the air " Chari ?.........look what we got this morning, as luck had it, by noon it was all gone

Cutting grass last week, shoveling snow this week, something not right

Sent picture to Carole, she won't believe it.......

Hope your weather has warmed up.

cu later, take care,

Frank.

[Steppinstone]

See what happens when you rub your nice weather in too much . Looks like Jaki is wondering where those footprints came from

Still Spring like here, everything is soggy and melting but worth it to have nicer weather right aorund the corner!

Take care!

Chari

[teengeekgrrl]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Wow, I think I actually might get started today... it's some sixty degrees out here.

Trekguy, the patch is probably about 8x15... or something along those lines. We have about an acre, and actually we do have a pile of old leaves for compost.

I do believe we have a tiller, but the day I operate that thing by myself is probably not here yet. And I don't know if Dad's going to do it. And whether I get it tilled or not, that's not happening till I tame the forest growing on the patch. lol

Again, thanks! I'm psyched!

~TGG

[teengeekgrrl]

Okay... I spent an hour out there with a shovel and managed to clear a little bit. This might take longer than I thought though... I probably cleared three square feet at most. I would burn it but there's the edge of a forest hanging right over the edge of my garden and it just doesn't seem like a good idea anyway. There has to be a better way, though.

But I'm going to get it cleared.

Anyone have tips for growing lettuce? I love fresh lettuce.