Gardening threads (merged)

[Teddy B 17,252]

Nice thread. This is where I will run when the people in CE&HT are being mean.....

We are all planted thus far. (Raised Beds)

Herb Garden - Rosemary, Sweet Basil, Mint (which I'm gonna have to do some population control this weekend), Thyme, 3 types of Parsley, Cilantro, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Lemon Grass...and we sneaked in some Broccoli (which is a first for us...not sure what to expect but it's looking okay)....already finished off the Bok Choy & Chinese Cabbage...Also tried Cauliflower (1st attempt & failed...I think it got choked out by the Mint...that's why they gonna get a beat down this weekend )

Veggies - Celebrity Tomato (prefer Early Girl but couldn't find it)..never grew Celebrity b4..., 3 varieties of Jalapenos, Ancho, Poblano, Anaheim, Sante Fe Chili , Red Bell & some kind of Giant Bell (hoping will cross pollinate to produce bigger Red Bell) Japanese Eggplant, Crooked Neck Squash, Pickling Cucumbers, Okra, Sweet Texas Onions.....Just about finished with the Red & Green Leaf Lettuce & Spinach...(but just 6 Lettuce and 4 Spinach have kept us Salad upped for the last month...temps dropped yesterday and 5 day looks cool so maybe another week or two left in 'em)

We do the Flower Bed thing...but that's mostly my wife's domain so I don't know much about what she put in but it always looks purty.

Nothing like a good veggie garden. When I had 1 1/2 acres of land, I used to have a huge veggie garden. I miss it. The one thing I never had much luck with here in the northeast was eggplant. The growing season here isn't long enough for them to fully mature without starting them indoors a couple months ahead of time.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Most excellent. I definitely plan on doing another herb garden set up. I like the peppers and especially the Poblano's. Never tried anything other than green peppers myself. May I ask how you run the spinach? Along a fence or use a line or trellis? I used to do a lot of squash and am so wanting to plant that again. Please let me know how the Cauliflower and Broccoli. I have never panted those before but want to do so.

Also if not too much bother can I ask what watering system you use?

Again most excellent CnM. Thanks for the report and hope to hear more.

Nice thread. This is where I will run when the people in CE&HT are being mean.....

We are all planted thus far. (Raised Beds)

Herb Garden - Rosemary, Sweet Basil, Mint (which I'm gonna have to do some population control this weekend), Thyme, 3 types of Parsley, Cilantro, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Lemon Grass...and we sneaked in some Broccoli (which is a first for us...not sure what to expect but it's looking okay)....already finished off the Bok Choy & Chinese Cabbage...Also tried Cauliflower (1st attempt & failed...I think it got choked out by the Mint...that's why they gonna get a beat down this weekend )

Veggies - Celebrity Tomato (prefer Early Girl but couldn't find it)..never grew Celebrity b4..., 3 varieties of Jalapenos, Ancho, Poblano, Anaheim, Sante Fe Chili , Red Bell & some kind of Giant Bell (hoping will cross pollinate to produce bigger Red Bell) Japanese Eggplant, Crooked Neck Squash, Pickling Cucumbers, Okra, Sweet Texas Onions.....Just about finished with the Red & Green Leaf Lettuce & Spinach...(but just 6 Lettuce and 4 Spinach have kept us Salad upped for the last month...temps dropped yesterday and 5 day looks cool so maybe another week or two left in 'em)

We do the Flower Bed thing...but that's mostly my wife's domain so I don't know much about what she put in but it always looks purty.

Edited May 13, 2014 by luckytxn

[luckytxn 2,264]

I hear that. I grew up with us having huge veggie gardens. We supplied around 5 veggie stands. At the end of summer and into fal it was canning time. We would prepare and can veggies enough to last all winter and spring and into the next year. We also would of course trade veggies to neighbors for other things like chicken and eggs and such. We each had our own specialties of course and watermelons was one of mine. Loved it. To me people that understand growing plants understand life.

Nothing like a good veggie garden. When I had 1 1/2 acres of land, I used to have a huge veggie garden. I miss it. The one thing I never had much luck with here in the northeast was eggplant. The growing season here isn't long enough for them to fully mature without starting them indoors a couple months ahead of time.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Nothing like a good veggie garden. When I had 1 1/2 acres of land, I used to have a huge veggie garden. I miss it. The one thing I never had much luck with here in the northeast was eggplant. The growing season here isn't long enough for them to fully mature without starting them indoors a couple months ahead of time.

Yep...fresh summer veggies make visits to the grocer during Winter a disappointment. & Yep...Eggplant thrives in the heat of summer...My wife refuses to buy 'em at any Grocer coz fresh from the Garden has so much flavor... the one's sold at market do not. I wonder if an adjustable greenhouse style top with open sides would get you the needed heat and keep adequate air flow to prevent fungus...? I don't think it would be difficult to build since Eggplant don't get very tall and the price should be pretty reasonable...?

I've compared Housing in Dallas Metro to building a house on a postage stamp. Hence the raised beds....we can pack 'em in with about 60% recommended spacing and bcoz the roots dive down...still ample production. Only problem = Cross Pollination. So we have to plant strategically.

Edited May 13, 2014 by Crashed~N2~Me

[Teddy B 17,252]

Yep...fresh summer veggies make visits to the grocer during Winter a disappointment. & Yep...Eggplant thrives in the heat of summer...My wife refuses to buy 'em at any Grocer coz fresh from the Garden has so much flavor... the one's sold at market do not. I wonder if an adjustable greenhouse top with open sides would get you the needed heat and keep adequate air flow to prevent fungus...?

I've compared Housing in Dallas Metro to building a house on a postage stamp. Hence the raised beds....we can pack 'em in with about 60% recommended spacing and bcoz the roots dive down...still ample production. Only problem = Cross Pollination. So we have to plant strategically.

I'm sure a greenhouse would do the trick, my problem as of late is time. I've had a lot of big projects going on the last couple years. I have promised myself that next year, come hell or high water, I'm having a veggie garden. I'm dying to have my Beefsteak tomatoes back.

Eggplant is one of my fave veggies. I like it sliced and cooked on the grill with some brushed on butter and salt n pepper. I also make a pretty mean eggplant parm.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Most excellent. I definitely plan on doing another herb garden set up. I like the peppers and especially the Poblano's. Never tried anything other than green peppers myself. May I ask how you run the spinach? Along a fence or use a line or trellis? I used to do a lot of squash and am so wanting to plant that again. Please let me know how the Cauliflower and Broccoli. I have never panted those before but want to do so.

Also if not too much bother can I ask what watering system you use?

Again most excellent CnM. Thanks for the report and hope to hear more.

Spinach - Didn't need climber support. They sprawl but kept their arms off the dirt. Kept harvesting while young from the bottom up and they still didn't get much taller.

Squash - We laid off Squash for a while coz I hate the Empire Strikes back Stink Bugs which come to invade...but we had an unused spot (which made me feel guilty)..& I read about a trick to reduce them = piece of wood slathered in molasses on one side and propped with the sticky side an inch or two off the soil. Go out every morning and start killing. & then a 7 dust will get the rest..I hope.

Broccoli - It's putting on the florets (sp?) now...I keep looking at every day with a stupor expression coz I don't know what to expect. (but) It looks like it's doing what it's supposed to do so I just keep watering it. lol

Cauliflower...so promising early on...I saw the heads forming...and then they changed from white to ...(I'm partially color blind so I don't really know what color but)...not white. I failed.

Watering system is automated sprinkler (added and connected to the whole yard system) but I still hand water as needed (best way to get MG on it)...

If you can get in some Herbs...it's worth it...Mint, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley added to the lettuce & hit with Oil/Balsamic....tasty & I swear every time I finish..the boost in Bs plus the antioxidants..let me put it like this... remember the episode when Kramer would eat fresh fruit and then run off to spend some "alone" time...

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Eggplant is one of my fave veggies. I like it sliced and cooked on the grill with some brushed on butter and salt n pepper. I also make a pretty mean eggplant parm.

2 of our favorites too...we also like to sauté it in olive oil with a little garlic & cayenne pepper....that's it...time for lunch.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Actually I have experience with greenhouses. We used to make simple wood frame and then use plastic thick gauge sheeting. I can expound on it in more detail later. We used it to start the garden early when the chill was still around and get the seedlings going. My Grandmother was also into tropical plants and loved to do the impossible and get them to flower in our area near Houston. (she usually succeded) This might be a cheaper but effective way for you to get your plants.

Yep...fresh summer veggies make visits to the grocer during Winter a disappointment. & Yep...Eggplant thrives in the heat of summer...My wife refuses to buy 'em at any Grocer coz fresh from the Garden has so much flavor... the one's sold at market do not. I wonder if an adjustable greenhouse style top with open sides would get you the needed heat and keep adequate air flow to prevent fungus...? I don't think it would be difficult to build since Eggplant don't get very tall and the price should be pretty reasonable...?

I've compared Housing in Dallas Metro to building a house on a postage stamp. Hence the raised beds....we can pack 'em in with about 60% recommended spacing and bcoz the roots dive down...still ample production. Only problem = Cross Pollination. So we have to plant strategically.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

To me people that understand growing plants understand life.

I can expound on it in more detail later.

Please do.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Most excellent info.Y'all are awesome. Many thanks.

Spinach - Didn't need climber support. They sprawl but kept their arms off the dirt. Kept harvesting while young from the bottom up and they still didn't get much taller.

Squash - We laid off Squash for a while coz I hate the Empire Strikes back Stink Bugs which come to invade...but we had an unused spot (which made me feel guilty)..& I read about a trick to reduce them = piece of wood slathered in molasses on one side and propped with the sticky side an inch or two off the soil. Go out every morning and start killing. & then a 7 dust will get the rest..I hope.

Broccoli - It's putting on the florets (sp?) now...I keep looking at every day with a stupor expression coz I don't know what to expect. (but) It looks like it's doing what it's supposed to do so I just keep watering it. lol

Cauliflower...so promising early on...I saw the heads forming...and then they changed from white to ...(I'm partially color blind so I don't really know what color but)...not white. I failed.

Watering system is automated sprinkler (added and connected to the whole yard system) but I still hand water as needed (best way to get MG on it)...

If you can get in some Herbs...it's worth it...Mint, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley added to the lettuce & hit with Oil/Balsamic....tasty & I swear every time I finish..the boost in Bs plus the antioxidants..let me put it like this... remember the episode when Kramer would eat fresh fruit and then run off to spend some "alone" time...

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Most excellent info.Y'all are awesome. Many thanks.

Thanks and very welcome. Great thread! I will definitely be checking in for learning opportunities!

Edited May 13, 2014 by Crashed~N2~Me

[luckytxn 2,264]

Me too. Any started their own compost pile? I started one this year and it should be about ready for its first turning when I return home.

Thanks and very welcome. Great thread! I will definitely be checking in for learning opportunities!

[Ontarkie 14,221]

We started a compost pile about 4 yrs ago. it works real well, ours is just a pile next to our garden nothing fancy.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

My wife grows about 3 plants a year. Not a garden person, but she tries

[luckytxn 2,264]

I knew if anyone here did so that it would be y'all. Excellent. Compost is not a fancy thing. Lol.

I made a decent sized one myself, I am going to go get the cement blocks I was using on my last pile at the business and bring them to my house. Hopefully by next year when I start the garden it will be somewhat useful,

We started a compost pile about 4 yrs ago. it works real well, ours is just a pile next to our garden nothing fancy.

That is all we can ask of anyone is to try. That is good she does. It shows she can love.

My wife grows about 3 plants a year. Not a garden person, but she tries