MENA Gardens

[RFQ 110]

It's ok you will pick up Arabic words (and MENA and other recipes too !) here and there as time goes on.

Sabr = prickly pear cactus (just in case some one reading didn't know this word.)

The word sabr I used in my post, is known to me as "patience." I have never heard the sabr/prickly pear thing.

Sure, I'll pick up the Arabic words, but I am just not good with language in general. My dh says I still don't say his name right. >.<

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

The only thing Im going to be trying this year is a fruit plant like blackberries or strawberries and maybe buy 1 fruit tree and attempt to not kill those.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

The word sabr I used in my post, is known to me as "patience." I have never heard the sabr/prickly pear thing.

Sure, I'll pick up the Arabic words, but I am just not good with language in general. My dh says I still don't say his name right. >.<

Yes there is an Arabic word that sounds similar that means patience... sabur or can be spelled sabr. I thought maybe my post to Julianna had confused you.

[RFQ 110]

Yes there is an Arabic word that sounds similar that means patience... sabur or can be spelled sabr. I thought maybe my post to Julianna had confused you.

Well I didn't understand it for sure so its good you explained. thx!

[msheesha 548]

I'm glad this topic was started.

This is our first spring in our house, and we've been looking forward to seeing what blooms. So far, a ton of azalea, which we were expecting. Some lilies of the valley, which were a really nice surprise, and not much else. A lot of weeds!!

We had the ivy taken out on one side of the house, because there was none on the other side and it looked lopsided, and ivy is too invasive for me. Worried about it near the downspouts, etc.

So, I'm looking for ideas for flowering ground cover. Someone suggested lamium, and we might go with that. Had looked at Mother of Thyme, but not sure the area gets enough sun.

The area around the outside light has pacasandra, and I find that a boring ground cover.

Also, looking for ideas for flowers that do well growing up a fence. we have a chain link fence around the back side of the pool area, and until we decide what to do about new decking, fencing, I thought flowers that grow up the fence for more privacy would be nice. Someone suggested morning glories and moonflowers along the fence. She said they grow well and quickly and would be nice for privacy and aesthetic.

We had the yuccas taken out - UGH!! Hate yuccas!! And, am planting hydrangea in their place. The landscaper did a crappy job so we are left digging out the dreaded yucca roots before putting the hydrangea in.

Doing only flowers this year. Not brave enough for veggies yet.

Looking forward to heading to Amish Country in a week or so where I hear is a great plant stand with beautiful flowers for much less than we'd pay in the city.

So, any ideas for flowering ground cover?

Thanks!

[Nasturtium 500]

I'm glad this topic was started.

This is our first spring in our house, and we've been looking forward to seeing what blooms. So far, a ton of azalea, which we were expecting. Some lilies of the valley, which were a really nice surprise, and not much else. A lot of weeds!!

We had the ivy taken out on one side of the house, because there was none on the other side and it looked lopsided, and ivy is too invasive for me. Worried about it near the downspouts, etc.

So, I'm looking for ideas for flowering ground cover. Someone suggested lamium, and we might go with that. Had looked at Mother of Thyme, but not sure the area gets enough sun.

The area around the outside light has pacasandra, and I find that a boring ground cover.

Also, looking for ideas for flowers that do well growing up a fence. we have a chain link fence around the back side of the pool area, and until we decide what to do about new decking, fencing, I thought flowers that grow up the fence for more privacy would be nice. Someone suggested morning glories and moonflowers along the fence. She said they grow well and quickly and would be nice for privacy and aesthetic.

We had the yuccas taken out - UGH!! Hate yuccas!! And, am planting hydrangea in their place. The landscaper did a crappy job so we are left digging out the dreaded yucca roots before putting the hydrangea in.

Doing only flowers this year. Not brave enough for veggies yet.

Looking forward to heading to Amish Country in a week or so where I hear is a great plant stand with beautiful flowers for much less than we'd pay in the city.

So, any ideas for flowering ground cover?

Thanks!

They now have some ever-blooming vincas. Sweet woodruff is supposed to be scented which may be ok. If Lily of the Valley works you could transplant that OR get a different kind-- like albostriata. You could also do a ginger, hostas... lots of choices.

MGs will be good-- let me suggest my fav, Flying Saucers.

[msheesha 548]

Thanks. I like all of those ideas. I do like hostas.

There's a deep, deep, violet morning glory that's beautiful. Don't know if it's a flying saucer variety or not.

[Nasturtium 500]

Thanks. I like all of those ideas. I do like hostas.

There's a deep, deep, violet morning glory that's beautiful. Don't know if it's a flying saucer variety or not.

Are you thinking of grandpa Ott? http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2009/05/18/GigiWilliams/223dc4.jpg

Flying Saucers is the name of the variety. it's this one: http://www.sambalinasementes.com.br/arquivos/c5e74c824d.jpg

[msheesha 548]

Yes - the Granpa Ott - love that one.

[Nasturtium 500]

WOM: exactly. I've been talking up composting and mulching with him. One of the things he really wants is a chipper to run the pruning through every year. I think it's not a bad idea at all. My parents do that.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

WOM: exactly. I've been talking up composting and mulching with him. One of the things he really wants is a chipper to run the pruning through every year. I think it's not a bad idea at all. My parents do that.

It's so easy to improve soil with compost (the hardest part is training everyone to throw their compostable material onto the pile instead of in the trash )

I compost all my kitchen scraps like vegetable & fruit peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, any produce that lingered in the crisper past its fresh date... plus grass clippings, weeds I've pulled & other soft cuttings from the yard and garden (no hard branches.) Despite the potato peelings, etc., I don't have too much of a problem with critturs digging in it. Maybe it's because I toss old fruit etc. that is still palatable for animals to eat in a different spot (over the fence in the alley !)

I would love to have a shredder through for all the oak leaves... they take forever to break down.

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

Yo

I have a Pomegranate that is about 5years old and looks as if it is going to be bountiful then by the time the little harden shell closes (flower gone)it usually drops all as miniature poms. What am I doing or not doing?????? If they prosper in Iraq...why not here?

Edited May 1, 2012 by inluvnwaiting

[Nasturtium 500]

It's so easy to improve soil with compost (the hardest part is training everyone to throw their compostable material onto the pile instead of in the trash )

I compost all my kitchen scraps like vegetable & fruit peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, any produce that lingered in the crisper past its fresh date... plus grass clippings, weeds I've pulled & other soft cuttings from the yard and garden (no hard branches.) Despite the potato peelings, etc., I don't have too much of a problem with critturs digging in it. Maybe it's because I toss old fruit etc. that is still palatable for animals to eat in a different spot (over the fence in the alley !)

I would love to have a shredder through for all the oak leaves... they take forever to break down.

I had a beautiful compost pile before I came here

he thinks it's impossible to get people to accept a compost pile. I really don't care? Like for real. I think it would probably go over better though if you did the classic 3 bin design.

Yo

I have a Pomegranate that is about 5years old and looks as if it is going to be bountiful then by the time the little harden shell closes (flower gone)it usually drops all as miniature poms. What am I doing or not doing?????? If the prosper in Iraq...why not here?

Fruit drop... it could be not pollinating well-- you may need a cross pollinator, bees, etc. It may also be sterile.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Yo

I have a Pomegranate that is about 5years old and looks as if it is going to be bountiful then by the time the little harden shell closes (flower gone)it usually drops all as miniature poms. What am I doing or not doing?????? If they prosper in Iraq...why not here?

Fruit drop is very common in pomegranates up to 5 years old... but after that, it could be caused by excess pruning, or pollination problems as Julianna mentioned.

Also, there are some varieties (like my dwarf pomegranate) that were bred for flowers rather than fruit - these may produce little or no fruit.

[Nasturtium 500]

Fruit drop is very common in pomegranates up to 5 years old... but after that, it could be caused by excess pruning, or pollination problems as Julianna mentioned.

Also, there are some varieties (like my dwarf pomegranate) that were bred for flowers rather than fruit - these may produce little or no fruit.

Yep Yep!