So do we grow stuff again this summer?

[WNYresident]

So do we grow stuff again this summer?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2292938382/" title="Burpess seed starting by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2292938382_0ced7fc602.jpg" width="426" height="500" alt="Burpess seed starting" /></a>

I think I'm going to try these out this summer. Last years were good but not true grape type tomatoes.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2292149781/" title="Tomato seed pack by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2292149781_ba29e00544.jpg" width="382" height="500" alt="Tomato seed pack" /></a>

I think I'm gonna put stuff in the ground and pots. I just have to figure out how to keep the animals out.

[CSense]

So do we grow stuff again this summer?

Let me guess, your growing "herbs" with your hydroponics strater kit:D

[WNYresident]

No, I'm growing "tomatoes". :) And peppers, lettuce, carrots, sunflowers, pumpkins etc etc etc.

[WNYresident]

Don't know what I want in the hydro kit this year.

A few years ago I tried a Sun Flower


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2292212137/" title="Sun Flower by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2292212137_b68d65b8cd.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Sun Flower" /></a>

Was a happy Sun Flower but I didn't really get and seeds to eat or anything.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2292212357/" title="Sun Flower by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2292212357_ab2893e80b.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Sun Flower" /></a>


The year after I did broccoli

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2292998406/" title="Broccoli by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2292998406_be5ac0518e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Broccoli" /></a>

It came out excellent. Tasted better than what was in the pots with dirt.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/2292999098/" title="Broccoli by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2292999098_e932bd315c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Broccoli" /></a>

Last summer I tried beef steak tomatoes in the kit but we won't talk about those. They came out lousy for the effort put into them.

[WNYresident]

I did make a run for the worlds largest pumpkin but...


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/1254799534/" title="pumpkin by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/1254799534_a0b6b27f0f.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="pumpkin" /></a>

Thats all I ended up with.

[raoul duke]

Is that grass extremely tall? Hydroponics always seems to one way or the other. A good friend of mine grows, among other things, tomatoes, peppers and a whole assortment of stuff to make any salad you'd want. However, they always seem to taste like the best vegetables to ever hit your palette or stiff paper. No in-between.

[WNYresident]

Is that grass extremely tall? Hydroponics always seems to one way or the other. A good friend of mine grows, among other things, tomatoes, peppers and a whole assortment of stuff to make any salad you'd want. However, they always seem to taste like the best vegetables to ever hit your palette or stiff paper. No in-between.

No, it was an extremely small pumpkin.

I have learned it's all in the additives you use that makes them taste excellent or not. So far General Hydroponics works for me. The very best tomatoes I ever grew were in dirt/peat while watering with nutrients.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/1253816481/" title="tomato by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1241/1253816481_ad32a853be.jpg" width="355" height="500" alt="tomato" /></a>

The plants were loaded with tomatoes. I wanted grape last year but I ended up with a type of plumb tomatoe. I didn't read the packet of seeds as carefully as i should have.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/1253801127/" title="Bunch of tomatoes by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1295/1253801127_88c0a2c048.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Bunch of tomatoes" /></a>

[alicewaits]

i'm a new homeowner and can't wait to start digging and planting in my yard. i spent the weekend reading every volume of Taylor's Guide To Gardening, and stared out my bedroom window trying to visualize what colors/textures/shapes would look best where. ahhhh i can't wait! HURRY UP SPRING!

[cookie]

[QUOTE]I think I'm gonna put stuff in the ground and pots. I just have to figure out how to keep the animals out.[QUOTE]
What kind of animals are you trying to keep out?
For pots, try sticking 2-4 tall dowels into the dirt, then drape netting over it. That also helps with bunnies and chipmunks if you use rocks or boards to hold the netting at the bottom.
If you want to get serious about gardening, I would suggest building some raised beds lined with hardware cloth. It's not really cheap, but it lasts a long time and keeps out the gophers and bunnies and other critters. We didn't use the hardware cloth for ours, but we did buy some cheap snow fencing and attached it to 4' 1x1's that were nailed inside the perimeter of the raised boxes. We left one section that was about 4'wide that could be opened so we could pick the veggies, weed, etc.
Marigolds planted around the perimeter of the garden helps, but they attract slugs ewwwwww. Those aren't hard to control though. Keep your eggshells, crush them and sprinkle them around the plants.

[alicewaits]

Keep your eggshells, crush them and sprinkle them around the plants.

that tip is gold...keep those all natural remedies and tricks coming!

[WNYresident]

What kind of animals are you trying to keep out?
For pots, try sticking 2-4 tall dowels into the dirt, then drape netting over it. That also helps with bunnies and chipmunks if you use rocks or boards to hold the netting at the bottom.
If you want to get serious about gardening, I would suggest building some raised beds lined with hardware cloth. It's not really cheap, but it lasts a long time and keeps out the gophers and bunnies and other critters. We didn't use the hardware cloth for ours, but we did buy some cheap snow fencing and attached it to 4' 1x1's that were nailed inside the perimeter of the raised boxes. We left one section that was about 4'wide that could be opened so we could pick the veggies, weed, etc.
Marigolds planted around the perimeter of the garden helps, but they attract slugs ewwwwww. Those aren't hard to control though. Keep your eggshells, crush them and sprinkle them around the plants.


Lets see...

About 20 or so Deer...

Herds of woodchucks...

a dozen or so rabbits...

1 Possum...

1 skunk..

There is a fox which seems to have a taste for baby rabbits...

I was thinking a raised garden with 2X6's and then using 2 X 2's with chicken wire to fence it off. Anything I put in pots is in a fence in area.

[Mary3]

Heirloom tomatoes are the best. If you run across them at your famers market, buy them, save the seeds to plant the next year (make sure the seeds are totally dry before storing it). Some of the best vegetables are from seeds passed down from one generation to next. These "heirloom seeds" are tested and true. Get to know your local senior citizens who still garden. They usually have their own seeds from generations of growing.

Can't wait for spring!

When you start seeing the weeds come up between the cracks in the pavement, bricks, etc. in the spring, get your pot of boiling water and pour over it (best and safest way to kill weeds you don't want).

[cookie]

Heirloom tomatoes are the best. If you run across them at your famers market, buy them, save the seeds to plant the next year (make sure the seeds are totally dry before storing it). Some of the best vegetables are from seeds passed down from one generation to next. These "heirloom seeds" are tested and true. Get to know your local senior citizens who still garden. They usually have their own seeds from generations of growing.

Can't wait for spring!

When you start seeing the weeds come up between the cracks in the pavement, bricks, etc. in the spring, get your pot of boiling water and pour over it (best and safest way to kill weeds you don't want).
Hmm, does it have to be boiling or just very very hot? For some reason my garage has hot and cold water. Wonder if I can spray the patio pavers with that hose? I heard of something else to use, but can't remember. Maybe Epsom Salts? Vinegar? I'll be up all night trying to remember now :(

Look for Heirloom seeds for plants other than veggies too!!
I'm going to do a little research on companion planting for this year. I like that idea :)

[Shasta13]

I did make a run for the worlds largest pumpkin but...


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyolm/1254799534/" title="pumpkin by tonyolm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/1254799534_a0b6b27f0f.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="pumpkin" /></a>

Thats all I ended up with.

I did a bunch of pumpkin plants last summer. I got one stinkin' pumpkin about 4 pounds. But boy was I proud of it:D

[cookie]

Lets see...

About 20 or so Deer...

Herds of woodchucks...

a dozen or so rabbits...

1 Possum...

1 skunk..

There is a fox which seems to have a taste for baby rabbits...

I was thinking a raised garden with 2X6's and then using 2 X 2's with chicken wire to fence it off. Anything I put in pots is in a fence in area.
We have a fox, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on the rabbit population (nor do the 2 rottweilers, so far).
The toughest for me are the woodchucks! I had some flowers in the front yard that they apparently burrowed under, sucked them right down and left absolutely no signs of a plant ever having been there!! That's where the hardware cloth comes in handy.
The deer and rabbits aren't as difficult to keep out of the veggies with the use of the snow fencing if you keep the raised garden sizes reasonable.

Here's a few gardening sites I like:
http://davesgarden.com/
http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/
http://www.helpfulgardener.com/

The thing I like about Dave's Garden is the feedback. I can see what plants others in my zone have good or bad luck with.
That would be nice for this forum because it's so much more localized.
I would be willing to share my successes and failures. Anyone else game?

[speaker]

i'm a new homeowner and can't wait to start digging and planting in my yard. i spent the weekend reading every volume of Taylor's Guide To Gardening, and stared out my bedroom window trying to visualize what colors/textures/shapes would look best where. ahhhh i can't wait! HURRY UP SPRING!

Me too, alice. I've already ordered some stuff from Gurney's. A couple of trees and bushes and a grape plant.

I love digging in the garden.

Don't forget Jerry Baker's books and hints. If interested, google him.

[alicewaits]

heh, i stumbled across this in my google search for Doc & Katie Abraham...points to whoever can name what the theme song is that's playing on the page...

http://www.sexybloomers.com/clubcard.htm

anyway, i remember as a kid my folks always used to watch Doc & Katie on weekends...are there any gardening shows these days on PBS that i'm missing? (note, i don't have cable and won't be getting it, so PBS and the intertubes are all i have).

[speaker]

heh, i stumbled across this in my google search for Doc & Katie Abraham...points to whoever can name what the theme song is that's playing on the page...

http://www.sexybloomers.com/clubcard.htm

anyway, i remember as a kid my folks always used to watch Doc & Katie on weekends...are there any gardening shows these days on PBS that i'm missing? (note, i don't have cable and won't be getting it, so PBS and the intertubes are all i have).

this is where I discovered Jerry Baker. Don't know if he still there.:(

[cookie]

this is where I discovered Jerry Baker. Don't know if he still there.:(
I remember him! I watched him back in the early 80's? I think I have 1 or 2 of his books.

Grapes sound great, but a word of warning!! I have tons of trees lining my driveway. I never paid much attention to them. Last year, I lost about 5 trees because they were choked out by grapevines!! I also lost a few trees lining the back fence because of them. Someone about a mile away has them growing in their front yard. Apparently by wind and/or birds, they have migrated. So be watchful!
The same for Morning Glories. They can strangle a beautiful plant in no time flat! And they grow like weeds.

Alice- here is a listing of shows on WNED:
http://www.pbs.org/search/search_programsaz.html?station=WNED&address=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fsearch%2Fcustom ize%2Fyes%2Fredir%2Fsearch%2Fsearch_programsaz.htm l

[alicewaits]

thanks cookie. looks like P Allen Smith's show is the only one ;( (not that i have any issues with that show, it's just that i want more!)

[cookie]

thanks cookie. looks like P Allen Smith's show is the only one ;( (not that i have any issues with that show, it's just that i want more!)
You're welcome. I would keep checking that list. I'm sure many of them are seasonal and will be replaced by other seasonal shows. Maybe if you call or email the station they can tell you if any gardening shows will be coming into rotation.

[WNYresident]

Here's a site that it ran by one of our posters


http://wnyalive.com/

[cookie]

Here's a site that it ran by one of our posters


http://wnyalive.com/
Thanks!

[gshowell]

What do you mean, do we grow stuff again. Do ursine creatures defecate in a silvan environment? Of course we grow stuff again.

I'm contemplating putting in royal copenhagen raspberries along the back fence. I love them. They go great in crepes.

I'm also trying to figure out how to increase my corn yield. I usually grow enough for one big, family sized corn roast and I didn't have enough last year. I'm thinking of using some of the fish I catch as fertilizer. It worked for the indians. The downside...I sort of, kind of inherited this outside cat that my nephew adopted. He lives outside. (the cat, not my nephew. although, I guess you could say my nephew lives outside now.) I feed him everyday, but he still hunts. I'm afraid he may dig up the fish. Any suggestions?

[WNYresident]

Bury the cat and it won't dig up your fish...

[cookie]

Bury the cat and it won't dig up your fish...
It won't catch mice then either!
Corn is a really heavy feeder and needs lots of nitrogen (which is what the fish heads contribute) Compost, rotted manure and fish emulsion also works.
The Indians also planted prickly type plants next to the corn, like squashes, to help keep out furry critters. I don't think that works with deer though.

[WNYresident]

Mice won't dig up the fish though :)

[cookie]

Mice won't dig up the fish though :)
Good point. Hopefully they have other things to keep them out of the house than cats and selective diets though!!

[FIRELADY]

I bought my seeds and the bio degradable containers for them that you can plant right in the ground. I can't wait for spring!! I am going to triple my garden this year.

I also found today at the Dollar General a hanging wire basket with the moss that goes inside and it suppose to be a strawberry plant. They look delicious on the package. I am hoping for good luck.

Also I use a bag that hangs from a post and you put the plant in the bottom and it grows up! I have used it for tomatoes the last few years and it works wonderfully :)

[DR_GONZO]

Need to find seeds for this pepper: Naga Jolokia or Bhut Jolokia???:cool:

[speaker]

Need to find seeds for this pepper: Naga Jolokia or Bhut Jolokia???:cool:

gonzo: http://www.reimerseeds.com/naga-jolokia-hot-peppers.aspx

and more thru google.

[cookie]

Need to find seeds for this pepper: Naga Jolokia or Bhut Jolokia???:cool:
who are you trying to knock off???????????:eek: :eek: :eek:

There are a few sources listed on google, but I've never used any of them.

[DR_GONZO]

I love my hot hot hot peppers! Grew the Red Caribbean ones the last two years. Those were very hot. Grew the Tepin ones too. Those tiny little buggers were pretty hot as well. Cool little tree looking plant. Seen on the news in the fall about these so called new 'hottest' peppers. Didn't notice them in my Burpee catalog.

Grilled chicken stuffed with hot peppers and garlic, m-m-m-mmmmmmmm:)

[RagnarThePirate]

I'm going for:
Arugala
Tomatoes
Basil
Asparagus

[Cgoodsp466]

I grow pot,does that count?

[cookie]

I know it's not as good as seeing it on tv, but don't forget that even though you don't have cable, you can still get LOTS of gardening info (and even some videos) at hgtv.com and diynetwork.com

[Jazz]

I'm planning on tomatoes, I'd like grape, but cherry will do and then a larger slicing tomato ... anybody have an heirlooms they want to share? I'm also growing basil, chives and flat leaf parsley. I'd love to plant summer squash and and maybe some pumpkins for the kids!

My kids school is have a flat sale for flowers if anybody is interested. I'm not sure of the prices yet, but they're usually very reasonable and the flowers are beautiful. If interested send me a PM and I'll get you a price list.

[Jazz]

Grilled chicken stuffed with hot peppers and garlic, m-m-m-mmmmmmmm:)

Oh yum .... you need to put a recipe in the recipe thread!!

[alicewaits]

I know it's not as good as seeing it on tv, but don't forget that even though you don't have cable, you can still get LOTS of gardening info (and even some videos) at hgtv.com and diynetwork.com

thanks cookie.

to herb growers: i saw the best idea in an old gardening book of my dad's: lay down an old wagon wheel, fill the partitions with soil, then grow your herbs within the partitions! you're all probably familiar with the concept but as a newb grower, i thought it was just brilliant.
http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2004/02/27/SH04B167YARDSMART_w190.jpg

heh, and look at that, the pic i found was on hgtv.com, cookie!

[DR_GONZO]

Oh yum .... you need to put a recipe in the recipe thread!!

I think it might be in there:confused:

[Mary3]

Use herbs in your salad!

[Linda_D]

Lets see...

About 20 or so Deer...

Herds of woodchucks...

a dozen or so rabbits...

1 Possum...

1 skunk..

There is a fox which seems to have a taste for baby rabbits...

I was thinking a raised garden with 2X6's and then using 2 X 2's with chicken wire to fence it off. Anything I put in pots is in a fence in area.

Try mothballs since they stink so bad hardly any rodent or other mammal can stand 'em! I used them on the woodchuck hole under my neighbor's porch (the crit was feeding on my garden!) and the chuck not only vacated but no other crit moved in. My dog, Rusty, got the chuck that used to live in the backyard ... that old fat chuck was too far from his hole and never heard the dog creep up on him ... and despite his age, ol' Rust can still kill a chuck in 30 seconds flat!

[cookie]

Try mothballs since they stink so bad hardly any rodent or other mammal can stand 'em! I used them on the woodchuck hole under my neighbor's porch (the crit was feeding on my garden!) and the chuck not only vacated but no other crit moved in. My dog, Rusty, got the chuck that used to live in the backyard ... that old fat chuck was too far from his hole and never heard the dog creep up on him ... and despite his age, ol' Rust can still kill a chuck in 30 seconds flat!
I tried mothballs before. It worked ok. It's supposed to be a good deterrent for snakes too. You have to be very careful though because they are NOT child or pet safe. My dogs will try to eat almost anything!! The chemicals used in mothballs can cause seizures and even liver damage. Also make sure you don't put them too close to your veggies because the chemicals can leech into the soil.

[Linda_D]

My dog likes the taste/smell of Roundup weed killer so I have to use that outside the fence only!

[Linda_D]

So do we grow stuff again this summer?

Well, I'm going to grow what I always do:

tomatoes (regular and grape), lettuce, and green peppers.

I might put in a zucchini but I'm not sure about that. I'd like to grow peas, but my ground is always wet and I don't get them in on time.

I'm a flower-holic anyways, so my big projects are:

1) re-do the backyard "porch" garden into a hummingbird and butterfly garden with a small, sunny sitting area that will be sheltered (eventually) by the vines that will be growing up the large wire trellis that I've designed and will build. I've already got the main vines either growing somewhere or on order: a true red trumpet vine, a sweet autumn clematis, and a climbing hydrangea plus a couple of more common clematis: jackmanii and henryii. I have most of the rest of the plants, including peonies, iris, bee balm, hostas, hydrangeas, coneflower, and phlox. I'm going to add some foxgloves and give delphiniums another go in this garden, too.

2) finish my front yard. I've purchased the last 3 Fire Meidiland shrub roses that I need to scramble up the bank so I don't have to mow it any more (there are 12 altogether), and I'm going to replace the tender pink hydrangea that blooms haphazardly with a more dependable Annabelle. Then everything except the pink daffodils under the weeping cherry is coming up and going out back in the shade garden so that I can plant pachysandra (I've got lots of that, too) under the tree to give it a neater look.

3) in the fall, I'm going to turn much of the space between the sidewalk and the curb into a perennial bed with brick along the curb and driveway as well as around the water meter and the utility pole. The City of Jamestown has a "re-tree" program that enabled me to get a free "street tree" planted in front of my house -- a lovely pink crabapple, so the garden will complement the tree. I also need the space for my excess plants -- and I hate to mow lawn! By next spring, one pass along the path at the top of the bank and then another between the sidewalk and the "street" garden will be all the mowing I will have to do outfront! YEEHAW!

[FIRELADY]

You guys got me so excited about planting stuff I jumped the gun and planted my new seeds in those pellets that grow and then plant right in the garden. Well my peas our sprouting now!! I need the snow to melt quick!!! I have the other seeds I planted in the basement and they seem dormant in the cool basement. Thank goodness.

Can you tell that I am ready for spring?

Also Cookie I found wagon wheels at Big Lots the other day. $10 for small one and $20 for large one.

[FIRELADY]

Can anyone tell me where a good spot for morning glory is? I was thinking of putting it to grow up the front of my deck where it gets full sun. Or would my side porch be better where it is partial sun? I love viney growing plants. I have 2 clematis that I got from Springville Auction. I think I will go back and get another for one of the porches.
Thanks

[cookie]

Can anyone tell me where a good spot for morning glory is? I was thinking of putting it to grow up the front of my deck where it gets full sun. Or would my side porch be better where it is partial sun? I love viney growing plants. I have 2 clematis that I got from Springville Auction. I think I will go back and get another for one of the porches.
Thanks
Full sun and as far from my house as possible please!!!:p
Seriously, make sure to keep an eye on them as they can become invasive. My neighbor (who is at least 1000 ft from me) grows them. I find them all over my landscape choking out my jap maples and other shrubs! They are considered noxious weeds in some places so be careful!
If you want something perennial, check out climbing hydrangeas. It takes them a year or so to get established, but they are great climbers.
I don't really have the planting bug yet, but I put in a whole flower garden last year that I'm anxious to see growing. My fingernails have been clean way too long!!

If your seedlings start getting too big, you might have to plant them in something bigger until time to plant! You might want to start looking for some small cardboard boxes or start saving milk cartons and soda bottles. They aren't as degradable as the starter containers, but if you use a box cutter to cut off the tops then repot the biodegradable starters. When it's time to plant outside, take a boxcutter and cut out the bottom. Then plant the whole thing. This has an added benefit of helping to keep things like cutworms and other stem eating bugs at bay.

[Linda_D]

Can anyone tell me where a good spot for morning glory is? I was thinking of putting it to grow up the front of my deck where it gets full sun. Or would my side porch be better where it is partial sun? I love viney growing plants. I have 2 clematis that I got from Springville Auction. I think I will go back and get another for one of the porches.
Thanks

Morning glories grow best in full sun. You also should direct sow them where you want them to grow after the danger of frost is done. You should nick the seeds and soak overnight in order to get them to germinate. I'm going to grow red morning glories (Scarlet O'Hara) to cover my front porch, too.

I'm also going to try two other annual vines: thunbergia (Spanish Eyes and Blushing Susie) and climbing nasturiums. I'm going to plant them along my sunny fence line where there's just a narrow space between the fence and the edge of the driveway. I'm also going to put some in planters to hang off the front porch rail.

Sweet peas are another good annual vine, but I don't think I saw them in the local seed displays that I've looked at so far. Plants go in and out of fashion, and sometimes what's available one year are't available the next.

Perennial sun-loving vines are trumpet vine and sweet autumn clematis (paniculata), both of which attract hummingbirds, hops (not much for flowers), hardy jasmine, and honeysuckle. Wisteria is another great climber, but despite its rampant growth, it's sometimes difficult to get to bloom. I've ordered a red honeysuckle and a hardy jasmine for my back porch garden, so I'll keep you all posted on how they grow.

Climbing hydrangeas do better with part-shade, as does Virginia creeper. Many clematis can take part shade, too. I have a Jackmanii (big dark purple flowers) that grows along my fence under the spruce trees and never fails to put on a show in June and July.

[Linda_D]

Full sun and as far from my house as possible please!!!:p
Seriously, make sure to keep an eye on them as they can become invasive. My neighbor (who is at least 1000 ft from me) grows them. I find them all over my landscape choking out my jap maples and other shrubs! They are considered noxious weeds in some places so be careful!

Actually, I don't think that the "wild" morning glory that's invaded your yard is really the same kind of morning glory that comes from the commercial seed packets. I've got that viney stuff in my yard, too, and I get after it with Round-Up, but it's nothing like the morning glories that climb up my flag pole out front. The noxious weed flowers are much smaller and white or very pale pink. The leaves are different, too, as the garden morning glories tend to have larger and wider leaves. If garden morning glories find a "good spot", they'll come back year after year, but even if they don't "breed true", they will come in colors and with bigger flowers. They are not all that invasive (while that viney white weed is!).

[OneEmerald]

Actually, I don't think that the "wild" morning glory that's invaded your yard is really the same kind of morning glory that comes from the commercial seed packets. I've got that viney stuff in my yard, too, and I get after it with Round-Up, but it's nothing like the morning glories that climb up my flag pole out front. The noxious weed flowers are much smaller and white or very pale pink. The leaves are different, too, as the garden morning glories tend to have larger and wider leaves. If garden morning glories find a "good spot", they'll come back year after year, but even if they don't "breed true", they will come in colors and with bigger flowers. They are not all that invasive (while that viney white weed is!).
I'm not much of a gardener. I would love to have some landscaping done in front of my house but the wild morning glory has taken over everything. It seems like the more you try to get it under control, the more they spread. I have basically given up!

[FIRELADY]

Thanks for the tips. I am in to looking for Red flowers to put in my gardens this year. Must have something to do with red firetrucks :)

The seedlings are almost to the top of the container so they definetly need to be moved. Friend suggested putting them downstairs with a growing light to continue them on their way. On the lookout for box to let them continue growing in :D

[cookie]

Actually, I don't think that the "wild" morning glory that's invaded your yard is really the same kind of morning glory that comes from the commercial seed packets. I've got that viney stuff in my yard, too, and I get after it with Round-Up, but it's nothing like the morning glories that climb up my flag pole out front. The noxious weed flowers are much smaller and white or very pale pink. The leaves are different, too, as the garden morning glories tend to have larger and wider leaves. If garden morning glories find a "good spot", they'll come back year after year, but even if they don't "breed true", they will come in colors and with bigger flowers. They are not all that invasive (while that viney white weed is!).
I do have some of the white ones, but also purple ones. The purple ones are probably the usual garden variety and pretty easy to control, but still a hassle.

You're also right about the hydrangea, I had forgotten I think, because I have some on 3 sides of my house and the one doing the best is on the southwest wall. It shouldn't be doing all that well! Maybe because it has hollies and other plants in front of it that help shade the bottom of the plants? Then again, even though it's growing the fastest, none of them have bloomed yet (they should bloom this year).

[Linda_D]

I'm not much of a gardener. I would love to have some landscaping done in front of my house but the wild morning glory has taken over everything. It seems like the more you try to get it under control, the more they spread. I have basically given up!

If you pull up the wild morning glory, you have to put it in a plastic bag and put it in the garbage, because even partial roots can start new plants.

If you have nothing worth saving, you might try using a vegetation killer like Round Up on the area. After the vegetation has browned out, pull it up or collect it and bag it for the garbage. I would wait for any weed seeds in the soil to sprout and dose them with weed killer, too. That should take care of the nasty stuff.

If you worked on the area in the spring and summer with idea of getting rid of the noxious weeds, you should be ready to have landscaping done by September. Fall is an excellent time to put in a new garden or do landscaping because your plants will have plenty of water over the winter rather than facing a possibly hot, dry spring followed by the same in the summer.

[Linda_D]

Thanks for the tips. I am in to looking for Red flowers to put in my gardens this year. Must have something to do with red firetrucks :)

I am partial to reds and pinks myself. My front garden is primarily reds and pinks, primarily because I inherited a weeping cherry (pink) and a large red rhodedendron ('Nova Zembla') when I bought the house. Here are some perennials that I use:

Peonies are long-lived perennials that come in shades of red and pink. They aren't very hard to grow and last forever (I have some peonies from my mother's garden that she brought to her garden in Gowanda in 1960 from her garden in North Collins -- and I think she got the plants from a friend or relative.)

Bee balm (monarda), especially the cultivar 'Cambridge Scarlet', is literally a hummingbird magnet. It's a relative of mint (so it spreads) and is prone to mildew (so plant it in a sunny spot), but it will grow in all kinds of soil from sandy to clayey. Bee balm also comes in pink and purple as well.

If you have a wet spot or clayey soil that gets morning sun, try cardinal lobelia (cardinal flower) which has bright red flowers on burgundy foliage. It also attracts hummingbirds (did I mention that I love hummers?)

A beautiful perennial that comes primarily in white, pink, red, and purple is astilbe (feather flower). It will tolerate some sun with plenty of water, but really shows off in a shady garden among the greenery of hostas and ferns.

If you like garden phlox (phlox paniculata), the variety 'Starfire' is an excellent red which is very hardy and mildew resistant. It's more of a watermelon or fuschia red than fire-engine red, though. There are also a variety of pinks, some of which are better than others. I have several, along with purples, but they were given to me, so I don't know their names. Garden phlox will reseed if left uncut, and, like most hybrids, they don't breed "true" (like their parent), so you can spread out your plants by dividing up the original clump every few years.

Another truly spectacular red flower for a sunny area for late summer until frost color is the hardy hibiscus (hibiscus moscheutos) variety named 'Lord Baltimore'. I have had one of these for about 4 years now, and it's absolutely gorgeous. It's slow to "wake up" in the spring because it waits until the soil is nice and warm. If it's a dry spring, you might have to give it a good soaking to get the "juices" flowing. Last spring we had a cold, dry spring and I thought mine was a goner but we finally got a good rain, and voila, it sprouted!

Another late summer to frost bloomer is buddleia (butterfly bush). It has cultivars in pink and purplish red as well as the specatacular dark purple that is my favorite ('Black Knight'). Like the hardy hibiscus, it dies back in Zone 5, so you cut it back and wait for it to sprout.

Finally, I have a small bank in front of my house that is a pain in the tail to mow, so I planted red shrub roses there so I wouldn't have to mow it. I use 'Fire Meidiland' shrub roses as a ground cover, and will plant the last 3 this year. These low growing roses are covered with blooms from June until the snow flies (literally). They are resistant to black spot (this is important in humid WNY!) and most other diseases so you don't have to spray them. Because they are grown on their own rootstock, they are not only hardier than hyrbrid tea roses that are grafted on other rootstock, but it they were to die back, they will come back true to form.

I hope this gives you some ideas.

[OneEmerald]

If you pull up the wild morning glory, you have to put it in a plastic bag and put it in the garbage, because even partial roots can start new plants.

If you have nothing worth saving, you might try using a vegetation killer like Round Up on the area. After the vegetation has browned out, pull it up or collect it and bag it for the garbage. I would wait for any weed seeds in the soil to sprout and dose them with weed killer, too. That should take care of the nasty stuff.

If you worked on the area in the spring and summer with idea of getting rid of the noxious weeds, you should be ready to have landscaping done by September. Fall is an excellent time to put in a new garden or do landscaping because your plants will have plenty of water over the winter rather than facing a possibly hot, dry spring followed by the same in the summer.
Thanks for the tip, Linda. I think I'll need a couple gallons of round up. Hopefully I will have the energy and ambition to do the job or enough money to give my nephew to do it.

[FIRELADY]

Thanks Linda for the tips. I have a bed that is large and have been thinking about putting some more shrubs in it for color. I have a low to the ground viney thing that is taking it over but would like some taller plants for some color. I have black eye susans I got from my mom in there and they take over pretty well. As for the peonies they are one of my favorite. I transplanted somw from my mom's house but they never came back up. Can I buy seeds or bulbs for new plants?

[Linda_D]

Thanks Linda for the tips. I have a bed that is large and have been thinking about putting some more shrubs in it for color. I have a low to the ground viney thing that is taking it over but would like some taller plants for some color. I have black eye susans I got from my mom in there and they take over pretty well. As for the peonies they are one of my favorite. I transplanted somw from my mom's house but they never came back up. Can I buy seeds or bulbs for new plants?

Peonies should be divided in the fall. Dig up a plant and cut off a part of the tuber that has a few "eyes" on it and a good root system. Leave part of the stem on so that you know how deep to plant it. Peonies are planted shallow, about an inch or so beneath the soil, and never more than 2 inches. Planting too deeply is a major reason why peony transplants (whether divisions or tubers purchased from the nursery) fail.

I sometimes buy peonies in containers from local nurseries. You can buy and plant these either spring or fall, but I like to wait until July or August to buy them because they're usually on sale then and I can plant them in September. The tubers you buy from many mail order nurseries generally take a long time to become big enough to flower, so I wouldn't waste my time and money with these unless I knew that the mail order place only sold quality plants.

[FIRELADY]

Peonies should be divided in the fall. Dig up a plant and cut off a part of the tuber that has a few "eyes" on it and a good root system. Leave part of the stem on so that you know how deep to plant it. Peonies are planted shallow, about an inch or so beneath the soil, and never more than 2 inches. Planting too deeply is a major reason why peony transplants (whether divisions or tubers purchased from the nursery) fail.

I sometimes buy peonies in containers from local nurseries. You can buy and plant these either spring or fall, but I like to wait until July or August to buy them because they're usually on sale then and I can plant them in September. The tubers you buy from many mail order nurseries generally take a long time to become big enough to flower, so I wouldn't waste my time and money with these unless I knew that the mail order place only sold quality plants.

Ok what do you mean by "eyes"?
I will check the Springville auction....they always have good quality plants at reasonable prices. I also do like you and buy perennials late in the season on clearance. They may be half dead but they always come up the following year good as new.
Anyone need some Hosta's? I have the small version with white. My mom gave me a bunch and as usual they have quadrupled in their size :)

[Linda_D]

Ok what do you mean by "eyes"?
I will check the Springville auction....they always have good quality plants at reasonable prices. I also do like you and buy perennials late in the season on clearance. They may be half dead but they always come up the following year good as new.
Anyone need some Hosta's? I have the small version with white. My mom gave me a bunch and as usual they have quadrupled in their size :)

LOL. I think hostas are the zucchini of flower gardening! I have so many hostas, I'm landscaping my neighbor's yard. Honest. She's an elderly lady who does nothing with her yard any more, so I just plant my extra hostas on her side of the fence as a ground cover to keep the weeds at bay!

Some of my hostas have moved as far away as Myrtle Beach, SC!

[FIRELADY]

I am thinking of just digging up the many extras I have and just start planting them under my trees in back and let them go at it:D

[Linda_D]

Yeehaw!!! Today was my lucky day! I found sweetpea and cleome seeds (the variety 'Rose Queen' that I couldn't find at any nursery) at the display at the Falconer Quality. Then the seeds I ordered from Jung's came in the mail: 3 packets of cosmos (Sensation mixed colors of red, pink, and white); 1 of larkspur (Giant Imperial mix of whites, blues, pinks, purples); 1 of thunbergia (Blushing Susie mix of ivory, apricot, and red shades); and 1 of nasturiums (Jung's Giant Climbing mix of solid oranges and yellows). They included 3 trial packets of seeds: zinnia 'Will Rogers' (tall red dahlia flowered); tomato 'Wayahead', a 63 deteriminate variety, and cucumber 'Marketer', a slicing type that's ready to pick in 55 days.

I will direct sow most of these seeds in the garden, but I'm putting the nasturium and thunbergia directly into containers and I'll start the veggies and the cleome indoors probably Easter weekend.

[FIRELADY]

Oh i keep forgetting to post this. You guys were talking about raised garden beds earlier. What is the benefit to this?? My garden from last year is ground level but behind it is one that is raised with bricks around it. Plants did just as well in both.

Also what about using the new "plastic" wood for the frames?? My deck is made out of it and its great. They sell it at Mr. 2nd's very sturdy and cuts and goes together just like real wood. Does not rot or need to be treated with chemicals.

[cookie]

Raised beds are probably most beneficial for areas where the drainage is poor. They are usually easier to "secure" against various critters. I also like them because it's easier to keep them looking neat.
The stuff your deck is made out of should work very well. They now have U-shaped stakes that make putting a raised bed together very easy. I haven't tried them yet.
http://eartheasy.com/store/prodimages/raisedbed_anchor_lg.jpg
I don't think I'm going to have much of a veggie garden this year. That's usually hubby's domain, however I am determined to finally put in some horseradish, rhubarb and asparagus. I just need to figure out how to keep the dogs out. They're quite avid "gardeners"

[Linda_D]

Raised beds are probably most beneficial for areas where the drainage is poor. They are usually easier to "secure" against various critters. I also like them because it's easier to keep them looking neat.
The stuff your deck is made out of should work very well. They now have U-shaped stakes that make putting a raised bed together very easy. I haven't tried them yet.
http://eartheasy.com/store/prodimages/raisedbed_anchor_lg.jpg
I don't think I'm going to have much of a veggie garden this year. That's usually hubby's domain, however I am determined to finally put in some horseradish, rhubarb and asparagus. I just need to figure out how to keep the dogs out. They're quite avid "gardeners"

I've never grown horseradish so I don't know how long it takes to grow, but, in case you didn't know this, both aspargus and rhubarb are perennials that take 2 or 3 years to get established. Strawberries also take a year to get established, so you should pick all the flowers and buds that form the first year you plant them so you have a better crop the 2nd year.

[cookie]

I've never grown horseradish so I don't know how long it takes to grow, but, in case you didn't know this, both aspargus and rhubarb are perennials that take 2 or 3 years to get established. Strawberries also take a year to get established, so you should pick all the flowers and buds that form the first year you plant them so you have a better crop the 2nd year.
Yes, that's why I'm so determined this year. I put it off the last few years because of major construction. Now that I'm in my "forever" home and most of the construction is over (at least outside the house), I can feel confident that I can plant something and leave it in one place.
I usually just go to one of the zillion little farm stands for strawberries. but I do "the pick the flower" trick on the hostas the 1st (and sometimes the 2nd) year. I don't know if it's true, but they seem to be much hardier and thicker by doing that.
As for horseradish, it looks like a good candidate for a raised bed as it's supposed to be a rampant grower. I've heard that if you pull the foliage, the root will get stronger (as in hotter) as well as bigger. I love fresh grated horseradish with a slice of medium rare roast beef. I've even been known to put horseradish in my potato salad!

[WNYresident]

For review

Previous years potted plants

Veggies (http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8240)

Veggies #2 (http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11652)

[FIRELADY]

Raised beds are probably most beneficial for areas where the drainage is poor. They are usually easier to "secure" against various critters. I also like them because it's easier to keep them looking neat.
The stuff your deck is made out of should work very well. They now have U-shaped stakes that make putting a raised bed together very easy. I haven't tried them yet.
http://eartheasy.com/store/prodimages/raisedbed_anchor_lg.jpg
I don't think I'm going to have much of a veggie garden this year. That's usually hubby's domain, however I am determined to finally put in some horseradish, rhubarb and asparagus. I just need to figure out how to keep the dogs out. They're quite avid "gardeners"
Cookie can you tell me where you found these? I think I am going to try the raised bed idea since I tend to have some deep roots in the spots I want to put my garden and the spot also is slanted since the ground is not level.

Res those plants are gorgeous. I am going to try and put that fertilizer on my list of items to buy for this years plants.

Also if anyone interested Walmart carries plant stakes now. I could only find them in the past online and in magazines. They range in price from 59 cents for the small ones to just over a $1 for larger ones. I am hoping they hold up my plants better than the wooden green stakes that broke easily.1805

1806

[cookie]

Here is an online source, but I'm sure there are some local places that have them. I'll check my sources. That reminds me, Tractor Supply Company has LOTS of interesting and useful stuff for gardening, landscaping, etc. And they have GREAT prices!
http://eartheasy.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=AJSJ
or
http://www.gardeners.com/Stackable%20Raised%20Bed%20Corner%20Joints/VegetableGardening_RaisedBeds,34-602,default,cp.html