2011 - How does your garden grow?

[farmergirl]

I love to grow EVERYTHING. This year will be doing all of the usual, Chinese red noodle bean (be forewarned- rabbits LOVE LOVE LOVE these), a few diff amaranths, a big plot of BOSS (black oil sunflower seed), HUGE pumpkin field (I REALLLLLLYYYYYYY like pumpkins and they store so well for animal feed), mangel beets (grew them a couple years ago and if I can keep the mice/voles/chipmunks/woodchucks/whatever out of them they should do great this time around), mini pumpkins (on a porch swing frame), lots more herbs, etc.

Trying to find a good utilitarian bamboo that will reliably grow huge in zone 4. I know I'm zone 5b but I live on the side of a small mountain and get some WICKED winter wind. Anyone have any ideas?

[mom2lucas]

This year I am going to build a "Pea Habitat" by taking two 4x4 post and attaching cattle fencing between them. This way my peas can grow more upright and I am also thinking of painting the post purple just because!! Keep in mind that my "Farm" (a 7' by 33' slice of heaven) is in my front yard!! I just know my neighbors love me!! :) They do love it when "tomato handing out season" starts!! Happy Growing everyone! One more note: I am growing Mexican Midget Tomatoes again this year. So delish!! and, they grow like weeds!!

What is cattle fencing? That is probably a dumb question, but the only fencing we use for cattle around here is electric fencing.

[farmergirl]

It's 4" x 4" metal mesh fencing. Works really well for gardening, building arches/trellis's, etc.

[sbfearnow]

im not sure what i am doing yet...i am awaiting arrival of a place here in indiana that is sending me a catalog with $25 off a purchase of $25 or more...luckily for me, my mom and mother in law are receiving one too....and they dont plant gardens...hmm ;) i am wanting to do herbs, TONS of tomatos, carrots, onions, peppers, and maybe preplant for next year..

[Bellaluella]

I plan on starting my first herb garden. Which will be basil, lavender, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.Any tips/pointers for me?
- I live in so ca and learned I am zone 9-10 but still not sure when to start? Everyone keeps saying after frost but have no idea what that means!
- I plan on using plastic and terra pots and using gravel at the bottom of the pots
- I also plan on using organic soil any recs?
- I also know I need to feed them at least once a month with that feeder spray
- I also plan buying the plants from the store instead of seeding them is that a good idea?
wanna try building this since we do not have alot of space
Tower of Herbs - Martha Stewart Home and Garden

[TiggerToo]

I plan on starting my first herb garden. Which will be basil, lavender, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.Any tips/pointers for me?
- I live in so ca and learned I am zone 9-10 but still not sure when to start? Everyone keeps saying after frost but have no idea what that means!
- I plan on using plastic and terra pots and using gravel at the bottom of the pots
- I also plan on using organic soil any recs?
- I also know I need to feed them at least once a month with that feeder spray
- I also plan buying the plants from the store instead of seeding them is that a good idea?
wanna try building this since we do not have alot of space
Tower of Herbs - Martha Stewart Home and Garden

Not sure about CA but when they say "after frost" in MN that typically means after Labor day for us. That is usually when EVERYONE starts their frantic planting to get everything in the ground as fast as they can so they can have as long as possible before the first frost of the year.

I think it is personal preference whether you plant seeds or buy plants. My personal preference is buy plants only because of the season. We aren't equipped in MN (my house) to start from seeds and we don't get enough sun light (we have HUGE trees covering our house from all sides). So all of my plants come from Bachman's (personal preference). I have always had the best of luck from them.

In regards to soil, I usually use organic soil and just toss in a couple bags of manure as well and till it all together. Just something I have done for the 10 years I have been up here gardening.

[Gardencook]

BTW, I think phaedravel mispoke and meant Memorial Day for planting in Minnesota. Planting on Labor Day would make for a VERY short growing season!



Ha!!!! Touche! I did mean Memorial day!!!!! You know I still get those two confused which is SOOOO sad. I always have to stop and think which one it is.

[TiggerToo]

Gardencook...I just PM'd you...I am such a dweeb...those pesky edit buttons and the quote buttons are two close together and I hit edit instead of Quote




I am sooo sorry!!!!!

[Gardencook]

That's okay phaedravel. Mistakes happen to all of us! I'll try to remember what I wrote as best I can.
The best way to learn frost dates is to contact your County Extension Service. Each office has a wealth of information and gardening tips for its particular region. In Zones 9-10 you should be able to plant quite early – unless the weather continues to be as unpredictable as it has so far this year!
All of the herbs you listed, except basil, prefer dry growing conditions. Quality potting soils usually contain a lot of peat moss and tend to retain moisture. Be careful not to overwater! Many cheaper potting soils contain mostly charcoal, which retains neither moisture nor nutrients, dooming you to failure.
I do really well with Black Gold brand, but others may prefer something different. We have extremely alkaline soil, and some soils are designed for more acid soils, adding lime which we don’t need. Coastal regions tend to have acid soils, while farther inland (soils and water) are more alkaline.
I grow rosemary and basil in pots and they do really well. We have to bring rosemary in for the winter here, so pots are the only way we can grow. Rosemary prefers a clay pot which is porous and tends to dry out a bit between waterings.
Basil does really well in plastic pots, because they retain more moisture. I usually buy a plant or two to get me by until the basil I’ve planted from seed matures. Even in a short season area, you can get a decent basil crop from seed. Just be sure to keep it warm. I keep my pots on cement.
Basil loves water, so you may have to water a couple of times on hot days. While the plants are beautiful when they bloom, as soon as the blossoms die back, they will go to seed and die, so be sure to keep them pinched back if you want a steady supply of leaves for cooking.
If you get the opportunity, be sure to grow more than one variety. Each has its own subtle differences. I’m partial to lemon and cinnamon basils. The opal/purple varieties are gorgeous – great in salads, but some people might not be thrilled with purple/brown pesto. Lettuce leaf basil can be used to make tasty little wraps. Siam Queen and Magical Michael are both beautiful award winners. Globe varieties naturally form a spherical shape, so be sure to thin them if you plant from seed. Holy basil is beautiful, but it is used more for medicinal than culinary purposes.
Oregano grows wild on the rocky, ocean hillsides of Greece. Keep that in mind when planting it. The common variety is a pretty, mounding perennial that will tolerate our heavy clay and cold winters. The flavor isn’t as strong, but I still use it in cooking.
In Zones 9-10, you can grow the good stuff. Be sure to buy “Greek oregano,” for the best flavor. I grow it in pots. It DOES NOT like to be too wet. Overwatering will kill it fast. There are also beautiful variegated varieties. If you grow them, be sure to give them a bit of shade or the leaves will scorch.
I don’t grow thyme in pots. The only way I can grow it in our clay is to work lots of coarse sand and gravel into the soil. If it gets too wet, it will rot around the crown. I have seen it growing beautifully in strawberry pots, because they tend to be on the dry side. I’ve always meant to try it, but haven’t.
Lavender is another herb that prefers sandy soil. Technically the Munstead variety is supposed to survive down to about Zone 4 or 5, but it doesn’t like wet feet in winter which clay soil brings.
In Zones 9-10 you can grow French lavender which is far more fragrant. Spanish lavender is really beautiful, but a bit touchier about climate. It does well in a coastal environment.
Generally speaking, most herbs prefer poorer, drier soils. If you over-fertilize they will have less flavor.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your garden and let everyone know how it goes!

[TiggerToo]

That's okay phaedravel. Mistakes happen to all of us! I'll try to remember what I wrote as best I can.
The best way to learn frost dates is to contact your County Extension Service. Each office has a wealth of information and gardening tips for its particular region. In Zones 9-10 you should be able to plant quite early – unless the weather continues to be as unpredictable as it has so far this year!
All of the herbs you listed, except basil, prefer dry growing conditions. Quality potting soils usually contain a lot of peat moss and tend to retain moisture. Be careful not to overwater! Many cheaper potting soils contain mostly charcoal, which retains neither moisture nor nutrients, dooming you to failure.
I do really well with Black Gold brand, but others may prefer something different. We have extremely alkaline soil, and some soils are designed for more acid soils, adding lime which we don’t need. Coastal regions tend to have acid soils, while farther inland (soils and water) are more alkaline.
I grow rosemary and basil in pots and they do really well. We have to bring rosemary in for the winter here, so pots are the only way we can grow. Rosemary prefers a clay pot which is porous and tends to dry out a bit between waterings.
Basil does really well in plastic pots, because they retain more moisture. I usually buy a plant or two to get me by until the basil I’ve planted from seed matures. Even in a short season area, you can get a decent basil crop from seed. Just be sure to keep it warm. I keep my pots on cement.
Basil loves water, so you may have to water a couple of times on hot days. While the plants are beautiful when they bloom, as soon as the blossoms die back, they will go to seed and die, so be sure to keep them pinched back if you want a steady supply of leaves for cooking.
If you get the opportunity, be sure to grow more than one variety. Each has its own subtle differences. I’m partial to lemon and cinnamon basils. The opal/purple varieties are gorgeous – great in salads, but some people might not be thrilled with purple/brown pesto. Lettuce leaf basil can be used to make tasty little wraps. Siam Queen and Magical Michael are both beautiful award winners. Globe varieties naturally form a spherical shape, so be sure to thin them if you plant from seed. Holy basil is beautiful, but it is used more for medicinal than culinary purposes.
Oregano grows wild on the rocky, ocean hillsides of Greece. Keep that in mind when planting it. The common variety is a pretty, mounding perennial that will tolerate our heavy clay and cold winters. The flavor isn’t as strong, but I still use it in cooking.
In Zones 9-10, you can grow the good stuff. Be sure to buy “Greek oregano,” for the best flavor. I grow it in pots. It DOES NOT like to be too wet. Overwatering will kill it fast. There are also beautiful variegated varieties. If you grow them, be sure to give them a bit of shade or the leaves will scorch.
I don’t grow thyme in pots. The only way I can grow it in our clay is to work lots of coarse sand and gravel into the soil. If it gets too wet, it will rot around the crown. I have seen it growing beautifully in strawberry pots, because they tend to be on the dry side. I’ve always meant to try it, but haven’t.
Lavender is another herb that prefers sandy soil. Technically the Munstead variety is supposed to survive down to about Zone 4 or 5, but it doesn’t like wet feet in winter which clay soil brings.
In Zones 9-10 you can grow French lavender which is far more fragrant. Spanish lavender is really beautiful, but a bit touchier about climate. It does well in a coastal environment.
Generally speaking, most herbs prefer poorer, drier soils. If you over-fertilize they will have less flavor.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your garden and let everyone know how it goes!

Yay!!! You are a dream!