Gardening Questions...

[Mysteefied]

Ok, I have NO experience in gardening, I can barely keep plants alive. However, I have decided I want to have a little veggie garden.

I have this idea to start some plants in Big pots on my back deck, because gophers have taken over the land around my house and it will take some time for me to prepare for an actual "in ground" garden.

So, I guess my questions here are...

1. What veggies would you suggest planting in the next week or so that would do good right now.

2. Is there are particular type of soil you would suggest using?

3. Is anyone interested in coming and helping me with this project. LOL (just thought I'd throw that in there)

4. does anyone have experience with self watering pots and if so, how much on average do they cost.

5. any other advice you'd give a starter gardner??

Thanks!

[Newcomer]

KK here...
I'd think things that would do good in a pot would be lettuce, tomatoes, maybe carrots (make sure the pot is deep enough), turnips, strawberries...

Don't try corn! They need lots of space and enough of them to cross pollinate each other or else you won't get any cobs!

I'd think watermelon, cantelope, pumpkins would be most happy in the ground. They like to spread out.

That's all I can think of for now.

Now is a tough time because we are changing over from cool weather to hotter in a month or so - so I'd go with the warm weather veggies - no lettuce (that's a cool weather veggie).

[BGW]

All types of peppers and some dwarf fruit trees will do quite well in wine barrels. You might try all types of herbs as well

[Iris]

Ok, I have NO experience in gardening, I can barely keep plants alive. However, I have decided I want to have a little veggie garden.

I have this idea to start some plants in Big pots on my back deck, because gophers have taken over the land around my house and it will take some time for me to prepare for an actual "in ground" garden.

So, I guess my questions here are...

1. What veggies would you suggest planting in the next week or so that would do good right now.

2. Is there are particular type of soil you would suggest using?

3. Is anyone interested in coming and helping me with this project. LOL (just thought I'd throw that in there)

4. does anyone have experience with self watering pots and if so, how much on average do they cost.

5. any other advice you'd give a starter gardner??

Thanks!



We have done Bell Peppers, and patio tomatoes in 1/2 wine barrels, and they did great! As with tomatoes (related to Bell Peppers), keep a GOOD EYE out for tomato horn worms as they can devourer the leaves of your plants in the blink of an eye (eggs layed by a type of Sphinx moth). When seen [they can get HUGE (use gloves)] pull them off and dispose of them (the birds love them, not to be cruel, but the circle of life thing you know...). Even if you do not see the hornworms, look for small black pellets on the soil around the base of the plants, If the "worm poop" is seen, it is a sure sign that the critters are present on the plants. Nature has provided them with "camo coloration" that enables them to completely blend into the leaves, sun, and shadows on the plant.

I use self-watering planters for my window boxes and use them only for flowers (a personal preference). I purchased them online from the following web site: www.gardeners.com (this site also has great tips for container gardening).

Regular feeding is, of course essential for successfully growing any plant. The soil that we use in the raised beds in our small greenhouse and containers comes from Oakhurst Rock on Hwy. 41. My hubby discovered it and gets the potting soil in bulk; buys 3 trash cans (33 gal.) for about $13.00, which is a TREMENDOUS savings over the pre-bagged stuff. The folks at Oakhurst Rock are soooo nice and helpful and load it for you from large bins that you drive up to. This soil is not sterile, has some twigs, etc, but is great for outdoor planting!

On the recommendation of a friend, we recently purchased devices called "The BlackholeTrap" to rid us of gophers on our property. We had tried just about everything else, and to no avail. The Blackhole Trap is amazing, reasonably priced and easy to use (You don't have to dig around to locate the main tunnel). We eliminated 3 gophers in less than a week. I purchased them from eBay, but I would think that they are available elsewhere too. So once you get rid of the gophers, you can plant a great garden with the big stuff!

Good Luck and Happy Gardening! :)

[only1alphafemale]

Hey Myst...
Believe it or not???? I would love to come and help you with this !!! I do container gardening due to the gopher issues here at my home too !
Flowers that do very well in containers...( you didnt say if it was full sun or partial to full shade?) Are columbines, they also reseed. corriopsis also reseeds, I love to plant hibiscus every year !!! ( they dont winter over for me as I dont have a protected area ) there are just sooooooo many !! Oh another favorite and very colorfull are the martha washington geraniums, but all geraniums do well. Most all herbs do very well in containters. Definately agree to the tomatoes..( you can even plant some varieties in hanging baskets!) I have grown a squash plant or two, which becomes a large hanging thing over the side of a wine barrel planter....lol... as far as planting in the next week? Up until just a day or two ago, we still were getting frost at night. So cooler weather plants like lettuce, radishes etc for now. Warmer weather plants like the tomatoes and squash still need protection. I keep mine in cold frames I made from scrap lumber and old windows ~ to protect those types of plant from the still cold nights ~ :yes:

So, I guess my questions here are...

1. What veggies would you suggest planting in the next week or so that would do good right now.

2. Is there are particular type of soil you would suggest using?

3. Is anyone interested in coming and helping me with this project. LOL (just thought I'd throw that in there)

4. does anyone have experience with self watering pots and if so, how much on average do they cost.

5. any other advice you'd give a starter gardner??

Thanks![/QUOTE]

[Mysteefied]

Iris...Thank you for all the good information. My husband is ready to get online right now and buy those blackhole traps. LOL

I'm also excited about getting dirt from Oakhurst Rocks, do you need to bring your own trash bins?


only1alphafemale...Wow, it would be amazing to get help from you, sounds like you know LOTS more than I do. I don't have to do it in the next week, I can wait a few weeks if need be, meanwhile I will be collecting containers, dirt and seeds.
If you are really willing to come help, let me know when is a good time for you. You can PM me if you want.
OH, the area is in pretty much mostly sun until afternoon when it gets a little bit of shade. but it's not covered by anything....does that make sense?

I'd love to plant tomato's, lemon cucumbers, peppers, carrots and strawberries. Lettuce would be cool, but it doesn't sound possible at this time.

Also flowers would be great!

Thanks to everyone for your awesome input. If you think of anything else. I'm open to all and any advice!

[Iris]

You are welcome Myst! Yes, you will need to take your own trash cans for the potting mix.

[only1alphafemale]

Yes, I'm serious about helping you out :) ( I am a gardenning nut !!! ) lol Just PM me when you have your supplies gathered and are ready to dig in and get dirty ! :)

[Mysteefied]

Thank you!!!
We can garden and then clean up and go scrapbook. LOL

[only1alphafemale]

Thank you!!!
We can garden and then clean up and go scrapbook. LOL

Sounds like a great plan to me!!! lol...
I didnt make it back from my Dr's appt the other day until way late.....
( bummed me out ) so I didnt get to stop by for the pencil box craft project...:(

[Mysteefied]

Ok, today as a spur of the moment thing (hubby was working in the yard, I was feeling a little left out)
I went to the nursery and bought some potting soil and a few tomato plants, a lemon cucumber plant and a jalepinio (SP?) plant.
A friend of mine had given me some big pots to plant in, so I went for it. My first attempt at planting some sort of garden.
I have lots more to do, I will still be calling for help. LOL

Anyhow, here is a picture of what I did today.

[only1alphafemale]

Ok, today as a spur of the moment thing (hubby was working in the yard, I was feeling a little left out)
I went to the nursery and bought some potting soil and a few tomato plants, a lemon cucumber plant and a jalepinio (SP?) plant.
A friend of mine had given me some big pots to plant in, so I went for it. My first attempt at planting some sort of garden.
I have lots more to do, I will still be calling for help. LOL

Anyhow, here is a picture of what I did today.

Good going girl!!! lol I am not sure what elevation your living at, but you may want to put "hot caps" on your tomatoe plants at night.....they really do like it warm and hot caps preserve this at night...remove during the day however so they dont get too hot and can enjoy our great mountain weather` :grin:

[Mysteefied]

Ok, what is a Hot cap? I have no clue, do you think it would be ok if I put another container over it for the night?

[Mysteefied]

I went out and put the containers I have of the same size, over the plants to shelter them a bit from the cool air. I hope that is enough to keep them safe.

[Kahlua Kid]

Awesome Mystee~ Good for you - the only way to learn is to just "do it'!

I've loved gardening for years, moving here was a challenge though - I had to relearn so many plants I can have here (lilacs, tulips, etc.) that I couldn't have down south and those I can't have here (hibiscus, etc.) due to frosts.

Remember seeing our pumpkin patch I posted here as we were growing them... I'd never done that and it was fun to try something new. You'll have to keep us posted on your "bumper crops" to come!

[only1alphafemale]

I went out and put the containers I have of the same size, over the plants to shelter them a bit from the cool air. I hope that is enough to keep them safe.

Hi Myst,
I'm sorry, work related "stuff" kept me extra long this evening ~
Yes the containers you put over them will help to protect them and keep them warm ~ :) A "hot cap" is simply a clearish "cap" (like a baseball cap) that you can buy at the garden supply protection agains the cold. You place it over you plants at night to help keep the warmth in them, any frost off of them, and the suns first rays, can also get through - I use the plastic pepsi bottles for this. I cut the bottom out using the capped ends to "vent" them when necessary, I just put them over the top of my plants in their pots :) Always remember to remove the hot caps in the morning when its no longer cold ~ :yes: other wise it can get too hot under there and you can cook the plants..... :)

[monkey]

With this beautiful weather I'm also wanting to get started on my garden. I have 3 choices to do today, clean house, garden or go hike Lewis Creek. What to do, what to do...

[only1alphafemale]

House keeping on such a great day? Pfffffffftt! lol ~ Already have done my gardening for today ~ ;) So I vote for "Hike Lewis Creek" !!! lol Are we to start at the top site and walk down? or at the bottom in Cedar Valley???? :grin:

I really wish I could do that today! But I get to watch my granddaughter instead while my son gets moved in across the street from me here, so grandma is doing the happy dance anyway~

But I really am game for the hike one of these Monkey....I love the Lewis Creek trail...Ever been to the hotsprings up there? ( which are not the luke warm springs..ha! ) an obscure, sometimes tricky trail....changes year to year....

What ever your choice for today, I am sure you will enjoy it alot ! :yes:

[Dodgergirl]

I've taken Justin on Lewis Creek Trail, he goes on many of my hikes with me, he's becoming quite a good little hiker. The first thing he does is pick up a stick so he can have a 'walking stick' of his own.

[only1alphafemale]

I've taken Justin on Lewis Creek Trail, he goes on many of my hikes with me, he's becoming quite a good little hiker. The first thing he does is pick up a stick so he can have a 'walking stick' of his own.

How cute!!! lol How old is Justin DG ? Julynn is 3 and half, but I dont know if I would feel safe taking her with me on a hike, not all of it anyway. The bottom portion from cedar valley to the old camp site along the river wouldnt be too bad though. :yes:

[monkey]

Ok, you won, I'm just back from Lewis Creek. Now for some lunch then on to the housework. Thanks for being sensible only1alphafemale.

[Mysteefied]

I think they cant take the cold.

[Mysteefied]

I think this one is dying. do you think they is any hope?

[Mysteefied]

ok, this is the tomato plants that are in one big bucket. do they look ok?
sorry, but I'm totally paranoid that I'm killing them all.

[only1alphafemale]

I think this one is dying. do you think they is any hope?

I will admit that after you called I was imagining them being a lot worse!! lol


My vision isnt the greatest ! ( sorry ) If there are two plants in this container, then I would say the one is dead/dying, and if not its definately in distress......They look like they were the same kind of plant however? I dont know why one would die and not the other one?

The other pics? I have the same feeling about ~ and I will say keep them protected and covered BUT don't give up on them. The stalks and stems look like they have survived well, from what I can see~ :) and they very well could pull through this minor set back ~ :grin:

Protect them and keep them covered, especially in the weekends expected heat wave ! as that will do further damage to the already effected/damaged plants.

Call me if you have any other questions ~ :grin:

[only1alphafemale]

I think they cant take the cold.


These show some leaf damage but not enough to loose them. They should sprout replacement leaves and grow just fine once we get past these cold/freezing night temps~ :grin:

[only1alphafemale]

I think this one is dying. do you think they is any hope?

This is the one where I cant tell if there is one or two plants in the pot. If its one, then it will be OK, protect it once again....... :)

If the plants wilt completely, and turn a really ugly dark greenish grey, then they are probably lost. If they still retain some of their original brighter green new growth? they will pull out of it hon..... :yes:

[Newcomer]

Keep them moist during the heat wave - water say early morn a nice soak and then leave them be.

They look fine - but what I can see, you may have too many in one pot... so you actually are ok if one dies! You'll need the room when they get bigger, because they can grow a couple feet tall!

[only1alphafemale]

Keep them moist during the heat wave - water say early morn a nice soak and then leave them be.

They look fine - but what I can see, you may have too many in one pot... so you actually are ok if one dies! You'll need the room when they get bigger, because they can grow a couple feet tall!

Hey Newcomer? Do those cukes she has pictured, look like they may have gotten a little *sunburned* to you? Thats how they looked to me, but with my eyes I am not really sure....lol..... It doesnt look like it was frost damage on them to me...

[David_V]

I think they cant take the cold.
Put a bucket over them at night.

[only1alphafemale]

She's already doing that David V, thanks though :)

[Mysteefied]

there are two plants in that one pot, one is tomato and the other is jalepeno. the jalepeno plant is doing well, the tomato plant, not so sure.

the pot that has a bunch of tomato plants in it, I was planning on putting in severl pots, but I ran out of potting soil, so as soon as I get some more, I'll replant a few of them.

the lemon cucumber plant does look burnted doesn't it? I hadn't thought about that. but it says full sun like the rest.

now you're really going to love this one. I am at work and forgot to take the buckets off of the plants this morning. Dang....they'll all probably be dead by the time I get home.

I do water them very well once a day, it's usually after work, since I'm always in a hurry in the morning.

Thank you all for your help and advice...keep it coming, I'm open to it.

[only1alphafemale]

[/QUOTE the lemon cucumber plant does look burnted doesn't it? I hadn't thought about that. but it says full sun like the rest.

now you're really going to love this one. I am at work and forgot to take the buckets off of the plants this morning. Dang....they'll all probably be dead by the time I get home.

I do water them very well once a day, it's usually after work, since I'm always in a hurry in the morning.

Thank you all for your help and advice...keep it coming, I'm open to it.[/QUOTE]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

LOL, Myst your a mess.....giggles ! :D If its the black buckets or solid buckets they will do ok...~~ if its the clear *hot caps* and we get to 80 deg. or higher today? ...( did you put them under your deck yet? ) and they are still ON your deck there may be some heat damage. It will depend on how hot we manage to actually get today....:confused:

The cuke, looks sunburned to me. This could be simply because its recieving a much stronger amount of light than it was previously used too. Yes they can take full sun, after they have been hardened off.....acclimated. Your deck area, is a different type of growing environment than that of being in the actual ground. It can be hotter with stronger rays ~ and yes your black pots when the weather does turn warmer will be in an issue for you in fulll sun areas~ Wind barrels work very well for mini gardens, as do other home made planters you can make for you deck area, if thats where you want to keep your veggie garden~ There are tons of plans free online for such planters.

The jalapeno does look good. the tomato plant looks iffy, as I cant get a clear look at it....but you do have plenty! I only planted one tomato plant last year and had more than enough tomatoes to use for cooking for my family of 3 then, and to give away....my one plant got H.u.g.e. !!! lol OH, and one other thing to remember.....its ALWAYS a good year for zuccini ! lol :yes:

[cak]

You might try to find a copy of "Square Foot Gardening", which was a great help to me when I was trying to figure out how to start a small garden with a lot of diversity.

You're going to want an irrigation system :)

[Mysteefied]

They are pots that are all black. Yup, I'm a mess, I probably should stick with just buying my food from the grocery store and quit trying to do stuff I know nothing about.

I haven't moved them under the deck yet, I will definatly have to do that when I get home.

I also wondered if it was ok that I put the cucumber and jalepeno plant together.

hmmm....I need to win the lotto and hire a gardner to do this stuff. I get so confused!

[only1alphafemale]

Now now.... ----> using my bestest diplomatic voice here <----- lets not forget why your doing this...... 1- to grow your own veggies, 2- save bunches of money at the grocerie store!! and 3- the satisfaction of actually doing it.... :yes: those are just for starters :)

You will do fine and even if you do loose a few plants?? chalk it up to experience ~ and there are plenty other plants around....:D If your going to keep you jalapeno and your cuke together? You will (IMO) definately need something as large as half barrel to grow them in. I am NOT sure if your cuke is an upright ( via staking) or low and crawly ....If its the low and crawly kind, it would be a good mix with your pepper in a barrel as your pepper is of an upright growth pattern so they wont grow into each other (much) and tangle and one wont or shouldnt choke the other one out .....

Now, dont make me get my Pom Poms out :cheer: and do a cheer here to keep you going...but I WILL if I have too!!!! so be warned !!!! .....lol...:rofl:

Its easy once you get know the basics hon....its just a bit more difficult right now because our weather is sooooo fickle... :eek:

If it does feel like its *getting better* of you? Then I suggest that you put it off for a couple of more weeks. I would rather see you wait than get discouraged ! Our weather will be more stable then....( no guarantees however as I have seen is snow many times over the years in June here !)

[only1alphafemale]

Here is a link to a site that gives all kinds of gardening tips and advice. I *haunt* it quite frequently....:)and Myst it has a section on container gardening too ! ;)

http://www.gardeningclub.com/Projects/ProjectHome.aspx?id=18

[Kahlua Kid]

Mystee, you raised 3 girls, you can raise a tomato plant!!!

[Mysteefied]

Here is a link to a site that gives all kinds of gardening tips and advice. I *haunt* it quite frequently....:)and Myst it has a section on container gardening too ! ;)

http://www.gardeningclub.com/Projects/ProjectHome.aspx?id=18

Thank you, I'm going to look it over, and thank you for all of your advice. When I got home today, i went out to water them, I took the bucket off and the one with all the tomato plants inside had water on the leave like actual drips. lol, have no clue how that happens.

The planter that has the jalepeno plant also has the other tomato plant, The cucumber plant is by itself.
I'm going to go and check out that website.
THANKS!!!

[Mysteefied]

Mystee, you raised 3 girls, you can raise a tomato plant!!!

LOL ...You're funny! Raising the girls was easy compared to this!

[only1alphafemale]

Thank you, I'm going to look it over, and thank you for all of your advice. When I got home today, i went out to water them, I took the bucket off and the one with all the tomato plants inside had water on the leave like actual drips. lol, have no clue how that happens.
<SNIP>
THANKS!!!

Its condensation forming under the bucket ..;)

[only1alphafemale]

OK, like I needed another project around here that would take more of my time....lol...
Here is what I decided to do this year. I borrowed some space, and used some of the railroad ties I had lying around~

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm302/Shesalonewolf/Borrowedspace-squarefootgarden.jpg

I am going to try to have a small veggy garden above ground this year. I have lined the bottom with chicken wire, and got two garbage cans of the really rich potting mix from the rock place in Oakhurst to put mix in the nutrients in the dirt I am using to fill it with. Now I just hope I can keep the gophers and deer out...:D

I want to plant some crook neck and zuccini squash, crowder peas/beans, okra and some herbs, and some green onions and garlic and sweet peppers~ what else does anyone suggest or think I should try to plant???? :) I have my tomato plants in containers near my door, as they are *snack* food around this place....lol like apples are for other folks.. ;)

[Mysteefied]

oooh, that's a great idea! Is there enough dirt there to keep the plants happy?

[only1alphafemale]

Yes there is plenty of dirt to keep them happy~ remember its also sitting on dirt~ that roots can also enter and grow in to :) its just a chicken wire barracade to help keep gophers out and not roots in... We sat the ties up so we got the maximum depth out of them which is about 9" of the newest soil.

[monkey]

I have earmaked today to start getting my garden in order. Last year was the first year since I've been at the NGI that I had time to garden and I loved it! Can't wait to get my hands in the earth again.

[Kahlua Kid]

I pulled some weeds yesterday, does that count? I have 1 Iris opened and 1 Rockrose bloom right now... (The Daffodils and Lilacs have been going crazy for the last 2 weeks!)


Alpha - we also have lots of Gaura springing back up where I don't want them anymore -so if you are serious, PM me and bring a shovel! We'll be here next weekend.

[CatdaBrat]

I miss having a garden but I gave up, mostly due to deer and gophers (ESPECIALLY the gophers!) The chicken wire will need to be a finer mesh than the "regular" type or they will wiggle right through. I have often seen the little pests enter retaining-wall gardens and raised beds from the top, rather than the bottom. One time, when I lived in Ahwahnee, I planted strawberries in the retaining wall areas along the edges of my concrete patio. The planting beds had concrete on the bottoms so the gophers couldn't get in. But they DID get in. I used to see them skittering across the patio and burrowing into the soil from the top! Who would've guessed they were that resourceful!

I tried planting marigolds to no avail, tried the broken glass, flooding burrows, hungry cats, traps and even a plant called "gopher purge" that the nurseries sold to repel gophers. I stood there and watched the gophers pull them down, plant by plant, into their holes! Guess I am going to have to resort to container gardening in pots and barrels.

[only1alphafemale]

The chicken wire will need to be a finer mesh than the "regular" type or they will wiggle right through. I have often seen the little pests enter retaining-wall gardens and raised beds from the top, rather than the bottom.

Guess I am going to have to resort to container gardening in pots and barrels.

My cat managed to bring in two yesterday ( gophers ) which I was happy about, except he didnt catch them in his OWN yard!! lol~ he poached them out of the neighbors.... or I would have been Thrilled !!! :grin:

The chicken wire I used is the small heavier guaged stuff...the holes in it are only like 1/2 in. or smaller~ and I know about the varmits going above ground to attack......lol....so I am trying hard not to plant anything really sweet or watery....( watermelons or cukes etc ) to attract them~ but when they get hungry! I have watched them topple my iris flowers and yank them down into their dens!!!

Anything of "real" value to me? Goes in to the barrels or the large pots...I havent had a gopher wind up in one of those yet....*knock on wood* :yes:

[MtnEagle]

Darn White Tail deer wiped out my Sweet Corn last year and took out a young Peach Tree too.

I have a new plan this year... :D

Also we aren't suffering the Drought we had last year. Have to mow the acreage here pretty soon too!

Having our own Honey Bee Hive in our Box Eve outside the House is a plus for polination. :) (We're scrooood if they ever become Africanized though... :eek: )

One thing I'll say about gophers. Nature's balance had them boring all kinds of drainage holes and tunnels in our cut clay portion of the yard back in Oakhurst. It was the only way our pines and cedars made it without waterlogged roots.

They were pretty rough on the bulbs though! :D

[only1alphafemale]

Hmmmmm........the deer dont usually come near enough in my yard to be much of a problem until very late in the fall...then I dont really care if they do, they can nibble the rose bushes back and enjoy a bit of the hibiscus that I replant ever year :)

I was told, (but I can NOT back this up,) by a friend who was more like family to me, swore by the use of urine. Now you men can distribute this boundary of urine, much easier than a woman can... ;) lol , but she told me that if you take human urine and spread it around your garden /yard, that it acts like a deer repellant. This needs to refreshed quite regularly to main tain its proposed effectivness also~ I havent tried this or cant validate its ability to do so, as I have so far...( once again knocking on wood here! ) havent had a real problem with deer, or rabbits. Just those blasted and very destructive monsters ~ the gopher..:mad: and I do admit to the natural aeration that thier tunnels did provide in the heavy clay soils around the old house I had.....but they no longer have that type of purpose in my life... so I wish them gone from planet earth now...:rofl:

[CatdaBrat]

A elderly neighbor of mine, who was born here, swears by a deer repellent that consists of putting Dial soap into nylon hosiery nets. She said that Fish and Game told her to try it. She had terrible probs with deer attacking her fruit trees and roses, but now she says the Dial soap works! I never tried it...the deer lunch up here and they are welcome to everything at this point.....but they almost killed my lilac shrub last year.

[only1alphafemale]

Hi Cat~
can you ask your neighbor if the soap is shaved? This prompted a distant memory regarding using shaved ivory soap ( from the bar soap) as a deer repellant too~ Just curious! :)