Where in the Yard to Plant?

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Karen

Today was an absolutely perfect day to be out in the yard, 62* and sunny. Boy, does that bring on spring fever!

So, I went walking around looking for the perfect spot for my garden.

Where I want to plant the Hostas is easy.
Side area for Hostas

It is a wooded side area in the back that does not get sun.

Hope they like the slope.

But, where to plant the vegetable garden is not so obvious.  However, not much of the yard gets any sun so I am limited.  And, there is no place in the yard that is level so I’ll have to bring in mulch and soil to take care of that!

Garden SpotI decided on this nice little spot in the front side yard near the creek.  We  staked it out so, weather permitting, we can have it tilled this week and get it ready for mulch and good soil. Here we go!Garden Area

Posted in Getting Started, Hostas | 6 Comments

So much to order, so little time!

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Karen

Oh, my gosh. Jay Pridgen sent me this great site, Direct Gardening, as a source for reading and learning about lighting conditions for plants:

“It’s a great resource for getting ideas.. I’ve ordered some plants but a few died &  it’s a huge hassle to try to return..so I’d rather buy an established plant @ Lowes or Home Depot..

There is a guy @ the Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge that has great deals on shrubs & plants..dunno when he starts the season as I haven’t been out there this year (yet)..but I think his 1 gallon Hostas were $5 last year..bought a Butterfly Bush from him 2 yrs ago & it’s HUGE… I keep it cut back because it blocks view of the koi pond & will stick out into the walkway path in the back.

I built an Arbor in the backyard a few months ago & planted a Jasmine on one side. opposite of the koi pond..I’m digging about 12-16″ of the dirt under it & want a little step down with slate or rock..not sure yet..getting the labor work done & will decide..always doing something..keeps me outta trouble..ya know?”

Have a great day.. 62 degrees..OMG.. I love it !!! JaYbird”

Thanks, Jay, for this info. I’m loving shopping here from the winter warmth inside my home! Planting season is on its way and I’ll be ready!

So much to decide!Hostas

Can I grow Raspberries along the creek?

I love the June Berry for a big pot on the porch.


And is this  a good ordering source for my Hostas..?

Posted in Resources, Tips & Suggestions | Comments Off on So much to order, so little time!

Thanks for the Preplanned Vegetable Garden!

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Karen

Last frost date around here is April 15.  DO NOT plant anything except cool weather stuff ( peas, broccoli, spinach cauliflower to name a few) before then.

High Yield Garden

Seriously? 50 lbs. in 18 sq.ft.?

And don’t plant those until the very last of Feb or the first couple of weeks in March.
The soil needs to be at least 60 degrees (night-time temp) for things like beans.
Eggplant squash tomatoes and corn all like the soil and the air temp much higher.
Google any vegetable you are going to plant and find out the pertinent info.
Plant it and Forget it

This sounds like my style of gardening..

Thanks to Karen Small for all this info and for the site with the Preplanned Vegetable Garden!
Posted in Resources, Tips & Suggestions | Comments Off on Thanks for the Preplanned Vegetable Garden!

Blum's Farmer's & Planter's Almanac

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Karen

Gardening – February 2010

Best Days To:

Plant above ground crops: 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25
Plant root crops: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12
Plant flowers: 3, 4, 5, 24, 25
Transplant: 16, 17, 20
Seed beds: 6, 7, 24, 25
Prune: To encourage growth: 6, 7
To discourage growth: 13, 14, 15, 18, 19
Apply chemical fertilizer: 16, 17, 24, 25
Apply organic fertilizer: 6, 7
Destroy weeds: 1, 2, 28
Harvest Crops: 8, 9, 10

Wow, seriously?  This is some very exact date information!  How cool?

Thank you, Laura King, for the suggestion that I watch the Blum’s Almanac.

Who else out there uses it and what should I use it for?

Posted in Resources | 3 Comments

Thanks so much for all the information!

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Karen

I’ve gotten so much feedback on Facebook in response to my cry for gardening help. My dear friend Mimi Pate absolutely jumped in with both feet and I’m going to post her suggestions and help here so I don’t forget any of it.

Remember, people, this is gardening for dummies – I know NOTHING!  So, thank you so much, Mimi, for all of this:

“This is what I have learned from 2 years of an organic vegetable garden (not much, I admit!):  Chard is my very favorite. You can plant it almost as early as spinach, and it keeps coming all summer long and on into fall. As long as you keep cutting it. I cut the leaves with a scissors. (You can also continue to seed all summer long if you prefer to pull out the chard by its roots when it’s mature.)

Rabbits ate every one of my pea plants to the ground last spring when they got to be about 3 inches tall. Now is the time to plant peas in N Carolina I think. Carrots are super easy, nothing eats them. But I have a hard time thinning them out. I hate to rip out any plants, but you have to give them room. I hate to thin my zinnias too. Oh, your grandmother loved them!

Continue reading →

Posted in Tips & Suggestions | 4 Comments

To Hosta or not to Hosta..

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Karen

Hi Guys:

I have one side of the yard that is sloped and very shady.  I want to know what to put there and I asked about Hostas.  I would love to have about 45 varieties there!

side area for Hostas

One suggestion was to get them from Lowe’s or Home Depot as the pricing is good and they will let you return them for up to a year if they die.

Another person suggested the Farmer’s Market which I absolutely love!  That’s where I found so many of my yard plants as well as the company that put the water feature and plants in our front yard.

Can’t wait to shop!

Hosta Sites:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1239.html

http://www.hostahosta.com/tips.html

Posted in Getting Started, Hostas | 2 Comments

Welcome to My Garden

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Karen

Or.. what will, hopefully, soon be one!

It’s that time of year.  Time to get the garden ready to be planted.

I’m in a new house this year with a yard that has never had a garden.  My first job is to pick the perfect spot for a vegetable garden!  Next, till the soil and add the mulch, nutrients, etc. that will help to make things grow.

This will be my first experience with gardening and I’m excited, but a bit overwhelmed.  The amount I don’t know about gardening is embarrassing..

So, I’m asking for help.  As I post my efforts and my questions here, I hope you’ll be quick to jump in with advice.

Thanking you in advance!

Posted in Getting Started | 9 Comments