any gardeners?

“Our problem was every time we did use it it went flat. Even new tires and wheels wouldn't hold air, even if the load was relatively light. Cheap Chinese crap. :P

That price sounds pretty reasonable for the rock and slag. I didn't have to use a substrate in Florida. I sure as heck do here, or I'd be mud-surfing on top of flat rocks sliding around in our yard.

I found out why my hariwake fish died. Koi spawning is very violent. This poor little fella literally got caught in the middle of the action and was bludgeoned to death.”

“Thanks for the feedback on the veggies; I was afraid of that. I could use the tractor and swap the good soil for the less nutrient rich, but that would be a lot of work and gas.”

“I have deer problems, too. They ate ALL my tomatoes last year but didn't touch the cucumbers or any of my herbs which were interspersed with cayenne pepper plants, marigolds and garlic.

So, not going to have tomatoes this year--but I'll try zucchini with my cayenne/ marigold/ garlic "border".”

“I'm installing a 6 ft fence around the larger veggie garden. That should do the trick.

TB & Sass, no probs with my wheelbarrow, but my lawn tractor greets me with 2 flats every morning that must be inflated before mowing. Additionally, the alternator/regulator may be bad, so I have to jump it with my truck before mowing as well. Before I disconnected the safety shut off under the seat, I had to leave the truck running until I finished mowing. These pieces of equipment came free with the place, but they are costing me some money to get them operable.”

“I've never had my deer eat my tomatoes, but tulips on the other hand.... GRRRR!!!!

I went outside to admire them and they are all snipped off at the top of the stem!!! The daffodils were fine, but every tulip was munched!!! Those stupid deer!!!!


On the other hand, I have planted Lettuce and had every one eaten down to the nub. However, Chinese "Bok Choy" never seems to be touched. I think I'll grow that and marigolds around my next garden and see what happens.”

“Daffodils are poisonous. They are a good way of eliminating the stupider squirrels too.”

“Our grass is really coming on strong now! We're watering 1-2 times a day, and its probaly time to fill in a few bare spots. Its so fun to see the baby grass poking up.


I got two peony plants this weekend - one from my mom for a "housewarming" gift, and one from G for Mother's Day. I haven't planted them yet, looks like I'll have to move some hostas around. My mom's going to split some of her perineals and give them to me, too.

Need to get planting, but will probably wait until later in the week.

I'm still fighting a bunny who's eating my tulips and crocuses. I'll have to get a small fence to keep it/them away from the veggies I plant.

Anyone grow roma tomatoes? G loves 'em, so I might get one. Will get another tomato plant too, any recommendations?”

“Ivory soap is supposed to keep deer away. It works for apple trees - I wonder if you hung it off something around the garden.

The kids and their dad built a treehouse ths weekend, they love it! Last night we laid black plastic down and covered it in mulch. The start of our rock garden. We also started more veggies.

Planting with kids is fun, regardless of what comes up. We labelled most of the containers, but there will be some surprises I'm sure! :)”

“I've got all the rocks you want.

This morning there was a long-legged crane fishing in my stream and two geese circled me as I stood outside with my coffe, landing in the lower part of my yard. Makes the morning sort of special.”

“I bet that was a heron or an egret. You get sandhill cranes? Hey, I saw an interesting idea for deer proofing...the guy arched fencing over his crops and apparently the deer couldn't figure out how to get under the arcs. I'll see if I can find the picture again....
I tried....and could not.
last edited: 5/08/07 8:34:39 AM”

“I'm so excited...I went to the herb festival this weekend and purchased a pineapple sage. I had one previously but was told by someone that it wasn't an edible sage...NOT..it smells so good...I'm anxious to try it in cooking.

Tucked in next to Mexican sage is one of my favorites: pineapple page (Salvia elegans). More delicate than its showy cousin, the blossoms on this variety are tiny, ruby slippers on slender, green stalks. These do not have the longevity that would make them a candidate for arrangements, but they make up for this by being edible. They have a tangy, citrus-mint flavor, a welcome contrast to creamy leek and potato soup, for example. Sprinkle them on salads and in tea for a flavorful and eye-catching garnish. The fresh leaves have a distinctly pineapple taste. Try using them with chicken and pork dishes, with cheeses or fruit salad

I also bought Annis Hysop and I heard that was AWESOME in tea!
last edited: 5/08/07 12:15:24 PM”

“I think I took her to the Jr. Prom.”

“Did she taste good?”

“crazygurl, you'll love the pineapple sage. It is one of my favorite herbs. I have used it in cooking, but in my experience the leaves blacken, so it doesn't really make a pretty presentation. I have added it to tea also. Up here in PA, it blooms a beautiful bright red just before the frost. Enjoy!”

“Thanks Wildflowers..(like that name btw) I am trying to get a butterfly garden going and that was recommended. I'm anxious to try it in the tea..(just pick it off the plant like mint?)”

“Well, she didn't taste like her first name.”

“crazygurl--yes. I like to make sun tea using mostly mint, but I go through the garden picking other leaves to brew along with it. Pineapple sage is nice, as is anise hyssop and others. I don't think I ever get the same tea twice. :)”

“wildflowers, you have got to try lemon balm and lavender tea....

OMG it will make you fall asleep you get so relaxed! the first time I made it fresh right out of my garden I couldnt do anything but sit there drooling for the next hour LOL (kidding about the drooling part) but you will feel VERY relaxed.

I spent the WHOLE freakin day outside working in the garden. Not puttering around, really working. I made four new garden beds, freecycled some things out of the shed when I cleaned it out, weeded the entire garden, edged the beds, planted stuff, transplanted stuff, watered stuff (this year is much more dry then it was last year...my plants have a fighting chance!), composted stuff, and harvested collards.






”

“That sounds like a pretty good day to me. I will definately make the lemon balm & lavender tea. On June 13-after finals--Yea! Today I'm off to the herb & garden fair in Lancaster County. My son is going along. He can help me cary plants. :) I'll let you know the damages when I get back.”

“



”

“I found my mecca this weekend! I FINALLY found a nursery worthy of my time! I wanted to spend HOURS there, but since I had G with me, I spared him. I am SO getting a job there next year!

Yesterday I planted my two new peony plants, and the veggies. I planted some beans, roma and early girl tomato seedlings, cilantro, spinach, and catnip.

Then, we had frost last night. We got home from the Prom at 1AM and quickly put the tarp over the plants. I figured I was safe being so close to Mother's day, but luckily it wasn't a hard frost.



My liatris still haven't sprouted - think I'm SOL on them?”

“

The columbine started blooming today for Mother's Day.

”

“SG, I do believe those liatris will never sprout.

I think my cherry tree may be drowning. All the leaves are hanging limp and yellowish. I'm so sad, last year we actually got a good amount of cherries. I was thinking this year we'd net it and actually get some for us, now just the birds.


On a brighter note, I have a mountain of slag sand and stone in my driveway. =D
Canadian buff flagstone. It's pretty. Total cost $748. Not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Anyone want to help piece together a patio Memorial Day weekend? All the beer you can drink.....”

“the bunnies at our cilantro. bummer.”

“Ive been fighting a severe cough all day so I am going to be making some fresh thyme tea from the garden when I get home, maybe with some ginger mint or candy mint for flavoring...

just aweful whatever this is. Mike has has if for a week now, finially went to the dr to get something for it and he said it was a virus but gave him some amoxacillian anyway just in case. He seemed to be feeling a little better today after a day of taking the antibiotic.

Still, I managed to do a little work in the garden. I finished my blueberry bed,,, I need to get more dirt tomorrow and finish the lilac bed so hopefully I wont feel too bad tomorrow to do it. seems like i've cought every damn cold and flu going around this year.
last edited: 5/14/07 10:43:42 PM”

“My dad is giving me a division of his lemonbalm plant... I'll have to try the tea. YUM!! :)”

“question. we have a 3 ft tall liquid amber and i'm sure it's too big for it's pot, but i am afraid of killing it when i plant it. how hearty are these trees?”

“di...lemon balm rocks! the tea will make you so relaxed....

you'll do nothing but stare at a wall drooling.”

“Yipee!

Got my tomatoes and peppers in tonight.

The soil looks good enough to eat.”

“Things have been great around here. Even with the little amount of rain we have gotten, I haven't lost a thing; accept time, that is.

Today, we work on the front beds. Hopefully, they will be done by dinner.”

“Im afraid to look out in my garden....I'm betting there is damage...ugh.”

“well.....how's the garden, spirit?”

“One tomato plant is covered in blossoms right now. Coolness. I need to get outside and trim some grass around some lower plantings today. I'm not looking forward to it too much, thanks to allergy congestion.”

“we had a cool snap yesterday (see tornado thread) and in years past I would lose my 'mato blooms and have to apply some bloom fast or other stuff to keep the blooms on thru the colder weather....”

“well I have about 80% done..i still have a lot of work to do. It is small but it looks good this year.
corn
yellow onions
red onions
grape tomato
plum tomato
some herbs











yet to do....

”

“mapes, love that tidy little garden you got there. That little decoration of the southside of the woman was what I put in our garden one year but for some reason my wife didn't find the humor in it...lol.”

“Good job, mapes.”

“Howdy ol' pals. Good to see all the gardening activity across TT Nation. Things are finally really coming on strong here in the Wisconsin North Woods after the heat on Monday, along with a couple bouts of rain. But it has been fits and starts because of either drought or cold temps -- another night in the 30s predicted for tonight, but only the public radio station is forecasting frost so far. No vegetables this year, just flowers, and I think they can handle it.

The late snow cover and then the early thaw followed by a hard freeze did some damage to several of my perennials -- real winter burn on the dianthis, most of the sea pinks, and all but one of the shasta daisies.

The iris, however, have come up stronger than ever. The yellow-brown iris that Sirpete sent me (see page 2 of this thread, I believe) continue to expand, so we should have a tremendous show when the flower spikes peak.

We moved the hostas on the south side of the house to the backyard, where they now ring our big old maple (and get trampled a bit when our sheltie chases the resident squirrels back to their hole in the trunk). In their place we put in six new peonies of various shades of pink and red to go with the veteran pink peony that is already there.

The prairie garden in the backyard has finally taken hold with self-seeding. Lots of purple coneflower, black-eyed susan and astor sprouts filling in around the parent plants. Still trying to get butterflyweed to survive the bunnies. The poppies are stalwart, but the hollyhocks may be having an off year. They have been so vigorous and invasive in the past that we have taken them for granted.

The woodland nook under the big pine in the back corner is off to a good start. The lilies-of-the-valley are finally producing flowers, and have spread in all directions from the initial planting of a few specimens. The yellow trillium are about to bloom, too. The tiny ferns are speading, and the lungwort has already bloomed. All the Jacobs Ladder are up nearly a foot, so blossoms should start forming soon.

In the little rock garden, the columbine were in full flower this morning -- a glorious blue. The balloon flowers (if I recall correctly) that share the spot have just pushed sprouts above the soil.

We, too, lost our crocus to rabbits, but at least we enjoyed their blooms for a day and a half. The daffodils are progressing with the sun -- we still have some that are just a few inches above the ground, but as the days lengthen and warm, those slightly more shaded spots (at present) will give us some late blooms. The bleeding hearts have thrown up a few flower stalks, but are pretty rag-tag until the foliage fills in more.

Each day is a joy (even with squirrels and bunnies) when I step outside. All the work in the garden has been well worth it. Again, glad to see all the gardening efforts among the TTers. I certainly like to look at your pictures from different locations.

Well, back to work. Last week of school. Starting next week, I'll be able to split my time between the garden and the marina. What a horrible dilemma, lol.”

“Long time no see, Pekka. Your garden sounds great.”

“Well, the aching joints may keep me off the trails anymore, but they can put up with limited forays into the yard. So I may not have much to contribute to other elements of TT anymore, but the garden thread has always been something I've checked in on during my long absences in recent times.

Nice to see lots of familiar names still posting.”

“Hey pekka! Good to see you around.”

“Going to have some fun today. I have a whole bunch of new plants to put into the ground.
For the herb garden there is pineapple sage, bog sage and tri-color sage, also a bay laurel tree, Archer's gold & spicy orange thyme, three varieties of basil and rosemary.
I am also trying some new perennials such as white nugget ice plant, golden queen globeflower, bearsfoot hellebore, purple love grass, New England astor, and wild pink.
Gonna have to steal some room for New York ironweed and Japanese flowering quince. I've done some reasearch, but if anyone wants to share their personnal experience with these, I'd love to hear what you have to say.
It is overcast today, so if I get them out early I might not have to water. :)
Otherwise, I have black eyes susan coming up in profusion, so if amyone wants any, I'm willing to share.
The annual native plant sale is going on this weekend at Hawk Mountain sanctuary, where I picked some of these plants up yesterday. They still had a good selection as of yesterday afternoon, so if anyone is within driving distance and wants to check it out, here ya go. www.hawkmountain.org Happy gardening everyone!
last edited: 5/20/07 7:24:24 AM”

“I picked up some basil and a Butterfly Weed yesterday at our local herb/plant exchange.

Next week I'm going to my mom's house to take some of her perenials. The only things in my yard from the previous owner are a few hostas and a couple herbs. There is a TON of planting space, and all that was in it was weeds. Slowly over the next few years I'll get it filled in. :)”

“I think we finally getting all of our plants in today. The deadline in this neck of the woods is the first of June, cause it starts getting hot after that. We have our tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and basil in a new garden bed this year. Since moving back to town five years ago, we have been experimenting with different garden beds and different plants. I think in about five years or so, we will have figured this place out. It is great to be working in the garden!”

“My wife has finally been bitten by the gardening bug and has been working hard the past few weeks. She has more time for it than I do. The place has never looked better.”

“Yesterday we spent the day tramping through a friend's woods looking for morels (found about 1 pound), and he let me dig up mayapples and cranesbill and a trillium or two and now they are all safely planted in my yard. I only took just a plant of each type. His woods are chock full but I want to see if these will survive before I dig up more.
Also got two sweet rocks.

The squirrels ate our jack-o-lantern baby pumpkins. Both of them gone in the night. Bassturds.”

“we're supposed to have frost tonight...”

“It wasn't squirrels if they disappeared in the night. Squirrels are diurnal. Rabbits on the other hand....”

“I'm so mad at the squirrels...I planted zinnia and english daisy seeds in an old wheelbarrow...I looked up there yesterday and one of those stinking critters were sitting in the middle of it DIGGING UP THE SEEDS!!!!”

“yeah, squirrels dug up the sunflower seeds we planted”