Garden Chatroom Board

Good morning all. Winters finally over. Our spring was slow to warm up but things are better everyday. My big battle right now is squirrels and rabbits. I'm afraid they find my garden a really nice neighborhood restaurant. Any suggestions?

Nancyjean

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes. My wish is for an early spring. Seedlings in the window are growing nicely and will go out in about 5 or 6 weeks. I use a lot of caladiums because most of the front of the property is shaded. I have found that bulbs are by far the best deal. They will go into planters and start frowing very quickly once they sprout at a fraction of the cost. In the north that's really the best way to grow them. It's fun to be planning for spring gardening. What are others planning? Nancyjean

5 weeks from today- 1st day of spring.

Hi Amber- glad you are healing. Have had no luck with indoor gardenia. It's a lovely flower and frangrance though. I think they need it warm and humid. Nancyjean

Hi BJ- It's spurge that drives me crazy- That stuff will grow anywhere any is flat on the ground. Even with weeds, I'll still take spring over winter. Hope everybody is staying warm and well.
Nancyjean

Yea!- seeds are germinating in the window sil.

Good morning- we are having a false spring with mild temperatures and blue skies. It's lovely but will be a problem if it lasts too long. I don't want to lose some of the spring bloom if there is too early budding.

Burpees has a really great new kit for starting seeds indoors. The seed tray sits on a base which holds water. There is a kind of pad between the base and the seed tray which absorbs water from the base and keeps the seed tray evenly moist. They come in different sizes. I 'm using one that is ten by ten and has 16 compartments.
I have coeleus in that and a smaller tray with basil and thyme.

Spring is coming..

Nancyjean

@10bbg10 - Just stopping in to say Hi to all. Think spring, think spring , think spring.
We have bulb shoots popping up all over the place so I know I didn't just imagine a greener, better world. I planted some basil and thyme seeds in jiffy pots and had amazing results. Its great how seedlings lift the spirits a little. I guess that sounds loony to a non gardening person. Have a good one all. Nancyjean

Hello all. Hate to look outside and see everything dry and brown. It's good to talk about how beautiful the green and growing things will look.

If you don't like asparagus or most any other solid veggie, try quickly browning in olive oil and the herb of your choice. I like to use a little thyme and a half shake of salt. All you need is a frying pan and a couple of minutes. You can also roast veggies in the oven using the same ingredients. Yum
Nancyjean

Good morning Chris. I also miss my garden in winter. I will comfort myself with seed catalogues until I can get out there again. Of course I have never seen a plant as perfect as the photos in seed catalogues lol. Oh well it's not too long before the first crocus. Nancyjean

BJ- When it comes to zuchinni , watch out. One plant can produce like crazy! a row can feed a neighborhood.

Hi IRENE- yes, eastern PA. Where did you live?

JO, I don't know about possums but the darn squirrels dig up everything. I've also seen mourning doves digging things up. I really like your T shirt idea. lol

Hi all- hope it was a great Thanksgiving day for all. Today, the last of about a million leaves finally got cleaned up. We have a huge Sweet Gum that is the last in the neighborhood to let go. It's a little sad to see everything going dormant. I'm already thinking about spring.

Somebody asked about new beds. The first thing I do is add some kind of border to raise the planting level. I have used bricks and rocks mostly as they are permanent and don't wash out in heavy rain. Next I cover the area with a 10 sheet deep layer of newspaper and keep it watered so that it conforms to the ground. After about a month the grass is dead and I remove the newspaper and break up the turf, removing as much as possible( less and less as I get older). Compost and composted manure goes on top of that and I dig deep planting holes filling the bottom with good soil. I try to use a mulch that is fine enough to break down and further improve things. It gradually gets better every year. It takes 3-5 years to be where I want it to be. It's too back breaking and too expensive to get a great new bed all at once. The first year you can also add annuals in wide pots right on top of the ground to fill in empty spots. Nancyjean

Glitz/jo sorry to hear of your computer crash. that is very upsetting and slow computing is nerve racking. Hang in.
I would be interested in knowing about your favorite plants or shrubs and about any special problems or tricks in your experience. As an example- why can't I get an Ostrich fern to grow in my yard? Is there some special trick? Maybe they just hate me?

Good morning, I am so happy to see a garden chat. Thanks again CURT! You have been such a good guy to do all of this .

I am in Pennsylvania where the weather is changing all the time. We have a bit of everything which makes gardening a challenge. As my family has grown up and out,I have been doing mostly shrubs, flowers and herbs. We are also fortunate to have really good fresh produce available right in the area.

I love to get outside and work in my backyard. It has been a source of great pleasure over the years.

I am looking forward to comparing notes and getting advice from others with "dirty knees syndrome" Nancyjean