What are you going to plant in your garden this year?

Let's talk about tomatoes, lol. I want some cucumbers this year, and some peppers. I know my passionflowers will come back like gangbusters so I don't have to worry about that. I also want to plant a lot of echinacea. What is everyone going to grow this year? Post pictures of last year's crop if you want, I'd love to see what people have grown.

:D

Fennel, Thyme, Basil, Dill, Spearmint, Rosemary, and Chives.

People go nuts over fresh basil but I'm not into it. Dill is my favorite herb, it's what is in havarti cheese (i think?) and when I was a baker we used to make the most heavenly dill bread, it was out of this world. There is an animal sanctuary that supports itself by growing and selling organic herbs. :hi:

And since I am the one putting in the work, no cilantro for him!

:o

I love cilantro. Poor hubby. :rofl:

:rofl:

:)

Fennel, I can do without.

The rosemary, thyme, mint, and chives will survive that frigid OC winter, you know. Plant once harvest, for years.

Just don't.

It's an invasive exotic, and grows wild in every dirt lot in California.

:banghead:

Rosemary, on the other hand, is a very happy landscaping plant that doesn't escape into the wild. It's a perennial, so plant it somewhere you'll want it for YEARS to come. :D

Mint is a maniacal invasive; it'll completely take over any area. Plus once in place, it's almost impossible to remove. It propagates by running roots and even a fragment of root will start new growth. Put it in a contained spot. Mine's in a strip between the house and driveway.

Also don't plant fennel and dill near one another. They cross pollinate and you'll have two tasteless mules.

(Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the bucket for drainage). The depth of the bucket is deep enough so the runners can't start.

My kids ate all my mint and now it's gone! I thought we'd have it forever...

:D

;)

I usually do mums, impatiens, daisies - stuff like that. I'm considering planting pumpkins this year, too.

I'd love to hear which ones you are going to plant.

I have some existing mum bushes and lilacs, but I'm not sure what annuals I'll go with this year. I have two pretty good-sized flower beds to fill, plus the areas surrounding a couple of our trees.

If you have any rose bushes, plant chives near them. The onion scent discourages pests.

I have strawberries sprouting...

Coleus and Alysssum are doing well...

Marigold and Gazania for more color...


I want tomatoes too... working on that. I may have to buy sprouts, it's too late for seeds...

oh yea, I'm planting Grand Cru Lilies tomorrow. :)

strawberries sound yummy. :hi:

I was working on the indoor plants...

this year, I'm expanding. :)

I think there are flowers everywhere and I'm dying to see what comes up. I guess I'll have to do tomatoes in a pot this year and then see what spots need filling for next year.

place and see what comes up. I once planted some snowdrops and bluebird crocuses and lily of the valley at one place I lived and I wonder if they still come up.

it's very nice to leave people flowers.

with the nice weather we've had in the last couple of weeks, crocuses are popping up all over. the fun has begun!

I usually plant tomatoes, and they grow here like crazy!

The first year I had them, I didn't stake them properly,and they sprawled all over heck!

But they were so damn good! I was giving them away, I had so many!

I don't have much space in the sun, so I'm not sure what else I'll do...

Maybe bell peppers too.......

:hi:

because the green ones are now as expensive as the red and yellow; it's ridiculous, so it's cheaper to grow them. We grow tons of tomatoes of every kind too. :hi:

I have the blackest of thumbs. All that is required for a healthy plant to wither and die is for me to approach it with even the slightest hint that I might be attempting to care for it. If I ignore plants, they might thrive.

It sucks to be me some times. :-(

On the other hand if your engine blows up, I can probably fix that. Engines like me. Plants hate me. There must be some sort of spiritual message there. :shrug:

It seems like it's been ages since I've seen you. How are you? :hi:

Good to "see" you, babe. :hug:

Well, I took the Camaro on the road for a trip and saw quite a bit of rural southeast America. It was, well, sobering. Things are tough out there for people, but they're still alive and not to be counted out. Sometimes, I lose track of how lucky I am ...

On my return, a pile of work had landed on my desk. And then an accessory bracket fractured and the engine threw the serpentine belt. It overheated before I realized I had an issue ... now I am rebuilding part of the engine. Throwing it back into the car tomorrow. So I have been busy.

How 'bout you?

where all did you go down there? It sounds like you went through appalachia from what you are saying? Or did you go down to the gulf states?

I've been fine, just a little sick for a little over a week. I feel pretty normal today though, finally. :hi:

and up into Virginia and West Virginia. Flirted with a snow storm and was surprised at how well the Camaro handled on the snow. Had a blast with that, actually. I got a lot of time to think about things while I was on the road. Haven't reached any answers but at least I have better questions. B-)

Sorry you have been under the weather, babe. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Me, I still think we should head fer the beach and have one of those umbrella drinks ... fix ya right up ... :toast:

You like working on them in the dirt under a tree? Hell I'd pour a slab for running, maintained vehicles.:rofl:

I need a shade tree, a six pack, firm dirt (or concrete) and a good cigar.

Doc Trav's auto clinic is open fer yer convenience. So, what ails your ride?

what ails them is age, miles and bad roads...

just missed the chance to do a rear end in a dodge. Need some front end work on a big ford van, a rebuild on a little POS dodge/mitsubishi truck, electic on a ford pick-up, thrown rod in another, something else in yet another (don't ask how many broken fords we have) hmmm what else? Oh for fun getting the old 70 international PU running would be a kick, have a Corvair Lakewood wagon that needs starting and tranny work,....could switch out the works on an old chevy van...should I keep going? That's about half. God, I need to get rid of some of these things...Want to trade getting a few going for a few for yourself?

Tough motors but hard to bring back to life once they go south. Maybe I can help ya get one or two going. Yer in Arizona, a beautiful place ... haven't been there in an overlong time.

I'm in SW Ohio, and need to get tomatoes and peppers started in peat pots soon. Not planning on a big vegetable garden this year -- there are too many deer, groundhogs, squirrels, rabbits, etc. around here to make it worth my while. Except for last year, I've had pretty good luck with tomatoes and peppers. May try some onion, herbs, and garlic, too, but I'm not sure.

we buy tomato plants. Oh, I forgot about my lantana that is in the front yard and struggles to come back every year. Poor thing, I don't know why it has such a hard time, I usually have a pretty green thumb

I think I'll try some lettuce and spearmint.

:hi:

it will take over the neighborhood. :rofl:

I can't wait to see the pictures of your sunflowers. :)

Won't need a toaster for the bread!

:hi:

Welcome to the southern latitudes, USA. (32 N)

:hi:

A lot different than 45 N

I was born and raised on the Montana prairie.
I'm still not completely adjusted, but I do not miss the sub-zero temps.

I have some cousins in Southern Cal.

When I visit them, we go to Huntington Beach.

Is that close to where you are?

:hi:

I am about 12ish miles from the city limits of HB and about 16ish from the actual beach at HB.

I understand that deer don't like it -- garlic either. I'll plant some marigolds, too. I think some of the other critters aren't especially fond of that. That's the rub around here. I really don't mind the critters, but they make quick work of my gardens and my apple tree. Trying to find natural methods to ward them off so I can have my gardens. I don't mind sharing, but they haven't mastered the concept. LOL.

WTH? Only me:crazy:

there are pine trees shading everything. I'm going to grow boston lettuce, want to try lima beans too. Last year's chives will come back again. Still trying to think of some things that don't need too much light.

I know what you mean about pines, it was that way in South Carolina too. Good luck! :hi:

without anyone planting them one year. :hi:

Fillers and ground cover: Hosta, ferns, caladium, woodruff

Flowers: Jack-in-the-Pulpit, begonias, cyclamen, toad lily, foxglove, Virginia blue bells, astilbe

I'm mostly into growing edible stuff; maybe mint would do well?

As noted in another post, mint is extremely invasive. I've planted some along our tree line and the only reason it hasn't engulfed the house is it gets mowed down along with the grass.

And ferns have such an ethereal quality to them. Jack in the pulpit is a really handsome plant to have as well.

Thanks for posting those lists.

The flowers look like masses of feathers

The only thing I've ever used them in is "Mexican" cornbread and that was less than half a pepper per recipe.

Sweetie just loves them, so they get used a lot. And they really
thrive in our tiny little 8-foot garden. They grow smaller than
the commercial ones, but have a much better flavor, so they're
the one thing we grow every year. Storebought peppers just aren't
as good, and Sweetie deserves the best!

She has to have them when I make hash browns- house rule.

Anything "mexican" we buy from the store gets fresh jalapeños added.
And we eat a lot of mexican!

Sometimes I'll do Indian recipes and substitute them for the cayenne.
That's not always great, but it's fun to learn new things, IMHO.

I usually mix homemade salsas when the nice local tomatos are available,
and those are always in demand with friends and coworkers.
Since I've started canning, I may be doing a lot more of those now.

At least once a week, we have a favorite quick snack of nachos,
and that gets several peppers sliced onto it.

(And I might plant some jabañeros again this year, to make some more
of my spicy fruit compote ice cream topping. I used storebought
last year, and they had the same problem- they're only about half
as hot as our homegrown, so it just wasn't the same.)

Jalapenos are great in many things!

Tomatoes, cukes (lemon), zucchini, watermelon, onions, zinnias are on the list along with basil, sage, and a new rosemary (yes I killed a rosemary bush but at least the lavender made it). Apricot is just putting out some blooms. Today I moved my potted olive and lime tree (with 5 good sized limes) outdoors for the first time in over 2 months. Pansies by the front door are blooming and the dwarf daffodils are up as well. Lost my beautiful red geranium to a freeze. The mint seems to have made it. I have one concord grape in the ground (3 years) and just bought another and a second blueberry to go with the 3 year old in a pot (not really acidic enough in the west for these guys but the magic of chemistry can keep them alive)

I have an apple in a bucket too and it seems to still be alive, but it really should go in the ground - I have a problem with gophers though, and after they (it?) killed my 3 year old fig and a new peach last spring I'm nervous about putting anything in the ground.

Oh and I made a small batch of guacamole yesterday so have another avocado seed to start. (note to self: Plant the avocado seed.)

I will try and fail at various peppers again as well, I'm sure.

bloom. They never bloom when they are supposed to for me. I have an orchid cactus that all of a sudden sprouted new growths, about 5 or 6 just in the last couple of weeks from being in the sun. These last two cactuses belonged to my grandmother who passed in 2003 and I have been trying to keep them alive as they are the only plants of hers that we have left. Not garden stuff, but that just popped into my mind.

I'd give anything to be able to grow avocado here, I love them.

Is to throw them in a compost heap and forget about them for a few months.

After a while, go looking for them and select the ones with split seeds. :D

My Aunt and Uncle used to live in an old grove in El Cajon and it dawned on me that all the sprouts from the rotten ones on the ground had something going on, so one time I just threw a seed and the peel and other trimmings in a pot with some potting soil - ta dah! works much better. My problem is remembering to keep things watered and to bring them in in the winter.

Bell Peppers, cucumber, watermelon, onions, mustard.....and a few others, :D

wow. never tried to grow onions before...or carrots. I want to try sweet potatoes, my grandmother described the process to me once and it sounded interesting.

This is a stress question! Our niece is getting her B.S. and we've offered our yard for her graduation celebration. And it's on Cinco de Mayo! So, instead of plants, we'll be hanging lights this year! However, we have a wonderful, wild, backyard, and we figure we'll enjoy the lights hanging through our trees for several years to come. Just plug 'em in, and it's a party!

because I' moving from this house and it's too sad to think about the lovely garden I'm leaving. However my plans for a new garden include: roses, sweet peas, lavender etc: and tomatoes, basil, zuccini and hot peppers. I also always plant watermelon but only have success when the summer is warm. I can't WAIT!

Too much pollen loose. Don't believe me? Ask your local ag extension, or the agency that monitors air quality in your neck of the woods. Or any neck of the woods. :evilgrin:

Overgrow the planet Brother. :smoke:

There is a peace in planting and growing things that I've never been able to find anywhere else in life. It really is where the goodness is in life, and makes it clear what other kinds of things are not worth the effort they take and the trouble they cause. What I like best to do is find flowers or plants growing where they aren't supposed to be and dig them up and replant them...I've always had great luck with things like that. I love finding unexpected treasures and taking them home and making them mine.

I don't have a lot of space that is full sun. Plan to grow chillies (!!), tomatoes, tomatillos, zucchini and calabazas. And bok choy.

I've found some new flowers I want to plant in the old veggie bed. Beauty before food I always say. :rofl:

Here's some pics from last year.

Clematis


Canna Lily


Echinacea


Plumbago & Zinnias


Hollyhocks


Malva Zebrina


Daylily


Are you sorry you asked for pics yet? :P

Thanks for going to the trouble of posting those! :hug: I love clematis, i would love to have some. And that daylily is beautiful, I've never seen that variety before. Those pictures remind me of a quilt show I went to where a woman there had taken pictures of flowers from her garden, had them transferred somehow onto fabric and then made a quilt out of the resulting material. It was really amazing. :hi:

Flowers in the front, veggies and herbs in the back. Two years ago I bought a dehydrator so I could dry out my herbs.

Let's see now. We usually do lots of peppers, both the sweet and the hot varieties. Onions. Tomatoes. I'd like some cukes but I don't know if I can keep them safe from the critters lol I also do chives, sage, oregano, parsley...wow, I know I'm forgetting a ton but it's late and I'm too lazy to go search the cupboards to refresh my memory. Flowers are just for fun, whatever looks pretty when I'm in the market.

Echinacea. That's a good idea.

and about ready to plant. We have a greenhouse, so those have been going for a couple of months. Today I am going to plant my gourd seed, which I have planted the last couple of years, and loofah.

I did cantaloupe the last two years, but it got so hot here and dry, they didnt do as well last year, but I will probably try again one more time.

Squash and peppers are the other two crops I usually plant.

I live on a farm,though, which has a couple hundred fruit trees, and usually the bigger crops are blackeyed peas, pumpkins and watermelon.

we have been learning organic vegetable growing the past couple of years and this year will try the biointensive method of growing numerous items in each bed and using companion planting for natural pest control. Going to plant tomatoes, cukes, yellow squash, pumpkins, watermelon, leaf lettuce, mesclun salad greens mix, carrots, onions, eggplant, Italian green beans, canteloupe, orange bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, dill, chives, cilantro, basil, and borage.

www.seedsofchange.com

Lettuce, kale, radishes, beans and peas. I have awful luck in the garden but I keep trying! :bounce:

I buy new herbs every year and keep them in pots on the patio. And I'll put in a lot of annuals such as ageratum, salvia, impatiens, etc. Just depends on what catches my eye at the greenhouse this year.

Every year I say I'm not going to "overdo" it, but I'm such a sucker for plants. Can't resist!

I'm going to make my own line of hemp clothing...

:shrug:

:rofl:

soon as you PM me that pic I'll send ya a catalogue

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:

yer PM ain't broke!

We're going to do tomatoes again, and some strawberries. On edit: I forgot to mention sunflowers.

I'd really like to grow some medicinal ones. And of course I'd love to grow my own cilantro because I just love it.

Tomatoes, sweet peppers, onions, peas, broccoli.

lol, tomato and cheese with mayonnaise on white bread, a nutritionists nightmare. :hi:

Kim just picked from the vine. The scent of the tomato leaves and the basil. The gentle touch of the afternoon breeze. The hum of contented bees in the thyme. The sight of the butterflies dancing over the cone flowers.

Garden sex - can't wait

I would love to have something fresh from my own garden, but we live in an apartment. Of course, we have a great, spacious sun room that gets TONS of sunlight.

Maybe I should try to find info on container gardening.

is the impression the gardening magazines give. I've never tried it because I have this glitch in my mind where I forget inside plants need to be watered. But I'm sure you can grow herbs and tomatoes and stuff like that in containers.

Pole Beans
Sugar snaps
"Native American" corn
three types of tomatoes ( I will try some upside down ones in five gallon tubs)
Red peppers
onion bunches
cucumbers
melons
squash
eggplants

surrounded by!

strawberries,
garlic,
horse radish,
blackberries
raspberries
currants
blueberries

which are protected by:

cherries,
apples,
apricots,
peaches,
plums,
grapes

and when the cold north wind doth blow:
pecans

and hidden inside the abode are:
oranges!
tangerines!
lemons!

And sadly, RIP... my beloved avocado tree. You were so delicate.


:cry:

the neighbors had pecan trees but they sold their land to the state and every year I go over there and get some...even though no one here likes them.

Well I'll have a lot more stuff, I have almost more beds than I can handle now, but ocra's something I grew pretty well last year and I really like it :D

:P

Just kidding. You have a cleverness and wit and intelligence that is beyond your years though. :hug:

We plan to plant:

Veggies -
Tomatoes
Various peppers
Onions
Salad greens
Herbs
Kohlrabi
Cukes
Sugar snap peas
Green beans

Flowers -
Lilac hedge out front
Transplant the rest of my daisies and echinacea from front to back garden, and bulbs from front garden to around steps, and re-do front garden (we're thinking of more of a rock garden with lots of sedums and ground covers)
Add some different colors of columbine
Move/divide hosta
Add some additional colors of daylilies
Try some clematis
Add some more hardy climbing roses

Climbing roses are something I've never had, only bushes. I love climbers of all kinds, though. :hi:

using native stone for the borders of the beds, with lots of little plants tucked into the crevices between the rocks and spilling out all over, so I go down there to get inspiration a lot!

I am just getting started with roses; I am trying to build a rose garden of northern-bred, hardy climbers (I'm in Minnesota) with the old, full-blown look of the English roses. I am not a big fan of the long-stemmed, hybrid roses (they're pretty and all, but I like more of a cottage-style look) and I LOVE the intense scent of the old varieties.

How about you? What inspires you? What are you planning this year?

I really love them. I want really bad for my lantana in the front yard to do well this year. They usually grow like gangbusters in the backyard but the ones in the front yard have completely failed to thrive. I also love climbers and have a huge amount of passionflowers that come back every year, and trumpet vines growing all over the place. I just really love the unsculpted, wild look. Year before last I found two rose bushes growing up next to the highway where a house used to be, and after transplanting them I moved them and they did really well. I love the South Carolina Botanical Gardens because they do a whole lot of living sculpture which is really beautiful.

june 1 is the optimum date for outdoor planting in north america. in the past i've always had 5-6 large planters, and usually yield between a quarter and a half pound of good bud in a season. it may not be a spectacular amount, but when you live on a standard city lot on the north side of chicago, where humboldt is a park, not a county- you do what you can.

it's almost not worth it to try to grow it outdoors around here :-(

I live in an apartment.

O8)

with no Southern exposure...Yes, I have a porch, but no sun. I'm f'n screwed on a garden this year, again... x(

and container gardens. I am not good with that stuff because plants become invisible to me inside until they are dead and then suddenly I remember I forgot to water them.

Okay, not in the garden, but BabyG is growing them for his room.

I'll have to look it up tomorrow when I'm less sleepy...right now I'm like that commercial where they say "do you stay up long after your contact lenses have gone to bed?" Mine are sticking to my eyes right now.

:hangover:

I'm a wannabe gardener, but I just don't follow through. Love love love herbs!

But all I can grow is rosemary and mint! Even my thyme dries up.

Would love to grow tarragon (my favorite) but it doesn't survive in this northern CA climate.

and of course there is the asparagus. I will probably do sweet potatoes again this year, we had good luck with them last year.

Cukes, pumpkins, sweet corn, green peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes roma and vine, red peppers, peas, pole beans, cilantro, chives, onions, parsley, oregano, dill, lavender, jalapenos and basil.

Everything but the green peppers seems to be doing rather well so far. :D I am going to be starting some strawberries in a window pot soon.


:hi: Idgie