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MarilynW
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| Posted: Feb 12 2008 at 8:22pm | IP Logged
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I feel all motivated reading Animal Vegetable Miracle etc. I have put a heap of books on hold at the library eg the Mel Bartholomew. I am trying to figure out what to grow this year - I am planning on a lot of container veggies - right on my deck (it would be nice if I did not kill the zucchini like last year  )
Has anyone else started thinking or planting?
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organiclilac
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Me! I am determined to do a better job of maintaining things this year. We always get things planted and off to a good start, but then I am lazy about weeding and watering and then we go on vacation and come back to a jungle.  I was just wondering yesterday, is it too late for winter sowing? It is still COLD here!
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CKwasniewski
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| Posted: Feb 12 2008 at 8:49pm | IP Logged
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Oh yes! That's whats getting me through the end of winter. Even though we can't plant till the first of June!
But I hope to start some things inside ahead of time this year. Anybody have experience with this?
Lettuce is easy, likes cool weather
Squash- we've saved seeds from last year's crop
Tomatoes-- of course! big and little
Cucumbers--got some free seeds
Peppers-- DH wants
Strawberry plants--already in from last year
Sugar Baby watermelons--smaller size
Basil
Flowers: I have seeds for pansies, blue flax, Snapdragons, lobelia, petunias... Lots of bulbs planted in the fall.
I was so excited to see my lavender peeking through the snow... I just wonder if they will have survived.
Who knows what else I'll pick up when the local nursery opens!
What are the Mel Bartholomew books?
ck
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 12 2008 at 8:58pm | IP Logged
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CKwasniewski wrote:
What are the Mel Bartholomew books? |
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Square Foot Gardening - the Mel Bartholomew official site
I like his books very much.
We're drowning in Bermuda grass here - if you're not familiar with the stuff it chokes out every living thing - well planted gardens included. So, I'm resolved to more container gardening. I'm excited about starting and getting more containers from Lee Valley to have self-watering containers on our back deck. I HOPE that might help us get through the hot August drought season.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Feb 12 2008 at 9:09pm | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
| . So, I'm resolved to more container gardening. I'm excited about starting and getting more containers from Lee Valley to have self-watering containers on our back deck. I HOPE that might help us get through the hot August drought season. |
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Ooh - I love the look of these containers - just what I need. I figure that I am more likely to succeed with deck plants - I am all eager with planting and then when the heat starts I do not keep up with the maintenance.
My dd 11 is a keen gardener - she has a stack of books out of the library. Her garden (last year in our former sand box) always does the best She loves the series of books - Roots Shoot Buckets and Boots etc and already has her spot planned out.
My boys like to plant and harvest - but forget all about watering and weeding!
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Marilyn
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 12 2008 at 9:15pm | IP Logged
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I love Lee Valley, Marilyn. Definitely a case of you get what you pay for. I've tried the inexpensive versions from Lowe's and they don't hold up well. Look around the Lee Valley site, there are more container offerings.
I know exactly what you mean about the heat in the dead of the summer. The only hope for our plants will be my dd11. She does all the harvesting and watering in the dead of the summer, cause' I really drop the ball when the temps soar to around 100.
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Feb 13 2008 at 11:17am | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
| I know exactly what you mean about the heat in the dead of the summer. The only hope for our plants will be my dd11. She does all the harvesting and watering in the dead of the summer, cause' I really drop the ball when the temps soar to around 100. |
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Me too. Only my limit is the 90's. I have BIG plans this year... I am getting ready to start the winter sowing... I just need to finish the bed I am redoing.
It was a square foot SQUARE last year, but this year it is a bed (I joined two together) and I need to make some amendments. And fork it over... but DH wants to get the perfect fork. I of course am impatient to start  (You can see some pictures at the garden blog).
I bought a bunch of seeds this weekend... some to start indoors, some to plant right out.
OUT:
Parsley
Cilantro
Mesclun Mix
Peas
Spinach
IN:
Bell Peppers
Chile Peppers
Sungold cherry tomatoes
Brandywine tomatoes
Cress (peppergrass) --this is for sandwiches, I used to love egg and cress sandwiches as a kid 
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Feb 13 2008 at 11:23am | IP Logged
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nowhere to start stuff inside.. and we've still got over a foot of snow most places.
But I'm doing some planning.. looking at expanding the garden area.. more planning on what to do when we can.
Trying to give ourselves a solid deadline of memorial weekend to have everything out.. but we'll have to be careful with that.. we need the extra time but will have to really watch the weather and protect the plants.
My sister is in a rental so she's gonna come over and help.. which will be nice.. because I won't be wanting to do much heavy work or bending at 36 weeks pregnant
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Feb 13 2008 at 12:06pm | IP Logged
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I highly recommend Eliot Coleman's Four Season Harvest for extending the season.
I am going to try and follow the plans in John Jeavon's How to Grow More Vegetables this year
I also want to add some fruit to my harvest
ETA I should also mention that December Organic Gardening had plans for a bookshelf to be made into a herb garden... you might be able to adapt it for seeds. At least I hope so (I want to make one )
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stacykay
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This is something I have been thinking about quite a bit the past few weeks. I, like many of you, am planning on container gardening. Our yard has very clay soil and many large oaks and maples, so the ground is not conducive to growing much that requires good soil or sunlight. Our patio gets the most sun and that is where the container will sit.
My oldest ds will be constructing it over his spring break, so it will be ready come May.
As for the rest of our yard, I am going to be concentrating on creating shallow beds with more amenable soil, filling them with hosta and allysum this year, and then, hopefully, working some perennials into them for next year.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Gardening plans?
