what's going to grow in your garden?

[imstillhuntjul]

What are you planting in your garden this year?

What do you wish you could grow but can't because of climate, bugs, or lack of space?

[imstillhuntjul]

We are going to buzz up a huge section of our rental house's yard and make a garden. Don't judge - the landlord knows

I told DH we need to plant carrots for my horse, edamame for Clara (her fave, though we've never grown them before - have any of you?), he likes to plant potatoes and is going to try sweet potatoes this year since we live in the South now and think WTH why not, and we usually do tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, green peppers, and squash at minimum.

I bet it's too hot here to reliably grow things like spinach or snap peas, though perhaps we'll try spring and fall for those and see what happens.

But my big regret is that we live in a rental, so planting delayed-reward things like fruit trees or strawberries will be a no-go for us this year

[crunchymama11]

My winter/early spring garden- snow peas, broccoli, cilantro, lettuce, spinach, garlic, carrots, 1015 sweet onions, red onions, green onions, swiss chard.

Inside aerogarden- dill, parsley, basil

I'm also starting my peppers and tomatoes inside this week.

In a few weeks I am planting yukon and red potatoes.

In about 6 weeks, I'll start my summer garden- beefsteak and cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, green beans, zucchini, squash, pumpkin, cucumbers, okra.

New for this year- I want to try sweet potatoes, but I'm not sure if I'll have the room. I'm also getting into fruit trees. Right now we have a Mandarin tree. I'm on the hunt for a semi-dwarf lemon tree and white and reg peaches. I also have blueberry and raspberry bushes to plant. I can't grow strawberries to save my life- boooo

I am also experimenting with planting from scraps. Right now I have Romaine lettuce, cabbage, celery, carrot tops for carrot greens, mushrooms, and onions re-sprouting. We'll see what I get!

[crunchymama11]

Jan 27, 2015 21:15:52 GMT -5 deeds1017 said:

Last year was the first time we did a garden in our own home. We planted peppers, eggplant, zucchini, string beans, cucumbers, lots of different tomatoes...I think that's it. We also have a fig tree but its still little. I think this year we might see some figs. I'd love to plant asparagus but I haven't looked into what conditions they need to grow so I'm not sure how feasible that it.

asparagus is a 2-year plant. so you plant now to harvest in 2 years. Make sure you have a separate spot where they won't get disturbed.

I really want to do asparagus but right now I do not have the room.

[lia1303]

I wish i could have a garden. Think building management would get pissed if I start digging in the front lawn?

[pharmtechmom]

I've never had a garden before but I want to start. I'm just not sure how to begin.

[crunchymama11]

Jan 28, 2015 13:04:05 GMT -5 pharmtechmom said:

I've never had a garden before but I want to start. I'm just not sure how to begin.

Yes- there are so many different ways to start! I do square-foot gardening because I'm lazy . You can also do traditional, raised beds, and/or container gardening!

You need to know your average last frost and average first frost. For us that is Mar 16 and Nov 16. You want to plant cool weather crops now- see my post above for ideas- because when it gets about 80* they'll bolt, go to seed, and die. These will normally do ok with light frosts but might need covered if we get ice or a hard freeze (below 30*).

You want to plant warm-weather crops after the last frost because any frost will kill them- tomatoes, peppers, corns, melons, squashes, etc. But if you plant early and we get a frost or freeze you can cover them with clear plastic, row covers, or even an old sheet at night to protect them. You can also start tomatoes and peppers inside now and then transplant in mid-March to get a head start. Not all things transplant well- squashes, melons, beans, corn do not.

Start small and then build up. One thing I was not prepared for was how much to actually have to plant to feed your whole family. So don't get discouraged when you're not feeding your whole family off 4 tomato plants (personal experience here). Each year I learn something new and get better.

OH! With our hot-as-Hades summers you should mulch! I tried it for the first time last year and it made a huuuuuuge difference! After the seeds have sprouted and are about 6in high, I laid down newspaper about 5 pages thick between plants and then topped with shredded leaves. It cuts down on weeds and conserves water! It keeps the soil and roots cooler too, so they can better survive 100+* temps.

Container gardens need lots of water, and IMO are not the best for our climate because they dry out really fast in our heat and need to be watered 2x/day during the hottest parts of our summer. I do have a few containers but not many.

Just have fun with it!

[jessicainwa]

Red and yellow raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, onions, various herbs - cilantro, rosemary, basil, sugar snap peas, bluberries and garlic.  I have never had luck with carrots for some reason but I will try again (for the 4th year, ugh!).  Also going to try putting some of the strawberries in a barrel this year like this:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M7HI-0bKKs

[NinNin85]

We do tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini. We used to do a ton of potatoes, but we can get them easier at the store. Then we have a rhubarb that will hopefully grow to a good size this year. Our old rhubarb got sprayed with week killer. Then some built a fence right next to it..... I

[jennlin]

blueberries, scallions, jalapeno, serano peppers, vietnamese basil, chinese chives is what i had last year.. i'm new to gardening, so i have to see what survives the winter and will grow again this year.

h built me a garden box and is working on a few more..i think we have until the end of feb to start stuff outside.

this year i would like to grow: zucchini, the small yellow tomatoes, more spicy peppers--any variety, arugula, and some chinese veggies.

i wish i could grow: red bell peppers,

[crunchymama11]

I ordered some fruit trees! White peach, plum, cherry, mandarin, banana- all dwarf/semi-dwarf to plant in pots. I just need to get a lemon tree- for some reason the website couldn't ship Meyer lemons to TX.

I also finished planting all my onions and I also planted more Swiss Chard and spinach. I started my peppers and tomatoes. I just need to do my blueberry and raspberry bushes before the trees get here on 2/16.

[lia1303]

I want to come hang in your garden at harvest time crunchy.

[heather6789]

So jealous of all your planned gardens! I rent, but would love to have one one day.

[muffyvonmuff]

My indoor parsley has a huge aphid problem, I don't know what to do.

[muffyvonmuff]

I always plant squash, eggplant, tomato, peppers, herbs. I might try potatoes and do pumpkins in the corner.