What Are Some Tips for Successful Gardening?

[Julio R]

I just have my seeds, plots, and water mixed with a compost bin in my backyard and lawn. Mostly veggies, tea, herbs, and fragrances. Also two avocado trees that were previously here and a sour orange tree home to a pigeon in a nest.

 

[ImATrackMan]

Being here in south Florida, my* mango trees withstood the winter quite well. The poor avocado tree, however, got half it's leaves blown off during these pretty bad pre-spring storms we've been having.

*not actually MY trees, but rather my parents' (I'm still a young'n compared to most of you). I just take care of them.

 

[Julio R]

Being here in south Florida, my* mango trees withstood the winter quite well. The poor avocado tree, however, got half it's leaves blown off during these pretty bad pre-spring storms we've been having.

*not actually MY trees, but rather my parents' (I'm still a young'n compared to most of you). I just take care of them.

I also live in SFL, I don't have mango, but I do have avocado and it withstood the winds quite well.

 

[ImATrackMan]

Tell you what else we have (but really, REALLY don't want)...

Raccoons. Always stealing the low hanging fruit. Sure they're cute, but when the babies take after their parents it's "goodbye ripe mango".

 

[turbo]

It's time to prune the fruit trees. I need to be quite diligent about spraying the trees before and after blossoming, so that the birds won't spoil the fruit. I only use canola oil in a hose-end sprayer - no pesticides. Still, that is enough to suppress insect activity so that insectivorous birds won't damage the fruit looking for for bugs to eat.

I won't use pesticides anywhere on my property, but I have to be wary of the huge fields of commercially-grown crops and the large orchards around here. The bugs that come here are already too tough, and the wind-blown pollens are hard to deal with. Got to roll with it.

 

[turbo]

My garlic is up, poking through the oat-straw mulch. Looking pretty good.

 

[Evo]

I have decided not to attempt a vegetable garden this year, it's cheaper to just buy them and at least I'll have some, what few grew last year were eaten by squirrels.

So, this year I am doing flowers. I just received my dwarf ever blooming day lilies today. I will have to keep the pots covered with metal grates until I get the plants going or the squirrels will dig up the bulbs and destroy them.

 

[Monique]

It's a fungus called peach leaf curl, my peach tree had it too. Unfortunately you can only treat it at the end of the growing season. My tree did fine the following year.

http://www.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/factsheets/leaf_curl_sheet.htm

http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com/2011/04/peach-leaf-curl.html

My peach tree still has leaf curl Are there any fungicides effective? The only fungicide I've been able to find in the gardening center is one that treats mildew.

 

[Evo]

My peach tree still has leaf curl Are there any fungicides effective? The only fungicide I've been able to find in the gardening center is one that treats mildew.

Copper soap is recommended, if you can find it there.

All purpose fungicide controls mildew, blackspot and rust. se on ornamentals, vegetables and fruits. Controls peach leaf curl.
Available in concentrate or ready-use-spray.
Contains Copper Octanoate (copper soap)

http://www.greenhousegardencenter.com/green_garden.html

 

[turbo]

The peas are in the ground, along with kale, spinach, lettuce, etc. The garlic is coming up nicely through its mulch.

 

[Julio R]

The peas are in the ground, along with kale, spinach, lettuce, etc. The garlic is coming up nicely through its mulch.

I have difficulties with any type of beans, the crows and pigeons find a way to dig them out.

 

[Evo]

I have difficulties with any type of beans, the crows and pigeons find a way to dig them out.

Darn them, darn them to heck.

 

[dlgoff]

My peach tree still has leaf curl Are there any fungicides effective? The only fungicide I've been able to find in the gardening center is one that treats mildew.

The leaf curl fungus needs to be treated with fungicides in the winter, as it lives in the bark and is easier to kill then. Once it's in the leaves, it doesn't do any good to spray with a fungicide. You'll need to treat for several winters to completely get rid of it, from my experience.

Edit: Unfortunately the EPA has banned most of the good stuff but I still have some Zineb. Zinc is the secret.

 

[Monique]

Alright, I'll have to live with it until winter comes again then.. Maybe I should just get a new tree.

Today I'll be planting seeds for a whole list of plants: green and gold zucchini, bell pepper, cucumber, cherry tomato, flesh tomato, balcony tomato, watermelon, coriander, Eastern papaver and a mixture of cutflowers.

I don't know how I'll fit them all on the terrace, probably I should buy some pots to put the individual plants in. A friend told me not all produce can be grown next to each, is there any truth in that?

 

[Andre]

... A friend told me not all produce can be grown next to each, is there any truth in that?

That's called intercropping or polyculture. But I wonder if all combinations mentioned here are tested used the scientific method.

 

[Monique]

That's called intercropping or polyculture. But I wonder if all combinations mentioned here are tested used the scientific method.

Alright, I'll put the cucumber in separate pots then I planted seeds last Sunday and the cucumbers are the only ones sprouting at this moment.. hopefully the other seeds will follow soon.

 

[Astronuc]

We are having a cool, dry spring. This morning it was 2 C (36 F). I had to water plants yesterday, but hopefully we will get some rain this week.

 

[Andre]

Remember this post.

It looks like this today, before the sun hits it:

 

[dlgoff]

Looks like strawberries even after 60mph winds the day before yesterday.

 

[turbo]

Very nice grow-bed, dlg. Is the watering on a timer?

 

[turbo]

My garlic is looking wonderful! By the time the scapes are ready for harvesting, I will pull the garlic and have three nice raised rows to plant short-term vegetables in. Lettuce, chard, kale, spinach... even another crop of peas, perhaps.

 

[dlgoff]

Very nice grow-bed, dlg. Is the watering on a timer?

Thanks. No. I just attach a hose when needed. So far this spring, I've watered twice slightly.

 

[Julio R]

The beans I planted have been successful. The flowers and tea are growing, but the tomatoes planted by my dad died, I think pests were the cause. And my compost is almost ready.

 

[Evo]

This year the only vegetable plant I am growing is the eggplant Evo child bought me for mother's day. It's doing better than any other eggplant I've had in years. It already has 5 babies.

The first is my eggplant to produce in years.

The second is borek and marzena, they are everbloomimg perrenial rosey rumors day lillies. They will be gorgeous, and are currently under the anti-squirrel dome. they will be gorgeous when they begin blooming.

The third is Monique. A pink bronze leaf Whopper begonia, and it's just a baby.

 

[Monique]

The third is Monique. A pink bronze leaf Whopper begonia, and it's just a baby.

:!) you didn't name it after me, did you?

All my plants are still babies, I gave two zucchini plants (yellow and green) to my mother along with a cucumber, bell pepper, watermelon, cilantro, and two different tomato plants. Hopefully they don't overgrow their garden

 

[Evo]

:!) you didn't name it after me, did you?

Yes, it made me think of you.

 

[dlgoff]

I just bought a Presto "Kitchen Kettle" for finish up my morels but after seeing your nice eggplant, I'm going to the greenhouse tomorrow; deep fried eggplants...yum.

I've grow them before; even the white ones, which do just a well.

 

[~christina~]

I've started my collection of orchids. I admit I'm a little obsessed with them.

Here are a few that I have.

A sunset colored phalaenopsis. I found that it was a bit waterlogged and sick when I purchased it.

A miltoniopsis orchid also known as a pansy orchid.

Another phalaenopsis which only has two flowers left at the moment.

 

[~christina~]

I have decided not to attempt a vegetable garden this year, it's cheaper to just buy them and at least I'll have some, what few grew last year were eaten by squirrels.

So, this year I am doing flowers. I just received my dwarf ever blooming day lilies today. I will have to keep the pots covered with metal grates until I get the plants going or the squirrels will dig up the bulbs and destroy them.

A side comment regarding squirrels eating plant bulbs: You can try growing daffodil bulbs around the lilly bulbs or anything else you would like to grow since they are toxic and squirrels avoid them or so I've heard. One of my previous instructors mentioned that she had a problem with tulips being eaten and found this was a good solution.

 

[Evo]

I've started my collection of orchids. I admit I'm a little obsessed with them.

Here are a few that I have.

A sunset colored phalaenopsis. I found that it was a bit waterlogged and sick when I purchased it.

A miltoniopsis orchid also known as a pansy orchid.

Another phalaenopsis which only has two flowers left at the moment.

Wow, those are gorgeous!

 

[Monique]

My zucchini plants have started producing flowering buds, but the plants are still relatively small with 4 adult leaves. Should I remove the flower buds so they will invest more energy in growing leaves, or can I leave them on without too much harm?

Amazing orchids christina!

 

[Evo]

My zucchini plants have started producing flowering buds, but the plants are still relatively small with 4 adult leaves. Should I remove the flower buds so they will invest more energy in growing leaves, or can I leave them on without too much harm?

Amazing orchids christina!

The first blooms are male and will fall off without producing. Sounds like your plants are raring to go, just let them go through their normal process.

 

[Monique]

Ok I will, and today there are 6 leaves so they're growing well. The cucumbers and cilantro are doing well too, but all the other plants (tomato, paprika, watermelon) are still at the seedling stage, they're really slow to develop.

 

[lisab]

Ok I will, and today there are 6 leaves so they're growing well. The cucumbers and cilantro are doing well too, but all the other plants (tomato, paprika, watermelon) are still at the seedling stage, they're really slow to develop.

Sometimes a bit of cold weather will make seedlings appear to stall in their development.

 

[adjacent]

In my island we have so many natural gardens to which we don't even have to water.Watering comes naturally from rain.I am so happy that I have natural gardens.I enjoy them a lot.

 

[lisab]

In my island we have so many natural gardens to which we don't even have to water.Watering comes naturally from rain.I am so happy that I have natural gardens.I enjoy them a lot.

Sounds like you live in a paradise .

Gardening where I live is similar: the battle is getting things *not* to grow.

 

[Borek]

Gardening where I live is similar: the battle is getting things *not* to grow.

Mold & moss?

 

[Monique]

Sometimes a bit of cold weather will make seedlings appear to stall in their development.

The seeds were all planted at the same time indoors, but some were slow to develop into seedlings and the last few weeks indeed there has been little sun and cool temperatures that might have stalled them further. I didn't dare to put them outside yet, last week there was still night frost (it's been the coldest May in over 50 years).

I've planted two extra watermelon seeds, I really want some for summer. My boyfriend's mom will give me some squash seeds, so I'll give that a try as well :)

 

[Evo]

The seeds were all planted at the same time indoors, but some were slow to develop into seedlings and the last few weeks indeed there has been little sun and cool temperatures that might have stalled them further. I didn't dare to put them outside yet, last week there was still night frost (it's been the coldest May in over 50 years).

I've planted two extra watermelon seeds, I really want some for summer. My boyfriend's mom will give me some squash seeds, so I'll give that a try as well :)

All of those plants that are slow need a lot of sun and warmth, so being inside due to cold weather might be holding them back, but you're right, they shouldn't be outside in that weather.

 

[Borek]

When it is cold outside keeping plants inside can actually speed up their growth. But if weather at Monique's place was not much different from what we had here, I am not surprised plants were slow. Past years my peppers were at least twice larger.

 

[Evo]

Aphids! AAAARGH!

My eggplants are covered with them. Not wanting to harm the non-existent predatory insects that can kill them, the past few weeks I have been, several times a day, removing and squashing the beasts. I will remove them all, and an hour later, the leaves will be covered again. I tried using some soap formulas, the aphids loved it.

No helpful insects have shown up. I think all of the pesticides the landscapers spray here have eliminated all helpful insects, haven't seen a lady bug or praying mantis yet this year.

So, I'm bringing out the big guns. I have a spray bottle of Sevin, and I'm going to use it. Die you plant suckers, DIE!

 

[Evo]

Wow, one application of Sevin and the aphids are gone. I wish I'd done this a couple of weeks ago.

 

[turbo]

Aphids and spider-mites can be controlled with a 50:50 solution of Isopropyl alcohol and water with a little Castile liquid soap (not detergent) added to provide a bit of stickiness to keep the other ingredients in contact with the bugs. This solution feeds really well through small hand triggered sprayers. It's safe and cheap and it works.

 

[Evo]

Aphids and spider-mites can be controlled with a 50:50 solution of Isopropyl alcohol and water with a little Castile liquid soap (not detergent) added to provide a bit of stickiness to keep the other ingredients in contact with the bugs. This solution feeds really well through small hand triggered sprayers. It's safe and cheap and it works.

Thanks turbo, I've read a bunch of articles on that, as I didn't want to use the Sevin if I could avoid it, but blog after blog said it didn't work (alcohol) more often then the ones that said it had some effect. I've done extensive reading on all of the garden forums as well as university agricultural sites over the past couple of weeks, tried a few things, nothing worked, had to go with the Sevin. Although many sites said Sevin wouldn't work on aphids, stating incorrectly that aphids don't eat the plants, so Sevin wouldn't work. But then I read a University site that said Sevin does work because aphids feed on the plant juices. Sevin kills on contact and systematically. Luckily, I don't have bees or other beneficial insects, so I don't feel badly about resorting to Sevin to save my plants. This is the first time in years I've had so many eggplants set, I owe it to the mild weather we've had, eggplants are super finicky. I'd offer you some, but I know you think they taste like cardboard coasters.

BTW, how's your garden this year?

 

[lisab]

Thanks turbo, I've read a bunch of articles on that, as I didn't want to use the Sevin if I could avoid it, but blog after blog said it didn't work (alcohol) more often then the ones that said it had some effect. I've done extensive reading on all of the garden forums as well as university agricultural sites over the past couple of weeks, tried a few things, nothing worked, had to go with the Sevin. Although many sites said Sevin wouldn't work on aphids, stating incorrectly that aphids don't eat the plants, so Sevin wouldn't work. But then I read a University site that said Sevin does work because aphids feed on the plant juices. Sevin kills on contact and systematically. Luckily, I don't have bees or other beneficial insects, so I don't feel badly about resorting to Sevin to save my plants. This is the first time in years I've had so many eggplants set, I owe it to the mild weather we've had, eggplants are super finicky. I'd offer you some, but I know you think they taste like cardboard coasters.

BTW, how's your garden this year?

I once bought a tub of lady bugs at a garden shop to fix an aphid problem. I called over some neighbor kids to watch the release. As soon as I released them, they, erm, got busy . Turns out they were not all ladies, and the ones that were ladies were not at all lady-like. More like bug hussies. It was a freakin' bug orgy!

The neighbor kids got a bit of nature education, I guess.

It kind of worked. The aphid population was significantly reduced, not 100% though. The lady bugs were about $10 I think.

 

[turbo]

I once bought a tub of lady bugs at a garden shop to fix an aphid problem. I called over some neighbor kids to watch the release. As soon as I released them, they, erm, got busy . Turns out they were not all ladies, and the ones that were ladies were not at all lady-like. More like bug hussies. It was a freakin' bug orgy!

The neighbor kids got a bit of nature education, I guess.

It kind of worked. The aphid population was significantly reduced, not 100% though. The lady bugs were about $10 I think.

Thanks, lisa. I have tons of lady-bugs, so aphids are not much of a problem, though spider-mites can be. I wish the yellow-throats and phoebes would not eat lady-bugs, though.

 

[ZapperZ]

Looks like this year is the year of the Roses. All my roses are growing like mad, even after I pruned them earlier this spring.

The three rose bushes near my front door are doing extremely well. They are so colorful and vibrant, neighbors walking in front of the house have commented on how bright they are. The flowers also are larger than they were last year. I did give then the same amount of fertilizers as last year early this spring, so not sure what's different this year.

I bought three tea rose bushes earlier this spring to add to the front yard. These have deep red flowers, and they should also have bigger flowers than the one above. I was surprised that they already started blooming. I see several more buds that have yet to open. So far the flowers are fair in size, and I'm hoping that once they settle down, the flowers next year should be larger.

On a slightly different but related topic, when we bought the house almost 3 years ago, we inherited this metal post along the front driveway. It looks like it is a remnant of a basketball post. We wanted to get rid of it, but this is the case where it is a disadvantage that it was built too well. The landscaper company said that since it's buried in concrete, it will take quite an effort to dig it out, etc., and I didn't want to spend THAT much money just to get rid of a post.

So, following my life theme of turning lemons into lemonades, this year, I decided to mount hanging hooks on the post, and I made 4 hanging baskets to hang off the post. At least now the eye sore has been turned into something decorative. Neighbor across the street and next to us asked us when we put up the post! :) I had to tell them that it had been there all this while, and that I'm just re-purposing it! :)

Here is what it looks like:

Now I just have to think of something clever to do with it during the holiday/winter months.

Zz.

 

[Evo]

Beautiful roses Zz, did you know that at one time I was a member of the ARS and local chapter, had over 80 rose bushes, and planted them in raised "themed" beds with walkways between? I had Ginger Rogers planted next to Fred Astaire, Bob Hope paired with Bing Crosby. I think I have pictures in some boxes in storage. One of my all time favorites was my Chrysler Imperial, a six foot tall bush that had 80 huge blooms on it at once. Gorgeous deep red and intoxicating fragrance. My Mister Lincoln rose was another favorite.

I love your clever use of the pole.

 

[ZapperZ]

I wish I am more educated about roses as you are, Evo. I'm just starting to get into it, and I don't even know the varietal that I currently have. I will have to start learning about it the way I did with orchids.

Zz.

 

[Evo]

I wish I am more educated about roses as you are, Evo. I'm just starting to get into it, and I don't even know the varietal that I currently have. I will have to start learning about it the way I did with orchids.

Zz.

With your success with orchids, you will find roses very forgiving and easy to have success. Do start paying attention to the names of the roses, you will be able to find lots of information on them. Tea roses are my favorite, the fullness, the fragrance, the shape.

My girlfriend at work was really obsessed and a new "mauve" rose had just been released, so she got us some. They weren't mauve, they were a sickly grey, we named them "death warmed over". They were all "pruned with a shovel" as she would put it, to make way for better plants.