What Are Some Tips for Successful Gardening?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Astronuc
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Evo garden
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion centers on successful gardening techniques, emphasizing organic methods and the cultivation of various plants. Participants share personal experiences with growing perennials such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, as well as vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers. The conversation highlights the importance of gardening as a spiritual and fulfilling activity, while also addressing challenges like deer damage and water restrictions. Additionally, cultural differences in gardening practices between the U.S. and Spain are noted, illustrating varying access to gardening spaces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of organic gardening principles
  • Knowledge of perennial plant care, specifically for blueberries and raspberries
  • Familiarity with vegetable gardening techniques, including planting tomatoes and peppers
  • Awareness of common gardening challenges, such as pest control and water management
NEXT STEPS
  • Research organic pest control methods for vegetable gardens
  • Learn about the best practices for propagating berry plants
  • Explore techniques for creating a cutting garden
  • Investigate deer-resistant plants suitable for landscaping
USEFUL FOR

Garden enthusiasts, organic gardeners, and individuals interested in sustainable gardening practices will benefit from this discussion. It provides insights into plant care, gardening challenges, and cultural perspectives on gardening.

  • #2,041
Unfortunately I do container gardening, there are a lot of issues with the soil in small containers.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2,042
I promised drizzle that I would post a picture from the ice storm we had Sunday. I took this photo this morning from my bedroom window, looks like christmas lights.

021kbe.jpg
 
  • #2,043
I bought a patio tomato plant last year that just produced like crazy. I have seeds from some of the tomatoes. Do you think if I plant those that they will be as good as the original plant?
 
  • #2,044
probably not---

most tomatoes are hybrids, and the seeds aren't hybrid stock.

I leave a couple plants that are from the drops from the year before and they never produce as well
 
  • #2,045
rewebster said:
probably not---

most tomatoes are hybrids, and the seeds aren't hybrid stock.

I leave a couple plants that are from the drops from the year before and they never produce as well
Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. :(
 
  • #2,046
Evo said:
Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. :(
Most of the world's basic crops already cut off the farmers at the ankles. The crops don't propagate or seed. Monsanto is happy. Farmers (many of then 3rd world) starve or die.
 
  • #2,047
Evo said:
Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. :(

most of your last year cost was containers etc---plants aren't very expensive, if you go the same place as last year to get your plants, there's a good chance they will be similar to last year's plants
 
  • #2,048
you can still buy heirloom seed, tho. and even Bonnie has a few sprouted plants that are heirloom or heirloom hybrid. i planted some yellow tomatoes last year that were quite nice. i saved a few seed, even tho they may have crossed with the pink ones, or the red ones. who knows, they might sprout. won't hurt to try.
 
  • #2,049
I'm not crazy about heirloom tomatoes, there is a reason that better varieties gained favor. I'll try some of these patio tomatoes and see what happens.
 
  • #2,050
Evo said:
I bought a patio tomato plant last year that just produced like crazy. I have seeds from some of the tomatoes. Do you think if I plant those that they will be as good as the original plant?
I think it depends on the variety. We've had a few plants come back from drops, and they were pretty productive.

With container growing, especially with tomatoes and similar plants, it's best to empty the soil out and blend in new fresh soil and compost manure (and not composted mushroom stuff). Also, if one suspects blight or other deleterious organisms, it's best to empty soil in a black bag and let it cook over the summer in a black bag. Make sure there are no worms in the soil when placing it into the bag.
 
  • #2,051
there was snow in this spot two days ago

lilies.jpg
 
  • #2,052
Nice, I haven't even seen the snow crocus here yet, maybe in the next couple of weeks.
 
  • #2,053
Evo said:
I promised drizzle that I would post a picture from the ice storm we had Sunday. I took this photo this morning from my bedroom window, looks like christmas lights.
Ooooh! Sparkles. :cool: Reminds me of . . . .

Our place is still under a foot of snow.

Meanwhile down south, we're supposed to have snow tonight. Flying home tomorrow should be interesting. :rolleyes:
 
  • #2,054
Astronuc said:
Ooooh! Sparkles. :cool: Reminds me of . . . .

Our place is still under a foot of snow.

Meanwhile down south, we're supposed to have snow tonight. Flying home tomorrow should be interesting. :rolleyes:
Please not to JFK. Cross-winds have reduced the place to one usable runway. Delay!
 
  • #2,055
turbo-1 said:
Please not to JFK. Cross-winds have reduced the place to one usable runway. Delay!
I have to fly through Charlotte and Philadelphia - in little jets. :rolleyes:
 
  • #2,056
Astronuc said:
I have to fly through Charlotte and Philadelphia - in little jets. :rolleyes:
My last legs to Maine from most places like Newark were always on little turbo-props. Nice scenes of the ground, but we often had some rough rides. Often I could get out of Bangor or Portland on a jet because they were over-night holds for planes and crew, but the ride home was frequently loud and bumpy.
 
  • #2,057
The only time I was on a little 6 seater plane was my flight from Denver to Steamboat Springs for a ski trip.

My scariest flight was from Cozumel to Cancun in a vintage WWII prop plane with sparks flying out of the engines and we barely skimmed the water the entire way. Ropes for seat belts but we did get dixie cups of warm coke out of a bottle. We had to wake the pilot up because he forgot us and he showed up unshaven, barefoot, in a dirty torn undershirt, and shorts.
 
  • #2,058
Reminder: It might be a good idea to order your vegetable seeds early this year, and order some extras of things that might have germination problems. I made sure to get more pickling-cuke seeds than normal because last season, lots of folks had poor germination in the cool damp spring and had to re-plant. Seeds got scarce pretty fast. We managed to find some tucked away in a hardware store last year, but the garden shops were picked clean.
 
  • #2,059
I've been thinking about a cold box or a set of portable greenhouses in which to start seeds, or starting the gemination inside. Unfortunately, the cats try to get to the seedlings and chomp on them. The local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) project is starting up. I think the greenhouse opens this week, so I'll need to check into it. I might see if I can take some of their excess, in exchange for donating seeds.

Most of our ground is still covered in snow.

It's time to turn the soil, and add some compost and manure.

Hopefully this spring will be a tad warmer than last year.


http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/csa.html

There should be some info at USDA, but their links seem to be bad.


Edit: Growing for Market provides useful information for the serious produce garnder or farmer.
http://www.growingformarket.com/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #2,060
Ooh pink tomatoes, pretty. They're available from www.burpeeseeds.com.

http://www.burpee.com/images/en_US/local/products/viewlarger/b68145_lg.jpg
 
  • #2,061
IMO Early Girls are the best tasting. Around here (in Kansas) where there's lots of good sun, they produce clusters (3 or 6) all over the vines.

http://www.irisheyesgardenseeds.com/images/EarlyGirlWeb.jpg

The Early Girl Tomatoes were juicy, but not overly so. There was a good balance of sweetness with acid in the juice. They had a moist / meaty texture that was just right... not mushy, not hard or tough, but tender with body.

http://www.tandjenterprises.com/earlygirltomato.htm"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #2,062
Marianas are firm and flavorful tomatoes. Bushy high-yielding plants are easy to take care of without training to trellises, pruning suckers, etc. You may have to order from Johnny's Selected Seeds to get this variety because it is a relatively new one, but if you like tomatoes you might want to give this variety a try. My wife and I usually plant Early Girls, Big Boys, Muscovy, etc, but we were quite pleasantly surprised by the Marianas last season. They are wonderful in sauces and soups.
 
  • #2,063
Glenn Beck is running ads from this scam outfit on his show. For "only" $149, you get about $20-30 worth of seeds. The site claims that what they will send you is enough seed to plant an entire acre, and will produce thousands of pounds of food. I've got a garden spot that is around 2000 ft2 or maybe a bit more. My garden spot is about 1/22 of an acre, and the seed packets that they show on the site could not possibly seed an area the size of my garden. I bought 'WAY more seed than that for the upcoming season for $34.40 plus shipping.

http://www.survivalseedbank.com/
 
  • #2,064
dlgoff said:
IMO Early Girls are the best tasting. Around here (in Kansas) where there's lots of good sun, they produce clusters (3 or 6) all over the vines.

http://www.irisheyesgardenseeds.com/images/EarlyGirlWeb.jpg



http://www.tandjenterprises.com/earlygirltomato.htm"
I grow early girls, they come in a bush type for containers.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #2,065
My crocuses are starting to emerge and bud, in spite of the snow still on the ground! :eek: Now, I wonder if I will get to enjoy the flowers before the deer do? (I'm going to have to change my plans on where to put my vegetable garden...with all the snow, I was able to see the deer tracks, and the other day, watched the whole herd of 7 deer wander through my yard...seems the spot I was planning to put the garden is right along their path to the field across from me...DRAT!)
 
  • #2,066
Moonbear said:
My crocuses are starting to emerge and bud, in spite of the snow still on the ground! :eek: Now, I wonder if I will get to enjoy the flowers before the deer do? (I'm going to have to change my plans on where to put my vegetable garden...with all the snow, I was able to see the deer tracks, and the other day, watched the whole herd of 7 deer wander through my yard...seems the spot I was planning to put the garden is right along their path to the field across from me...DRAT!)
My neighbor's daughter's crocuses are blooming already. In Maine, in early March. This is the warmest winter in recent memory. I just hope my garlic crop doesn't emerge too early and get damaged by some serious cold. We're not truly into freeze-free weather here until mid-May at the soonest. Some brave souls plant peas in early May (for bragging rights), but generally, it is not safe to sow from seed here until Memorial day.
 
  • #2,067
I am so ready for spring. I have a few herbs started on window sills, but I think I'll buy veggie plants from the nursery this year.
 
  • #2,068
I don't like early girls, I prefer to sleep long in the morning.
 
  • #2,069
a couple of crocuses (yellow) blooming here today

pl. croci ?
 
  • #2,070
rewebster said:
a couple of crocuses (yellow) blooming here today

pl. croci ?
Saffron flowers!
 

Similar threads

'How Does Your Garden Grow' thread - raised beds
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
2K