Spring Gardens - Page 4

ElaineM · 04-17-2009, 09:03 PM

Vickie and Brenda,
Your gardens sound amazing too. How wonderful that we can grow some different things in different parts of the U. S. I would love to see photos. How did you get into Bee keeping Brenda? I grow my plants in pots, because I live in an apartment. I think I am going to have to add another level under the shelf by the window for more plants. I choose larger plants this year that take up more space.

Brenda_D · 04-18-2009, 01:28 PM

Beekeeping is something I wanted to do before I got sick.
I wanted to go ahead and try it last spring, and now am adding a new hive. It just goes with the flowers, nature and back to the land thing.

ElaineM · 04-18-2009, 09:25 PM

Fresh honey !! Yum!! I wish I were there.
I just added some beets. I am running out of pots, cuttings, seeds and potting soil, so I have to wait to get some before I plant more.

harrie · 08-09-2008, 08:05 PM

Steph, your raspberries are sooooo nice!!! I would LOVE to grow that!
Last wk we got our first pineapple and lichee of the season! Both were very sweet and juicy!!
Maryann e

ElaineM · 08-09-2008, 08:57 PM

Those rasberries do look delicious. Too bad we just have to look and can't sample them. Do you have any recipes that include rasberries. Hang in there Maryanne. You will enjoy a nice fresh salad from your garden soon.

ElaineM · 08-10-2008, 12:41 PM

I just saw the post from StephN. I still have leeks

.
I also enjoyed green onions, a few radishes, chives, lots of different kinds of sprouts and even a little baby bok choy. A friend gave me some from her garden and I planted the roots. I have some more green onions to plant today or tomorrow. The arugula didn't make it and I don't have tomatoes yet. I will plant some leafy things in the fall when my location on Oahu has cooler sunny weather. Too bad you can't share the rasberries and ivy geraniums with us. How about some photos? I am sorry to hear some of your things didn't make it. I guess we learn from our gardening experiences.

PinkGirl · 09-15-2008, 06:18 AM

I had to pick everything yesterday because the temperature is
really dropping through the night now. This is my largest green
pepper.

harrie · 09-15-2008, 09:58 AM

As you may or may not recall, I just started a veg garden for the first time in my life about 6 mo ago. Well now, we have planted: 2 kinds of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, reg big tomatoes, spinach, snap peas, string beans, bell peppers, grn onions which are looking like chives, bok choy, and I think that's it. Most are still seedlings, but the butter lettuce has really taken off and we are eating that already. I need to get a photo program so I can reduce pics and get them on this site.

Bill · 09-15-2008, 02:56 PM

That sounds awesome Harriecanarie. It sounds like you definitely have a green thumb!

ElaineM · 04-16-2009, 09:19 PM

I am wondering how many gardeners are left from last year or how many of you have started your spring gardens again?
I took a break over the holidays, but I have started up again with spinach, oregano, rosemary, aloe, leeks,Christmas cactus, lawai fern, and a Hawaiian cactus. I have some bittermelon, chico and other herb seeds to plant. I also want to plant another leafy green vegetable. Any ideas for a sunny location?

vickie h · 04-17-2009, 02:58 PM

Hi Elaine,
I am the school gardener for my youngest grandson's class and we just harvested leeks, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery and all the rest of the many lettuces. We're now putting in 10 kinds of tomatos, carrots, beets, peppers, squash, cukes and bok choy. Since my husband and I live in a condo, I have to grow tomatos, squash and cucumbers in big pots out on the back patio. Your garden sounds amazing! Yummmm.....
Love, Vickie

Brenda_D · 04-17-2009, 04:46 PM

I've spent the last few days out back in the flower garden.
I couldn't do much last year, but am trying to this year.
I've been moving some daylilies to a better spot, and planting more berries. I planted a few strawberries last year and just today I saw the first flower bud on one. I was so thrilled! It doesn't take much to make me happy when it comes to gardening. I have some gold and black raspberry plants, and just added a few reds a couple weeks ago.
I'll take some photos to post later on, for those that enjoy those things.
I also have a new hobby. I started last year and am expanding a little this year. It's beekeeping! It's really neat to harvest your own honey, and I enjoy just sitting outside and watching the young bees take their first flights.

sassy · 04-18-2009, 11:39 PM

We are having a garden this year, after not having one the past two years. My "adopted" son from Senegal is going to garden with us. He is into organic, so we'll be learning a lot this year.
Too early to plant much, but will probably do some onion sets this week.

harrie · 04-19-2009, 09:25 PM

our veg garden pretty much got wiped out by all the rain. For all the month of March, we only had 2 days of no rain.

Bill · 04-21-2009, 08:03 PM

Hi Gang! I'm getting all geared up for my Connecticut garden. The soil here is rich and I've got some nice sunny spots picked out. Elaine, maybe try some Swiss Chard. It's easy to grow and does well in containers. It looks and tastes rich in nutrients, like a spinach, and as you snip what you need, it re-grows. I tried a basement garden here throughout this past winter, but only greens did well. I didn't want to heat the basement and the temp. down there was around 55 degrees, so I think that was a factor. I looking forward to a nice season of spinach, swiss chard, banana peppers, jalapenos, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, and all kinds of tomatoes. Happy Gardening!

PinkGirl · 04-21-2009, 08:46 PM

Hey Bill

Is it Spring???

ElaineM · 04-21-2009, 09:34 PM

Your gardening plans sound excellent Bill. I will try some Swiss chard.
I got some more pots yesterday. The things I planted are doing well. I have to get some sticks to hold things straight though. Things are starting to crawl all over the place. Wouldn't be nice if they just crawled into the kitchen? Ha ha. Does anybody know how to take care of a Christmas catus so that is produces flowers? Mine hasn't produced flowers in the 3 years I have had it even though it looks healthy.

Bill · 04-22-2009, 09:05 PM

Hello Lady Pink! I think maybe this year we should all get together and agree when spring actually starts. I tried to take charge of spring all by myself last year and I seem to recall that it didn't work out too well. Can't remember all the details........

StephN · 04-27-2009, 09:16 PM

I let spring start when I have more plants coming up than weeds!

Right now the plants have a slight edge, but it is a battle between me and the dandelions. I have some with roots a good 6 to 10" long! Hard to pull those suckers ... I don't use herbacide.

Jackie07 · 04-28-2009, 05:13 PM

"During this season of rebirth and renewal, take a few moments to consider spring cleaning. Not just your home, but also your thoughts, emotions and overall well- being. After a long winter, a good spring cleaning can lift your spirits, and open your mind to new experiences, and new possibilities for joy and containment.

First, find a way to sort out the old, negative thoughts that are no longer working for you; write them down in a journal or notebook; share your thoughts with your family or try meditating upon them in a quiet place.

If you choose to write your thoughts down, after sufficient time, put them away, rip them up, throw them out - let them go. On the other hand, if you prefer to keep them as a record of your life's journey, you can revisit them later for a reminder of how far you have come.

Then, look for a new activity or hobby that better suits this season of renewal. Plant some new seeds of change, figuratively or literally. Granted there are certain things we can't change, but others are just habits. Often, an unfamiliar experience or activity can provide motivation and inspiration. Come out of hibernation, and experience something new!

Examples:

* Subscribe to a new magazine
* Work on a jiggsaw puzzle - start easy
* Learn how to play Sudoku or a card game
* Select an author you like and read some of his/her books

Another option is to allow yourself experience something old in a new way. For example, old friendship can be renewed, old thoughts can be reframed, and old wounds can be reviewed through healing eyes for a fresh new perspective.

Of course after you are finished with your internal spring cleaning, treat yourself to a reward. Enjoy a luscious dessert, go to a matinee, take a walk in the spring fresh air. You deserve it!
After all cleaning, of any kind, is hard work."

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