How is your garden doing so far?

[GrowinVeggiesInSC]

Thanks Karan! We've certainly put a lot of work into the garden, but there's always so much to do. In my wildest dreams I would get rid of my lawn and turn half the yard into veggie patch/orchard and the other half into flower and water gardens. Unfortunately such ventures cost money, and money is something I don't have a lot of. I make do with what I have, and I've been lucky to discover my green thumb in the past few years. Funny thing though, I can't seem to keep indoor plants alive! :/

Hattie, I definitely know that grey, windy weather. I grew up in northern Germany (a small town called Jever near Bremerhaven).
It was always cloudy and grey and the wind was insane! How my grandfather had a thriving veggie garden is beyond me. I'm very lucky in South Carolina. We do have wonderful Spring weather. The hard part comes later in the summer when we hit the droughts. That's why I'm scrambling to get my rain barrel(s) in, I want to be prepared!

Thanks for the nice comments!

 

[vfem]

I REALLY want to install a container water garden to attract some dragonflies to the yard, but I don't have the finances for plants right now. I am also in the process of making my first rain barrel. I started on it this afternoon, but it was so hot outside I thought I was going to burn to a crisp, so I went inside.

I love seeing everyone's updates, it's so interesting to see how different the climates around the country/world are!

I did something for my mom's yard who is jealous over the amount of frogs, humming birds, dragonflies and butterflies we have. (We have a 2 acre pond we own part of in the neighborhood, that's just nature!)

So I created these shallow bowls (Mostly plastic and glass from Thrift shops) and sunk them into the ground then filled with pea gravel and/or sea shells we've collected over the years. Then you fill them with water like a bird bath.... but these attractive watering holes are for butterfly, dragonfly and hummingbirds. They really do attract them, and the rocks and shells help hold the water longer and keep the bugs from drowning while they drink. Place some around your gardens.

 

[GrowinVeggiesInSC]

So I created these shallow bowls (Mostly plastic and glass from Thrift shops) and sunk them into the ground then filled with pea gravel and/or sea shells we've collected over the years. Then you fill them with water like a bird bath.... but these attractive watering holes are for butterfly, dragonfly and hummingbirds. They really do attract them, and the rocks and shells help hold the water longer and keep the bugs from drowning while they drink. Place some around your gardens.

Sounds like a great idea - but... how 'bout those skeeters? It seems like if I have standing water the mosquitoes will be even more out of control!:/ What do you do to combat them?

ETA: If I do a container garden, I plan on having a small, solar-powered pump fountain, to keep the water rippling enough to keep mosquitoes out.

 

[warmfuzzies]

Maybe the addition of more dragonflies helps keep the mosquitoes down.

I got part of my cutting garden put in, and I am working on my cucumbers and squash today. I diddnt know there was a downside to rain untill I read about all of ya'll not being able to plant!

 

[obsessed]

Yeah how that work with the skeeters. I'd think they be just as bad in NC

 

[Greenthumb18]

Yeah how that work with the skeeters. I'd think they be just as bad in NC

Maybe you could keep a few mosquito fish in to control the mosquito larvae.

 

[GrowinVeggiesInSC]

Mosquito fish actually don't eat as many larvae as we give them credit for.
The temps topped out at 90 degrees today! Already! You can imagine how fast that water would heat up! I'd have boullabaise before long! haha - eww!
I am going to hold off on container water gardens until I can make sure I can build a nice little mini ecosystem that is not going to boil my living things or breed mosquitoes like crazy.
Putting things into perspective: I went to see my friends' brand new house today, and I have to admit I am very jealous of its newness. That being said, they hardly have a yard at all, and I do love my large (for our area), lush, green backyard, even without a water garden!

 

[karanleaf]

Hattie Thanks so much for the good wishes

Yes We have been working harder at it the past couple of days. I am so Very proud of my DH , he has been working his heart out.

Here is what I posted on another thread (getting tired) don't want to type it all again

DH & I have been working hard trying to get ready for our Greenhouse opening day Saturday woot
And I made a super big score Wendsday, Tuesday I picked Noah, our grandson up after 4:30 from their muscial play practus (sp?) (tired)
When I did I saw this huge pile of new lumbered palets and Big ones to boot ep So I called the school and asked what was going to happen to them, and if I could have them? They called me back and said they were mine for the taking. ya So Dh Went right away and picked all 7 of them up. So today (Thursday) we buildt an instant fence and have used the rest for display racks for the plants for sale celebrate That just made my day ya There is no better Price than FREE woot I will take some photos and post them


Grownin SC Yes yes do have a nice garden and ya know if ya join the seed swap you may still be able to get other items for your plantings
check it out http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=24786

Good luck and a Great Gardening weekend to all :happy_flower :rainbow-sun :watering


AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY a bit early I think I might be busy then :rose :rose row :bouquet


Nightey night Karan

 

[jlmann]

Hey guys! Great pics! Looks like everyone is off to a good start. We've still been having rain so I haven't done much in the way of gardening. I have been spending some time out on the lake fishing a bit though. Catfish are really biting. I think we're about done with the rain. The sun is actually trying to make an appearance today! I have so much catching up to do after a week of rain I don't know where to start. Anyway, keep up the good work guys and wish me luck out in the rain forest that used to be my yard!

Hattie- Did you say you had Dorkings? I am so jealous! I can't find them anywhere around here. I do have one barred rock pullet I started this year that is going to be super tame ( she actually pesters me until I pick her up and then pecks at the buttons on my shirt ) so she's a lot of fun.

Karanleaf- Best of luck with the grand opening this weekend! Let us know how it goes.

Happy gardening!

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Hi there! :happy_flower

I had to come in from the garden the WIND is DRIVING ME CRAZY I can barely stand up in it -- it is VERY UNUSUAL for it to blow like this here & everyone is wondering what is happening to our English weather this year. I spent most of the morning securing various things around the garden otherwise they will end up across the fields on the church tower 2 miles away.

This morning some more seeds arrived by post, unfortunately not the Brandywines -- the wretched nursery emailed me today to say they have sold out. They suggested another variety but I'm not interested -- I ll have to leave it till next year now --Ah well! I've waited about 5 years already......!!!

Hi jlmann,

FISHING.......??!!
What do catfish taste like? Never had them! I've seen them in photos -- are they very bony? How do you cook them? Someone told me they taste very muddy! Then they often say that about trout which I love -- you have to let them swim in a tank of clean water to clean their innards!!!! great cooked on the BBQ with a big branch of rosemary & lemon slices in their cleaned out middles -- Mmmm! I'm hungry again.

I've been potting on my seedlings & stashing them in the UGLY greenhouse thing -- actually it works fine but it is NASTY-LOOKING It offends me -- never mind I'll get over it

I finally got my new clematis planted. This is the description of it, doesn't it make your mouth water ?

I love scented plants & especially in the winter. I had not realised you could get a 2nd floweringin August -- even better.


"Clematis Armandii - Fragrant Evergreen Climber.

Armandii is the only fragrant clematis. It flowers last several weeks and sometimes a second flowering is produced in August. Very highly recommended. This extremely vigorous vine from China adds a touch of elegance to every entrance way. Long dark-green leaves droop to create an architectural statement. The glossy white 1" flowers are produced in clusters in March and April/ and Fill the air with the first smells of spring Jasmine. Loves full sun/ but tolerates partial shade in rich organic soil."

I found it a perfect place where it will get some shelter in the winter while getting any sunshine there is & for the longest time. I took a lot of trouble planting it. A big hole & deep, watered the hole first then put in lots of well-rotted manure & compost then the plant & it's supports along with some good peaty soil mixed with the earth I'd dug out earlier. I firmed it in, deliberately leaving it in a slight sump so that it collects a little water this year ( I will fill this up with more compost in the winter). I then poured over a bucket of Granddad's "Jollop", mixed 50/50 with water. I finished the operation with 3 large rocks, covering the rooting area.

Now, that's the way to plant a clematis -- well, thats my way -- tried & tested over 45 years! :tools I'm passionate about them, along with climbing & rambling old-fashioned roses -- preferably growing through each other ! A WONDERFUL COMBINATION.


Happy Gardening to you all & good luck with your JUNGLE jlmann, my thoughts are with you after dealing with my garden full of brambles & NETTLES! Now THERE WAS A JUNGLE


:rose Hattie :rose