Gardening - Page 8

Not in line with the original spirit of this thread but whatever.

Really could benefit from isitreallystillmatthew?'s photography skills.



Veronica "Georgia Blue" in the front, Iris "Glowlight" in back left and Echinops "Blue Globe" back right. The latter I'm most concerned about because I got everything in there and I think that might be a tad too cramped. There are five Irises. Through to about June/July there will be something blooming in that pot with a little overlap between plants. The texture is fantastic.

Just for context...



Another container planting, hyacinth and confederate jasmine in the back. Note the flowering cabbage.



These tulips doubled in size today... I have about 30 that are yet to bloom so... one of the best parts of spring is going to last a while.

What's this? Just one of many such tulips growing in the front yard. You know, NBD.

That tulip is diseased

Thank you, Douglas.

So, yesterday, I leave for work, I have a stem and I see where the flower will be, but no sign of blooming. I get home to this.



Also, what's weird is that the iris grow in swamps naturally and they like really boggy conditions so I've done a lot to keep the soil moist, basically watered every other day. The echinops can handle any condition but they were really dried out yesterday. Worried about them, partly because it was a $15 plant.

Yesterday I planted to hellebores and a Russian sage but no pics as the hellebore plants are under a redbud which is in full foliage and the sage is between some camellias. I planted it right next to where I sit on the deck so butterflies will be eye level with me. Also have a surprise lily that I need to figure out where to put.

Is anyone else doing anything?

Oh and the last of my tulips have bloomed. They are just white. But its been fun seeing the progression, I had the red ones, then the multi-hued ones, now super tall white ones...

I planted this year's vegetable garden over the weekend. I decided to try my hand at potting it this time around.

It contains:
Tomatoes - Better Boy and Super Sweet 100
Red and Green Bell Peppers
Jalapeño Peppers
Rosemary
Oregano
Basil
Cilantro
Mint (didn't plant this, it just survives from year to year)

+1

I'm not really into flowers, but that's cool looking.

Gardening is one of those things that I'd very much like to pursue but unfortunately I have other hobbies that distract me instead. I'm thinking about growing some spices on the balcony of my apartment, though... Seems like a painless way to get into it.

Does anyone know if herbs can be grown in hanging planters? I want to grow basil and mint this year but I'm sure my dogs would just dig them up. How much sunlight do they need?

Yes and as much as you can give them.

Chervil

Garden cress

Fernleaf dill

Fraise des bois

+1 to what Ed said. I've had mint in a pot for a few years now, and I did basil last year. Basil in particular likes lots of sun and warmth.

Also, a couple of things I've learned from growing mint and basil (sorry if this is remedial for you):

- Mint is basically an invasive species, and it's extremely hardy. Even in a pot, you have to work to kill it. The mint I had in a pot from last year was in my garage all winter and only died after about five months of no water or sunlight. To re-pot this year, I found some that had popped up from the ground where the previous owner had planted, stuck it in a pot a week ago, and it's already showing new growth. I've ripped it up repeatedly, but it keeps coming back, which is great when I need a new cutting but otherwise.

- Pinch basil blossoms as soon as you spot them. Flowering plants lose their flavor.

An incomplete planter... Will put it in some more lantana later.



Also, didn't arrange the stuff very well. OH WELL.

Both of my tomato plants, one bell pepper, and my jalapeños all have blossoms on them! I'm not sure if they'll produce any fruit, but it's nice to see them all getting going early.

Was going to start a new thread but decided to bump this one. This year we grew/are growing:

Cherry tomatoes - so far we have had a several dozen, giving them away and eating them
Cowhorn peppers - a few dozen, giving them away and eating them (makes a great omelet)
Jalapeno peppers - a dozen or so
Scotch Bonnets - one so far but it was good in some curry
Yellow bell pepper - one (in the window)
Rosemary - a few sprigs (in the window)
Some other peppers

Last year we did:

Cucumbers
Squash
Baby carrots
Misc herbs
Beefsteak tomatoes

I am Caribbean rooted so this year's crop was far better than last's. We're growing this stuff in 7x1x1 boxes I found in Chelsea. Good stuff.