byjove
Ruby
Posts: 15,148 Likes: 73,890
|
Post by byjove on Mar 26, 2021 12:07:50 GMT -6
I wish we got more sun inside and outside. We have GIANT pine trees that not only drop needles and sap, but block almost all the sunlight. I haven't actually landscaped and we've lived here 10 years. I feel like I need to just bite the bullet and do it this summer. I used to hate all pine trees. But now as I venture into birding 😂 I see how much shelter pines provide for birds. So, maybe look to see if any pines should stay. Plus they smell amazing. My childhood involved being near a lot of pine trees, which are not as prevalent in the DC area (but still here), and they always make me happy.
|
|
loony
Emerald
Posts: 12,569 Likes: 44,968
|
Post by loony on Mar 26, 2021 12:11:59 GMT -6
I used to hate all pine trees. But now as I venture into birding 😂 I see how much shelter pines provide for birds. So, maybe look to see if any pines should stay. Plus they smell amazing. My childhood involved being near a lot of pine trees, which are not as prevalent in the DC area (but still here), and they always make me happy. Until you have to rake....We get at least 30-40 55gal bags in the Spring and again in the Fall.
|
|
byjove
Ruby
Posts: 15,148 Likes: 73,890
|
Post by byjove on Mar 26, 2021 12:16:09 GMT -6
Plus they smell amazing. My childhood involved being near a lot of pine trees, which are not as prevalent in the DC area (but still here), and they always make me happy. Until you have to rake....We get at least 30-40 55gal bags in the Spring and again in the Fall. Touche. There was no raking, since there was not really grass. I'll see you my 100+ year old willow oak though.
|
|
beaf12
Silver
Posts: 424 Likes: 2,056
|
Post by beaf12 on Mar 26, 2021 12:18:20 GMT -6
Plus they smell amazing. My childhood involved being near a lot of pine trees, which are not as prevalent in the DC area (but still here), and they always make me happy. Until you have to rake....We get at least 30-40 55gal bags in the Spring and again in the Fall. Yikes! That is a lot. I’ve never had to take pine needles, the ones we had didn’t drop needles like that. Can you remove a few to thin them out?
|
|
loony
Emerald
Posts: 12,569 Likes: 44,968
|
Post by loony on Mar 26, 2021 12:20:58 GMT -6
Until you have to rake....We get at least 30-40 55gal bags in the Spring and again in the Fall. Yikes! That is a lot. I’ve never had to take pine needles, the ones we had didn’t drop needles like that. Can you remove a few to thin them out? When we finally remodel, there are at least 2 that will have to be removed because they already are too close to the house, but there are 7-10 on the property that are very large and super costly to remove because of where equipment can be.
|
|
iruntodrink
Sapphire
Mostly namaste. A little bit fuck you.
Posts: 4,574 Likes: 22,590
|
Post by iruntodrink on Mar 26, 2021 12:57:06 GMT -6
I used to hate all pine trees. But now as I venture into birding 😂 I see how much shelter pines provide for birds. So, maybe look to see if any pines should stay. Plus they smell amazing. My childhood involved being near a lot of pine trees, which are not as prevalent in the DC area (but still here), and they always make me happy. me, too!! Fallen pine needles baking in summer makes me think of Dad ❤️❤️
|
|
overboard
Sapphire
Dull normal
Posts: 3,120 Likes: 15,781
|
Post by overboard on Mar 26, 2021 13:20:28 GMT -6
My goodness. H might kill me. I got two encore azaleas, jasmine, bay leaf, okra, cat grass, okra, cilantro, chili pepper, cyclamen, and some potting soil. Oh and the tiniest rosemary plant they had because I’m going to kill it anyway.
|
|
|
Post by lemondrop on Mar 26, 2021 13:25:37 GMT -6
I don't orchid well, either. I've tried all the different tricks. Ice cubes. Different potting soil. My next step is buying a fake one from Home Goods, LOL. This is my orchid from Costco. My DH didn’t realize it was fake until he was putting it in the car. It’s on my perpetually messy countertop This is friggen gorgeous. That color!!! 😍
|
|
overboard
Sapphire
Dull normal
Posts: 3,120 Likes: 15,781
|
Post by overboard on Mar 26, 2021 14:31:14 GMT -6
Plus they smell amazing. My childhood involved being near a lot of pine trees, which are not as prevalent in the DC area (but still here), and they always make me happy. me, too!! Fallen pine needles baking in summer makes me think of Dad ❤️❤️ I wish I could find a use for pine needles. I’ve read they’re too acidic for garden mulch. I stopped counting at fifty on our property. 😕
|
|
overboard
Sapphire
Dull normal
Posts: 3,120 Likes: 15,781
|
Post by overboard on Mar 26, 2021 14:43:54 GMT -6
It was bittersweet shopping at the nursery this morning. My mom loves to garden too, but since she considers me “bad association” she won’t go plant shopping with me. I just needed to put that somewhere. I forgot to mention my favorite indoor plant, song of India. It looks like it is slightly poisonous to pets though. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Attachment Deleted
|
|
|
Post by ldubhawksfan on Mar 26, 2021 16:26:38 GMT -6
New baby persimmon tree next to our mature citrus trees.
|
|
|
Post by ldubhawksfan on Mar 26, 2021 16:28:13 GMT -6
My unruly garden beds, including the grape tomato plant from last year that is sprawling across the whole rear one. I’m trying zuke in a separate pot/mound this year.
|
|
|
Post by bunnyfungo on Mar 26, 2021 18:08:41 GMT -6
I feel so unmotivated to start gardening stuff until the weather is nice. I like to be right out there in the dirt and the sun. We’re 4b though so it’ll be awhile. Luckily, DH is the opposite so he started a bunch of seeds going indoors. I’m going to try to do a better job of planning so once the early season stuff is done I can replace it and get more from the space. I also really need to prune the apple trees and the blueberry bushes but I don’t wanna 😫
|
|
|
Post by bunnyfungo on Mar 26, 2021 18:12:35 GMT -6
Here’s my veggie garden from last year. I learned a lot and will probably change things up. It’s not pretty but we got a ton of food from it.
|
|
byjove
Ruby
Posts: 15,148 Likes: 73,890
|
Post by byjove on Mar 26, 2021 19:29:21 GMT -6
I’m so jealous of these large yards!
|
|
overboard
Sapphire
Dull normal
Posts: 3,120 Likes: 15,781
|
Post by overboard on Mar 26, 2021 19:47:38 GMT -6
I am so sore. I got everything in the ground except for the jasmine and some annuals. I did some weeding and split my day lilies. I think I’m supposed to wait until fall but I had to clean out these beds. It’s driving me crazy. I thought I’d get everything cleaned out today so we can mulch tomorrow. Lol no.
|
|
tallb
Amethyst
Posts: 5,111 Likes: 32,844
|
Post by tallb on Mar 26, 2021 20:37:37 GMT -6
Mostly a lurker on this board, but I do love some plant chat! I very much want to plant veggies but we have some serious wildlife (despite living on a close city suburb) and I don't have the motivation to figure out how to keep it protected from deer and squirrels. We did have our yard mostly re-landscaped in the fall with a grading project and planted a bunch of hydrangeas, so I am going to focus on cleaning up the perennials and see what survived the winter.
On the inside, I have a fiddle fig that is touching the ceiling, so I need to take action on that. I guess I should try to propagate it? I've never done that though, so I'm nervous.
|
|
beaf12
Silver
Posts: 424 Likes: 2,056
|
Post by beaf12 on Mar 26, 2021 22:55:20 GMT -6
Mostly a lurker on this board, but I do love some plant chat! I very much want to plant veggies but we have some serious wildlife (despite living on a close city suburb) and I don't have the motivation to figure out how to keep it protected from deer and squirrels. We did have our yard mostly re-landscaped in the fall with a grading project and planted a bunch of hydrangeas, so I am going to focus on cleaning up the perennials and see what survived the winter. On the inside, I have a fiddle fig that is touching the ceiling, so I need to take action on that. I guess I should try to propagate it? I've never done that though, so I'm nervous. I don’t know what a fiddle fig is, but I’m sure there’s a Facebook group for that! 😂 Re: your veggies, large wire cages would be my suggestion, but I’m sure there’s a Facebook group for that, too!
|
|
Ls2012
Amethyst
Posts: 7,364 Likes: 32,621
|
Post by Ls2012 on Mar 27, 2021 9:04:26 GMT -6
This place has motivated me to finally get my backyard into something other than the bland dead space that it's been since we moved here (6.5 yrs ago). We're on a typical city lot, so not a ton of space to work with.
I just placed a massive order for brick, soil, mulch, 10 emerald arborvitae, 8 hydrangea, and a really cool looking smoke bush. I'm leaving space to add a couple fruit trees, I think, because I know the girls would love that, but need to figure out what would grow smallish and also be non-pollinating since there's not room for both a male and female in the layout. Maybe cherry trees? I also saved some space for a couple blueberry bushes and a raspberry bush, but think that'll have to wait until next year.
For the front, I bought some wildflower seed, and some day lily and iris bulbs. Hopefully I can get them in the ground soon. We're zone 5/6, so should be ok. I think. Idk. I'll take all the advice.
|
|
AmyG
Ruby
Posts: 15,255 Likes: 33,677
|
Post by AmyG on Mar 27, 2021 14:55:58 GMT -6
If you live anywhere in the west, the best help is the sunset western garden book, as the zones they identify take into account not just COLD/hot temperatures/hardiness but are more precise than the USDA's, since they factor in not only winter minimum temperatures, but also summer highs, lengths of growing seasons, humidity, and rainfall patterns. There are maps out there that extrapolate more of the us into similar garden zones that are better info than just the usda hardiness zones.
just something that might help someone out there new to gardening.
|
|
overboard
Sapphire
Dull normal
Posts: 3,120 Likes: 15,781
|
Post by overboard on Mar 27, 2021 17:28:12 GMT -6
I’m in the Houston area, and everyone here is trying to see what survived the ice storm. I lost two hibiscus, but when I went to pull out the third, there were a few tiny leaves allllllll the way at the bottom. Even my gardenias seem to be coming back. I’m so excited! Plants add up so quickly, and I try to propagate as much as possible. I’ve added two more hummingbird bushes this year this way.
|
|
clucky
Opal
Posts: 7,815 Likes: 32,810
|
Post by clucky on Mar 27, 2021 20:27:59 GMT -6
I’m here, but I’m worried that I haven’t started the seeds yet, so we shall see. Hopefully I can get it done tomorrow. My dad (garden) and mom (houseplants) have green thumbs and I tend to struggle, but find random successes with gardens and houseplants. Once I had a pothos and if I hadn’t given it to a neighbor after attempting to kill it, I would still have it. I miss that 97¢ starter that tried to take over my living room.
|
|
byjove
Ruby
Posts: 15,148 Likes: 73,890
|
Post by byjove on Mar 28, 2021 11:27:51 GMT -6
We just picked up flowers for our backyard pots and were a little adventurous. We bought a potted hibiscus (in a yellow pot), poppies, and I had to get a speedwell (if you know, you know ). I’ll take a pic once it’s all potted and looking nice. Snap dragons are a personal favorite, so some of those too. I’m not even sure what the girls grabbed.
|
|
|
Post by catspajamas on Mar 29, 2021 11:02:02 GMT -6
I never venture outside the weekly thread, I missed this! Avid gardener and & houseplant hoarder here. I have... too many houseplants, lol. I highly recommend the Planta app to keep on top of things. You can upload pics of your plants, it will give you a detailed care schedule & send you notifications when it’s time to do something (water, mist, repot etc.).
We bought our house from people who loved plants maybe a little too much, lol. We have spent the past few years thinning out the gardens and it’s really paying off - things can actually breathe and get light now, and plants are appearing that we hadn’t seen previously (surprise lilies bloomed last year for the first time, and I can see them poking up again).
Our forsythia are blooming which to me is the official sign of spring! Time to get moving on yard work / prep.
We’ve never done veggies before, but plan to try this year. Deer are a major problem here. I bought two raised garden beds (one with a greenhouse roof), hoping to keep animals away. We shall see.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2021 12:10:13 GMT -6
@clay I pick up pots and decorative baskets at thrift stores. There’s also lots of vintage sellers on Etsy that have cool old pots and baskets for sale.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2021 12:16:39 GMT -6
My greenhouse is full and my garden is nearly full. I’m expanding to containers on the patio this year so we’ll see how that goes. Yesterday I transplanted my basil sprouts to individual pots. I’m hoping I end up with enough starts to give some away. I’m impatiently waiting for my tomatoes and peppers to get big enough to go out in the garden (or containers).
Harvesting lots of peas and greens right now. I might pull up a couple of garlic for some green garlic, since I’m growing a new to me variety and can’t wait to taste it.
I had to clear a bunch of native mint from our front yard yesterday, so I harvested the new growth for tea. Consider finding native food plants for your region, it’s lots of fun! Or even just native landscape plants - the birds and pollinators will thank you. ☺️
|
|
Peekaru
Sapphire
Posts: 2,518 Likes: 10,480
|
Post by Peekaru on Mar 29, 2021 12:20:09 GMT -6
African Violets and succulents are happy campers today let
|
|
elle
Ruby
Posts: 17,308 Likes: 111,549
|
Post by elle on Mar 29, 2021 13:05:33 GMT -6
@clay I pick up pots and decorative baskets at thrift stores. There’s also lots of vintage sellers on Etsy that have cool old pots and baskets for sale. I miss going to thrift stores. Well any home goods type stores really. Eta: and obviously I would go if I had a real need but I don’t so it's better to skip the shopping trips. I just miss browsing.
|
|
|
Post by ldubhawksfan on Mar 29, 2021 13:11:47 GMT -6
@clay I pick up pots and decorative baskets at thrift stores. There’s also lots of vintage sellers on Etsy that have cool old pots and baskets for sale. I miss going to thrift stores. Well any home goods type stores really. Eta: and obviously I would go if I had a real need but I don’t so it's better to skip the shopping trips. I just miss browsing. Same and I don’t really generally like shopping.
|
|
elle
Ruby
Posts: 17,308 Likes: 111,549
|
Post by elle on Mar 29, 2021 13:58:31 GMT -6
I miss going to thrift stores. Well any home goods type stores really. [Qq: and obviously I would go if I had a real need but I don’t so it's better to skip the shopping trips. I just miss browsing. Same and I don’t really generally like shopping. Me either but I really miss the occasional wander around.
|
|