First day as a Gardener...let's hope I don't kill anything.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
United States
February 10, 2007 8:39pm CST
Today, I did not have time to get to all my responses and to respond to all my friends' discussions, because it was my first day as a "gardener." I don't consider the one houseplant I have and all the other times I have planted a few plants with my mother and neighbor to have been gardening, because it was never MY garden. However, today, me and my hubby, went to the home depot to get supplies and plants. He worked on the pond/waterfall feature (that I think will never get done, or at least done correctly) while I worked on planting my flowers. I live in a hot and dry climate, there is lots and lots of sunlight. However, we are planting trees (Italian Blue Cypress) for shade, and climbing jasmine. I bought pansies, alyssum, stock (a flowering plant I had never heard of), and a morning glory (which I am planning on getting more of). I would love to here suggestions, tips, and any other comments. There are other flowers and bedding plants that I would like...also, a grassy-like plant. I am just not sure what to get.
5 people like this
15 responses
@AskAlly (3625)
• Canada
11 Feb 07
I am pea green with envy. I won't be able to stick a plant in the ground untill after the May long weekend. There's less risk of frost then.
My garden is knee deep in snow right now and every winter I fret over "winter kill" I am freakishly protective of my roses and strawberry plants. Did I cover them with enough straw, should I have used more burlap. It makes me crazy.
Once summer comes and I can get out and garden, Mylot will have to take a back seat.
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@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Ally,
I share in your envy. I learned the hard way never to plant new plants in the garden until after May 7th. Of course, the exceptions are my cold veggie crops. I usually get those in around the end of the first week in March. I should have gotten my starters going (indoors) last weekend, but didn't. That'll be my task after work this week. Don't despair. Spring is right around the corner, or so says Punkstatawnee (sp?) Phil.
Western Valley Girl,
Pansies, with a water supply, and heavy mulch should bring you wonderful seasonal pleasure. The Allysum's success will depend on the quality of your soil (how loose it is), as they're not strong rooters. In addition to Allysum as a ground cover, have you considered Portulaca? It's also an annual otherwise called 'Rock Rose'. It does really well in hot/dry gardens. Very pretty, small, brightly colored flowers. For ground covers I've chosen heirloom mints and lemon thyme. Both are aromatic, and survive the long hot days.
With climbing Jasmine and Morning Glory, it seems as though you're wanting to cover an arbor, or fence for shade perhaps? Is that the case? For climbers, I opted for climbing honeysuckle on my dry garden fence. On my small arbor I planted climbing Trumpet Vine, and climbing roses. All are doing really well. Ya' have to be careful of which variety of honeysuckle though. Some are such aggressive growers that they'll weight down a fence or arbor. For the large, shade arbor I went with grapes, which are surprisingly strong, and very heat tolerant.
I'd have to say that the happiest perennials in my garden are heirloom daisies, and Purple Cone Flower (echinacea), which is a purple daily-like flower. Both are very heat tolerant, and aren't fussy at all.
Now if I can just keep the grass alive. I made the mistake of letting the dogs into the garden two seasons ago, and they've done a real number on my grass. Ugghhhh!!!
2 people like this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Ladyluna, thanks for all the advice. I am going to write it down, when I head back to Home Depot. I really have no idea what my hubby is planning (besides shade) with all the climbing plants. I like all of your suggestions, and my soil is very wierd. I have only seen the likes of it on rocky beaches...if that makes any sense. It is not like "dirt," but like gritty sand. I have combined my topsoil (as the directions say to) with my regular soil, so now all I have to do is get mulch...I was not free today. Such good suggestions, I cannot wait to go...oh, it did rain today, I was surprised though, (even though I knew a storm was coming), because it was still warm.
1 person likes this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Our weather keeps changing, we just had a warm spell, but I believe that it is going to be stormy soon, so I hope that my new plants will be safe, as they are barely in the ground. Well, it is good that we can enjoy your company for now ;)
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@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Morning glories are water hogs, so they're not the best choice for hot, dry climates.
I also live in an arid environment, the high desert. And, the most sage advice I can give is to install a drip irrigation system. It's really not that expensive or difficult to do. It's a real life-saver for a hot, dry garden.
The second bit of advice is mulch, mulch and more mulch.
The sun just sucks the water out of the ground.
Did you buy soil amendments? I've had wonderful luck with 'Back to Earth' composted cotton burr and sphagnum peat moss to loosen the clay soil. In fact, one of the best birthday presents I ever got from my husband was two yards of 'BTE'.
What type of soil do you have? And, what is your planting zone? You can find your planting zone on the back of most seed packets.
3 people like this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
11 Feb 07
I do have a drip system installed, so I am trying to plant the plants that need the most water around it, I have to see where I put the morning glory...I have never heard of BTE, so I will have to look into that and see what it does...And, I bought some seeds, for my pots, so I will see the planting zone also, let me make sure that I did not throw the packets away...and yes, I told my hubby that I forgot the mulch, lol...so now I am even more anxious, because I do not want an outbreak of bugs either...and I think the fresh soil and flowers would draw them in.
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@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I looked at the seed packet, I have, it was torn in half, but I could see where my zone generally was. Lucky me, it already started. Whew, because I didn't consider that, until I had told my sister, later that night, that I had spent the day gardening, and she asked me the same thing. Thank you very much for all the responses and suggestions that you have given me. I am going to have to print them out, because I cannot remember them all. I would give you best responses...but all I can give you is best response.
@Alexandria37 (5717)
• Ireland
11 Feb 07
I only know about the plants that grow in our moderate climate in Ireland, but I think a Pampal grass plant would be ideal in your climate. I love them and they can grow quite tall and bushy. They also need very little care which suits me quite well, as I tend to forget about plants onnce they are in the ground.
3 people like this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Yes, I hope that I can be an expert gardener, it has always been in the back of my mind, so, time will tell, if I have the green thumb, or if I am going to make a muck out of everything. I will look into that plant that you have recommended...if it doesn't grow well in the ground, I can always stick a little in a pot...
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
11 Feb 07
I never was an expert gardener. I don't really know what might works in your climate. You could probably find info on the web or even get some books from the library. I love pine trees myself, but don't know if they can grow in your climate. The pond and waterfall sound like a garden of eden.
2 people like this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I hope so, today my hubby was complaining about the pond/waterfall feature...I have not heard the whole story, but I believe that he is becoming very discouraged, I might have to take time away from my garden, to help him with his project...I saw him looking longingly at my project...but he should leave that to me (I hope he will stay on his side of the backyard, lol).
1 person likes this
@simplysue (631)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Maybe you would like to add some herbs to your flower garden that you could use for cooking as well. Many of them have pretty leaves and if you're lucky you may get some nice blooms too. It could also save a bit of money at the grocery store. :)
2 people like this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
That is a good idea, I would really love that. I am trying to go for a kind of "wild but orderly" look, so that would go great. Should I plant them between the flowers, or in their own space?
@dadasupreme (40)
• Malta
11 Feb 07
Hey goodluck with your new job. I do not know much about gardening but today I bought my first pot, packet of seeds and bag of compost. So I was instantly drawn to your gardening thread.
2 people like this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Well thank you. Hope it all goes well for you also. I am optimistic, however, it did rain today, and I don't want the plants to be over-watered, because it also dripped during the night (my drip system)...
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I don't have a green thumb at all. My suggestion would be to go to the garden nursery, and tell them what you want and where you plan to plant everything. They will give you the very best advise for everything you will need and what to do. Good luck. Blessings, M&M
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Thank you, I hope that I will be able to find someone who knows how to answer my questions, because sometimes, they don't have a single clue about anything, and I wonder how they got their jobs!
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Western ValleyGirl,
As much as I love Gardenia, I will caution against them in your garden. They are very heavy drinkers. In fact, they're happiest saturated. They are quite fussy, needing acidic fertiler, or watering with vinegar. They need to have porous, peat-rich, acidic soil, with amendments added annually. And they are completely cold-INTOLLERANT.
So, if you have your heart set on Gardenia, you might want to consider it in a pot (that you can bring in from cold-snaps), rather than in the ground.
Oh, and I almost forgot ... watch out for spider-mites. They're almost inevitable with gardenia.
As a hardier alternative, still in the Evergreen shrub family you might consider Boxwood, Euonymus, or Chinese Hibiscus. Euonymus is really lovely. Reddish leaves, providing year-round color. Heat tolerant, and not at all fussy.
Hope this helps!
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
11 Feb 07
To Thehsmomof2,
Just some interesting gardener trivia:
Your grandmom would throw out her dishsoap
on her plants to add extra nutrients to her soil. Most sage gardeners did the same.
In the old days the agent that added to the sudsiness of dish soap was a fertilizer nutrient. I forget whether it was Nitrogen or Potash. Back in the 70s it was removed from U.S. dish soap because of the havoc it wreaked on septic systems. The trees and plants above septic systems flourished so grandly that septic systems were being destroyed well under their anticipated life-span by root invasion.
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@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I was 13, and my grandmother got mad at me. She told me to pull the weeds from the bed, so I did. My definition of a weed then was any of those ugly plants in between the pretty plants. So out went all the ugly plants, including some kind of one stem monstrosity that climbed up a vine laddder, I believe the term is.
I don't remember if she said anything at the time, but years later my mother told me the story how my grandmother was angry with me, but the plant grew back, and as the years passed, it grew multiple stems that branched out beautifully all over the ladder.
I wish you the best of luck.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
That is interesting actually, so that the incident happened, but at least it all went right in the end. Have you decided to also take up gardening or just like to appreciate it from afar, without really getting into it. I know, I have had to pick a lot of weeds when I was younger, also. Not very fun. Thank you, I hope it all goes well also.
@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
12 Feb 07
G'Day westernvalleygirl! How did your first day go as a gardener? Did you kill anything!!??
I am a very keen gardener, and hope that my advice will help you. As regards new plantings - have a look round your neighborhood and see what plants are thriving, and stick to those in general; it's a good guide, then you wont have too many disappointments by planting something that is just not suited to your environment. Your local garden centre should be able to give you all the tips and guidance you need - I find they are eager to help you get the most out of your garden, so you can enjoy it.
I live in Australia, so have to choose my plants carefully (in Queensland, which is extremely dry and hot), but now I know which plants to buy and leave the ones that I know just will not survive in my area. Good Luck!
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Hello Abbey19,
Greetings to another fellow gardener. I've heard that Queensland has some glorious gardens. And, excellent advice to Western Valley Girl to take note of the plantings in her neighborhood.
I'm a high desert gardener, so I know what you mean about choosing plants carefully. I've had more than a few cooler climate choices die on me because of the aridity here. Painful lessons, for sure.
Aren't you in your summer growing season now? And, how's your garden doing with the drought?
Anyway, just wanted to send out a friendly 'hello' and concur on your sage advice.
Toodles for now!
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Hi Western ValleyGirl,
What drippers are you using. 1gallon/hr, two gallon per hour or something else? And ... How long is your zone timed to water?See where I'm heading here? If you're using 1ga/hr drippers, and you're watering for 30 minutes, then you're giving the area under the drip head 1/2 gallon of water. That's not alot of water for bamboo, but it's plenty for boxwood. This is why it's so important to plant similar drinkers in the same zone. A tropical area and a cactus rock garden should be on different watering zones, or else your drown the catcus or parch the tropicals.
The rule of thumb that I follow is to flank the plants with heads, one on each side, for better distribution of water. I end up running the system for less time, providing the same amount of water.
Speaking of water, how's hubby's pond installation going? Is he laying a liner pond, or a pre-formed poly pond? If he's laying liner, I understand that he's had some trouble. There are definite do's & don't(s) to liner ponds. If I can help get him over a hurdle, please let me know. My love of gardening has only been amplified by more than a decade as a professional koi keeper/pond designer. Ponds tend to be in beautiful gardens, so they go hand in hand.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Today I checked out the soil, I am not sure if my drip system is speading the water to all the plants...how far do you think it travels underground? Because There are few that are about 1-2 feet away from each tube, that drips water...others, are right underneath it. If I have to relocate some plants, I will.
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@Janany (70)
• Australia
11 Feb 07
Well done!
You can plant some veges in your garden it' slook different and useful to your family.
You could organic veges.
Do you have water restriction in your country?
Now we are having it.
Try some small flower they could cover the ground.
You must choose the right plant for your climate.
Some plant loves sun light very much.
They are easy to care.
Enjoy it!
@AnnaB87 (761)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I would love to be able to have a really nice garden. It sounds like you will have a very nice yard and garden if you keep working at it,
You can go on a few gardening sites to get helpful tips.
Or you can ask someone you know who has a nice garden that is willing to help you.
Also your local four H group may be able to offer you some tips.
The more you practice the better you will get at gardening,
at least that is what I think.
I hope your plants all do well. And that you soon have a really nice landscaped yard,
@thehsmomof2 (145)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Oh, how I wish I could be gardening right now! Unfortunately, there is too much snow and cold here in the US Northeast right now. May can't get here soon enough.
I do not know what zone you are in, but here are my favorites for zones 4-5:
begonias
zucchini
chives
strawberries
sunflowers of all colors and sizes
parsley
tomatoes
My (great?) grandmother used to dump her dishwater over her grardens. I have taken to doing this because I must pay for my water now. I also add crushed eggshells to the soil whenever we use eggs, and I will also use vegetable, egg and pasta water (cooled) after cooking, as well as leftover tea/coffee. My plants are spoiled. I also water with the water that I use to rinse the fruits and vegetables.
@bykenshin (266)
• Brazil
12 Feb 07
Whoa... i don't understand about plants, so i can just wish you good luck ;)
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