Dweller's garden thread...

[KevinD]

Hey, dunno if anyone is interested, but thought I'd start this and see where it goes. I'll be adding to it over time. Hope y'all add yours as well.
A little background on these first set of pics. I bought this house back in 2004/5, and the land was a bit overgrown. I loathe mobile homes, but I couldn't pass up the agreed price and interest rate was super low. The first two years or so were spent getting most of the existing trees and greenery under control. The first bed I started was the one in the middle of the front yard (with the bird bath) NOTE: Don't put a bird feeder in your flower beds unless you can spend a lot of time weeding.:mrgreen:
Every year, I've worked nutrients into the soil where I put new beds, and slowly added the beds along with new plants. I typically start new plants off in pots to see how they will do in the area I want to plant them. I've put in several trees over the years as well, and will add pics of those ( a bit early yet, as they haven't budded out yet) Last year, my father-in-law moved in with us, causing me to build a ramp for him (he's partially paralyzed from a stroke, and confined to a powered chair) After I got the ramp built, I decided to make the area in front of the ramp a flower bed to help dress the area up a bit.
These pics are just cell phone pics for now. Once everything has bloomed out nicely,I'll add better pics from a real camera. I also need to take some pics of the veggie garden around back.
On to the pics:

This is the flower bed in the front yard. I plan to have a path from the front porch across the driveway, make an ornamental wood bridge to the trellis, then split around the bed, and over to a gazebo. So far, only the bed, and trellis are in place lol

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0320110738a.jpg

This is the ramp area flower beds. Between the ramp and the house are the Azaleas.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0320110739c.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0320110740a.jpg

This shows a path that I made to cover and hide an old cracked and broken concrete walk. I have put an old bench up against the ramp. I need to replace the wood in the bench one of these days.

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0320110740b.jpg

Here are the Azaleas behind the ramp. I plan to train them to about 4ft height as a hedge to fill the space up.

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0320110740c.jpg

Here is one of the two Flowering Plum trees (no fruit) I planted this year. I'm really excited about these, hope they take and grow well! I also planted one Eastern Redbud, and a Dogwood tree. Last year I planted two Gum trees ( a Sweet and a Black) And there are several Crepe Myrtles as well. (Pics of the other trees will come after they bud)
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0320110736c.jpg

Close up of the flowers on the Plum tree:

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0320110737a.jpg

That's all I have for now of this years plant's. I'll probably take some more when I get home today.
I wonder if this forums has enough interest to create a gardening section?

[redred]

nice :tup:

[Jezter]

So pretty! I would enjoy doing that kind of stuff had I the home, the wife, the family to do all that.

[KevinD]

Thanks guys. It's not really all that hard. Just takes some trial and error to see what will grow in your area/yard. I started off buying plants that looked nice from places like Home Depot/Lowes (Home improvement stores) but after seeing tat the plants weren't doing well, I only buy from local nurserys now. I also try to buy low maintenance plants. Water and fertilize only, lol.

[JDGirl]

Me too Jezter (husband tho, not wife). I like flowery gardens but not green fingered at all :(. keep up the good work :) x

[MrsM]

Nice work Kev. I enjoy working in the garden - however here we can't start until May 24ish to plant.

[KevinD]

We actually got a late start on the veggie garden, but oh well. first time I've done one by myself (grew up doing veggie gardens with grandparents) so was a bit fuzzy on when to plant what, but, this one is just a trial garden to see how different veggies work. Right now we have several varieties of green beans, tomatoes, and carrots, along with some squash, cabbage, and cantaloupe.

[MrsM]

Nice - I think this year we will be planting Tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, carrots and green/red peppers. I also thought about planting pumpkins for the kids - but they take up a lot of space.

[KevinD]

Had a really interesting read on how to early start tomatoes. I had no I idea you could do this. May try it next year:


Tomato tips to live by.
1) compost all year with everything you can gather.
Mulch, grass, leaves.
Build your piles and bins this year all year long.
Plant in them next spring.

2) Always grow your plants from seed.
Store bought plants are never as healthy or disease free as plants you grow from seed for yourself.

3) Start your seeds in a warm room in sterilized seed media.
As soon as they pop out give them as much direct light as possible.
But keep them moist or humid for the first 10 days under a dome or spray them occasionally.

4) Start the seeds 7-8 weeks before your plant date. Package says 6-8 weeks. If your using your seed starting trays or plugs, do this. By doing it up to 2 weeks earlier you get to repot or pot up twice and bury the stem each time and that gives you giant rootballs to start. Do not fertilize for the first 2-3 weeks after they sprout. Then fertilze with a 1/4 strenth 10-52-17 fertilizer at first true leaves. Then half strength and then full strength at recommended rates.

Your plants will bust out of the ground 10 days after plant out and will be setting flowers and then fruit within 20 days of planting out

5) When your tomato seeds have their first true leaves repot them into a bigger container and be sure to fill the dirt all the way up the stem to the bottom of the true leaves. Do this same thing again 2-3 weeks later. Let them fill in the container with roots.

6) My favorite way to grow my tomato plants is to use two liter bottles to plant my seeds in.

Start by rinsing them and letting them dry.
Next heat a nail to poke holes in the bottom on the ribs.
Or drill a hole in each rib on bottom.
Dont be shy make them at least a 1/4 inch each.

To do this is easy. Use a soiless seed starting mix. Jiffy Mix is always a good one for this.
Get a 5 gallon bucket and pour in the dry Jiffy mix. Boil one gallon of water and pour it in the bucket.

The hot water instantly opens up the pores and fibers of the peat mix and absorbs the water. Stir well with a big spoon as you add the water. Dont stir and pour or you will get burned.

After it has absorbed the water and is nicely moist set it out or let stand overnight or until it cools. Then get a plastic funnel and put it on top of the bottle and use a spoon to funnel it into the 2 liter. A pencil or rod will help in pushing it thru.

Once the bottle has about 3-4 inches of mix lightly tap the bottle down (dont shake it) this will level the mix. Now take a spray bottle and spray water on the mix until it is very moist but not flooded.

Now use a long straw that is dry for a dibble and delivery stick. Insert the straw into the top of the bottle make a small 1/4 poke into the center of Jiffy Mix and then drop a seed down the straw into the hole and then cover with the straw. Place the cap on but not threaded all the way on.

Get a box or a crate for 2 liters and set your bottles in them.
I like a box because it lets me capture heat from the sun on cold days and then close the box flaps at night when its still warm enough to leave them out.

On cold nights I just close the box and take them in and put them back out the next morning. Just open the flaps and place them in the sun. Remove the caps as needed. (Hot days) I do this daily after the plant is well established in the bottle. This method completely eliminates bugs and disease from your plants as they grow waiting to be put in the ground.

If they need water (check daily) you can place them in a tray and fill with fertilized water so they can absorb from the bottom or water with fertilizer from your spray bottle from the top.

When it is time to pot up or plant out just cut the bottle at the appropriate place (on top to just fill in more potting soil, cover up the full stem to the bottom leaves of the plant or near the bottom to remove for planting out).

I always do tops and fill in. I get to plant really big plants because of this eatra effort. And usually by this time we are getting some warmer nights without fear of frosts or freezes. But if I do need to cover them I just pick up the box and take it in for the night. Cold days unless it is below freezing wont hurt them in full light.

When it is time to plant just mound sr spread your compost pile, fill your buckets or planters and add a 1/2 cup of regular fertilezer in the bottom of the hole, mix with the dirt. Then place your plant in the hole. (always bury the entire stem up to the loeaves. You can snap off the low leaves ) and then water it in with the full strength 10- 52-17 fertilzer.

Water it in again the next day and every day with full strenth 10- 52 -17 mix for at least 10 days. Do not flood them just keep them good and moist. Each time you do this you are increasing the nutrients for the root ball and flowering. Its the #52 in the fertilizer phospherous that does this.

Sit back and watch your plants explode.
Do this with all your peppers to and you will be amazed.

Once your plants are established spray them or dust them with seven dust. Do it again at the onset of tomatoes and again 3 weeks later. Be sure to always get under the leaves thats where the bugs hide.

Do not water from the top and try to drip water your plants with a drip line or drippers.

Try to spread your plants out, give them room to breath. Doing this alone eliminates most disease and bug problems almost completely.
But I admit I try to get as many as I can as close as I can together. I also pay the price with the same problems because of it.

Last support your plants. Cages stakes or my preferred method is the florida weave.

Whatever you choose growing your own and early will give you better healthier and more fruitful plants.

All credit to the OP: Sharpalizer from 2coolfishing.

[KevinD]

few more pics of various flowers/garden stuff:

Father-in-laws house in the backyard, several potted flowers I put in this year for him

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0321111745a.jpg

First garden I tilled. Tomatoes, squash, cantaloupes, and green beans

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0321111745b.jpg

Second one ( rows are spaced like this so F-I-L can wheel his chair though)

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0321111746a.jpg

Dogwood tree in the front yard, planted this week.\

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0321111758a.jpg

View of the front of the house

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0321111758d.jpg

Wild roses I found on the back fence when I bought the property. Moved them to this location 5 years ago

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0321111759a.jpg

View from my kitchen window:

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq223/kmdracer/0321111802a.jpg

[RBP]

very nice Kev!

[Foxdana]

Gorgeous yard KevinD, a lot of effort has gone into that! I am totally jealous! I can't even keep a fake plant alive!

[RBP]

I can't even keep a fake plant alive!

:rimshot:

[Noilly Pratt]

Beautiful yard, Kev. Looks like a great place to camp! I know nothing about gardening but I will be checking in here from time to time for tips like you posted, Kev...

I will try my hand at tomatoes when it warms a little more here. I'm in a townhouse but I have a miniscule garden out back.

[St. George]

You don't need much room for Tomatoes NP.

[St. George]

......or mushroom. :groan:

[KevinD]

Noilly, the quote I did about the tomatoes is the best I've ever read. I didn't get to try it this year, but I for sure will next year. It's not too late for you to try it though, just sayin...

[St. George]

Already have some on the go.

Last severe frost has gone, hopefully, so I'm gonna get the little buggers outside.

[Muddy]

Very nice..

I could show you a picture of my two tomato plants in pots and a picture of a whiskey barrel cut in half with some strawberry plants planted in it.. :mrgreen:

[KevinD]

Post 'em up! I'm going to put some updated pics on probably this weekend.

[Muddy]

I have this temperature that will hover right around freezing some nights making it hard to get a good foot hold..