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Garden Plans for 2024
It is getting to that time of year where I start to plan on what I am going to grow in 2024. So far I need to finish my Strawberry tower and start my medicinal herb tower. I also have two raised-beds with bases for the patio and three raised-bed to go into the yard. This morning I decided that I am going to keep the…
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Greenhouse & cold frame ideas
Here are a few ideas for you. Some can be focal points, some are just practical, & some can be used in small spaces or urban settings. Do you have a cold frame or greenhouse? What materials did you use? Do you have pictures of your creation? Please share with other members to inspire them & maybe spark a new idea!
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Plants best for northern Forest treed canopy (north of Grand Rapids, MI) shady sandy gardenig?
Looking for resources and knowledge with dealing with growing in northern shady tree canopy in West Michigan. Has anyone grown in a forest bed?
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Inflation in seed prices and shipping prices
Looking at the same of the prices in new seed catalogs has me blanching a bit. Some are doing a good job of holding the line on more price increases. Most Baker Creed seed packets are still in the US$3.50 - $4.00 range, and shipping is still free. Baker Creek has always been one of my favorite seed companies even though…
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Using glass lids to start plants.
I stumbled into this and I am getting good results.
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Design Plans for 2023
Last year I got the idea to come up with a plan from @judsoncarroll4 so I thought I would take the time in winter to create my 2023 plan. It sort of was started by nature, we had a lot of rain in December and after the rain I realized that some Kale seeds and potatoes I planted last year came up! I am hoping that once I…
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Themed gardens
I like unusual plants. I'm sure everyone here knows that by now. 😆 This online seed store (update... I'm not sure how legitimate the site is, but it's fun to look through) got me to thinking of themed gardens (edible/decorative/mixed). I know some people have done animal themed (elephant ears, etc.) or color themed…
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Community Challenge #1: Growing Giants
What would everyone think of doing a growing a giant ______ challenge? We could make a list of giant plants and put their growing zone beside. Each member could pick one type in their zone, as well as a "push your zone" seed (outdoors/indoors). Sharing our growing experience as we go could be fun. We could share our…
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Kitchen gadgets
What kitchen or household gadgets have you up-cycled to improve your garden? I had unmatched flatware in the silverware drawer. One day, I decided to use a metal bit to drill holes in the handles. I had at 1st thought about making wind-chimes. But then, I decided to use twine to knot in between each handle, about four to…
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How do you store your seeds?
I have always stored mine in a plastic bag or an old #10 tin. I did put some into the freezer too. What do you store your seeds in?
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My tiny ponds. A success story
Some three years ago I dug two little ponds for my bees and the visiting and residential garden birds. At the beginning the ponds were quite sterile, although I use only rain water. My friends brought some plants. They multiplied. Now the ponds are full of life. Bees, of course, come for water, birds drink and bathe… these…
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Why raised beds vs in the ground?
Hello. I'd like to understand why the emphasis on raised beds? It's costly! Either wood or cinder blocks, and then to buy the soil, as I just moved to a place in January and haven't been composting here; can get free horse manure from my daughter. I don't need to be "comfortable" so what's wrong with planting in the…
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A place to discuss your working garden design
What is your working crop plan now? We are trying to start a group out here in Michigan to help each other with gardening, such as starting seedlings, canning, fermentation, helping with the gardens, etc. We are also helping the poor learn how to garden. I rent, but I have four 8’x4’ garden beds in a local community…
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A beautiful lemon garden
I really enjoy watching ProWalkTours to be able to virtually explore other places. At the end of this video exploring Sorrento, Italy, is a beautiful lemon & grape garden. I especially love the support trellises throughout this garden. I think it would be fantastic to build a garden like this with these supports. To think…
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flowers in a garden
12 Best Flowers To Grow In The Vegetable Garden (ruralsprout.com)
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New Plant Varieties in This Year's Catalogues 2023
I just got a look at Brecks spring bulb catalogue. So many wonderful things to tempt. Some stunning new colours but I wonder with Brecks, how much touch up has been done to the colours. One of the most exotic things I have seen for awhile is their new Frozen Queen Calla Lily. Purple-red flowers above translucent leaves.…
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Garden planning season begins
January is the traditional time of year to peruse seed catalogs, dream about new varieties to try, and begin planning the garden layout. I've started placing most of my seed orders in the fall after seeing the challenges of 2020, but January is still a good time to review what you have available, what still needs to be…
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Ways to enclose my garden
I had so many problems with my garden in 20. that I hope I have come up with a solution for my garden. Man made footprints, digging in my garden, poisoned soil needing replacement, more digging in other parts of the garden. Digging through the wire mesh. Are there ways to enclose a garden? The thought came to me while I…
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Dealing with Deer, Etc.
Years ago, at a different location, my husband built me a raised bed with a removable high cover made of chicken wire attached to a frame of PVC, which worked very well, to keep squirrels and wild critters out of my garden. The problem was that it wasn't really high enough to allow enough growing room for the tall…
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Are concrete blocks safe to use for raised garden beds?
Will the concrete leech into the soil from the concrete blocks? Thanks for your help. 😊
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The Economic Garden
There are many reasons to have a garden. It's relaxing, it produces food even if you can't buy it elsewhere, the food you grow is healthier than many of the atlernatives, and so on. In this discussion, I'd to specifically talk about the "saving money" aspect of gardening. This is the direction I'm moving as I try harder to…
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My 2022 Gardening Plans
Judson got me thinking about my 2022 Gardening Plans - some of my seedlings survived the critters and windstorm last year and are doing well. Today I started both some new seeds and some seeds I tried last Fall (that for whatever reason did not make it). I am really excited to see how the Belaris Broccoli does, right now…
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Are Raised Bed Garden Kits Ideal?
Hello Everyone, I used to own a 2000 sq ft garden in years past. But now that I've moved into a new neighborhood, I'm looking for grow options. I am preparing to purchase a "deer proof" cedar raised bed garden kit. I'm not handy when it comes to carpentry, so it looks like this is my best option? But the kits are…
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Building garden bed terraces on a hillside - tips and tricks?
Any tips/tricks to build bed terraces on an existing hill quickly? It is a 30deg incline, 100ft wide by 40ft on the hypoteneuse. It is not easily accessible because it is behind a house and several unmaintained lots (no roads). Is the best way to build some incline 'steps' just to use shovels & hoes? I am wondering if we…
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ACME Planimeter: figure your acreage area
I found this tool and think it's quite interesting. I thought I'd share. I really wasn't sure where to place this discussion, but knew that I didn't want it to get lost in the general chatter. You can use satellite images if desired by using the layers in the upper right hand corner of the map.
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landscaping around a house foundation
In our area bushes were always the normal landscaping technique. I think it helped in severe winters to keep the cold from the home. Now some people do not recommend it saying it can cause foundation and moisture issues. I agree that certain shrubs could cause issues. I am getting ready to replant the area around the house…
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Edible ground covers
@Monek Marie mentioned this in a thread she started and I think it deserves its own space. Have you ever used edible ground covers? What did you use, what zone are you in? What did you find good about what you planted? What were any negatives? Tips? Does anyone have suggestions what to use for an edible ground cover…
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Looking for help in my garden plan
Hi! I'm in Zone 4b. I was wondering if someone could please review my garden plan as I would like to start planting. (Date of posting May 23, 2022)
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Survival Garden plan for tropics / Puerto Rico
OK I was hoping for some feedback here. I am building the below plan for my landscaper to assist me in setting up my gardening plan. I referenced a lot of Marjory & David the Good in putting this together, particularly David's newest S FL Survival Gardening book. FYI we get about 80in rain a year (seemingly more than S FL)…
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Designing terraced garden beds
Hey y'all, I'm planning my garden here in Puerto Rico. I have a big hill in my yard. I can't regrade it because of local permissions. I'm thinking to make terraced beds - what size and how would you design it? In his new South Florida Gardening Survival Guide, David the Good talks about flat ground beds no longer than 25ft…
