Vegetable garden

[RustyShackleford]

After years of stealing from my neighbors and parents, I finally got off my ass and put in a small raised bed garden. A few cedar boards, a truck load of topsoil and some work and it was in place. I went with a raised bed mainly for aesthetics and I didn't feel like buying a tiller. So far I have three tomato plants and two green pepper plants in the ground as well as a row of lettuce. Zukes, green beans and cukes are still in the pots and will go in next week.

So who else around here has a garden?

 

[TLDR20]

I have been gardening now for 2 years. Nothing tastes better than homegrown off the vine tomatoes. This year I planted three types of tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, green beans, purple jalapenos, and green peppers. So I should at least have enough for some bomb salsa.

 

[LibertasVeritas]

Right now I'm rocking a little windowsill herb planter. I'm planning to buy a house in the next year now that I know I'll be where I am for several years. Got some serious garden plans for when that happens. Did you excavate below the planter at all, or does the topsoil start at the grass line?

 

[racing_kitty]

I had a pretty nice jalapeno plant going for a while, but it got bit by an unexpected cold snap (the low that night of 28°F was nearly 10°F colder than was originally forecast), so it died. Once I get moved, if there's a spot suitable, I'm going to start another jap, some habañeros, and a whole lotta basil.

 

[Dame]

Mine's in abysmal shape. You all are going to get me motivated.

 

[RackMaster]

I usually have one in but have been to busy the last couple of years. If I don't get anything in this year, I'll at least have new beds set up and ready for next year.

 

[SpongeBob*24]

Rack.....nothing grows that far north except syrup and bacon.....:-"


Rusty.....I have 2 4X8 raised beds, a huge Sunflower play area for the girls, and 3 rows of children of the corn.
But I must say, I am super jealous looking at your grass.

Good luck with the garden....

 

[RustyShackleford]

Did you excavate below the planter at all, or does the topsoil start at the grass line?

Yeah, I pulled up all the grass and went to work with the pick ax. Figured doing that would improve drainage, among other things.

 

[AWP]

Two 4x8 raised beds on my To Do list when I finally return home for good. I settled for some flowers and landscaping on this trip.

While these are geared to the state of FL there's a ton of good information and a Youtube/ Gardening in a Minute series. Anyone gardening should look into their local ag office or extension.

http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/

http://www.gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/giam/index.html

 

[CQB]

Go for some herbs, you can always use them for something. Try rosemary, the two types of parsley, sage, thyme & oregano for starters. I've got some spinach & lettuce in atm.
Also I think marigold will keep the pests away.

 

[Gypsy]

Go for some herbs, you can always use them for something. Try rosemary, the two types of parsley, sage, thyme & oregano for starters. I've got some spinach & lettuce in atm.
Also I think marigold will keep the pests away.

Correct on the Marigold plants, even keeps away bees and wasps.

I am growing some herbs, I don't get a lot of direct sun my balcony faces north...but I do get some late afternoon sun.

 

[CQB]

Some herbs don't need a lot of sun to thrive. I also have my herbs in tubs so that if I move they can come too.
For insects generally I have some Venus fly traps & for flies a pitcher plant. They can strip mint & parsley pretty quick. It's fun picking off fat belching catapillars & feeding them to the fly traps.

 

[LibertasVeritas]

In addition to Marigold, if you have Mosquitos where you are, Lemongrass is better than citronella candles.

 

[CQB]

Funny you should mention it, I was thinking of putting in some. Makes a nice tea too, with just black tea & a lemongrass 3" stalk as a stirrer.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Got the squash and cucumbers in the ground yesterday morning and worked a blueberry and raspberry bush into the landscaping by the deck.

Always knew about marigolds, but not lemongrass.

 

[TLDR20]

In addition to Marigold, if you have Mosquitos where you are, Lemongrass is better than citronella candles.

We actually have a citronella plant. We keep it in a pot by our front and back patios. Smells just like a citronella candle. Seems to work ok. We bought it at home depot.

 

[CQB]

Good tip! BTW Rusty, what type of fertiliser do you use?

 

[AWP]

Who knew Rusty could create a thread which actually sparks some discussion?

 

[Brill]

Odd that none of our Colorado or Washington State colleagues have yet to weigh in on their "grow operations".

 

[LibraryLady]

My "grow" operation is currently in transit. Plus, I usually don't put anything out until after Memorial Day. Oh. Wait. That was last weekend!



I'll get some picks posted up as I progress - strictly container gardening for us as we don't own right now.

LL