Gardening As Therapy...seriously...i've Been Trying It Out....

[JarHed]

Nice garden Bill

There's nothing like fresh from the garden vegtables. As you've shown, you don't need a lot of space to have a really nice coffee nook. :)

Jar

 

[jamz]

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Not much space but we use it all. I like to drink my first cup of coffee out here...better in the so called winter we have down here when the temp is real cold...around seventy!!

I like it Bill, nice garden. Like my Mom's.

 

[reddevil1111]

I used to live in Cocoa Beach as a kid for a few years. Nothing but weeds grow there. The sand is to strong.

Nice garden. I am about 20 miles from the big fire in Colorado. I keep telling the wife now would be a good time for some mtn land. Its practally a "fire sale" ha-ha. Shame I dont have the cash. I could get 80 acres of rocks for a real big garden.

 

[Sludge]

I mess around in the dirt patches, unsuccessfully, that I've dug out back. I struggle with the weeds, rabbits, groundhogs and chickens. I have 13 chickens, rhode island reds, langshan and a white cochin, for eggs. I've managed to grow a small mint patch mixed in with my lawn out back from an old kitchen plant that I tossed because I thought it was dead (i love to brew fresh mint, it will get me out of the house to go pick a piece) and there's wild raspberry and blackberry plants that are overtaking the yard and gardens. I prefer perennial plants and flowers.
I dislike the weeding part of having a garden and not fond of chemicals; I use compost and seaweed I gather from a local beach.
Right now, I have one bed turned but nothing planted, I'm a bit lazy right now.
My husband has been working doubles, without him here with me (motivating me), I prefer to sit in doors. I'm still struggling from my neighbors late night celebration.
I love jennymac's garden idea of boxes on the fence, and I love the bright color.
T^3

To deal with the mammal type critters I use "Liquid Fence". It is an organic spray on made of egg, garlic and beef blood. It keeps everything off my plants save for the bugs. Not sure if they sell it in your neck of the woods, but I swear by the stuff. Rabbits, Dear, and groundhogs are a real problem here, but this stuff keeps them all away. Nice part is, while it stinks to high heaven until it dries, it becomes undetectable to humans. It washes right of in the sink with no odor, and lasts up to six weeks or until a really heavy rain hits. I don't even spray it on my plants, though you can. I made little soft wood stakes about 300mm long, drilled a hole in the end, and then placed them around my garden borders every meter or so. I just squirt the Liquid fence into the hole to fill it up once a month and my hungry critter problems were solved. Nice part about my method is that rain really doesn't wash it away, it just helps it seep out the softwood.

I would love to do box gardens and planters here, but our near constant winds and low humidity make them difficult to keep watered. I did have some success with potted tomatoes, but even they were too much work for my liking.

I do use the stacked tire method for potatoes with excellent results. I yield around a half bushel of taters per plant this way. (Well, that and I don't use soil in the tires. I cheat and use a mix of horse crap, leaf compost, straw and shredded news paper....)

I guess it is just because I am a science geek, but the research and experimentation is a close second to fresh broccoli and sun warm tomatoes!

 

[Sludge]

you need Nala to take care of the vermin.. I can see her mothering the chickens tho lol... omg I looooove fresh mint.. it brings me back to my childhood at Uncle Leos house.. he had it planted as ground cover in a narrow bed next to the driveway... you pulled up and got out of the car and thats what you smelled..

I bought Nichol some Star Jasmine.. she loves the smell.. trouble is she doesn't water it.. lol I have to take off at lunch and go over there and water it... she has no idea.. I hope she doesn't find out I am having an affair with her garden or she might take away my keys to the house... lol

Mix a bunch of chopped up sponge or shredded burlap cloth into the soil around the roots. You will not have to water as frequently! I use cigarette filters but not everyone smokes two packs a day and saves them in buckets all winter...LOL

 

[Sludge]

Hey Sludge

I'll have to go into the 'archives' to get some pics. give me a bit of time on that.

I can't remember where I saw an article on doing just what you said about using the old water from your aquariums to feed the plants. maybe the Whole Earth Catalog if it's still around. WoW that takes me back.

Jar

Im going to wait a few weeks as the growing season just started here and things look a little "scraggly"

I'll put some up of my spring flowers and wild flowers shortly.

 

[JennyMac]

Tomatoes,egg plant, beans, pepper, bell pepper...good stuff. Florida is great for this stuff!!
Fresh salad every day. I try to help but mostly get in the way. My wife has this stuff in her blood!!

What a good looking garden.....ummmmm I see grilled veggies in your future :)

 

[Bill Simmons]

This is the future...roasted egg plant this afternoon!!

 

[JarHed]

Gotta say, no matter where you get your vegs and fruits there's nothing to match fresh from the garden.

I'm startin' to plan for next year. Too many things this year and a bit late in the season for anything major. But for next year, OH Yeah!!!! Ya'll got me psyched. :D

Jar

 

[Sludge]

Gotta say, no matter where you get your vegs and fruits there's nothing to match fresh from the garden.

I'm startin' to plan for next year. Too many things this year and a bit late in the season for anything major. But for next year, OH Yeah!!!! Ya'll got me psyched. :D

Jar

There is plenty of time for lettuce, tomato, corn, radish, carrot, eggplant, peas and beans. Plant now for September/October harvest!

 

[JennyMac]

yep...you can even buy some starter plants...this time of year you will probably find some good bargains.

 

[Sludge]

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Here is a shot of my smokedeck as seen from the roof whilst cleaning the gutters. This is a few months back, so none of the plantings had really taken off yet.
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Here is a better shot. I actually finished the patio and rock wall construction and the ponds/waterfall last fall. About a week after the picture was taken I started moving in lots of plants and flowers. Is difficult as it is a full shade area. (Notice Po dog trying to figure out how to join me on the roof...or giving up on said plan...)