Gardening : Gardening

[trapped]

I love collecting eggs from chickens- my first interactions with them came earlier this year when I started an internship at a psychotherapy clinic that did equine assisted therapy, but had other animals they used in therapy, including chickens. I will sometimes eat fresh eggs I get to collect from chickens myself, but can't eat the store bought ones. One of my roommates is the opposite lol... anyway, I was terrified of the chickens at first, especially of collecting the eggs. I had heard mean things about chickens. The very first day I was there, the head therapist went into the chicken pen with a couple other people. I was curious so followed her in, but was practically glued to her hip cuz I was scared. She picks one up, asks if I had ever held a chicken, I said no and next thing I knew I had a chicken in my arms, and was so so so anxious that it would hurt me or I'd hurt it or I'd drop it, or who knows what terrible thing could happen... she wouldn't let me put the chicken down til I relaxed, and when I finally relaxed and tried petting it and realized how soft they were, I started laughing. They weren't gonna hurt me at all. I stuck out the anxiety cuz I knew she wouldn't let me get hurt. Then she told me to try to catch one- that was definitely a frustration tolerance exercise, but after a couple days, I was able to go in and catch any chicken I wanted really easily! It was just intimidation (and concern for not hurting the chicken) on my part that made it difficult at first. I didn't know how to pick up a chicken, and her response was "how do you think you should do it?" which is the response we give when our therapy clients ask us how to halter a horse- part of the therapy is them figuring it out on their own, what works for them, we only step in if it's going to endanger the horse's safety or the client's.

Anyway, all that was to say that the internship (which I'm taking a break from due to my own issues emerging), exposed me to lots of things I've never been around- horses I know. Cattle I know. Sheep, goats, etc I know. Alpacas were new and scary for me. And organic gardening was new, and a bit anxiety provoking, since I didn't want to mess anything up, and every time I left I'd be bringing home fresh organic veggies and chicken eggs. But, it was exciting too. And something I want to start doing again.

So, my question is: what do I need to start gardening? I'm in California and it's summer time. There are areas of my backyard that get only sunlight, some that get sunlight and shade, and some that get only shade. I need to start by pulling out the dead plants and weeds, and doing something with the soild I think since it's all hard. My roommates have said I'm free to start a garden and grow whatever I want there. I'd love to have lettuce, some veggies, maybe some fruit and/or squash, maybe some flowers (not things that will attract a lot of bees though since I'm allergic) or maybe herbs... I'm pretty open... but I have no idea how to start a garden, what tools I need, etc. I've learned a bit about it at the internship (organic gardening was sometimes one of the therapeutic activities they had clients do or help with, or sometimes I'd spend extra time there to help with it, but had never had experience with gardening before- I've managed to even kill bamboo and catci which I've been told were hard to kill). I think it would help me with the stress and anxiety, as well as socializing more, ect... what supplies do I need to get started, and how do I know what is good to grow this time of year? How long does it usually take from the planting to the harvesting?

I'm sorry if these are stupid questions- and I hope someone is able to help put up with my ignorance for now- I am going to try to do some research online, perhaps even walk to the bookstore sometime this week, to be able to learn more, because my knowledge in this area is very limited, but I think learning more would be good for me.

 

[suzie q]

I absolutely love every aspect of gardening, growing, maintaining and the study of the hows and whats!! I have no degree in any line of botany. All my experience and knowledge comes from the study of many books and good ole on the job training.

I had my own business recently, but had to stop due to lack of motivation and trigger events. Would like to start again but, at the moment, I have issues to work on.

I don't know a lot about everything you can grow, but I do have a little experience with a little bit of most things. Gardening and studying plants has always been very helpful in managing my stress level. Whether I'm making money at it or not, I keep it close to me.

I enjoy learning more about annuals, perennials, herbs, roses, shrubs, and veggies. I live in zone 6.5 to 7.

It will feel so good to share in this club...so glad you keep the thing going!! Thanks for the opportunity to participate in my love of plants.

Keep growing!
suzie q

 

[Midnight]

I love gardening, I live in an apartment so I'm limited for space but I managed to cover almost our entire deck with pots! I've planted a lot of herbs and just bought a bunch of seeds for next year. I'm a little worried because I've not had a lot of success growing from seed. I tried to grow lavender from seed last year and the seedlings died as soon as I planted them. :( So, we'll see how next spring goes. I love watching the garden and taking it all in. My husband and I have bought a bunch of houseplants too. It's kind of an addiction; every time I go out to the store I come home with more plants!

I have questions about home made compost bins: I started one this year in a rubbermaid bin. I mixed in some soil along with dried leaves, newspaper, plant clippings and banana peels. It looked good for a bit; but now it is growing mold. Is it suppose to do that, or is it getting too much moisture? I live on the northwest coast and it is VERY moist here. Should I bring the bin inside?

 

[Gloria]

I am new to this site and new to this forum. I have a farm in Illinois. I have had gardens before but the soil on my farm is the best I have ever had. My farm has been horse property for thirty years and that means it's been enriched with manure for the entire time. I am also surrounded by oak trees and they enrich the soil also. I raise chickens and goats. I used to milk my goats but I got tired milking and hour in the morning and evening. It got to the point where I had so much goat cheese that I couldn't give it away. But I do get about two to three dozen eggs a day. I grown my own vegetables. I am in heaven here. The soil is so rich and light. My last home had heavy clay soil. Even when I put sand and manure in every year, it was still too clay.

 

[dust]

I haven't been here for a while. Good to see the green fingered folk are still around! I've moved up to a friends allotment now. We spent a day turning the compost the other week, that was fun. It's mid-winter here right now and there is lots of snow, so not a lot to do outside except dream of the spring.

 

[James B.]

This is cool. I'm getting a cactus garden going. And will post some pics sometime soon.

 

[goingonhope]

First I want to say hodge, I hope you are well and that you still enjoy gardening!

As for what gardening means to me, I simply love it and only started doing it 5, 6 yrs back, and I don't even really know what I'm doing, but so much of the time it works. The yard ends up looking beautifully for the family and I and the neighborhood.

Last yr. was very sad and this included not being able to do near as much as I was accustomed to doing in the garden, yard and about the house. The stress, workload and depression was all too great and to greatly overwhelming.

This yr. however, could be different?

I have several hanging plants hanging with soil ready to go, just got to find time to get to the closest garden shop. I have large lilac bushes growing beautifully that started from little tiny twigs a couple years back. Soon I will find a place for another lilac plant that I have in a large pot.

As for my flowers, I don't remember the names of them. They're out there though and growing beautfully. I managed to rescue three pots of lovely yellow dangling flowers (perenials) from pots that just ended up neglected last yr. and left outside through the winter. Gee were these root-bound, but look great these days.

Can't wait to cut down a tree that's in rough shape from storms and replace it with another white flowering tree like the one my husband I planted a few yrs. back and always looks great through May.

I've got big hopes, little funds to do much with, but just enough and certainly enough creativity to have lots of therapeautic fun outside, ....just so long as I can find the time and regain the strength.

I mowed today again, for the second day in a row and oh' my, I've never felt so old. Shoot, even as I've suffered from Ptsd in prior times, I was generally physically strong. However, this yr. I must move slow, go easy and perhaps do less, ......certainly find lots of ways to rebuild my strength gradually.

Okay, I'll start. ..........................So, join on in - what do you grow? What successes and tips can you share? What problems do you have? What does gardening mean to you?