Living in USA

Dee - Growing veggies here in my area has become very popular. Probably due to necessity because of the recession. The local garden shops sell out of the veggie plants faster than they do the flowering plants. I am attempting to grow a few tomato and fruit seeds. The bugs here are really bad and attacked my tomatoes last year. The season is heating up here in Florida, so some of the cold weather plants aren't going to make it with the higher current temps. It's very warm here for the end of only February. Spring/Summer has come much sooner than usual here.

Jon - You have a very good point! The oil crisis is going to make it very hard on all countries that depend on oil to run the economy. That's not good for the USA as we still are in recovery from loss of jobs and cost of living increases. This is really going to stretch everyone's incomes. Let's hope it doesn't get that bad.

Marie - That's a really good and very true saying! Enjoy today, because you have no control over the past and don't know what tomorrow will bring. Appreciate the here and now. :-) We are all hanging in there trying to survive. And we will. It might be a challenge though, so keep your sense of humor and faith! :-) Both have gotten me through some very hard times. :-)

Hey guys, great infomation exchange. I'm at work and will post more when I get off. Had school last night and went to bed early. Lots of positive energy here... thanks

Dee

Imzadi, embrace the positive things in life and grow in it. Smile in good faith as your ship is coming. thanks.

Becky, have you or anyone tried growing veggies from pots ?? That's what I'll be doing this year. You don't have to deal with humid conditions there do you?

Patootie, yes those dollar stores have some nice deals. Normally I just shop but I'm trying to change and shop smart. :)

Dee I have grown Tomatoes and pepper plants in 5 gallon buckets with holes in the bottom for years. I water all the time but had great yields from them. Mine got morning or afternoon sun depending where they were at. More sun when started to produce.

I watched a TV gardening show last week and they were growing potatoes in containers, I must give that a go!

Last year was my first year growing veggies & fruit and I grew them all in containers. I also tried potatoes but I over-watered them and they never developed blooms (which in turn means potatoes are being produced under the soil). My bell peppers and cherry tomatoes did really well. I also grew eggplant, but the veggies never got very big. Probably needed more fertilizer. I grew all of them in grow bags. I won't do that again. The moisture evaporated too quickly and the plants were always wilted. This year they will be in the buckets ... probably like Marie grew hers. Remember to use organic fertilizer since you plan to eat the harvest. I grew one watermelon plant and got 3 fruits on it, but I over-watered that plant too and all three fruits burst before they got big and mature. I'm trying again this year but with a different tactic. LOL! Don't know how successful I will be, but I will keep trying until I figure it out. It might take me a few more years! LOL LOL

WOW! solid information. thanks guys :) OK 5 gallon buckets, organic fertilizer, growing containers, and what about the soil?. I'm going to do some research on the topic but I like the idea of getting first hand information from here to me started. That's what's great about our forum right. For those who are reading and don't know us, trust me the knowledge is here about gardening and if we don't know it off hand, we know where to find it. domo arigato!. = thank you very much!

Dee

:-)

I usually just use a good potting soil mix. I like a Fafard potting soil. But there are many other manufactures out there. Usually something that has good drainage is good for veggies and fruit. The best thing is to just google the plant name and see what information comes up. I usually read several sites and also go to the veggie forum here on DG for advice. And folks here also can help with suggestions. :-)

I used potting soil I got from Lowe's mixed in 3 month fertilizer and pearilite and sand so not to heavy as some mixes are heavy. I used miracle grow after that . I plan to try the organic miracle grow this year. I change the soil each year as they do take a lot of nutrients. I like the 5 gallon buckets for 2 reasons fix them and they are done for the season no changing from pot to pot. A wire tomato cage can fit around them and they fit in small places and movable.

Don't forget to plant tomatoes half way up plant for a better root system.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_cropsinpots1.shtml
The is lots of info on the web growing veg in containers, there does seem to be a lot of advantages too!

Good advice, Marie! I agree with everything you said! :-)

Jon - Containers are the way to go for many plants! You should consider it when you are able to start gardening again. :-)

Pajonica domo, Great information man! I'll be growing me some veggies this season plus morning glory.

Thanks Beckygardener, Imzadi and Pajonica,, you guys are great !
I'll post my result in the vegetable growing forum and will let you guys know.

Dee

Looking forward to all the good stuff everyone will be growing this year! :-)

In the future I plan to grow much more in containers, so much easier to control weeds and bugs. My gardening time will be very limited this year and next but I will be back in there in the future!
Thanks All!
Jon

Jon - Anyway to plant some MGs in a container or two this year ... just to have some vines to enjoy? I don't think a couple of containers of MG vines would be too much trouble.

Jon you have to at least plant something. You gotta have at least one Mg to enjoy.

I will of course plant something, I have 20 bags of potting compost left over from last year and a number of terracotta pots (love terracotta). Time is my enemy right now but I have to have at least something in the garden or summer just won't be summer which would make the winter all the longer and depressing! I'm thinking of around 20
favorite MGs my beloved busy lizzie and portulaca at least. It's so hard to do all I want to right now but things will improve once both the kids are at school, for now they are my main priority! Who'd be a dad? I would.

True, true, Jon! You have your priorities straight! :-) Being a Dad is the top priority!

Oh! You would get a nice show with 20 pots of plants! Your MGs did great last year, so all you really have to do is add the potting compost, plant the seeds, and water ocassionally! :-)

Dad is top important but you can also start teaching them mgs too and the love of playing in dirt and growing things. I could never get my daughter to take to it very much. :(

No one else in my family is into gardening. Only me. They all think I am crazy to get outside in the yard, sweat, and get filthy dirty. One day though, they will be wishing they paid better attention to how I grow everything. Hindsight, ya know! LOL!

lol My Dh yells at me go change out your good clothes he says I am dressin up for my flowers.Lol I love to be in the dirt. I dont know what I would do if I could not be. Glad I can be

Well, guys, here is where I grow my veggies and gourds too.. raised bed that are made from 6"x6"x8' and there are three rows of these wooden 6x6s all around. The bed are in front of this Studio being built right now, this photo was a few days ago and I am in the process of cleaning the beds out and fertilizing in there.. I've had good luck with tomatoes, zuccinni, onions, potatoes, basils, flowers, etc.. peas, beets and not good luck with beans for some reason.

My new studio to be and the beds are in front, we have 7 of these raised beds so far, we will put in two more maybe this year, don't know if my energy will last..lol

Well, guys, here is where I grow my veggies and gourds too.. raised beds that are made from 6"x6"x8' and there are three rows of these wooden 6x6s all around. The beds are in front of this Studio being built right now, this photo was a few days ago and I am in the process of cleaning the beds out and fertilizing in there.. I've had good luck with tomatoes, zuccinni, onions, potatoes, basils, flowers, etc.. peas, beets and not good luck with beans for some reason.

My new studio to be and the beds are in front, we have 7 of these raised beds so far, we will put in two more maybe this year, don't know if my energy will last..lol

Sorry about the double post.

Here it is in the middle of cleaning up at a distance, you can see all the raised beds. What a mess!

Here is a close-up of the front of the building, I'll be starting my seedlings inside the studio and the cattle panels you see usually are covered with gourd vines, grapes, and honey suckle, some mgs, and sweet pea plants... This year, I'll move things around some. There will be more glass block above the porch area and there is another porch in the back of the building... and my french doors .. I'm so anxious.

Okay ... I just have to say this Antoinette ...

I AM JEALOUS!!! What a great set-up! Obviously you put a lot of thought into what you wanted. I love your raised beds and that studio... awesome! What a lovely place to garden and to do all your arts n craft work! You have to share some photos this summer so we can see all the plants. I can imagine myself walking through all that and picking veggies and fruit! I really like the height on the raised beds. You don't have to stoop down, everything is at a comfortable working height! Wonderful area ... ALL of it!

The nice part about them being raised is that there are hardly ever any weeds.. and I get to sit down on the ends too. I also have them on a drip system although I usually have to provide some water on the really hot days. Thank you for the compliments, I designed this studio and the builder made it exactly as I sketched it. I can't believe he did it and didn't change anything, only the glass block, I wanted regular windows so that I could put in my stained glass windows, but he convinced me to get the glass block. Now, if you guys ever want to come and visit, this studio has a bathroom and shower.. no kitchen, but, there will be a microwave and small refrigerator... I'll provide a cot of sorts..lol If they are not done in three weeks, I'll start my seedlings in my kitchen again..lol,

A.

How big is your studio? How many square feet? It looks large!

It is 20 feet by 33 feet.. It is a nice size and tomorrow all the electrical work will be hooked up.. and I'll try to get that area somewhat clean. Well, I'm off to bed, ttyl. Have a great night.
A.

yes I agree with Becky, what a fabulous studio Antoinette! I would love to have something like that to paint in.

That IS a nice size building! You can do a lot in one that size! Can't wait to see a photo when it is completed! Your home and garden areas and patios are fabulous! :-) Your artistic eye is obvious in all the small personal art work and crafts all around your home! :-)

A wonderful studio A. I love it.

wow

Jon one of the best things you will ever do for your kids is teach them the love of gardening...my two GDs love it, can't keep them out of the dirt!

Thank you guys!
A.

A. that is really a nice studio and garden you have, wonderful !!!

Gourd, wow! what can I say. Well done. I can't wait to see how you'll transform it into a work of beauty. I'm glad you're still here posting on Dave's Morning Glory Forum. We're bless to have you here. thanks

Dee

Lillimerci, Helena, Marie, Becky, Marie, Dee, Well, thank you so much. It has been a long time in coming and a whole lot of work. I'm anxious to start making some stained glass windows and other projects. Maybe I can grow a few mgs while at it and this time I can water as I work on something else.

Dee, I wish you well on your veggie growing projects and I know you will do well.

Becky, Marie, Jackie, Helena and which veggies are you planning on growing? I ordered several of the veggie selections parks had to offer this year and I am hoping I get some good seeds there. I really want to start collection some of the heirloom seeds. Do any of you guys have black or the variegated sugar cane (sticks) to trade? I'd love to get my hands on some of those. They make great wind breaks for me here. Last two years I've used corn as a wind breakers.

A,. I would love to grow green bell peppers and my own onions. I love them stir fried togather, At 2.98 a lb for tomatoes, that would be another good vege to grow.
crook neck squash is a good choice too.
I don't have sugar cane sticks, wish I did.

This message was edited Mar 4, 2011 12:34 AM

I plan to do peppers and tomatoes and squash and some others this year.