City Gardeners- Anyone out there-New Forum?

I'm new here, so I'm looking around for gardeners with similar interests/problems etc. Although my community is full of city gardeners (that's all we can be really unless you have the luxury of a second home in the country), I find an internet home such as this to be invaluable.

I suppose city gardeners could be a combination container gardens/ shady gardens, etc. But I also have enough sun to have roses and plant directly in the ground in some places. One thing most of us don't have is cars- i.e. you have to rent a truck for any home depot trip, Walmart (not that any near us would have plants), or gardening shop trip.

It'd be interesting to see where people get their plants from- how they lug 1200 lbs of dirt up a 5 flight walk up (without paying someone that is- I think we city people love to do that!), or just get things home from the local garden store for that matter.

Also walls and fencing are a huge matter to the city gardener.

Any ears out there? Anyone here on Dave's baking roses on their rooftop?

Welcome to DG, Tina! I think you're the first person I've seen here at DG from NYC (at least that I remember). Wow -- I *never* thought about the no-car thing and hauling plants and soil/amendments home. Holy cow! What a thought.

Thanks GW- I've been doing it nearly 4 years now. It took at least 2 summers to lose the official 'black thumb' title. And now I'm really into it... Hoping to propogate some vines for the first time this year. I truly look up to people who can garden a whole yard. Even though my outdoor space is fairly large by city standards, I couldn't imagine half an acre or anything even close.

Hopefully I'll find a little niche here.

Welcome, Tina! You might try posting this (or a link to this thread) in Container Gardening, too - you're bound to find some other urban gardeners there :)

(Sorry, I just can't imagine life without my lawn, my pick-em-up truck, and my pile o' mulch, lolol!!!)

Hi Tina,
Welcome to DG forum. I'm not sure how many people actually have roof gardens or garden on their balconies. Myslelf I live in the old part of my city where the lots were orignally very small, not much bigger than a pocket garden in the front area. Balcony and roof gardening can be fun. I helped my daughter with her balcony garden a few years ago. We were lucky she had elevators and was not in a walk up building. You must take pictures and post them. I'd love to see what you are accomplishing. Its truly a labor of love I'm sure.

Kewl..........I'd love to see that, too!! I live in a very small, North Texas town. Have a half acre to work with, the rest is concrete and the dog's yard.

"eyes"

I really need to get a scanner. But I'll try to get some pix scanned by my friend tomorrow at his office. I'll show some before/ after/ and after and now pix. I say it that way, because like I said, I killed a lot of things, especially the first summer when I had no idea how much light matters (yeah, I know that's dumb)and I didn't quite understand which parts of my garden get no sun and which ones get quite a bit.

I'm still learning every day. It really changes your life when you're surrounded by concrete everyday, but have this wonderful little oasis to come home to. I don't think I'll ever be a country person as I really love the city, but I have a lot in common with those who are. And can definitely use all the advice on this site!

Thanks- maybe we'll find some city gardeners, but even if we don't, I'm sure I'll benefit from everyone.

Hi Tina, welcome! I know you will have a great time here: I can't wait to hear about your roses in NYC.

I know there are a few other NY gardeners, but I am not sure where they hang out. I haven't met any yet who grow roses, but I have read about a few (very few).

A few of my friends who live in high-rise apts downtown have shared your dilemma: how do you get all that stuff up and down the stairs/elevators? Maybe I can entice them into DG and they will help enliven the city gardening aspect. I know there is a definite place for it, especially with condo owners and apartment dwellers.

I have about 1/4 acre, and it is almost all shade; I do grow a lot of plants in containers, but mostly because I can move them into the sun when they start turning into toadstools :D Roses into toadstools! Maybe a new Grimm Fairy Tale? Sounds grim to me!

Welcome Tina! Sorry I'm a rural gardener with 4 acres,but would love to hear how you cope with everyday gardening stuff. We all have things that are difficult.....I gotta mow this endless lawn from March to November. Looking forward to hearing from you!

It's time for me to get a digital camera! I forgot all my pix and was terribly busy today. When I can post them I will. And when I have time I love rummaging through people's journals- what a great way to document things. I'm loving it- I have such a great time when people post their bird pictures. My favorite part about having a garden is the fact that you get to see more than pidgeons every now and again.

Talk to you all soon,

Hi,Tina! Welcome to Dave's! I would say you're gonna' love it here, but you already do. ;) LOLOL! Yeah, I love the journals! Have you checked out the Tradetracker yet? COOL tool!

Please do get pics of your rooftop garden. I'd love to see them! I've always dreamed of living in New York City and having a rooftop garden! I live on 100+ acres, the part of the 600+ acre ranch where I grew up that I've managed to hang on to, so it's probably a case of "the grass is always greener". LOLOLOL!

Well, I "lost the farm" so to speak and am now about to start a balcony garden to take the place of the 3 acres I had so it will be all containers for me! I managed to bring a few things with me but dug them up in such haste that I don't know how many of them will survive. DH said I have to leave enough room for a small table and 2 chairs on the balcony....but he didn't say I couldn't use them as plant stands so....call it "City" gardening or "container" gardening but either way expect to see me with dirt under my fingernails and smudges on my face!

I now have a lawn tractor but no lawn, shovels and rakes but no place to dig a hole but once the garden bug bites you a little thing like not having any earth can't stop you!

But I still have a truck to haul home the plants and bags of soil. Being on the west coast the idea of no car seems really odd though!

I can imagine you lugging a tree on and off the subway or into a cab. Now that is a determined gardener!

Welcome Tina...I live on 4 acres in AZ...and didn't know (or care) the first thing about gardening...then the good folks on here started sending me "stuff"...Now I rejoice at every little seed that I am able to grow!! Careful!! This Garden is very addictive! LOL Jo