new member from Maryland

Hello everyone. I live in the suburbs of DC on 6.4 acres. I started gardening for the first time seriously 9 years ago, a couple of years after we moved to this house. I did only flowers until a few years ago when I put in a kitchen garden with raised beds. I am a fan of informal garden borders--sort of a cottage garden look, and I'm pretty much totally "natural". Don't use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. I have, however, been known to use a little Round-Up from time to time and feel guilty whenever I do.

This forum is huge!

HI , Welcome . yes there is lots going on lots to do to. have great time.. Twyla

Welcome BlueMay! I know you'll find lots of good friends and good advice here in the garden.

hello from upstate new york. this is a great place to meet new friends.

Welcome to Dave`s most of us here are just plain
garden nuts we`re harmless(most of us anyway)
so jump right on in and join the fun.
Pheadra

Thanks for the welcomes. And I did jump right in on the Pets forum several days ago. Hmmm, I'm so used to emoticons and I went to use one and it seems they don't have them here.

Hi, I've returned to Dave's after a long absence. It's good to see a neighbor here. :-) This place is so big and there is so much great information. I just placed two plant orders and already I want more by reading the posts. This is going to cost me...LOL

Hi, Ree. It's a sickness, isn't it? I just got my first order for the 2006 season--9 packets of seed from Renee's Garden. And I've ordered 6 roses from Chamblee's. I'm going to try wintersowing this winter for the first time--I hope it works!

I have thought about winter sowing. The thing is I only need a few plants and a packet tends to give quite a bit. Of course, with that said, I just placed another plant order. Yes, it is a sickness and a wonderful one at that. :-). My garden was not up to snuff last year due to my mom being ill and not having the time. My garden is my therapy and boy do I need therapy.

Welcome BlueMaypop, I've currently got 101 containers going for winter sowing..LOL I was going to start small but got carrried away.This is such a great place you'll love it. Lauri

Sorry about your mother. I got way behind in my gardening for a couple of years because of various family obligations, so I'm working to bring it back. I've got over 6 acres, so there's a lot to do. Not all of it is cultivated, of course, but still, even with 3 acres of various borders, it's a lot to deal with. Unfortunately, I've grown older in the past few years ;) and so my energy level isn't what it was when I first started the gardens. I just need my own gardener, that's all :)

Thanks for the welcome, Lauri. I do need lots of plants, so winter-sowing seemed like a good idea, but maybe NOT 101! But I do run out of space quickly starting seeds indoors. I want to do snapdragons, pansies, violas, hollyhocks, cosmos, columbine, sweet peas, penstemon, chinese delphinium, shirley poppies, and salvia, among others.