| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| RuralSuburbia |
Posted - Jul 10 2009 : 10:01:53 AM
It'd better not be a Gardener, that's all I can say.
Everything we've tried to grow in our new garden box has died. I'm not sure what we've done wrong! Hubby built it right on top of the ground, added garden dirt and mulchy stuff, we've tried carrots, lettuce, strawberries, garlic, cucumbers, watermelon starters....the only thing we have left is a sprig of garlic and a couple of tomatos with a few almost ripened.
I realize it gets full sun AND it gets 90-110 degrees out here in the summer, but if my neighbor can grow the same items, why can't I?
I hope my job in Eternity isn't in the Garden area...unless my thumbs get glorified!
*I've got stars in my eyes and exactly $1 in my pocket!* |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| RuralSuburbia |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 12:32:02 PM
yes, it's definitly trial and error. Hubby built just a raised box and it gets full sun. I think I need to protect it~from sun AND winter wind & rain~so I'm starting to do some research on that. I have the space, I just don't have alot of cash or the skills just yet. I'd love a little green house! The only thing to grow well in the vege box is tomato.
All three of our birch trees are suffering. Heck, I'M suffering! It's been over 100 degrees for over a month! We do have another tree that was planted in January, it's a Greuillea, and that seems to be doing great, so I'll plant more of those this fall.
Thanks for the support, it really does mean so much to me!
*I've got stars in my eyes and exactly $1 in my pocket!* |
| Lynner |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 05:17:03 AM
I think we can all agree, that we have lost crops. It is a bummer, but the weather just does not always cooperate. Lettuce is more of a cool weather crop, so as Fall approaches, perhaps you would like to try that again. Our strawberries have done poorly also. We did have a pretty good carrot crop, but they were growing in the shade, and got very little sunlight. Just dont give up, you can do this. Alot of farming is by trial and error. Hopefully cooler weather will make it better for you. We grow alot through the winter, in cold frames. Especially things like romaine and lettuce. We had a wonderful crop to take to the early Spring farmers market. All it is, is a cold frame, basically raised bed lined with concrete blocks all the way around so that they can heat up, a small pvc pipe arched across it, with clear plastic covering the bed. Amazingly it keeps it plenty warm, and the plants keep growing.
Keep looking forward, you can do it.
Sheri
Many Hands Make Light Work!
...God made the seed to grow...1 Cor 3:6 |
| prairie_princess |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 08:57:39 AM
i find this whole gardening thing is a long process... this is my second year gardening. i feel every year i have to start over with my knowledge. i learn things from the year before and have to try them the next year. then i plant new things and have to learn things about THOSE plants. it seems to be neverending! and i'm always learning something new about the plants i THOUGHT i knew about! there's alot of research involved... that's one reason i LOVE this message board... i've learned alot just by reading the threads or asking questions of my own. books and website's help. or go to your local plant suppliers. there could be any amount of reasons why your plants aren't growing as well as your neighbors.... hey, it could be a wonderful reason to stop by your and visit your neighbors! do you know them?
i learned in geography class that alot has to do with what is and isn't in your soil and water. you can pick up testing kits at lowe's, home depot, or any place like that for like $6. soil and water can be a real science, especially if you are lacking 'ingredients.' maybe your neighbors have discovered what they needed and have taken steps to make their soil better suited for what they were planting.
i discovered blueberries are not as well suited for my soil type.... they like acidic soil, which mine is not. we found that by adding used coffee grounds, it added some acid to the soil and perked them right up! but we are still debating whether they will make it or not or if they will even produce. so gardening is a LONG process sometimes... it takes awhile to get a hang of it and to gather knowledge.
but i find it is marvelous to ask people questions... it's a great conversation starter! buy some books, too. it's always good to have some reference guides close at hand. and sometimes you learn things just by thinking about it...
i hope you don't get too discouraged by this first year, at least if gardening is something you really want to do. i'd do some research over the winter so you're ready next year, so it's not so overwhelming when you go to plant things and you've read up on things and feel comfortable and have an idea of what to do.
and always remember, we're here to help you out! so keep us updated, let us know how you're doing!
and if you figure out that gardening is just not your thing, no worries. it's not for everyone!
"Only two things that money can't buy, that's true love and homegrown tomatoes."
- Guy Clark
"The man who has planted a garden feels he has done something for the good of the world."
- Charles Dudley Warner |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Jul 10 2009 : 7:57:33 PM
Leslie:
Sorry about your garden not growing. Don't give up.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Jul 10 2009 : 7:56:09 PM
Leslie:
Sorry about your garden not growing. Don't give up.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| Beverly Gill |
Posted - Jul 10 2009 : 7:08:53 PM
Leslie, don't feel bad---this is my first year growing a vegetable garden----and we have had more rain then you can imagine.
But all in all I think I am going to get a few yellow squash and zucchini...maybe about 10 each and about 20 tomatos. Our lettuce we got about 6 heads...and that was easy. Next year with more normal forcasts and sun and experience it should go better..And talk about weeding----oh well..its still very very rewarding to grow your own vegetables.
Beverly Gill |
| RuralSuburbia |
Posted - Jul 10 2009 : 11:49:55 AM
Thanks Kris!
I should state that my farm on facebook is doing great, lol!
*I've got stars in my eyes and exactly $1 in my pocket!* |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 10 2009 : 10:11:16 AM
Leslie, don't get discouraged. You should see some of my early attepts at gardening. Just keep trying and one day you'll have a beautiful garden. It may be in heaven, but at least you'll have one. And at least in heaven we won't have to weed and water!!! Now that's something to look forward to. And no sweat, either! Or no snakes in the plants. Wow, it just keeps getting better, doesn't it.
I remember years ago a friend of mine had several kids in a row and she said she hoped in heaven she didn't have to keep the nursery!
But really, keep trying and it will happen for you.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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