| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ursula Norsedottir |
Posted - Dec 28 2011 : 7:35:31 PM
I have always dabbled in gardening before, drooling over seed catalogs and planting a half-worthy bed of tomatoes and peppers, but until this year I have never really taken it seriously. This year, however, that is going to change. My garden plans have variety, cool weather crops, various containers, and they are going to represent a good portion of the food my family eats. That being said, among all the research I have been doing, I still have questions I was hoping you could help me with?
First off: The chances of me being allowed to put in an extra bed behind my rental house is slim, but just in case. I am looking for a good variety of pumpkin: bush type, with a good fruit for pies, and preferably heirloom (trying to start saving seeds!)
Next, zukes! I don't know if there is a good variety for containers, but if so I will need it. I am also hoping these would do well grown upside down, or in another hanging basket. Has anyone done this?
I know I have more questions, but at the moment I have a two year old in my lap doing a great job of making this very difficult!
http://theblackbearden.blogspot.com/ |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Dec 30 2011 : 1:12:38 PM
Amanda, you may be interested in reading a book titled "Fresh Food From Small Spaces - The Square Inch Gardener's Guide to Year Round Growing, Fermenting and Sprouting" by R.J. Ruppental. He has lots of great ideas for maximizing your garden in tight urban spaces like yours.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| Ursula Norsedottir |
Posted - Dec 30 2011 : 11:02:58 AM
Thanks for the help, ladies!
Julie - We are trying to get permission for a raised bed, but somehow even that is iffy! I was shocked when I heard that. There are raised beds all over the shaded front yard, but somehow putting on in the back behind the fence needs to be discussed with management?? Very confusing!
Marilyn - Thanks for sharing your experiences! It looks like I am going to have to do a lot of hanging plantings if we cannot put in that extra bed because the backyard is really more of a fenced patio- 6x6, with two raised beds about 1x2 against the fence on either side of the gate, and the fence is 7 foot privacy fencing. Except for the small beds, the whole thing is concrete!
http://theblackbearden.blogspot.com/ |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Dec 29 2011 : 4:44:46 PM
Amanda, We tried growing bush zukes and cukes in a topsy-turvy style hanging planter last year. Things went well until the produce got heavy and broke the stems. If we try this again we will definitely have to put a trellis up near the hanging container so the plant can twine itself around something for support.
I haven't found a bush form of pumpkin that performs well here. So I choose a smaller growing variety and just keep the vines trimmed back once a few pumpkins have set.
Another idea for making temporary raised beds are large plant containers, barrels, buckets, metal tubs, soil cloth bags and the like. Any kind of container that has drain holes or can be drilled out to make them. You can add stakes or trellises for support where needed and they can be packed up and taken with you when you move.
Have fun!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| FarmDream |
Posted - Dec 29 2011 : 3:48:21 PM
Since you are in a rental house, what about putting in a raised bed? I made some that are 4ftx8ft using some scrap lumber. When you move you just have to take the bed apart. I would try cukes growing on a trellis.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
| StrawHouseRanch |
Posted - Dec 29 2011 : 08:15:43 AM
Hi Amanda, Zucchini grows in both a bush and vine style. So if you get the bush variety you should be able to plant in a container...a very large container! If you want to try the vine style, just set your container next to a trellis of some kind and train it up the trellis as it grows. It doesn't have to be planted in the ground for you to use a trellis.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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