Spring planting

[Tazzy]

Spring is around the corner!

What are you planning or what have you started already?

I'm hoping to find ideas on planting in a small space, a rental townhome with no dug garden and we can't dig up the lawn, so it will be planters & pots we use. I'm starting small this year because I'm time and energy limited.

I late getting started (although our outdoor transplant / planting season is later than some of yours will be) but we are going to do:

Tomatoes, peas, lettuce, peppers and an herb garden (parsley, basil, chives)

[ReadYourBible]

I seen this and thought BRILLIANT idea.  I haven't yet done anything about it.  You use your expended toilet paper rolls as seed starters.

 

http://preparednessmama.com/toilet-paper-seed-pots/

 

 

In demolishing a couple of houses/garages with my Dad, I was also able to collect a lot of little containers to plant seeds.

 

Also of interest -- http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soilless-growing-mediums.htm

 

Gardening with soilless potting mix does not include the use of soil. Instead, plants are grown in a variety of organic and inorganic materials. Using these materials rather than soil allows gardeners to grow healthier plants without the threat of soil-borne diseases. Plants grown in soilless mixes are also less likely to be bothered by pests.

Edited February 20, 2015 by cerebral ecstasy

[feather]

 

  Beth i too am a rental very small- container gardening only

i like it that way, the ground here is rock hard anyhow,

  i paint my pots pretty colors- really adds brightness & variety to the overall view. 

 

began my spring garden indoors...

 last 4 wks days have been sunny, 60s/70s i can set all plants out by day

  however i still have to tote everyone in at night, as nights are still cool.

 

 so far: dill, basil, cilantro, kale, cabbage, mint, lots of rosemary from cuttings- they're a foot high already.

  pansies, daffodils & perennials too.

  tiny seedlings sprouting of lavender, coleus, lemon balm, impatiens

 

   veggie plants will draw the coyotes, wolves & javalina- prob will pass on growing very many veggies this yr- 

  we already chase them away from the compost bin.

 

 Sharon great idea on the tp rolls- i use mine to hold long cords keep them from tangling in a mess or

    to store extension cords... now i have another use for them- thanks!

[Elijahsmama]

Beth i too am a rental very small- container gardening only

i like it that way, the ground here is rock hard anyhow,

  i paint my pots pretty colors- really adds brightness & variety to the overall view. 

 

began my spring garden indoors...

 last 4 wks days have been sunny, 60s/70s i can set all plants out by day

  however i still have to tote everyone in at night, as nights are still cool.

 

 so far: dill, basil, cilantro, kale, cabbage, mint, lots of rosemary from cuttings- they're a foot high already.

  pansies, daffodils & perennials too.

  tiny seedlings sprouting of lavender, coleus, lemon balm, impatiens

 

   veggie plants will draw the coyotes, wolves & javalina- prob will pass on growing very many veggies this yr- 

  we already chase them away from the compost bin.

 

 Sharon great idea on the tp rolls- i use mine to hold long cords keep them from tangling in a mess or

    to store extension cords... now i have another use for them- thanks!

Jealous isn't the word... But. I would love just a little of your heat!!!

[Tazzy]

I seen this and thought BRILLIANT idea. I haven't yet done anything about it. You use your expended toilet paper rolls as seed starters.

http://preparednessmama.com/toilet-paper-seed-pots/

TP-seed-pots-1.jpg

This is great! I can get lots of toilet rolls from my cleaning jobs (plus retrieved the ones from our recycle bin)

Also of interest -- http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soilless-growing-mediums.htm

Gardening with soilless potting mix does not include the use of soil. Instead, plants are grown in a variety of organic and inorganic materials. Using these materials rather than soil allows gardeners to grow healthier plants without the threat of soil-bornediseases. Plants grown in soilless mixes are also less likely to be bothered by pests.

Fantastic! Also lighter for window boxes which I will hang on the fence so the rabbits don't get the lettuce (and now that you mentioned it, Renee) , I'm going to plant kale since we use it so much.

Edited February 21, 2015 by Tazzy

[Tazzy]

Beth i too am a rental very small- container gardening only

i like it that way, the ground here is rock hard anyhow,

  i paint my pots pretty colors- really adds brightness & variety to the overall view. 

This sounds wonderful and a project my daughter will love!

[Tazzy]

Oops, just remembered my hanging fence planters / brackets, big patio pots are snowed into the garden shed. Hope it melts enough before I need them. I haven't planted anything for the past 4 years so forgot they were out there instead of in the garage.

[Tazzy]

I want to keep the potted herb garden in the house year round (may add cilantro) but have a cat that wants to dig the dirt and make a mess. I need to figure out how to get him to leave it alone.

Hanging from fence : lettuce / kale

Big pots : tomatoes, peas, peppers

[1gemstone]

WOW!

I live in a apartment too, what type herbs or veggies plants can I have that doesn't need a lot of care, since I'm disabled as well?

[Tazzy]

WOW!

I live in a apartment too, what type herbs or veggies plants can I have that doesn't need a lot of care, since I'm disabled as well?

Lettuce is pretty easy, can be reseeded as you use it, and grows well in planters that hang from balconies. Do you have a balcony?

A big pot that you can take inside for cooler months can be a year round herb garden - whatever you use most of - parsley, basil, chives, oregano, dill, cilantro, mint, - combine a few in a circle around the pot.

Tomatoes too - stake (any tall stick will do - bamboo or something like it) in a large pot on balcony. You can do cherry tomatoes in one and regular in another.

I like fresh salad ingredients so that is what I'm leaning towards.

[Poly Ester]

I'm hoping to transform this area into a veg garden this year

[Stormswift]

sister Missy - my study is also disabled and her carer - also a sister - has made a 'table' - a very deep table on wheels ... filled it with dirt/fertiliser and planted beets, lettuce and many other types of veges. This is good because a. you can move it to the sun and b. you don't have to bend down. If you are in a wheelchair - make it (or get someone else to make it) wide enough for the chair and your knees to fit under.

[feather]

I want to keep the potted herb garden in the house year round (may add cilantro) but have a cat that wants to dig the dirt and make a mess. I need to figure out how to get him to leave it alone.

 

  would a small cut piece of screen placed over the soil deter him?

  or would he make a mess of it??

    (i do not know much about cats)

[Poly Ester]

Any kind of citric peel left on the soil will help deter cats

[Qapla]

If you have access to a/some 55 gal plastic barrels/drums that did NOT contain harmful chemicals here is a good idea for a "vertical" garden.

 

[Tazzy]

If you have access to a/some 55 gal plastic barrels/drums that did NOT contain harmful chemicals here is a good idea for a "vertical" garden.

 

vertical garden.png

 

Wow! 

That's COOL!!  

 

Now to find a barrel....

[1gemstone]

Lettuce is pretty easy, can be reseeded as you use it, and grows well in planters that hang from balconies. Do you have a balcony?

A big pot that you can take inside for cooler months can be a year round herb garden - whatever you use most of - parsley, basil, chives, oregano, dill, cilantro, mint, - combine a few in a circle around the pot.

Tomatoes too - stake (any tall stick will do - bamboo or something like it) in a large pot on balcony. You can do cherry tomatoes in one and regular in another.

I like fresh salad ingredients so that is what I'm leaning towards.

No balcony, maybe I can do the window seal with the herbs.

[PrairieGirl]

We have a old house on 1 acre... it was planted quite a bit already. But, I want to add more fragrance and a few more local plants. Local-lamb's ear... probably gladiolas. Fragrant, lilac and hyacinth,  maybe a mimosa if I can dig one up some where... I would love some mulberries too.

[1gemstone]

sister Missy - my study is also disabled and her carer - also a sister - has made a 'table' - a very deep table on wheels ... filled it with dirt/fertiliser and planted beets, lettuce and many other types of veges. This is good because a. you can move it to the sun and b. you don't have to bend down. If you are in a wheelchair - make it (or get someone else to make it) wide enough for the chair and your knees to fit under.

WOW! I like that ideal a lot, I would need to figure out how I can made a table like that or maybe a container that can fit in the window.