Discussion Gardening.

[Brick In The Wall]

Permaculture sounds interesting. Don't really have the money to go to school for it now, but I'd love to find some way to self-teach or learn non-formally.

How did your roommate study permaculture?

He went to school for it. He's also made friends with other local farm owners and they trade advice and supplies.

We've been getting rained out alot lately though so it's been slow going. Hopefully things clear up a bit soon and we can get back to it.

 

[ManWithNoName]

I have been working in my little yard. Last year I planted lots of Morning Glory seeds, They got out of control, I ended up stringing wires to the roof. They ended up making an arch over the front door.

I have the wires strung so far. I have moved many strawberry starts to the front as well. Planted pea seeds. Glad there is something to get me out of the cave now.

View attachment 31991​

Thanks for sending the photos. Indeed something about gardening is tonic for the soul.

 

[Quarky00]

I've been gardening a lot and I cannot emphasize how therapeutic that is . Small scale horticulture

1. Introduces very mild (yet diverse) physical activity that is excellent
2. Enjoy a small piece of nature -- proven anti-anxiety
3. Repetitive/menial tasks of gardening are soothing (OCD-like ; Bonsai cliche)
4. Watching something you grew is uplifting , meaningful , achievement (like your 'babies')

That's why I consider this as the ultimate anti-depression/anxiety activity.

My grandmother raised me and she always planted, I joined as early as 3yo, so I was always planting since I was a small kid. My biggest wonder was a wild Cyclamen she picked somewhere faraway in the mountains in the 70s -- and survived (same bulb/tuber) 35 years It's quite a bizarre flower since it's upside down, and its first buds (after dormant) look like tiny hairy aliens (and). Commercial brands sold in nurseries in recent decade are terrible.

I lived in the middle of the city and took over the building's backyard which was right next to my door/flat (put a fence and gate and all). Urban gardens are rare and hard. It grew into a small jungle. I also grew lettuce , tomatoes , baby greens , & strawberries. Herbs of course. I also had a small section where I let nettles grow wild, I used these in omelettes -- both delicious (like delicate spinach) and helped my digestive system. The edibles were never my main thing and very hard to maintain, but a lovely addition. I meaninglessly & aimlessly planted some 2 inch plugs in 2004, never thought of it just threw it there -- 15 years later it grew wild into 10m/30ft (that's 3 stories high) tree. That was my biggest solace: gave me a sense of belonging and continuity. When everything in my life failed, the trees were there to remind me things survive; I survived. (wish I could share some photos but don't have my computer)

Anyway I'm so happy for you that you're doing it. It's one of the biggest joys in life It's hard work. Keep at it.

* Physical activity: hard to just "start jogging" when you're tired & depressed , but usually little effort to plant / trim / water (small scale gardening) , nice way to start moving your body!

 

[Somberly_]

What advice would you all have for maybe trying to begin a small garden?

Nothing too committed, just something to dip my toes into and see if it helps at all.

 

[Brick In The Wall]

What advice would you all have for maybe trying to begin a small garden?

Nothing too committed, just something to dip my toes into and see if it helps at all.

Start with tomato's first! They're very resilient and will teach you some of the basics. Plus you can use them in so many different types of food dishes.

 

[Quarky00]

What advice would you all have for maybe trying to begin a small garden?

Nothing too committed, just something to dip my toes into and see if it helps at all.

I hope others here can help. I grew many things and often it was frustrating, many haven't survived, so I get this. I learned to find hardy perennial plants that grow fast and wild. My best practice at the end was to "steal" from neighbours -- I then knew the plant thrives well in my micro-climate (shade sun wind humidity). I wouldn't pick anything that looks good ("beautiful flowers") or edible, just something simple that grows fast and wild, with lots of greenery, so you will be satisfied that something is growing. Climbers and creepers are great, so are small bushy plants. I was taken by ferns and ivy -- forest-like vibe. Ivy just survives everything, hot & cold. But there are many other options.

* Depending on climate and location busy Lizzy can grow rapidly into a nice small colourful bush, pelargonium (commonly known as geraniums) are very common for beginners , though I found them tricky: some lasted 5 years, others dying within a month.

* @Brick In The Wall , Tomatoes ?! Require sun, has diseases/pests, could be hard..

 

[dibbydoo]

I used to garden alot when I was younger and I found it to be somewhat healing and therapeutic. I'm finally living at a place where I can garden again and I'm rather excited about it!

Does anyone here enjoy gardening in their free time? What do you like to grow? Do you have any tips or tricks that you've discovered?

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Gardening is such a great idea, so pleased you are going to try some again, seeds are amazing things, so much potential!

 

[lmroch]

What advice would you all have for maybe trying to begin a small garden?

If you have rabbits, don't plant what they like.. Unless your intention is to feed the wildlife My peas are planted in tallish planters, beans, chard, beats.. All must be protected from the critters.

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View attachment rabbit.mp4

 

[Somberly_]

@Brick In The Wall
@Quarky00
@Imroch

Thank you for your replies :) I would be growing off the semi-sunny balcony in a temperate and relatively pleasant environment, so I think most plants would thrive. Cherry tomatoes sound nice and I think I would be able to handle that even if they had issues with bugs/disease. I might look into a fern also, I think they're very pleasant to look at and touch. I'll update in here if I manage to start on it

 

[puppy9]

Hey guys I don't if this is an appropriate place to ask this.
What do you think of an instant hedges business? Just like the pic below.

 

[Oyoy]

The last thing I grew was wheat grass. I highly suggest it. It's really easy.

 

[nitrogen]

Hey gals and guys, check these out

Cute:


Cute + a bit creepy:


Cute + creepy:


Creepy (when seeds not well-positioned and "facial hair" grows out);


Creepy as fuck (mannequins made into pots):

Watching something you grew is uplifting , meaningful , achievement (like your 'babies')

The cute ones can be treated as "babies". Can even braid their "hair".

 

[MotherOfCats]

I've just had a week off work and have spent it all in the garden. We moved in 3 years ago and have mainly concentrated on improving the house. But my main love is gardening.

I started a new flower bed last year from nothing (it was all lawn before). It's surprisingly hard to start from scratch! My favourite plant is my white wisteria.

What's everyone else's favourite plants?

 

[DeathNoot]

I've just had a week off work and have spent it all in the garden. We moved in 3 years ago and have mainly concentrated on improving the house. But my main love is gardening.

I started a new flower bed last year from nothing (it was all lawn before). It's surprisingly hard to start from scratch! My favourite plant is my white wisteria.

What's everyone else's favourite plants?

I have a lot, but coleus plants are #1, especially kong red coleus. I used to have one.

 

[MotherOfCats]

I have a lot, but coleus plants are #1, especially kong red coleus. I used to have one.

Their colours are beautiful

 

[TheGoodGuy]

I used to love it back at my childhood home for me I don´t really care about plants you can´t consume but it´s so satisfying to grow your own food like we grew strawberries, carrots, radishes, pees, school cucumbers (directly translated) they are smaller cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers and some other stuff but one of my favorites was probably digging up potatoes it was so satisfying and they tasted so good fresh and it was fun to see how many and how big they were when digging them up but my favorite was growing Cannabis plants they are so beautfiful smells amazing and can be smoked but potatoes is a close second.

There is just something so satisfying probably in our primal behavior in growing our own food or catching a fish or hunt it´s way more rewarding than working 8-10 hours a day for a month to get a paycheck to pay these inferior tasting foods at a grocery store.

 

[MotherOfCats]

I used to love it back at my childhood home for me I don´t really care about plants you can´t consume but it´s so satisfying to grow your own food like we grew strawberries, carrots, radishes, pees, school cucumbers (directly translated) they are smaller cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers and some other stuff but one of my favorites was probably digging up potatoes it was so satisfying and they tasted so good fresh and it was fun to see how many and how big they were when digging them up but my favorite was growing Cannabis plants they are so beautfiful smells amazing and can be smoked but potatoes is a close second.

There is just something so satisfying probably in our primal behavior in growing our own food or catching a fish or hunt it´s way more rewarding than working 8-10 hours a day for a month to get a paycheck to pay these inferior tasting foods at a grocery store.

I'm the complete opposite, I like ornamental plants. I did grow cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket one year and they were delicious. I've always wanted to try potatoes, but wonder how much better they can possibly taste?!

 

[TheGoodGuy]

I'm the complete opposite, I like ornamental plants. I did grow cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket one year and they were delicious. I've always wanted to try potatoes, but wonder how much better they can possibly taste?!

We both grew normal and cherry tomatoes and the cherry ones are delicious unfortunately I as an adult am now allergic to them along with almost all foods.

You should try the potatoes the only reason we stopped was because we grew them back in the woods behind our house and eventually the trees didn´t allow light in.

They are much fresher and instead of peeling the potatoes with a potato peeler use a nail brush to clean off the dirt otherwise most of the flavor is lost and it´s pretty easy to do when they are fresh but to me I find it fascinating when you look at a potato plant above the ground it doesn´t look like much but underneath there is a hidden treasure and it´s exciting to see how big of a yield you will get from each plant not to mention if you have a big place (i think we had 3x10 meters) so you will have potatoes to last a long time.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

What advice would you all have for maybe trying to begin a small garden?

Nothing too committed, just something to dip my toes into and see if it helps at all.

I don't buy plants. I hunt around the local area and take cuttings or whole plants where they are prolific.
Then I replant them in similar conditions in the garden. So if they came from a shady wet area then they go in a shady poorly drained pot etc.
Many wild plants are effectively weeds but still interesting like forget me not or foxglove. Many are edible like mint and wild garlic. The sort of things you often can't buy as they are wild.
Also, check open areas near to other gardens where more exotic plants may have jumped out of the gardens and become naturalised. You can get some nice stuff that way.
This ofc assumes that you have access to local green areas. If you live in a city this option may be out.
Take note of what you are planting and plant in the appropriate areas for light or shade and drainage.
To give drainage you need some crocking material I'm the base of each pot. A handful or two of broken plant pot or pottery is great, but pea shingle or small stones will work well too.
Dress the top of each pot with shingle or wood shavings (which you can often pinch from the park).
Water according to the environments you got the plant from or from the instructions or look up care online.
Some plants like to live in water. To keep these emergents you can get or make a watertight tub. Again, these marginals can often be found on the wild in pond margins or boggy areas or if you buy them, at an aquarium.

 

[Somberly_]

I don't buy plants. I hunt around the local area and take cuttings or whole plants where they are prolific.
Then I replant them in similar conditions in the garden. So if they came from a shady wet area then they go in a shady poorly drained pot etc.
Many wild plants are effectively weeds but still interesting like forget me not or foxglove. Many are edible like mint and wild garlic. The sort of things you often can't buy as they are wild.
Also, check open areas near to other gardens where more exotic plants may have jumped out of the gardens and become naturalised. You can get some nice stuff that way.
This ofc assumes that you have access to local green areas. If you live in a city this option may be out.
Take note of what you are planting and plant in the appropriate areas for light or shade and drainage.
To give drainage you need some crocking material I'm the base of each pot. A handful or two of broken plant pot or pottery is great, but pea shingle or small stones will work well too.
Dress the top of each pot with shingle or wood shavings (which you can often pinch from the park).
Water according to the environments you got the plant from or from the instructions or look up care online.
Some plants like to live in water. To keep these emergents you can get or make a watertight tub. Again, these marginals can often be found on the wild in pond margins or boggy areas or if you buy them, at an aquarium.

Thanks for your reply. It might be realistic for me to do the same thing and productively kidnap stuff, but that level of effort is currently a bit daunting to me. I'm currently writing this to you from my bed I haven't left for hours. Hopefully I find the will later.

When taking clippings to replant, how much do you take and what is the correct method? I'm worried I'd be doing it wrong and just be pointlessly mutilating an innocent plant.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

Thanks for your reply. It might be realistic for me to do the same thing and productively kidnap stuff, but that level of effort is currently a bit daunting to me. I'm currently writing this to you from my bed I haven't left for hours. Hopefully I find the will later.

When taking clippings to replant, how much do you take and what is the correct method? I'm worried I'd be doing it wrong and just be pointlessly mutilating an innocent plant.

I'm sorry you aren't up to it right now. Hopefully soon. Start small, I did. I put some pics in my thread in recovery.

As for cuttings...it does depend on the plant itself. Some are hardier than others. Some you can take cuttings which may take, I did this with comfry for example and it's practically indestructible. If you are to take cuttings it's often better later in the summer. You can stick em in pots and hope or try growing them in a bottle first to get rootlets before you pot them.
The best way though is to get plugs with roots in the spring. Dig around the plant and excavate as much of the root as possible for maximum success. Hardier plants will need less root system transplanted.
It's a bit of am experiment tbh some may take and others not. Some may grow from mere sprigs whilst other fail with whole root systems.
Anything classed as a weed should be very hardy. And there are some really lovely 'weeds.'
I'd advise you to only take plugs from areas where the plant is prolific so as not to damage the colony. It will actually promote regrowth. Also, technically, replanting stuff may spread disease or pests if they exist there. Just check first if a plant colony looks well.
Just start small with a few pots and get a feel for what is in the local area. It is better to figure out what you may be replanting too. Some things you DO not want like knot weed or Himalayan Balsam, depending where you are ofc.

 

[Quarky00]

When taking clippings to replant, how much do you take and what is the correct method?

The best way though is to get plugs with roots in the spring.

Just pluck it all out and replant it. You're not harming rare plants or the ecology etc.

that level of effort is currently a bit daunting to me.

It's easier than it seems. I felt the same when I was in bed for days, everything feels like an effort and impossible and complicated. It's hard to get up and start things... but when you feel you can .... Just go out for 5 minute walk , see something that is thriving , pluck it out , throw it in a pot, and water!!

• It's very hard to start -- easier to carry on ..
• The less thought you put into it the better ...

 

[Somberly_]

Just pluck it all out and replant it. You're not harming rare plants or the ecology etc.


It's easier than it seems. I felt the same when I was in bed for days, everything feels like an effort and impossible and complicated. It's hard to get up and start things... but when you feel you can .... Just go out for 5 minute walk , see something that is thriving , pluck it out , throw it in a pot, and water!!

• It's very hard to start -- easier to carry on ..
• The less thought you put into it the better ...

I'd have to a little ways to get to wild plants due to my area, so that's the majority of the effort involved. But I used to hike once a week before I got trapped in by COVID, so that would make for the perfect opportunity.

I agree about the thinking part. Often, the less I think about or plan something out, the better it turns out. Minus the moments where I'm losing my mind and want to break everything. But it's pretty easy to spot those and stop early haha

Thank you for your reply. I'll try not to overthink it.

 

[LuzurPhagget]

If you have rabbits, don't plant what they like.. Unless your intention is to feed the wildlife My peas are planted in tallish planters, beans, chard, beats.. All must be protected from the critters.

​

View attachment 32735

These guys eat dandelions?!?

I got a 16' by 8' garden bed at my parents' place. I'm just gonna grow a bunch of sunflowers this year.

Damn, I tried the same last year, but some frickin goddamn creature eat the heads of ALL of them. Just the heads! Dafuq. Left all the weeds intact though! This time I erected 4 foot high chicken wire around the entire thing. Should keep whatever the hell that was out.

 

[itsamadworld]

I'm planting more perrenial flowers. Various colors of Lilly's. I have a lot of indoor plants...I'm grow herbs. Shrubs, trees at my ex boyfriend house, I planted milkweed for monarch caterpillars last year. There were a bunch of caterpillars...

 

[Quarky00]

I'd have to a little ways to get to wild plants due to my area, so that's the majority of the effort involved. But I used to hike once a week before I got trapped in by COVID, so that would make for the perfect opportunity.

Short cycle ride is excellent. Lockdown allows 'physical activity' etc :P

I went through months of procrastination and my garden basically withered. I then I lost laundery in the adjacent neighbour's backyard (wind). Went there to get it .. and viola .. found myself extracting bushes at 2am with a flashlight Nice ones, were always there and I never paid attention. Neighbour was fine of course, we've known each other 15 years. Anyway 2 specimens died, 3 flourished beyond my wildest dreams.

Going to a nursery can be a bit perplexing. And being thorough is a problem. It was always a headache for me: sunny, shady, water-loving etc.. Everything that @Underscore is so meticulous about, and I revere that, is a nightmare for me. Nurseries always make me confused, especially since the sellers don't know much, and micro climate (in your yard/corner) is unique. So my personal process: Overthinking/Complicated----> Just get some things and give it a go ffs ... some will die for sure, no question about it. Some will survive ----> Just Do It

#RecklessGardening
#ImpulsivePlanting

 

[MartyByrde]

I used to garden alot when I was younger and I found it to be somewhat healing and therapeutic. I'm finally living at a place where I can garden again and I'm rather excited about it!

Does anyone here enjoy gardening in their free time? What do you like to grow? Do you have any tips or tricks that you've discovered?

View attachment 31982

That's cool being in a spot where you can garden again.

I volunteered at a community garden when I was more stable and loved just being there. If there's any future for me, I hope for it to include gardening.

 

[Brick In The Wall]

That's cool being in a spot where you can garden again.

I volunteered at a community garden when I was more stable and loved just being there. If there's any future for me, I hope for it to include gardening.

I've really enjoyed it so far! I'd highly recommend getting back into it if you can. We did a little work yesterday but it wasn't really gardening related.

Moved some cactus bushes to a better spot. Moved some gravel to insulate our fire pit. Then we built an outdoor cat house for our two black cats. Overall semi productive day atleast.

 

[MotherOfCats]

We both grew normal and cherry tomatoes and the cherry ones are delicious unfortunately I as an adult am now allergic to them along with almost all foods.

You should try the potatoes the only reason we stopped was because we grew them back in the woods behind our house and eventually the trees didn´t allow light in.

They are much fresher and instead of peeling the potatoes with a potato peeler use a nail brush to clean off the dirt otherwise most of the flavor is lost and it´s pretty easy to do when they are fresh but to me I find it fascinating when you look at a potato plant above the ground it doesn´t look like much but underneath there is a hidden treasure and it´s exciting to see how big of a yield you will get from each plant not to mention if you have a big place (i think we had 3x10 meters) so you will have potatoes to last a long time.

I think you've persuaded me to try growing potatoes, just at the right time of year too!

Shame about your allergies, I became allergic to crustaceans a few years ago when I was 25. I'm always so grateful that it's only shellfish and doesn't restrict me too much. Must be tough having so many.

I'm planting more perrenial flowers. Various colors of Lilly's. I have a lot of indoor plants...I'm grow herbs. Shrubs, trees at my ex boyfriend house, I planted milkweed for monarch caterpillars last year. There were a bunch of caterpillars...

I'd love to grow lilies, but they're so toxic for cats and they love to play in my borders!

 

[TheGoodGuy]

I think you've persuaded me to try growing potatoes, just at the right time of year too!

Shame about your allergies, I became allergic to crustaceans a few years ago when I was 25. I'm always so grateful that it's only shellfish and doesn't restrict me too much. Must be tough having so many.

Unfortunately I have become allergic to almost all foods I got tested for 30 and there was only 4-5 I wasn´t allergic to and then I got a lot of other none food related allergies like pollen allergy, allergic to cats, dogs, horses, dust mites etc. I never had all these allergies as a child only allergies to birk and grass but it still wasn´t as bad then as it is now.

It really sucks I can´t drink milk so I get no calcium and can´t drink protein shakes which made me go from 65kg to 58kg in bodyweight but so something I miss is a nice glass of cold milk when I am thirsty I used to low milk and also at Christmas my family always used to have a stone bowl full of wallnuts and hazel nuts and I loved cracking open those hazel nuts they were so tasty and remind me of Christmas but they are the food I am most allergic to now to give you an idea of the serity my milk allergy was measured at 0.8 (not sure what measurement) and for hazelnuts it´s 13 so I am very allergic to them, and birk was measured at 30 so this time of year is horrible despite spring used to be one of my favorite times of year it´s so beautiful and have the perfect temperature for me since I can´t stand the heat of summer but my severe pollen allergies makes my life extra miserable at this time of year.

Anyways enjoy your adventure with growing those potatoes.