Garden Geeks thread

[Bob Gray]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

We're trying to mostly go with homemade compost, bush cuttings, cut grass, kitchen scraps, etc. I remember reading an article about all the organic material Americans typically throw away and then we go out and buy fertilizer to replenish our organic material. So to the extent possible, we're trying to reuse our organic material.

[MattS]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

I just use homemade compost. I don't need to spend money on a bunch of (specialty) fertilizer. For me it's not that big a deal if one of the plants doesn't grow perfectly. I've found that between rotating where I plant and the compost the plants do just fine.

[bigmrg74]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

I've got more horse manure than I can use.

[CLS]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

I've got more horse manure than I can use.

Don't we all!

[bigmrg74]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

Don't we all!

Yeah, but I get the kind that comes from Quarterhorses, not politicians and other assorted talking heads.

[dxmnkd316]

Is there a good way to get rid of grass that has intruded into my garden without killing everything? I mean, obviously I could pull it all, but it's really bad and I'd like to avoid having to pull it all up if possible. .

Bump

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

Resubscribed

[leswp1]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

I can't think of a way other than hand picking it out. I don't use chemical stuff so the ways to do this is limited.

If you have a bed that is not tightly planted you could put layers of cardboard or thick newspaper and cover with mulch. This would never work in my gardens because they have matured and pretty much everything has grown together.
You could dig out the plants, that you have, pick the grass out of just them, do the layers of mulch everywhere. Cut through the thick layers to make holes for what you are replanting.

[CLS]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

If you haven't planted yet, I suppose that you could till it very thoroughly with a heavy duty tiller, rake out the clumps, and repeat several times. You'd probably need to add some topsoil also.

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

Thanks. That's what I was afraid of... Most of my hardy perennials are in that area. Lilies (I think), Gopher colored mums, and a few others. Can you easily dig up and temporarily transplant or keep perennials in pots without killing them?

(Thanks for the tips. I probably could have asked that question instead of burying it in a long post. )

[leswp1]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

Yes you can put most perennials in pots for awhile. Mums should be OK. Lillies are tubers so make sure you get the whole root ball. They only thing that won't do well is stuff that has a tap root (think Dandylion- long root) as it is usually very hard to get that all and most plants don't do well when that is broken (except the dandylions )

[powerofyellowandblack]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

Any green thumbers have any experience/success with planting bell peppers and habeneros indoors? Any tips/tricks/thoughts?

[jen]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

Planting this weekend. Not really sure what. Basil, dill, cilantro and cucumbers so far. Might ease off on the veggies this year, since apparently I have issues growing them, and the farmers do a much better job.

[goldy_331]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

Finally got the garden tilled last night. Plan to plant tomatoes, peppers, etc. this weekend.

[leswp1]

Re: Garden Geeks thread

Transplanted some of the tomatoes in peat pots to larger pots yesterday and the rest today. Last yr wally gave great advice for planning squashes and cukes in ground instead of prestarting. Worked so well and doing it again.

Having a huge grad party beginning of June. Full court press to get yard and gardens up to snuff before then. Lottsa $!