Any green thumbs here?

[FLDomer]

Cucumbers are big plants. I don't suggest trying to squeeze them into areas, as they can choke out the plants around them. Same for zuchuni. If you are looking for a plant to squeeze in and run up a fence, I suggest pole beans. They are sturdy plants that don't choke out plants around them (as long as they are givin something to climb). Things like grapes and hops sound fun, but they are tough to grow around other plants. They do better by themselves.

I hate you for having an avacado tree. I haven't ever lived somewhere that I could have one.

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking running the cucumber up the fence as to keep it from choking out the out plants but maybe I just have to keep getting mine at the grocery store. lol

Yeah Im stoked about the avacodo and orange trees. My family loves avacodos and those buggers are so expensive. Hell I live in FL so I figured I gotta have an orange tree, nothing beats free orange juice in the morning and like I said the orange blossom smell is like angel farts!

 

[BobD]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking running the cucumber up the fence as to keep it from choking out the out plants but maybe I just have to keep getting mine at the grocery store. lol

Yeah Im stoked about the avacodo and orange trees. My family loves avacodos and those buggers are so expensive. Hell I live in FL so I figured I gotta have an orange tree, nothing beats free orange juice in the morning and like I said the orange blossom smell is like angel farts!

I'm jealous of the avocado tree also, I don't know why I've never planted one. Is it true that they don't bear fruit for 5 years? I think I remember reading that somewhere.

I grew cucumbers in a container last year and ran then up and all around a huge tomato cage. It worked out really good, but you can't let them get huge when they're hanging.

 

[FLDomer]

I'm jealous of the avocado tree also, I don't know why I've never planted one. Is it true that they don't bear fruit for 5 years? I think I remember reading that somewhere.

I grew cucumbers in a container last year and ran then up and all around a huge tomato cage. It worked out really good, but you can't let them get huge when they're hanging.

I am not sure about how long before it will start bearing fruit. I have been lazy on the research beside the type of avacado tree for my climate and the fertilizing of it. The trees I got are already decent size, roughly 7ft tall.

Now I think I may try your trick for the cucumbers, I generally like the cucumbers smaller as I plan on pickling some of them in a crock.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I think I am going to get a peach tree and possible a Japanese maple or a weeping willow. I have an assortment of flowers planted and a few more seeds to sow. We had some weird weather but nothing like up north. Now, it is just getting steamy here, ugh. Best of cultivating to all.

 

[RDU Irish]

I am not sure about how long before it will start bearing fruit. I have been lazy on the research beside the type of avacado tree for my climate and the fertilizing of it. The trees I got are already decent size, roughly 7ft tall.

Now I think I may try your trick for the cucumbers, I generally like the cucumbers smaller as I plan on pickling some of them in a crock.

You know your wife is lying when she agrees with this, right?

 

[RDU Irish]

Nice thread. We have a new house with a yard that might actually grow something rather than bake in the sun like our previous house. We have a decent stretch of woods behind our fence that I want to reclaim for a garden. Tall oaks and pines with thick layer of leaves/sticks surround most of the property to the south and west. Nice summer shade but concerned about ability to grow stuff back there with virtually no direct sunlight once the trees leaf out.

Any suggestions for shaded area garden items or set up? Behind our fence I can reclaim a lot of area, would love a grape vine and a bunch of blueberry bushes but seems they prefer more sun.

I have a section of yard that gets more sun but would need to remove some bushes to make room and would need to choose wisely since that space is limited.

 

[RDU Irish]

Garden beds are constructed, now need to level, fill and amend. Using 2x6s for semi-raised beds in a sloped area. They hopefully will terrace out the areas so the raging rapids during heavy rains are somewhat neutralized. Using a gravity fed rain barrel system to water the beds (two 225 gallon tanks, 10-15' higher elevation than the gardens) with a timer valve to control water release.

Potting soil on clearance at HD, $2.50 for a 1.5 CuFt bag. So tempted to mix this in with the native soil for the raised garden. I'm having a hard time seeing how this is going to be detrimental given the low ratio it will end up representing in the mix. Also mixing in some fresh grass clippings. Between these, it seems there should be ample nutrients for growing stuff. Seems potting soil versus garden soil main difference is one packs more than the other. Given raised beds, wouldn't better drainage issue be less relevant?

Lemon and Key Lime dwarf trees from online site came in excellent condition. One even had a fruit budding. Leafy green with new growth within a week of potting. Can't say the same of the Goji berry bush that couldn't even be used to stir a drink at this point.

 

[Irish#1]

Garden beds are constructed, now need to level, fill and amend. Using 2x6s for semi-raised beds in a sloped area. They hopefully will terrace out the areas so the raging rapids during heavy rains are somewhat neutralized. Using a gravity fed rain barrel system to water the beds (two 225 gallon tanks, 10-15' higher elevation than the gardens) with a timer valve to control water release.

Potting soil on clearance at HD, $2.50 for a 1.5 CuFt bag. So tempted to mix this in with the native soil for the raised garden. I'm having a hard time seeing how this is going to be detrimental given the low ratio it will end up representing in the mix. Also mixing in some fresh grass clippings. Between these, it seems there should be ample nutrients for growing stuff. Seems potting soil versus garden soil main difference is one packs more than the other. Given raised beds, wouldn't better drainage issue be less relevant?

Lemon and Key Lime dwarf trees from online site came in excellent condition. One even had a fruit budding. Leafy green with new growth within a week of potting. Can't say the same of the Goji berry bush that couldn't even be used to stir a drink at this point.

Leave the woods. It takes 30 years to replace them.

Before my father in law passed away, he would always put grass clippings on the garden during and after growing season.. In the spring he'd add several bags of potting soil them till. The softer the soil the easier it is for veggies to grow. Make sure to plant some hot yellow and Hungarian wax peppers!

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Great idea for a thread. I have about a sidewalk width of soil around my concrete patio that I would like to grow some fruits and or veggies. Anybody know what grows good in Indiana? Gonna try it for the first time this year. When is the best time to plant? Thank you in advance guys.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Admit it... when you saw that I responded to this thread you thought I would be telling you about growing weed... didn'tcha?



Anywho, I just planted my garden last weekend. I'm rocking:

- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Green Peppers
- Jalapenos
- Green Beans
- Zucchini
- Sunflowers

I'll try to take some pics along the way.

Where are you located? My wife's coworker put out her garden as well and it seems awfully early. I'm afraid a late frost would ruin everything. I rarely put anything out before mid/late April.

Now, if you are growing any Sour Diesel, IBLs or unique crosses, I'd be interested in hearing about those as well.


As to the OP, can you post a pic of the leaves? That will tell you if you have a deficiency or some type of lockout. Do you use any fertilizers? What is your schedule for feeding? I doubt watering is the problem if you've kept it alive for over 3ish years.

 

[ACamp1900]

Not planting this year,... Taking a year off, not even doing peppers in pots for the first time in my adult life, but I expect I'll get the itch next spring and jump in again...

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Great idea for a thread. I have about a sidewalk width of soil around my concrete patio that I would like to grow some fruits and or veggies. Anybody know what grows good in Indiana? Gonna try it for the first time this year. When is the best time to plant? Thank you in advance guys.

Everything grows in Indiana, depending on where you are located. Don't do any tropical fruits, obviously. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, apples, blue plums, etc.

What veggies do you like to eat? You'll most likely have success wiht the staples: greens, beans peppers & tomatoes. Cucumbers and squash are easy as well.

Where does everyone get their seeds/starters?

 

[Catholics_Rule]

I have a raised strawberry garden. This will be our 3rd year in our home for my wife and I. I started out with 6 strawberry plants. The following year I planted a few more and since then it's really taken off. I made a strawberry pie from scratch last fall.

I also put in blueberry's too. I started with 2 large blueberry bushes, then planted 6 smaller bushes. One of the bushes were doing well, while the other was really struggling. I found out my soil had high acidic levels. I was slowly able to bring the levels down. Last year I told my wife, "I should be able to pick blueberries tomorrow! Just one more day." The very next morning they were wiped clean. These weren't small blueberry bushes either, these were large ones. The deer took care of them.

 

[Catholics_Rule]

Everything grows in Indiana, depending on where you are located. Don't do any tropical fruits, obviously. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, apples, blue plums, etc.

What veggies do you like to eat? You'll most likely have success wiht the staples: greens, beans peppers & tomatoes. Cucumbers and squash are easy as well.

Where does everyone get their seeds/starters?

Right here. They ship anywhere. Small mom & pop shop. I've been getting everything though them. If you call ask for Ella or Amanda

Vegetable Seeds, Flower Seeds and Wild Bird Seed in Bulk | Gazing Globes | Main Street Seed and Supply

 

[woolybug25]

Where are you located? My wife's coworker put out her garden as well and it seems awfully early. I'm afraid a late frost would ruin everything. I rarely put anything out before mid/late April.

Now, if you are growing any Sour Diesel, IBLs or unique crosses, I'd be interested in hearing about those as well.


As to the OP, can you post a pic of the leaves? That will tell you if you have a deficiency or some type of lockout. Do you use any fertilizers? What is your schedule for feeding? I doubt watering is the problem if you've kept it alive for over 3ish years.

That post was in 2012... lol

At that time, I lived in Colorado. Which was much more mild of a climate. The beginning of May was completely normal for planting. Now I live in SW Michigan. So we will see. I'm going to start my indoor germination this weekend though. Here's my 2015 lineup.

- Kale
- Cantaloupe
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Green Peppers
- Jalapenos
- Zucchini
- cucumbers (for pickles!)

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I have a raised strawberry garden. This will be our 3rd year in our home for my wife and I. I started out with 6 strawberry plants. The following year I planted a few more and since then it's really taken off. I made a strawberry pie from scratch last fall.

I also put in blueberry's too. I started with 2 large blueberry bushes, then planted 6 smaller bushes. One of the bushes were doing well, while the other was really struggling. I found out my soil had high acidic levels. I was slowly able to bring the levels down. Last year I told my wife, "I should be able to pick blueberries tomorrow! Just one more day." The very next morning they were wiped clean. These weren't small blueberry bushes either, these were large ones. The deer took care of them.

Have you seen the netting you can put over the bushes to prevent deer/birds from getting to them? We used those with mild success. A more work-intensive solution would be to put stakes up and use the netting, providing a physical buffer between net and bush.

Right here. They ship anywhere. Small mom & pop shop. I've been getting everything though them. If you call ask for Ella or Amanda

Vegetable Seeds, Flower Seeds and Wild Bird Seed in Bulk | Gazing Globes | Main Street Seed and Supply

Thanks for the suggestion. I usually order from one of the heirloom catalogs but I may give them a try for a couple items this year.

That post was in 2012... lol

At that time, I lived in Colorado. Which was much more mild of a climate. The beginning of May was completely normal for planting. Now I live in SW Michigan. So we will see. I'm going to start my indoor germination this weekend though. Here's my 2015 lineup.

- Kale
- Cantaloupe
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Green Peppers
- Jalapenos
- Zucchini
- cucumbers (for pickles!)

I'm obviously very observant today, sheesh. I lived in Colorado as well and really enjoyed the climate. I regret moving from there, truth be told. Do you like sweet or dill pickles? Spoiler alert: sweet pickles are disgusting

Looks like you have a quality line-up. I tried to sprout some garbanzo beans to make our own hummus but it was a terrible failure. Not sure what I did wrong.

 

[RDU Irish]

Leave the woods. It takes 30 years to replace them.

Before my father in law passed away, he would always put grass clippings on the garden during and after growing season.. In the spring he'd add several bags of potting soil them till. The softer the soil the easier it is for veggies to grow. Make sure to plant some hot yellow and Hungarian wax peppers!

That is what I figured, seems garden soil to pots is bad idea but potting soil to garden somewhat indifferent as long as the bed drains well.

Ended up with a different area than the woods, was too shaded and no way I am messing with some fantastic old growth hardwoods. I am thinning the undergrowth though, hope to get a couple of pecan trees to take back there and select some of the younger trees to give more space to thrive. Once it is cleared out, probably build some stuff for the kids, small fort or obstacle course type of stuff.

Garden is going in main yard below a retaining wall. Previously some overgrown forsythia that has been moved to the edge of the woods for buffer from a road once undergrowth is under control. Any ideas for edible forest friendly plants?

 

[RDU Irish]

I think I got my lemon and lime from Gurney's. Well worth it, the plants are healthy as hell and decent size. I ordered some stuff from Gurneys and some from Michigan Bulb. I'll have to look and see which was which.

Nanking cherry bushes (3) aren't much to look at now but site said they would produce in the first year in a good location. Hard to imagine looking at them now.

For blueberries- I have heard you want to mix varieties for better production and flavor. I have Duke Chandler and something else I can't remember. Looking for a fourth to add to the line.

 

[woolybug25]

I'm obviously very observant today, sheesh. I lived in Colorado as well and really enjoyed the climate. I regret moving from there, truth be told. Do you like sweet or dill pickles? Spoiler alert: sweet pickles are disgusting

Looks like you have a quality line-up. I tried to sprout some garbanzo beans to make our own hummus but it was a terrible failure. Not sure what I did wrong.

Yeah, I loved living in Colorado. I love living in Michigan now too, but I was certainly regretting the move last year when I was in living in Buffalo, NY.

I'm with ya, never could get into sweet pickles. I just do dill. I'm going to try some canning this year with hot peppers and jalepenos.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Yeah, I loved living in Colorado. I love living in Michigan now too, but I was certainly regretting the move last year when I was in living in Buffalo, NY.

I'm with ya, never could get into sweet pickles. I just do dill. I'm going to try some canning this year with hot peppers and jalepenos.

I've canned bushels of beans, tomatoes and salsa. I haven't done peppers yet but that's on the list. Will you be doing a straight canning or adding various additives to flavor the peppers? The most I've gone outside the norm was adding some packets of redhots to some salsa since someone said it woudl really add good flavor. It wasn't bad but hardly detectable.

That is one online community I have not sought out: a canning forum or canning recipe forum. Any suggestions on recipes?

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Everything grows in Indiana, depending on where you are located. Don't do any tropical fruits, obviously. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, apples, blue plums, etc.

What veggies do you like to eat? You'll most likely have success wiht the staples: greens, beans peppers & tomatoes. Cucumbers and squash are easy as well.

Where does everyone get their seeds/starters?

Thanks man. Will do. Do they need direct sunlight? My backyard only gets the sun like half of the day.

 

[Irish#1]

That is what I figured, seems garden soil to pots is bad idea but potting soil to garden somewhat indifferent as long as the bed drains well.

Ended up with a different area than the woods, was too shaded and no way I am messing with some fantastic old growth hardwoods. I am thinning the undergrowth though, hope to get a couple of pecan trees to take back there and select some of the younger trees to give more space to thrive. Once it is cleared out, probably build some stuff for the kids, small fort or obstacle course type of stuff.

Garden is going in main yard below a retaining wall. Previously some overgrown forsythia that has been moved to the edge of the woods for buffer from a road once undergrowth is under control. Any ideas for edible forest friendly plants?

Glad to hear your leaving the woods alone. We have an acre, built the house on old farm land. Built in 1988 and planted a ton of trees creating my own little mini-woods.. The backyard is finally mature and what I was hoping for.

 

[RDU Irish]

Planted my new pecan tree this morning back in the wooded area. Going to take out some struggling younger trees and undergrowth for a nice large space for this twig to grow. My son looked at the thing that came in the mail and said "Dad, I think you got ripped off". Well I wasn't going to spend $60 for a larger one that might struggle in the woods and opted for about an $8 investment in a two foot tall sprig. Hope it takes. Some towering pines and oaks nearby inhibit sunlight but it is open enough that I think it will do OK.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Thanks man. Will do. Do they need direct sunlight? My backyard only gets the sun like half of the day.

I'm not the foremost expert on gardening. I grew up with it but I have no experience with shaded areas. I'd make sure to track the sun/know where your east/west points are and put the plants in the best area you can find. Maybe look for some local gardening groups as well, they may have some information on various plants that work well in your locale.

Also, you should do some google searches for compost or manure in your area. Whether you do raised beds or in ground, addending your soil is a good idea. You don't have to be excessive but there are plenty of articles with suggestions on how to do that.

 

[ACamp1900]

Thanks man. Will do. Do they need direct sunlight? My backyard only gets the sun like half of the day.

I know out here direct sun all day will dry peppers and tomatoes out... But the climate may vary greatly... Squash, melons, grapes, that stuff can be anywhere really... More sun the better

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I think it will be ok. I'm just gonna pick up some gardening soil and a few veggies like carrots and cucumbers and hope for the best!