Any Gardener's Out There?

[pleasteasme]

Hi Tease,

I do have boxes and containers. I live in a condo and I have them on my decks. I have four square boxes and this year I'm going to add a few railing style boxes.

I am so behind this year. We've had terrible storms and it was too cold for too long. I haven't even sketched anything yet - but THIS is the weekend!

I find it so enjoyable.

I am behind as well.....damn weather!!!! But, things are growing nicely. I pre-started some bulbs that I have plans for....now that they have sprouted ummmm, I better hurry up and make my flower bed!!!!



I do have one issue to address with my gladioulus......there are cats that have been playing with them! They are ripping the leaves to shreds and knocking over the shoots (they don't have any flowers yet!) What can I do short of a .22 to keep them out? I tried redwood bark, no luck. I put up a little fence....they still get in!!! Is there a plant friendly spray I could use or some natural deterant?

 

[kikmosa]

I am behind as well.....damn weather!!!! But, things are growing nicely. I pre-started some bulbs that I have plans for....now that they have sprouted ummmm, I better hurry up and make my flower bed!!!!



I do have one issue to address with my gladioulus......there are cats that have been playing with them! They are ripping the leaves to shreds and knocking over the shoots (they don't have any flowers yet!) What can I do short of a .22 to keep them out? I tried redwood bark, no luck. I put up a little fence....they still get in!!! Is there a plant friendly spray I could use or some natural deterant?

Moth balls or moth crystals will work but they have to be reapplied after it rains and they are white so they show. If you can find it, there'e a scent called bitter apple that they hate and you can mix it with a little water and spray it around the plants. Dogs and cats won't go near it. Don't think deer will either. It's just hard to find.

 

[Quoll]

Shake Away

 

[pleasteasme]

Oh, I have heard of Bitter Apple.....used for horses to prevent cribbing, I believe it is sold at most feed stores!

Shake Away....never had heard of that before! Interesting quoll......you know, I started reading the page and they were talking about the use of urine.....I was wondering if they were suggesting....well, that is fodder for another thread somewhere on the boards....

Thanks for both of your suggestions kikmosa & quoll!!!

 

[Lynxie]

I found a brand called Pet Organics that makes products that work really well. While I haven't tried the "No Dig," I do have a bottle of "No Scratch" that trained my cat to stay away from certain things in the house.

My aunt also taught me that cayenne pepper will keep cats out of gardens, and here's an article that talks a little more about cayenne and other home remedies for keeping kitties out of your flower beds. And here's another article that talks about all kinds of cat behavior issues. Both have lots of good info.

 

[pleasteasme]

Well.....went to the store...bought an industrial size container of red peppers (like you would put on pizza) and some cayenne pepper....mixed it up and tonight, after I watered, sprinkled the mixture and the cats took one sniff of it and left. No more laying in between the gladioulus or cannas ....playing with the leaves, destroying plants .....*keeping fingers crossed*

Thanks for the advice

 

[Quoll]

I found a brand called Pet Organics that makes products that work really well. While I haven't tried the "No Dig," I do have a bottle of "No Scratch" that trained my cat to stay away from certain things in the house.

My aunt also taught me that cayenne pepper will keep cats out of gardens, and here's an article that talks a little more about cayenne and other home remedies for keeping kitties out of your flower beds. And here's another article that talks about all kinds of cat behavior issues. Both have lots of good info.

Well.....went to the store...bought an industrial size container of red peppers (like you would put on pizza) and some cayenne pepper....mixed it up and tonight, after I watered, sprinkled the mixture and the cats took one sniff of it and left. No more laying in between the gladioulus or cannas ....playing with the leaves, destroying plants .....*keeping fingers crossed*

Thanks for the advice

Moth balls or moth crystals will work but they have to be reapplied after it rains and they are white so they show. If you can find it, there'e a scent called bitter apple that they hate and you can mix it with a little water and spray it around the plants. Dogs and cats won't go near it. Don't think deer will either. It's just hard to find.

You three are in the wrong thread, this should be in EJ`s Excess pussy thread.

 

[Cathleen]

Here's a tip I tried out today. I forgot where my gardening gloves were and I hate the dirt under the fingernails look. I had read a long time ago to scrape your nails on a bar of soap. I scraped a lot and pushed it down and clean up was easy as pie. I'd probably do it even with gloves.

 

[pleasteasme]

You three are in the wrong thread, this should be in EJ`s Excess pussy thread.

hahaha, good one quoll ~

Well, I had thought of suggesting putting the food bowl on the yellow line in the road......but, some might view that as mean and well.....it would ruin my image

 

[shyly curious]

Here's a random collection of thoughts from reading this thread ...

If you stop by a marine supply store they sell a "handcream" that you put on instead of gloves, do your work, then wash it off and the grime goes too.

Discount tool stores usually sell work gloves in "dozen packs" cheap. One way to have plenty around.

Ivy leaches the lime out of any concrete or mortar and that weakens the wall.

HomeDepot has a show ... "HomeTime" that shows up early in the morning here on a local channel. I love it as I don't have cable either.

A simple compost device, especially for city dwellers or renters ... get a plastic trash can with cover, whatever size you can tuck in a corner outside, get a piece of plastic drain pipe with the holes in it, cut the pipe to the length of your can, and stand the pipe up in the can, and add your compost materials, loosely cover the can to keep rain out. Add your compost materials as you get them, periodically "till" the materials. When it becomes "black gold" use it in your projects.

Good luck to all.

 

[pleasteasme]

Woooohoooo!!!!

I planted a collection of assorted flowers/bulbs in two of my wine barrels and they are looking nice....more to sprout soon!

My Roses are blooming!

I saved my gladiolus and they are a pretty pink & white!

The cannas are just starting to bloom as well!

I was given the most beautiful gerbera daisy plant for my birthday!

*I must take pictures!!!!*

Happy gardening everyone!!!

 

[pleasteasme]

How are the gardeners of Lit doing? Update us on your progress!!!

Mine is blooming very nicely. I will attach a few pics.

Long evening of gardening tonight, did several re-potting of houseplants and I also JUST finished with one of the 3 wine barrels left.....put a climbing rose in it.....tied and staked to make a beautiful "tree" of roses.....I'll have to get some good pics of that too.

Happy Gardening

 

[Quoll]

How are the gardeners of Lit doing? Update us on your progress!!!

Mine is blooming very nicely. I will attach a few pics.

Long evening of gardening tonight, did several re-potting of houseplants and I also JUST finished with one of the 3 wine barrels left.....put a climbing rose in it.....tied and staked to make a beautiful "tree" of roses.....I'll have to get some good pics of that too.

Happy Gardening

Wow great flowers, I love the gerberas, my sister picked up a cut flower that had been dropped on the ground outside a shop and kept the damn thing in water for over a month, tough little buggers, but I keep killing them anyway.
Most of the garden here has finished (midway through winter) although there is one large salvia that looks like it is going to flower soon, I`ve finished pruning the fruit trees and am halfway through the roses, as for the weeds, well they will probably win again unless I can come up with a couple of tonnes of free mulch.

 

[pleasteasme]

Wow great flowers, I love the gerberas, my sister picked up a cut flower that had been dropped on the ground outside a shop and kept the damn thing in water for over a month, tough little buggers, but I keep killing them anyway.
Most of the garden here has finished (midway through winter) although there is one large salvia that looks like it is going to flower soon, I`ve finished pruning the fruit trees and am halfway through the roses, as for the weeds, well they will probably win again unless I can come up with a couple of tonnes of free mulch.

Thanks quoll!

The gerberas are my favorite.....I think! so many flowers, not sure if I could really have a fav. They are tough, but not to worry, I have killed my fair share too, lol.

Awww, Winter?! My trees are in desperate need of pruning, I have 2 large fruitless mulberry trees in my front yard that do a wonderful job of shading my house in the morning but, some of the limbs are nearing the ground! Too much shade.....afraid the lawn I have so carefully been tending is going to die from lack of sun.

What do you normally use for mulch? If you are in need of that much, have you ever used wheat or rice straw? We use it to bed down our livestock, but it is a great mulch too. Just an idea.

I have acess to lots of manure if you need some for a compost pile!!! I'd gladly share but.... shipping..... hmmmmm

I'm going to go work some outside this morning and see if I can get some more pics of flowers

Have a great day!!!

 

[shmily]

OUr vegetable garden is doing great.
Tomatoes, bananna peppers, anehiems and zuchinni doing great!!!!
have got 4 good meals of green beans they are so yummy when fresh out of the garden.
Corn will be ready soon.
Watermelons are getting there - big but not ripe yet - can't wait.

Flowers and houseplants are doing great hangin in the shade on the porch.

well off to the peach festival in town.
enjoy your gardening.
s

 

[Nikasha]

Gardening help

Does anyone have any good web sites for Vegetable gardening? I've got a Rabbit and slug problem... Any ideas??

This place has a huge number of gardening forums:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com

Whatever you're into, they've got a forum on it. And it's got a search engine, so you can see who else has asked your question/has your problem

Whenever possible, I use plants native to my area. They require less maintenance, are more disease resistant, and do great in my climate. I'm always looking for ways to bring back a little natural habitat to the birds and butterflies. If it attracts butterflies, it will probably attract bees, which are GREAT for my veggies!

 

[Nikasha]

mulch

as for the weeds, well they will probably win again unless I can come up with a couple of tonnes of free mulch.

If you have yard waste pick up in your area, check with them about mulch. They pick up once a week here, and they just mulch everything into piles and piles.... sucks when lightning strickes, during fire season. You may be able to take mulch at a reduced price-- or even for free.

I use a mulch called Rubber Stuff, made from recycled tires. I get the playground kind, which is 99% wire-free and non-toxic. I never use that red colored mulch, which is made from chopped up pallets and painted. Who knows what's in there?

Wish I could garden this weekend, but gardening and hurricanes just don't mix.

 

[pleasteasme]

More Pictures ~

So, I got a little shutterbug the other day and decided to take some pictures.

 

[pleasteasme]

More pics ~

Here are a few more pics of various things I am growing. The majority of my flowering project are in containers since I am renting.

I did, however get the go ahead from my landlords to make a small compost pile, so I am happy about that!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

 

[pleasteasme]

Anyone with gardens going out there? 'Tis the season!

I have some beautiful projects going and can't wait until they are in full bloom.

 

[Guest]