ABCs of Gardening

[meliz]

Hi ya'll! I am looking at gardening for the first time ever (outside of container gardening) and I have some questions for those of you who garden in more northern parts of the US.

1. When do I plant? As soon as frost risk is passed? Is this true of all plants? Incidently, I will not being doing so this weekend since they are calling for snow. ARGGGH.

2. WHAT should I plant? I am looking at planting a few veggies, herbs and some flowers. What are your faves/with what do you have most success? I have pretty full sun. In particular, what are some good flowers that propagate/spread? We have a HUGE property and I can't afford to invest as much as I would like-- I want to get some bang for my gardening buck.

3. I am pretty sure that insects will be an issue. What are some non-toxic, non-pesticide ways to keep them at bay?

4. The plum trees on our property have a black fungus on the trunk and limbs. This probably explains why we got one plum last year. I assume this fungus is not good and probably explains the low yield... what can I do to get rid of it, I wonder?

5. Wild roses... we have lots and I love them (the house we rent used to be called "Wild Rose")... but I would like to move some of them out of the way a bit. I know they are hardy but can I move them now or is that a fall project?

Hmmm... that's all I can think of now... but be warned, I will be picking brains all spring and summer!

[Csara]

Unfortunately I can't help you in this department, but I will definitely be looking out for this thread in hopes of learning something too.

[heather6773]

I am in the same boat as you Meliz. It is lightly snowing right now. SUnday morning..... Oh well it can't stay forever right?

I want to do more perinneal gardens so all I have to do some day is thin them out and transplant somewhere else. I think of it as an investment. I am considering raised beds this time because our soil has alot of clay in it and its hard to work with.I'm in the early stages of planning but I just keep looking online and getting ideas. I go to HGTV.com alot.

[meliz]

Ooo.. will definitely check that website out Heather... thanks!

This weekend I started some squash, basil and cosmos in containers from seed... and bought about $50 worth of seeds and bulbs that can be planted outside by the end of may. Crap, I have a feeling this could be addictive!

I also cleared out dead plants from last year (tomatoes and zucchini). It's supposed to get warm at the end of the week... I may even get some seeds in the ground, along the backside of the house where we get alot of sun and warmth.

Oh and I googled the fungus on our trees and its bad news. These are too far gone, I am afraid. So sad!

[Deana]

Meliz, several plants that we like for propogation purposes are vinca, lantana and salvia. They are all inexpensive and grow into sort of bushy/groundcover shape, and they all have abundant flowers (they are small blooms but pretty, abundant and do not need dead-heading). A great climber is Tangerine Trumpet Vine. They climb nicely (you have do some training) and have exceptional color in the spring/early summer. We had a lattice wall of it in our old house and I miss how gorgeous it looks when in full bloom! You may need to check with your nursery/garden center on how well these would do in your climate but they are very hardy plants.
I grew up in Chicago (similar climate to you) and I remember my mom planting something called queen anne's lace - a very pretty white flower that also multiplies. You might also look at impatients or begonias. They grow into a pretty full mass but do require a good amount of dead-heading and some pruning or else they get leggy. I can't grow either flower here - we are too dry and hot.
Good luck - it IS addictive!

[Turtleheadfred]

Okay - I'm gonna try here... but I almost recommend you find a nursery nearby and go talk to the folks... The one I go to is WONDERFUL about helping!

1. When do I plant? NEVER before April 15th is my rule! Before then, you can still have a frost (and sometimes even after!) If you plant anything you're worried about - make sure it's something that is hardy and comes back each year and MULCH it good for protection! Unless it gets below freezing for a long time, you should be okay.

2. WHAT should I plant? The basil will spread. So will thrift (but mainly blooms in the spring). Queen Anne's Lace is a good one... used to be a wildflower. And actually ANY "wildflower" type plant is going to be good at being heat tolerant and spreading... think daisy types... or anything that even LOOKs in that family! Lavender spreads - as does thyme, oregano, etc. Lambs ear is cute and fuzzy and spreads too!

3. I am pretty sure that insects will be an issue. Not sure - but I get stuff at the nursery... they have all sorts of non-toxic (as well as toxic) solutions - and you can google for home recipes!

4. The plum trees. Can you treat AND prune them? You might have to baby them a bit - but rather than lose them all together, a severe pruning might do the trick and end up saving them!

5. Wild roses... If you move them now... be sure to put gravel in the bottom of the hole for drainage - and you just REALLY need to water them well so they get established before the summer heat hits. That's the reason for fall work... it's gives plants plenty of time to "adjust and aclimate" without the stress of heat.

Another thing I'd try is look around at what your neighbors (older neighbors in particular) have growing! Not where people have "landscapers" but folks who get outside and dig... they KNOW STUFF!!! And, they like to share plants! My neighbors and I do that ALL them time and can share and swap things without ever spending a DIME!!!