Tennesseer
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Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 27, 2017 20:02:01 GMT -5
My Mexican sunflower seeds are coming up in the greenhouse/shack! I have not planted any for years so really looking forward to them. Supposed to get close to freezing tonight and hoping they make it. Greenhouse /shack needing extensive repairs again which it does every year but hopefully will stay warm enough tonight in there that they survive. Tithonia? Great for butterflies.
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 15, 2024 3:19:46 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 22:48:23 GMT -5
Tennesseer, I used to bring my Hibiscus inside in the winter. They really like the light in my kitchen and bloom real nice. I stopped b/c it was getting too big and the last one I was able to purchase a decent sized one for about $20. I also did not want to bring aphids and Chinese beetles in the house on the plant.
I do have some lantana's growing in pots in my living room...they don't flower in the house for me though, although I don't have them in a spot where they get a lot of light. I will have to fertilize them and move them outside and see if they bloom.
I had my Christmas cactus in the living room and I think it was too warm. We have a door with a window in it in the basement, so I moved it to a table opposite the door and the Christmas Cactus bloomed while we were neglecting it in the basement!
I have to fertilize my Azaleas, Hibiscus, and Hydrangeas to keep them blooming. Look at the box to make sure It is the right type of fertilizer for the plant.
We have Moles too, but I have never treated the lawn to kill the grubs. I will have DH do that now that I know that that will help get rid of the moles. (I have a Grub Ex Bag in the garage but we never applied it). I also bought something at the garden center to repel the moles, but I never used that either, b/c the instructions recommended a certain way to do it to get them away from your yard.
My MIL lives across from a park that is on Lake Michigan. She had Mosquitos all over her house yesterday when I was there. She said my FIL was all bitten up when he walked the dog in the park yesterday. I am thinking about having her yard sprayed but DH did not seem to be on board. Idk if it will do any good if they are coming from the park.
I want to buy some of the stuff you throw in the pond to keep the larvae from hatching for our wetlands. I have done it in the past. Last year my neighbor ordered it on Amazon - so I will have to check with him before I do anything. They are kind of like the self feeders you put in a fish tank when you go on vacation. Mosquito Dunks www.amazon.com/Summit-2-Pack-Mosquito-Dunks/dp/B01LYCI7E3/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1493351222&sr=8-4&keywords=mosquito+dunks I get them at our local garden center for our outdoor fountain.
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 15, 2024 3:19:46 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 2:52:21 GMT -5
My Mexican sunflower seeds are coming up in the greenhouse/shack! I have not planted any for years so really looking forward to them. Supposed to get close to freezing tonight and hoping they make it. Greenhouse /shack needing extensive repairs again which it does every year but hopefully will stay warm enough tonight in there that they survive. Tithonia? Great for butterflies. Yah, the last time I grew them I gave dh hell for leaving the sprinkler on them to long. They were all bent over, laying low. As I was bitching about it and him insisting he hadn't, I'm looking out the window seeing them bending lower all by themselves. Ran outside to catch Mr. groundhog bending them down to the ground.
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Tennesseer
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Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 28, 2017 8:25:21 GMT -5
Tithonia? Great for butterflies. Yah, the last time I grew them I gave dh hell for leaving the sprinkler on them to long. They were all bent over, laying low. As I was bitching about it and him insisting he hadn't, I'm looking out the window seeing them bending lower all by themselves. Ran outside to catch Mr. groundhog bending them down to the ground. Rain, wind, and apparently groundhogs will bend Mexican sunflowers down. I have and you probably have grown the taller version of the plant from commercial seeds. But there is a smaller, sturdier, version out there but whenever I look to purchase the seeds for it, everyone is out.
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buystoys
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 30, 2012 4:58:12 GMT -5
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Post by buystoys on Apr 28, 2017 10:02:37 GMT -5
Haven't tried this yet, but plan to mix some up and spray it in a couple weeks when I (hopefully) have less back and leg pain:
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 15, 2024 3:19:46 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 15:39:12 GMT -5
Yah, the last time I grew them I gave dh hell for leaving the sprinkler on them to long. They were all bent over, laying low. As I was bitching about it and him insisting he hadn't, I'm looking out the window seeing them bending lower all by themselves. Ran outside to catch Mr. groundhog bending them down to the ground. Rain, wind, and apparently groundhogs will bend Mexican sunflowers down. I have and you probably have grown the taller version of the plant from commercial seeds. But there is a smaller, sturdier, version out there but whenever I look to purchase the seeds for it, everyone is out. Now I will have to look at the seed pak . I didn't know there was a smaller one and just assumed these were the tall ones.
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Tennesseer
Member Emeritus
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 28, 2017 15:50:04 GMT -5
Rain, wind, and apparently groundhogs will bend Mexican sunflowers down. I have and you probably have grown the taller version of the plant from commercial seeds. But there is a smaller, sturdier, version out there but whenever I look to purchase the seeds for it, everyone is out. Now I will have to look at the seed pak . I didn't know there was a smaller one and just assumed these were the tall ones. See if you can find Tithonia Fiesta Del Sol in your area. It is a smaller version and handles the wind much better than the taller species. If you can find the seeds now, start indoors immediately as this species requires 3-4 months of growth before it begins to bloom. Or buy seeds this fall for next year. Tithonia Fiesta Del SolThe linked site is out of the seed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 15:59:17 GMT -5
Now I will have to look at the seed pak . I didn't know there was a smaller one and just assumed these were the tall ones. See if you can find Tithonia Fiesta Del Sol in your area. It is a smaller version and handles the wind much better than the taller species. If you can find the seeds now, start indoors immediately as this species requires 3-4 months of growth before it begins to bloom. Or buy seeds this fall for next year. Tithonia Fiesta Del SolThe linked site is out of the seed. 3-4 months? Wow. I will try to find them for next year. They survived the cold last night just fine. The bleeding hearts are blooming 2-3 weeks earlier than normal here and tons of babies. They are trying to take over but so pretty I will let them while they are flowering.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Apr 30, 2017 12:38:34 GMT -5
Spent some time this weekend picking up sticks dropped over the winter, doing some light pruning, wrangling the peonies before they bloom and fall over, and I got my cold crops in: 4 kinds of lettuce, 2 kinds of spinach, beans, and peas. Might grab some broccoli seedlings this week. I have to be patient; it's still only April and ANYTHING can happen here weather-wise until May. =o
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Apr 30, 2017 12:41:39 GMT -5
Oh, and DH and I picked up the supplies to replace a strip of picket fence. I have a raised stone patio that is almost level with and abuts the garage roof. The previous fencing there came down when a branch fell during a winter storm. The pup discovered this week that with just a short jump he can get up on the garage roof. Gotta put a quick end to those shenanigans. =o
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buystoys
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Post by buystoys on Apr 30, 2017 19:56:10 GMT -5
I have the space available if anyone would like to volunteer to do this on my yard.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on May 1, 2017 6:03:02 GMT -5
OMG!! That is soooo cute!
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Cookies Galore
Senior Associate
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock
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Post by Cookies Galore on May 1, 2017 9:15:37 GMT -5
I want that!
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on May 1, 2017 10:33:02 GMT -5
Tennesseer, I used to bring my Hibiscus inside in the winter. They really like the light in my kitchen and bloom real nice. I stopped b/c it was getting too big and the last one I was able to purchase a decent sized one for about $20. I also did not want to bring aphids and Chinese beetles in the house on the plant.
I do have some lantana's growing in pots in my living room...they don't flower in the house for me though, although I don't have them in a spot where they get a lot of light. I will have to fertilize them and move them outside and see if they bloom.
I had my Christmas cactus in the living room and I think it was too warm. We have a door with a window in it in the basement, so I moved it to a table opposite the door and the Christmas Cactus bloomed while we were neglecting it in the basement!
I have to fertilize my Azaleas, Hibiscus, and Hydrangeas to keep them blooming. Look at the box to make sure It is the right type of fertilizer for the plant.
We have Moles too, but I have never treated the lawn to kill the grubs. I will have DH do that now that I know that that will help get rid of the moles. (I have a Grub Ex Bag in the garage but we never applied it). I also bought something at the garden center to repel the moles, but I never used that either, b/c the instructions recommended a certain way to do it to get them away from your yard.
My MIL lives across from a park that is on Lake Michigan. She had Mosquitos all over her house yesterday when I was there. She said my FIL was all bitten up when he walked the dog in the park yesterday. I am thinking about having her yard sprayed but DH did not seem to be on board. Idk if it will do any good if they are coming from the park.
I want to buy some of the stuff you throw in the pond to keep the larvae from hatching for our wetlands. I have done it in the past. Last year my neighbor ordered it on Amazon - so I will have to check with him before I do anything. They are kind of like the self feeders you put in a fish tank when you go on vacation. Mosquito Dunks www.amazon.com/Summit-2-Pack-Mosquito-Dunks/dp/B01LYCI7E3/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1493351222&sr=8-4&keywords=mosquito+dunks I get them at our local garden center for our outdoor fountain. Thanks, That is what I have used in the past. I went ahead and ordered it. There was also a link for this: www.amazon.com/Cutter-Backyard-Control-Concentrate-HG-61067/dp/B000PGE032/ref=pd_bxgy_86_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000PGE032&pd_rd_r=W2F7NKFC3DWC4FCF9CKF&pd_rd_w=92NIS&pd_rd_wg=e7dEA&psc=1&refRID=W2F7NKFC3DWC4FCF9CKF
which would probably be good for my MIL. I would have ordered it, but I have such a collection of that kind of stuff in the garage, that I have to make sure I don't already have some first.
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Lizard Queen
Senior Associate
103/2024
Joined: Jan 17, 2011 22:19:13 GMT -5
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Post by Lizard Queen on May 28, 2017 16:05:38 GMT -5
Digging this thread back up because gardening/landscaping is not my forte, and I need help!
What do you do right around your house? We have those white, chalky rocks around 3/4 of the house from the time we bought it. We have 2 oak trees in our back yard, and one right next to us in the neighbor's yard that drops all kinds of crap on the stones. I spent the afternoon blowing the tree shit away from our house, and shoveling out some of the acorns that were left there from last fall. What should I do with this area? Replenish the rock? Replace with mulch? I am lost for what's the best for drainage/aesthetics. Do people put mulch right to the edge of the house, or is this a bad idea?
In the front, we tore out enormous bushes that went right across the front of the house, blocking the windows. Replaced with various plants--shrubs and ornamental grasses. There is some pretty thick groundcover that grows there as well. Should we rip this out and mulch it?
I'm looking for a cleaner look that is EASY to take care of. We have all shade around us, but have been planning on cutting down one of the oaks in the back, which will still leave mostly shade all around except 1/8th of the house. Most of our issues stem from neighbor's oak, but can't do anything about that!
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tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
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Post by tskeeter on May 28, 2017 20:09:28 GMT -5
Digging this thread back up because gardening/landscaping is not my forte, and I need help! What do you do right around your house? We have those white, chalky rocks around 3/4 of the house from the time we bought it. We have 2 oak trees in our back yard, and one right next to us in the neighbor's yard that drops all kinds of crap on the stones. I spent the afternoon blowing the tree shit away from our house, and shoveling out some of the acorns that were left there from last fall. What should I do with this area? Replenish the rock? Replace with mulch? I am lost for what's the best for drainage/aesthetics. Do people put mulch right to the edge of the house, or is this a bad idea? In the front, we tore out enormous bushes that went right across the front of the house, blocking the windows. Replaced with various plants--shrubs and ornamental grasses. There is some pretty thick groundcover that grows there as well. Should we rip this out and mulch it? I'm looking for a cleaner look that is EASY to take care of. We have all shade around us, but have been planning on cutting down one of the oaks in the back, which will still leave mostly shade all around except 1/8th of the house. Most of our issues stem from neighbor's oak, but can't do anything about that! Since landscaping is mostly a regional thing (what plants do well, etc.), it is nearly impossible to make detailed recommendations. I think your best bet is to work with a landscape designer. They can select slow growing shrubs, to minimize pruning, plan a color palette that is interesting throughout the growing season, plantings that provide winter time interest, and mulch that doesn't need to be replenished every year and that inhibited weed growth. With a good designer, you should be able to install a landscape that requires a day of clean up and preparation in the spring and a day of clean up and shut down in the fall (my idea of a low maintenance landscape).
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on May 28, 2017 20:29:10 GMT -5
We took out 2 huge shrubs up by the house that I had to cut 2 or 3 times a year, don't want to do that anymore, so relocated them out in a bare area.
I put out shrubs and some roses that grow slow, one is boxwood, the other a type of pine. I do have some of those shrubs I have to trim back but once a year will do it. Also he took the backhoe to dig up some bulbs that had been out there for 13 years and were clumped together so hard I couldn't dig them out. We separated and put some back.
You know up by the house I'm thinking of laying brick out about 3 rows around bare areas by the house, will just weedeat the tops or put paper under them. Also thinking of laying a paver walk from the screened in porch around to the drive, something like that you could get rid of the gravel and make it easier for you to blow debris out.
We have something like 60 trees I guess to mow around, the grass was sparse in back but I fertilize so its looking better.
We have to trap a raccoon, its dug up some bulbs I just planted, hard to take care of a lawn between the varmits and just weather and trees.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on May 28, 2017 20:30:12 GMT -5
I'm going to try that mosquito mixture, sure need something as they LOVE me.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on May 28, 2017 20:36:33 GMT -5
It finally got warm enough here to put out my herbs. Last season was a bust for my basil, and my total crop at the end was pretty pathetic. I mowed it all down before we left for Africa and made pesto of it. It is mostly gone now. I planed another 5 plants yesterday, hopefully they will do better this year.
My chives and oregano came back, both are doing very well, but my 4 year old rosemary croaked. It managed to survive the previous 3 winters, but the last one was just too much. Same with my thyme.
I also bought 4 cherry tomato plants to try out. I really don't think that the deck will get enough sun, busily try it out.
Anything I plant needs to be on the deck, or it becomes deer food.......
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dee27
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Post by dee27 on May 28, 2017 22:30:13 GMT -5
I had another basil plant die this year, but the other herbs are getting big; every year the basil plants fizzle, so I planted seeds which did sprout. All of the flower seeds I planted also are looking healthy. My neighbors said they enjoy the colors in my garden since they are gone for part of the summer and do not plant flowers.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
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Post by zibazinski on May 29, 2017 7:47:38 GMT -5
Please answer a question for the new homeowner? Can tulips grow in Florida? I miss mine in Michigan.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on May 29, 2017 8:52:53 GMT -5
Garden is in - various tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, hot peppers, various basil, cilantro. I think that is it. Not feeling very ambitious this year. When we get the big tomato crop I'll make the equivalent of 10 large sauce cans and 8 or so jars of salsa.
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midjd
Administrator
Your Money Admin
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Post by midjd on May 29, 2017 9:50:01 GMT -5
Digging this thread back up because gardening/landscaping is not my forte, and I need help! What do you do right around your house? We have those white, chalky rocks around 3/4 of the house from the time we bought it. We have 2 oak trees in our back yard, and one right next to us in the neighbor's yard that drops all kinds of crap on the stones. I spent the afternoon blowing the tree shit away from our house, and shoveling out some of the acorns that were left there from last fall. What should I do with this area? Replenish the rock? Replace with mulch? I am lost for what's the best for drainage/aesthetics. Do people put mulch right to the edge of the house, or is this a bad idea? In the front, we tore out enormous bushes that went right across the front of the house, blocking the windows. Replaced with various plants--shrubs and ornamental grasses. There is some pretty thick groundcover that grows there as well. Should we rip this out and mulch it? I'm looking for a cleaner look that is EASY to take care of. We have all shade around us, but have been planning on cutting down one of the oaks in the back, which will still leave mostly shade all around except 1/8th of the house. Most of our issues stem from neighbor's oak, but can't do anything about that! I think in general, mulching right up to the foundation is a bad idea because of the moisture it tends to retain. (I have become much more cognizant of water and drainage issues since they tore 2 decks off our 6yo house and found water damage under the doors bc the installers didn't weatherproof properly...) We ended up replacing the top layer of ugly white pea gravel with colored larger gravel, which looks better. If you switched to a dark stone, would the tree droppings be as visible?
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
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Post by zibazinski on May 29, 2017 9:52:04 GMT -5
Do you have a termite issue? I thought it was just a southern thing but Michigan had them as well. If you do no bark dust next to the house. Even treated barkdust can have them.
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buystoys
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Post by buystoys on May 29, 2017 9:58:57 GMT -5
I'm going to try that mosquito mixture, sure need something as they LOVE me. I sprayed it on our porch, the pool decks, the front door stoop, and around the car port. It seems to have helped. Not certain how well, though, as I've been doing so much work in the yard that I'm covered with bites.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on May 29, 2017 10:36:35 GMT -5
There's termites up here, just found them in our 13 year old house. The exterminator said they were only in one place, between the concrete slab on our screened in porch and the foundation. However, the termites ate 3 tiny holes in the living room wall and popped out there. I thought it was dirt till I tried to clean it off and they were holes!! He said do not seal it till I have treated and can see if they are still alive or I killed them. That cost us $1700 as they drilled all the way around the house and treated it. I called the previous owner and she said they were going to treat it and the company went out of business and they couldn't get it done, damn, one of the most important things when building. Another we couldn't believe they did that deal.
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kadee79
Senior Associate
S.W. Ga., zone 8b, out in the boonies!
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Post by kadee79 on May 29, 2017 10:37:09 GMT -5
Please answer a question for the new homeowner? Can tulips grow in Florida? I miss mine in Michigan. They may grow but they won't bloom. Neither will peonies, lily of the valley or lilacs. Having grown up in central Ill. & now live in SW Ga., I've tried them all numerous times only to fail each time. Violets are another one that is hard to grow here while johnnie-jump-ups do just fine. Pansies & snapdragons are winter flowers in the south and as someone else said, petunias are only early spring...then they get leggy! Donethat, did you ever find the lantana you wanted? I have some and could do some cuttings and try to start some if you can't find them. I have a small request if ya'al are so inclined...it would help greatly when giving any help/advice to folks, please post your general location in your avatar area. Or if asking a question, please do the same in the question. I don't know where most of you live, but I've gardened in Ill., Ca., Fl. & now S.Ga. and we have a 5 acre +/- front/side yard. I also have raised beds for limited veggie growing and used to have huge veggie gardens & canned most of what I grew.
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kadee79
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S.W. Ga., zone 8b, out in the boonies!
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Post by kadee79 on May 29, 2017 11:06:06 GMT -5
I forgot....
For those with mole problems, milky spore will get rid of the grubs that the moles are after, but it needs to be applied in Aug. in most areas. Look it up for your specific area.
Chipmunks can become very destructive and they LOVE to eat bulbs. Most of the gardeners I know that have problems with them plant their bulbs in chicken wire (all around the bulb) leaving some space so the chippers can't get to them to devour them. They may also partially fill the hole with gravel around the bulb for greater protection. The bulb roots will find the soil.
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dee27
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Post by dee27 on May 29, 2017 11:45:19 GMT -5
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on May 29, 2017 12:13:44 GMT -5
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