Anyone else garden?

[WhiteDove01s]

I know a lot of folks here are in different places 'round the world, so it might not be the start of that time of year for everyone. But, it is for me, and while it was on my mind I got curious and thought I'd ask.

I just started my pepper and tomato plants for the year in those jiffy-pellet things. No sprouts yet, but it's only been a couple days. I picked up some new bean seeds, and will definitely have a lettuce bed again (though I never get to eat any of it). And I'll probably grow carrots and onions, though I've had little luck with onions here in years past. At least they keep the bugs off everything else even if, for some reason, the bulbs never develop.

Oh, feel free to answer if you just plant flowers, too. XD

[Czanne]

I did, until our neighbors' dog had puppies and they kept two of the litter. I'm allergic to terriers, so three of them, on the other side of a picket fence, is just two too many. Plus, they're territorial, so barkers. Our house faces north, with trees on east and west, so the only place that got decent light was that south face by the dogs. And our plant date is May 12 -- we get a lot of our snow in April and the first week of May, so the south face matters.

I'm thinking I might build a grotto on the east side this year. We have a little sheltered notch of ground where shade lovers grow well. I've convinced violets to grow there and any square footage I can take out of the mowing rotation makes spouse happy.

If rabbits are what gets your lettuce, a row of marigolds at the border is an effective rabbit barrier.

[Aeilia]

I used to have a large garden here, but in recent years the damm deer have put a stop to that. We're just in the process of putting up deer fencing across the back, because the neighbours fence behind is falling down, and the DDs can easily jump it. I still grow a few things, but everything has to be protected. I've started some miniature tomato seeds, but they won't be put outside until almost June. In a sort of cold frame, I've all ready seeded lettuce and radishes. We've also got rabbits; they've nibbled off most of my tulips that are growing in the open.

[WhiteDove01s]

I did, until our neighbors' dog had puppies and they kept two of the litter. I'm allergic to terriers, so three of them, on the other side of a picket fence, is just two too many. Plus, they're territorial, so barkers.

My condolences on that. I'm lucky enough not to have animal allergies, but my gran had issues with dander so I know how bad it can get. Between that and a mild phobia of small yappy dogs... (My great-gran had this half-chihuahua named Sparky. The consensus is that the other half was Miniature Hellhound. He always gave the impression he would bite your ankle, and then go for the throat as soon as you fell over in reach. It took three people to throw a towel over and catch him after she died.)

our plant date is May 12

Heh, I'm kind of lucky when it comes to remembering planting dates. The Evil Overlord's birthday is March 11, and that reminds me to start seeds for anything that can be started indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Then my birthday is on May 15th... XD

I'm thinking I might build a grotto on the east side this year. We have a little sheltered notch of ground where shade lovers grow well. I've convinced violets to grow there and any square footage I can take out of the mowing rotation makes spouse happy.

That sounds really pretty. I have a complete inability to tan, so I always tried to keep patches of shady spots at strategic points in the yard... Some of those are gone now, but there are new ones now that the fruit trees are growing. And then nice sunny spots for the veggies.

If rabbits are what gets your lettuce, a row of marigolds at the border is an effective rabbit barrier.

Heh, no, the Evil Overlord gets the lettuce. XD So far I have not been able to grow a lettuce bed (well, bin, since I grow most of my plants in tubs - bad soil quality here and they're actually easier for me than raised beds) that she can't make a salad of in about two servings. At least last year I finally managed to train her not to pull the plants up by the roots and just pick the outside leaves so the lettuce would grow more leaves. I wouldn't even want that much of it, just a couple leaves for a sandwich now and then. I'm actually pondering whether I can double it up with the carrots without them getting in each other's way. It doesn't seem like they would, with one being mostly below ground and the other above and shallow-rooted. If it works out, that'll increase the space I have for lettuce again this year, and maybe I'll actually get some of it.

I do make a lot of use of marigolds and onions as deterrent crops, tho.

I used to have a large garden here, but in recent years the damm deer have put a stop to that.

I've seen deer here too. We have to net the beans every year, because that seems to be their favorite. And I'm suspicious they might have been what got my watermelons last year too. I almost had some. It was the first time I'd kept the groundhog off them (I think he finally died of old age) and they were about 6" in diameter. Then, just gone... I didn't even get watermelon seed this year, yet. Waffling on the temptation to try again versus another disappointment. I've tried for I think five years or so now, but something always gets the watermelons. (Not always the same something, mind. Just something.)

We've also got rabbits

I've seen rabbits, and on one occasion geese in the yard (We're right on a backwater). The rabbits tend to be transient, because the cats will chase them... but they have on occasion nibbled things I rather they didn't. I think it helps, tho, that there's a lot of clover in the yard. If there's clover they can get to, and the next easiest thing to reach is a toxic tomato plant, they go for the clover. The trick is hiding the lettuce bin too close to the house for them to risk, usually right next to the door.

they've nibbled off most of my tulips that are growing in the open

I have some new tulips this year that I can't wait to see. Planted them last fall. The Evil Overlord is more of a daylily and daffodil person, and doesn't much care for tulips... but I have one flower bed that's pretty much designated as 'mine', so it got tulips in a rough 'sunset' design. (yellow to orange and pinks, with space on edges for blue and 'black' flowers - I'm hoping to work in some irises someday to handle the darker colors)

[richila]

I have seeds that I had planned to plant last week during Spring break, but I was sick all week. I need fresh dirt for my planters.

[Trethowan]

I used to garden, until I married and was too busy. I thought I'd do a few pots on the back deck so I bought some seeds. There is a high probability that they'll sit in that box until next year. I have a bad habit of buying stuff and never doing anything with it.

[Linteia]

We did at our old apartment, but there's nowhere the have a proper garden here. There's a community plot for the complex, but we didn't get a spot. Hopefully we'll be able to at least manage herbs somehow because egad, are they expensive!

[Jobee]

I don't garden myself, but I really appreciate a beautifully loved garden. Some are just worthy of applause!

[Jezrah]

I looove flowers and good landscaping, but unfortunately I'm a terrible lazy gardener. I can't keep anything in pots alive, whether indoor or outdoor, because I don't remember to water or fertilize them enough. I like planting in beds best, as they're less likely to die on me that way if I forget a watering, but I don't often do the weeding... Really I love gardens but I don't like the upkeep parts.

[Trethowan]

I suppose you guys inspired me. I now smell like dirt and sunblock. LOL Going to till out a section of yard and plant things. Things that will hopefully grow!