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unsui888
Embodied


Registered: 10/11/08
Posts: 1,154
Loc: United States
Last seen: 3 months, 29 days
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New to Gardening...
#23061541 - 03/29/16 11:40 PM (7 years, 9 months ago) |
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So I am trying to get into gardening... I am a complete noob when it comes to this - perhaps the complete anti-thesis of a "greenthumb"! Well my backyard seems to be overgrown with weeds, but then when I pull all the weeds it is just dirt/mud (which is a real mess with 2 dogs!), so it looks better with them!
I am wondering what to do after I pull all these weeds... what is the cheapest way to landscape a small yard?
Also, what plants/herbs are good to start growing right now? I just got Berggarten Sage and Mint plants to start collecting leaves for tea. I am hoping to have a nice collection of mint, sage, basil, lavender, and some others I cannot think of...
Any and all insight/guidance is greatly appreciated!
-------------------- "a note for asses: what is very convincing, is not necessarily true - it is merely convincing" primus------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------mama didn't raise no fool
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LunarEclipse
Enlil's Official Story


Registered: 10/31/04
Posts: 21,407
Loc: Building 7
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Re: New to Gardening... [Re: unsui888]
#23062235 - 03/30/16 06:53 AM (7 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
unsui888 said: So I am trying to get into gardening... I am a complete noob when it comes to this - perhaps the complete anti-thesis of a "greenthumb"! Well my backyard seems to be overgrown with weeds, but then when I pull all the weeds it is just dirt/mud (which is a real mess with 2 dogs!), so it looks better with them!
I am wondering what to do after I pull all these weeds... what is the cheapest way to landscape a small yard?
Also, what plants/herbs are good to start growing right now? I just got Berggarten Sage and Mint plants to start collecting leaves for tea. I am hoping to have a nice collection of mint, sage, basil, lavender, and some others I cannot think of...
Any and all insight/guidance is greatly appreciated!
Any area you don't want weeds growing through needs to be covered by landscape fabric held down by 6" long sod stakes. Overlap pieces by 12" minimum. Then cover with drain rock if it's where you don't walk, and probably pavers where you do. Forget "bark dust" it sucks. Mint is highly invasive be careful what you plant that stuff will be everywhere but maybe that's what you want in an area. I'd do a raised bed garden over landscape fabric, use cinder blocks wood sucks to lay down on the ground, period. Don't do it you'll be sorry. Railroad ties are some toxic shit, really don't do those. Just build a border with the open blocks facing up and plant shit in the openings. Remember fabric first! Anything else the weeds will kill you. And if some bozo says go bark dust laugh in their face and get your drain rock or pavers.
Fox Farms Ocean Forest is decent soil depending on how many bags you'll need for your raised bed garden. Otherwise the local store probably has top soil and compost by the yard which will obviously be cheaper than bags but you gotta be able to haul it.
Anyway some ramblings.
-------------------- Anxiety is what you make it.
Edited by LunarEclipse (03/30/16 06:57 AM)
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MadMuncher
destroy weyerhauser



Registered: 10/27/12
Posts: 8,403
Loc: not in compliance
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Re: New to Gardening... [Re: unsui888]
#23067195 - 03/31/16 12:53 PM (7 years, 9 months ago) |
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Whereabouts do you live?
In most parts of the northern hemisphere you can start sowing peas, onion, potato, celery, chard, kale, lettuce and other hardy greens, radish, rutabaga, parsnip, and other root crops, Jerusalem artichoke (maybe too early yet, can't remember) carrot, spinach, turnips, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, hardy herbs like horehound, chamomile, mint, balm, probably oregano.
Most of those can be sewn outdoors right now. Where in this world are you trying to garden?
I would highly recommend growing Strawberries to the first time gardener. They are extremely hardy, will grow in almost any soil, and grow pretty quickly. Very rewarding to watch them grow.
Also, when you are pulling weeds, don't be too hasty to throw them away. Many are fine edibles, and have medicinal uses. Keep an eye out for sheep sorrel, miners lettuce, watercress, iris, chickweed, dandelion, thistle, nettle, black berry, wild strawberries, lambs quarters. I would recommend learning how to identify some of those, you may be surprised at how much food is already growing in your yard.
Dandelion and milk thistle root are some of my favorite foods. I like to eat them raw when I'm hiking. Sheep sorrel is up there for me too.
Quote:
Ralph Waldo Emerson said: What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.
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amanita phalloides prints for trade $BanEnlil $IgnoreEnlil Spicemaster said: The stories. The words. The descriptions. Keep your list handy. 1234Go said: I bet you guys PM about me... Ban Lotto Wins: IIIII
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dizzy_simmons
Detective



Registered: 09/18/09
Posts: 393
Loc: Interzone
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Re: New to Gardening... [Re: MadMuncher] 1
#23078804 - 04/03/16 11:28 AM (7 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
MadMuncher said:
Also, when you are pulling weeds, don't be too hasty to throw them away. Many are fine edibles, and have medicinal uses. Keep an eye out for sheep sorrel, miners lettuce, watercress, iris, chickweed, dandelion, thistle, nettle, black berry, wild strawberries, lambs quarters. I would recommend learning how to identify some of those, you may be surprised at how much food is already growing in your yard.
+1 to implementing any aspect of permaculture into your garden. If your soil's not so great raised beds are pretty easy/cheap. It's also a good idea to start seeds early indoors to get a "head start".
P.s, my Jersusalem artichokes are sprouting now, definitely not too early for those. In zone 7 at least. Not sure where you are.
-------------------- UNDO YOUR DOMESTICATION Looking for: ***The Land of the Free*** Ps. caerulipes Ps. cubensis Ps. cyanescens Ps. ovoideocystidiata Pan. cinctulus Pan. cyanescens
Edited by dizzy_simmons (04/03/16 11:37 AM)
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MadMuncher
destroy weyerhauser



Registered: 10/27/12
Posts: 8,403
Loc: not in compliance
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I'm in zone 1 so im starting just about everything inside. Worm beds are easy. So are back yard chickens. They'll turn your veggie scraps into nitrogen plant rocket fuel. Compost. Compost everything. Feed the worms. Get a couple rabbits and let them do most of your weeding. Then turn your dirt. Or let your chickens do it for you. Cover for a week or two. Consider adding live cultures and earthworms.
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amanita phalloides prints for trade $BanEnlil $IgnoreEnlil Spicemaster said: The stories. The words. The descriptions. Keep your list handy. 1234Go said: I bet you guys PM about me... Ban Lotto Wins: IIIII
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Nameko
Sustainable Gardener



Registered: 03/21/16
Posts: 13
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First, research all of the herbs you have. For instance, mint is a tasty weed that is hard to kill and will overgrow your garden. Keep it in a pot.
Second, go the route of raised beds. You won't have to weed as much and you will have total control over your soil environment, especially if the soil in your yard isn't that great. Always add in organic matter. Research Hugelkulture, a way of making raised beds/mounds with layers of decomposing wood, straw, compost, gravel, soil, etc. Find the book "Carrots Love Tomatoes" and read it. It's great for beginners, cheap and effective gardening, and it introduces the idea of companion planting, which is part of Permaculture.
Learn about compost. If you can't make a proper pile, learn to make "compost tea."
One of my secrets is Neem oil. I find it at a local organic garden shop, you can order it online too. It's a natural oil that smells like hot soy sauce. Add a few tsps. to a gallon on water and mist it on the leaves of your plants. It's a natural insect repellent and it coats your plants lightly, making mildew harder to contract, and it gives a little extra nutrients to them. I have no insect problems and I swear by neem oil.
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CheffaChef09
CheffaChef09

Registered: 01/27/16
Posts: 54
Last seen: 6 years, 7 months
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Re: New to Gardening... [Re: Nameko]
#23105748 - 04/11/16 05:27 AM (7 years, 9 months ago) |
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Hey OP im pretty advanced when it comes to gardening so any questions feel free to message me...but here's a few beginner tips, get hardy easy to grow plants, such as the ones you have but id also do rosemary, parsley, kale, lettuce, throw in some pepper plants too man dont be scared they are pretty easy to grow. As for your mint, yes its an easy to grow herb, probably the easier but it will grow like a weed! So if u grow mint man make sure it has alot of room because it grows from its roots therefore it came spread through out your whole garden. Also berries are fun but I reccomend growing them off the ground so it reduces the risk of ANTS eating them..
As far as soil goes, take the time to use a Roto-tiller and mix up that soil for your garden, I reccomend mixing in some horse poo, coco coir, not sure what your budget it but those are both cheap things you can add to your garden bed to assure a light, fliffy nutrient rich soil and P.s stay away from miracle grow spend the extra 2$ and get organic feeds...peace
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psychestone
Entheogenic Explorer


Registered: 08/22/15
Posts: 43
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 7 years, 2 months
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Quote:
CheffaChef09 said: Hey OP im pretty advanced when it comes to gardening so any questions feel free to message me...but here's a few beginner tips, get hardy easy to grow plants, such as the ones you have but id also do rosemary, parsley, kale, lettuce, throw in some pepper plants too man dont be scared they are pretty easy to grow. As for your mint, yes its an easy to grow herb, probably the easier but it will grow like a weed! So if u grow mint man make sure it has alot of room because it grows from its roots therefore it came spread through out your whole garden. Also berries are fun but I reccomend growing them off the ground so it reduces the risk of ANTS eating them..
As far as soil goes, take the time to use a Roto-tiller and mix up that soil for your garden, I reccomend mixing in some horse poo, coco coir, not sure what your budget it but those are both cheap things you can add to your garden bed to assure a light, fliffy nutrient rich soil and P.s stay away from miracle grow spend the extra 2$ and get organic feeds...peace

hey man, do you know what is wrong with this Calea Zacatechichi plant? Some leaves are turning grew and drying out while the whole plant is drooping.. Also I've seen heaps of tiny ants emerging from a few of my plants' soil. Not sure if they are damaging it, aiding in health or just hanging out there.
-------------------- Plants to collect: Wild Dagga, Sun Opener, Coleus Blumbei, Acacia Maidenni, Calea Zacatechichi, Salvia Divinorum, Wormwood, Brugsmansia, Mandrake, Belladonna, Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, Blue Lotus, Blue Lily, Klip Dagga, Sceleptium Toruso
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psychestone
Entheogenic Explorer


Registered: 08/22/15
Posts: 43
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 7 years, 2 months
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I am also a beginner plant grower.. Many enthobotanicals as of now. All my plants are. They all are healthy except for my dream herb (Calea Zachetechichi (plant displayed in pic)). Sorry OP for being slightly off topic but when I discover what I am doing wrong, it may help you prevent what I am doing wrong.
-------------------- Plants to collect: Wild Dagga, Sun Opener, Coleus Blumbei, Acacia Maidenni, Calea Zacatechichi, Salvia Divinorum, Wormwood, Brugsmansia, Mandrake, Belladonna, Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, Blue Lotus, Blue Lily, Klip Dagga, Sceleptium Toruso
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CheffaChef09
CheffaChef09

Registered: 01/27/16
Posts: 54
Last seen: 6 years, 7 months
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Quote:
psychestone said: I am also a beginner plant grower.. Many enthobotanicals as of now. All my plants are. They all are healthy except for my dream herb (Calea Zachetechichi (plant displayed in pic)). Sorry OP for being slightly off topic but when I discover what I am doing wrong, it may help you prevent what I am doing wrong.
Well it looks like to me it can be a mix of two things, your soil doesnt look light enough they like really light airy soil that dont contain any additives(feed) this is a plant that hates chemicals id reccomend making a mix of organic soil and perlite maybe like 60/40 man. How do u water them? Tap water? Any chemicals? You can also be over watering. As far as the ants coming out of your pots yea thats not good lol
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psychestone
Entheogenic Explorer


Registered: 08/22/15
Posts: 43
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 7 years, 2 months
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I'm watering them with rain water from these large tanks outside once every 2-3 days. I'm transplanting this plant today in a pot way bigger than this. I hope Calea Zacatechichi gets better...
-------------------- Plants to collect: Wild Dagga, Sun Opener, Coleus Blumbei, Acacia Maidenni, Calea Zacatechichi, Salvia Divinorum, Wormwood, Brugsmansia, Mandrake, Belladonna, Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, Blue Lotus, Blue Lily, Klip Dagga, Sceleptium Toruso
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unsui888
Embodied


Registered: 10/11/08
Posts: 1,154
Loc: United States
Last seen: 3 months, 29 days
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Thanks for the tips guys!
School is just wrapping up (finishing my Master's thesis), so now I will finally have time to get to pulling out all those weeds! I shall get to researching!
-------------------- "a note for asses: what is very convincing, is not necessarily true - it is merely convincing" primus------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------mama didn't raise no fool
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