A frustrating day in the garden
hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (10)
shive
4 years agomantis__oh
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Frustrating garden this year
Comments (8)Your right Debbie, I mulched the the soil at first sign of stress. Water is absorbed by the mulch however when I took a hoe to the surface and dug an inch, dry as a bone. The soil is so compact it'll take a jackhammer to break it up. I use the drip method on my fruit trees. I experimented with green manure (crimson clover) over the winter/spring hoping that would help the soil retain moisture and nutrients during the summer. Guess that theory didn't work *lol* I have one VERY long soaker hose running alone side the picket fence. Has anyone ever installed one of those things? It's like wrestling with a 50' snake. That area is doing okay but if I miss one day watering the soil becomes rock hard. The roses in part shade are doing great. The roses in full sun look pathetic. My Westerland rose bloomed once, a total of 5 roses in late spring and hasn't grown a new leaf or bud since. Anne, a landscaper is beginning to appeal to me. On the brighter side - the asclepias currassavica attracted a female Monarch. She left behind eggs and so far I'm raising 23 caterpillers. They're so cute!...See MoreYoung, Poor, Frustrated 'Gardener'
Comments (4)Welcome to the support group! I am struggling with my gardenia killing addiction. So far the other plants that haven't died at my hands (yet) are a hardy 'african gardenia', which really isn't a gardenia, the flowers are small but I love their smell! I got it for my mom, so that one probably won't die. I'm trying to get her addicted to gardenias again..she's killed before too. Maybe that's where I get my genes for this affliction I have. Even though I do kill gardenias, I did get a truculent one to bloom for me (before I killed it), someone on this board suggested giving it more sun (it was potted, and got shade half of the day), and it worked! Really! I have photos, I swear! :D Gardenia's are psychic, that's all I have to say. They KNOW if you care about them, and they will self destruct if they pick up on that emotion. So, be warned. Here's the plants I've killed (accidentally, not the ones I did purposefully): australian finger lime passiflora (a red one) a fig tree a lemon tree a gardenia a 'hardy' gardenia a pomegranate a jasmine plant (that I grew from seed for years, and then it died before it would bloom!) There were others, but these are the most recent that I can remember. Misery loves company, right? ;) Welcome to the support group, ha ha! There is also the plant and/or seed exchange forum here, if you want to get plants cheap....See MoreFrustrated Hummer Gardener!
Comments (3)The only conclusion I can make is the more the better. Also, what you see depends on what time of day you're looking. If I only checked the cypress vine in the afternoon I'd conclude it was of no value, and there are probably other plants that have their time of day, but I just don't realize it yet. The plant that has been largely ignored in my garden is cuphea ignea. The kicker is that among many happy plants, it is the happiest. The three plants have hundreds of blooms each day, and westerners report it as a hummer magnet. It scares my hummingbirds. When they try to pull their bills out of the flower they seem to get caught. After a couple of attempts they fly off to easier pickings. And the heck with them, the cuphea is such a fine plant, from now on I'm planting it for me....See MoreSpin off of Joann's frustrating day
Comments (7)It is called....PARENTING.... Which besides feeding, clothing and supplying shelter, means Teaching right from wrong and owning up to and rectifying, mistakes or wrong intentional acts. My friends daughter is a teacher in a public school. one of her students (9th grade) got angry at something and almost hit her and punched a hole into the classroom wall. His parents were called to the school and the first thing they said, was, What did the teacher say to him to get him so angry. Needless to say after 5 or so years, he is in prison. Sad that his parents didn't make him own-up to his wrong doings when they had the chance to correct things....See Moreorganic_kitten
4 years agosignet_gw(6b)
4 years agoMaryl (Okla. Zone 7a)
4 years agolilykate7a
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoJulia WV (6b)
4 years agoBrad KY 6b
4 years agodick_in_ohio
4 years ago
Related Stories
HOUSEPLANTSIndoor Winter Gardens for Cheerier Days
Bring plants inside for drab-days mood boosting — not to mention cleaner indoor air and protection for your greenery
Full StoryOUTBUILDINGSRoom of the Day: Spa-Like Relaxing in a London Garden
Nature inspired the design of this gym, sauna, hot tub and more, so it blends seamlessly with the surrounding woodland
Full StoryENTERTAININGDIY Garden Wedding: Bring a Vintage Vibe to Your Big Day
A beautiful garden wedding made by hand can save you money while being memorable and meaningful
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Garden Projects to Do for Mom as Mother’s Day Gifts
Host an alfresco meal or plant a shade tree as a gift to honor the special women in your life
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESSimple Pleasures: Savor the First Spring Day in the Garden
How will you answer the call of the garden once the birds are chirping, the bulbs are blooming and the air is inviting?
Full StoryEVENTSExplore Inspiring Private Gardens With The Garden Conservancy
Take a peek into exceptional landscapes usually closed to the public or dig deeper by attending a garden workshop
Full StoryREGIONAL GARDEN GUIDESCalifornia Gardener’s February Checklist
With spring just around the corner, here are 9 ideas for getting a head start on the season
Full StoryREGIONAL GARDEN GUIDESCalifornia Gardener’s November Checklist
Take advantage of mild weather to cross garden chores off your list, plant natives and plan for fire safety
Full StoryREGIONAL GARDEN GUIDESCalifornia Gardener’s January Checklist
Here’s what to prune and plant now to spruce up the winter landscape and jump-start your garden for the year
Full StoryREGIONAL GARDEN GUIDESCalifornia Gardener’s September Checklist
Kick-start the fall planting season with these ideas for bulbs, grasses, shrubs, perennials and cool-season veggies
Full Story
hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)Original Author