# Gardening talk? Yes please! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 8, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883 "2011-03-08T03:25:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/41 "2011-03-11T00:22:43Z")
This may seem like a strange request but does anyone here have experience with mosses and lichen? My backyard is heavily wooded and while it’s not heavy shade it’s rarely ever in direct sun in any one area or if it is, maybe for 20 minutes or so. Picture more like dappled sun. Hosta and Ferns do very well as do other low light lovers such as Azaleas, impatiens, Pierus, etc… Anyhow I’m thinking about transforming my back yard into kind of a Northwestern looking type of forest scene. Also included will be a fairly large Koi and water garden with two small man made streams (by me) feeding into it and then the water being pumped back up a small hillside so as to recirculate. The pond is almost finished and everything is going great but I’m wondering if mosses and other water loving plants will require way too much time watering during the summer months. Or maybe some plants that look like mosses but don’t require daily watering. Actually I don’t even mind the time it takes, it’s more about the water cost if it is a dry summer. I just really like the look of moss and lichen covered rocks near flowing water. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/42 "2011-03-11T00:25:23Z")
Would a Compact Fluorescent bulb be sufficient to provide light to the plantz? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/43 "2011-03-11T00:31:36Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Would a Compact Fluorescent bulb be sufficient to provide light to the plantz? The best set-up, judging from your photo of the way you have them arranged, would be two or three CFBs on something you can adjust. They need to be within inches of the top of the seedling and their light radii need to overlap. You want to have something that you can adjust so they can be lifted as the seedlings grow, keeping within a foot (12" or less) from the top of the seedling. Ideally, you want to end up with stout, strong plants when it’s time to harden them off, rather than skinny, leggy things that’ll flop over in a stiff wind. ETA: The human eye is horrible at judging light intensity. Even if it seems like what I posted above is way too much light, it’s not. You don’t want the bulbs running 24/7, though…at this point, 8-12 hours a day is enough. EATA: I THINK CFBs run cool like bar fluorescents, right? If not, keep them a little farther away, like 2 feet. Better to not have 100% of the needed light than to burn the leaves. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/44 "2011-03-11T02:08:53Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > The average last frost date for my locale is May 15th. May 20 something here. I think there are things that could go in earlier - I see plants that I planted last year and spent the winter under snow, and they look they’re ready to go - they’ll be springing up again as soon as it gets a bit warmer and sunnier. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > \ > I’m going to be _so jealous_ of you northerners with your lettuce in July :eek: in no time! But for now … hahaha we get pretty blooms and green buds and you don’t! _Ppppbbbbbbtttthhh!_ We have lovely peonies and lilacs, too. They love it here. 🙂 > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Yes, indeed, there are sprouts. Several of the plants have sprouted small seedlings. Actually, they may be small, but they are surprisingly tall. I was astonished by how fast they grew, actually, because one day, they were tiny nubs just barely poking out of the soil and then the next day they were quite tall and even had small leaves! > > [Here’s a photo.](http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/334/seedling.jpg) This is the hard part that I haven’t really ever made it past - toughening them up and getting their mature leaves and growth on them. > [@gravitycrash](#): > > \ > The pond is almost finished and everything is going great but I’m wondering if mosses and other water loving plants will require way too much time watering during the summer months. > > Or maybe some plants that look like mosses but don’t require daily watering. Actually I don’t even mind the time it takes, it’s more about the water cost if it is a dry summer. > I just really like the look of moss and lichen covered rocks near flowing water. There are all kinds of mosses and mossy-looking plants that would probably work for you - irish moss, scotch moss, sea thrift, some pinks (maybe) - I’d go to your local greenhouse and look (and ask) around. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/45 "2011-03-11T02:13:58Z")
I’ve started some seeds in a sunny window and have ordered a few plants from Johnny’s. I can’t wait to see how many of the many, many green things I put in the ground last year survived the winter. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/46 "2011-03-11T03:26:03Z")
Ooooh, how did I miss the start of this thread? I’m in central Ohio as well and it’s wet and icky. But, daffodils and grape hyacinths are definitely coming up and there are a few tulip leaves sprouting as well. I’m hoping it will dry out at some point this weekend so that I can finish doing some clean-up and start planning what I’ll be moving around and adding in later this spring. I usually like to get a few tough annuals in by the end of April (sweet allyssum, for instance), but most annuals won’t go in until some time in May. It’s so nice to see a few bits of green again! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/47 "2011-03-11T03:43:47Z")
One good thing about being early on in our fixing up our yard is that my clean-up will be light this year (since we only have two small beds in yet). A light clean-up, then the digging starts again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/48 "2011-03-12T14:47:01Z")
I bought my house and moved in last June and with everything I needed to do around the house, I never got time to start on a (very late) garden. This year, I’m prepared! Hallboy and I have built two raised beds for herbs and lettuce/spinach. We’ve started preparing the soil for the veggie garden and I’ve mapped out the two flower beds. I’ve purchased the seeds for everything, and this past week, I started the tomato seeds in pots so they’ll be ready when it’s warm enough to go into the ground. (I’m doing five different types of heirloom tomatoes.) Tomorrow, I’m going to get some mushroom soil and rabbit manure to add to the garden soil and the compost I’ve had going since I moved in. I’m so freaking excited! ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/49 "2011-03-12T16:23:50Z")
Question for the pros: How big do I let my tomato sprouts get before I move them to bigger homes? And then how big before I try them outside or in a giant planter? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/50 "2011-03-12T16:50:50Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > Question for the pros: > > How big do I let my tomato sprouts get before I move them to bigger homes? And then how big before I try them outside or in a giant planter? Usually two sets of true leaves (not the seed leaves they have when they sprout). I’m not sure about the second transplant. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/51 "2011-03-12T18:06:35Z")
The weather is beautiful today. Yay! Might also get to set up lights in the basement tomorrow so that i can start seeds. Should also find a place to start peas and such, since it’s about the right time to do that outdoors now. Isn’t it a great feeling to be getting close to Spring? (Sorry for those of you who still have to make it through lots more snow.) We might still have some snow, but chances are good that it will be minor. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/52 "2011-03-12T19:56:33Z")
This next week is going to be tough - it’s going to be really nice, and we’re going to start thinking spring is here, but it isn’t, and we’re going to get at least one more big blast of winter yet (and probably more than one) before true spring shows up. Everyone’s going to really start itching to get out in the yard, but you just can’t yet. Oh well - it’s better than -20 temps. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/53 "2011-03-12T19:59:07Z")
It’s sunny and the snow is melting, but our yard is far FAR from being anywhere near ready to plant. I’m thinking of buying some seeds and maybe soon I will plant some inside. When is a good time to start seeds inside for zone 3 anyway?? This hasn’t stopped me from ordering seed catalogues for the first time and plotting a bit what I will do this year. Stuff like an extra row of beets, where to plant the peas, beans, will I do lettuce this year? How about dig out more of the overgrown beds and put in some hostas near the tree where it’s shady and looks horrible now and in the sunnier area put in some strawberries and keep encouraging the raspberries that were mowed down by the previous tenants… Also things like, in the front, lets do some layers. Talls flowers in the back, shorter ones in the middle and some low ones in the front along the house. Do I dig out along the front fence and sidewalk, which was a mass of weeds with the odd pansie that somehow snuck in and grew, and plant some perennials… or do I plant nothing since the neighbour is thinking of tearing down and putting in a new fence? What DO I do in that situation, since it’s a pain in the butt to weed whack there, impossible to mow, and looks horrible with the weeds growing willy nilly. Yes! Much better than the cold we’ve been having **Cat Whisperer**! I’m so happy it’s warm and will try to ignore the inevitable blasts of winter that are still to come… ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/54 "2011-03-13T00:01:22Z")
Oooh, I spotted a bit of green grass in a sunny, sheltered area of my MN yard. There is hope! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/55 "2011-03-13T05:17:21Z")
Oh yeah, beets - I’m going to try those this summer. From what I’ve read, they’re great prairie vegetables (I recall my mom always grew them and made beet pickles). ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/56 "2011-03-13T05:24:55Z")
Crocuses! I have [crocuses](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmqE9jUKHq8/TXxOm9ZvMBI/AAAAAAAAARU/0AzEmdao2w8/s1600/img_1083.jpg)! They’re so pretty and cheerful, sprinkled all over my front lawn! ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/57 "2011-03-13T07:36:57Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > Crocuses! I have crocuses! > > They’re so pretty and cheerful, sprinkled all over my front lawn! Congrats, that is such a wonderful first sign of spring. Today we filled a couple of half-wine-barrels with soil, with an eye toward planting a climber in them in a couple of weeks. They are on either side of the slider into my bedroom and I envision a climber going up and around the door. I have to install trellis or something before I choose a plant. I also planted Cosmos and Ajuga reptans in this sort of hopeless spot next to the driveway that is mostly shaded, but sunny in spots. I’m going to add come vinca minor too, I saw some in a field around the corner so plan to go dig some up and transplant it tomorrow or next weekend. I also planted something I already forget the name of already and forgot to get the tag to but it’ll be small blue flowers and moundy. The grape hyacinth is about to bloom in short order. Wheeee! ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/58 "2011-03-13T14:43:40Z")
Lonicera sempervirens ‘Alabama Crimson’ is on my short list of awesome climbers. It drives the hummingbirds mad with its profuse blooms and will even flower during the winter in Georgia. ---
**Author:** ![Sehmket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Sehmket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sehmket)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/59 "2011-03-13T16:19:48Z")
Anyone know of any good guides for a beginning herb gardener? My track record is pretty poor, but I’d love to dig up the front flower bed (which is currently growing grass and clover), and re-plant it with herbs. Seeds are, obviously, way cheeper, but I have no clue what to do. Should I get one of those little greenhouse kits and just put a couple seeds in each spot? Where do I keep one of those kits? I have some counter/ tablespace, but my house is a cave - dark and cool. Can I work around that? I’m somewhat limited in adding lighting (I rent, so it would have to be portable), and my husband will balk at me trying to invest a lot of money into this project. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883/60 "2011-03-13T17:48:34Z")
> [@Sehmket](#): > > Anyone know of any good guides for a beginning herb gardener? You probably won’t need a guide. Just know the type of soil you have, how much sun you get and then read the guidelines on the seed packet. I grow mine in pots by my door just so I can run my hand across the leaves and sniff at them when I go in and out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gardening-talk-yes-please/573883.md?page=4)