# The SDMB 2013 Gardening Thread (Yes, Very Early This Year) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 16, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513 "2013-02-16T16:29:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/141 "2013-05-23T06:37:55Z")
I want to try lettuce next year! This is the first year we’ve had space for any kind of plants (moved to a new place in January). This year it’s all flowers with a few herbs. I’m very excited because on my way to work I spotted a flower shop that’s selling rose geraniums. I’ve been looking for those flowers for ages! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/142 "2013-05-23T20:43:33Z")
A few stevia seedlings are showing in my seed boxes, how exciting! I’m growing some for a friend who needs to avoid dietary sugars so I’m hoping to plant some in their garden and also provide a couple potted plants for the kitchen. Any experienced stevia growers have any tips for best success? I’m being conscientious about the packet’s advice to plant seeds within six months and not overwater. Speaking of overwatering, more rain again today. Hang in there, flower seeds!! (And **Rhiannon** , that salad does look yummy.) ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/143 "2013-05-23T22:44:30Z")
My veggies are _still_ not in the ground. We’ve had nothing but rain for forever. The good part is I haven’t had to water my outside pots in two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/144 "2013-05-24T20:47:04Z")
My clematis seedling arrived! Yay!!! [kermit flail] 'Course, it’s been raining for three days straight so I can’t plant it yet. Looks pretty healthy in its little pot, though. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelQReilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/145 "2013-05-25T00:35:14Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > **HazelNutCoffee** , why not try a nice bleeding-heart plant or [_Dicentra formosa_](http://www.balconycontainergardening.com/index.php/plants/327-grow-care-bleeding-heart) for your bright-shade balcony? It’s not gonna be very long-blooming at this point, though. Violas? Busy lizzie? Pentas? Primula? > > Check out their recommendations for [shady balcony sites](http://www.balconycontainergardening.com/index.php/gardening/148-shady-garden) in general. Depending on how shady the balcony is, impatiens are always a great choice. However, if the sun is too bright they will cook. Torenia is another choice that can hold up to sun better but will still bloom profusely in the shade. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/146 "2013-05-25T13:26:34Z")
> [@MichaelQReilly](#): > > Depending on how shady the balcony is, impatiens are always a great choice. However, if the sun is too bright they will cook. And if Impatiens are hit by [downy mildew](http://extension.umass.edu/floriculture/fact-sheets/impatiens-downy-mildew) (a disease that has started ravaging plantings in many areas) they will croak. New Guinea impatiens are supposed to be immune to downy mildew but need a bit more sun than typical Impatiens walleriana. I second the recommendation for Torenia. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/147 "2013-05-25T13:59:07Z")
> [@MichaelQReilly](#): > > Depending on how shady the balcony is, impatiens are always a great choice. However, if the sun is too bright they will cook. > > Torenia is another choice that can hold up to sun better but will still bloom profusely in the shade. I will be on the lookout for both, thanks. Living in Korea means that I’m never quite sure what’s available here and what it’s called locally. My mom bought me a pot of forget-me-nots and some alyssum, which look very pretty with their tiny blossoms. She also gave me a hug pot of bleeding heart (Clerodendrum) which will hopefully grow to cover our ugly metal railing on the one side of our balcony. ---
**Author:** ![bathsheba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@bathsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bathsheba)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/148 "2013-05-26T02:10:00Z")
I just bought camellias, cyclamen, red verbena and yellow russelia. Yup. There’s no such thing as a quick trip to the garden centre. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/149 "2013-05-26T22:57:43Z")
Finally got my Cherokee and Celebrity tomato plants down in the ground. Lost 2 of the 6 habaneros seedlings, but that’s O.K. because there really isn’t enough room in the bed for all the plants I want to put in. Especially not with the sweet pepper color mix. The thing about the sweet pepper color mix is that it is supposed to have 5 different colors: Green, yellow, red, orange and purple. But there are only 4 plants. We’ll see, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/150 "2013-05-27T00:15:28Z")
Volunteer basil is coming up with the cannas we acquired. When do you cook with it, young or old? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/151 "2013-05-27T00:55:58Z")
If you’re plant is very young, pick off leaves from the top. As it gets bigger take from the top for bushy plants, from the bottom for tall. And don’t cut more than 1/3rd of a plant at a time. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/152 "2013-05-27T01:15:19Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > And don’t cut more than 1/3rd of a plant at a time. Not a problem, their name is Legion. 🙂 Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/153 "2013-05-27T01:59:08Z")
OK, I need advice. My sister’s family went for vacation to (among other places) Monticello, and brought back heirloom seeds of Jefferson’s own varieties as souvenirs. Which she just gave us today. So now I have a packet of pepper seeds, which should have been started two months ago. Am I better off planting them now and hoping they mature fast enough, saving them for next year, or doing some of each? ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/154 "2013-05-27T02:31:36Z")
You might try a couple of seeds in pot and see how they do. If they do well, transplant them. According to [SproutRobot](http://www.sproutrobot.com/cleveland-oh/planting-calendar/44101) your best time would have been early April, but late May, might not be too late. Definitely save some of them for next year. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/155 "2013-05-27T02:48:32Z")
With a long enough growing season, pepper seeds started now could bear before frost. If saving seed, keeping them cool and dry (in the refrigerator, for instance) is a good idea. Vegetables currently in the ground: garlic, eggplant (3 varieties), tomatoes (about six kinds, including weird California multicolored hippie hybrids), celeriac, brussels sprouts, potatoes and pole beans. The ornamental garden is about 90% planted. All the potted stuff growing under lights in the basement has been lugged outdoors. \I need a vacation.\ ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/156 "2013-05-27T02:52:34Z")
I’d plant some outside in the garden, and some in pots as a backup. I presume they would wait until next year. You might search the web to see if they should be refrigerated to last until next year. I doubt that seed companies sell seed the first year they acquire them, or that they refrigerate them. On edit, Jack probably knows more than I. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/157 "2013-05-30T03:37:13Z")
I’m slightly worried about my basil. When I bought the seedlings the leaves were a deep green, but now they are a much lighter green. Does that mean it’s sick? I trimmed them a bit because they looked like they were getting leggy (and also on the verge of flowering). It’s started to sprout more leaves on the sides rather than simply grow tall, which is good, I suppose. Should I be worried about the color? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/158 "2013-05-30T03:41:19Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > I’m slightly worried about my basil. When I bought the seedlings the leaves were a deep green, but now they are a much lighter green. Does that mean it’s sick? I trimmed them a bit because they looked like they were getting leggy (and also on the verge of flowering). It’s started to sprout more leaves on the sides rather than simply grow tall, which is good, I suppose. Should I be worried about the color? Way I heard it, leaf lightening on basil plants means either insufficient light or wrong amount of water. I defer to more expert basilators for more information. ---
**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:** [May 30, 2013, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/159 "2013-05-30T04:06:22Z")
The legginess is usually an indicator of too much shade, too. I see that basil likes a ton of sunlight. Well, I’ve got my garden in! I’m trying a new way of supporting my peas this year - a fence between two rows, and planting them around a tent of support sticks. We’ll see how it goes. I found a [hardy shrub cherry](http://search.dunvegangardens.ca/11050004/Plant/5200/Crimson_Passion_Cherry) this year, and I’ve got it all planted up in the garden. I’m hoping for a nice, healthy shrub with loads of delicious cherries soon. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513/160 "2013-05-30T04:17:46Z")
I really could not give my basil more sunlight if I tried! 🙂 It is sitting in the sunniest place on my balcony, getting full sun for pretty much the entire day. Maybe I should try replanting it in a pot with better drainage? The thing is that it’s planted in the same kind of pot as my rosemary, which also likes sunlight and dry soil. and the rosemary is doing fine. Cherries sound awesome. They’re so expensive in Seoul! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-2013-gardening-thread-yes-very-early-this-year/650513.md?page=9)