Comments on: Let’s get growing! http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/ Growing things in Zone 4 and more Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:20:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: laura http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-7002 laura Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:42:47 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-7002 i am SO ready to get my hands in the dirt and start gardening. i've got a grow light set up and my tomato seedlings are about an inch tall. i planted some petunia seeds and they're just teensy little hints of sprouts at the moment. i had no idea they took so long to start from seed or i'd have started them even sooner than i did. i added a second dog to my family and its taking its toll on the grass in front of my deck steps. i'm interested in ground cover alternatives to grass as well. i've been struggling for three years to get different kinds of grass to grow in this super shady heavily trafficked area. and i'm planning on expanding my garden to grow a little plot of corn, so this will be my first time ever messing with a tiller (rented from a local hardware store). any suggestions about tilling would be welcome as well. i am SO ready to get my hands in the dirt and start gardening. i’ve got a grow light set up and my tomato seedlings are about an inch tall. i planted some petunia seeds and they’re just teensy little hints of sprouts at the moment. i had no idea they took so long to start from seed or i’d have started them even sooner than i did.

i added a second dog to my family and its taking its toll on the grass in front of my deck steps. i’m interested in ground cover alternatives to grass as well. i’ve been struggling for three years to get different kinds of grass to grow in this super shady heavily trafficked area.

and i’m planning on expanding my garden to grow a little plot of corn, so this will be my first time ever messing with a tiller (rented from a local hardware store). any suggestions about tilling would be welcome as well.

]]> By: Peter Hoh http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-7000 Peter Hoh Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:35:27 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-7000 GreenGirls -- perhaps their ought to be a weekly open thread for random Q&A. GreenGirls — perhaps their ought to be a weekly open thread for random Q&A.

]]> By: Chris H http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6983 Chris H Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:29:05 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6983 DebW, thanks for the idea. We are baiting the live trap with crackers, seeds, and even some meat. We'll try something sweet! DebW, thanks for the idea. We are baiting the live trap with crackers, seeds, and even some meat. We’ll try something sweet!

]]> By: Jaime Chismar http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6974 Jaime Chismar Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:44:53 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6974 Peter! I'm glad you made it through the winter, too! Peter! I’m glad you made it through the winter, too!

]]> By: Peter Hoh http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6973 Peter Hoh Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:59:39 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6973 I am so ready to get my hands dirty. Glad to see that GreenGirls made it through the winter. I am so ready to get my hands dirty. Glad to see that GreenGirls made it through the winter.

]]> By: robin http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6972 robin Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:19:21 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6972 Yeah! You are back! I hate possums too. They give me the creeps and they carry bad diseases for horses. I ordered potatoes and can't wait to plant them. Yeah! You are back! I hate possums too. They give me the creeps and they carry bad diseases for horses. I ordered potatoes and can’t wait to plant them.

]]> By: Katherine http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6971 Katherine Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:19:02 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6971 Thanks for the tip about the composting feature, Connie--sounds like just what I need. Next question--what ideas do we all have about ground covers or low grasses for boulevards? Mine look terrible, the current grass is all turning into weeds, and I'd love to find something that doesn't need mowing but stays looking good. Help! Thanks for the tip about the composting feature, Connie–sounds like just what I need.

Next question–what ideas do we all have about ground covers or low grasses for boulevards? Mine look terrible, the current grass is all turning into weeds, and I’d love to find something that doesn’t need mowing but stays looking good. Help!

]]> By: DebW http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6970 DebW Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:16:38 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6970 Chris, What are you baiting the trap with? My mom has possoms and she swears by peanut butter cookies as they have a sweet tooth and the smell draws the in. Good luck, those things are nasty in more ways than one. They look like a giant rat! Chris,
What are you baiting the trap with? My mom has possoms and she swears by peanut butter cookies as they have a sweet tooth and the smell draws the in. Good luck, those things are nasty in more ways than one. They look like a giant rat!

]]> By: Chris H http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6969 Chris H Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:19:01 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6969 Welcome back! I am sad to say that a possum has gotten entirely too comfortable in the vicinity of my garden this winter and has decided it is a good place to do it's, um, business. Live trap hasn't worked so far, any ideas?? Gross!! Welcome back! I am sad to say that a possum has gotten entirely too comfortable in the vicinity of my garden this winter and has decided it is a good place to do it’s, um, business. Live trap hasn’t worked so far, any ideas?? Gross!!

]]> By: Diane http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6968 Diane Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:04:49 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6968 sara -- check out a company named biolawn. I talked with them at the Mnpls H&G show. I can't find the biz card but he's local, north metro-ish. sara — check out a company named biolawn. I talked with them at the Mnpls H&G show. I can’t find the biz card but he’s local, north metro-ish.

]]> By: Connie Nelson http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6967 Connie Nelson Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:00:17 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6967 Sorry, Megan. Sounds like your azaleas may be doomed. Both azaleas and rhodies set their buds in winter, so if Boris ate the tips of your azaleas, the flowers are gone. The plants themselves may survive, but I'd cover them with chicken wire rather than buckets. They need sun and as much TLC as they can get right now. Good luck! Sorry, Megan. Sounds like your azaleas may be doomed. Both azaleas and rhodies set their buds in winter, so if Boris ate the tips of your azaleas, the flowers are gone. The plants themselves may survive, but I’d cover them with chicken wire rather than buckets. They need sun and as much TLC as they can get right now.
Good luck!

]]> By: Connie Nelson http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6966 Connie Nelson Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:56:03 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6966 Allison, I can't think of anything worse to deal with than landscape rock. It's best to remove it, but it's a hassle. My husband and I dug up rocked section last year. We shoveled the rock and dirt onto a screen over a tub. (The screen allowed the dirt in but kept the rocks out.) It was slow going, but we ended up with some pretty nice dirt and a great place to plant. If there are not so many rocks, you can try to just add a mix of garden soil and compost on top, but you may end up with compacted soi. Anybody got a better suggestion? Allison, I can’t think of anything worse to deal with than landscape rock. It’s best to remove it, but it’s a hassle. My husband and I dug up rocked section last year. We shoveled the rock and dirt onto a screen over a tub. (The screen allowed the dirt in but kept the rocks out.) It was slow going, but we ended up with some pretty nice dirt and a great place to plant.
If there are not so many rocks, you can try to just add a mix of garden soil and compost on top, but you may end up with compacted soi.
Anybody got a better suggestion?

]]> By: Mememom http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6965 Mememom Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:08:17 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6965 Hooray for the first signs of spring! I'm starting a ton of tomato seeds this weekend--mostly tried & trues but some new heirlooms from Winter Sown. Can't wait to see what happens with "Chudo Rinka", "Bonny Best" and "Vintage Wine"--love those names! Also have seeds for the cutest, round little carrots that a friend brought from The Netherlands so it will be an international garden this year. I'm on the bandwagon and will be turning over the sod to make room for more vegies. Let's hope we have a more garden-friendly spring this year. Hooray for the first signs of spring! I’m starting a ton of tomato seeds this weekend–mostly tried & trues but some new heirlooms from Winter Sown. Can’t wait to see what happens with “Chudo Rinka”, “Bonny Best” and “Vintage Wine”–love those names! Also have seeds for the cutest, round little carrots that a friend brought from The Netherlands so it will be an international garden this year.
I’m on the bandwagon and will be turning over the sod to make room for more vegies. Let’s hope we have a more garden-friendly spring this year.

]]> By: Lorika http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6964 Lorika Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:55:37 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6964 Yay Greengirls are back! I have to admit, I was worried you'd been "weeded out" too. I have so far started a bunch of peppers and some flowers, and I will start a bajillion different tomatoes- perhaps even tonight! Seems like a good April Fools joke to play on myself. I am also looking forward to an end to the cold sheesh! Yay Greengirls are back! I have to admit, I was worried you’d been “weeded out” too. I have so far started a bunch of peppers and some flowers, and I will start a bajillion different tomatoes- perhaps even tonight! Seems like a good April Fools joke to play on myself.

I am also looking forward to an end to the cold sheesh!

]]> By: Little Guy http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6963 Little Guy Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:36:32 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6963 siiiiiiiigh..you got any kind of vest I could wear? siiiiiiiigh..you got any kind of vest I could wear?

]]> By: Megan http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6962 Megan Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:33:34 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6962 Hooray for greengirls! It really must be spring. I am definitely on the Veggie and small fruits bandwagon. I have a question regarding azaleas, our malamute Boris, who developed a healthy taste for dandelions last summer, moved right along to the azaleas during the winter. I only just planted them last July, do you think they will grow back? He chewed them to the quick before I noticed and now we have a lovely diplay of turned over buckets protecting them. Hooray for greengirls! It really must be spring. I am definitely on the Veggie and small fruits bandwagon.

I have a question regarding azaleas, our malamute Boris, who developed a healthy taste for dandelions last summer, moved right along to the azaleas during the winter. I only just planted them last July, do you think they will grow back?

He chewed them to the quick before I noticed and now we have a lovely diplay of turned over buckets protecting them.

]]> By: Marie http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6961 Marie Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:09:50 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6961 We have had a great hedge of arborvitae that is about 15 years old, but the deer decimate it every winter. I tried to nurse it back to … read more health the last 2 years, but have finally given it up to the deer! Yesterday we dug (my husband's poor back) it out and are replacing it with very deer-unfriendly privet. It will look a little sparse this year, but what I hear it is really fast growing and will really look nice. Only problem is it looses it leaves in the winter. Any hints or suggestions will be greatly appreciated such as how much will it really grow in a season height and width? Marie at the Meadows Inn/Rushford, MN We have had a great hedge of arborvitae that is about 15 years old, but the deer decimate it every winter. I tried to nurse it back to … read more health the last 2 years, but have finally given it up to the deer! Yesterday we dug (my husband’s poor back) it out and are replacing it with very deer-unfriendly privet. It will look a little sparse this year, but what I hear it is really fast growing and will really look nice. Only problem is it looses it leaves in the winter. Any hints or suggestions will be greatly appreciated such as how much will it really grow in a season height and width? Marie at the Meadows Inn/Rushford, MN

]]> By: Emily http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6960 Emily Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:56:31 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6960 sara - The Green Guardian does but I'm not sure on pricing: http://www.greenerpast.com/ sara - The Green Guardian does but I’m not sure on pricing:
http://www.greenerpast.com/

]]> By: Allison http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6959 Allison Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:43:42 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6959 Hooray! I am so happy you are back. This year I will be finalizing my small garden on the side of my house--where there used to be lots of landscaping rock. Any good suggestions for removing the last bits of landscaping rock? Hooray! I am so happy you are back. This year I will be finalizing my small garden on the side of my house–where there used to be lots of landscaping rock. Any good suggestions for removing the last bits of landscaping rock?

]]> By: sara http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6958 sara Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:37:26 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/04/01/lets-get-growing/#comment-6958 Does anyone know of a lawn service that does not use pesticides? Are they much more expensive than the traditional chemical lawn service companies? Does anyone know of a lawn service that does not use pesticides? Are they much more expensive than the traditional chemical lawn service companies?

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