Need tips on how to prepare and overgrown plot!

GWN wrote:I just read somewhere that round up is felt to be causing the death of the bees.....

I did not know that! I just used some over the weekend for some terrible weeds that have started to creep up in small driveway cracks.. Glad you said this, I'll have to do better research on my weed killing!

So, cardboard first, then paper and wet them all down.
I also found weed blocker cloth at Dollar Tree for $1.00, it's 4'x8'. All the weed blocker cloth at HD and Lowe's is only 3' wide.
I intend to cover the whole plot with cardboard, paper them weed blocker. Put in my 4X4 and 2 - 42"diameter round beds.
One round bed will be strawberries that I salvaged and the other herbs and flowers.
Suggestions for plants for the rock garden? All I can think of is alyssum.
Oh, how about portulaca grandiflora? Also known as moss rose. Comes in various reds, oranges, and yellows.

You have to remember I don't have a car so depend on transportation from a door to door service run by the local bus service. So gathering all that much cardboard will not be easy. Paper is no problem. Since the weed blocker is so cheap, maybe I could use a double layer.
Mulch will be my friend!
Lee

http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Disease/bee_collapse_0508120701.html

SwampCatNana wrote:So, cardboard first, then paper and wet them all down.
I also found weed blocker cloth at Dollar Tree for $1.00, it's 4'x8'. All the weed blocker cloth at HD and Lowe's is only 3' wide.
I intend to cover the whole plot with cardboard, paper them weed blocker. Put in my 4X4 and 2 - 42"diameter round beds.
One round bed will be strawberries that I salvaged and the other herbs and flowers.
Suggestions for plants for the rock garden? All I can think of is alyssum.
Oh, how about portulaca grandiflora? Also known as moss rose. Comes in various reds, oranges, and yellows.

You have to remember I don't have a car so depend on transportation from a door to door service run by the local bus service. So gathering all that much cardboard will not be easy. Paper is no problem. Since the weed blocker is so cheap, maybe I could use a double layer.
Mulch will be my friend!
Lee

All my deck pots are full of moss rose because it can take heat and drought. The other thing that worked well in last years heat was osteospermum sometimes known as african daisy. But watch out because there is another african daisy called margarite ????? something. I bought the seed for the margarite thinking I had the other. Have only found plants for the osteospermum. http://osteospermum.com/

check here for choices based on your zone. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/rockplants.html

Kay

Kay - thanks for the link. I really like all the flowers used in rock gardens!
Lee

BTW Kay - I saw your post on another thread where you talk about having to screen the soil to get rid of rocks. I need to sift my whole plot once it's tilled, and was wondering what size screening I would need. I tried looking for a pre-made screens but have not been able to find one. Any ideas?
Lee

The incident I was talking about happened in my much. much younger days. I sat on the ground and picked the rocks in a flower bed out by hand. Didn't ever do it again. But I refuse to use rock mulch because of that incident.

As to suggestions. Check the search box for compost screens. Some of their ideas might works. In particular I think I remember a 2x2 or 2x3 box made from 1x4 lumber with 1" or 1/2" hardware cloth mesh nailed to it. Scoop in a shovel full and shake the dirt out, then dump the rocks. No matter what you decided, it is going to be time consuming.

However, knowing what you are trying to accomplish, and now knowing about SFG, I would hand clear the large rocks enough to level off the plot and cover the smaller stuff with my cardboard and newspaper. Then I would put my bed on top, fill with MM and mulch around the paths. No way would I pick that stuff out ever again. On top or nothing. Including, if necessary, raising the beds off the ground by a brick, or block height and putting bottoms on the boxes. I don't plan to ever dig another veggie plot.

Kay

DUh!!!! Kay, you are right! Why screen the stuff if I'm going to do raised boxes. I just thought it would make for a more even leveling and easier to walk on.
I appreciate your taking all this time to respond to my situation. It is a bit daunting when you have to start from scratch on something new and so late in the season.
Thank you very much!
Lee

I cannot believe it! Now that I can get my tools and bed, and ll the rest I need to get started, it has begun to RAIN! The forecast for the next 5 DAYS is RAIN! I'm sitting here cursing the weatherman.
Well, at least I started some seeds in the kit I picked up. So when the rain stops and I get the land set, the seedlings should be ready to transplant. Puts me ahead of the game.
I figure there is always a up-side to things.
Hope everyone is having better weather than I.
What I really hate about this kind of weather is that I am stranded at home for the duration. NO CAR.
Got the strawberry plants I was able to save replanted in a large shallow pot; actually was a hanging pot. Also saved some cilantro and kalanchoe. Was surprised when I found them. Bought a pot of lemon thyme and tri-color stonecrop for the rock garden.
There were 2 plant stakes with descriptions. One says Mazu(reptans), the other says stonecrop(Sedum spurium). Guess I should look them up.
Got the 4x4 bed from HD. Now have to order the round bed, it's offered only on-line.
Only thing left is soil.
Lee

P.S. Just looked up Mazus v Stonecrop. Not the same. Stonecrop is a sedum(succulent) Mazus is NOT. It is definitely NOT a sedum so here is a photo of Mazus reptans:

Can you use the fence as a trellis?

If so- green beans -

rod champion wrote:Can you use the fence as a trellis?

If so- green beans -

You mean the one in the pics of my plot? No. That is the fence for all the gardens and is beyond my plot on the other side of the green common area.

I've already planned for my green beans, both pole and bush. I LOVE green beans. Also have pea pods(love oriental), squash and zucchini, toms(bush and vining), carrots, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Plus other "stuff".
I even have a packet of seeds sent to me from a FB friend in Australia. A wild flower indigenous to her area.
I've planned a rock garden and have a cement slab to hold several pots, as well as an area for wild flower seeds to be spread.
I hope to end up, eventually, with 4 square beds and 2 round ones. One for strawberries and one for herbs(maybe in a spoke fashion).

dont forget the lounge chair and umbrella so you can sit there and watch the other gardeners work on there row gardens as you sip your iced tea maybe a small table to put the glass on

malefacter wrote:dont forget the lounge chair and umbrella so you can sit there and watch the other gardeners work on there row gardens as you sip your iced tea maybe a small table to put the glass on

I bought one of those umbrellas you can attach to a chair and re-position! I will be picking up the chair later next week and I have a table all ready.
Not sure which chair to get:
This one is $24.95 This one has the cooler and magazine storage but not the ventilated back or head and arm conforming pads. The seat is actually smaller than the less expensive one.
and this one is $21.99 but doesn't have the cooler or mag rack. However, the seat is larger and it does have a ventilated back.

Okay - let's hear your votes!
Lee

I saw the post about Round Up killing the bees, - This doesn't surprise me, I hate chemicals!

I put one cup of Dawn Ultra dish liquid in a quart of hot water and spray the weeds in cracks etc on a hot sunny day, it will kill the roots and all the weed and not hurt the bees.

hope this helps!

I go with the cheaper one with the vented back. It can get hot sitting and watching others sweat! The trusty tote bag will keep you magazines from running off! And you will have your table to put your cup on! You'll be all set!

CindiLou wrote:I go with the cheaper one with the vented back. It can get hot sitting and watching others sweat! The trusty tote bag will keep you magazines from running off! And you will have your table to put your cup on! You'll be all set!

Yeah, and I just bought a really good cooler tote from BJs. Was only $10.00 but holds "tons". Very sturdy also.
My beach umbrella is like this but green and blue swirled panels:


NOW, if it would only stop raining! I wonder how much I'll be able to do when it stops raining? Everything will be so soaked! Better pull out my boots to be able to work the plot at all.
Lee

Yup I have two umbrellas. One I keep in the car with my chair. Never know when I will be sitting somewhere!

The other one I use when I am riding my recumbent trike. if I want a break I have a chair and an umbrella

CindiLou wrote:Yup I have two umbrellas. One I keep in the car with my chair. Never know when I will be sitting somewhere!

The other one I use when I am riding my recumbent trike. if I want a break I have a chair and an umbrella

I'm glad you mentioned your bike! I have to get one for my scooter! They were only $5.00 at Walmart. I'm going there tomorrow.

malefacter wrote:dont forget the lounge chair and umbrella so you can sit there and watch the other gardeners work on there row gardens as you sip your iced tea maybe a small table to put the glass on

I will be honest with you. I have found all gardening takes work. You either do the work up front. Or do it after planting.

rod champion wrote:

malefacter wrote:dont forget the lounge chair and umbrella so you can sit there and watch the other gardeners work on there row gardens as you sip your iced tea maybe a small table to put the glass on

I will be honest with you. I have found all gardening takes work. You either do the work up front. Or do it after planting.

True, but, nothing like row gardening!
Lee

I went by the gardens today and my plot has been tilled! It is so beautiful! I forgot to take a picture! LOL I'll take one tomorrow.
Have been searching for my 5 composts and I think I have them. I bought Chickity Poo today, also have cow manure. Found a place to get mushroom compost and worm castings but will have to read the labels first. Also came across lobster compost(Quoddy). So that will give me the 5. Each is enough for more than 1 bed.
Still need to find our how to build up the rocks for a rock garden. SEE MY POST RE THIS IN NON-SFG FORUM.

On my way home I came across a chest of drawers at the curb and it looks great. Carted the drawers home with my scooter "trailer", 2 trips. Then I took my ladder, which is also a hand cart, and used that to carry the body of the chest home. Had a hxxl of a time getting it in the back door!
I would like to use the drawers for planting boxes as I found out the slides for the drawers were mostly broken. So I will use the chest body as a shelved storage piece(will make the shelves and fit them in) for my crafting.
I have 4 half drawers and 4 full drawers so could make some nice arrangements.
Enough for now. I'm exhausted! Time to get some food and relax. Busy day tomorrow. Getting stuff from Lowe's and going up to garden to start laying cardboard, newspaper, and weed cloth. Bought enough weed cloth to cover the entire plot for only $11.00.
Lee

Congrats on getting it tilled!

I've read the thread...why would you put newspapers on top of cardboard? What do the newspapers do?

The inspectors...yes, you pretty much detailed what they are looking for. If you read the paperwork you received with the plot, you'll know exactly what they want. Plots have to be clear of weeds...in ours you can be fined another years fine for not keeping your plot cleared. We have about 12% that are not cleared, and I hear all are rented. Other growing rules we have are no trees, no tall structures (to avoid casting shadows on another plot), no growing on the fence and no growing of drugs, and keeping the weeds cleared around your plot.

Screening...we screened our plot, and removed about 50 lbs of rocks. Surprising, as the dirt was dark, loamy, and pretty free of weeds. (I also inherited strawberry plants.) We tried a variety of things, but what worked best was the front and back of old fans! You can see photos of the process in my signature link.

It will be great to watch your progress!

Ava

I've read the thread...why would you put newspapers on top of cardboard? What do the newspapers do?
Everyone seems to think this is what to do. I guess b/c the newspaper composts faster than the cardboard.
Other growing rules we have are no trees, no tall structures (to avoid casting shadows on another plot), no growing on the fence and no growing of drugs, and keeping the weeds cleared around your plot.
We can plant trees but they have to be dwarf. A couple of people have grapevines but they are kept small and well trimmed. No large structures(5-6' tops); nothing must obstruct the view into the gardens. All must be seen.
Screening...we screened our plot, and removed about 50 lbs of rocks. Surprising, as the dirt was dark, loamy, and pretty free of weeds. (I also inherited strawberry plants.) We tried a variety of things, but what worked best was the front and back of old fans!
Again, nobody seemed to think this was necessary if you're doing SFG.

For not having a car you accomplish super human feats! Your plot is
sounding so exciting! I bet your garden neighbors are so relieved to
have you there making that area a showcase! Love the idea of Portulaca Grandiflora. I have always loved them and have intended on planting them but forget or get tied up with other things, or both! The lavender flowers are beautiful also and I will have to do some reading up on them!

I would go with the ventilated chair, who wants to sweat while you are watching your garden grow and the others are sweating with their row gardens.

I like the idea of using the hot water and vinegar for weeds and will have to try it. I have used straight store white vinegar and it seems to work. Just used it recently.

Tricia - glad to hear plain vinegar helps. Hard to get hot water at the garden site!
I've found the the purple flower, Mazus replans, is a water hungry plant. Had it on a north window. When I got it it was soaking wet, and in 2 days it started to wilt. I thought I would have to bring it back but watered it first in the bathroom sink. Perked right up. Have found it really needs a very wet area so will plant it in its own container to help it stay wet.
My plot has very good drainage. With all the rain we've had over the last week, it is not muddy at all! Plus I am at the top of the up-hill side of the gardens!
Lee