Monday, February 28, 2005
let's see how many plants I can kill!
All the plants I love tend to die. Except! I received a Japanese elm bonsai tree thingie last spring, and although we had some touch and go ICU moments at the beginning of this winter, it's currently alive and well. I do need to learn to trim it, though, it's looking a little unkempt.
I'm going to try out veggie gardening this year; it seems like I've been waiting decades to have the land for a garden, even though it's only been three years or so. I am the beginningest of beginners, and have no idea where to start. There's a thread on GetCrafty that has quite a few links that will help me out:
* You Grow Girl: great info, nice site design, lovely funky vibe. Looks like it hasn't been updated since Spring/Summer 2004, though (but the user diaries have). My favorite find so far is an article on vegetable seed starting that breaks it down so that even I can understand it.
* Here's a frost chart (U.S.) that was linked in the above article. Exactly what I needed.
* Some posters suggested seed companies: The Natural Gardening Company (seed packets seem to be around $2.00); Seeds of Change (around $2.50 to $3.00), which has some interesting looking seed collections; and Johnny's Selected Seeds (around $2.95 and up). I may try to find some around here instead, but I don't foresee having much luck with that, so I'll probably end up ordering online.
* There's also GardenWeb, where I remember finding some recipes I've used for xmas presents -- maybe spa-type stuff? I'm not a fan of the site design, but looks like it has plenty of good info.
* And Garden Pursuits, whose webmaster lives in Virginia, so that might be a little helpful.
I'm also planning on growing some flowers, but that's not going to be as tightly planned; I'll probly just scatter some seeds (broadcasting, right?). And of course I'm growing herbs -- I'm not that worried about those, I've done them before. I've just always forgotten to water them or left them outside or whatever. Hopefully it will go a little better since they won't be the only plants I'll be tending to.
I've also added about twenty books to my wishlist. I feel very productive already, even though nothing's really started yet.
I'm going to try out veggie gardening this year; it seems like I've been waiting decades to have the land for a garden, even though it's only been three years or so. I am the beginningest of beginners, and have no idea where to start. There's a thread on GetCrafty that has quite a few links that will help me out:
* You Grow Girl: great info, nice site design, lovely funky vibe. Looks like it hasn't been updated since Spring/Summer 2004, though (but the user diaries have). My favorite find so far is an article on vegetable seed starting that breaks it down so that even I can understand it.
* Here's a frost chart (U.S.) that was linked in the above article. Exactly what I needed.
* Some posters suggested seed companies: The Natural Gardening Company (seed packets seem to be around $2.00); Seeds of Change (around $2.50 to $3.00), which has some interesting looking seed collections; and Johnny's Selected Seeds (around $2.95 and up). I may try to find some around here instead, but I don't foresee having much luck with that, so I'll probably end up ordering online.
* There's also GardenWeb, where I remember finding some recipes I've used for xmas presents -- maybe spa-type stuff? I'm not a fan of the site design, but looks like it has plenty of good info.
* And Garden Pursuits, whose webmaster lives in Virginia, so that might be a little helpful.
I'm also planning on growing some flowers, but that's not going to be as tightly planned; I'll probly just scatter some seeds (broadcasting, right?). And of course I'm growing herbs -- I'm not that worried about those, I've done them before. I've just always forgotten to water them or left them outside or whatever. Hopefully it will go a little better since they won't be the only plants I'll be tending to.
I've also added about twenty books to my wishlist. I feel very productive already, even though nothing's really started yet.
