Seed Lists and mutual advice swap

[Opsa]

http://www.backyardgardener.com/zone/

I Should have realised that we have a different way of naming the hardiness zones here...

The North European way, the hardiness zones  are numbered 1 to 6 in Roman numbers, 1 is the warmest and 6 is Arctic. On that scale I live in zone 2. As I understand it after reading the maps in the link, this would mean that I live in a zone 6 according to the American system.

Leave it to whomever was in charge of that to make it more complicated than necessary! 

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

Plant lists:
Vegetables and fruits:
Tomatoes--will depend on that I can get (anybody know which seed service is reliable?) but I want golden girls at the very least, in addition to the beef steak variety we usually get.
Peppers--going to try for bell and Anaheim again.
I think I'll try for some spinach and lettuce this year. I'll have to see what can survive the blazing heat and sun of my zone.
Herbs--basil, anise, oregano, thyme, and we'll see what else I can pick up. I can usually get good deals at the botanical garden sale.
Apricot (need to fertilize the heck out of that tree and hope it doesn't frost)
Blood oranges

flowers:
Salvia (I think we're up to about eight varieties, now)
lupins
toadflax
more snapdragons
Sweet peas
Nasturtiums (jewel and empress)
Morning glories
Annnnd whatever else I pick up.

Think I may have to expand the garden this year.

[Opsa]

Hey Scrib! I just ordered some seed packets from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

I just started getting their catalogue last year, as I was investigating organic sources. I like their selection and prices, and no matter how much you order, the shipping and handling is a flat $3.

I ordered:

Val D'Orges, Iceberg and Little Gem lettuces,
Purple Beauty Pepper
Morning Sun yellow grape tomato
Chives
Delaware indian Sacred Nicotania
Scarlet Flax

They also have a "seeds for peace" option, where I donated a buck to send seeds to help people in struggling areas grow food. Seemed nice.

I'll let you know what kind of service I get from this company.

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

Excellent! Thanks.

[anthrobabe]

I'm going to do Marigolds again from the seed from the ones I grew last year.
The roses of course.
OH-- to funny the dafffodil bulbs that I 'lost' under a pile of leaves have sort of taken root and are trying to bloom- poor things they weren't covered by soil -so they are sort of short and stunted but are bravely trying anyway- they will probably be done for after it's over but I feel I should let them try and then maybe save them and put them up and actually plant them.
Probably nothing else- just too busy and the landlord has decided that half the yard it going to parking for her daughters beauty shop next door- the back yard not the front.
Whatever-- if they don't cut down the massive old pecan or black walnut tree it'll be ok- otherwise the shade is gone almost entirely.

[Opsa]

  The marigolds live on! 

I'll bet that the daffs are not doomed. You can probably stick them in the earth even now, but they may flop over and pout out the rest of this season.

If you can pack some dirt around them where they lay, you can probably just allow the leaves to ripen and when they go yellow you can lift the bulbs and put them where you like. They may just grow leaves next year, but they probably will bloom again and be just fine!

That reminds me, I have some cheapo hyacinth bulbs I got recently- dregs from last year. Wasn't sure how good they were. I started some inside and by gumby they're growing and forming buds. I think I'll tuck the rest into some pots out in the yard.

[anthrobabe]

Yeah-- i'm going to baby the daffs and see how they do- the deserve it for being the little powerhouses they are. I think that if the foliage will live for a while it might allow them to store enough energy for next time- and even if it's only foliage it's still nice and green.

I drug all the big limbs that have collected all winter around back and piled them on the pile where the tree fell down and is currently slowly returing to earth early last year-- it's a big pile of brushy stuff now-- the landlord swears he's gonna bring the truck but ya know it is sort of a nice messy bird sanctuary pile- it does look ugly but does have a use.

The squirrels are as fat as hens- they got absoutely all of the pecans- they weren't very good this year (bag worms-which I only thought took the foliage but something got them) but good enough for squirrels-- what would one call a 'heard' of squirrels anyway- at least the eaves/attic/etc are closed up good so they can't get in the house.

The black walnut tree lost all it's leaves and many, many unripe nuts early last fall- so they did not do well either- got some but no where near the usual amount-- I think the tree is ill--

ok none of this is really on topic-

[stellinacadente]

How do you find out what planting zone are you on?

What do you think Opsa, I have a large deck but I really would like to have a decent herb harvest this year... can it be done???

I am in Middle TN and my deck faces West (sigh)

ps: me love these posts about gardening and plants , do you have wisdom to share on how to harvest wild plants to???That would be soooo awsome!

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

http://www.backyardgardener.com/zone/

Just type in your zip code, and it'll tell you what zone. From there, you sort of have to extrapolate, though there's a link to a site that'll tell you your sun zone, too.

[Opsa]

What Scrib said!!!

Stelli- if your deck gets at least 6 hours of sun per day, you ought to get some great herbs going. Most herbs like lots of sun and lots of sand mixed in with the soil. Will you be growing them in containers?

We have a wild (native) plant thread here, if you'd care to pick it up.

[Aggie]

ps: me love these posts about gardening and plants , do you have wisdom to share on how to harvest wild plants to???That would be soooo awsome!

My knowledge of wild plants is necessarily local, but get your hands on "Stalking the Wild Asparagus" by Euell Gibbons (or any of his other books, for that matter).

[stellinacadente]

Scribe, Opsa and Agu, you guys are the best!!!!

thanks for the fantastic tips! I am going to get headlong into deck" garden planning"!!!!

[Opsa]

Keep us in the know. You can post your herb choices here, or start a new thread here just for your garden.

[stellinacadente]

Keep us in the know. You can post your herb choices here, or start a new thread here just for your garden.

is there a list of herbs that would grow in particular zone?

I won't have the time before planting season to "study"

(

[Opsa]

If you're in middle Tennessee, you're probably Zone 7.

Check out this Herb Society of Nashville list of herbs.