Zone 8 - Central California ...

    Does anyone else garden in Zone 8? We just moved, and now we are in a different zone than before. We used to be in Zone 14, and now are in Zone 8.    I'm hoping to find someone with experience gr…

Started by Jim in Gardening Ideas and Tips Feb 4.

So, how about recipes for all this stuff we grew? 8 Replies

I would like to suggest a thread for recipes for all the garden bounty we have. we've talked a lot about growing it, now what do we do with it? Cooks! I am just a gardener, and I need your help! Can…

Started by Mike Taylor in Problem Solving. Last reply by Sue, the Webmaster Jan 25.

Shade garden 2 Replies

I want to add some flowers to my yard, but the back yard is quite shady all summer because of our large trees. I was going to put in a mulch garden and flowers, but most of the flowers I'm finding ar…

Tagged: flowers, shade

Started by Andrea Sullivan in Problem Solving. Last reply by Andrea Sullivan Jan 21.

Harvesting Rhubarb 2 Replies

I planted rhubarb this last spring, and am wondering when to harvest it. Does each root grow additional roots that I can harvest, or if I planted five roots, am I just going to be harvesting five big…

Started by Aviva Garrett in Problem Solving. Last reply by Andrea Sullivan Jan 19.

Container Gardening to Deter the Deer? 12 Replies

Has anyone used containers to grow vegetables? We have a big deer problem and back to open space (no fences), and I'm considering trying to grow in containers on our deck next summer. Has anyone used…

Tagged: vegetable, gardening, container, earthbox, chicago

Started by Jeanne in Problem Solving. Last reply by Andrea Sullivan Jan 19.

Growing Blackberries and Raspberries 1 Reply

One of my customers needed background on berries, so I wrote up a couple of pages on berry culture. The pages are Growing Blackberries and Growing Raspberries. If anyone is knowledgeable in berry cul…

Tagged: raspberries, blackberries, growing

Started by Mike Taylor in Gardening Ideas and Tips. Last reply by Alan Bryce Jan 9.

yellow mini tomatoes 3 Replies

First time to plant these lil beauties now have a mid sized strainer overflowing and more on the way. How would I go about canning or freezing them for later this year to next, to enjoy eating?

Started by Glenn E. Roach in Problem Solving. Last reply by Anita "Pink Thumb" Jan 8.

Stir Fry Vegetables 2 Replies

I purchased a seed package of Stir Fry seeds. I planted them and have had great success with them. However, I don't have any recipes for using them. Can anyone help? Thanks, Debra

Started by Debra Grubbs in Problem Solving. Last reply by Anita "Pink Thumb" Jan 8.

Companion Planting 3 Replies

I've been intrigued by the increasing reports of the benefits of companion planting (the concept of deliberate pairings of specific plants which help one another or repel, trap or decoy insect pests)…

Started by Jojuan Cedergreen in Gardening Ideas and Tips. Last reply by Anita "Pink Thumb" Dec. 24, 2009.

Starting a Community Garden - Need your ideas! 3 Replies

I am now involved with a new community garden initiative in Camarillo. The group is just now getting organized and has the goal of getting the city, county and civic groups together to make a communi…

Started by Mike Taylor in Gardening Ideas and Tips. Last reply by Mike Taylor Dec. 2, 2009.

Enter to win a Fall/Winter Garden from Renee's Garden Seeds

Carolyn at My Backyard Eden is running a contest on her blog: "My favorite seed company, Renee’s Garden, has offered up a collection of seeds recommended for fall planting. If you live in an area…

Started by Nellie in Gardening Ideas and Tips Nov. 5, 2009.

Climbing Vine orka 1 Reply

A friend gave me some orka seeds. She said they are japanese orka seeds. The vines are running so fast. No blossoms yet. My friend stated that the orka grows to be about 12-14 inches. Where can I fin…

Started by Maggie Berrt-Fogle in New and Beginner Gardeners. Last reply by Theresa Oct. 15, 2009.

Short Season Renee's Kitchen garden designs? 1 Reply

Has anybody tried to replicate these gardens plans by Renee's? I am going bigger next year and my garden will be just a bit bigger than the recommend size. I was considering trying out the plan as I…

Started by Disneynut1977 in Short Season Gardening. Last reply by Mike Taylor Sep. 13, 2009.

Jewel Tone Beets 4 Replies

Twice now I have planted jewel tone beets and they have failed to germinate. What am I doing wrong?

Started by Wanna Be Farmer in Problem Solving. Last reply by Mike Taylor Sep. 8, 2009.

What's wrong with my tomatoes? 3 Replies

Help, my tomatoes have not ripened yet. They've been sitting on the bush for weeks now and are still green. Do they need something? I started them from small plants in late June. Am I being impatient…

Started by rizngfenix in Problem Solving. Last reply by Bill O'Dea Sep. 4, 2009.

? radishes too long of a green stem? properly spaced? 2 Replies

the radishes won"t grow down and bulkup ,the soil is clay but it has been worked up. help no luck....

Started by tom rutherford in Problem Solving. Last reply by tom rutherford Sep. 4, 2009.

OT, has anybody else gotten this friend request? 2 Replies

I just recieved a friend request and in the request it was spam for making money off Google from home. Has anybody else gotten this? Melissa1977

Started by Disneynut1977 in Problem Solving. Last reply by Sue, the Webmaster Aug. 17, 2009.

Michelle Obama - A National Call to Service 1 Reply

I tried to add this as a video, but it would not come up, but you ought to watch this video posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZaBHgj6jY Obama delivers a powerful message to all of us…

Started by Mike Taylor in Problem Solving. Last reply by Bill O'Dea Aug. 15, 2009.

What vegtables to grow when in Pasadena? 2 Replies

I just moved to the Pasadena area and although I've grown vegtables else where the seasons are different here. Do you know of a book or a listing of what to plant when in this region. Any help would…

Started by jessica Secrest in Problem Solving. Last reply by Mike Taylor Aug. 7, 2009.

Cucumbers leaves look yellow. 4 Replies

We built a new bed just for cucumbers and I got soil from a local soil/bark outlet. It was "garden mix" with compost, manure, sand (1/3) and soil of 7.5 rating. I planted all of my cucumber seeds and…

Started by Barbara Jacobs in Problem Solving. Last reply by Mike Taylor Aug. 7, 2009.

Lavender Shortbread - one of our most popular recipes 6 Replies

Lavender Shortbread These rich but not too sweet shortbread cookies have just a hint of sweet lavender fragrance and flavor. They are perfect to serve with tea, milk or lemonade. I make several batc…

Started by Sue, the Webmaster in Desserts. Last reply by HellaD Mar. 19, 2009.

Wilted Chard - Salad or Sidedish? 1 Reply

I have had so much chard, and it has last for so long (like all year), that Mary has had plenty of chances to experiment with it. The hot tip - Wilted chard with caramelized onions & garlic. I th…

Tagged: dish, side, salad, chard, wilted

Started by Mike Taylor in Side Dishes. Last reply by Sheri Hansen Mar. 2, 2009.

Almost 70 years old and just wanting to plant container tomatoes 6 Replies

Hello gardeners, I am a lady living in Ventura, California and have a southwest facing patio. I want very much to grow container tomatoes, but am a total novice. I'd like to grow some small, sweet v…

Started by Sandra Donovan in Vegetarian Specialties. Last reply by Sandra Donovan Jan. 30, 2009.

easy easy escarole soup 2 Replies

So put good chicken broth in a pot (maybe 2 cups) and bring it to a simmer. Add a big bunch of escarole - shredded - outside leaves are fine and you can save the satiny inner ones for salad- like 2 b…

Started by Beth Benjamin in Soups. Last reply by Beth Benjamin Jan. 11, 2009.