Garden Thread II

[newleaf09]

To see original garden thread (Garden Thread by Tippyclubb, Apr 23, 2009 05:32PM) please search.  If someone else knows how to make a live link, please do.

It's coming onto fruit season, believe it or not, in the Deep South.  I'll start picking goumis this weekend.  It's a cousin of russian olive, that makes a red berry which can be turned into exquisite jelly (do I have the energy?  Hope so).  A delicate flavor and gorgeous gold color.  Then I'll move to figs (wonderful fig tarts; a sweet short crust, open face and brushed with melted jelly), then concord grapes (terrific grape juice, better than Welch's).  I gave up on the strawberries; too many slug bites.  I watch everything out the window and the day the first bird lands on the plant, I dash out and pick everything.   MMMMM; can't wait.

[jdwithhcv]

I'm putting in an herb garden (as soon as I change out of my red shoes) and would appreciate any tips.  I'm in Connecticut - zone 6.

jd

[newleaf09]

You know that tall silvery shrub they use for screening in landscapes?  We had it in Colorado, anyway.  That's russian olive.  You can see in my photo page where they got the name.  Fruits do look like red olives.  I've heard of people growing real olives in S. LA but it's too wet here for such a desert-like plant.  Don't want my heart broken; I've got plenty of other things to kill!  On my 4th species of lilac.  It's days are numbered.

I always move bulbs as soon as the foliage burns down. You'll notice that they draw the roots back up, too, at that point so they'll never know you moved them. If you can't get to it, leave a marker.  I work with a volunteer group that does a whale of a fall heirloom bulb sale and right now we're pestering everyone to mark their treasures for fall sale digging.

[Tippyclubb]

Most herbs are easy to grow and require 6 or hours of sun.  Keep mint in a container or it will take over a garden.  Most herb will need to be pinched back at the first sign of flowering.  If you let them flower it changes the taste--especially basil.  I pinch Basil back all summer to get rid of the older leaves, as the young tender ones are sweeter and more flavor.  Older leaves tend to be bitter.  I do pinch back the other herbs all summer too, but not as often as the basil.

Rosemary has always been a problem for me.  Pretty much stays the same size it is when bought.  I may be pinching back in the wrong place. Any Rosemary fans with advice.

[newleaf09]

Rosemary is one of the mediterranean herbs.  Think alkaline, dry, warm, well-drained.  Also thyme and french tarragon (love it but too wet here for it not to fungus out). My southern advice probably won't help for MI.  People who have problems sometimes do better keeping it in the pot to guarantee the drainage.  Here it gets shrub sized and we don't pinch, just harvest as we go.  I use it to make the borders on French parterre gardens instead of boxwoods.  Trim it with an electric trimmer to keep it small.  On treatment I have worked with it and got so sick of the smell I thought I'd throw up.  It may be off of my list until I'm off meds.

[GSDgirl]

Tippy, I don't pinch my rosemary but I never saw it flower.  

Newleaf, I saw your olive and never saw it used in landscaping around here.  I'll have to ask my friend at the greenhouse.  I have a lilac and don't ask what species LOL, that spent 3 years in a container, no extra water, sub zero winters, and one of those summers pushed over the hill by hubby.  I rescued it last year and planted it, if it flowers I'll snap a pic.  

JD, I would guess Conn would be a lot  like Pa, no?

[jdwithhcv]

Denise, Yes, I think its pretty close to PA, zone wise.  I have a nice raised bed all ready to go, so I get good drainage and I think enough sun.  I wonder if I'm ambitious enough to do the Martha Stewart - style knot garden with the perennials.  That would be fun.  If so, I'll post some pics when it gets going.