design software

[k9helper]

Hello,

Does anyone know of any good and easy to use gardening software programs. I would like to do a long range plan for my yard.

[margypops]

Sorry k9 there doesnt seem to be anyone doing this group anymore ...I have treid as ypou will see below and no one comes here, we could try plugging it ...lol

[k9helper]

That's too bad. I love gardening and  find it a great stress release. I'm a bit of a spaz when it comes to designthough. I just throw it in anywhere there is an empty stop and hope for the best. lol
It would have been nie to have some advice..oh well.

[margypops]

they may come back if they see folks on the group, many give up when its quiet ..I dont do design either .

[k9helper]

So what kind of gardens do you have? Large,small,annual,perrenial,mixed,flower,veggie?

Maybe we can "grow" some new interest.

[margypops]

hahah you are a wit..thats a good thing... well I moved in a year ago now ,we have made it mostly into a rock garden as there are a ton of big rocks and boulders here ,I live in the foothills under some 'mountains' I dont know much about gardening, its hit and miss but I like it and I feel I have a natural 'green thumb' Ihave been doing some transplanting some I am successful with some not .The front garden has roses and cactus .Its so satisfying to see them growing , we have had a ton of rain this year more than usual ..but so far the plants are 'weathering it'

[k9helper]

Wow roses and cactus! It must be really warm there. I live in a Zone 4 area. I try to grow mostly perennials. I have 2 acres so they are a better bargan than annuals that just die off here.I love my rock gardens ...although I'm not fortunate enough to have any big boulders.I really like succulents that are good for Zone 4...low maintenance. I also grow some roses -hardy ones only. You have to be a tough plant to survive my gardening.

Three years ago I got Asiatic lilly bugs in my garden. They completely stripped my Asiatic Lilies. I battled them every day. They are an alien species here so no natural ememies. They burrow down into the soil to survive winter and then come back the next year. The larvae produce these slimy black coccoons on the underside of all the leaves. I finally went a little crazy on them after they came back a second year. I sprayed the plants and the soil with a 1:10 javex:water solution and squashed the adults between rocks. I knew it would likely kill the plants but they were dying anyway. I thought if they go I'm taking the bugs out with them. Amazingly they came back up on year 3 and there were no more bugs... like I said you have to be tough to live in my garden. lol

So any good bug stories:)

[margypops]

well no mainly because I dont like to kill anything, I seem to have an ant problem here, those little sugar ants and am going to have to get someone in this year to help get rid of them,but it has to be non toxic as I have a cat and I dont want the lizards killed off. I have heard boric acid powder is harmless to small animals so I may try that first ..

[k9helper]

You could try baking soda mixed in with icing sugar. Ants can't burp so the baking soda gas builds up in them until , well , they explode. They will also take it back to the queen. Safe for pets and the environment.Not sure about the lizards. You may want to just put it out in a container when you can watch it and take it up when you are gone.

What colour/s of roses do you have?

[margypops]

They seem to be mostly red ones, they were already in the garden when we moved in almost a year ago , also a few white ones, the dh planted some climbing ones recently I think he said they were a golden/yellow color,I hate to cut bushes and trees back much the DH like to prune rigorously,so we usually have a battle over how much to take off .

[k9helper]

I love roses. They are my favorites. I have a few bushes and 1 climber. I love them, but they, seem determined to die.We have a battle of wills every summer. I insist they live and they do their best not to. The battle continues. I may try moving a few of them this summer to different locations. I also am trying to get a new bed going this summer. It will be various plants but all white. A night garden. It will likely take a few years to really take off as I'm using seeds not mature plant. Working in the garden is cheeper then a therapist. lol

[margypops]

I am astounded at how wonderful Gerraniums are. I have taken several pieces and transplanted them, all are doing well, they seem to bloom all year round, I love them .We planted a Sapporto tree today we have had it in a pot for 2 years and it was time to put it in the ground, its got some brown edges to the leaves , the DH said it a pest what do you think, I will get some spray tomorrow .

[k9helper]

I've never heard of a Sapporto tree. Is it native to where you are?
I have to ask what does DH stand for?
I've never tried transplanting geraniums, how do you do it?

[margypops]

I cant remeber where its native from, we went to a nursery and they had cut up fruits of various trees for us the try, the fruit from the Sapporto is delicious kind of creamy interior, so the dh bought me this Tree, at least 2 years ago . Geraniums, I just cut off a piece from that V in the stems , dont know the term ,lol I am new to all this , the dh told me crush the end, them dip it in root compound .. thats what I did ..every one is blooming after only a week or two ..they are amazing .

[margypops]

LOL then I made a hole and stuck it in the ground .

[k9helper]

Humm I'll have to try that with geraniums. I'll see if I can find some soon so I can split them then I'll have extra to put outside this summer. Just stick them in the ground..my kind of plant. :)
I'm so excited for spring to get here. I know,technically it's already spring but we're supposed to get more snow on Monday. I want to use a garden shovel not a snow shovel. lol

[margypops]

oh Darn what state are you in ?  I spent most of yesterday in the garden then it got too hot in the afternoon, about 90 here . you will ove the geraniums , the color is wonderful I had it all winter, dont know how they fare in the snow LOL

[k9helper]

LOL not a state ..a province,I live in Ontario, Canada. You're in California? You must get to garden all year.
I bought some geraniums to start indoors today. Went to the shed to get my soil and starter pots,but when I tried to scoop the soil  out of the bag I couldn't ...it was Frozen. I had to bring it in the house to defrost. Defrosting soil sheesh. I can't wait for warmer weather. :)

[margypops]

oohh yes I am not certain but it may still be too cold to plant.. so keeping them in pots for the min is good, my having success may be due to it not being very cold, and having a lot of rain this year .I have been doing some weeding, thats a lovely job ....not

[k9helper]

I'll see your weeding and raise you snow shovelling. lol  I don't much like weeding either. It's just a necessary evil that has to be done to enjoy the rest of the gardening. I'm trying your trick with the geraniums. I also started a few different seeds. My entire dining room table has become a greenhouse. I think I may have spring fever.

[margypops]

They are just so resilient, the red blooms are gorgeus, and all we did was bash the ends , dip that end in Root compound, and into the ground .we noticed they seem to bloom most of the year, however I do not know about the snow ,I put a plastic bag over my cactus if I hear there;s going to be a frost in Winter .Does your dh also like to garden ?

[k9helper]

No he's not a gardener. He does like to cut grass though. For which I give thanks because I hate it. He's fairly tolerant of my gardening obsession except when I start taking more and more of his lawn to turn into flowerbeds. That's when the "Turf" wars start.

Have a good week. I'll be gone for the next 4 days.

[margypops]

Have a pleasant time ...

[k9helper]

Back from Toronto. I am so glad I live in the country. I love to visit cities and see everything but I couldn't be without a garden for too long. :)
We had a great time though. Did some shopping,ate well, looked around,slept in every day-my favorite thing.
The pets missed us,very affectionate when we got back. gotta love that unconditional devotion.lol
Glad to be home.

[margypops]

how many pets do you have I have one kitty, first cat I ever had she found us 2 years ago ,yes Its good to go away but good to come home to the familiar ...I have been very busy..weeding .