JCC The JCC Gardening Club

I normally wait til Feb or March to do mine. However, I only have a few.

 

My garden planning has been put on hold for awhile, but it's almost time to get serious about it. The downside is: I won't know until the snow melts and ground thaws how much space I'll have to start with at the new house! So I might keep the bigger plants in containers to start with. I may not have a long enough season to do much for dried beans or pumpkins, but I'll probably try a row of each.

I've found one rosebush in the snow, but it wasn't protected so I'm not sure it'll actually do anything. Adding another will be my goal, starting a whole rose garden. Then maybe an apple tree if I can find a good deal. Most important purchase though will be grape vines. Any northerners have recommendations on varieties that do well in cooler climates? I have a perfect location for them (sheltered, south-facing) so I'm going to try to stretch the hardiness.

 

I'm not keen on Roses at all (I generally dislike anything that draws blood) but my dad loved his roses and I'd feel guilty if I didn't take care of them.

I find they are very difficult to weed in summer so thinking of getting some wood or slate chippings to put around them to try and keep the weeds at bay,

 

I can't be bothered to construct a deer proof garden. I'm so over them. My hubby can't be bothered to shoot and clean one, so it's a few random herbs for me....

 

2017 growing season is off and running - Have ordered all my seeds and sowed first tray of seeds - Spring (Hispi) Cabbage

 

That looks too springlike. We've been having snow flurries in my area today. (Nothing sticking so far though).

 

Help! My hydrangea's leaves are wilted and brown. Is there any hope for it or is it dead?

 

Well this is around the time you have to start getting Summer Brassica's (cabbage, cauliflowers, calabrese etc) going. Getting the seeds growing now means they can all be planted late March and April - They are hardy enough to survive the late throwbacks to Winter that can occur in April - And they'll be ready to eat in June.

Can you post a pic? Without seeing it it's hard to say if the plant is dead or just "upset". They do need to be kept well watered so if you've had it particularly hot and dry that might be the problem? It's possible you could revive it by watering and mulching.

Here's a few ideas;

http://www.hyanniscountrygarden.com/hydrangea-flowers-turning-brown/

 

My Spring Cabbages, Calabrese and Cauliflowers have germinated nicely over the past week (no sign of leeks yet)





Meanwhile the White and Purple Sprouting Broccoli. which I started growing in April/May last year is almost ready to start picking;





Will probably have first "pick" a week on Sunday.

 

White and purple spouting broccoli just picked fresh from the garden and about to eat for Sunday lunch

 

Looks pretty good!

 

I am 100% sure it is dead.

Debating planting another hydrangea or planting some of my baby geraniums. I prefer hydrangeas but I have to try really, really hard to kill geraniums.

 

JediYvette If you have a lot of hot and dry weather I think your going to struggle with Hydrangea's.

Have just sowed three rows of Buckby Peas from last years seed - Will see how long it takes them to appear - Think last year the first "pea" appeared around two weeks after sowing but it was very cold then.





From birth to death to rebirth - The cycle of life begins again...

 

Things going nicely in the garden.

Broad beans (which I planted in November) flowering:





Summer Brassica's looking well (though I've had to cover them up with net to keep the pigeons off )





Buckby Peas growing nicely (will soon have to put supports in for them)





Early Potatoes looking well in Greenhouse





Tomatoes probably around 2-3 weeks from being ready to put into final positions

 

If you have tender items outside watch out for frost/cold later this week. It sounds like winter might be back, at least in the Southeast.

 

Hi Jaj. Yes it is going to be a cold week indeed (for the time of year anyway)

Here's my week ahead forecast;

 

Lawn and Garden is open and ready for business at work! My favorite time of year.

 

I've got quite a bit of mint (that I planted last year) coming back.

 

We've already got parsley growing on our planters.

 

My mom's vegetable garden is back up and ready for business. The best salads come out of that.

 

starting n00b gardening, random question to ask here. Does anyone know how to keep caterpillars away, or if there are certain plants that repel them or something? Or certain ones to avoid? I cannot have caterpillars around.