I was gathering resources for our gardening program and came across this article: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organ...rden-Beds.aspx
though those of you putting in new beds might find it useful

Hmm, do you think it's too early to start my morning glory/sweet pea seeds, Ruth? I'm thinking of doing it tonight, but am slightly afraid that the string of nice days is fooling me into thinking it'll work. I know, we're not even in the same area, so it's silly to ask you, but I can't help it--you're my gardening goddess friend!

Does anyone have any ideas on why a hydrangea that's bloomed in the past isn't blooming? I've had mine 4 years. It bloomed the second year. While it had beautiful foliage the last two years, it never had even so much as a bud on it. Some of the things I've read say that if you cut back the old wood, it won't flower? Is that true? I don't remember, but I may have pruned it back in the summer. I'm assuming I should avoid that this year and see how it goes.

Laurie, I do think it's too early for the Morning Glories/Sweet Peas. Once they start they grow quickly and will be stronger and better plants if you wait. You should time it so they are started six weeks before your safe outdoor planting date which is probably mid-May in your zone.

As to the Hydrangea - what kind is it? Some benefit from being cut back and some don't. Her's some good info.

Thanks for the reminder - I need to cut down my "Annabelle" hedge at the front and side of the house. I'd like some of them out but it would take a backhoe to do it. The hedge is so big it shows on Google Earth!

Hrm, I pruned my hibiscus back last fall and while it has great foliage - I only see one flower bud. Anything to worry about?

No advice from here, Zeff. Hibiscus is a house plant around here. We can grow one kind - can't remember the name right now - but it usually needs to be wrapped for winter and I have no idea about pruning. Try a Google on "hibiscus pruning".

Just remembered - it's Rose of Sharon and is "not reliably hardy" around here.

Thanks, Ruth. I'll check it out.

Planted some herb seeds - wondering if I should just go and buy the started plants...I'm impatient and didn't get a chance to start the seeds early due to the move.

Also planted another hibiscus, and some pansies in some pots by the door and sides of the garage.

In the process of designing a perennial garden that I'll plant next week when my mom is here. I already leveled the ground and have to set the edgers this weekend.

Hey chickies- I bought a giant elephant ear bulb a couple days ago- any tips on how to plant it? I want to plant it against a corner of my house- hopefully it will do well there... if the neighbor doesn't mow it over

Rikki -- I planted an elephant ear at the base of a rotting tree. They were HUGE and beautiful. Of coruse, most people don't keep rotting trees. I planted lantana in the top of mine. It made me smile.

Laurie -- Two years ago, the southeast had a terrible draught. That year, I lost my hydrangeas because we weren't allowed to water. I cut them back to the ground. Last year, they came back and made beautiful leaves, but no flowers. This year, I have old 'wood', so I'm hoping for flowers. Have your hydrangeas had any trauma like that?

Question: I have a friend who has horses. FIL says we need manure for our garden. The manure my friend has is mixed with sawdust and hay. Will that work for our garden?

Rikki - I'm planning to get some elephant ears for my perennial garden -- hopefully they will provide a bit of privacy for the front patio.

I started some seeds a few days ago and the lettuces are already sprouted. Mmmm I can't wait for a "garden" salad! I also started tomatoes, zucchinis, and some pepper plants. Of course I don't really have anywhere to plant them yet, until we get the beds built. Thanks for that link Cindy!

Ruth, thank you SO much for the tip on sprouting the morning glories and sweet peas. They are doing GREAT! I know it's still early, but I need them to get fairly leggy before I put them out, as the box they're in is a bit lower than the trellis to which they need to cling. I'm so excited to see them all growing!

Does anyone know about raspberries? Ours grew crazy last year and we now have a ton of dried canes. Should I prune them back or will that hurt them?

Ladies:
I snagged some Pepper seeds (all of them actually) from a gorgeous Red Pepper I bought would it be possible to grow it in a container? a Mediumish sized Pot in my kitchen?
Thanks,
Kierie

Kierie, I think you can grow it in a big container outside. If you grow it inside, not only will it probably be big, but it's unlikely to bear fruit (peppers) unless you know how to hand pollinate it. I've grown them in big containers (at least 12" diameter) on a deck before, though. They do well.

Beachgal, what kind of raspberries - summer or fall?

Keirie, peppers will fruit much better outside and do well in pots.

Laurie, I had the type raspberries that ripened in the summer, and every fall we'd cut the canes back to the ground. They still produced berries every year, but not a lot of them. If you just do a google search on them, you'll find plenty of info. Some of it is hard to decipher, though. Like how can you tell a new cane from an old one? They all look the same to me.

Driving home from work today, I was delighted to see that all the forsythias have burst into bloom!