Any gardeners here?

[AbbyMom]

We also have big problems with deer, raccoons, and other animals eating our tomatoes. So two years ago the dear hubby built these enclosed "tomato boxes" so protect them. We filled the box bottom with the type of potting soil that has the fertilizer mixed right in it.



It turned out that the boxes weren't big enough, so he added "a second story" last summer. That's an automatic watering system you see on top the box. Here's a picture from last Septemer's harvest:





Boizoi Mom: One thought about your situation: tomatoes really really like warm nights to get ripe.

Good luck!

[borzoimom]

We also have big problems with deer, raccoons, and other animals eating our tomatoes. So two years ago the dear hubby built these enclosed "tomato boxes" so protect them. We filled the box bottom with the type of potting soil that has the fertilizer mixed right in it.



It turned out that the boxes weren't big enough, so he added "a second story" last summer. That's an automatic watering system you see on top the box. Here's a picture from last Septemer's harvest:





Boizoi Mom: One thought about your situation: tomatoes really really like warm nights to get ripe.

Good luck!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh man- my husband would love to build things.. Thank you- I wil lshow them.
WArm here at night is like 68 to 72 maybe.. but normal is like 58-62 at night. Should I bring them in at night??/ I mean the valley doesnt a problem growing tomotoes- they all but give them away- but I am 2400 feet up. It is cooler up here.. I am going to show my husband your pictures when he get home!

[Blue_Frog]

Oh, I love to garden, but I dont have a yard right now

I was thinking of starting a pot-garden (or whatever its called) on his condo patio -- its a ground floor with a section thats about 10 patio stones by 3, and gets reasonable sunlight. Does anyone know any good sites about gardening in pots?

[Marigold2]

Hi Everyone,
I am a gardener. I start my seeds on January 31st, I plant around 250 plants. Love to garden. Tomatoes do need about 6 hours of sunlight. They and peppers are hot wheather lovers. The best place to plant is on the south side if that is possible as it gets light most of the day. If you really want tomotoes I would suggest a cherry type which is small. Or a cold wheather type. Two excellent websites are Burpee.com and Parkseed.com. They have lots of info. Your plants do need to go outside as soon as wheather permits. Another good place to go is to your local green house, not a Home Depot but a true green house and see what plants they recommand for your area of the country. I have several places close to me and the staff really knows their plants, trees and bushes.
Borzoimom the pictures of teddy are so cute. What a wonderful place you have to live. Are you on the look out for teddy most of the year? Blue Frog what kind of pot are you going to grow. Ha ha ha

[Blue_Frog]

Blue Frog what kind of pot are you going to grow. Ha ha ha

OOPS!!

I meant a CONTAINER garden -- any links are appreciated

[borzoimom]

Normally the last two years, our bears were present in the winter. This year - they are not- .. We were told by the bear conservatory that probably means- they are off with cubs.. hmmm... I hope to have pictures of bears with cubs soon..

[Marigold2]

Hi Blue Frog,

Nice to see someone with a sense of humor. I would check out books at the local library they have some great ideas of plant combinations. There are tomotoes, cukes, peppers ,actually you can plant just about anything in a container garden. These plants are made to stay small. Also there are wonderful flowers for container gardens. Start with your favorite colors and smells, colorfull pots are fun. Maybe a blue pot with yellow marigolds and red geraniums. Cascading Petunias with a spike in the middle are lovely. The choices are endless and breathtaking, good luck and have fun. Monica

[Killearn Kitties]

I've been starting to think about the garden as well, it has been so mild and bright. It feels like spring already. That doesn't mean it will last, of course. It could still get horribly cold.

One of the best things to do when you are in a new area is walk around and see what grows well in other people's gardens. That is always a good guide to what suits the conditions.

The Royal Horticultural Society have a plant selector on their website that allows you to put in your soil and light conditions, flowering season you want, colour etc, then gives you a list of plants that suit those conditions. You may already have a link to one of these, but this is the RHS one if you want to have a look. Plant Selector

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I've been starting to think about the garden as well, it has been so mild and bright. It feels like spring already. That doesn't mean it will last, of course. It could still get horribly cold.

One of the best things to do when you are in a new area is walk around and see what grows well in other people's gardens. That is always a good guide to what suits the conditions.

The Royal Horticultural Society have a plant selector on their website that allows you to put in your soil and light conditions, flowering season you want, colour etc, then gives you a list of plants that suit those conditions. You may already have a link to one of these, but this is the RHS one if you want to have a look. Plant Selector

Thank you for the link! It will provide me with many happy hours of planning until I can actually get outside and do it!