[Just Dahlia]

I'm trying to get inspired again.

There was one year that I started over 1,200 seedlings of vegetables and flowers.

I do have pictures of doing that. But, I would need to find them...

I gave most of them away as gifts to people.

Again, I'm trying to get inspired to do what I used to do.

I need help in being inspired....

Thanks!

Well tomorrow, if it's not raining too hard I will take a picture of my burnt back yard (you already saw it un-burnt in previous pictures) maybe that will inspire you to give me a clue as where to start:) and then as you come up with ideas for me, you will come up with some for yourself:cool:

[KUXJ]

First, you'll have to decide on what you'd like to use your garden for.

Will it be a place for children or grandchildren to play.
A place to grow fruits, and vegetables for friends, and family.
A place for entertaining friends.
A quiet tranquil place, to relax in, and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Then, what features do you want.
Water
Fire
Cooking
A gazebo to hold small concerts with your quartet friends or even to hold small plays with your theatrical friends.

There's no right or wrong way to tackle a DIY garden design, it's your garden and with a bit of effort you can transform even the smallest garden into a wondrous place to spend the summer days or evenings, and even the rest of the year if the weather allows.

Before you can have inspiration, you must have desire...
(KUXJ... 1951- )


K

[Clough]

I like to call my vegetable garden a "Friendship Garden". I let neighbors and other friends pick what they want out of it.

Thanks!

[Just Dahlia]

I like to call my vegetable garden a "Friendship Garden". I let neighbors and other friends pick what they want out of it.

Thanks!

Oh! I like that and I want to be your neighbor:)
I have heard of those, but I don't know of anyone around here doing such.
There are some gardeners who scope out prime spaces in peoples yards front yards mostly and make a deal with the owner to plant and tend (they plan on selling their goods) but the property owner gets what ever free veggies they want for lending out the land.:D
They would not make a profit on me, since I tend to pick and can:cool:

[Tippolly Farm]

If you continually plant the same veggies, make sure you rotate the proper crops to avoid problems and increase yield. You can obtain a simple rotation schedule from our website Welcome to Tippolly Farm

[KUXJ]

I like to call my vegetable garden a "Friendship Garden". I let neighbors and other friends pick what they want out of it.

Thanks!

Okay, now we have a theme.

Clough, it would help if you could post some pixs of your backyard, so I could get an idea of the setting, how large of an area you have to work with, and any property restraints you may have with your neighbors.

Do you have all the tools, and equipment from your previous endeavor?
How much are you willing to DIY, compared to hiring a Landscaper?

Presently I'm envisioning a “U” or “V” shape garden, where you, and your visitors would enter from a pergola in one direction, and exit to it from the other, a gathering area if you will; of course with human nature being what it is, this style shouldn't assume to stop anyone from probing the garden at their leisure.

With this style, small arboretums with fruit trees could be alternated with varying sizes of vegetable, and flower plots. The arboretums could also incorporate statuary, bird feeders, and water-baths. With motion-detected or user-activated stationary tour guides describing to your visitors what they are observing.

The bottoms of the “U” or “V” shapes would have a resting area, a gazebo?
And if plumbing, and electric could be run into this area creature comforts would be available as well.
The center of the “U” could have a natural screen of grasses, and grapes, as could the open areas of the “V”.

As you can see there are many possibilities, and I have added more inspirational links at the bottom of this post. Now all you need is the desire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh! I like that and I want to be your neighbor:)
I have heard of those, but I don't know of anyone around here doing such.
There are some gardeners who scope out prime spaces in peoples yards front yards mostly and make a deal with the owner to plant and tend (they plan on selling their goods) but the property owner gets what ever free veggies they want for lending out the land.:D
They would not make a profit on me, since I tend to pick and can:cool:

Hi! JD, you may be laboring under a slight mis-conception.

The garden type you describe would be better classed as “communal”.
In the strictest sense “friendship or international gardens” are more of an “arboretum” type.
Clough is trying to form a variation of a theme.

See:
Some international versions:
friendshipgardens.org

Here are several versions of friendship gardens near Clough:
City of Rock Island, Illinois - Park Information - Longview Park

John Deere Attractions - Welcome to the Deere-Wiman House - About the House

The Ellwood House

May be a little late now, but still a nice garden. Do you like chocolate Clough? :
Quad City Botanical Center

A list of gardens in Illinois:
Illinois Gardens
A list of gardens in California:
List of botanical gardens in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And finally, but not least:
Friendship Garden site:youtube.com - Google Search

There's even tips on Koi JD!

K

[Just Dahlia]

It's still raining here:( If I don't see some sunshine soon, I will go mad:eek: or MORE mad:eek::eek:

[Clough]

Originally Posted by Clough
I like to call my vegetable garden a "Friendship Garden". I let neighbors and other friends pick what they want out of it.

Thanks!

Oh! I like that and I want to be your neighbor:)
I have heard of those, but I don't know of anyone around here doing such.
There are some gardeners who scope out prime spaces in peoples yards front yards mostly and make a deal with the owner to plant and tend (they plan on selling their goods) but the property owner gets what ever free veggies they want for lending out the land.:D
They would not make a profit on me, since I tend to pick and can:cool:

I really like the idea about the property owner getting what they want! Excellent idea!

[Clough]

It's still raining here:( If I don't see some sunshine soon, I will go mad:eek: or MORE mad:eek::eek:

It's still snowing here, and I've been trapped in the home where I'm house and dog sitting!

[KUXJ]

It's still raining here:( If I don't see some sunshine soon, I will go mad:eek: or MORE mad:eek::eek:

JD, that storm that hit your area 'bout last Tuesday just left here, also left 2.11 inches of rain.

We're under a flood warning:

FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE:
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER AT HARRISBURG.

• FROM THIS EVENING TO LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELED.
• AT 4 AM TUESDAY THE STAGE WAS 10.4 FEET AND RISING.
• FLOOD STAGE IS 17.0 FEET.
• MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
• THE RIVER IS FORECAST TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY TONIGHT AND CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 18.1 FEET DURING THE MID MORNING HOURS ON WEDNESDAY. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE WEDNESDAY EVENING.
• AT 19.0 FEET...A NUMBER OF HOMES IN WEST FAIRVIEW... DAUPHIN... AND HARRISBURG FLOOD.

We live 'bout a mile from the river, and only have minor local flooding, but the yard feels like walking on a sponge...

[Clough]

Okay, now we have a theme.

Clough, it would help if you could post some pixs of your backyard, so I could get an idea of the setting, how large of an area you have to work with, and any property restraints you may have with your neighbors.

Do you have all the tools, and equipment from your previous endeavor?
How much are you willing to DIY, compared to hiring a Landscaper?

Presently I'm envisioning a “U” or “V” shape garden, where you, and your visitors would enter from a pergola in one direction, and exit to it from the other, a gathering area if you will; of course with human nature being what it is, this style shouldn't assume to stop anyone from probing the garden at their leisure.

With this style, small arboretums with fruit trees could be alternated with varying sizes of vegetable, and flower plots. The arboretums could also incorporate statuary, bird feeders, and water-baths. With motion-detected or user-activated stationary tour guides describing to your visitors what they are observing.

The bottoms of the “U” or “V” shapes would have a resting area, a gazebo?
And if plumbing, and electric could be run into this area creature comforts would be available as well.
The center of the “U” could have a natural screen of grasses, and grapes, as could the open areas of the “V”.

As you can see there are many possibilities, and I have added more inspirational links at the bottom of this post. Now all you need is the desire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi! JD, you may be laboring under a slight mis-conception.

The garden type you describe would be better classed as “communal”.
In the strictest sense “friendship or international gardens” are more of an “arboretum” type.
Clough is trying to form a variation of a theme.

See:
Some international versions:
friendshipgardens.org

Here are several versions of friendship gardens near Clough:
City of Rock Island, Illinois - Park Information - Longview Park

John Deere Attractions - Welcome to the Deere-Wiman House - About the House

The Ellwood House

May be a little late now, but still a nice garden. Do you like chocolate Clough? :
Quad City Botanical Center

A list of gardens in Illinois:
Illinois Gardens
A list of gardens in California:
List of botanical gardens in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And finally, but not least:
Friendship Garden site:youtube.com - Google Search

There's even tips on Koi JD!

k

What I have for gardens, aren't really all that fancy. But, I do have a number of small gardens.

Really need to get inspired again about those things.

I can't get into the computer right now, where I have a bunch of images. I'll try to find the cd's where they are - but that will definitely be a task!

Thanks for posting the links! I've been to many activities at the Botanical Center in Rock Island.

[Clough]

I'll answer your other questions at a latter time. Need to go try to generate some income now...

[Tippolly Farm]

If you are talking about Vegetables and Herbs, you might want to visit our Website at www.tippolly.com where you can view how to build a raised bed to prevent moles, how to grow seeds indoors, etc.
Tippolly Farm

[Just Dahlia]

If you are talking about Vegetables and Herbs, you might want to visit our Website at Welcome to Tippolly Farm where you can view how to build a raised bed to prevent moles, how to grow seeds indoors, etc.
Tippolly Farm

I appreciate your input, but you need to make it a little more personal, because after all we are 'people'.:rolleyes: I could be wrong, but I don't think any one was talking about Moles.

If you would like to help, I think you need to say something and then reference your web site. We are all very capable of finding a website.

If you are truly interested in this topic, I would like to know how to successfully grow Dill, to the point where I can harvest it for my pickled Asparagus:confused::D;)

[Tippolly Farm]

I appreciate your input, but you need to make it a little more personal, because after all we are 'people'.:rolleyes: I could be wrong, but I don't think any one was talking about Moles.

If you would like to help, I think you need to say something and then reference your web site. We are all very capable of finding a website.

If you are truly interested in this topic, I would like to know how to successfully grow Dill, to the point where I can harvest it for my pickled Asparagus:confused::D;)

Dill prefers slighty moist, rich and loose soil. Sow seeds 1 week after the last spring frost. It prefers a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. Spacing of plants should be between 10" - 15", and it will grow to a height of24" - 36", so plant it so it doesn't shade other plants that require a lot of sun. Dill itself likes lots of sunshine. You can use the frest leaves, dry the seeds or dry the leaves on cheesecloth. Plant it near squash as it tends to deter squash bugs.

[Just Dahlia]

Dill prefers slighty moist, rich and loose soil. Sow seeds 1 week after the last spring frost. It prefers a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. Spacing of plants should be between 10" - 15", and it will grow to a height of24" - 36", so plant it so it doesn't shade other plants that require a lot of sun. Dill itself likes lots of sunshine. You can use the frest leaves, dry the seeds or dry the leaves on cheesecloth. Plant it near squash as it tends to deter squash bugs.

Mine tend to grow and die very quickly and never get the large buds/flowers? At the top, maybe I'm planting too late in the season and it gets too hot. I believe I am in zone 9.
I'll try what you suggested and plant in about 3 or 4 weeks.
Thanks!:)

[KUXJ]

JD, check this out:
gardening.about.com/Herbs, A to Z Growing Tips for Specific Herb Plants

Scroll down to the first Dill listing, then down to Growing Tips: Soil:

It does have a tap root, so compacted soil could be a problem.

But, with your garden I wouldn't think compaction would be a problem...

Just a thought

K

[Just Dahlia]

OK I bought all this... now what:confused: Just kidding:)

I cleaned up a lot of the upper garden today (60 degrees) and cut back some stuff. Managed to get the back yard roses cut back, I don't think 'Nancy Reagan' is doing too good:( but Ronnie is looking great:)
Filled up my green waste, but I will over-fill it on Sunday, because I need to do the front roses and I might even do the neighbors, if they aren't looking:rolleyes:

Noticed my Irises that I never got around to separating, I think they know that I thought about them a lot, so they might be kind to me.

KUXJ, I'm sorry my rain went your way:(

[Tippolly Farm]

Don't forget to rotate your crops (especially tomato plants) to help prevent disease and increase production. We have a simple rotation chart on our Tipp Tools page that you can download for free: http://www.tippolly.com/tipptools.html

[Just Dahlia]

Don't forget to rotate your crops (especially tomato plants) to help prevent disease and increase production. We have a simple rotation chart on our Tipp Tools page that you can download for free: Tipp Tools

Yes, I have been scoping out new areas for everything. I don't have a lot of room, so I might move some into the front yard.