The Tolkien Coming of Age Club 2 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 06-14-2005, 08:29 AM

The secret to being green-digited is knowing what will survive in your yard despite all odds and against all foes. I've planted many pretty things; many have died.

Now few are left-- but what's left is very tough. In my Rhode Island yard: standard New England shrubs (lilac, forsythia) as well as daffodils, bleeding hearts, feverfew, spiderwort, Rose Campion, wild campion (some would consider it a weed), "Love in a mist" (Nigella), cosmos, morning glories, four-o'clocks, and a local fall favorite, New England asters -- more pretty 'weeds'. All of these either reseed themselves or spread by their roots. No fuss neccessary.

You live in Texas, right? Find out what grows in Texas, and give it a bit of room. From that list, I'd start with blackeyed susans, beebalm, coreopsis, bachelor button, toadflax (I love toadflax!!!!!) , butterfly weed, and spiderwort. Water them when they begin to droop. Keep a half an eye on them for the main part of the summer, and then forget them. Let them go to seed. Some will survive. Some will die. Smile!!!

Next year, the survivors will spread.

Hilde Bracegirdle · 06-14-2005, 10:13 AM

And a nice thing too, is often times the scraggly stuff comes back with gusto the next year! I'd like to replant the bed under the my front windows, but haven't the heart to dig up the hardy troopers now thriving there. My daughter hasn't the same sentimental attitude though, and as a result the dish pan containing her crayfish and tadpoles boasted some very pretty daffodils.

Lalwendë · 06-14-2005, 10:46 AM

I love how a garden is called a 'yard' in the USA, when what I call a garden is in actual fact a yard - a yard over here being very small and intended solely for drying your pants in, not really for cramming as many plants as possible into.

Foxgloves are my favourite self-seeders, as they are beautiful plants, despite being highly poisonous

. I've been waiting to see what colour mine would come out as this year, and it's traditional purple, but you can get white, and even orange coloured ones.

peony_foxburr · 06-16-2005, 11:37 PM

Depending upon what I've been weeding, their color might be anything from brown to yellow (sap from a Eurasian wildflower that wants to take over the world)...

Yes, my philosophy is also that of "let the toughest plants win." Well, to a point--otherwise I'd be raising ragweed and dandelions. But there's no point in fighting whatever soil type, light exposures, and climate you find yourself coping with. I will nourish the soil with composts and organic fertilizer, mulch it to retain moisture and reduce weed competition, and provide water when Nature hasn't given up that one inch of rain weekly we are told we can expect in New England summers. But any plants that need even minimal attention (such as deadheading, or watching out for insects in their seasons) are close to the house.

I also found that my interest in gardening didn't really show itself until I moved to a house where there WAS space enough to make a garden. So, you never know...

mark12_30 · 06-17-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peony_foxburr

a Eurasian wildflower that wants to take over the world.

What'ss it called, eh, preciouss??? What'ss it look like? Doess it bloom nicce, preciouss? Is it sshowy? Is it ssplashily sspectacular?

Speaking of taking over the world... I forgot Jill-Run-Over-The-Ground, which also sometimes gets called Jill-Take-Over-The-Ground. And we wouldn't forget Lily of the valley, would we, preciouss? No.

mark12_30 · 07-09-2005, 07:24 PM

How is everyone?

Hilde Bracegirdle · 07-10-2005, 07:31 AM

Can't complain. How are you? I haven't run into you for quite a while. Thought you might have run off with a pack of dwarves or elves or something!

06-14-2005, 08:29 AM	#1
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	thumbs and fingers The secret to being green-digited is knowing what will survive in your yard despite all odds and against all foes. I've planted many pretty things; many have died. Now few are left-- but what's left is very tough. In my Rhode Island yard: standard New England shrubs (lilac, forsythia) as well as daffodils, bleeding hearts, feverfew, spiderwort, Rose Campion, wild campion (some would consider it a weed), "Love in a mist" (Nigella), cosmos, morning glories, four-o'clocks, and a local fall favorite, New England asters -- more pretty 'weeds'. All of these either reseed themselves or spread by their roots. No fuss neccessary. You live in Texas, right? Find out what grows in Texas, and give it a bit of room. From that list, I'd start with blackeyed susans, beebalm, coreopsis, bachelor button, toadflax (I love toadflax!!!!!) , butterfly weed, and spiderwort. Water them when they begin to droop. Keep a half an eye on them for the main part of the summer, and then forget them. Let them go to seed. Some will survive. Some will die. Smile!!! Next year, the survivors will spread. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

06-14-2005, 10:46 AM	#3
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I love how a garden is called a 'yard' in the USA, when what I call a garden is in actual fact a yard - a yard over here being very small and intended solely for drying your pants in, not really for cramming as many plants as possible into. Foxgloves are my favourite self-seeders, as they are beautiful plants, despite being highly poisonous . I've been waiting to see what colour mine would come out as this year, and it's traditional purple, but you can get white, and even orange coloured ones. __________________ Gordon's alive!

06-16-2005, 11:37 PM	#4
peony_foxburr Haunting Spirit Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Trollshaws/RdtoR 354 miles Posts: 91	*studies fingers carefully* Depending upon what I've been weeding, their color might be anything from brown to yellow (sap from a Eurasian wildflower that wants to take over the world)... Yes, my philosophy is also that of "let the toughest plants win." Well, to a point--otherwise I'd be raising ragweed and dandelions. But there's no point in fighting whatever soil type, light exposures, and climate you find yourself coping with. I will nourish the soil with composts and organic fertilizer, mulch it to retain moisture and reduce weed competition, and provide water when Nature hasn't given up that one inch of rain weekly we are told we can expect in New England summers. But any plants that need even minimal attention (such as deadheading, or watching out for insects in their seasons) are close to the house. I also found that my interest in gardening didn't really show itself until I moved to a house where there WAS space enough to make a garden. So, you never know... __________________ "And the ship went out into the High Sea and passed on into the West, until at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water." -The Return of the King

07-09-2005, 07:24 PM	#6
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	How is everyone? __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

06-14-2005, 10:13 AM	#2
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	And a nice thing too, is often times the scraggly stuff comes back with gusto the next year! I'd like to replant the bed under the my front windows, but haven't the heart to dig up the hardy troopers now thriving there. My daughter hasn't the same sentimental attitude though, and as a result the dish pan containing her crayfish and tadpoles boasted some very pretty daffodils.

07-10-2005, 07:31 AM	#7
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	Can't complain. How are you? I haven't run into you for quite a while. Thought you might have run off with a pack of dwarves or elves or something!