Gardening and Greenhouse

Green Thumb answers:

That depends on several things. How large is the space you’re wanting to utilize?

Do you want instant gratification or do you want to watch something grow?

Do you want something that will cover the ground or just sprout up and flower?

What is the soil like/is anything growing there now?

How much sunlight does the area get? Some plants/flowers don’t like “full sun,” some prefer it.

If you go into your nearest Home Depot with some pictures, they can help you with the best plants to put into the space. You can also take a sample of your soil to show them. They’ll need to know if it’s sandy etc.

You can buy plants that have flowers on them, but I would recommend you make sure they’re healthy looking before you purchase them. Don’t buy sickly looking plants.

The roll out thing has worked for some. It really depends on many things. How much light does the area get? Again, soil type etc.

You can sketch it out on paper and get some ideas. Do research on-line to see what others have done.

Don’t forget that a flowerbed looks best when it’s framed with something. A little fence, landscaping brick etc…

Best of luck!

Green Thumb answers:

Raised flower or vegetable beds are better in Florida’s sandy soil, unless you want to spend a lot of time and money amending the soil. Basically the sandy soil holds up the plant and the water just runs past the roots unless you add compost,or peat moss, top soil or other soil enhancers. Additionally Florida has little critters that live in the soil/ sand called nematodes that can do damage to plants roots.
Check out your local public library, they have a great selection of books for growing flowers and vegetables in Florida.Usually they have a Florida section of books, especially for transplanted northerners who want to grow the same plants they loved and grew ‘up north’!
As far as growing apples in Florida, not likely going to be successful if you are in South Florida as they need to have the cold weather for a certain amount of time for them to complete their flowering and fruiting cycles.

Green Thumb answers:

This specialist website will be of help to you with advice and info on that.

Http://www.suite101.com/content/flowergardenbasics-a587

Green Thumb answers:

If you are seeking various gardening tips and advice I suggest you go here for some tips:
http://naturehills.com/gardening/

Green Thumb answers:

Call your county extension office! They can give you garden plans, lists of recommended plants, inexpensive laboratory soil tests with recommendations, info on pest control and even lists of “companion plants” (plants that benefit each other, like tomatoes and chrysanthemums – the source of pyrethrums).

They can also give you info on one day or longer gardening classes (some are free), as well as information on becoming a “Master Gardener”.

Miami-Dade County Extension Office:
Main Office
18710 SW 288 St.
Homestead, FL 33030
Tel: 305-248-3311 / Fax: 305-246-2932

I would call, then make arrangements to go talk to them. You’ll come away with a bunch of information!

Http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/

Master Gardener info:

http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/master_gardener.shtml

Green Thumb answers:

Bulbs are my favorite. You can regrow them every year with bigger and better flowers.

Seeds are a waste.
Plant are great too..but ones that say “Annuals” die every year, so you have to replant them.

Perennials live as long as you take care of them.
Bulbs are easy. They look like a onions. And all you do is stick them underground when its time and they’ll grow.

Most store with a garden center will carry bulbs..they also have instructions on how and when to plant them

Bulb have one of the most beautiful flowers.
Good luck