Thursday, March 23, 2006

Gardening Tips?

Today I'm asking for your help! Can anyone give me some tips on gardening? More specifically, container gardening.

Ok, some background information may be in order. Almost a year ago, we met with a landscape architect and in October they finally started working on our landscaping. When it was finally finished in February, we got our fountain set up and are beginning to enjoy it! Check out these sweet before and after pictures:

Um, can you tell which one is before and which is after? :)

Anyway, now that we have this nice outdoor area, I'm inspired to finally try to grow some herbs and things in a window-box thing attached to our deck (directly above this patio).

When I was growing up, my brother, as all good Cornhuskers do, grew corn every summer. Then my dad caught the gardening fever sometime while I was in elementary school (I think?) and ever since then, my mom has been over-run with cucumbers, okra, peppers, tomatoes, and corn every summer.

Now, here's my question: What do you think I'll be able to grow in a container on our back deck, which only gets about 3-4 hours of direct sunlight every day? I would really like to grow some basil and maybe rosemary, although I'm not sure the rosemary will do OK with so little sunlight.

Generally, when faced with any type of plant that I'm supposed to keep alive, I tend to subscribe to the Darwinian method where if it survives without extra effort from me, then it gets to stay! I'm guessing I may have to give this little container garden a little more attention than I normally would, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice.

Given the fact that these containers are rather small, do you think there are any kinds of vegetables that may not need deep soil? I know that corn is out of the question, but what about cucumbers? Or maybe peas? Anything else?...

1 comment:

Courtney said...

I'm guessing the picture dated 2005 was taken before the one dated 2006.

Am I right? Am I???

Oh, the gardening thing. Can't help you here. But I think whatever you grow, they like water. That is the part I mess up.