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Emsinwv
My Favorite Photo
| | Posted on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 11:54 am EST : |   
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Hi everyone! I have been checking out this site trying to learn something about gardening! lol I am very new to this! I have been doing a lot of research on different flowers and plants etc. I have no idea what zone I am in - how can I find out? Also, I have a spot - about 17' long and about 2' wide to start a little flower garden!
My first question is - how do I get started?! I have taken out all of the old landscaping rock that was there and I found gravel under this. Maybe this is some type of drainage place? Is right in the middle of the 17' too! Now the soil is a little clay like. How do I get started?! What is my second step now? I am going to do everything by hand - so do I need to til up the ground some now? Then lay down the felt and place top soil on top of that? Ahhhh....Please help!
Emsinwv
- WV,
Zone "?"
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Periwinkle
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Garden
My Time
| | Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 01:46 am EST : |
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Hi Erin. Welcome to Gardenbuddies---Where you'll find friends you never knew you planted!!!
With your enthusiasm I'm sure you'll do fine. I think your gardening zone is Zone 6 but I'm sure another Gardenbuddies will either correct or confirm that.
As to building up your soil, others may suggest some methods (I'm not sure if you should add peat moss--if it would help your clay soil) but I'd like to suggest "Lasagna Gardening."
You know when you make lasagna, you Layer the ingredients.
Same thing. Ya don't even have to till the soil. Block it out with thick layers of newspapers, seed catalogs, add about 5" of organic material: dried leaves, hay, etc. Then 2" of peat moss; about 3" of grass clippings or other organic material (manure), Then 2" of peat moss. Finish up with topsoil.
If you type in "Lasagna Gardening" into Google you'll come up with some good information.
Until then Erin, please keep coming back here! You will be welcomed and will learn so much. I hope you'll post some photos of your garden-in-progress. Good luck!
Denise
 
Denise--Northern Wisconsin, Z3b
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Terryk
My Weather
My Garden
My Time
| | Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 08:46 am EST : |
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Welcome to GB Erin! Here is the official hardiness zone map, maybe you can find your zone here.
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html
Denise's suggestion on "lasagna gardening" is a good one it does work! You may want to find out why the gravel is there under those rocks, if it is for drainage you don't want to land up with water in the basement and flowers above! Also, you may want to put some annuals in this year just to get started and then you can have some time to do research on perennials. You don't mention how much sun or what exposure you have but you have to know that too when you pick your flowers. Go to a good nursery in your area and they will help too. Try not to go on a weekend when they are so busy they don't have as much time to help you.
Keep reading postings and asking questions you will get great help along the way.
Terryk
- NY,
Zone "6"
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Fritillary
My Weather
My Time
| | Posted on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 09:19 pm EST : |
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Hello Erin,
I have a suggestion..... Since trees and large shrubs take the longest to grow, look around your yard. Do you need some shade on a hot day?Privacy from a neighbor? Sound-proofing from a busy street? Consider the structure of the garden first.It costs more and takes longest to mature. It might be worth paying for larger plants to speed results. Food for thought.
Deb
Fritillary Florida Zone 9B |
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