A tomato AND four zucchini?? That must be one GINORMOUS planter!!!!!!! Corn probably isn't wisest choice for a small backyard, it sucks too much out of the soil and is likely not to produce any edible ears. Although .... if you have at least a 3'x3' space, a three sisters planting might be fun for a child and it will help build the soil instead of depleting it. I don't remember how old Lex is - will he be disappointed if his corn doesn't produce? For the three sisters - make sure you get pole beans instead of bush & I wouldn't use pumpkin for the squash - it will take over the entire yard.
Sun Gold, Ildi, or Sweet 100 are great cherry toms that produce like crazy and will happily grown up a cage attached to a very large pot. With daily watering & regular feeding, you can grow 4-6 tomato plants in a 20 gallon pot. Cherry toms have the advantage that kids can pick the fruit green and there will still be tons more left on the plant to ripen.
You might want to try strawberries in a large planter.
Pole beans will grow up and around individual poles [3-4 seed per pole] or a pole teepee. They grow quickly and spectacularly. Just stay away from the Hyacynth bean, its pretty but poisonous. Kentucky Blue, Kentucky Wonder, or Romano pole are readily available and heavy producers [more for kids to repeatedly pick].
If you want larger pumpkins, besides planting a variety that isn't a baby one is to not let more than 2 fruit grow per vine [1 is even better]. Pinch off any additional fruit that develop, as they take too much energy from the plant. Pumpkins are heavy feeders too, make sure the soil is nutrient rich.I have tried planting pumkins several times and never really any decent size to them, but the vines DO spread and take over a large area.
You can grow baby corn, like the type used in asian food.Hmm, I was thinking of using a planter like this:
and letting the zucchini be on the cement patio. It has been a long time since I've grown zucchini so maybe I should try and plant them just in front of the juniper and have them run along the edge of the lawn. I have a little 2'X2' space and Lex isn't even two, so I doubt he'll care whether or not anything comes from the corn, but now that you mention the soil I'll plant two of the zucchini with the corn and bean (I hope I got a pole bean - if not back to the store I go!).
Thanks - I'll be buying the planter tonight so it is good to have an idea of the size. I was thinking about fruit, but I've never had luck with strawberries, but maybe now's the time to try it again.
Anyone using the Topsy Turvy thingy?
Anyone using the Topsy Turvy thingy?
I have not personally tried it but my DD and my BF did and they said they would not do it again..hth
the yield (size and volume) is drastically reduced IMO, but if you seriously lack the ground space they do work
If you want larger pumpkins, besides planting a variety that isn't a baby one is to not let more than 2 fruit grow per vine [1 is even better]. Pinch off any additional fruit that develop, as they take too much energy from the plant. Pumpkins are heavy feeders too, make sure the soil is nutrient rich.
I live close to a guy that won the world record for pumpkin growing a few years ago. [Letterman has lso purchased & dropped his giant pumpkins]. I'm practically obsessed about spying on his garden through the year. :lol:
I'm collecting rain water now for the garden! :hiphip:
If you want a large pumpkin, definitely only leave one fruit per vine. Don't crowd in too many plants and amend the hell out of your soil.I would be spying too :lol:. I buy the seeds for the giant pumpkins, can't remember the brand, but it seems like I get a lot of flowers but maybe 3-4 pumpkins and not very big ones at all. The area where I planted them we put in new soil so that shouldn't be the problem. I don't have a green thumb at all and let me tell you I don't even have a houseplant :lol: but I really love gardening, I guess I am that person who has to work extra hard at it.
I have looked for the rain barrel's and they are not cheap, maybe I should just buy a garbage can and put a shut off valve on it :lol:
I have looked for the rain barrel's and they are not cheap, maybe I should just buy a garbage can and put a shut off valve on it :lol:
Sprintc22,
Not sure where you are located, but if you are near Gurnee check out the lowes. They clearance (of course nothing yet, but soon) out plants like crazy and for so cheap. Whether they are annuals or perennials, they are great for clearance. regular sales ehhh not so much. Definitely reccommend the clearance stuff. Last year, I picked up roses for 2.00 a bucket. they weren't "perfect" but they sure weren't on deaths door either. I bought blueberry and grape plants for 1.50 a bucket. My best find was 5 hydrangea plants for 1.00 each. They were in the 3 gallon bucket. Again, not perfect but they perked right up. this year they are coming in beautifully. The "perfect ones were being sold for 18.00/bucket EACH!
A place to debate everything and anything!