Gardening 2026

[Gumby]

I've seen some discussions elsewhere about gardening this year, so I thought I'd start a new thread just for that.

I started this season at the beginning of March by pruning my roses and my apple trees. The apples have just started budding last week and should be in flower soon. I also rebuilt one of my two raised beds at home and sowed my peas on St. Patrick's day. They are now up and growing well.

My community garden opened on 4/11 and I went out and tilled it and set up the various and sundry support architecture. I haven't put anything out there yet, because the water is not yet turned on to the garden. I have my cabbage, kale and broccoli waiting patiently in pots at home (outside in the day, inside the garage at night). I hope to get them in the ground later this week, when I also intend to direct sow my carrots, beets, radishes, spinach and arugula. My rosemary bushes had become too woody, so I pulled them up and transplanted new seedlings (which I actually bought at Lowes) into the home herb garden last week.

Four days ago, I started the seeds for my tomatoes, cukes, zukes, cantaloupe, eggplants, peppers and basil. Most of the tomatoes have germinated. The Summer Dance cukes zoomed off to a strong start and I have already up-potted them. We're leaving in less than two weeks for our river cruise, so I need them to grow fast and get from the seed tray into the larger pots ASAP. Our sister in law will tend them (and our cats) in my absence, but it's a lot to ask that she also transplant them. It's a fine line to walk between having them in the pots but not too big for the pots during the 17 days we'll be gone.

Last week, I also uncovered my outdoor fig tree and transplanted the potted one that has heretofore overwintered in the garage (because it got too big for the pot). It was just starting to leaf out, but I had to quickly cover it with a tarp yesterday because we had frost last night and may get it again tonight. It's the latest frost date since I started the garden ten years ago.

 

[Winemaker]

I put 24 lettuce plants in the lettuce box on the greenhouse last Monday, but we, too, had to protect them from the freeze last night and tonight. I moved the two fig trees back into the shop (they are in wine barrel halves with casters on the bottom). The 2 lime trees are planted the same way, but they're too big to move every couple of days, so they were covered with old bed spreads.

I'll need to get some more top soil/ leaf mold mix to top off the raised beds, they're down about 3" from 2 years ago. then 24 more lettuce, 12 spinach, 6 broccoli, and 1 brussel sprout.

Greenhouse and laundry room in house looks like a jungle. Tomatoes and peppers, oh My!

 

[JoeWras]

Started my lettuce 2/27 indoors. Planted it 15 days ago. Looking good, but the heat in the southeast has been too much for it. I think it is going to appreciate this slightly cooler weather.

Tomatoes and peppers -- also started from seed 2/27 -- went in the ground last week and are growing like weeds with our 90 degree days. Tonight I have to cover them due to possible frost. Sheesh!

I have a small planting by the mail box and in back of annuals. I let now let them self start from last years seeds and I'm in the process of slightly arranging the seedlings that come up as volunteers. Cost effective, almost perennial in a way. Vinca and marigolds.

 

[Gumby]

I put my cabbages, broccoli and kale in the ground out at my garden today. Also sowed carrots, beets and spinach. My French tarragon seedlings were delivered today. I will likely put them in the herb garden at home in the next few days. They're under the lights inside right now..

 

[timbervest]

Have been aggressively tending my roses in an attempt to get them to bloom with excellent results. Usually I just ignore them but this year I decided to prune, feed, and tend them. Looking to add 2-3 more. Its not a large bed but so good so far.

Vegetables are on hold pending a strategy to deal with the squirrel b**tards.

 

[street]

Got everything started and I start early because I need plants that are bigger when planting at the ranch. They don't get any pampering out there. No sissies will survive so I use larger plants etc. If I plant seeds out there the pheasants and turkeys find them and is that is a battle.
Here is a picture from over a week ago of the plants.

 

[sengsational]

We've been eating salads with several varieties of our own lettuce, spinach, radishes, onions. Have had a few strawberries. Carrots aren't ready. Cucumbers and tomatoes are just starting.

I built the covered raised-bed structure primarily to keep the deer, rabbits, birds and other various critters from eating our garden produce. We made it a cold frame (covered with plastic) over the winter and my wife started lots of stuff from seed as early as February. Our last frost here is supposed to be 4/15, but we took the plastic off early April.

Our biggest issue is we have huge trees on the east and west, sloped lot, and our very tall house to the south. So not many hours of direct sun. I took this picture just now.

 

[street]

We've been eating salads with several varieties of our own lettuce, spinach, radishes, onions. Have had a few strawberries. Carrots aren't ready. Cucumbers and tomatoes are just starting.

I built the covered raised-bed structure primarily to keep the deer, rabbits, birds and other various critters from eating our garden produce. We made it a cold frame (covered with plastic) over the winter and my wife started lots of stuff from seed as early as February. Our last frost here is supposed to be 4/15, but we took the plastic off early April.

Our biggest issue is we have huge trees on the east and west, sloped lot, and our very tall house to the south. So not many hours of direct sun. I took this picture just now.

View attachment 63147

That is a very nice setup you have.

 

[sengsational]

That is a very nice setup you have.

I had fun building it. Only 15 more years until we break-even on food cost savings, LOL!

 

[street]

I had fun building it. Only 15 more years until we break-even on food cost savings, LOL!

Lol! I been there done that with every project I ever did. We got enjoyment out of it so worth it.
It's only money, right! Lol

 

[Gumby]

Exactly. Why buy a tomato at the grocery when you can grow it for $10? I'm sure I don't save a penny by gardening, but I get much satisfaction from it.

 

[Lorenzo]

Here in Georgia, we're trying to eat the last of the winter vegetables--mostly lettuces and brassicas--and get the summer vegetables--tomatoes, squash, etc.--started. In previous years we used starter plants from the big-box store, but this year we tried starting from seed using grow-lights in the spare room. We learned a lesson there, as most of the seedlings were nibbled by our two cats.

 

[anethum]

I planted lettuce seeds indoors on 2/21 and grew the seedlings under lights. I transplanted them on 3/21 in the DC area, and this is what they look like today.

3 varies: New Red Fire, Jericho (romaine type), and Buttercrunch. The 1st two are the most heat-resistant varieties I've found. Buttercrunch has a great taste & texture but bolts earlier than the other two.

Gumby: I highly recommend "Mexican Tarragon" aka "Mexican Marigold Mint". It's a marigold species whose leaves taste exactly like French Tarragon, but unlike French Tarragon, it can be grown from seed and it tolerates hot weather much better. It looks very different from other garden marigolds.

 

[Winemaker]

Gumby, keep an eye on that tarragon! We had 1 plant 5 years ago and despite multiple harvests, it grows like mad. We have 2 pillow sized bags off dried tarragon at this point. I'm gonna have to do Roth conversions of tarragon!

DW informed me that all 6 Fresno peppers seeds have sprouted from the store bought peppers. Yay!

 

[anethum]

Gumby, keep an eye on that tarragon! We had 1 plant 5 years ago and despite multiple harvests, it grows like mad. We have 2 pillow sized bags off dried tarragon at this point. I'm gonna have to do Roth conversions of tarragon!

DW informed me that all 6 Fresno peppers seeds have sprouted from the store bought peppers. Yay!

Are you sure you've got French tarragon? French tarragon doesn't reproduce from seed. It has to be propagated vegetatively. Also, in my climate, I've found that it grows slowly, it doesn't spread much, and it's not reliably winter-hardy (esp. during a winter like the one we just had). There is a related species commonly known as "Russian tarragon" which might be what you have. Here's a good article about all 3 species:

French Tarragon vs Russian Tarragon vs Mexican Tarragon - The Gourmantic Garden

Can you tell the differences between French tarragon, Russian tarragon and Mexican tarragon? Find out in this handy article.

thegourmanticgarden.com

 

[1242Vintage]

Have been busy out in the orchard last few weeks pruning mandarin orange trees, trimming the surrounding oak and pines back so they don’t shade my trees and trimming the grape vines on the surrounding fences.

Left the grass long near the creek. Deer occasionally snack on apples and pears from the trees near the house and bed down for the night in the long grass.

 

[Gumby]

..... this year we tried starting from seed using grow-lights in the spare room. We learned a lesson there, as most of the seedlings were nibbled by our two cats.

I have two cats, which is why I have a 6 foot tall wire rack rolling cart for starting seeds and I never put the seedlings on the bottom rack. There is no clear space on the higher racks for the cats to jump to, so they don't.

 

[Lorenzo]

I have two cats, which is why I have a rolling 6 foot tall wire rack rolling cart for starting seeds and I never put the seedlings on the bottom rack. There is no clear space on the higher racks for the cats to jump to, so they don't.

Ah, so I need a wire rack. That might explain why my tomato presently costs me only $9.97.

 

[Winemaker]

Are you sure you've got French tarragon? French tarragon doesn't reproduce from seed. It has to be propagated vegetatively. Also, in my climate, I've found that it grows slowly, it doesn't spread much, and it's not reliably winter-hardy (esp. during a winter like the one we just had). There is a related species commonly known as "Russian tarragon" which might be what you have. Here's a good article about all 3 species:

This is a close up, just reawakening, about a foot high. One plant has propagated to six. Doesn't look like Russian, and I don't recall marigold type flowers. I do know that when added to anything, it brightenes every dish up.

 

[Squirrel]

Are you sure you've got French tarragon? French tarragon doesn't reproduce from seed. It has to be propagated vegetatively. Also, in my climate, I've found that it grows slowly, it doesn't spread much, and it's not reliably winter-hardy (esp. during a winter like the one we just had). There is a related species commonly known as "Russian tarragon" which might be what you have. Here's a good article about all 3 species:

French Tarragon vs Russian Tarragon vs Mexican Tarragon - The Gourmantic Garden

Can you tell the differences between French tarragon, Russian tarragon and Mexican tarragon? Find out in this handy article.

thegourmanticgarden.com

Thanks for this link. have just started Mexican tarragon from seed hydroponically. Will try to transplant to garden in a few weeks.

I am using containers and grow bags for my garden this year. Recently planted bok choi, peas, and spinach outdoors. Have started a number of plants in 'seed snails' and put them under grow lights. Also have had very good luck with cut-and-come-again lettuce in hydroponic setup.

 

[JoeWras]

My lettuce is doing well, tomatoes are ready to get ripe. That's the good.

The bad is just a vent: my garden is trying to kill me. This year I've had run-ins with yellow jackets, poison ivy and copperhead snakes.

I did not enjoy dancing with the copperhead yesterday. Close call.

Thankfully, no bites, stings or rashes yet. But I'm getting tired of trying to do something I enjoy, but feel like I'm in the middle of a war zone.

 

[pacergal]

Because of the progressive lack of success of my gardening over the years, I am at the point of flower container gardens and I go to local Saturday market for my fresh veggies and fruits!
It works for me.
I admire those of you who plant and tend your gardens, especially canning excess.
I miss my Moms canned goods.

 

[Badger]

Cucumbers, tomatoes, okra, jalapeno peppers, Basil, Rosemary and sunflowers are all producing well. The eggplants themselves look great with many flowers but for some reason flowers fall off and not producing any food. Go figure.

 

[Winemaker]

The lettuce has been plentiful and will probably be done within 2 weeks. Almost 50 tomatoes, 15 green peppers, 4 poblanos, 3 fresno, 3 or 4 cukes, 6 zucchini, 5 butternut in the ground. The beans seeds went in on Friday, but the beet seeeds are taking their grand old time. The new basil, dill, rosemary are doing fine. We harvested all the spinach yesterday for Chicken Florentine, and was surprised that all the garlic started growing their scapes already. They were trimmed and are in the dehydrater, and when done, I'll put in the spice/herb grinder with some other herbs and make a herb butter and freeze in small containers. NOTHING goes better with a glass of wine than fresh produce from the garden!

 

[Gumby]

Had my first harvest of the season yesterday -- broccoli. The young wife cut it up and made a fancy broccoli salad with bulgur wheat. I'll get more later this week and possibly some spinach as well. Peas should be ready next week.