Advice for complete novice on plants for garden | ExpatWoman.com
 

Advice for complete novice on plants for garden

282
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 December 2011 - 21:02

So, for the first time in my life I have a patch of grass. I have always lived in apts and have had mixed success with even indoor plants so am terrified and any advice would be welcome. I'd like to put a row of potted plants in my backyard to look like a hedge. Non flowering preferably as this is DS's play area. In the front yard I'd also like a hedge in pots, flowering plants maybe. On the edges of my patch of lawn I'd like to plant some flowering plants. I'd be grateful for suggestions of which plants work well in this climate, are low-maintenance, don't need much water...I have a gardener but would like some idea of what to tell him! TIA from Newbie Gardener.

1601
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 January 2012 - 22:49
What is the problem with the ficus? Very invasive root system , in Florida I remember one tree lifted the entire foundation on the side of a neighbours house.
77
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 22:13
What is the problem with the ficus?
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 09 January 2012 - 21:01
Make sure the basil is grown from seed, not a small plant from supermarket. You might need to soak the coriander seeds in water overnight for best reSults. Ficus in pot should be ok but never in the soil! I think Catawba has great advice, links in right direction, towards growing tomatoes.
282
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 January 2012 - 20:36
Thanks Apricot for the tips. I'm also a complete newbie and have hired someone to help me but it is nice to have some ideas to tell him. Just to clarify, ficus in a pot is ok? Also, on veggies I suggested tomatoes, green chillies, coriander, parsely, mint, basil...I'll defi add rocket to the list but any comments on the ones I've listed?
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 January 2012 - 01:13
Avoid the trap of the Damas/ Ficus tree! Grow a few bouganvillas, they clearly thrive and love this climate. Try to grow a papaya plant from seed (get fruit from supermarket, set aside seeds, dry out in sun and plant). They look nice in pots until they get so big that you need to plant them in soil. Just remember to either plant things in the shade or get shade cloth (green mesh netting) to roughly cover areas that get direct sunlight. Rocket seeds (from a packet) grow incredibly fast (great to introduce kids to gardening) and ready to add to your salads within a few weeks. I've had recent success with sunflower seeds and eggplant seeds, carrot seeds (all of these were Alta Lunghi seed packets), okra seeds (from some organic okra bought from Union Co-op so quite cheap). Another fun thing to plant are whole onions (esp those already starting to sprout so quite useless for cooking!), individual garlic cloves, a knob of ginger. You can get some great-tasting green shoots that really add to finished, cooked dish. The onion greens are a great sub for spring onions, the garlic shoots for chives, the ginger shoots for lemongrass (ok I think someone may come along and yell at me for typing that, but I've done it and no-one was the wiser).
 
 

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