Introducing myself

[ellenrr]

Hi!
I'm new to DU. I've been hanging out in political forums for a couple of weeks (and got quite addicted), and then went to find my passion- gardening.
I couldn't find it, but happily was directed here and so here I am.

I've been gardening in a community garden for 10 years. I grow herbs, and some perenniels and annuals. I am limited by what the groundhogs won't eat, which believe me isn't much.

So I don't grow any vegetables. Altho this year am going to try growing arugala, for a friend since I don't like the taste, perhaps the critters won't like it since it is bitter.

Anybody here do Winter Sowing?
http://www.wintersown.org/
I've been WS'ing about 6 years. To put it very simply, we grow seeds in earth in plastic containers. We put the covered containers outside anytime, depending on the plant. For example my perenniels have been outside in containers since January, and they sit out there under the snow rain blizzard etc, and when the time is right, they bloom, and then I transplant them into the garden.

It is a wonderful way to grow from seed, I never before had success growing from seed.
The seedlings are very hardy.
Today - on a gray somewhat snowy day - I am going to WS lavender, oregano, and the arugala.

It is wonderful to be able to play in the dirt in the winter.

Needless to say I can't wait for Spring.

Nice to meet you all,
ellen
:hi:

[stuntcat]

1. nice ta meetcha!

hey I've seen you around! ;)

I've been gardening a few years but I'm still quite a noob because I'm such a slow learner, I'm just now getting the hang of it.

Whenever I've tried seeds inside I've failed, I don't have any sun inside and I have a black thumb anyway :( I'd probably do better to sew them outside in winter.

[beac]

2. Hello, ellen!

And welcome! :hi:

This forum is still a little sleepy at this time of year but, like your winter-sown perennials, it will burst to life in a few more weeks.

I've read about winter sowing and hoped to try it this winter, but life got a little too crazy to organize it. It's on the list for next year.

I think you'll find the arugula pretty easy to grow. It doesn't mind being crowded and you can 'cut and come again' with it all spring until it gets too hot. I absolutely LOVE arugula (the kind with the thin, spiky leaves is the best) and you might find you like it better when you have the fresh and tender young leaves to sample. The kind in the grocery store always seems to be past its prime.

We're having a very warm February here, so I'm starting some arugula and lettuces this week. Already put in some peas (my earliest ever start date)
and some sweet pea flowers (hoping to make them bloom before summer sets in.)

And yes, the ground hogs should leave the arugula alone. Those little jerks are the bane of my existence!

Looking forward to hearing more about your garden!

Cheers,
beac

[ellenrr]

3. You can spring and summer sow

Beac,
you don't need to wait til next year.

There's a long list of plants that can be sown now here:
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/wtrsow/2002064114029680.html

I'm not sure if you can see it without joining gardenweb.

ellen

one month to Spring! :9

[beac]

4. Thanks! Bookmarked.

:hi: