Well, here’s what I’ve learned about gardening in my first round with my own raised garden bed.
First, I don’t know a thing about it.
Second, I’ve screwed up the first and the second round, and third, I have a lot to learn.
I put the seeds in to early, then watered too little, then too much. I’ve halted all plantings until Memorial Day, I get bamboozled by every warm day. And then it gets cold.
Some people – Maria for one – has an intuitive feeling for gardening, I see that I do not. I ordered four more packets of Zinnia seeds online (I’m planting a Zinnia garden in my raised bed.)
Of the 150 seeds, I planted so far, two are alive, and those just barely. Maria says I just have to shut up and be patient. So that’s what I will do. What I will not do is give up, everyone in my family is crazy, but none of us are quitters.
I have six fresh packages of Zinnias. Yesterday, I couldn’t resist this Bronx Zoo sweatshirt, which I got in the animal park.
This project is going to take determination and grit. I wouldn’t think of getting up. We’ll just start all over again, and this time, maybe get it right. Or maybe I’ll hire an Amish kid to help. Everything they look at or breathe on seems to blossom and poem.
The Tin Man doesn’t look too happy about your garden either. lol. Good luck, I hope they do turn up when the right time comes.
Jon, I hate to be picky, but I am. That is a sweatshirt, not a t-shirt. Carry on. Looking for humor today and patience.
Neenu, go find something important to do, please…I know what a sweatshirt is and so does anyone with a functioning brain..picky isn’t welcome here, I make too many mistakes..
O e of lifes joys is the soft coziness of a brand new sweatshirt on a cool day. Enjoy!
Hi Jon, I too had a misadventure with zinnia seeds. A few years back, I came down with a case of spring fever and decided to buy a grow light kit with some peat soil pellets and zinnia seeds. I followed the directions for the pellets and seeds. Most of the seeds sprouted but the stems grew long and spindly and looked ridiculous. They could barely support a leaf much less a flower. I ended up selling the kit and leftover pellets at a garage sale the following year. And zinnias are supposed to be easy to grow! I admire your determination and hope you do better than I did. Now I just buy the bedding plants.
oh! what fun..it is to be a fumbling Gardner . !!!!
Ok, City Boy. One does not use fire hoses on plants or protestors. Common sense. Walk a mile in their shoes.
Find a YouTube tutorial.
Use at most “gentle rain” appropriate to their age. Small amount, easy low fall.
Zinnia are very strong but they still need appropriate tenderness.
And don’t be so defensive. It’s very unbecoming after age 3.
I had to laugh at this one..:)
I ran the comments by my writer son. He said the words were off from both of us. I didn’t think my comment was second worthy. I think had I ever met Jon, and joked out loud with him about it’s a sweatshirt not a t, we may have both laughed. Online, completely different take. It wasn’t meant as critical. It was just being me.
That should say scold worthy! Not second worthy!
I feel your pain. As a 22-yr-old city girl in 1966, I became an Indiana farm wife. I approached my first garden in Spring, 1967. It was huge, and in the direct sun all day. I optimistically planted a plethora of seeds. Nope. Didn’t work out. Never ate a bite from that “garden.” And for the next 22 years, I was completely content to purchase our summer veggies from the fresh vegetable stands on all roads in and out of town in 4 directions. Today, not much has changed. I am still lucky to bring to adulthood the many floral potted plants I purchase. I refuse to give up.
Give yourself a break! I’m in Atlanta, planted Zinnia seeds in the garden two weeks ago. They’re okay so far, but Zinnias are hot weather plants, and this spring / summer is unusually cool. They may make it, or – not. If this round doesn’t make it, I have another pack of Zinnia seeds: I will have Zinnias blooming this summer / fall, and so will you. Welcome to gardening!
Yes, I think we know that now..
Listen to Maria. This doesn’t take determination / grit – what it takes is patience.
Over the years I have had to admit defeat on several garden inspirations. Do not feel bad, you are not alone. And I bet even the best “green thumbs” can relate; their ego just gets in the way of fessing up.
I saved my zinnia flowers and have an entire cup full of seeds. I have 6 little pots. One has sprouted. Best wishes Jon, we love zinnias too!
In order to be a gardener, you have to kill a plant at least 3 times to know it. 🙂 Cornell cooperative extension has much good information for your growing area. Look up your local cooperative extension office and give them a call or go to the website. Trying is half the battle, I applaud your efforts.
Jon, don’t give up. They may turn up and be turnips! I’m pretty sure you will learn about gardening. Spring is here, and the weather is warming.
Susie Boyko is right. Wait for hot weather and get a second batch of seed (the first batch may be fine but they might rot)
Don’t blameyourself–gardening is hit and miss… Every time I solved the problems of one climate we’d move to another. It drove me crazy and not quietly either! But the rewards can be wonderful. Right now our yellow Banksia Rose is running riot up one side of the house–full of blossoms, while last year it spat out about 12 tiny sickly blooms.
I am a failed gardener, although I did have one lucky year and ate lots of tomatoes that I grew myself! Last year the deer ate the tomato plants practically to the ground. But I love the comment that an elderly fellow I knew in West Virginia made. Sez he: “I cultivate friends, not gardens.” He ate from other people’s surplus and had lovely flowers all summer in his vases. I think this year my flowers and vegies will come from my town’s great farmer’s market!