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zone 5, what to do with south side house?
The south side of our house is the exterior wall of our garage.
There are no windows, and the edge of the property line is too close to put a lean to greenhouse or anything like that on there. Last year I tried establishing a blueberry hedge up pretty close to the house there. I used peat, coffee grounds, a small amount of aluminum sulfate mixed in to the soil, plus a slow release acidifier. (soil is rather alkaline here) I tried watering every day, but there was simply no rain for a couple of months, and it was so hot and dry. Only 1 or 2 plants made it out of 6 or 7. I am going to take the healthiest plant and put it in a pot. This is actually the first time I've tried growing blueberries and had one live more than 6 months. However, I think that spot would be better used for something else. Can anyone suggest something that is heat and light loving, which could be productive in such a spot? It will essentially get direct sunlight all day long, and the spot can really concentrate heat from the sun in spring and fall. Thanks! |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Ohioguy wrote:
The south side of our house is the exterior wall of our garage. [...] Can anyone suggest something that is heat and light loving, which could be productive in such a spot? Grape vine. Root it near a water downspout off the roof, and train it across the wall. Una |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Okra.
It loves heat. Once they start producing you will probably have to harvest every day. 5 or 6 plants will likely produce more than you can eat. "Ohioguy" wrote in message ... The south side of our house is the exterior wall of our garage. There are no windows, and the edge of the property line is too close to put a lean to greenhouse or anything like that on there. Last year I tried establishing a blueberry hedge up pretty close to the house there. I used peat, coffee grounds, a small amount of aluminum sulfate mixed in to the soil, plus a slow release acidifier. (soil is rather alkaline here) I tried watering every day, but there was simply no rain for a couple of months, and it was so hot and dry. Only 1 or 2 plants made it out of 6 or 7. I am going to take the healthiest plant and put it in a pot. This is actually the first time I've tried growing blueberries and had one live more than 6 months. However, I think that spot would be better used for something else. Can anyone suggest something that is heat and light loving, which could be productive in such a spot? It will essentially get direct sunlight all day long, and the spot can really concentrate heat from the sun in spring and fall. Thanks! |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
"Thos" wrote:
Okra. It loves heat. Once they start producing you will probably have to harvest every day. 5 or 6 plants will likely produce more than you can eat. Okra for zone 5 ? I remember going to Disney World in March. It was sixty five degrees, I am from Michigan, I wore long pants with a long sleeve shirt no coat. The person in front was from Florida he wore a light jacket. The person behind me wore shorts and a tank top and was sweating, he was from Alaska. Ones heat is another's chill. Perhaps a variety of herbal plants. Rosemary, thyme, mint (put a hollow bottom bucket in the ground for mint. Herbs can act like weeds if not watchful. Camomile? -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
On Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:37:11 +0000 (UTC), Nad R
wrote: "Thos" wrote: Okra. It loves heat. Once they start producing you will probably have to harvest every day. 5 or 6 plants will likely produce more than you can eat. Okra for zone 5 ? I'm in a warm zone 5 [NY] & never had any luck with Okra. Maybe one or two pods per plant. Just enough to remind me what I was missing out on. OTOH- I wasn't planting along the hot side of a building. My house is mostly shaded on the south so I have Hostas & such on that side. -snip- Perhaps a variety of herbal plants. Rosemary, thyme, mint (put a hollow bottom bucket in the ground for mint. Herbs can act like weeds if not watchful. Camomile? If I were the OP I'd stick with fruits- maybe plant the herbs amongst them as they grow. Blueberries, cherries, . . . peaches . . . Almond trees are gorgeous in the spring and feed the squirrels in the fall. [mine did- I used to get a quart of nuts- the squirrels got a bushel] South side is a lot easier than the north side. Jim |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
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zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Nad R wrote:
"Thos" wrote: Okra. It loves heat. Once they start producing you will probably have to harvest every day. 5 or 6 plants will likely produce more than you can eat. Okra for zone 5 ? Since the location is hot and dry there's some sense in putting annuals for a higher zone number there. Since the location is subject to snow that approach won't work all that well with perrenials. It becomes a little like a hot house in the summer yet like a freezer in the winter. I solved a similar issue in Chicago metro by planting bushes and bulb forming plants. Hostas (already mentioned in another post) and day lillies did fine. Not edible so not sure how that works for rec.gardens.edible. Hostas aren't actually bulb formers but close enough. Perhaps a variety of herbal plants. Rosemary, thyme, mint (put a hollow bottom bucket in the ground for mint. Herbs can act like weeds if not watchful. Camomile? I like to grow herbs in pots on the deck. They grow great. Most don't survive the winter. So far I've never gotten a rosemary to make it through the Chicago winter. I have transfered plenty of herbs from the pots on the deck to the southern edge of my back yard. The thyme and the tarragon are the only ones that survived across the winter so far. The thyme lasted two years before it got overwhelmed by the size of the tarragon. |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Doug Freyburger wrote:
Nad R wrote: "Thos" wrote: Okra. It loves heat. Once they start producing you will probably have to harvest every day. 5 or 6 plants will likely produce more than you can eat. Okra for zone 5 ? Since the location is hot and dry there's some sense in putting annuals for a higher zone number there. Since the location is subject to snow that approach won't work all that well with perrenials. It becomes a little like a hot house in the summer yet like a freezer in the winter. I solved a similar issue in Chicago metro by planting bushes and bulb forming plants. Hostas (already mentioned in another post) and day lillies did fine. Not edible so not sure how that works for rec.gardens.edible. Hostas aren't actually bulb formers but close enough. Perhaps a variety of herbal plants. Rosemary, thyme, mint (put a hollow bottom bucket in the ground for mint. Herbs can act like weeds if not watchful. Camomile? I like to grow herbs in pots on the deck. They grow great. Most don't survive the winter. So far I've never gotten a rosemary to make it through the Chicago winter. I have transfered plenty of herbs from the pots on the deck to the southern edge of my back yard. The thyme and the tarragon are the only ones that survived across the winter so far. The thyme lasted two years before it got overwhelmed by the size of the tarragon. It was a thought that the garage might offer some protection for the Rosemary. I too have been unsuccessful at growing Rosemary. Herbs can get away from you :) Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Nad R wrote:
Doug Freyburger wrote: I like to grow herbs in pots on the deck. They grow great. Most don't survive the winter. So far I've never gotten a rosemary to make it through the Chicago winter. I have transfered plenty of herbs from the pots on the deck to the southern edge of my back yard. The thyme and the tarragon are the only ones that survived across the winter so far. The thyme lasted two years before it got overwhelmed by the size of the tarragon. It was a thought that the garage might offer some protection for the Rosemary. I too have been unsuccessful at growing Rosemary. Herbs can get away from you :) I get a little rosemary plant each spring since we moved to (zone 5) Chicago metro. They get pretty big by the first snow. Then they croak. Each year I try to trim it back and keep it on the deck out of the snow but some storm tips it over and spills it out. Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? I'm not sure which type of tarragon it was that has done so well out in the back yard with the hostas. Home Depot bred tarragon. Draws bees like crazy late in the season when it's in flower. |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
In article ,
Doug Freyburger wrote: Nad R wrote: Doug Freyburger wrote: I like to grow herbs in pots on the deck. They grow great. Most don't survive the winter. So far I've never gotten a rosemary to make it through the Chicago winter. I have transfered plenty of herbs from the pots on the deck to the southern edge of my back yard. The thyme and the tarragon are the only ones that survived across the winter so far. The thyme lasted two years before it got overwhelmed by the size of the tarragon. It was a thought that the garage might offer some protection for the Rosemary. I too have been unsuccessful at growing Rosemary. Herbs can get away from you :) I get a little rosemary plant each spring since we moved to (zone 5) Chicago metro. They get pretty big by the first snow. Then they croak. Each year I try to trim it back and keep it on the deck out of the snow but some storm tips it over and spills it out. Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? I'm not sure which type of tarragon it was that has done so well out in the back yard with the hostas. Home Depot bred tarragon. Draws bees like crazy late in the season when it's in flower. Here is a hardy rosemary good to zone 6. http://www.ehow.com/list_7367161_har...ry-plants.html I've lost quite a few here in zone 5 but wall of water can keep it alive if the moles/voles miss them. One is perking along right now. One of 4 planted 2 years ago. OP may want to look into. South side solar gain maybe trapped. Look into "passive solar designs". -- Bill S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Nad R wrote:
Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? I find French tarragon too fiddly, it likes excellent drainage and in my hands it dies at the drop of a hat. I don't think my climate (hot often damp summer) and soil (heavy) are suitable. If your climate and soil are more mediterranean it may be easier to grow. Russian tarragon grows more easily but has little flavour. I find a good compromise is winter tarragon (Tagetes lucinda). The flavour is nearly as good as French and it is much easier to grow. I don't know why it is called "winter" tarragon as it dies down in winter but reliably re-shoots from the roots in spring. You can harvest it fresh from spring to autumn and dry a bunch picked before the first frost in autumn. David |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
In article ,
"David Hare-Scott" wrote: Nad R wrote: Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? I find French tarragon too fiddly, it likes excellent drainage and in my hands it dies at the drop of a hat. I don't think my climate (hot often damp summer) and soil (heavy) are suitable. If your climate and soil are more mediterranean it may be easier to grow. Russian tarragon grows more easily but has little flavour. I find a good compromise is winter tarragon (Tagetes lucinda). The flavour is nearly as good as French and it is much easier to grow. I don't know why it is called "winter" tarragon as it dies down in winter but reliably re-shoots from the roots in spring. You can harvest it fresh from spring to autumn and dry a bunch picked before the first frost in autumn. David Thought you were a zone 9, which is about as Mediterranean as there is. -- - Billy “When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist.” -Archbishop Helder Camara http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/...acegroups.html http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth...130964689.html 20111812130964689.html |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Billy wrote:
In article , "David Hare-Scott" wrote: Nad R wrote: Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? I find French tarragon too fiddly, it likes excellent drainage and in my hands it dies at the drop of a hat. I don't think my climate (hot often damp summer) and soil (heavy) are suitable. If your climate and soil are more mediterranean it may be easier to grow. Russian tarragon grows more easily but has little flavour. I find a good compromise is winter tarragon (Tagetes lucinda). The flavour is nearly as good as French and it is much easier to grow. I don't know why it is called "winter" tarragon as it dies down in winter but reliably re-shoots from the roots in spring. You can harvest it fresh from spring to autumn and dry a bunch picked before the first frost in autumn. David Thought you were a zone 9, which is about as Mediterranean as there is. Thanks, I will look into that winter tarragon, spring is still a dream :) -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Billy wrote:
In article , "David Hare-Scott" wrote: Nad R wrote: Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? I find French tarragon too fiddly, it likes excellent drainage and in my hands it dies at the drop of a hat. I don't think my climate (hot often damp summer) and soil (heavy) are suitable. If your climate and soil are more mediterranean it may be easier to grow. Russian tarragon grows more easily but has little flavour. I find a good compromise is winter tarragon (Tagetes lucinda). The flavour is nearly as good as French and it is much easier to grow. I don't know why it is called "winter" tarragon as it dies down in winter but reliably re-shoots from the roots in spring. You can harvest it fresh from spring to autumn and dry a bunch picked before the first frost in autumn. David Thought you were a zone 9, which is about as Mediterranean as there is. Yes I am about 9b according to minimum winter temperature. I can have rain all year round (not mainly in winter) but it tends to fall in concentrated bursts which can lead to waterlogging also summer can be very humid (like now). Many herbs from round the Med like lighter better draining soils. To grow rosemary I have to put it in a pot or the roots rot in any wet spell. D |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
In article ,
says... Here is a hardy rosemary good to zone 6. http://www.ehow.com/list_7367161_har...ry-plants.html I've lost quite a few here in zone 5 but wall of water can keep it alive if the moles/voles miss them. One is perking along right now. One of 4 planted 2 years ago. OP may want to look into. South side solar gain maybe trapped. Look into "passive solar designs". My experience differs in Zone 5 London Ontario. Rosemary doesn't survive our winter outdoors. Full stop. The only way we can overwinter rosemary, is indoors. We have two, ten year old potted ARP rosemary plants. They withstand frost very well and have survived the occasional subzero (to -4 celsius uncovered and -6 covered) late fall night but when it looks like winter is settling in for real,they get a final shearing and are put on the table by my office window. ARP was originally considered to be hardy to zone 5, and then it was supposed to be hardy to zone 6. My favourite herb seed supplier considers it hardy to zone 7. YMMV |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
In article ,
"David Hare-Scott" wrote: Billy wrote: In article , "David Hare-Scott" wrote: Nad R wrote: Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? I find French tarragon too fiddly, it likes excellent drainage and in my hands it dies at the drop of a hat. I don't think my climate (hot often damp summer) and soil (heavy) are suitable. If your climate and soil are more mediterranean it may be easier to grow. Russian tarragon grows more easily but has little flavour. I find a good compromise is winter tarragon (Tagetes lucinda). The flavour is nearly as good as French and it is much easier to grow. I don't know why it is called "winter" tarragon as it dies down in winter but reliably re-shoots from the roots in spring. You can harvest it fresh from spring to autumn and dry a bunch picked before the first frost in autumn. David Thought you were a zone 9, which is about as Mediterranean as there is. Yes I am about 9b according to minimum winter temperature. I can have rain all year round (not mainly in winter) Sounds like France, which gets about 3 days of rain per month, at a minimum. In Germany, few seemed to grasp the concept of needing a hose to water plants. Here in N. California, rain usually falls (30" [76 cm]) from October 1 to April 30. After that, the greens hill turn a "golden" brown from May through Sept. but it tends to fall in concentrated bursts which can lead to waterlogging also summer can be very humid (like now). Many herbs from round the Med like lighter better draining soils. To grow rosemary I have to put it in a pot or the roots rot in any wet spell. My soil is clay, and my herbs are in pots, but we don't get humidity. Is this, overcast and hot humidity? D To the OP let me suggest peanuts. It's an interesting/edible plant that needs heat and sunshine. -- - Billy When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist. -Archbishop Helder Camara http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/...acegroups.html http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth...130964689.html 20111812130964689.html |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
"Ohioguy" wrote in message ... The south side of our house is the exterior wall of our garage. There are no windows, and the edge of the property line is too close to put a lean to greenhouse or anything like that on there. Last year I tried establishing a blueberry hedge up pretty close to the house there. I used peat, coffee grounds, a small amount of aluminum sulfate mixed in to the soil, plus a slow release acidifier. (soil is rather alkaline here) I tried watering every day, but there was simply no rain for a couple of months, and it was so hot and dry. Only 1 or 2 plants made it out of 6 or 7. I am going to take the healthiest plant and put it in a pot. This is actually the first time I've tried growing blueberries and had one live more than 6 months. However, I think that spot would be better used for something else. Can anyone suggest something that is heat and light loving, which could be productive in such a spot? It will essentially get direct sunlight all day long, and the spot can really concentrate heat from the sun in spring and fall. Thanks! I'm in Ohio, The best thing grows in my Southside backyard is tomatoes. |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
"DogDiesel" wrote:
"Ohioguy" wrote in message ... The south side of our house is the exterior wall of our garage. There are no windows, and the edge of the property line is too close to put a lean to greenhouse or anything like that on there. Last year I tried establishing a blueberry hedge up pretty close to the house there. I used peat, coffee grounds, a small amount of aluminum sulfate mixed in to the soil, plus a slow release acidifier. (soil is rather alkaline here) I tried watering every day, but there was simply no rain for a couple of months, and it was so hot and dry. Only 1 or 2 plants made it out of 6 or 7. I am going to take the healthiest plant and put it in a pot. This is actually the first time I've tried growing blueberries and had one live more than 6 months. However, I think that spot would be better used for something else. Can anyone suggest something that is heat and light loving, which could be productive in such a spot? It will essentially get direct sunlight all day long, and the spot can really concentrate heat from the sun in spring and fall. Thanks! I'm in Ohio, The best thing grows in my Southside backyard is tomatoes. Americas favorite and number one garden plant is.... Tomatoes... Yes! -- Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan) |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
On Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:38:25 -0800, Billy
wrote: In article , wrote: On Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:41:48 -0700 (MST), (Una) wrote: Ohioguy wrote: The south side of our house is the exterior wall of our garage. [...] Can anyone suggest something that is heat and light loving, which could be productive in such a spot? Grape vine. Root it near a water downspout off the roof, and train it across the wall. Una What does a grape vines root system look like? I ask because there's some (3) planted not too far from my septic drain field. They're about 3 1/2 years old. Newb Normally, they go straight down, looking for water. If the water is to the left of them, they will go left (at least part of them will). I supose moving them away from the drain field pipes would be a good idea? A backed up drain field due to root infiltration can be pretty expensive. Is this a good time to move them? We live in western WA State. Thanks. Newb |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Billy wrote:
In article , "David Hare-Scott" wrote: Billy wrote: In article , "David Hare-Scott" wrote: Nad R wrote: Would that be the "French" Tarragon via cutting? Or the Russian Tarragon via seed? I find French tarragon too fiddly, it likes excellent drainage and in my hands it dies at the drop of a hat. I don't think my climate (hot often damp summer) and soil (heavy) are suitable. If your climate and soil are more mediterranean it may be easier to grow. Russian tarragon grows more easily but has little flavour. I find a good compromise is winter tarragon (Tagetes lucinda). The flavour is nearly as good as French and it is much easier to grow. I don't know why it is called "winter" tarragon as it dies down in winter but reliably re-shoots from the roots in spring. You can harvest it fresh from spring to autumn and dry a bunch picked before the first frost in autumn. David Thought you were a zone 9, which is about as Mediterranean as there is. Yes I am about 9b according to minimum winter temperature. I can have rain all year round (not mainly in winter) Sounds like France, which gets about 3 days of rain per month, at a minimum. In Germany, few seemed to grasp the concept of needing a hose to water plants. Here in N. California, rain usually falls (30" [76 cm]) from October 1 to April 30. After that, the greens hill turn a "golden" brown from May through Sept. but it tends to fall in concentrated bursts which can lead to waterlogging also summer can be very humid (like now). Many herbs from round the Med like lighter better draining soils. To grow rosemary I have to put it in a pot or the roots rot in any wet spell. My soil is clay, and my herbs are in pots, but we don't get humidity. Is this, overcast and hot humidity? That's it. The temperature is only reaching about 28C (82F) but the humidity is 80-90%, then you get 6mls (1/4 in) of rain which does nothing for the soil but everything for the mould. To the OP let me suggest peanuts. It's an interesting/edible plant that needs heat and sunshine. Assuming it is sufficiently warm will the growing season be long enough? D |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
I like the grape idea. I've already tried blueberries, and it hasn't
worked out. Perhaps I need to start out with adult sized, 3 or 4 year old plants, and transplant them. In any case, this is the second time I've tried blueberries, in 2 different parts of Ohio, and they have died both times. I already have 1 pear tree with 5 fruit varieties on it, 2 hale haven peach trees, a nectarine and a plum. I don't think there is really room for another fruit tree in the area, because I would need to plant it close (right on, really) to the property line, and the neighbor would not like it because that would be pretty close to the gate he used to go between his fenced back yard and his front yard. So, I am limited to perhaps planting something small right up against the house, and maybe a row of something out closer to the property line. Either or, or perhaps both, if both plants are pretty orderly and not sprawling. I like the idea of grapes, because I've always wanted to grow them, and I've seen that they can be pretty productive. How long does it take to get a harvest from them? Other ideas I've had are rhubarb or everbearing raspberries, such as heritage. Anyone have thoughts on these? My parents always got a good harvest off of the rhubarb, and never have to put any time into them, other than good soil preparation up front, with some cow manure at the bottom of the deep pits. |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Americas favorite and number one garden plant is.... Tomatoes... Yes!
Hmm, that's another good idea. I don't have a good place prepared for them right now, and that certainly would be a good area for growing them. Lots of sun, and they do seem to like heat. If I don't grow tomatoes there, however, I can grow them along the chain link fence that goes along the entire south side of our back yard. I was planning on getting that set up for vegetables early this spring. Now I'm torn between the various choices. |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Ohioguy wrote:
-snip- Other ideas I've had are rhubarb or everbearing raspberries, such as heritage. Anyone have thoughts on these? IMO rhubarb would do better on the north or east side. it doesn't like the heat. I never had any luck with raspberries at all, but it seems like they might be better suited. My parents always got a good harvest off of the rhubarb, and never have to put any time into them, other than good soil preparation up front, with some cow manure at the bottom of the deep pits. Mine grows on an abandoned compost bed - only gets 5-6 hours of sun a day, and stays fairly moist. it thrives through July- then sort of peters off & gets tough. Jim |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
In article ,
Jim Elbrecht wrote: Ohioguy wrote: -snip- Other ideas I've had are rhubarb or everbearing raspberries, such as heritage. Anyone have thoughts on these? IMO rhubarb would do better on the north or east side. it doesn't like the heat. I never had any luck with raspberries at all, but it seems like they might be better suited. My parents always got a good harvest off of the rhubarb, and never have to put any time into them, other than good soil preparation up front, with some cow manure at the bottom of the deep pits. Mine grows on an abandoned compost bed - only gets 5-6 hours of sun a day, and stays fairly moist. it thrives through July- then sort of peters off & gets tough. Jim Just wondering how you harvest it. Do you pull it or cut it? -- Bill S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
On Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:38:39 -0500, Ohioguy wrote:
Americas favorite and number one garden plant is.... Tomatoes... Yes! Hmm, that's another good idea. I don't have a good place prepared for them right now, and that certainly would be a good area for growing them. Lots of sun, and they do seem to like heat. That's your best bet. They'll love the extra heat. Start looking right now at some varieties you can't get at the local nurseries. Start your seeds in a few weeks. Plant a few varieties as you never know which one will like this summer's weather best. One year my plums will be larger than my beefsteaks-- another year the early tomatoes don't fruit until after the plums. Put some odd colored tomatoes in the mix. I don't know if they taste all that different, but it really impresses non-gardeners that you have purple/yellow/pink/orange/green/'black' or spotted tomatoes. Plant them on trellises & make a shady spot to sit and eat them. In my garden I *have* to have at least- a couple cherry tomatoes a few pasta tomatoes a couple early a couple huge a lot of celebrity- my favorite tasting tomato most years a few of something new a few more 'new to me' varieties That ought to cover that space nicely. nice thing about tomatoes is soil prep isn't too bad. Dig a hole- amend it- mulch around it. Straw/newspapers/carpet/pavers all make good paths through the tomato space. If I don't grow tomatoes there, however, I can grow them along the chain link fence that goes along the entire south side of our back yard. I was planning on getting that set up for vegetables early this spring. The hard part of that is weeding both sides of the fence. If it is a boundary fence you neighbor will spray with a herbicide about the time your veggies are thriving. . . or not, and they'll be choked by his weeds. Now I'm torn between the various choices. Wait until you have the vision of what you want it to look like- and need to choose which varieties to do it with.g It is a *good* dilemma, though. Jim |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Bill who putters wrote:
In article , Jim Elbrecht wrote: -snip- IMO rhubarb would do better on the north or east side. it doesn't like the heat. I never had any luck with raspberries at all, but it seems like they might be better suited. -snip- Just wondering how you harvest it. Do you pull it or cut it? Pull! I start to pull as soon as the plant is putting out stalks bigger than a pencil. These have been producing for 15 yrs or so- so even the first spring stalks are plenty big. I pull seed stalks, too- and discard them. Probably not the best practice-- but I trim the leaves on the spot and mulch with them. Every 4-5 yrs I might remember to feed them. They get covered with 5-6' of hard packed snow through the winter as they are to the side of the turn-around that gets all the snow blown to it. Jim |
zone 5, what to do with south side house?
Jim Elbrecht wrote:
Ohioguy wrote: Other ideas I've had are rhubarb or everbearing raspberries, such as heritage. Anyone have thoughts on these? IMO rhubarb would do better on the north or east side. it doesn't like the heat. I never had any luck with raspberries at all, but it seems like they might be better suited. Dad in Buffalo grew rhubarb and it got bigger every year until they finally moved to a retirement home. I bet it's still in the old back yard. It was in a pretty moist spot in the yard though. It's Buffalo where there aren't any dry spots in many yards. I saw blackberries grow wild in the Pacific Northwest when we lived in Seattle metro. I have no idea if raspberries grow well in a dry spot. I've only seen them in places with okay moisture through quite damp. Others suggest grapes. At my old place in Chicago metro we had a volunteer grape that I had to trim regularly to keep it from eating one of the neighbor's crabapple trees. I never watered it and its root was behind the shed so it never got watered. Grape sounds like a good plan for a hot dry spot in this zone. |
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