Hallson Gardens

I have made several lasagna beds and use newpaper first, then layers of composted manure,top soil,chopped up leaves, and peat. I have used hay or straw but would not recommend it- it doesn't break down very fast and I had lots of weeds from it. This has worked well for me! I just add more leaves and...

Dee- What gorgeous kitty-cats! They are great company, aren't they? I have 3- Joe (fat red tabby), Maggie (gray persian) and our newest, Scooter (red tabby farm kitten). I wish I could trust mine to go outside but I am afraid they would take off! Actually, Joe can go out with me because he is too fa...

My tomatoes are really small this year too. I am thinking it is because of the drought (even though I water). What do you think?

OC- Haven't you convinced Jack that we are all a freindly bunch around here and that he would be welcomed to join in????? Thanks for your response about the jew plant.

OC- Is this wandering jew a perennial in your neck of the woods????? Very pretty! I have several different jew plants but in Iowa, I have to bring them in in the winter.

Very pretty, Josh! Thanks for sharing!

Cool! I didn't know any of these bloomed so early in the season! I think of them as fall bloomers.....

Squash Blossum- Just had to bump this up and ask how your experiment with the trellis and tomatoes is going?! Pictures?????

I didn't see this reply/question until now- sorry! In the middle of the plant, I cut it back pretty severly, maybe down to 6 inches from the ground. THe rest of the plant I cut back cut back to maybe 8 inches. The plant is STILL looking great today (July 8th) and in fact, I have deadheaded it some m...

Thanks, Ginger! That is kind of what I was looking for. Last year, I left the tomatoes unwatered for a week and think I lost alot of blooms, thus fruit, because they were too dry. I will try the upside down container and see if that does the trick.

Any ideas out there as to how I can keep my tomato plant watered while on vacation for a week? I hate to ask my neighbors- they are already feeding my kitty-cats.....

Jane- Just saw this thread and here it what I did. Mine was out of control and also thinning out in the middle. I totally reshaped mine in early June and it looks great now. It has continued to bloom and it has filled in in the middle. Give it a good pruning and I think you will be pleasantly surpri...

Lucy- That is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had Munstead in my east bed for several years and it isn't doing near as well..... I can only hope mine looks that nice some day

Thanks, Doris I think I will just wait until it is done blooming and shear it back.

Doris- Beautiful geraniums! Since you have so many, maybe you can answer a question for me. I have Geranium oxonianum "Katherine Adele" and am wondering if I should deadhead to keep it blooming? Thanks in advance- Susan

Could it be Nora Barlow?

My 2 cent worth would be that 4 hydrangeas in that area might be too many, if you think about how big they will get. Maybe just 2 hydrangeas? Otherwise, I think your vision is great and that it will work out nicely. Good luck and remember, we all started out experimenting with what we liked- it's tr...

Informal for me too. I don't like symmetry. I do make a rough plan for a new bed but like everyone else has said, I also just plop stuff in where it will fit. I have no problem tearing something out if it isn't working for me. I will give a plant a year or two and then if it isn't doing well, it's o...

Thanks for all the input! I tell ya, I can go out every day and find new little 2 leaved starts all over! I think I will try what someone suggested and that is deadheading, although that will be an everyday task as well! I tried putting Preen down in this area and it hasn't helped at all. I have oth...