Anyone planting a vegetable garden this year?

[fiveandtwo]

Rhubarb for wine, apples for cider, chillies for pickles but given up on tomatoes

When I was in high school I had a part time job helping a lady from my church who took care of an elderly woman.  She used to make lunch for us and made a rhubarb pie.  Holy Moly!  That was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten.

It reminded me of a mix between fried green tomatoes and cooked apples.  I need to find a recipe and try to make one myself.

is it true that rhubarb is poisonous if not prepared correctly?  I’ve heard that but don’t know if it’s true.

[quintessentone]

Me, we plant a garden every year.

Peas, Tomatoes, Rhubarb, Blackberries, and Raspberries.

Plus scores of Sunflowers.

I give half of mine away also to neighbours, family, and friends. 

I used to grow all varieties of Sunflowers until I read they can have negative effects on other plants. But I suppose if they are planted far enough away there shouldn't be any problems.

------------

"Sunflowers can have both positive and negative effects in the garden, making them a complex choice for gardeners.Benefits of Sunflowers

1. Attract Pollinators: Sunflowers are known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which can enhance pollination for nearby plants and improve overall garden health. 
   
   
   
2. Soil Health: Their extensive root systems can improve soil structure and drainage. As sunflowers grow, they draw up nutrients from deep within the soil, making them available to neighboring plants when their residues decompose. 
   
   
   
3. Visual Appeal: Sunflowers add vibrant color and height to gardens, serving as focal points that can enhance the aesthetic value of your outdoor space. 
   
   
   
4. Shade for Other Plants: In sunny areas, sunflowers can provide dappled shade, which can be beneficial for shade-loving plants like lettuce. 
   
   1
   
5. 3 Sources
   

Drawbacks of Sunflowers

1. Allelopathic Effects: Sunflowers release chemicals into the soil that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants, a phenomenon known as allelopathy. This can lead to reduced yields for vegetables planted nearby, particularly beans and potatoes. 
   
   
   
2. Resource Competition: Their large size and extensive root systems mean that sunflowers can compete aggressively for water and nutrients, potentially harming the growth of neighboring plants. 
   
   
   
3. Pest Attraction: While they attract beneficial insects, sunflowers can also draw pests like aphids, which may harm nearby plants. 
   
   
   
4. Physical Space: Sunflowers can grow quite tall and may overshadow smaller plants, limiting their access to sunlight. 
   
   
   
5. 5 Sources
   

ConclusionIn summary, sunflowers can be both beneficial and detrimental to a garden. They are excellent for attracting pollinators and improving soil health, but their allelopathic properties and competition for resources can negatively impact nearby plants. Gardeners should weigh these factors carefully when deciding whether to include sunflowers in their garden plans. If you choose to plant them, consider their placement and the types of plants you are growing nearby to mitigate potential negative effects."

[andy06shake]

I used to grow all varieties of Sunflowers until I read they can have negative effects on other plants. But I suppose if they are planted far enough away there shouldn't be any problems.

------------

"Sunflowers can have both positive and negative effects in the garden, making them a complex choice for gardeners.Benefits of Sunflowers

1. Attract Pollinators: Sunflowers are known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which can enhance pollination for nearby plants and improve overall garden health. 
   
   
   
2. Soil Health: Their extensive root systems can improve soil structure and drainage. As sunflowers grow, they draw up nutrients from deep within the soil, making them available to neighboring plants when their residues decompose. 
   
   
   
3. Visual Appeal: Sunflowers add vibrant color and height to gardens, serving as focal points that can enhance the aesthetic value of your outdoor space. 
   
   
   
4. Shade for Other Plants: In sunny areas, sunflowers can provide dappled shade, which can be beneficial for shade-loving plants like lettuce. 
   
   1
   
5. 3 Sources
   

Drawbacks of Sunflowers

1. Allelopathic Effects: Sunflowers release chemicals into the soil that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants, a phenomenon known as allelopathy. This can lead to reduced yields for vegetables planted nearby, particularly beans and potatoes. 
   
   
   
2. Resource Competition: Their large size and extensive root systems mean that sunflowers can compete aggressively for water and nutrients, potentially harming the growth of neighboring plants. 
   
   
   
3. Pest Attraction: While they attract beneficial insects, sunflowers can also draw pests like aphids, which may harm nearby plants. 
   
   
   
4. Physical Space: Sunflowers can grow quite tall and may overshadow smaller plants, limiting their access to sunlight. 
   
   
   
5. 5 Sources
   

ConclusionIn summary, sunflowers can be both beneficial and detrimental to a garden. They are excellent for attracting pollinators and improving soil health, but their allelopathic properties and competition for resources can negatively impact nearby plants. Gardeners should weigh these factors carefully when deciding whether to include sunflowers in their garden plans. If you choose to plant them, consider their placement and the types of plants you are growing nearby to mitigate potential negative effects."

[Image: https://media0.giphy.com/media/toD2r1bNHkbUk/giphy.gif]

I grow them in large pots quint, which makes it easier to move them around and limits their competition for resources.

[quintessentone]

I grow them in large pots quint, which makes it easier to move them around and limits their competition for resources.

Ah yes, container gardening, solves all of those problems until the pots get bigger and heavier.

[andy06shake]

Ah yes, container gardening, solves all of those problems until the pots get bigger and heavier.

Just the sunflowers.

Problems are what gardening is all about i suppose.

A series of conundrums and issues, one after the other.

That has to be mitigated and resolved.  

With all going well, a bountiful harvest at the end.

I just like watching stuff grow if I'm honest.

It's calming....

[quintessentone]

Just the sunflowers.

Problems are what gardening is all about i suppose.

A series of conundrums and issues, one after the other.

That has to be mitigated and resolved.  

With all going well, a bountiful harvest at the end.

I just like watching stuff grow if I'm honest.

It's calming....

I like watching stuff grow healthy and pest-free, by now spraying my plants with watered down solution of hydrogen peroxide. I have been blessed with this new property we moved to a year ago with beautiful rich soil. I've never owned property before with good soil and I also like to feel it in my hands and smell it. More often than not I will garden without gloves on.

My daughter's fiance was telling me about all his failed gardening attempts, so I instructed them on how to prepare the soil and how to feed the plants and he is now a full fledged gardener for life. Although, he did plant peppermint among my herbs with negative consequences, but hey live and learn.