Anyone planning their garden yet?
Check out these dinosaur gourds, I'm going to try them...

seeds of change catalogue site:
[web:ed52a6c244]http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.asp?item_no=S14540[/web:ed52a6c244]

The gourds are very cool! They would make great ritual rattles, wouldn't they?

I am putting in a completely new garden this year. After many years of struggling with this rock hard clay soil that I have, I'm going a different route and making raised beds from retaining wall block. The block is proving to be a great material to use as they don't require leveling of the ground, they can be used to make the beds into shapes, and since my hubby hates yard work and it's more of a hassle to listen to him whine than have him help, it allows me to do this enormous project myself. I started this project last fall but haven't worked on it since. Next month, I'll start again, full force with the hopes that it'll all be done by planting time.

I would much rather do the soil amending thing, too. I opted for the block because well....it's easier for me at this time. I was injured a couple of years ago...a stupid fall that fUBAR'd the left side of my body.....and a shovel hasn't been my friend since. The garden project is something I do all by myself so the retaining block was the only solution short of hiring someone else in to do it for me. I hadn't given much thought to the reflective surfaces thing.....hhhhmmmm....I may have to adjust the placement of a bed or two to accomodate that factor. Thanks for bringing that point up.

The plans for your garden sound wonderful, CM. Is your project one that you are doing yourself, too? I would imagine that gardening in an extreme desert environment would be a real challenge but it seems you have a good handle on it.

Wow, CM, you really have your hands full!

I haven't even been able to guilt my hubs into helping. His parents used yardwork as punishment, so he sees it that way to this day. Keep trying to remind him I'm not his mom and handing him a shovel does not mean that he's a bad wittle boy but so far, no go. Even last year, when I was trying to do it with major limp and the use of only one arm I couldn't get him to cooperate.Getting him to agree to the expense of the block was the best I could do. Men can be such a trial, can't they?

I've decided on a drip system to water the raised beds and the plan looks good on paper but since I've never done anything remotly close to this, we'll see how that goes. Fortunatly here in No. CA we get a good breeze from the San Francisco Bay so it stays relatively cool in the summer so I am able to keep most things moist.

Oh cool, CM, Sonoma County is lovely. I think you'd know my area. I'm in Solano County, less than 5 miles from Travis Air Force Base and between Vallejo and Vacaville. My area isn't have congested and busy as the Bay Area, but almost.

I'm glad your dad offered to hire in help. The outside work can be very overwhelming when only one person is doing it. Hopefully, being outside will help him to feel better and get him moving a bit more.

You know, CM, we may have even met. I also hung out at the Landing during my single days to hear the bands. A duo called "Double Vision" was popular at the time. There were many good times to be had at The Landing! I even dated the cute bartender there for a time....maybe you know the one I mean...he was the asian guy with the beautiful black hair that went all the way down to his cute tush! MMMMM This is bringing back memories, now!

okok,, i live on the 2nd floor of a house converted to apartments,, i get the morning sun well into the afternoon at the front then late afternoon sun in the kitchen,,, i do have quite a few windows but 2 cats who believe the sills belong to them lol,,, so any tips on what i cld try to plant (herbs, flowers) would be helpfull if anyone know's of any!

Hi Gwenhwyfar, (luv the spelling of your name, by the way )

I've had good luck with Basil, Rosemary, and Peppermint (herbs) grown near sunny windows, also African Violets and Geraniums (flowers).

Hope that helps.

Ive only been gardening for a few years, but I'm thinking of how i can improve on last year's venture. I am really good with veggies and some culinary herbs but I would like to improve my lavender growing skills. My soil isnt the greatest, but it isnt the worst either. My son and I live with my folks and my dad has an amazing flower garden that I am so envious of. I guess that just comes with time and effort having been growing his entire life. The only thing that sucks is when I am looking forward to getting some tension out by weeding and cultivating, its already been done by someone else in the house.

Hi,
This is Marigold from New Brunswick, Canada,yep. Right now, we're in a deep freeze. Cuse me.....had to kick that jealously down. I love to garden, have an extensive herb garden. If anybody hasn't heard of them yet, Richter's Herbs from Ontario have an extensive herb collection and they ship anywhere. Also, their plants are in excellent condition when they arrive.

I am in the midst of gathering seeds for a "Magickal Garden" for my front yard. It will have mugwort, moonflowers, lavender toloache (a type of datura), Bowles Black Viola, woodland tobacco, black mourning bride, black ball cornflower, green wizard black coneflower and black hollyhocks (which I planted last year and will be coming of age this summer! I also have ruby red tulips and will plant some blood red annuals as I run across them...I want the garden to have a black and burgundy color wise...the back yard will have all my culinary stuff, and I need to get going on that as well...

As for seeds for magickal plants, on the sidebar under Alchemy Works you can find sets of seeds for a theme garden and just about anything else magickal. I love Harry and his seeds...please tell him that Lady Elaine sent you if you order from him...his seeds are well prepared with each envelope telling you all you need to know about growing, and using the herbs enclosed.

I will also be doing some container planting and need to get me seedlings started...in March the growing season begins here in Louisiana!

Blessings Bright and Dark,

O I cant wait to get my hands dirty in the garden.. I still have a few months to wait, But I have started sketching out a new garden, my daughters want one of there own.
And soon enough I will be setting up my little green house, and going back to work at the nursery planting plugs.
I am still waiting to play in the snow…

I was Born in S.F. too. We are in the foothills now.

i've been helping my mother garden since i could first walk and have always loved it. for our yard each year we have daffodils, tulips, impatients, snapdragons, and various wildflowers. we also have rose and hydrengea bushes. my favorites are my black and blue iries and dinnerplate dahila which i often leave in pots on the doorsteps of my favorite neighbors.

this year i'm planning a secret garden in woods near my house, i plan on having roses, wildflowers, hemp *cough*, herbs and whatever i can get to grow in that sort of soil.

This year I am thinking of planting hot peppers. Since I put them in almost everything I make for myself it would be real money saving. The wife like beefsteak and roma tomatos. Not sure what else.

Skyle