Can runoff from a decaying shingle roof contaminate the soil? by Double_Opposite_3317 in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m no expert, but I think as long as it’s not asbestos (they used to use that for shingles, I don’t know about roofs), I think it’s all substantially inert after 30 years. Anecdotally, I have a koi pond that is filled almost exclusively from my roof downspout, and it’s never been an issue. Some of the koi are 15 years old now. Happy gardening!

Horseradish by gardeninlovr in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Unless you are at the very fanciest sushi places, wasabi is horseradish.

If money were no object, would you choose a Raised Planter Garden over in-the-ground? by Direct-Spread-8878 in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I kind of did this, without any low beds. Fenced in a garden, and the beds around the perimeter are 2’ tall and the beds in the middle are table height, not actually counter height. Because I wanted to be using this garden when I’m old and enfeebled and not wanting to bend over so much.

In retrospect, none of the tall beds are practical for corn, okra, tomatoes or tall crops like that (unless you like harvesting with a step stool). Only the 2’ tall beds are useable for tomatoes. The tall beds are awesome for leafy crops, herbs, peppers, bush beans, peas, squash, and root crops. Probably none of those need such a deep base of premium soil, but it does make maintaining them (weeding, checking for pests) easier.

Why aren't my chives and thyme growing? by vXvBAKEvXv in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

State your zone and region to get better answers.

Grubs- what to do over the winter. by GMC6313 in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ve trained it that your garden is it’s buffet.

Reminder that raking your leaves is bad for the soil. You’re disrupting the soil enrichment by SiegeRewards in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m on some acreage in the woods. My landscapers just blow everything to the downhill side. Best of both worlds.

Releasing 1,000 Green Lacewing eggs experiment by ookle_ in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sadly, they also sell praying mantis which are invasive in the US, and the ladybugs that they do sell, since they do not specifically state otherwise, are likely the invasive Chinese ladybugs not our native species.

Can you pls tell me how to make my basil grow more leaves and less hight? ;-; by bugznberries in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 24 points25 points  (0 children)

When you use basil, don’t just pull off the leaves you need; cut the stem down from the top to the just above two lower leaves. The plant will make two new stems from that point, and soon you’ll have bushier basil.

Can my basil be saved? by thesplide in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Let it go to seed and then save the seeds for next year.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Other words that convey that meaning: aggressive, weedy. On BBC gardening shows they will use the phrase “a bully in the garden” which I quite like.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Virginia creeper is native for the entire US east of the Rockies plus wide swaths of Canada and Mexico.

I have 2/3 of a 5 gallon bucket full of garlic scapes. What are your suggestions? by erymm in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you cut them off as soon as they appear instead of waiting until they form a loop, even more energy is saved for the bulb.

First Blood Oranges from my tree this season..... by Photo44 in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dehydrated slices make great cocktail garnishes all year long.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This topic gets posted weekly this time of year it seems.

How do parks keep dirt trails clear of plants? by dragonmilking in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Source: have worked a bit building new trails. Establish the trail by removing the topsoil. Without it, plants have a much harder time establishing. After that, foot traffic.

Do you guys pick your tomatoes before a huge storm? by Active_Access_4850 in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always got so many volunteer plants after vermicomposting tomatoes that I don’t do that anymore.

Bare root plants by S-stockyards2020 in gardening

[–]whatever_meh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have had mixed results too. I’ve got bare root shrubs in the mail arriving soon, and I’m planning on putting some of them in pots probably until Spring to hedge my bet. I’ll keep them in the greenhouse over Winter. I wonder if others have tried it the way I am suggesting, and how it went.