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Miscellaneous · April 15, 2026 · 5 replies · 81 views
Cacti & Succulents · April 3, 2026 · 4 replies · 52 views
Edible Plants · March 31, 2026 · 6 replies · 58 views
Trees & Shrubs · March 27, 2026 · 4 replies · 60 views
Native Plants · March 27, 2026 · 0 replies · 29 views
Introductions · March 26, 2026 · 6 replies · 55 views
Replies
Yes, it's rather shocking how chemicals can build up in a space. Not sure what people were doing before my grandparents purchased this house, and while I know my grandpa was not the most organic, he certainly would not have poisoned the ground as he…
May 20, 2026
You do have a great variety! Have a number of those growing in my space as well. The jojoba produced fruit this year, not many, but still good to know that I have one that will. Creosote has been the only one that I have tried growing and was a bit …
May 20, 2026
Definitely understand having a lot on your plate - that was my case last year (though honestly this year is a bit rough as well). But start off with what you can and go from there. I think having a combination is the most realistic for people, as ma…
May 12, 2026
Squash is being harvested this week for me 😁 Ugh, yes the native soil can be a nightmare. In my case, not compacted too much, just poisoned from years of chemicals, along with various layers of landscape plastic and then sand/rocks. Honestly ther…
May 12, 2026
We're having some temperature fluctuations here in Arizona as well, unfortunately over 100º the last few days. Also in a drought, but sadly no rain in sight. I knew there was a drought in the Carolinas, I hadn't realized it was impacting more of the…
May 12, 2026
Hopefully you were able to deal with the wasp nest without much issue. It is rather shocking how quickly blackberries can take over in the right conditions. Wow, that is rather impressive for cutworms. Definitely understand your frustration with …
May 12, 2026
Self-guided is certainly a great thing, considering how much information is out there with books and YouTube. What are your goals regarding permaculture? As in what would be the reason for taking a certificate course if one was nearby? (I think ther…
May 12, 2026
Ah, yes perforated hoses. Really any type of soaker or drip irrigation would be best… though I find even a regular hose is fine, it's about having the water being able to soak into the ground (sometimes having to plant something a bit more down rath…
May 12, 2026
Welcome! Sounds like you will fit right in 😁 Permaculturist in training - are you studying particular courses or is it a self-guided journey?
May 6, 2026
Can't speak for everyone regarding how they are watering, but I do know that the hard water can make it difficult to have drip irrigation. As for soaking, are you meaning just having a hose run? That is often what I'm doing (deep watering). But sadl…
May 6, 2026
What are you doing to get started? Are there plants you are truly looking forward to growing?
May 6, 2026
That truly is the main thing, that you are loving your space. Sounds like you are dealing with slightly compacted or other type of soil than I have, no root rot around here. Of course every location is different, even in the same property. Makes …
May 6, 2026
Sounds like things are set up great. Agreed about having an excavator. I have done it by hand… it does take a lot of work and I would have to hire someone once I get a larger property. Brad does have a lot of concept, but what kind of details were y…
May 2, 2026
That sounds perfect and yes collecting the water from that spot should reduce the growth of the ivy (for the most part).
May 2, 2026
Sounds great! Always a good idea to collect as much rain water as possible. It does depend on how you are going to be using it. Are you wanting to be able to attach a hose and water directly from the barrel or fine with filling up a watering can? Yo…
April 29, 2026
I fully support creating swales / basins, they truly have helped me get things established in my space. There is a bit more to it, though honestly just digging can make a difference. Brad Lancaster is a great resource, has been rainwater harvesti…
April 23, 2026
Hi Korbatojn, welcome! Looks like you have some great things growing - and like LearnDirt already mentioned, I'm also jealous of the soil / rain that you are getting in your area. What other types of native plants are you growing?
April 23, 2026
Castor beans are not for everyone, but just thinking that if you are needing some fast shade and get some plants growing - just a thought and something to consider. Wildflowers though sound even better. It is getting a bit late in the season at thi…
April 23, 2026
Sounds like a great approach, similar to what I did when I first moved to Arizona. Even with so many years of gardening, a lot of mistakes will still be made in a new space, simply because the conditions are different. For shade, might I sugg…
April 18, 2026
Good experiment with the tomatoes and watermelon. I've never planted them together purposefully, but did have a tomato volunteer with a watermelon and they did just fine - a matter of directing the watermelon a bit to ensure it didn't strangle the t…
April 15, 2026
Hi! Wow, sounds like you have a lot going on and I certainly understand the challenge of watering all the time. What has been your results from the Hugelkultur experiment so far?
April 15, 2026
Hi welcome! What kind of stuff are you wanting to learn? Do you have any experience with a garden or plants in general? Would love to hear more.
April 15, 2026
Sounds like an excellent mix and start. Truly can't think of much more that you can do, aside from some cover crop seeds (which you said you already tossed out)… Maybe some blanket flowers or similar flowers that will thrive in the heat?
April 10, 2026
Awesome - glad you're here! Have visited Colorado a few times, many great areas. As already pointed out, depending on where you are in the state, you could be having similar issues as we have here in Arizona. Great that you are pushing forward thoug…
April 8, 2026
You're definitely welcome. And yes, gardening is all about patience 😁
April 8, 2026
Well, some varieties can take a bit longer, but generally yes they are all about taking advantage of the rain when it comes. I do think it's a great way to learn more about cacti and you might find some varieties that are hard to acquire otherwise.…
April 8, 2026
Yes I like the peach colored ones as well, though mine is more of the orange variety (it volunteered). Asparagus does just fine around here, just as they did where my parents lived in California (which can have extremely hot dry summers). I have …
April 4, 2026
Nice! Yes I have tried them, they're great, but I haven't found a cutting or plant to grow here as of yet. The cactus has sprouted up in about a week. It's not the sprouting that takes a long time, it's the full development. I have golden barrel …
April 4, 2026
I believe Eden Brothers has a Georgia wildflower mix without the ones you mention.
April 3, 2026
Nice you were able to get some brassicas going, because of health and the warmer winter, I didn't manage to get anything of the "colder items" growing. Good to be feeding the pollinators though - most have been enjoying the globemallow, chuparosa an…
April 1, 2026
I have greatly enjoyed the Persian mulberry, the everbearing and black beauty have also been good (smaller sized compared to the Persian). Unless you have frost happening sooner than me, you should get moringa planted in the ground now - they will …
April 1, 2026
I think native wildflowers would be great and they would manage with the kind of soil you're dealing with. I'm sure the dog would appreciate some grass - what kind are you thinking of?
March 31, 2026
I certainly can understand having a lot of rocks. Is it a sloped area? Concerned about erosion? Are you wanting or needing any shade on that side?
March 29, 2026
Always lived in a dry environment, so I can't imagine anything different 🤣 I do miss the well water at my parents old house though, that was great. I'm not sure that one has to completely remove items that are established, depending on the situat…
March 29, 2026
Hi and welcome! Beautiful clematis, looking forward to seeing more.
March 29, 2026
Mulberry males / fruitless are banned. There are many self-pollinating mulberries that you could be growing that produce basically no pollen - have several growing in my space and I live in the region that has them banned. Olive trees are the sam…
March 29, 2026
A great manure for sure and you don't even have to let it age which is great. I have wild rabbits in my space, so they are naturally fertilizing everything. Generally you can use it on any plants as a "topdressing" which will be a slow release ferti…
March 27, 2026
I would say the biggest thing, besides planting, is mulch. That has made a huge difference for me regarding soil health (have suddenly discovered earthworms in the yard for the first time). If you have the option of Chip Drop I've had good luck with…
March 27, 2026
Wow, I've never lived in a place that received that much rain - San Francisco averages about 25 inches a year, and that was the wettest area I've ever lived in. Probably why I'm not having a huge learning curve when it comes to adjusting to this reg…
March 27, 2026
Squirrels are difficult. Almost easier to put up a metal barrier on the tree to see if that will stop them from climbing. You could harvest from the tree, the hard part is trying to wait long enough that they ripen, but before they fall and they usu…
March 26, 2026
Glad to be here 😁 Going from the East Coast to here is a greater change than I had - lived in central/Northern California for many years so our current weather is a bit like California summer (cooler evenings, 100º days). Thanks, it has and continue…
March 26, 2026
