Healthy Food to grow in zone 8 for Russian Tortoise

cheerios586

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
152
Location (City and/or State)
Graham, Washington
Hi everyone,
Was hoping someone can tell me or point me in the right direction to where I can find the information as to what I can grow in zone 8 that is hardy and safe for my Russian tortoise.
I don’t have much outdoor space to grow so I need something I could grow in pots. Also, need a variety as I really don’t want to continue feeding her store bought food like she’s used to now.
I don’t have a yard with a bunch of weeds and my husband would kill me if I planted them in his garden lol. Any help and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 

RosemaryDW

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Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
Hmm. I just looked at the “commonly” referred to plants elsewhere on the forum and reviewed some zone 8 plant lists with my magic Google-Fu. Here are some things that should do well in your climate, in pots. I’ve tried to think of those that would produce a fair amount of leaves, not just flowers.

None of the plants below are what you would likely find in a grocery store.

From seed you could try true geraniums (cranesbill); gazanias; coneflower (Echinacea); nasturium, pansies/violas/violets; petunias; cucumbers (for the leaves and stems); hostas; calendula; evening primrose; some of the smaller mallows, like checker mallow; any of the medium-ish mallows (albutilon, Chinese mallow).

I have luck with container sunflower seeds in all kinds of weather, provided there is “some” sun. My tortoise kind of comes and goes on this, however.

You can grow plenty of aloes and sedums, but I don’t find my Russian cares for any.

I see mention you can grow opuntia cactus; I think you would not necessarily find you get enough growth in a pot to be useful but if you have a decent outdoor space that drains well, worth a try. Cactus take the worst conditions.

I like to suggest turnips, for the leaves. Most folks can get these at the grocery store but they are soooo easy to grow in pots, it will make you feel like a gardener on your first try!

I also suggest any squash in warm weather, typically a zuchinni. It doesn’t matter if they aren’t best suited for pots or your zone, although you can find some container versions. It also doesn’t matter if they don’t live long. Because you can find young plants anything for cheap, and can replace them as needed. It’s a great food and tortoises love it. If it’s sold for human consumption, you don’t have to worry about the pesticides. You can even chop and freeze the stems to use in the winter.

I’m actually trying okra in pots right now. It’s another mallow, it grows quickly and has large leaves. It’s seasonal, for warm weather. Like the zuchinni, not necessarily meant for pots but since you aren’t looking to grow the “best” okra, it doesn’t matter if it looks a bit straggly. Okra is so popular where I live you can buy it at the nursery but the seeds are very easy to find.

You can buy cucumbers and watermelons from the nursery as well; cucumbers are actually recommended for your zone. Fine to feed leaves and stems. Again, perfection doesn’t matter.

The “common” plant list:

Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Nasturtium
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Good luck.
 

cheerios586

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
152
Location (City and/or State)
Graham, Washington
Hmm. I just looked at the “commonly” referred to plants elsewhere on the forum and reviewed some zone 8 plant lists with my magic Google-Fu. Here are some things that should do well in your climate, in pots. I’ve tried to think of those that would produce a fair amount of leaves, not just flowers.

None of the plants below are what you would likely find in a grocery store.

From seed you could try true geraniums (cranesbill); gazanias; coneflower (Echinacea); nasturium, pansies/violas/violets; petunias; cucumbers (for the leaves and stems); hostas; calendula; evening primrose; some of the smaller mallows, like checker mallow; any of the medium-ish mallows (albutilon, Chinese mallow).

I have luck with container sunflower seeds in all kinds of weather, provided there is “some” sun. My tortoise kind of comes and goes on this, however.

You can grow plenty of aloes and sedums, but I don’t find my Russian cares for any.

I see mention you can grow opuntia cactus; I think you would not necessarily find you get enough growth in a pot to be useful but if you have a decent outdoor space that drains well, worth a try. Cactus take the worst conditions.

I like to suggest turnips, for the leaves. Most folks can get these at the grocery store but they are soooo easy to grow in pots, it will make you feel like a gardener on your first try!

I also suggest any squash in warm weather, typically a zuchinni. It doesn’t matter if they aren’t best suited for pots or your zone, although you can find some container versions. It also doesn’t matter if they don’t live long. Because you can find young plants anything for cheap, and can replace them as needed. It’s a great food and tortoises love it. If it’s sold for human consumption, you don’t have to worry about the pesticides. You can even chop and freeze the stems to use in the winter.

I’m actually trying okra in pots right now. It’s another mallow, it grows quickly and has large leaves. It’s seasonal, for warm weather. Like the zuchinni, not necessarily meant for pots but since you aren’t looking to grow the “best” okra, it doesn’t matter if it looks a bit straggly. Okra is so popular where I live you can buy it at the nursery but the seeds are very easy to find.

You can buy cucumbers and watermelons from the nursery as well; cucumbers are actually recommended for your zone. Fine to feed leaves and stems. Again, perfection doesn’t matter.

The “common” plant list:

Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Nasturtium
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Good luck.
Oh thank you so much, this is a GREAT list, I'll get started on this ASAP! I didn't have no idea that there were so many, a lot to choose from.
Thanks again!!!
 

RosemaryDW

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5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
Oh thank you so much, this is a GREAT list, I'll get started on this ASAP! I didn't have no idea that there were so many, a lot to choose from.

I’m not making any claim they will grow! Especially if you are a new “farmer.” :)

I’d actually suggest speaking to a local nursery to see what they think will do best in your area, since you may be in a subclimate. You can ask them even if you aren’t buying live plants from them.
 

cheerios586

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
152
Location (City and/or State)
Graham, Washington
I’m not making any claim they will grow! Especially if you are a new “farmer.” :)

I’d actually suggest speaking to a local nursery to see what they think will do best in your area, since you may be in a subclimate. You can ask them even if you aren’t buying live plants from them.
Thank you for the suggestion, never thought about that. I will see what they have as starter plants that is in the list you provided and maybe I can get a few and try my luck. I really don't have a green thumb...that's for sure :) But I'm sure they'll provide me with instructions on care. Thank you so much!!
 

Bambam1989

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Joined
Aug 15, 2017
Messages
3,112
Location (City and/or State)
East Texas
Thank you for the suggestion, never thought about that. I will see what they have as starter plants that is in the list you provided and maybe I can get a few and try my luck. I really don't have a green thumb...that's for sure :) But I'm sure they'll provide me with instructions on care. Thank you so much!!
Let me know if you want any help picking out plants. There are also a few on that paper that i gave you that Rosemary didn't have listed that do well in our area. There are an amazing amount of tort safe plants out there.
 

cheerios586

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
152
Location (City and/or State)
Graham, Washington
Let me know if you want any help picking out plants. There are also a few on that paper that i gave you that Rosemary didn't have listed that do well in our area. There are an amazing amount of tort safe plants out there.
Oh thank you, may be this week some time we can go to the nursery if you wouldn't mind going with me. I'm so new at plants, I may not ask the right questions. That is if you have the time.
 
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