Beginner Gardener Question

[CarterEvan]

Hey everyone,

I was recently scoping stuff out for my upcoming outdoor enclosure and was wondering if the small plants you can buy from Walmart garden centers are okay to plant? I believe they are the brand Bonnie and they have tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber and I thought it would be good to plant lettuce in there.

It didn't say anything about organic and the worker didn't seem to know much...

Also how do you all grow weeds? Can you buy seeds for them or something?

(If you can't tell I've never gardened a day in my life)

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Tom]

If it is growing for human consumption, it should be safe to feed to a tortoise, but tomato leaves are toxic, lettuce isn't good tortoise food, and a cucumber plant will be eaten long before you ever see a cucumber.

Where are you? This will influence what plants are recommended. Grape vines, mulberry trees, spineless opuntia cactus, hibiscus, lavatera, and so many others, are good tortoise food. Any store bought plant that isn't intended for human consumption should be considered full of systemic pesticides that can last for one year. I grow my own from seed. Any squash plant will make good leaves and flowers for consumption, as will sunflowers, arugula, alfalfa, clover, gazania, marigold, nasturtium, geranium, cape honeysuckle, and so many others.

Weed seeds can be found online. Do a search for broadleaf plantain, narrow leaf plantain, sow thistle, dandelion, etc…

What species are you feeding? If its a grass eater, you can't beat this one:
http://www.groworganic.com/premium-horse-pasture-mix-irrigation.html

This one is great for all tortoise species:
http://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix

 

[CarterEvan]

If it is growing for human consumption, it should be safe to feed to a tortoise, but tomato leaves are toxic, lettuce isn't good tortoise food, and a cucumber plant will be eaten long before you ever see a cucumber.

Where are you? This will influence what plants are recommended. Grape vines, mulberry trees, spineless opuntia cactus, hibiscus, lavatera, and so many others, are good tortoise food. Any store bought plant that isn't intended for human consumption should be considered full of systemic pesticides that can last for one year. I grow my own from seed. Any squash plant will make good leaves and flowers for consumption, as will sunflowers, arugula, alfalfa, clover, gazania, marigold, nasturtium, geranium, cape honeysuckle, and so many others.

Weed seeds can be found online. Do a search for broadleaf plantain, narrow leaf plantain, sow thistle, dandelion, etc…

What species are you feeding? If its a grass eater, you can't beat this one:
http://www.groworganic.com/premium-horse-pasture-mix-irrigation.html

This one is great for all tortoise species:
http://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix

Thanks so much! I'm in northern West Virginia so I only have the summer months to grow anything haha.
Also I have a Leopard tortoise so I believe grass should be a part of their diet, but it's primarily weeds.

Ill do more research into the products you recommended and others.

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Im in maryland so our climates are about the same. Perennials are suppose to be the type of plants that can come back every year, maybe try planting some of those or if you start some plants in pots, you can bring them inside for the winter months? I have a small 4 story greenhouse I bought from Aldi and started planting when march was still cold, it worked well and my tortoise seed mix grew
I believe leopards eat some grass but not until they're a little bit older

 

[RosemaryDW]

These are all great options; I'm going to start making an extra plug for nasturtiums, especially for new gardeners. If you have access to a cool spot with a little dampness*, nasturtiums are a great choice. They'll grow up and over a low wall. Seeds are easily available, they are hardy, and they easily naturalize and reseed. They are even good looking!

*In hot, dry climates, they may like a little shade.