No worries! I love plant questions! My fiance is planning on going for the title of "master gardener," so I ask him when I don't know something. Where do you live? An important part of planting outdoors is knowing your region's "hardiness zone": http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ {if you live in the U.S.)How do you grow the plants that well?!!
Spud has no plants in his outdoor enclosure at the moment as I'm still deciding weather to plant straight into the enclosure or in seed trays?
My only worry about growing straight into the enclosure is that they won't have a chance to grow as Spud will destroy them. I can only get my seed mixes to seedlings
Also, how long does it take to get the seeds to a decent plant size?
I might grab a load of plants from the garden centre and wait for the chemicals to grow out.
Sorry for all the questions!
I'm in the uk so weather is quite chilly. I have got a couple of seed mixes and I managed to grow nasturtium last year (that were taken over by aphids ) I have seed strays and planters and spuds outdoor enclosure available to plant in, although I fear that if I plant straight into the enclosure, the seedlings will be destroyed.No worries! I love plant questions! My fiance is planning on going for the title of "master gardener," so I ask him when I don't know something. Where do you live? An important part of planting outdoors is knowing your region's "hardiness zone": http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ {if you live in the U.S.)
Have you tried evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)? It is native to Michigan so it's perfectly adept at thriving in our odd weather changes! Mine was about an inch or so tall in the spring when I planted it and about 5 feet tall by late summer of the same year. I'm a big advocate of native plants because they're better for the local animals and ecosystem. Let me know if you have some space outside to plant and I can help you locate some tortoise-safe natives for your area.
What you need is a 'cold frame'/mini greenhouse like this for growing your seeds on.I'm in the uk so weather is quite chilly. I have got a couple of seed mixes and I managed to grow nasturtium last year (that were taken over by aphids ) I have seed strays and planters and spuds outdoor enclosure available to plant in, although I fear that if I plant straight into the enclosure, the seedlings will be destroyed.
Thanks for the help!
I would love one too!!!!What you need is a 'cold frame'/mini greenhouse like this for growing your seeds on.
There are a quite a few gardeners on here with aphid trouble! Arg, those buggers!! You can always make sure your plants are well established before transplanting them into the tortoise enclosure. My Russian has such a large selection (the total space outdoors is 96 square ft) that he hasn't eaten any plants down to the ground ... yet. I think having a lot of choices can help with that.I'm in the uk so weather is quite chilly. I have got a couple of seed mixes and I managed to grow nasturtium last year (that were taken over by aphids ) I have seed strays and planters and spuds outdoor enclosure available to plant in, although I fear that if I plant straight into the enclosure, the seedlings will be destroyed.
Thanks for the help!
I used to have a couple... I forgot to water the plants and they diedWhat you need is a 'cold frame'/mini greenhouse like this for growing your seeds on.
Thank you!I would love one too!!!!
There are a quite a few gardeners on here with aphid trouble! Arg, those buggers!! You can always make sure your plants are well established before transplanting them into the tortoise enclosure. My Russian has such a large selection (the total space outdoors is 96 square ft) that he hasn't eaten any plants down to the ground ... yet. I think having a lot of choices can help with that.
Nina and Lin on The Tortoise Table will be super helpful for you as they're based in the UK as well.
Even the ones from garden centres need watering set a reminder on your computer or phone so it nags you to do it every day!I used to have a couple... I forgot to water the plants and they died
I normally don't have to water the seeds because of the rain but when they were under cover I completely forgot. If I get another then I will have to set reminders.Even the ones from garden centres need watering set a reminder on your computer or phone so it nags you to do it every day!
That's a good idea to set an alarm. I'm actually somewhat bad at remembering to water my indoor plants. My fiance mostly takes care of those for me but my outdoor plants seem to grow just fine with little maintenance from me. Remember that planting natives in your area will demand less maintenance from you. They have evolved to survive in your area and require less water and no chemicals or pesticides. They'll save you money! I found some good articles about natives you may enjoy:I normally don't have to water the seeds because of the rain but when they were under cover I completely forgot. If I get another then I will have to set reminders.
You'll be lucky to find an Elm Tree. I'm afraid they're scarce due to Ditch Elm Disease striking about 40 years ago.That's a good idea to set an alarm. I'm actually somewhat bad at remembering to water my indoor plants. My fiance mostly takes care of those for me but my outdoor plants seem to grow just fine with little maintenance from me. Remember that planting natives in your area will demand less maintenance from you. They have evolved to survive in your area and require less water and no chemicals or pesticides. They'll save you money! I found some good articles about natives you may enjoy:
- http://www.plantnative.org/how_benefits.htm
- http://www.audubon.org/content/why-native-plants-matter
- https://www.nps.gov/plants/restore/pubs/intronatplant/whyusenatives.htm
I did a basic Google search for native UK plants. The "British Flora" website below is an excellent list! Make some time to click around and do some reading. It can take a bit of research, but it's definitely worth it in the end! I see elm trees on the list, which are deemed safe by The Tortoise Table. As far as smaller plants go, rose leaves and flowers make great tortoise treats too. Campanula are safe and tasty. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a weed here that usually grows on road sides. I transplanted one into my tort garden and never have to worry about maintaining it! Geranium is also quite hardy and requires little maintenance. Hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis; Leontodon hispidus) and goat's beard (Tragopogon spp.) also appear on the list, and a lot of tort keepers feed this to their little ones. Malva is also one of my favorites as the flowers are beautiful too. Plantain (Plantago major) is another weed that's easy to maintain. Forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.) has no evidence of toxicity. I also see violets and pansies (Viola spp.) on the list; tortoises love them. These are all plants I would recommend to beginner tort gardener, weeds especially. You have some great native plants on that list!
I feel your pain on the elm trees. Here in Michigan, the emerald ash borer (insect) killed a lot of ash trees. Luckily my parents' ash tree is still kickin'! My Russian does love the dandelion too!!You'll be lucky to find an Elm Tree. I'm afraid they're scarce due to Ditch Elm Disease striking about 40 years ago.
The commonest stuff growing wild that's easy to find is dandelion, plantain and clover. Joe is also partial to buttercups (I don't pick them, they grow in the lawn despite my best efforts to slow their spread), bindweed and clematis leaves.
I did buy white clover seed and scatter that in a couple of patches of the lawn. It took a couple of years to establish, but is growing well now.