Best answer:

Answer by ivorytowerboy
Sometimes plants will appear very different based on their environment (plants show alot of developmental plasticity). Shrubs on hilltops may be shorter than shrubs in valleys…Is it genetic? Are they different species. Clausen took seeds from plants in one environment and grew them in different climes. Much of the difference was due to developmental plasticity.

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I’ve decided that I’d like to grow a lot more flowers and plants (sort of a cross between a country garden and a jungle…I live in south Texas) but I’m not sure what to do to prepare the beds. I plan to plant perennials and annuals that behave that way in this climate with the goal of covering the entire bed with plants (to choke out the weeds LOL).

Would it be better in the long run to dig out all the rocks and start from scratch?

Or did the previous owners (who owned a landscaping company) know something about the soil around here (hard-packed clay) that favored leaving the layer of rock to provide drainage…or does that layer of rock store water (a form of xeriscaping perhaps?…most of the plants there now are low water use and those I’ve planted in the areas with thicker top soil rarely require watering)????

Should I just dump on some more top soil and leave the rocks in place?

…and if you think removing the rocks would be best, I’m wondering if digging them out by hand (and hauling them to the landfill) is the only option…seems like such a waste. Would a heavy-duty rental tiller be able to cut through those rocks and the fabric or would it just jam up?…I think if I could find a way to loosen up the entire mess I could pick/sift out enough of the rocks to reuse in another place and leave all the dirt in place. …and I have already tried digging out the rock in a smaller bed and it was so difficult I just ended up covering it with more rock…you can’t get through the clay with a shovel unless it is wet…and when it is wet, it is so sticky that it gums up the shovel…takes me about an hour to dig a hole for a 10″ potted plant!

Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated.

Best answer:

Answer by SleepingFox
It’s hard to say without seeing the soil, but based on your description, the rocks should do fine in terms of promoting drainage, particularly if the soil is clay like and often compacted.
The fabric itself is used to keep weeds from growing; pay it no mind; you can even add more once you put your own garden in.
A rototiller will not cut through rocks- you’ll end up owing a big bill for replacement parts.
As far as adding soil, it really is contingent on what kind of plants you grow- perennials and annuals are not created equal; what requires deep soil for one may not work for another.
Another thing~ you won’t choke out the weeds with your flowers, mama, sorry If it worked, we’d all be doing that lol. To really get a good firm hold on the weed battle, you need to start by picking through as much of the soil as you can, and ripping out whatever weeds you come across at the roots- any no longer rooted, pull out as well, or they can seed and sprout.
Burlap and newspaper work well as a final layer under the soil once everything is in place, but you’ll always need to weed to some degree- some weeds are annuals and some are perennials, so try to start early to help deter seedlings. Also, the more work you put into now, the less you’ll have later- it’s much easier to remove weeds before your plants are in than after; especially if you’re a novice gardener and haven’t got a lot of experience identifying your plants yet- most will be similar to the weeds when early in development.
Plants that have ground coverage or creep will help eliminate some of the weeds by blocking out the sun~ the same principle applies to your grass as well: typically, you should set your lawn mower to 3″ (most people- and mowers- limit to 2″)- by setting it to 3″, it may look slightly longer, but it will provide enough shade that the sun’s light won’t be able to permeate and feed the weeds. Same thing applies in your garden- plants that creep and cover the ground will block out the sun’s rays too.
The only caveat to creeping, ground coverage and spreading foliage plants is that some can be invasive, and take over your garden if you’re not careful.
Mulching is another way to deal with weeds, but is done as a final step, after the plants are in the ground- and I cannot stress how pivotal it is you try to eradicate as much as possible before planting.

Another method is the obvious- herbicides and weed killers. I personally refuse to put any kind of chemicals like this in my garden, but to each their own- there are some natural choices out there now, and there are also some preventative, pre-emergent herbicide to target germinating seeds before they have a chance to grow. If applied 3 weeks prior to sprouting, it will combat annual weeds. Here’s an article on them:

http://www.homedepotgardenclub.com/Dimensions/Article.aspx?contentid=1263

Vinegar is an excellent natural alternative; the problem being, it will kill just about anything; so it’s best used prior to planting- preferably a few weeks prior- to eliminate any damage to your babies.

Another option is beneficial or companion weeds- these are naturally occurring weeds that aren’t used by humans or domesticated into strains, but can be planted alongside some other domesticated plants to help deter the development of other weeds. The specific types are contingent on the plants you want to put in, and the region.
Another benefit of choosing companion weeds or weed deterring domestic plants is that they also serve to deter pests (rabbits, moles, chipmunks) and insects that will destroy your harvest. You should always expect about 20% of your garden to be consumed by pests and insects, but insectary plants will go a long way to help minimize this.

There are also some veggies that are good weed deterrents- but you seem interested in focusing on flowers so I’ll try to stick with that. Wildflowers in particular work well, so you’re definitely on the right track Roses are another good one that are also good in clay soil.

This is a great website with all kinds of info, including a guide on identifying weeds and how to handle each one specifically:

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/weeds.htm

Also try joining up a gardening network- they are chock full of awesome mamas and men who are happy to help you through your dilemmas as they pop up; and the added benefit of finding someone who’s in your same region will make a huge difference in the quality of the advice, as it relates to your situation. you’ll even find seed swaps on there, which are always great for finding heirlooms.

I hope this helps in some way~ if you have any other questions, feel free to email me- I’ll try to answer any questions you have
Sing songs and plant flowers!

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Best answer:

Answer by schazjmd
I’ve got a great shrub for you — Mexican Orange Blossom, or Choisya ternata. It’s evergreen, grows quickly, flowers from spring through fall, and is pretty. One of mine, which I’ve let do what it wants, is about 5′ high and 6′ spread. Here’s a good photo of it: http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/shrubs/choisya-shrub-white-flower.html

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Transform a messy, tangled garden into a lush, productive retreat with this simple yet thorough handbook. The basics of companion gardening can be easily integrated into one’s gardening style using the nurturing power of Mother Nature and taking fundamental principles into account. Not merely a seasonal occupation or hobby, companion planting is a natural way to restore balance to outdoor spaces. By planting certain plants in close proximity, each helps the others… More >>

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Although many gardeners can give anecdotal evidence of the benefits of companion planting there are still those who consider it to be a myth; scientific information is very limited with regards to enlightening us on the actual merits of companion planting, even though gardeners throughout Europe steadfastly argue that if used correctly, the method is faultless, and a true way to be organic.

Regardless of the arguments for and against companion planting, it is safe to say that some combinations do work, and its worth looking at reasons given why this alternative to toxic sprays is successful.

Companion planting is essentially a method of growing the correct combination of plants together to help them fight off pests, improve growth and enhance flavor. If this is done correctly then you can also attract beneficial insects to improve your plants, but be warned that some plants can be detrimental to others, so make sure you choose good neighbors.

Whatever the outcome of trying this type of protection for your garden plants, you can be assured of a very interesting showcase of plants that can bring balance and harmony to your garden and just maybe, healthier organic plants without having to use toxic fertilizers. With the environment in mind this would be a huge benefit.

You can refer to lots of very comprehensive lists of companion planting that justify the use of this type of protection, and who can argue the fact that generations of gardeners who have never used modern day methods of protection have always provided very healthy vegetables for their family. Still, with very little scientific facts to back any of this up, I guess the majority of gardeners will still use the quick fix of toxic sprays and fertilizers, and so long as there is no sign of pests in their garden, bugger the planet.

Anyway, let’s have a look at some of the companion planting combinations that might just work for you. If you have cabbages, and broccoli in your vegetable patch, try growing rows of onions around them, the argument here is that the onions stronger scent will confuse and deter cabbage moths, so your cabbages and broccoli would be less prone to the caterpillar and larval infestation. Tansy is also very effective for protection against many caterpillars.

Try planting a few French marigolds and nasturtiums near your tomatoes or roses to reduce aphids. Flavor and yield are increased in strawberries if you plant them with or in a combination of borage, chives, marigold, lettuce, onion, sage, and spinach.

Various herbs have very strong reputations in protecting citrus, stone fruit, roses, and lettuce. Planting garlic, cloves, basil, lavender and sage will help deter aphids and fruit fly.

Strong claims have been made that if you plant chamomile alongside culinary herbs it encourages the flavor and increases the production of essential oils.

It’s been noted that many advocates of companion planting frequently plant heavy feeders such as sweet corn and squashes alongside nitrogen fixing legumes such as beans and peas, in doing so they give protection to the soils nutrient need. The corn provides a natural support for the climbing beans while the squash vines smother the weeds and help prevent soil moisture from evaporating, this is mutually beneficial for all plants.

If companion planting is something you would like to try to combat pests and diseases in your garden and move away from using chemical pesticides and fungicides, its best to make some sort of commitment to a few rules. Be prepared to experiment and do some reading on what to plant together, then keep written records on what combinations have been successful for you. Combinations of soil and locations and conditions can have varying results so success should be carefully noted.

With a little planning, your garden can become a very interesting place to observe how well plants can thrive and protect each other.

Companion planting is a fantasitic way to achieve biodiversity within your garden. Experiment to your heart’s desire and you will meet with success, after all, what have you to lose except maybe planet Earth; now there’s a reality.

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Because these processes are disrupted in the brain, it’s imperative that essential fatty acids are a base in the diet of a schizophrenic patient. Since they can’t be synthesized by the body, they must be obtained from food. Look to fish, shellfish, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, dark green leafy vegetables and walnuts for EFAs. Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic processes, and there is evidence to suggest that low levels of essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among the essential fatty acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses, including schizophrenia.

Some schizophrenic patients also suffer from bouts of hypoglycemia, which can be greatly helped by choosing healthy, whole grain carbohydrates such as whole grain breads and pastas, as they help the body maintain a steady blood glucose level. Other research shows that some schizophrenic patients suffer from food allergies that greatly affect their thinking and behavior. For this reason, keeping a detailed food journal and paying close attention to moods and thinking patterns after eating is imperative.

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One can effectively reduce cholesterol by adopting a healthy eating lifestyle. Healthy eating means balanced eating; it involves choosing food from different food groups such as lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, pasta, rice, noodles, lot of vegetables and salads. A vegetarian person can take meat alternatives like beans, nuts, legumes or lentils. One should plan his/her meal sensibly to reduce cholesterol. It is better to use oils such as sunflower, canola, soybean, olive, peanut rather than coconut oil and palm oil for cooking or frying.

Similarly, consume skimmed or low fat dairy products, milk, yogurt and cheese and not full fat dairy products. If you like meat, you can eat lean meat but try not to eat sausages, kidney or liver as they contain high level of cholesterol. If you are fond of pastas and pizzas, you can enjoy them too but, use low fat products. This way, you can reduce cholesterol and at the same time relish healthy heart recipes.

These days, you can find a number of companies that sell low cholesterol products in the form of spreads and oils that are good for your heart. Such products contain plant sterols, an ingredient that helps to reduce cholesterol effectively. This is possible because when we consume plant sterols, they fight with the cholesterol in our body, which reduces the cholesterol from the bloodstream and the unabsorbed cholesterol is thrown out of the body.

Plant sterols also lower cholesterol absorption from food and prevent the re-absorption of cholesterol within the body. Plant sterols are found in foods rich in vegetable oils such as margarines, salad dressings, nuts and seeds. They are also found in legumes, breads, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Plant sterols have no smell or taste and can be safely consumed as they have no negative health effects.

You can use products enriched with plant sterols to prepare some healthy heart recipes such as creamy mushroom fettuccine, creamy chicken pasta, tuna and carrot pasta bake, lentil and tomato soup with spices, baked salmon with rice, roasted vegetable lasagna, muffins, date cake and many more delicious foods, without worrying about high cholesterol intake. These mouth watering dishes allow you to enjoy a healthy eating lifestyle.

Apart from using spreads and oils that help to reduce cholesterol, try to follow a active and healthy lifestyle. You must do exercise on a regular basis. It lowers cholesterol, keeps blood pressure in control, helps to reduce weight and makes one feel energetic.

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