Re-introduction

[Diana77]

I joined this forum I think 2 or 3 years ago because I wanted to grow flowers and herbs on my balcony. Since, unfortunately, my balcony only gets a couple of hours direct sun in the early morning I got frustrated and gave up.

Now my wife and I are buying a house in Pa and I'm looking for ideas on what I can grow and how to get the best out of them. I'm 58 and I have Parkinson's so my movement is a bit limited. I have a reasonable sized deck in the back of the new property and a little patio in the front. So I'm still working with containers, but I'm hoping for more success this time.

 

[Meadowlark]

More like 5 years ago ...but good to have you back. We are fortunate to have several members here who are experts on growing ornamentals in containers @Sheal for one and @Esther Knapicius for another who also lives in Pa. ...and too many others to list out.

Suggest you post a new thread describing what you are interested in and any difficulties/concerns re container growing.

 

[Diana77]

More like 5 years ago ...but good to have you back. We are fortunate to have several members here who are experts on growing ornamentals in containers @Sheal for one and @Esther Knapicius for another who also lives in Pa. ...and too many others to list out.

Suggest you post a new thread describing what you are interested in and any difficulties/concerns re container growing.

Thank you. I hadn't realized it was that long. It's amazing how quickly the time goes by

We don't move into the new home until some time in late June. But from what I've seen the deck gets the sun in the morning. I have to be living there to assess what areas get the most sun. I'm also concerned that will be too late to do much planting this year. I guess I can get a few annuals for this year. I also want to grow some herbs. At least I have time to do my research so I can hit the ground running.

 

[Meadowlark]

I noticed in an old thread @Diana77 that you may have had problems with growing lavender...you are not alone...been trying for years to get it established here in a herb bed with no success...

It does need full sun which may have been one of your problems...but in spite of that I find it challenging to grow.

 

[Diana77]

I noticed in an old thread @Diana77 that you may have had problems with growing lavender...you are not alone...been trying for years to get it established here in a herb bed with no success...

It does need full sun which may have been one of your problems...but in spite of that I find it challenging to grow.

I'm going to monitor which area gets the most sun. I would still like to grow Lavender but if it won't get enough sun then I will skip it. I'm watching a lot of gardening videos on YouTube to get a better sense of what plants and flowers need what to survive.

 

[Meadowlark]

Stand by...those names I mentioned above as well as other forum members here beat the pants off (Texas slang) YouTube knowledge

 

[Diana77]

Stand by...those names I mentioned above as well as other forum members here beat the pants off (Texas slang) YouTube knowledge

I look forward to learning. I'm going to be like a sponge soaking in all the advice I got.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I am amazed, never had a problem with lavender. When I was working I was asked to prune lavender bushes regularly, people habitually don't cut them back hard enough, or do it the wrong time of year, and I would save the cuttings for rooting with a good success rate.
Don't know how the law stands in your state, but Gary50 says his sisters gave his mother very small quantities of marijuana and it relieves her Parkinson's symptoms, so that might be worth growing.

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

Lavender can't take it wet, and doesn't like acid soil

 

[LionGardener]

I'm going to monitor which area gets the most sun. I would still like to grow Lavender but if it won't get enough sun then I will skip it. I'm watching a lot of gardening videos on YouTube to get a better sense of what plants and flowers need what to survive.

Welcome Diana!
So many people downsizing around me lately and container gardening is one way to still be able to garden.

Searching on "container or balcony" gardening would be another way. You should be able to find - Soil that does well in containers and different containers so people don't have to bend and be able to sit under the raised bed etc.

Lavender: I can grow it in Zone 6 - Canada - I have it in the rock garden - full sun, good drainage.

Studying the yard - is really good idea.
It will save so much frustration. Right place for the right plant.
Ask me how I know.

One year we moved in the summer and I needed some flowers - someone still had a lonely hanging basket.
I thought it was beautiful!

 

[Esther Knapicius]

I joined this forum I think 2 or 3 years ago because I wanted to grow flowers and herbs on my balcony. Since, unfortunately, my balcony only gets a couple of hours direct sun in the early morning I got frustrated and gave up.

Now my wife and I are buying a house in Pa and I'm looking for ideas on what I can grow and how to get the best out of them. I'm 58 and I have Parkinson's so my movement is a bit limited. I have a reasonable sized deck in the back of the new property and a little patio in the front. So I'm still working with containers, but I'm hoping for more success this time.

For added information, what light source will you have?.

 

[Sheal]

Welcome back Diana77

It does need full sun which may have been one of your problems.

I have Lavender growing in full shade almost underneath a large shrub and it still manages to flower every year.

I am amazed, never had a problem with lavender. When I was working I was asked to prune lavender bushes regularly, people habitually don't cut them back hard enough,

I agree with Oliver. Professional gardeners have stated down the years that you shouldn't prune into the hard wood of Lavenders - not true. I hard prune every year and they still return.

Lavender can't take it wet, and doesn't like acid soil

I'm living and have Lavender growing here in the Scottish Highlands and there's been very few dry days for the last five months. I've grown Lavender on sandy soil in the past and it's currently on what I suspect is acid soil in my current garden. I've moved house a lot and have not tested the soil in any of the gardens so I can't be more specific.

We don't move into the new home until some time in late June. But from what I've seen the deck gets the sun in the morning. I have to be living there to assess what areas get the most sun. I'm also concerned that will be too late to do much planting this year.

I think you are right to wait and see what the situation is regarding the sun. Most shrubs and herbaceous perennials can be planted all year round but preferably not during frost. The problem for you at the moment will be determining what you could plant now regarding plants that need sun. If your intention is to have all potted plants, then they could be located within the sunny areas for the time being.

 

[Diana77]

For added information, what light source will you have?.

I will definitely get more sun than I get where I'm living currently. I have to start living there before I can assess what area gets the most sun. It will have a smallish deck that gets sun in the morning at least. a narrow strip of dirt along the side and a small patio space in the front. Once we move in I can assess the sunlight situation. But that likely won't be until mid to late June

 

[Diana77]

I am amazed, never had a problem with lavender. When I was working I was asked to prune lavender bushes regularly, people habitually don't cut them back hard enough, or do it the wrong time of year, and I would save the cuttings for rooting with a good success rate.
Don't know how the law stands in your state, but Gary50 says his sisters gave his mother very small quantities of marijuana and it relieves her Parkinson's symptoms, so that might be worth growing.

New Jersey where I currently live has made it legal to smoke pot for recreational use.

But in Pennsylvania where I'm moving to recreational use is still illegal though medical Marijuana has been legal since 2016. Hopefully my having Parkinsons will allow me access.

 

[Diana77]

Welcome back Diana77



I have Lavender growing in full shade almost underneath a large shrub and it still manages to flower every year.



I agree with Oliver. Professional gardeners have stated down the years that you shouldn't prune into the hard wood of Lavenders - not true. I hard prune every year and they still return.



I'm living and have Lavender growing here in the Scottish Highlands and there's been very few dry days for the last five months. I've grown Lavender on sandy soil in the past and it's currently on what I suspect is acid soil in my current garden. I've moved house a lot and have not tested the soil in any of the gardens so I can't be more specific.



I think you are right to wait and see what the situation is regarding the sun. Most shrubs and herbaceous perennials can be planted all year round but preferably not during frost. The problem for you at the moment will be determining what you could plant now regarding plants that need sun. If your intention is to have all potted plants, then they could be located within the sunny areas for the time being.

I'm probably just going to buy a few annuals for now, then next year start some serious planting. I want to grow some herbs as well as lavender and some flowers.