Thanks for clearing that up, BW, and for taking the time to tell us more about yourself, it makes all the difference

I'm sure you'll find a lot of support here...all the best!

Hello: Where I live the ground is clay and rocks - almost impossible to dig. If you do manage to dig a hole, you need to fill it with purchased soil because the native soil is so poor.

I was lucky because the house I bought already had mature trees and shrubs so that there is something in bloom from when the snow is still on the ground (pussywillows, snowdrops, crocus) through the fall (mums). The flower pots are a good idea. Also, house plants can add beauty inside your home, even in the winter. One way to easily grow flowers is to sow wildflower seeds. You will get a mixture of colors and sizes as well as annuals and perennials. Since wildflowers can grow on their own, you will have very little work to do. No digging involved, just loosen the soil.

I feed the birds in the winter and every summer I have beautiful sunflowers grow under the birdfeeder. One last year was over seven feet tall! It was like getting a lovely thank-you card from nature and the grateful birds. Regards, Lil

With you guys decribing your beautiful flowers it makes me excited about summer coming. I don't know how much I'll be able to do in my yard this summer but I love working in it.

Bill and I would take turns watering the front or the back yard. We have a big front yard and a big back yard. A friend of mine gave me all of her rose bushes 2 summers ago. There was 21 of them. I think we lost 2 and I already had several that I had bought.

Last summer we finally started fixing up or back yard and I made 4 flower beds. I got the hole dug for my fishpond but I don't know if I can finish it by myself. We were going to do it this summer.

In my back yard, I took a headboard of a bed and put in one flowerbed and put vines that climb on it. In another one I have a daybed frame and I intend to plant vines this year to climb on it. I also have an old plow and antique bike and whatever else I could find for my flower beds. The vines climb all over that old bike in the summer and you can hardly see it.

Dustin said he would help me this summer with the yard so I am hoping we can keep things going. But like you guys I really love working in the yard but if it's too hot then I can't do it.

Claudia, your pots look pretty. I can keep outside flowers going but I overwater my inside ones. I have already killed Bill's cactus. I never had a green thumb if I get things to grow it's by accident. LOL

Ada

for garden help-
Isn't there any neighbor kids that will dig a hole for you and help to plant things once in awhile?

or make raised beds by adding compost mix and topsoil on top of the bad/heavy soil - you probably still need a helper to carry and to get it mixed well.

the fisherman float tube is something I hadn't thought of - if someone lives near lakes or streams or such- even a pool i suppose- that could be very handy.
I know most larger sporting goods stores carry those around here.

For all of you gardners I have a tip.

Next time you are at the local nursery, or garden center, see if they have some worm castings. They 100% organic, 4 times better than any other fertilizer, and wont burn your plants. In fact you can grow plants in pure worm castings without burning the plant. Try that in any other fertilizer

If you find some, you can get it online also. Either put a 1/4 inch layer in every pot, or if you repot the plant, mix 1/3 castings with 2/3 potting soil for the very healthiest plants.

You can also increase your harvest, or fruit size with worm castings. The only plant you really have to be careful of is the tomato. If you put to much around, or in the soil. The tomato will grow to this huge size, but will not produce fruit!

The tomato plant will think it wont die, so it wont produce fruit!! The one I made the mistake on did live through the winter, and even made it through a light snow. The plant was 20 foot tall!

I highly recommend this for all house plants. It is like putting steroids on your plants, but totally natural. Made from nature just for plants to feed on.

Here is some info on worm castings

http://www.gardencentershowplace.com/Articles04.htm

Hubby likes to work with local church youth group when he's having a good day. He cant shoot hoops or play any physical game but he can be there to talk with the kids, supervise, etc.

He also likes to cook - although the kids have to help him with the heavy items, pans and rolling and things like that but he's always up to making some new creation.

Hi Artist--sorry I couln't thank you sooner (had emrgency nerve-block due to the fiasco w/ meds...)

And thanks to all for some very good suggestions re gardening tips! I was thinking, if i can't get a neighborhood kid to help dig a hole deep enough for a 1 or 5 gallon rose bush, etc., I wonder what would happen if a bunch of good compost could be "mounded" around the roots. Has anyone tried this "method"? I suppose in the harsh winter, the roots would have to be extra- protected with mulch or something...

I LOVE the idea of the wild-flower seeds!!!! That should be pretty easy to do, and I think a lot of them are perennials and will come back. THANKS!!!!

Also, I have seen a lot of "pre-formed" pond kits with pumps included, and some are solar-power operated. I am pretty sure that a hole wouldn't even have to be dug! Maybe just put a bunch of dirt and small rocks that are easy to handle around it so that the base can't be seen, and then put little plants around it...hmmmmmmm, I better start re-reading all my catalogues and find one!!! That could be really pretty, and I bet a lot of birds would be attracted, too!!!!

Has anyone with ponds tried to grow water-plants, like water-lilies, etc? Are they pretty hard to grow in the pond? (fussy, etc.?). I would like to try that!

LOTS of fun "projects" to look forward to this spring/summer!!!! THANK YOU ALL!

Browkenwings

I have 2 ponds - just big heavy duty rubber or plastic tanks from feed stores .
I got mine partially buried in the ground and then built up around them.
a picture here- http://pub36.bravenet.com/photocente...num=3018365670

water lilies have been easy for me there are floating pond plants too.

I made a bio filter /waterfall for the water to run thru but also use a pump/filter all in one submersible.

many sites and info search - ponds and water gardens
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ponds&btnG=Search

my first patio pond was a large plastic planter with a small pump
- I used rocks, sticks or anything to make the sounds of the water change tones as it flows over them.

It's is a great restful sound!

yes you can mound up /make raised beds on top of ground but straight potting soil alone won't work very well it is too porous {won't hold water evenly}- you need to get some top soil to mix with it.

Hello: I forgot to mention in my previous post that I have also used those "roll out" flower mats. They can be cut to size and are rather easy to use. They really grow!

On another note: If anyone has an amaryliss from the holidays, do not throw it out because it is done blooming. When the weather gets nice, you can set it outside all summer still in it pot. In the fall, cut back the long green leaves and put it in a dark place without any water for a few weeks. After the plant has rested, just put it back in the house and start watering it again. You may have to re-pot the bulb in a bigger container. My Amarylis has bloomed six times for me and it brings such lovely color indoors for the holidays. Regards, Lil

Made a big mistake with the forum link, soooo sorry. I didnt realize it was the link to the registration page.

I fixed it!

Now it goes to the forum website.

There is actually 2 forums in one there. Half the public can see, and half only members can see. Even came up with an idea to have private areas for groups. Not sure if that works, but Im a pushin the envelope in forum creation!