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help for new gardener in Marin
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Posted by loamyz8va (My Page) on Tue, Sep 22, 09 at 17:55
| My friend's apt. has a huge balcony, and she's interested in starting gardening, esp. edibles. I know a lot about gardening in general, and something about container gardening (that's how I'm gardening now), but a lot less about that kind of climate. I'm 3000 miles away. I think her jumping into the forums here will be too overwhelming - I enjoy reading about 30 different ways that 30 different growers do things, but most newbies I know just get confused. I'd like to steer her toward those plants with best chance of success, so she doesn't get discouraged.
I'd love to have recommendations for:
1- vegetables and herbs that can be started now, and which you recommend for newbies
2- a suitable container growing medium, preferably all-inclusive, that's available in the area
3- garden centers that she might find convenient, helpful, and if possible not too pricey
4- websites and books that are NoCal specific, when she's ready to read up
Thanks |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: help for new gardener in Marin
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| Your friend should probably start with greens like spinach, lettuce, joi choy, mizuna, arugula, and parsley (a little hard to germinate). The easiest herb would be spearmint or peppermint. Suppersoil is a commercial potting mix sold at Lowes, Home Depot etc, and works as well as the more expensive Miracle grow product. The Sunset Western Garden Book is very California centric. cloudforest.com is a good website. |
RE: help for new gardener in Marin
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- Posted by tammysf 9b/10a or sz15/16 (My Page) on
Thu, Oct 22, 09 at 23:40
| Where is she in marin? I'm in san rafael. Depending on where she is, I can recommend some nurseries. Here is my blog with what I grow in raised beds and containers. |
Here is a link that might be useful: marin gardening blog
RE: help for new gardener in Marin
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| One thing... it's about the balcony. She may not be able to put pots with too much weight out there IF it's a hung balcony vs one that is anchored to the ground. Pots of soil can get heavier than they look. |
RE: help for new gardener in Marin
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| when we lived in the apt in el dorado hills, I had a square foot garden on the balony, grew alot of different things. I was kinda worried if the balcony was going to collasp at first. |
RE: help for new gardener in Marin
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- Posted by jkom51 Z9 CA/Sunset 17 (My Page) on
Sat, Oct 24, 09 at 21:13
| She can also try oregano, savory, and basil as very easy herbs to grow. The globe varieties of basil are small, fine leaves that are wonderful to use fresh. |
RE: help for new gardener in Marin
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Hi Tammy,
I like your blog.
WOW!! your mango looks so wonderful and also your vegie garden as well.
I have several mango plants ,i grown from seeds.
They are about 3 months old , could you share your experience ?
how to keep them away from cold in winter ?
Do you used any fertilizer to help them grow ?
i am in palo alto. Thanks |
RE: help for new gardener in Marin
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- Posted by tammysf 9b/10a or sz15/16 (My Page) on
Thu, Nov 5, 09 at 23:19
| Hi fluffybonbon Sorry for the delay. I fertilize with neptunes harvest fish emulsion and a little bit of citrus fert. I am keeping my plants in pots through this winter but may plant them next spring so I haven't had to do any special protection yet but have read people use xmas lights and there is a new product call freeze pruf (I think that's the spelling) but you can get more info at the tropical fruit forum. |
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