Your 2026 Garden

[tripletfeb]

Yes I love doing it! I also dehydrate my herbs and onions and garlic and whatnot to make all sorts of seasonings

Yes, I've been doing it for years

I'm afraid to try dehydrating onions and garlic. Does it smell really strong?

When I dry bananas, whooooeeee! Banana smell!!!! all through the house.

It does make your house smell but I don't mind the smell

 

[Rillowen]

Funny story actually... my husband bought me a big 'bucket' of flowers, but I... kinda forgot about them sitting in the dining room By the time I remembered to water them they were pretty much done, but there were sprouts!!! So I made sure to be very diligent in their care since, well, I neglected them Long story short - it's a tomato plant
This'll be my first year gardening 100% on my own, so literally any advice is appreciated - I've got seeds to grow flowers & herbs specifically for my flock, but as far as our own consumables - I only have plans so far (mainly looking at Baker Creek Seeds) but I get lost trying to determine what will grow best here.

I love bakers creek! I wouldnt advise the purple tomatoes though, they were tempermantal and not all that tasty i found.
i cant think garden without having tomatoes (large and especially small) and peppers. If you have room melons and cucumbers are great! Some people like growing corn, or beans, or squash. I love my butternut squash, it tastes like a rich pumpkin but has more flesh, nutrients, and is more prolific! You dont need many though, every one will give alot, I planted 7 last year and ended up with over 400lbs of squash, and thats with the chickens eating half before they could ripen!
Definitely look up your gardening zone, that will tell you 90% of what you need to know for which plants will grow. Even if it says "acid" or "Sandy's soil" or "clay" most things will grow ok in other soil types, as long as the gardening zone and sunlight is correct.

 

[jxp]

In Aussie summer it's a case of see what survives the heat.

Not in Australia but I can commiserate totally with that. How IS your summer going?

 

[Rillowen]

I'm afraid to try dehydrating onions and garlic. Does it smell really strong?

When I dry bananas, whooooeeee! Banana smell!!!! all through the house.

It smells like cooked onions, or onion powder, not that raw onion smell. I like to dehydrate mine and grind them. I smoked a bunch last year and dried them that way, BEST smoked onion powder!

 

[Rillowen]

Mine are usually a full story off the ground and inside the area my cat is allowed outside in so I don’t know how much I can help, but I had an issue with rabbits nibbling down my tarragon which was solved by putting a chicken wire cloche over it until it got too big to interest them. Or could you grow them somewhere that is out of reach?

Thank you, I think I'll try an old feed bag for grow bag on the porch.

 

[Rillowen]

Anyone have any thoughts on these weird eggs I found on the side of one of my garden beds?
I'm tempted to say crush them and clean it off but my brother thinks we should hold off in case they're something beneficial.

Black powder makes me think what ever it was died and it's now mold, fortunately there is a very easily obtained item that will kill both! Peroxide!!! If it bubbles, you win.

 

[jxp]

I get lost trying to determine what will grow best here.

Most states have Ag colleges with decades of helpful research they freely share. Here's a couple of links you might find useful.

Colorado grow veg guide

CSU fruit and vegetable growing