Landscaping & gardening tips for newcomers to the Charlotte area (Gastonia: gardens, farm)

[HLaw82]

I can't get anyone to help me with this question. I planted pumpkins in the spring. I read online to plant them in above ground planters if possible. I did that. The seeds sprouted. I have green leafy plants that are growing flowers. But they are not turning into vines. Are my planters too shallow? They are about 6 inches tall. The plants are spread apart far enough per the seed packs. I water twice a day. Should I try to transplant the pumpkins directly into the ground? How much room do the roots need? Should they be vines by now? We spent a lot of money on soil, etc so I really want to see these guys through? Any advice?

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by HLaw82

I can't get anyone to help me with this question. I planted pumpkins in the spring. I read online to plant them in above ground planters if possible. I did that. The seeds sprouted. I have green leafy plants that are growing flowers. But they are not turning into vines. Are my planters too shallow? They are about 6 inches tall. The plants are spread apart far enough per the seed packs. I water twice a day. Should I try to transplant the pumpkins directly into the ground? How much room do the roots need? Should they be vines by now? We spent a lot of money on soil, etc so I really want to see these guys through? Any advice?

Some squash are bush plants rather than vines, but I've never heard of pumpkins that were not vine plants. Why don't you leave them be & toss some seeds in the ground? Transplanting in hot weather is not a good idea.

I have some vining squash in, & when they came up it was a while before they started vining. They are now growing faster than kudzu. I don't know if your planters will have enough soil to support the vines.

[anifani821]

Okay, I am in a semi-panic here. I just came upon some info that suggests the Purple Fountain Grass I have been very laboriously planting on our wicked back hill is not a perennial!!!!

I just pulled the tag, and nowhere on it does it say it is either an annual or perennial. I just assumed (bad word!!!) that it was a perennial, I guess. Plus, I had researched and found that it is deer resistant - and that was another reason to purchase it. I need something to hold the soil, look attractive and spread some (get larger).

I am researching it now . . . but anyone know the answer?

Pennisetum alpecuroides setaceum "Rubrum" (hope i spelled all those words correctly!)

Have I screwed up???

[superk]

Maybe this will help?

Monrovia.com : Learn : Plant Catalog : Plant Detail : PURPLE FOUNTAIN GRASS

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by superk

Maybe this will help?

Monrovia.com : Learn : Plant Catalog : Plant Detail : PURPLE FOUNTAIN GRASS

Thanx, Superk!

Okay, the info on that page says - "perennial in warm climates."

I have a bad feeling that means Charleston, not Charlotte, hee hee.

What sent me into a spin - I happened to see info stating "hardy to 20-30 d" and it gets colder than that here.

Anyone else have experience w/ this grass and successfully wintered it? I am gonna have to figure out a strategy. I can put rocks around them, cover with mulch - whatever it takes. But I would really like to know what others have experienced - and if anyone has successfully wintered this grass.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Thanx, Superk!

Okay, the info on that page says - "perennial in warm climates."

I have a bad feeling that means Charleston, not Charlotte, hee hee.

What sent me into a spin - I happened to see info stating "hardy to 20-30 d" and it gets colder than that here.

Anyone else have experience w/ this grass and successfully wintered it? I am gonna have to figure out a strategy. I can put rocks around them, cover with mulch - whatever it takes. But I would really like to know what others have experienced - and if anyone has successfully wintered this grass.

Hey Ani, maybe if you could pick up some ice plants, & plant them here & there, if some of the fountain grass doesn't make it, the ice plants will hold the ground. They die back in the winter, but the roots will still hold the dirt & the plants spring back to life in the spring.

I've noticed that Lowes has cut the price a bit on the ice plants (They get leggy in the pots as the season wears on.)

[superk]

OK, this question went unanswered elsewhere, so I'll try it here.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a replacement for the diseased Bradford Pears trees? Should they just be replaced with another Bradford Pear, or are there some better or hardier substitutes? I'm thinking maybe some specific species of maple or Japanese maple?

[Native_Son]

I'd go with anything EXCEPT Bradfords...

Japanese maples sound good to me. Small form, usually some spring and fall color with the leaves. It's deciduous, just like the Bradfords.

They're pricey though...

Also consider crepe myrtle, wax myrtle (evergreen), hollies (evergreen), little gem magnolia, river birch, deodar cedar (evergreen, will get very large eventually)...

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by superk

OK, this question went unanswered elsewhere, so I'll try it here.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a replacement for the diseased Bradford Pears trees? Should they just be replaced with another Bradford Pear, or are there some better or hardier substitutes? I'm thinking maybe some specific species of maple or Japanese maple?

I would never plant a Bradford pear, if they were being given away.

In South Jersey, a lot of people used to plant them. I saw them break & split in high winds too frequently for it to be a fluke.

As suggested, I'd go with crepe myrtle, hollies, or even create a berm, if you have the space.

[southbound_295]

I have a dopey question.

When I planted squash, I planted from packets. The yellow squash were from Burpee, but most have turned out to be something other than the yellow crook-neck squash that I expected.

After a lot of searching, it looks like most of the surprise squash are vegetable marrow/marrow squash. Anyone ever grow them on purpose?