Gardening in San Antonio

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by Sweetie Pie

Periwinkles???

Nope, damn! Still can't remember the name. I'd google it, but I don't think google is quite that intuitive yet. "what the heck flower is sapphire thinking of?" LOL it'll come to me soon......

[sshurgot]

Thank you for the great links and recommendations! I'll try a combination of the flowers listed and go from there.

[sapphire]

Impatiens! Finally!

[Sweetie Pie]

Originally Posted by sapphire

Impatiens! Finally!

LoL!!! Pays to have patiens!!!

[Lee W.]

I wouldn't go by what big box stores put in the full sun. I've seen things put in full sun when they shouldn't be...in both HD and Lowe's and sit there and wilt and eventually die...they don't care.

[songsparrow1]

I used to grow nicotiana (flowering tobacco) in the shade. nicotiana - Google Search search has pix of all the colors it comes in. It gets tall, has masses of trumpet-shaped flowers and is easy to grow. Also fibrous begonias and coleus are good for shade. Ipomea does pretty well too (deep purple or neon green vining foilage); impatiens, and petunias.

I have a lot of shade. I love plants!

[Cookiemeister]

Where can I buy good top soil for a veg garden. I know about Keller Materials but can't remember the name of the other place... Gardenville?

[sshurgot]

Yes, Gardenville is great. And don't forget you can get free mulch from the city.

[songsparrow1]

According to many ag websites, unless the plot is actually in the 'dark" shade of a building or fence all day, it receives indirect sun. Here in SA, if you get 6 hours of 6 hours sun in the morning, and 6 hours shade in the afternoon, or 6 hours shade in the morning, 6 hours sun in the afternoon, you have "full sun". This is obviously good with our strong summer sun!

So, how deep is your shade? If it is not dark shade, (like under a wide tree) do you have at least four hours of combination morning/afternoon sunlight? If so, you can plant any leafy item, especially some that can be cut small, like leaf lettuces, herbs, spinach etc., and all of these would get bitter in too much heat and sun. Think of them as something to seed in waves and pick young (30 - 45 days).

Don't try tomatoes or other fruiting veggies unless you're getting six hours combined. The plant will be tall and ugly and not bear fruit large enough to eat, and some tomatoes cast off their blooms when they get too much shade.

Also, how about planting your very favorite vining item in a container and hanging some light chain strands from a high hook to support the vine against the house or fence? If you tend it carefully it will be decorative. You can use net bags like onions come in to support the fruits as they appear.

Hope this helps!!! Good luck from a fellow shady lady gardener!