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Last month, we asked what you’re growing this year in gardens, on balconies or on windowsills – and Synergy readers answered enthusiastically, even sharing gardening tips.
Organic gardening is high on your list, along with raised beds. Your number one favorite veggie to grow? Tomatoes. One survey participant advised using coffee grounds around the plants: “The tomatoes love it, the worms love it and it’s a natural barrier against snails.” Another reader has planted garlic between tomato plants to help keep bugs away.
Four different types of tomatoes plus green beans and spinach are growing in one of two backyard gardens belonging to a Synergy reader – the second plot is teeming with raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, red peppers, onions and cucumbers, as well as sunflowers, lavender and a whisky barrel full of assorted herbs. Peppers, watermelon and squash are also popular crops with backyard gardeners.
Others are concentrating on growing flowers and flowering bushes – from boxwoods and lilies to roses – in their yards. “I do NOT have a green thumb! “a reader wrote. “So I choose plants that are hardy, indigenous to the area and require very little care, including Texas sage, gardenias, Mexican heather and ornamental grasses.”
No yard? No problem for Synergy gardeners. “I’m growing ‘topsy turvy’ tomato plants (tomatoes that grow upside down) on my patio,” a reader explained. Mint and aloe are growing in another’s window box. One survey participant has planted pots with mint, chives, rosemary, basil and marigold flowers (to help ward off insects). A flower lover has created a container garden of tulips, lilies, hastas, mums and colorful annuals. Another gardener with limited space is growing banana and papaya trees in large pots,
We selected Cindy B. at random from everyone who participated in our survey – she’ll receive a $50 Visa gift card. Although Cindy just moved to an apartment and doesn’t have a yard, she’s planting hibiscus plants in pots and growing dahlias, carnations, gerbera daisies and other flowers in boxes on her deck. Thanks to everyone who participated – and happy gardening!
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 Sherry Baker is a writer from Atlanta, Georgia. She last wrote the article on Putting Sleep Problems to Bed for Synergy. |
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