Q: I have purchased a soaker hose but I am not sure how often and how long I should keep on. Any suggestions?

Thanks. Houston, TX

A: Soaker hoses can be left on for hours. I water my veggie garden 3 times a week for about 3-4 hrs. The purpose is for the hose to soak drop by drop so it will soak in thoroughly. There is literally no evaporation that takes place. Use it early in the morning.

You can even cover the hose with mulch and hide it.

I suspect for whatever area you are watering you can safely use it for 2-3 hrs and things will get watered properly.

Q: What should be used for a good, rich soil mixture when you are planting a small, raised bed for vegetables?

Thanks. Beginner gardener.

A: I am sure you will not be a beginner gardener for long.

Raised beds are an ideal way to start. You will be keeping control of things much easier.

First I would til, or double dig your space very well - making sure all grasses and weeds are eliminated as well as possible.

Adding amendments is always a good idea in the very first constructions of a garden.

My suggestions are organic manure form the discount stores. These come in bags and are well worth the expense. If you have really poor soil I would throw in a few bags of topsoil. In addition you can use 10-10-10 on top and then mix well. The investment is worth the results.

After planting you can side dress with a light 10-10-10 garden fertilizer and Miracle grow or Peter's ( water soluble) to give your plants a boost.

It is important to mulch after planting. About 3 inches high and replace as it disappears. After the season all your leaves and grasses that were used for mulching can be tilled in.

Start a compost pile this season and it will be ready to add in the fall or next spring. All the black gold for free.

Q: My friend just returned from Hawaii and brought back some seeds. I have soaked them, however I don't know which end to plant up and which down. One end is smooth shell the other orange fuzz. Which is which?

A: Planting unknown seeds is often confusing... I would plant the seed sideways and it will 'right' its way to germination. Since often the bottom is hard to define. This will work.

Q: I have just started being interested in gardening and came across your site which I have found very interesting.

I was wondering if flower seeds could be collected from bouquets of flowers as I have had several bouquets of various beautiful flowers sent to me after a recent illness.

A: Generally a flower maturing on the plant and turning a deep cream / brown or black indicates that the seed is mature and productive. Most flowers are picked at their prime for cuttings such as yours and the seed is not (if even present on the plant) ready to be harvested.

If you see seed and you are certain that they are from the bouquet, I am for giving it a try. Nothing to lose and all to gain.

Q: Hello Emily, just found your site. I'm a new gardener from Australia and wanted information on collecting and saving seeds. I have a herb garden and instead of buying new packets of seed thought I should try saving some in particular coriander which has started to flower I want to save the seeds for cooking and sowing.

A: Collecting seeds is a lot of productive work and fun in the fall season. Seeds can be collected all season long as long as the seeds are mature. For the most part mature seeds are light brown to brown in color. They also have a crispy coating or pod. Save in dry clean containers. I often use and recycle envelopes. After harvesting, I spread out on paper toweling or newspapers and make sure all the seeds are dry, then I store in envelopes and then tin cans or jars. Keeping moisture out is the key to saving seeds. Sometimes dry milk in the bottom will absorb the moisture. Also dry moisture packets will keep the container dry.

I label well and DATE.....and write down the requirements of the future planting site. That way when I have lots of extra to share they are good to go.

Q: I reside in a mobile home park and gardening space is almost nonexistent. However, I would have the capability to make a container garden on my deck (morning sun 'til approximately noon). Can you suggest a source for plant varieties? I really want to try just about all types of vegetables and herbs.

Also, if I nail together some planks to contain gardening soil, how wide should the boards be (this would determine the depth of soil)? Can you recommend any decent publications that I could use?

A: Veggie gardening on your patio is very exciting.

Please remember that vegetable plants need form 4-6 hrs of sun.

Container gardening will require more watering and fertilizing than usual because you are constantly flushing the soil while watering.

I think a good start would be with tomatoes (cherry varieties), peppers, cukes (on a trellis), even a combination of herbs in one
pot would do nicely. lettuce and spinach would also work well.

Use sterile potting soil, loose and that drains well. You may get away with mixing half topsoil (from a bag) and half potting soil.

Yes, building some containers out of wood would work. I would make sure they are not treated with anything and that the depth is at least 2 feet or more. Making sure there is good holes for drainage.

Your best bet is to take the leap and buy plants already to plant, unless you are very good with seedlings.

Do not plant 'til after your frost date in the area.

Container plants do not do well with trailing plants such as squash.
Corn needs tooooo much space, and potatoes really need some industrial garden
space.

Q: A friend of mine wants to know if there is such a thing as a fairy garden. If so what types of plants are in it?

A: A Fairy Garden ?

Hummmmmm.

This could be mystical and fun.

I think perhaps it would be more on the line of a theme garden. With figurines/moss/mushrooms/ferns/ and toad houses. Miniature plants and dreamy looking plant selections.

We've had some readers contribute to this answer.

We heard from one reader who said: Hello Emily. Thank you for a beautiful site. I noticed the question about fairy gardens and wanted to pass this along to you all: http://freespace.virgin.net/sarahj.wise/moreinfo.html

Another reader wrote: Many people like to plant a variety of bell-shaped flowers, foxglove, columbine, bluebells, etc., plus summer flox, baby's breath, and other soft-colored flowers against a backdrop of evergreens. The impression is one of soft and gentle color--a place fairies might dwell. A statue or two of fairies/toadstools would be fitting.

Try this site http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/perennials/planting.html for some more transplanting info.