Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lion]

It's getting to be that time of year! This year we find ourselves with a bit of (non-enclosed) outdoor balcony space and access to an unused, tiny but somewhat shady patch of real dirt.

What does everyone grow? Any suggestions as to things that do well in partial shade? Where do you buy your seeds (particularly things Koreans wouldn't be interested in, such as spaghetti squash)? Have you managed to overwinter anything without it freezing to death?

Let's hear your tips and your stories of past successes and failures!

[Faunaki]

I use the roof top of our villa which is really sunny and last year I was late in moving so I was only able to grow tomatoes, lettuce and peppers. They all grew fabously but our pumpkin died for some reason.

We have a car so we drive south of Sadang station towards the Seoul Grand Park and buy our baby plants from the shops along the highway.

This year I'm gonna try the usual plus seasame leaves, sunflowers, and whatever herbs I can find. Basically I'm gonna watch and see what all the old ajummas and ajosshis are planting in the gardens below our house and copy them.

[moosehead]

jongno o-ga (Jongno 5 ga) - this is THE plant street - all kinds, from outdoor shrubs and trees to garden plants to houseplants, flowers, seedlings, roses, seeds, whatever tips your hat

prices are reasonable, even cheap. just be prepared to take a taxi home or drive or something w/all your greenery

you can also buy potting soil, liquid fertilizer and plastic pots in dollar stores and the larger stores like Emart and Lotte Mart

*beware* bugs are a big problem, I actually had to spray my flowers (EGADS!!) last summer -

and if you want to grow edibles you DO need lots and lots of sun - so if you don't have it, save yourself some heartache and just go for the flowers and greenery

enjoy!!! I just moved my plants back outside today, am happy to see some actually survived indoors this winter.

[lion]

Thanks folks!

I didn't know there was a gardening area in Jongno! I'll check that one out.

cheers

[rumdiary]

I grew basil, cilantro and a few other herbs on the roof of my apatment and they did very well. I didn't have to do any work (I didn't water them all summer).