Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 6, February 10, 2012

2-10-12 | Ellendra

[Ellendra]

Good morning Gardeners!!!!

I know I'm not part of your usual cast of gardening threadmasters, but it's afternoon here and the thread hasn't arrived yet! So I'm going to start one, and if it turns out later that I shouldn't have, then I'll appologize really nicely.

*Ahem*:

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.

This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.

It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!

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[Nepeta]

And I suppose if you plant late, even four weeks after the actual last-frost date, you’ll still get a crop, right? It just may not reach the fullest potential because it will be growing later into the season (that is, when the cold weather returns)? Would this be correct, or do crops have a peak and if you plant too late, you simply miss it and will not have a crop?

It depends on what you are growing. Somethings take almost every day of warm sun you can give them; others cannot handle the full heat of summer, and even among the same kind of plant, the length of season varies. Cherry tomatoes usually produce earlier than larger tomatoes.

I recommend you get a catalogue from Johnny's selected seeds. The catalogues contain detailed planting information which should answer a lot of your questions. They aren't the cheapest source of seeds, but their product is always as represented and their customer service is reliable. AS with anything else, you get what you pay for.

www.johnnyseeds.com

[Nepeta]

And I suppose if you plant late, even four weeks after the actual last-frost date, you’ll still get a crop, right? It just may not reach the fullest potential because it will be growing later into the season (that is, when the cold weather returns)? Would this be correct, or do crops have a peak and if you plant too late, you simply miss it and will not have a crop?

It depends on what you are growing. Somethings take almost every day of warm sun you can give them; others cannot handle the full heat of summer, and even among the same kind of plant, the length of season varies. Cherry tomatoes usually produce earlier than larger tomatoes.

I recommend you get a catalogue from Johnny's selected seeds. The catalogues contain detailed planting information which should answer a lot of your questions. They aren't the cheapest source of seeds, but their product is always as represented and their customer service is reliable. AS with anything else, you get what you pay for.

www.johnnyseeds.com

[Nepeta]

And I suppose if you plant late, even four weeks after the actual last-frost date, you’ll still get a crop, right? It just may not reach the fullest potential because it will be growing later into the season (that is, when the cold weather returns)? Would this be correct, or do crops have a peak and if you plant too late, you simply miss it and will not have a crop?

It depends on what you are growing. Somethings take almost every day of warm sun you can give them; others cannot handle the full heat of summer, and even among the same kind of plant, the length of season varies. Cherry tomatoes usually produce earlier than larger tomatoes.

I recommend you get a catalogue from Johnny's selected seeds. The catalogues contain detailed planting information which should answer a lot of your questions. They aren't the cheapest source of seeds, but their product is always as represented and their customer service is reliable. AS with anything else, you get what you pay for.

www.johnnyseeds.com

[Arrowhead1952]

Hey L, we saw snow flurries today. There were winter mix piles on the north sides of trees. Thanks for the info on peppers. I’ll be planting those later this week.

[TASMANIANRED]

Check with your county extension office.

Your zone on the map will give you a rough idea but there are micro climates inside zones.

Higher elevations tend to be a bit cooler and more prone to frost.

It really only matters with hot weather crops..Stuff that can handle the cold is quite a bit more tolerant.. Anything over 40 will leave transplants happy.

[txhurl]

I had sleet all over my decks when I got home.

My 4 maters are ship-shape after being domed over with a big bucket last night.

I have exactly 4 strawberries getting fat from 8 plants, and I am buying more this weekend.

[tillacum]

Thank you for the information. I’ll look for them.

[tillacum]

Did you buy the plants or did your Mohawk and Apache grow from seed?

[Racehorse]

How did your seer predict the last thunder storm in Feburary for East Central Mississippi?

There is usually some story worth heeding about those who predict weather. LOL!

Your comment was really great!

[Racehorse]

“Did you buy the plants or did your Mohawk and Apache grow from seed?”

These varieties are available in Texas?

[Red_Devil 232]

Well you don’t predict you actually live through it and mark the date of each T-Storm in Feb. Or check the weather history. :)

[tillacum]

Thank you Racehorse, I’ll check the feed stores and nurserys the next time we go to Waco. A couple of my tomatoe plants are poking up through the soil.

[tillacum]

I was told by a local farmer not to put out my tomatoe plants until the mesquite begin to bud out. So I’ll try that. I have a small fan and when the tomatoe plants are up a bit, I’m going to turn the fan on them, so their stems will be strong, but I can’t decide to put the fan above the plants or to one side.

[tillacum]

I’ve noticed the soil in our raised beds have dropped about 6 inches. I’m wondering now, should I add just more compost and have a soil tested, or mix more compost and soil/potting soil, mix it into what’s there now, to bring it up to desired level then have it tested. Should I add epson salt to the mix? Right now the compost has horse litter and llama pellets in it, and we’ll be getting some chicken litter shortly.

[tillacum]

Waco had snow flurries, yesterday and when Hubby was doing his late afternoon run, he says he ran into a couple of snow flakes.

[Arrowhead1952]

We were coming home from Austin and the snow made for some nice hill country scenes. It was very heavy on 1431 for quite some time.

[Red_Devil 232]

I would put the fan to the side and rotate your flat of tomatoes every so often.

[Red_Devil 232]

If it were me I would take soil samples and have it tested first. Then add the recommended additions and add in the compost. More Compost can only help IMO.

[txhurl]

You sound like you’re adding a LOT of nitrogen. Get the soil test.

[tillacum]

Ok, I’ll do that. Thank you. Sometimes I put the cart before the horse.