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WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 9 FEBRUARY 28, 2014
Free Republic | Feb 28, 2014 | greeneyes

Posted on 02/28/2014 12:35:18 PM PST by greeneyes

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!

NOTE: This is a once a week ping list. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest are welcomed, so feel free to post them at any time.


TOPICS: Gardening
KEYWORDS: agriculture; food; gardening; hobby
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To: SisterK

Oh, gracious! A fellow onion-lover! God bless!


81 posted on 02/28/2014 5:30:57 PM PST by Silentgypsy (Make sure she doesnÂ’t get ahold of the gom jabbar)
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To: greeneyes

Prayers for your rapid healing and comfort from that sinus infection!

(((HUGS)))


82 posted on 02/28/2014 5:54:25 PM PST by left that other site
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To: greeneyes

Three cheers for dehydrated onions! Plus, yahoo!


83 posted on 02/28/2014 6:06:04 PM PST by Silentgypsy (Make sure she doesnÂ’t get ahold of the gom jabbar)
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To: greeneyes
Snowing again; 6-12" expected; heading for a HIGH tomorrow of -6 (TV forecast) or 0 (Weatherbug) or -1 (NWS 'Point Forecast for the ranch): too bloody cold, any way you slice it.

Meteorologist said that is 50F below normal for March first!

First 4 peach seedlings emerged yesterday.

Cats have just about finished demolishing their cat grass, but what's left is still green; longest it's ever lasted for us. The experiment seems to be a success, and I'll continue to plant it in deeper containers for them.

Got the last of the seeds we ordered, though of course not the potato & sweet potato sets.

I also accidentally found my missing barley, spring wheat, and lentil seeds that I put in a "safe" location 2 years ago. Guess it wasn't safe enough, or I wouldn't have stumbled on them today. *<];-')

Had to split some of next winter's wood yesterday, as we were down to our last week's worth of split & stacked firewood. Had to bust a trail through 10-12" of frozen snow to get the truck to the piles; that took almost as much time as it did to load the billets. It was a balmy 38, and sunny, and calm, so not too bad at all for working outside.

This is one of our old apple trees; its at the SE corner of the main barn.


84 posted on 02/28/2014 6:22:19 PM PST by ApplegateRanch (Love me, love my guns!©)
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To: All

I’ve been having trouble with aphids(I think that’s what they are)in indoor herbs and other houseplants. I don’t want to use insecticide. A friend says to mist them with water and dish detergent. This seems to work on hardier houseplants, but not herbs or flowering plants.


85 posted on 02/28/2014 6:22:43 PM PST by crazycatlady
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To: Eric in the Ozarks; hearthwench
We've been raising chickens for 4 years now and our insect load has diminished. We no longer have scorpions or many other insect pests invading the house. We also benefit from around a dozen eggs per day.
On the flip side, we free range our birds, so we tend to have a loss from predators, and the birds eat everything. If it's young and green, it's gone. If it's a leafy vegetable, it's gone.
Our cats don't bother the birds. In fact, the cats are afraid of the chickens.
86 posted on 02/28/2014 6:23:53 PM PST by Sarajevo (Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?")
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

I am envious. All my Scorpion and Ghost peppers dampened off a couple days ago. I have to start all over again.


87 posted on 02/28/2014 6:25:58 PM PST by Sarajevo (Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?")
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To: All

I live in Everett WA. I’m planning to start my tomato seeds in the house in March as I did last year, and move them out in May. Last year they were somewhat successful. A few actually ripened normally either in the garden or after I brought them in. But many more rotted before ripening, or had big brown spots. This was very disappointing, and seemed to get worse as the season wore on. Some I salvaged by cutting around the bad spots or picking and using green. But I would have had 3-4 times the tomatoes if this hadn’t happened. I have a plot in a p-patch that is organic gardening only, which doesnt bother me. I would do that anyway, probably. Somebody said that they sell “blight-resistant” seeds, but none if the packages Ive looked at say that. I do plan to get those wire cones to keep the plants upright this year. I think that a few other people had this problem, from what I could see, but none as bad as mine.


88 posted on 02/28/2014 6:34:07 PM PST by crazycatlady
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To: Sarajevo
Get some chick grit !
Sterilize your soil and trays.
89 posted on 02/28/2014 6:35:48 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks ("Say Not the Struggle Naught Availeth.")
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To: Sarajevo
We have one or two red foxes here. They are small, about 20-25 pounds.
I see them trotting through in the morning.
90 posted on 02/28/2014 6:38:07 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks ("Say Not the Struggle Naught Availeth.")
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To: greeneyes
The orchard survived the 29° temps we had last night, and a lot more blooms have opened. The loquat suffered though. It bears fruit in the early spring, so it needs a very mild winter. In the past 7 years, our loquats have only born a harvestable amount of fruit once.

Anna Apple:

Almond tree  photo DSC02234_zps2a46b000.jpg

Methley Plum

Harvester Peach

Bruce Plum

Native Texas Peach; This tree produces fruit that are the size of a 50¢ piece, but they are so sweet! Unfortunately, squirrels like the fruit also

As you notice, we have cages around everything. The Texas Hill Country is overpopulated with deer, and they will destroy a tree. We found this out last year when we planted a pear tree. 90 minutes later, we found the tree's cage tipped over, and all leaves were stripped from the tree.

91 posted on 02/28/2014 6:49:49 PM PST by Sarajevo (Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?")
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To: SisterK
When you see the 3rd and 4th leaves, you're on your way...
Remember, they like heat and humidity at that point.
92 posted on 02/28/2014 6:53:50 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks ("Say Not the Struggle Naught Availeth.")
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To: crazycatlady
I’ve been having trouble with aphids~

Try spraying the plants with Garret Juice.

Your tomato problem sounds like blossom end rot. Spray the plants with Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts)

93 posted on 02/28/2014 6:57:50 PM PST by Sarajevo (Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?")
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
We have had issues with possum, skunk, raccoon, and neighbors dogs; mostly the dogs though. A couple years ago, a couple dogs destroyed 50% of my flock, and the rest wouldn't lay for 7 months afterwards.

No problems with fox, but some neighbors claim they hear coyote at night. It seems doubtful to me though. There are too many feral cats in the area.

94 posted on 02/28/2014 7:03:06 PM PST by Sarajevo (Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?")
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To: Jed Eckert
Did you have any major issues with fruit cracking?

I've grown the Cherokee Purples for the past few years and I've never had a problem with them cracking.

They are a simply lovely tomato, IMHO.

95 posted on 02/28/2014 7:15:12 PM PST by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
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To: greeneyes

thanks


96 posted on 02/28/2014 7:26:25 PM PST by Godzilla (3/7/77)
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To: Sarajevo

—The Texas Hill Country is overpopulated with deer—

I used to visit a church in hill country. Always saw deer in the church yard or nearby. One day we counted 22 deer crossing the road about a 100yds ahead of us. Quite a sight.


97 posted on 02/28/2014 7:42:13 PM PST by rightly_dividing (I used to be indecisive, now IÂ’m not so sure)
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To: KosmicKitty

We grew Cherokee Purple last year and I loved the flavor. It is going in again this year. I bought a couple of starts last weekend and have some seeds coming up also.


98 posted on 02/28/2014 7:46:42 PM PST by rightly_dividing (I used to be indecisive, now IÂ’m not so sure)
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To: Sarajevo

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Nice orchard.


99 posted on 02/28/2014 8:21:50 PM PST by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: ApplegateRanch

That’s a nice size apple tree. We are in for it tomorrow as far as the weather goes. At least no one has to go to work tomorrow.


100 posted on 02/28/2014 8:23:53 PM PST by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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