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WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 43 OCT. 24 2014
freerepublic | Oct 24 2014 | greeneyes

Posted on 10/24/2014 12:39:47 PM PDT 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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Greetings from our little acre in Sun Shine of Missouri. Great weather here for several days. Sun and mild temps. Today we are in the 70s.

Peppers are continuing to produce. The persimmons are still on the tree, but the leaves are on the ground. I go out each morning and collect a few to eat. At this point, we don't preserve them in any way, but I have collected some recipes to try.

From the Almanac:

Recent studies confirm the old folk medicine regarding the immunity characteristics of Elderberries. Here is a recipe for Elderberry syrup.

1 cup black elderberries 3 cups of water 1 cup raw local honey

Bring berries and water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Crush berries, strain, and let cool. Combine with honey. 1 tablespoon daily foe prevention. 1 tsp. every few hrs for treatment of flu or cold.

Remember that raw honey is not to be given to children under 2 yrs old. Honey for those who can take it is also a natural cough suppressant.

Have a great weekend. God Bless.

1 posted on 10/24/2014 12:39:47 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; gardengirl; girlangler; SunkenCiv; HungarianGypsy; Gabz; billhilly; Alkhin; ...

Pinging the list.


2 posted on 10/24/2014 12:43:49 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

Not much is happening here in Massachusetts. We had quite a thunderstorm Wednesday/Thursday. Four inches of rain here, with other areas getting up to six. Lots of wind, thunder and lightning, too.


3 posted on 10/24/2014 12:49:49 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: greeneyes

I got the garlic in. It’s about two weeks late, but hey it’s done! If all goes well, which it usually does with garlic, I’ll have 175 scapes and bulbs this summer!

Question 1: Hase anybody frozen chopped garlic in olive oil?

Question 2: Has anybody created raised beds out of just composting materials; i.e., no soil?


4 posted on 10/24/2014 12:56:27 PM PDT by goodwithagun (My gun has killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's car.)
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To: greeneyes
Checking in from east Central Florida. Fall garden tomato plants, cuke plants and eggplants are in the ground but heavy flooding about 3 weeks screwed up many of the plants. Some small green tomatoes just starting to appear on some plants.

Meanwhile my starfruit tree that I planted in the spring is flowering and I actually have some tiny fruit developing:

Trinidad scorpion peppers still producing:

Plus some Tahitian limes for Margaritas and Mojitos :)

And under the shade trees the Pine cone gingers are up for some fall color:


5 posted on 10/24/2014 12:59:49 PM PDT by Jed Eckert (Wolverines!!)
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To: greeneyes

Hi Everybody!

Too much rain for riding, but the bananas are ripe!


6 posted on 10/24/2014 1:00:44 PM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: trisham

Last week we had similar with 6 inches of rain.


7 posted on 10/24/2014 1:00:49 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: goodwithagun

I have read about freezing garlic in oil. Never done it. If you put garlic in oil, and there is no processing, there is some risk of botulism, so you would want to make sure to take measures against this.

Yes, I have used raised beds with “soiless “ mix. Mels mix of sq. foot gardening fame is made of equal parts of compost, peat, and vermiculite. It worked well for me in my first year of gardening. You revitalize it by adding compost after each product is harvested.

The biggest benefit: It is nearly impossible to overwater it.


8 posted on 10/24/2014 1:07:49 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: Jed Eckert

Thanks so much for those beautiful pictures. That’s some great produce to harvest.


9 posted on 10/24/2014 1:12:11 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

That’s a lot of water.


10 posted on 10/24/2014 1:15:22 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Jed Eckert

Beautiful!


11 posted on 10/24/2014 1:17:05 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Jed Eckert

Our Scorpion peppers look just like yours. They’re still producing gree and later, red peppers. Hotter than blazes.

We were in Little Rock this week for a conference. Two days at the downtown Marriott. $170/night. Glad someone else was picking up the tab.

There was a huge mural of Bill Clinton through the years in the lower level of the hotel. They still love him...


12 posted on 10/24/2014 1:21:07 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Rip it out by the roots.)
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To: trisham

Yes it is. This is a good time for the trees to get a big gulp. I have read that lots of winter time death is due to inadequate water. We were a little behind the normal moisture level, so it was a welcome addition.

since it came over several days, it had time to soak in.


13 posted on 10/24/2014 1:22:56 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

It has to rain sometime, I guess. :)


14 posted on 10/24/2014 1:24:35 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: greeneyes

Hi Greeneyes,

Thanks for your enthusiasm! My wife and I have planted a “Fragrant Garden” to enhance our summer evenings. Some plants thrive. Others need encouragement. All go dormant when Fall arrives.

Sometimes, “dirty hands” are GOOD!


15 posted on 10/24/2014 1:45:54 PM PDT by pfony1 (Add just 6 GOP Senators and we "bury" Harry)
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To: trisham

Yes-I try to remember the Gene Kelly dance in the rain instead of gloom. Harder to do in winter.


16 posted on 10/24/2014 1:47:59 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: pfony1

That’s a good idea. I love the fragrant plants especially hyacinths and lilacs.


17 posted on 10/24/2014 1:52:36 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

I wish that we had some firewood. There’s nothing like a fire to cheer me up on a day like this.


18 posted on 10/24/2014 1:53:40 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: left that other site

Bananas a great source of potassium. Enjoy.


19 posted on 10/24/2014 1:54:05 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

Our Jasmine, Clethra (Sweet Pepper Bush) and Viburnum are doing OK.

Our “Nicotiana” keeps fighting us. Perhaps we are too (sigh) “common”...


20 posted on 10/24/2014 2:08:51 PM PDT by pfony1 (Add just 6 GOP Senators and we "bury" Harry)
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