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WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD, VOLUME 8 FEBRUARY 20, 2015
freerepublic | 2/20/2015 | greeneyes

Posted on 02/20/2015 12:51:08 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. Planting, Harvest to Table(recipes)preserving, good living - 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: trisham

Florida sounds good right now. However, when we visited there several times, I decided that I just couldn’t stand the sand fleas, so I am hoping to win the lottery and build a sunroom.LOL


21 posted on 02/20/2015 2:00:10 PM PST by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Le//t Freedom Ring.)
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To: painter

Good for you. What variety did you start? When is your last frost date?


22 posted on 02/20/2015 2:01:29 PM PST by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Le//t Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

I wouldn’t mind winning the lottery and buying a winter home in Florida, while building a sunroom here. Ahem. :)


23 posted on 02/20/2015 2:02:35 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: trisham

Might as well dream big!LOL


24 posted on 02/20/2015 2:04:39 PM PST by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Le//t Freedom Ring.)
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To: greeneyes

things still busy in my garden. planting early spring crops, beans, etc. looking to try a potatoe tower (for the third time). got a pear, apple and cumquat to get planted this weekend. Peach, apricot and necarine tree starting to bud. busy busy busy


25 posted on 02/20/2015 2:24:55 PM PST by Godzilla (3/7/77)
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To: Rebelbase

I do it every year Rebelbase, now that I have a pellet boiler I spread that ash around the garden too especially around my blueberries.

The main thing is move it around year to year and obviously make sure they are totally out before spreading.


26 posted on 02/20/2015 2:29:49 PM PST by Sparky1776
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To: Sparky1776

Thanks, Sparky.


27 posted on 02/20/2015 2:37:54 PM PST by Rebelbase
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To: greeneyes

Can anybody recommend a garden planning iPad app?


28 posted on 02/20/2015 3:01:54 PM PST by goodwithagun (My gun has killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's car.)
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To: greeneyes

You bet. :)


29 posted on 02/20/2015 3:14:58 PM PST 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; Marcella; Jim Robinson; All
Time to fess up.

Turns out I have brain cancer that moved there from my lungs. Prognosis is poor. I had brain surgery a couple of weeks ago.

Of course, being me, I intend to fight hard to the very end, and beat the odds. I may well be around for harvest season this year. That is my intent. Normal prognosis is in weeks.

I've held off on bringing this up on FR for several reasons. But the time to bring it up is now.

Consider this my opus. It's as close as I'm going to get to giving one.

I really want to thank Jim for giving us a forum. Jim, you do good work. Thanks.

/johnny

30 posted on 02/20/2015 3:17:59 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: JRandomFreeper

Prayers going up . . . God be with you and yours thru’ this very difficult time.


31 posted on 02/20/2015 3:21:50 PM PST by HopeandGlory (Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
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To: greeneyes

Speaking of Romas last year I planted one Heinz Super Roma. Not only prolific and a nice solid fruit but very tasty as well. Very pleased with it.


32 posted on 02/20/2015 3:22:02 PM PST by Proud_texan (Straddling the line between ambition and stupidity)
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To: Godzilla

We planted potatoes by mistake one year, and they were the best we’ve ever had. At our old house, we had a compost heap at the end of a series of decks. We would walk out and hurl vegetables into the heap. Apparently, one of the potatoes that was thrown in the direction of the compost heap ended up in a large pot on the railing of the deck. At the end of the season, we were pulling the plant that grew in the pot out to compost it, when we discovered a bunch of perfect new potatoes. They were delicious! So tender!

We’ve never done it again, but there is clearly more than one way to grow potatoes. :)


33 posted on 02/20/2015 3:23:20 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: JRandomFreeper

I am sorry to hear this. My prayers are with you. Take care of yourself.


34 posted on 02/20/2015 3:26:50 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
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To: greeneyes
Lots of 70s in Central Tx. It will cool off but only slightly, so far looks like we're going to miss this very nasty cold stuff.

The Mexican Plums are in full bloom and the peaches are very, very close. The American Elms are almost fully leafed out and noticed some tiny leaves on lantana and esperanza today.

The asparagus is coming up like a weed. 4th year for one patch and I held off a heavy harvest last year but expect a great crop this year.

Potatoes are in the ground, missed Valentines day by one day but short of the full moon. Hopefully by splitting the difference...Hey, there's a reason those old customs are still around.

35 posted on 02/20/2015 3:27:44 PM PST by Proud_texan ("Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." - PK Dick)
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To: JRandomFreeper

I wish you well, friend. I hope that you will be with us here as often as you can, as I know that we all enjoy your company and knowledge.

Life is full of surprises. I have faith that very good things can happen. God bless you.


36 posted on 02/20/2015 3:28:36 PM PST 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; y'all
From a town near Benderville…

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Eureka+CA+USCA0360

uh44337,1277189212,simpsons_nelson_haha2

37 posted on 02/20/2015 3:42:44 PM PST by tubebender (Evening news is where they begin with "Good Evening," and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.)
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To: Rebelbase; greeneyes; Sparky1776
Rebelbase:" There’s a good sized burn pile in the middle of it consisting of mountain grape vines, honeysuckle and several small locust trees.
Is it OK to burn in place then spread the ashes and till them into the soil?"

Yes, you can spread the ashes and till them into the garden , but after you do so, run a soil test.
However (!) , I would pull out the locust trees to use them elsewhere in the garden as poles, stakes, or fence posts.
They are remarkably impervious to rot, and depending on their diameter, should last several seasons.
Whereas Walnuts exude julgone as a natural herbicide to prevent competition, Locust trees increase the soil acidity to prevent undergrowth and plant competition.
Sparky1776 was right to apply the ashes around acidic loving plants (blueberries / azailaes/ Rhododendrons, etc. ).
That is why I would suggest a soil test after burning so as to determine soil akalinity/ acidity,
as well as determining what micronutrients amendments the soil might need to grow a successful garden.
Question: Do you happen to know if these locusts are Black locust , or Honey locust trees ?
Have you seen flowers on mature limbs?(locust trees are either male, or female). Locust tree honey is a prized light amber with a fragerant aroma, and will attract bees.
Generally , ashes will increase the pH of the soil, increase the avaliable calcium , but in large quantities also contributes salts (detrimental) in the soil.
That is why I suggest after the burn, to do a soil test. You and your garden would benefit from the soil test, anyway.

38 posted on 02/20/2015 3:46:26 PM PST by Tilted Irish Kilt
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To: JRandomFreeper

Sorry to hear this Johnny, praying for you to win this battle.


39 posted on 02/20/2015 3:51:52 PM PST by Sparky1776
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To: JRandomFreeper

Prayers on the way. God bless.


40 posted on 02/20/2015 3:53:01 PM PST by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)
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