Posted on 03/25/2016 9:01:01 AM PDT by ApplegateRanch
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.
My apologies to all. Thanks to everyone for the prayers, ... I will be back next week for sure.
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We [A-R] got some snow earlier this week; and right now, there are long, ropy threads of slush falling from the sky. We do need the moisture, so not complaining.
Again, headed from work, so won't be here to reply until this evening, so have at it, Gardeners!
Pinging all gardeners!
Good Morning!
By next month, I should be in my new home, and the first thing I am going to plant is rhododendrons!
Cold and rainy here in Massachusetts today!
Yay, the gardening thread!
Glad greeneyes feels good enough to babysit.
Trays of peppers, maters, squash and what have you waiting to get set out this weekend.
Spring has sprung here. Hopefully the coming cold weather snap next week doesn’t make it this far south!
Thanks for sitting in for the green eyed one. She’s been stellar in hosting TWGT faithfully which we appreciate and hope she’s doing well too. Survived the recent hail storm the other night although folks just east in Plano, Tx. took a hit. The swiss chard and mustard greens doing well back there. Gotta get crankin’ with the mater’s soon and will have to buy plants from the store. Bypassed the ‘mater seeds this year.
Happy Easter to All.
Lots of people must be growing veggies now.
Every time I go to Dollar Tree the seeds are just gutted.
Don't forget to do a soil test as the first thing , as Rhcdies naturally to be an under-story plant (shaded by taller trees)
and slightly acidic soil acidic soil with a pH level between 4.5 to 6.0 , high in organic material which will preserve moisture (drainage).
Plant growth is through tiny root hairs which are sensitive to excessive moisture, and need organic matter for moisture retention . A soil test will help you determine your soil's pH and nutritional needs.
Best to prepare the soil in the beginning, as soil preparation is essential to plant growth , and limiting problems later .
Best Soil and Rhodenderon and azalia resource :
www.rhododendron.org/soil.htm
I am enjoying my intensively cleaned up garden, all dead vegetation and branches banished, roses neatly pruned, and the gorgeous colors only new leaves can boast emerging from the ground. I see the coppers and salmon pinks and spring greens winking out from the old heuchera leaves. I see the lipstick red tiny rose leaves finally bursting forth in lovely greens, as if the rose were spreading its branches in joy at being released from its winter slumber. I see the bare narrow branches of my dwarf spirea suddenly tufted out in new leaves. Between the brown stems of last year, the dianthus is offering up new bright green leaves for this year. And the bleeding heart is peeking up from the mulch, lovely divided leaves heading for the sun.
While a full-blown summer garden is glorious--who could fail to be enchanted by the color bursts courting the eye of the beholder--the subtle beauty of the shyly-emerging spring garden is also a delight, filled with promise.
Thank You for the Kind Wishes!
I don’t have much of a yard, but enough to make a lovely miniature garden, with lots of space on a deck for planters.
I am glad to see you posting after your loss, and you KNOW my heart is still with you! :-)
Wow...thanks for that!
Gardening with seeds is a high return for low money investment , especially if you don't believe the government statistics on inflation .
General Rule for Gardening:
Hybrids = hybrid vigor / larger plants , generally more productive than standard varieties , but can't keep for subsequent seed production.
Standard /Heirlooms = consistant flavor, generally smaller food production , and when allowed to go to seed , the seed will produce plant consistant with the 'mother' plant.
Rotate crop locations to prevent disease spread in plant families (ie: tomatoes,peppers, potatoes), as well as to release additional soil nutirents.
Try to grow some of both hybrid varieties and standard/ heirloom varieties - but maintain seclusion distance for plant/seed purity.
I’m glad to see that so many people are gardening now.
I just wish it wasn’t because our economy is burnt toast.
True Dat !
Gardening provides for a certain amount of self-sufficiency that too many people have ignored for too long. Our forefathers are a forgotten breed for self-reliance.
Most people haven't heard of 'Mangles', a type of beet that is easily grown , but during WWII , that is how the British fed themselves, and was a main staple.
It can be used for human food in soups and stews like parsnips and rutabagas , as well as animal fodder for poultry and silage for larger mamals.
Yeah , the economy may suck - but we can still be productive, and provide for our families, and become self-sufficient or supplement our income .
Gardening helps us to learn self-sufficiency, learn the value of work, cutting food cost , and appreciation for God's bounty found in nature .
I try to mix flowers (beauty) and vegetables (food productivity / functionality) in my gardens for my own enjoyment .
Do what you have available to you ,.. and what you can handle .
My first garden was a terrarium !
I remember those!
Much easier to maintain than an AQUARIUM, but still a thing of delight! :-)
[[By next month, I should be in my new home, and the first thing I am going to plant is rhododendrons!]]
If you are moving into the same general area you are better off planting Hibiscus instead.
Rhododendrons don’t really do well in Florida outside the panhandle area .
Cool and sunny in Central Missouri today, but the weather guessers are calling for rain over the weekend.
I’ve got a dozen or so orchard trees that still need to be mulched. I’m hoping to start that little task subsequent to my release from the salt mine later today.
I’ve got the brooder house full of five days old chickens now. I bought 50 cornish cross and nine egg layers that we hatched from eggs our hens laid. The cornies will be butchered and packed in the freezer on the 14th of May. I tossed another batch of eggs in the incubator a couple days ago.
Mrs. Augie is still laid up from falling off of her horse a few weeks ago, but I’m managing to stay mostly caught up on things. I planted a bunch of flower bulbs for her a few days ago, and I’ve got most of the winter mess out of her flowerbeds. It’s going to be bad though when the weeds start growing. I can’t keep up with my own weeds as it is.
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