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WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD JULY 15, 2016
freerepublic | July 15, 2016 | greeneyes

Posted on 07/15/2016 3:20:00 PM PDT by greeneyes

Posted on ‎7‎/‎8‎/‎2016‎ ‎3‎:‎32‎:‎57‎ ‎PM 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: Alas Babylon!

The ones I see are about 2/3 orange (on top) with green the other 1/3. Maybe some slight tints of red.

What’s your best guess? I’m a rookie. Thanks again.


121 posted on 07/17/2016 1:35:01 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: SaveFerris

Smell it. Does it smell like a tomato, or more like tomato leaves/stems?

If it smells like a tomato fruit, it’s already ripening.

I’d pick it, and then let it continue to ripen inside. Eat it before it gets too soft.


122 posted on 07/17/2016 2:04:45 PM PDT by Alas Babylon!
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To: tubebender

Oyster Shells work, too! When I have chickens again (soon!) I’ll be buying them again for, ‘The Girls.’ :)


123 posted on 07/17/2016 2:07:46 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Alas Babylon!

Man that may be tough. The whole plant has a wonderful tomato smell. Even my Better Boy with no fruit yet.

They’re kinda hard to get to, as well. Deep inside.

Thanks for the advice. I’ll try picking one in a day or two and see what happens.


124 posted on 07/17/2016 3:45:51 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: bushwon; Ladysforest

Oh dear. I had a major brain cramp.... I DO know what a chipmunk is ... but I somehow got my mental wires crossed and stated we were dealing with chipmunks. I was even visualizing them. But we don’t have chipmunks here! What was happening was that SQUIRRELS were taking the pecans in our back yard and prying up shingle corners to hide them.

I apologize for my mixup. I’m sure I have an excuse, but I can’t think of it. The prevagen didn’t kick in in time for my previous post! LOL!

I have no idea if chipmunks are equally destructive. It wouldn’t surprise me, but I actually don’t know!

*sheepish grin*


125 posted on 07/17/2016 3:56:44 PM PDT by TEXOKIE (We must surrender only to our Holy God and never to the evil that has befallen us.)
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To: TEXOKIE

Well don’t let it happen again!!!


126 posted on 07/17/2016 4:20:54 PM PDT by tubebender
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To: SaveFerris

Yes, you can grow peppers from supermarket pepper’s seeds. However, unless they are heirlooms, they will not necessarily yield the same pepper.

Hybrids often yield a pepper that is like one or the other of the parent plant, not necessarily the same as the one you purchased.


127 posted on 07/17/2016 4:21:59 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: TEXOKIE

Good to hear from you. Glad you are feeling more like a little gardening.


128 posted on 07/17/2016 4:24:04 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I can relate to missing the people. When I switched careers, that was what I missed too - the people that I was used to seeing daily. Then, same thing when I retired. Missed the people.

I have enough trouble just getting my little raised beds done, I don’t know how anyone gets all the stuff done that you were doing.


129 posted on 07/17/2016 4:28:02 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: greeneyes

Thanks. Well, I’ve got a ton to send to a friend. Already sent him organic and some basil.

They’re going to plant a community garden so I’m giving him the hundreds of extra seeds. I’ll already be overrun. I think my bonus tomato planter has 37, not 40 started (just counted).

And there’s 3 more groups starting - hope at least one good harvest by fall on those - 2 may be tough depending upon the weather.


130 posted on 07/17/2016 4:32:46 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: greeneyes

I’m so busy lately that I’m having difficulty keeping up with everything. It’s been hot, humid and dry here in Massachusetts, so I have to water every day. Mostly, we have tomatoes, so other than watering, they seem to be doing all right.

Yesterday afternoon we had two mother turkeys and eleven baby turkeys in our front yard, which is surrounded by woods. We love seeing the wildlife.


131 posted on 07/17/2016 4:35:24 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: SaveFerris

Those kits are nice, but I just use Dixie cups with a few hole poked in the bottom, and potting mix or a combo of seed starter and potting mix-I used the kit the first year though.

Then I use stuff from the deli, like cakes come in. Put the Dixie cups on the base, cover with the clear plastic dome, and put a couple of toothpicks under the dome, so that a little air can get in, but keeps it from drying out.

The Dixie cups and repurposed containers with potting mix or seed starter is cheaper than the kits, and works just as well.


132 posted on 07/17/2016 4:36:07 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: tubebender

Nice looking corn, and critter solution.


133 posted on 07/17/2016 4:37:23 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: greeneyes

I’m looking at a stack of mostly small Styrofoam cups I’m collecting for exactly that......basically free and easy to break apart.


134 posted on 07/17/2016 4:42:08 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: Rebelbase

Well, all in all a really good return for your efforts. We have the red clay here too. Manure is great for so many things. Really fertile soil, and rampant veggie growth are the best solutions for weeds.

I get less weeds in my raised beds with the Mel’s mix. We don’t often have free manure. So I sometimes use a peat/manure mixture from Walmart. I also usually grow a cover crop to turn under each spring.

I have a composter, that I use for kitchen scraps, grass clippings, leaves, shredded paper, twigs, soil from potted plants.

Hubby has several pens of leaves, grass clippings, and wood chips.


135 posted on 07/17/2016 4:45:39 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: tubebender

LOL! I know, right????


136 posted on 07/17/2016 4:46:18 PM PDT by TEXOKIE (We must surrender only to our Holy God and never to the evil that has befallen us.)
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To: greeneyes

:-D Thanks! Glad to be able to drop in again.

It was so hard to even lurk here since doing so would make me want to garden, and I just couldn’t! - and I didn’t have anything to contribute.


137 posted on 07/17/2016 4:48:03 PM PDT by TEXOKIE (We must surrender only to our Holy God and never to the evil that has befallen us.)
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To: SaveFerris

If they have the slightest blush, they will ripen very well, especially if you wrap them in newspaper or paper towel.

How quick I pick them, depends on the squirrels. In very dry years, they will go after the green ones, so I pick them the instant they have blush.

In normal years, I let them go a while longer, but letting them go to full red, is so tempting to various critters, that I don’t do that except for the ones that are indoors.


138 posted on 07/17/2016 4:52:55 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: Qiviut

Thanks for the pictures. Very attractive looking solution.


139 posted on 07/17/2016 4:56:08 PM PDT by greeneyes
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To: greeneyes; SaveFerris

Ran across this the other day. There is a plastic bottle hack where you can make a self-watering seed starter! It is at about 8:25. So clever!

https://nyc2.unblockvideos.com/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vd2F0Y2g_dj01alVjaHFKNGxJQQ


140 posted on 07/17/2016 5:10:31 PM PDT by TEXOKIE (We must surrender only to our Holy God and never to the evil that has befallen us.)
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