Posted on 07/22/2016 9:11:22 AM 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. 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!
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Your garden always looks perfect.
Just perfect. Picture perfect.
I aspire to garden as you garden.
Aw Shucks...
We’re in a drought here in MA. So far, it’s not serious, but it will be soon. Thank goodness all of our vegetable and herb plants are in containers. I’ll try to get some pictures tomorrow, if I remember.
.my tomato plants have browning on their leaves..
..my beans did not grow one inch it seems.
..my supposed red holly hock is tall and beautiful but not red at all...its white..
same with my bee balm....more of a pink mauve than truly red...
squash look good....potted potatoes look healthy....beets might be ready...peppers so so....
in regards to my beans, even though I thought they were heirloom, maybe they were not...maybe seeds just don't last for more than one season...
I can't imagine planting that many bulbs but my uncle used to plant 30,000 as a business, and he really did not have that much land....
last year I had only one sunflower survive and it was destroyed when some bird landed on its head and broke it off....ugh...
This fall I’m growing some seeds from 2012. None of the zipper peas started. The CA black eye peas from the old packet are doing about as well as the new seeds I needed to buy this year. The best of the CA BEP, by far, are the ones I saved from plants that I grew from seeds from that old packet back in 2013. I’ve also grown Kentucky Wonder pole beans from several year old seeds. I haven’t had much luck with saving yard long bean seeds for more than a year.
One of the tomato (again from 2012) varieties (Calabash) didn’t start at all. One (mislabelled) doesn’t look that great. The rest, including the Mr Stripey from saved seeds a couple years ago, all look healthy.
I’m still growing all of my okra from a single pod saved in 2010.
Thanks, Girlfriend! So happy to see you and our, ‘Mom,’ today! :)
Those of us that are in Western NY have been 3 1/2 weeks without any rain.
At least you should have gotten some rain last night
Be charitable - send some our way ! ..Please !
At least to the East of us, they got some rain along the Southern Tier, rite ?
We are in the 'severe drought stage', and the rains seem to just pass us bye !
92 degree days with humidity of 90% takes a toll on a body, and does worse in the garden .
Properly stored beans should last from 1 - 4 years in storage.
However, bean seed germination is soil temperature and moisture sensitive,
and thrives on heat and even soil moisture.
They should last more than a year, generally more than 4 years under proper circumstances.
Last week, on 'Splendid Table'(NPR/PBS) they interviewed Steve Sando , who specializes in international heirloom beans chilis, and 3 types of Quinoa (Peru) :
What Ray Bayless is to Mexican chilies and food culture, Steve Sando is to heirloom beans.
Steve Sando (Calif) specializes in heirloom beans ,corn, and chilis
He seems to specialize in Mexican , and imported heirloom beans,only.
He does have other products like Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, and Quinoa, etc...
Highly Recommended varieties : "eye of the goat" (currently sold out), and "royal corona" bean " (imported from Poland)
(home): http://www.ranchogordo.com/
(products) : http://www.ranchogordo.com/collections/all (with photos)
He recommends you plant 80 % , and retain 20% for next years, and years thereafter, seed just in case of crop failure.
Prices seem to be reasonable since quantities are measured in pounds (not in # of beans), although shipping charges have not yet been compared.
The weather here in Central Missouri over the weekend had me longing for a vacation home in the Sahara. It was absolutely sick-hot outside.
I did two days worth of work in the tomato patch on Saturday in hopes of having an easy day yesterday, but it didn’t work out that way. There was still two days worth of work left to be done. LOL
I took 2 bushel of tomatoes and a half bushel of cucumbers to the auction last Friday. Then I picked tomatoes Friday evening, and I picked tomatoes Saturday evening, and I’ll pick tomatoes after I get home from the salt mine today. I’ll have at least another bushel for the auction tomorrow, and that’s just from the slicers. The Romas are going absolutely nuts right now. When they finish sizing up and start to turn I’m going to have some serious weight to sell.
Everything in the kitchen garden is doing well now. The Blue Lake green beans started to bloom a few days ago, first planting sweet corn is in full tassel, butternut squash are taking over the north fence, watermelon and cantelope are vining like crazy and covered with blossoms, okra is waist high, and it’s time again to murder some weeds.
And it rained again last night.
Nope to you! LOL - we are JUST now getting a few drops. We are in a little bitty area that either gets hit hard or missed altogether.
A week ago we had a brief downpour which looked impressive. Then I went out and looked into the little dish I had left on the picnic table, and it was practically bone dry! The rain must have evaporated three feet above the ground.
It’s been raining for just four minutes now. Crossing my fingers.
I use 1-2 bulbs a week and I give some away to friends and the nuns across the street, but I will replant most to build up my stock. I plan on selling at our farmers market next summer.
If anybody has extra shallot sets for fall planting, I’d be happy to pay you or arrange a trade!
Please add me.
I’m not getting any fruit from my Better Boy after a couple of months. Transplanted to better soil - still has the biodegradable “pot” so it shouldn’t be too much shock.
Transplanted my Sweet Basil too, also to better soil - it’s actually 3 plants and is a constant producer.
Also, starting 3 new small potting soil “pies” with seeds from one of the garden’s tomatoes. Had to pitch 2 this week. One had a round hole going in - and not coming out.
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