WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD APRIL 7 ON APRIL 8, 2017

freerepublic | 4/8/2017 | greeenyes

[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.

[SaraJohnson]

We make a similar dish. Sounds delicious.

[metmom]

I’ve done Green Beans Almandine in the past.

Just sauted sliced almonds in some butter until tan and then added them to the cooked green beans.

[SaveFerris]

;)

[Patriot Babe]

OMG I envy you for having a garden. I live in an apartment so that can happen.

[Patriot Babe]

Ok I am a total virgin/newbie when it comes to gardening. I am interested in growing Green Onions & Beets. What do I need to start growing them? Do I need a small pot to start? What type of potted soil do I need? Any help would be appreciated.

[SaveFerris]

You have to tell him thumbs-up! from another guy! lol

[SaveFerris]

Oh yeah, green beans with almonds. AO-K. I add a little soy sauce (like I do everywhere).

Sara, hope you get a chance to try the recipe. It IS awesome, lol. Just don’t overcook like I did last week. Oops. Too busy chopping onions and stuff.

[MomwithHope]

Are there different stages of “decrepitness”?

[brucedickinson]

a landscaper- good idea. thanks

[MomwithHope]

Beautiful!

[SaveFerris]

Trying something similar to Green Onions. NOT starting much yet.

In an apartment, you can still do some things. Especially if you have a little outdoor area.

Try the Jiffy Starter - a few seeds - try tomatoes, green peppers, sweet basil ($3.50 for potted plant at Walmart).

Warning, that Walmart bucket has to drain so you'll need a bottom ring. They're like 69 cents or so each.





Start the seeds indoors, 70 degrees F is good (and a bit higher OK) - let them sprout for 6-8-10 weeks before transplanting to outside buckets of soil (Hardware store had 4 bags for $5 of topsoil - you'll need one or two). Add crushed eggshells for calcium for your plants. With the Jiffy Starter, after the sprouting period, plant each into the soil. You'll get there. Start small. 3-4 items as you learn. You won't need the drip pans outside. Just let them drain off.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

SaveFerris :" ..Start the seeds indoors, 70 degrees F is good (and a bit higher OK) - let them sprout for 6-8-10 weeks before transplanting to outside buckets of soil "

Place Jiffy starters already planted with seed in a sunny window - most plants need sunlight to germinate/ sprout.
Try to place the starters in the sunniest window, generally southern exposure, although any bright window will do.
If seeds were started indoors, gradually introduce to full sunlight (notice gradually) so that plants make a gradual adjustment to full sunlight (hardening off/ prevents sunburn)
When you place the started plugs into the warm soil, I always cut the nylon netting of the Jiffy starters with sissors
to encourage the roots to spread outside the bounds of the nylon netting (prevents root ball constricted)

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

SaveFerris :" Try the Jiffy Starter - a few seeds - try tomatoes, green peppers, sweet basil.."

Yup ! That's how I got started in vegetable gardening !
Good call ! Keep it simple ____ (KISS)!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I have been gardening for longer than I care to admit and last year was the first time I ever used the Jiffy cells for starting tomatoes, peppers, basil and flowers.

OMG! I will NEVER do it any other way ever again! So easy and no mess at all. Love it! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Played in the dirt all day! All of the beds are tilled and ready to receive. I have things pretty much paced out as to what will go where. Of course, it can still snow on me, but that's OK. I'm ready!

[Alas Babylon!]

Depending on where you live, you may still be able to garden. When I was stationed in Europe, we had a community garden area where we could rent plots for about $25 per season.

I know some cities have community gardens. Check out yours!

Here’s a link: https://communitygarden.org/find-a-garden/

[Alas Babylon!]

Diana, love your raised beds! They’re beautiful! I used them in Germany. Plus Mel Bartholemew’s Square Foot Gardening book.

Wish I could have them down South but it gets too hot in the summer and they dry out fast.

[CatDancer]

I grow green onions in my porch container garden & mine are about 8 inches high already. Everything is in $2. Walmart buckets (they’re 2 gallon) or cat litter buckets with holes drilled in the bottoms. (Except lettuces & spinach, which are in 6” high tinfoil roaster flats (3 for $1.) Miracle Gro potting soil is fine to fill the buckets with (up to a few inches from the top), but this year I’m using Black Gold organic potting soil again because it does so well. I get onion sets at Walmart; I won’t mess with the dry little plants.

I never tried beets in a bucket, but turnips do well, since they’re fast growing & early. Once they’re out I can use the same buckets for crookneck squash or cukes. Also use buckets for tomato, pepper & eggplant.

[Twinkie]

We’ve composted for the past 31 yrs. & have a raised bed
composted organic garden, have many big trees on the place
that produce tons of leaves without needing any more
(sixteen and a half acres, many of them forests).

When a storm blows one of the trees down, Fang cuts it up
for firewood. He has a log splitter, and it has been a good
investment.