Weekly Gardening Thread

My pea brain | April 25, 2008 | Gabz

[Gabz]

I have had a week from Hades and will be perfectly honest with you all.........I completely and totally FORGOT about this thread yesterday. And so you all have my heartfelt apologies.

My brain is pretty much just mush at the moment and so I am just going to share some of my favorite links.

Edible Landscaping

You Grow Girl

National Home Gardening Club

[Gabz]

These are a start, it would take me 3 forevers to post all the sites on my favorites list!

[Gabz]

Garden PING!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry about being so late folks!

[the invisib1e hand]

just came in to watch the grass grow for a spell.

[uglybiker]

I live in the desert. If grass grows in my yard, I kill it! ;-)

[tubebender]

How about a story on growing rice at home and work...

[fishergirl]

Ha! Love your tagline, I’d heard it before except it was politician instead of lobbyist. Same truth for both!

[tennteacher]

Gabz,

Sorry that you’ve had the week from hell.

I, however, planted dianthus that smells like my childhood, a variety of sedums, and a replanting of one of my favorites, the fringe tree.

Also enjoyed playing with my new toy, a shredder-chipper. In three days my husband and I compressed a backyard of debris into two fabulous compost bins.

Life is good.

Hope that you can retreat to your garden and regain your sanity.

[Gone_Postal]

better late then never

[chickpundit]

Sorry you had a bad week. I appreciate the time and effort you, gardengirl, and others put into this thread.

That edible landscapes site is interesting. I think I may grow some berries in the front of some of my borders. I just ordered Wonderberry ‘Solanum Burbankii’ seeds from Baker Creek. I’m pretty excited about them. They’re an annual that produce berries the first year. Some online searches I’ve done indicate the berry may not taste that great fresh, but is really good in jams. I figure it’s worth a shot. Here’s a link:

http://rareseeds.com/seeds/Garden-Berries/Wonderberry

I can’t find blueberry or raspberry plants anywhere right now. I guess I was too slow making a purchase.

[gardengirl]

Hey Gabz!
You’re not late as far as I’m concerned! I completely lost track of what day it was! Just happened to check my pings!

Re: the week from Hades—ME TOO! Stupid questions don’t bother me so much—it’s just that there are so MANY of them! LOL

IE:
Caller—I bought this spray from you last year. Is it time to use it?

Me—What spray?

That High yield one.

Oookkkaayy. I’ve got ten people in line at the cash register, a credit card in my hand, which only works on the same phone line that the caller is currently on. Ma’am, what spray?

The High yield one.

Deep breath. Another deep breath. Ma’am, I’m looking at about 500 different sprays right now. What’s it for?

Plants.

Okay. What are you trying to do with your spray?

Spray my plants.

Sigh to myself. Spray your plants for what? Are you trying to kill the plants or kill something that’s on them?

Kill bugs.

Now we’re getting somewhere—I think! What kind of bugs?

I don’t know. Those ones on the leaves.

Repeating to myself—Do not lose your temper! What kind of plants?

I don’t know. The ones with green leaves.

Tell me what kind of spray it is so I can help you better.

I told you—High yield.

Ma’am, what does it say on the label? What’s the chemical name?

High yield.

I finally just told her yes! I have no idea whether she was spraying insecticidal soap or roundup!

[gardengirl]

We got ten inches of rain Sun nite, hail Tues, and more rain! Got any info on growing rice? How bout rice seeds? LOL

At least I didn’t have to water outside at the greenhouse!

[heartwood]

Bad week here too. Your prayers for my son would be gratefully appreciated.

I go out to the garden to find peace. Of course the deer chomped all the native columbines - the ones I planted for the hummingbirds - the native ones must be a whole lot sweeter than the vulgaris which are not touched. Then the deer weasled onto my patio between all the plants waiting to go into the ground, past the roses, past the impatiens, past the hosta, tomatoes and other deer candy, to munch up a single white euphorbia of all things.

My homemade spray clogged two sprayers in a row - egg yolks are too gucky. So I shook up some cayenne, turmeric, mint oil and managed to spray everything before dark.

Do any of y’all know how to use eggs in a spray without clogging things? The eggs make it stick better and persist through some rain.

[Red_Devil 232]

These photos may indicate the reason I have always loved the idea of having a garden. They were taken in late 1948 or 1949. They show my mother carrying me through a garden and a couple of others that show the garden that belonged to her Aunt Dell.

My Great Aunt Dell lived in Hangtown, Ca. It is known as Placerville now days.

The photos are 35mm slides that my father took on a visit to “Aunt Dell’s Place”. My Mother loved this place and took me there many times as I grew up. “Aunt Dell’s Place” was always unique to me because it always seemed to be overrun with weeds and flowers and plants and they were everywhere. I think my “Great Aunt Dell” just let everything go and grow as it wished. It was kind of a magical place out in the wilderness.

I hope this works.

My Great Aunt Dell Holding A Box Of Freshed Picked Strawberrys?

I don't know why some photos are huge and the others are small.

[Red_Devil 232]

If the pics are over loading your computer I will ask the Mod to remove the post and try to figure out how to size them right.

[Ciexyz]

First time visitor here.

[Red_Devil 232]

[Sarajevo]

The wife and I use plain welded wire fencing. we roll off approximately 10ft, then cut it from the roll, and twist the ends to form a cylinder. The cyliner is placed over the plants. The deer haven't bothered my loquat, pecan, persimmon, herbs, or any other plants since then. When they can't get at the plant easily, they look for easier browse.

I've tried the homemade "Deer Away" brew, but have also found it to be a pain in the rear. Have you ever tried human hair or Irish Spring Soap bar in an old pantyhose? People tell me that it's effective.

[Red_Devil 232]

[gardengirl]

Great pics! Looks like where I grew up! i thought that’s how everyone lived, when I was little!

Love your mom’s hair braided and coiled around her head.

How’s the fig doing? We got most of ours transplanted into single pots this week.

[Gabz]

ROFLMSS!!!!!!!

My husband figures if he spend 2 hours a day between now and Tuesday, he’ll be set to start nmowing again on Thursday!

[Gabz]

3 years ago I swore I should have planted rice, my yard and field spent almost the entire frowing season under water.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Whatever is going on ... sending good wishes your way for a better weekend! ;-)

[Gabz]

I agree. The first time I saw it/heard it, it was about a politician.

It could also be used about reporters as well.

I say all that as someone that was a reporter and who spent 20 years as a lobbyist.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Welcome to the weekly gardening thread! Glad you’re here.

[Red_Devil 232]

The fig was going to be my next post. As you know it arrived in great shape, leaves and all. After I got it into the ground the leaves started wilting slightly and over the last few days started turning from green to yellow, Touching the yellow leaves this morning they just fell off. Is this normal for a transplant? I know the roots have to start first ... maybe some more time is needed for it to root out?

[gardengirl]

Stress. It should leaf back out as long as the roots are ok. :) Give it some time.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Hey gardengirl! I have received the best gifts ever in the last two weeks, but they are going to require a bunch of work on my part. Eight mayhaw trees (between 1-2 ft.) and fourteen muscadine vines. I found some plans for a muscadine trellis system online and I have a friend that has a very beautiful muscadine system that has been established for close to 20 years. Figure that between the plans and an actual functioning system, I should get all of the guidance I need in construction. Right now just trying to figure out where on the property these things will get planted. We are really excited.

[Gabz]

Your shredder-chipper sound wonderful!!!! I’ll get one of these one of these days.

Green beans and lima beans are going in tomorrow. I just don’t do flowers. My daughter does plant them and has her own space for them, but I stick with herbs and veggies.

I have to go to work tomorrow afternoon, but I plan on getting downright garden dirty until I’ve got to go!

[Red_Devil 232]

Thanks. I worry so much about these things ... like I did something wrong.

I just discoverd the pictures of my Great Aunt's Garden and my Mother today. I had told my wife about this place where my Mother would take me that was just a mess of growth. Today she was awed! She liked my Mom's braids also.

[gardengirl]

Wowsers! I know nothing about mayhaws! 14 muscadines?! Are you planning on starting a vinyard? LOL Did you get bronze or black?

Did you know that muscadines have more antioxidants and other good things in them than almost anything else? Course, the good stuff is all in the hulls and seeds! A company in Duplin County here in NC dries and powders them—they’re a by product of some wineries. They capsules really make a difference with my arthritis and other people take them for lowering cholesterol.

Once establised, the grapes won’t need much care except pruning. Soemtimes you have to spray them for fungus or insects, but not usually a whole lot. What kind of trellis are you going to do? Fence type or overhead arbor? The old overheads are great for sitting under but after awhile, the vines get so thick the grapes will be ten feet over your head! Have fun!

[Gabz]

Berries of any sort are not something you want to ask me about. I have lost more berry plants than I really care to mention :(

[gardengirl]

Hopefully, neither one of us did! Don’t worry too much. The ones here wilted, and will probably lose a few leaves, but they didn’t spend 3 days in the dark!

Those pics look so much like where I grew up. We kept a small space mowed for yard, but there were just paths to get to everywhere else. The barn and the garden and the pastures. Love your aunt’s bare feet! I hate shoes to this day!

[tennteacher]

Hey,

I do plenty of flowers (mostly perennials), but I also have tomatoes, peppers, and mega herbs. I love a beautiful garden, but I also like production for the kitchen. Fresh chives are wonderful.

From my grandmother, I inherited a love of the perennial garden, but my mother planted edibles. Both find a home in my garden.

[tennteacher]

Hey,

I do plenty of flowers (mostly perennials), but I also have tomatoes, peppers, and mega herbs. I love a beautiful garden, but I also like production for the kitchen. Fresh chives are wonderful.

From my grandmother, I inherited a love of the perennial garden, but my mother planted edibles. Both find a home in my garden.

[Gabz]

EGADS!!!!!!!

You’re a better woman than I am.

My kid is (hopefully by now) up in New Jersey for a Girl Scout encampment on the Battleship new Jersey. I’m having a major MOM moment over it because while it is not the first time she’s been away overnight, it is the first time for an overnight with people she has never done an overnight with.

[Gabz]

I can’t help you with the egg problem, but you absolutely have my prayers for your son.

If you’ve got a deer problem DO NOT plant cantelope - tiny cantelopes are apparently the equivalent to Snickers bars to the deer.

[Gabz]

What great pictures, and wonderful memories for you.

Thanks for sharing!

[Gabz]

I usually try to get the thread up and running on Thursday, but this week it didn’t work.

We’re a fun bunch, so just let me know if you want on the ping list.

It’s a pretty low volume ping, I do it for the weekly thread and will use it if I find a gardening related thread going during the week. I try not to “abuse” it!

[gardengirl]

I can tell when I’m getting over stressed—so far I’ve managed to not say anything out loud, but I’m getting to the point, like I do every year, when all these sarcastic comments are richochetting around in my head, just waiting for me to drop my guard for one second!

I hear you about the youngun! Daughter will be fine. you have to believe that or you’re going to drive yourself crazy! Been there, done that—3 times! if you think this is bad, wait til the grands come along! this is nothing! LOL I never worried half so much about my own as I do the gbaby! i think when your own are little, you have so much else going on—housework and bills and jobs and laundry and just everyhting, you worry, but other stuff crowds it out. you’ve got more time to worry with the grands! She’ll have a ball!

[gardengirl]

egg yolks

I don’t spray, but most of the ones I’ve seen call for egg whites.

The best remedy is a bit of lead poisoning and then put the deer in your freezer! :)

Prayers up for you and your son!

[Gabz]

Thank you, my FRiend!

The weekend is looking mighty good. Until I have to get ready for work I’ll be outside all of tomorrow. Sunday afternoon we’re going over to a friend’s grandparents’ farm because our daughter is “interviewing” grandpa for a school project.

Monday I will sleep!!!!!!!

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Mayhaws (swamp apples) make the most sought-after jelly in the South. I'll send you some later in the year if I can get my hands on some fruit. Mayhaws are starting to ripen just now and I do know a man who has some mature trees.

Four of the vines are bronze ... here we refer to them as green most of the time ... and they are technically scuppernongs I believe. The other eight are a large black variety (which we call purple) and the man has promised me some plants from his very small black variety. The small ones are a real pain to deal with but they add the most delicious note to jelly or wine. For some reason, they don't seem to make much difference in syrup (probably overcome by all the sugar).

For the support system we will be using 2-inch iron pipe and vinyl coated steel cable and it will look very much like an old-style t-post double clothesline, except it will only be chest high, which keeps the vines very 'pickable' at that height. You can actually put down a stool and pick very easily. Those are not the exact materials that the plans call for, but that is something that we have on hand and will actually be more durable.

If you get a chance, would you post the contact information for the company that sells the capsules? I like using natural remedies and that one sounds like it could do both me and the hubby person some good!

As usual, thanks for the info!

[ReignOfError]

So I shook up some cayenne, turmeric, mint oil and managed to spray everything before dark.

My mom had something gnawing on the garden (aphids? Small beetles? I don't know). It worked, but the onion attracted slugs. After stepping on a few and getting ooked out, we put down salt to stop the slugs. But the salt attracted ants, so we used diluted white vinegar to disrupt their scent trails.

The good thing about that approach is that if you're growing green leafies, they've already got half the salad dressing on them when they come out of the ground.

[Gabz]

For some reason I seem t have the proverbial black thumb when it comes to flowers. They just don’t work for me.

The shrubberry around our house was here when we moved in 5 years ago. We trim it, but that is the extent of it.

OTOH, we add a few 100 square feet each year for herbs and veggies — it’s that mush less grass to cut!!!!!!

[JustaDumbBlonde]

I can’t even count ... there are 10 black muscadines, not 8. Not that it matters all that much, but I hate mistakes!

[gardengirl]

nutragon is the name of the company. Several others make it, but that’s the one I’m most familiar with. My boss’ brother works for the Duplin County Ag extension service,and he’s the one that told us. Boss and his brother both take it for chol. It has a lot of antiinflammatory good stuff too. I’ve noticed since I’ve been taking it—not very long, I’m hardheaded—I’m sleeping better and I don’t hurt as much, even this time of year. I’m putting in solid 10 hour days at the store. Some days the only time I sit is driving to and fro.

Yeah, muscadines and scuppernongs are the same thing. Be careful you don’t build a lightning rod!

If I’ve ever seen a mayhaw, it was called by another name. Funny how everywhere has it’s own names for stuff.

[tubebender]

In keeping with this weeks tread look what I found...

http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/

It looks like it is interactive?

[Red_Devil 232]

I do like muscadines. I remember they just grew wild around here. I liked that they had a nice thick skin and you could just squeeze them and the good juicy innards would pop right into your mouth

When I went to Mississippi State Univ. they had a winery, as part of their Ag Dept, and they made muscadine wine. That was some very potent wine! LOL

I have a chain link fence that runs the width of the back of my property and just wondering if muscadine would be good for covering it up, and reaping some benefits from it?

[gardengirl]

Hey! Another great site! I just scanned it quickly, but I saw Plant Delights on it. My sis works there! it is truly a cool place. If any of you are ever in the Raleigh area.... They have a catalog of stuff to die for and they do some classes and open houses.

[Gabz]

I hear you about the seasonal job stress. Been there, done that, and have the T-shirt because I snapped more than once towards the end of June and the legislative session when I was a lobbyist in Delaware.

I know Jax is going to be fine and she is going to have a ball on this trip. It’s just that “first time” syndrome. When she’s gone on these trips in the past my friend Sue, mom of Jax best friend, was with them. Sue is down the road at home going through exactly what I’m dealing with. But I have to agree with my husband, the fact that neither Sue or I are with them is probably the best thing that has ever happened to Sue’s daughter.