Posted on 02/24/2012 7:48:38 AM PST by JustaDumbBlonde
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Greetings from hot and sticky NE Louisiana! We set a record high yesterday at 89 degrees. I miss the mountains of Montana already. It averaged around 15 degrees while we were there and I was walking around in shirt sleeves. Without the extreme dampness, the cold is really comfortable.
I want to extend a big THANK YOU to Red Devil_232 and Ellendra for taking care of the thread in my absence. Y'all did wonderful work and I appreciate your efforts more than you will know. I had expected to be able to post the thread for the past 2 weeks, but things did not go as planned and the only internet access I had -- when I could get a signal -- was my smartphone. Trying to post a thread from that is just beyond my level of patience.
Most of you have healthy and happy plants started indoors by now. I am getting mine started this weekend, about 2 weeks later than I should have, and the anticipation is really exciting.
My short series on soil structure is coming along nicely, and I apologize that it is not ready to publish today. Structure is such an important part of growing a healthy plant. Now that vacation and some health issues are out of the way, I will be able to devote a bit more time to this endeavor that I love so much.
Let us know what you doing! I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you! Happy Gardening!
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 ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!
Weekly Gardening Thread (Catalog Fever) Vol. 1 Jan 6, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Seeds) Vol. 2, January 13, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 3, January 20, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (U.S. Hardiness Zones) Supplemental Vol. 1
Weekly Gardening Thread (Soil Types) Vol. 4, January 27, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 5, February 03, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation) Vol. 6, February 10, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Vacation?) Vol. 7, February 17, 2012
I’m already planting in the garden here in Las Vegas. Some Early Girl tomatoes and an egg plant. My tomatoes don’t produce in the hot summers, so I’m trying to get an early and late crop this year. Not a lot, just like twn plants.
Home - fun to go on vacation - great to be home!
Two raised beds planted + a trench of purple potatoes.
Eleven to go - waiting for post fear of frost - early March here in Charleston.
Took delivery of eight 55 gallon barrels yesterday - should make for a great rain collection system. $20 each = $15 delivery.
About to order some fruit trees and last orders of seeds.
Thanks for the great weekly gardening thread.
Garden on!
Mr sneakers got me a cold frame for Christmas. I don’t know if it’s too early or not, but we’re putting it out this weekend and planting a few things. Stuff like lettuce, brussels sprouts and cabbage. It’s February in western Pa and we will probably get some bad weather between now and April, but I can’t wait to get started! I might start some tomatoes indoors!
Detailed State Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
International Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
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The wrath of G-d isn't always 'fire and brimstone'.
Broccoli, 'colored' cauliflower, and 'colored' peppers chugging right along...tomatoes going in over the next few days. As an experiment, I sowed lettuce seeds into one of those store 'clamshells' filled with 'Pro-Mix'. It is coming up just fine...we'll have fresh lettuce on the table in no time.
I have two very enthusiastic Bonnie ‘Tami G’ grape tomatoes in the whiskey barrel on the deck that already have set two fruit in a 10-fruit cluster, and two Bonnie Goliath that are doing the same thing.
Last years’ drought drove the deer to we lakefront people’s yards so I’m not risking ground plantings. It all has to grow in containers in the high winds on the deck. Not going to be a very experimental year, I need yields.
Back here in Teaxs, I had my soils anylasis translated to English for me and I am about to till the patch along with some nitro and calcium. The ext serv said it was luck that anything grew here last year! I had no nitrogen and low PH.
I have about 200 tomato babies about 2 1/2 --3in tall and a few hot chili peppers about an inch tall. I hope to supply all my neighbor gardeners with seedlings this year. I can only use about 10-12 plants myself. I got the tiller running the other day, so now its just me holding up the tilling, scheduled for tomorrow am.
We’re supposedly in zone 6a, but that’s completely inaccurate. We should be listed as 5a. It makes ordering plants very difficult, because I’ve yet to find a company that will ship according to a zone 5a hardiness timetable.
Beautiful!
Welcome back!
You NC/SC/VA people keep watch. Looks like wrath is coming your way.
Yeaaahhhh...Glad to see this thread this morning!
We had a very warm day here in Middle Tennessee yesterday so I spent the entire day outside. I did some much needed cleaning in the garden and planted lettuce and kale.
I DO have a question. I would like to plant two hazelnut (filburt)bushes. What varieties would be best for Tennessee? Anyone know?
I am putting out the arugula, spinach, and kale this weekend. My garlics are starting to sprout. I have some good sized indoor rosemary, flat leaf parsley, and mint that I am going to try and transplant in about six weeks.
Our ducklings are growing and developing their tail feathers. We had a problem with one of the hens. She appeared to be in distress, unable to eat or drink and was noticably smaller than the other five. I held her while Barb gently massaged her throat. Then she fed her a vinigar/water solution from an eyedropper. Later, she was eating normally, but her crop was distended. Barb did a lookup on the web and then had be hold her again while she used a makeup spatula to put cat hairball medication in her bill. Chased it with the water solution again. The next morning, she was lively and normal. She seems to have caught up with the rest of her brood mates in size. They are now in the X-pen and are about 1/3 grown.
My Sears Craftsman GT5000 garden tractor is here! The mowing deck is enormous, and the Johnny Bucket and Plow is enroute via UPS! I am already thinking about an electric assist sleeve hitch for it to handle a box scraper and cultivator. The garden isn't going to know what hit it!
doesn’t look like L’sianna! LOL
thanks for new thread & the extras you add to inform us. It is always good to see everyone’s input along the way.
Mild winter thus far (KNOCK ON WOOD) here in NE Ohio & I am very happy for that as I am heating only with space heaters this year (long story, but not uncommon)
We have had several mild days & I note the little first bulbs in bloom..snowdrops.. (and in the shade still piles of snow).
Going to simplify even more this year with plants. I have a lot of personnel and will just do some simple(reasonable) annuals & a few container tomatoes. Last year I think I spent more on veggie plants than the produce harvested. Lots of good farmer’s market & roadside stands to give reasonable food.
Wow, I can't believe that you have maters already. Color me green with envy.
Between Cleveland and Akron. The wild chives are up. Had some on salmon last night. A delight!
Planted 40 starts the other day, a little early for my area of Ohio but couldn’t wait. So anxious for spring.
I have some of the Clemson okra seeds soaking right now. They are from the package you sent me. Going to get an early indoor start.
We just got our seeds ordered this week and are impatiently awaiting their arrival. We’re fairly new to gardening and are praying we don’t mess this up! I’m in KC and am beginning to panic a bit about not having anything started. This year is going to be trial and error for us.
Does anyone here have any knowledge/advice on the 4-in-1 fruit trees? We were considering purchasing an apple tree that grows four different kinds of apples but are a bit leery. We’re here for a limited time so do want to purchase an older tree that is already producing fruit.
We just got our seeds ordered this week and are impatiently awaiting their arrival. We’re fairly new to gardening and are praying we don’t mess this up! I’m in KC and am beginning to panic a bit about not having anything started. This year is going to be trial and error for us.
Does anyone here have any knowledge/advice on the 4-in-1 fruit trees? We were considering purchasing an apple tree that grows four different kinds of apples but are a bit leery. We’re here for a limited time so do want to purchase an older tree that is already producing fruit.
I am watching said ‘maters get pummelled by 30mph+ gusts out of the North. You, too, J?
Best part of all...it appears that you will be able to get all your work done without enduring the ‘traditional’ New Hampshire MUD season...no snow; it’s a BEAUTIFUL thing (for some of us)...
Welcome home!!!!
The weather on my tiny finger of the Virginia Eastern Shore is absolutely WHACKED. It’s unbelievable. It is actually warmer outside than it is in the house. It was 70 degrees at 10am and there is a strong probability for tornadoes this afternoon. It’s no wonder so many people I know are sick. There is no rhyme nor reason to this weather.
Got my second garden plot cleaned and tilled yesterday. I had already started some turnips and onions in part of it and they are doing great. I still have three parsley plants from last year.
My other garden has lettuce, shallots, spinach that are producing well, I need to cut the lettuce soon. I have several garlic plants that are going strong.
The three inch rain sure helped ground moisture but not the lakes. Lake Travis - our main water source - is over 50 feet low and has less than 35% capacity.
Hi txhurl, but what does that map mean for me? I’m in the green section in Massachusetts.
Tornadoes this afternoon! Isn’t this rather early for that? Holy cow.
Looks to me as though you might be in for some thunderstorms.
OK, what I’m doing - fist time gardener here though I did work on a vegetable farm as a teenager for a couple of summers. I picked up a bunch of seeds this week to start indoors mid / late March for mid May planting.
We’re located on the South Shore south of Boston, newly zoned 6B but will stick to the 6A schedule. I’ll be ordering deer & orchard fencing tomorrow and might even start putting up some posts this weekend to keep the deer out.
Lovely sunshine but windy and very cold yesterday and today my cold has moved to my chest and my enthusiasm has gone south. Humboldt Bay NW Calif 100 miles south of Oregon.
Haha - I’m not used to the NOAA maps, thought it was a seasonal map, duh!
We really could use some rain / snow, it’s getting dry here!
I have several pots with tomato and cucumber seedlings. Just waiting for a little warmer weather before they go into the garden. I have four foot fence around the garden areas and the deer will eat anything that grows through the wire.
Do you know a source for soil testing strips? (PH N P K)
Yes, the wind is terrible today. I tool the dog for a walk and cut it short today. There are all sorts of things getting blown around the streets. I heard there were some 40 mph gusts earlier.
BTW, your okra seeds are on the way. I apologize profusely that I forgot to send them before now. Five different varieties to try. Good luck! (they will need phosphorus)
“Glad you had your soil analyzed. It is really the first and most important step in garden planning”
Are DIY test kits ok?
After being assured yesterday that the big winter storm was passing well to the south of us, we awoke this AM to 6 inches of fluffy snow. I had to wait for the plowman to clear my driveway before I could go to work.
Last week I was treated to the sight of a ground hog running around in a surprise snow storm. The temps have not been too cold and the snow melts right away, so I’m sure that the indigenous animals are totally confused.
My new front windows are in with a coat of primer on the outside (too cold for exterior paint yet). THey’ll be finished later in the year. But, they look gorgeous.
I’ve hired the carpenter independently to put up aluminum soffits on the underside of the roof, so I won’t have to worry about peeling paint there any more and it will also improve the air circulation in the attic. Yay!
I hope all this work improves the heating and cooling costs of the house. It’s costing enough! I think we’ve spent a sum equal to the cost of my first home, just on these improvements.
Sparky1776 requested to be added to the ping list last week.
Never mind I see you added Sparky earlier!
As soon as I started cutting I knew something was terribly wrong. Those &*^#&^%#^& neighbor kids must have come over in the middle of the night and planted parsley! The stuff grew like a weed.
Fortunately, I had freezer space and I can use parsley in the dogs' food. So, after spending quite some time prying and carving the roots out of the pot and replacing the growing medium, I chopped some parsley. And then I chopped some more. This was followed by, yes, more chopping. At this point, I thought about using the food processor, but figured I'd end up spending as much or more time emptying the bowl and I'd have one more item to clean. What else could I do? Maybe a couple passes with the lawn mower?
Okay, I mentioned I had freezer space. Past tense. Between several gallon bags of chopped parsley and the broccoli and cauliflower coming in strong lately I'm pretty well full up. I would have some space left except a couple days ago I noticed that some of my celery was starting to droop. And boy, was it leafy. Oh, "no" [not the word I actually used]. Not again.
A picture of Monday's trip to the garden for those up north who can't wait to get planting.
I’ve got a fencing issue that needs to be addressed immediately ... I’ll be back ASAP to get in the conversation!
Green = might get some thunderstorms today.
Yellow = You'll probably have some bad weather today.
Red = You're going to have bad weather today, just not sure how bad.
Magenta = Get in the basement and stay there until the storms pass.
Checking in from the Chicago suburbs . . .
Overnight we had 4” of very wet, heavy snow. Third snow of the so called winter. Most of the winter has been temps in the low to mid 30s and bare ground. Too cold to grow anything and too warm to go ice fishing. The only happy thing is my heating bill. This weird weather is making it vary hard to guess last frost date.
Our garden is still in hibernation with all the snow we have been getting here in N. MN. It’s been warmer than usual this year with few below zero days, which means we will won’t have to wait too long for the soil to warm up enough to plow!
We DO have a large harvest of Bald Eagles right now! They are cleaning up a road kill whitetail just down the road and are hanging around our place between bites... We just love those beautiful birds! There are about a dozen of them here at one time...
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