WEEKLY GARDEN THREAD VOLUME 4 JANUARY 25, 2013

Free Republic | Jan 25, 2013 | greeneyes

[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 ... 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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[JRandomFreeper]

Because of my restaurant background, and my desire for being able to repeat a dish over and over again, I generally grow Roma tomatoes. They are good for almost everything. And they grow well here.

I'm very conservative. I find something that works really well, and I stick with it.

I will try other stuff, but for bulk eating for the year? I'll stick with the tried and true that has lasted centuries.

Roma works fresh, canned, sun dried, and reduced to tomato paste and powder.

Works for me.

Celebrity ain't bad, though, for sammiches with red onions and meat and cheese of your choice.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

Take what I say about my preferences as what they are. I'm an opinionated old fart set in my ways on some things. It is my opinionated opinion.

Your mileage may vary. Batteries not included.

/johnny

[TEXOKIE]

This has been a rather mild winter in our area. I harvested my thyme and oregano at the end of the season...but several days ago, I noticed that the stalk hasn’t died off! So I’ve still got fresh thyme for my chickie soup! Yum!

[JRandomFreeper]

Last summer, on the heels of the summer before, nuked my herb garden. The only thing left there is the asparagus, and I managed to hit the roots when tilling yesterday.

I've got all my herbs to replace.

/johnny

[murrie]

That is funny! True about the Roma’s Ill keep that in mind. As for growing “traditional” type tomatoes I am reminded of that scene in the beginning of the movie “steel magnolias” (chick flick I know-sorry). It’s where Shirley MacLaine comes into the beauty shop carrying a bag of tomatoes. She is asked why she grows them and she replies something to the effect that “she is a southern woman and southern women are supposed to grow tomatoes”. Too funny!

[TEXOKIE]

“Still the highest bidder on the freeze dryer I found. The auction site was down for several days, so the auction got extended. Otherwise I’d have it by now. When i go to pick it up, I might see what their glass labware is going for, and get enough to distill my own water.”

AWESOME!!

[TEXOKIE]

I just found this. Hope it helps!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4795706_grow-hibiscus-tea-home.html

http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/Bay_Trees_p/her-bay.htm

[TEXOKIE]

As I understand it, you can also stretch it with dandelion root!

[TEXOKIE]

I’m only a novice gardener, so had only a single pot which the oregano and thyme shared. We’ve been hit by the drought pretty hard too....plus the record heat! What a year to pick to get serious about gardening!

I nursed my little pot along with faithful watering each day. The sun/shade ratios must have been good, because they seemed happy! I was so tickled the other day to see that the thyme has continued to thrive. We may be getting slammed with a hard freeze soon, but who knows?

Sorry you got hit so hard so that your herb friends have to be replaced.

[JRandomFreeper]

Summer before last, it looked like my back yard had been hit by a nuke. That was the year of the bad fires in Texas. We didn't have the fires here, but I didn't smoke outside, either.

The dry, hot summer last year just killed off everything that managed to survive.

It happens. Great grandmother talked about the winter of 1930 when they could drive across the lake.

Month and year my dad was born, so some good things come out of hard times. ;)

/johnny

[Mears]

“Month and year my dad was born, so some good things come out of hard times. ;)”

—

Yep,like me.

Born in 1932

.

[JRandomFreeper]

I'd have a hard time imagining you as my father. ;)

/johnny

[TEXOKIE]

Wow. I know Texas was hard hit. My family there said it was really dry in their areas.

Was the lake bed driveable because it was frozen or dry??? I’m guessing since it’s Texas, it was dry? ;-D

LOL! yes indeed good things DO come out of hard times! In many ways!

[JRandomFreeper]

That year the lake froze. I've never seen it freeze in my lifetime, but I believe G-Grandma. ;)

/johnny

[MissMagnolia]

No personal experience - never had much luck with pumpkins, but Burpee has a pretty good article on growing giant pumpkins:

http://www.burpee.com/vegetables/pumpkins/how-to-grow-huge-pumpkins-article10276.html

Here’s a book [HOW-TO-GROW WORLD CLASS GIANT PUMPKINS (3RD EDITION)] I saw on one of my favorite spots (Grit Magazine):

http://www.grit.com/shopping/detail.aspx?itemnumber=4141

[Ciexyz]

Is your power off, greeneyes, or are you sick - you dropped out of the discussion. Hope all is well.

[Sarajevo]

I restarted my tomato's in peat pots and they're all looking good. I also have 3 water melon seeds that have sprouted, but only 2 okra seeds and no peppers. I have a small plastic bag of okra seeds from last year's crop. They may be better off in the ground, but that will have to wait a couple months.

Does anyone have a technique to stop fungus from forming on seeds in peat pots?

[Sarajevo]

Almost all hibiscus blooms can be used for tea. The plant itself seems to be a bit sensitive (given, I am in the Texas Hill Country, where it's either hot or dry), so I keep it in a pot and bring it inside in the chillier months. When it's hot outside, keep it in the shade and well watered. My neighbor has one that was bought at Lowe's, and his is HUGE! He baby's that plant and it flowers all year long.

My Bay Tree's have been a PITA. I had one in a pot that grew about 5ft tall, but leggy. It was constantly afflicted with fungus growth and sensitive to anti-fungal sprays like neem oil. The second one seems to dry out too quickly and is showing signs of leaf burn.

[who knows what evil?]

Those of you thinking about giving an Earth Box a try; now's the time. Half pound of CHOCOLATE with your Earth Box order while supplies last! Details at their website here.

[greeneyes]

Apologies Ciexyz,

A combo of reasons. I am president of a couple of non-profits and had a lot of preparations this month for board meetings.

We have been having issues with our internet provider too.

I myself have several health issues which leave me quite fatigued lately. While medical testing is not yet finished, I don’t anticipate anything too bad. Doc says it may be a few months of taking it easy before I get back to baseline energy. So I am taking naps per doctor’s orders.

It’s great in a way, because for almost the first time, if someone calls while I am sleeping, Hubby doesn’t gleefully wake me up-he takes a message and tells them I’ll call later. LOL.

I don’t really want to talk in depth about my health, though, but I do appreciate your concern.

I’ll be posting the thread tomorrow, and try to catch up on the pings from this week too.

Now, I have got to get to bed.