weekly garden thread volume 40 october 36, 2014

Free Republic | Oct. 3, 2014 | 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!

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.

[greeneyes]

Greetings from Missouri. The skies are overcast and the perfect gardening weather is definitely over. Its a cool 54 degrees headed to the 30s tonight. I went to get my row covers, and it appears that Hubby might have used them up. I'll have to get some more, and use plastic in the interim.

I do have the winter garden planted and one of the patches has some sprouts. None of the others have sprouted yet, so that may be a long wait, unless we get some Indian Summer weather.

We got well over an inch of rain yesterday and last night. Strong winds blew the polk greens over.

Eric in the Ozarks has some pictures that I would like to have posted on the thread. Problem is that neither of us know how to do it. So I am asking for a volunteer so that Eric can send you an email and have it posted.

From the almanac - Natural bug repellent plants:

Citronella, Lavender, Cedar, Lemon Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Geraniums, Feverfew, Rosemary, Neem. Not all are usually grown in the USA.

Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great weekend. God Bless.

[greeneyes]

Pinging the list.

[gorush]

We’re expecting a light frost tonight and a hard frost tomorrow night (central WI)...the final harvest is in full swing.

[greeneyes]

Yes, we are winding down the season here too. Shaping up to be an early winter it seems. I am still hoping that we get a little Indian summer in.

I have some volunteer melons that I’d like to see exactly what they are. They came up in a garden bed that had melons planted last year, but none sprouted last year. None of them look like the ones that were planted either.

[dware]

Down to 35 degrees here in Western Colorado 2 nites ago...I believe it was upper 30’s last nite. We’re transitioning some of our plants indoors, including chocolate mint and dwarf banana. Been working on plans for an all new container system that I can make over the Winter, and implement early spring!

[Buckeye McFrog]

Just a reminder:

If you are a registered Democrat, October 36 is Election Day.

[rhoda_penmark]

LOL thanks for that.

[SAJ]

If your area of MO is like mine was, then, if you plant rosemary or lavender, unless your soil is VERY dry, plant them in raised beds only. ONLY!

Better yet, dig out the bed about 4 inches, fill with gravel or rocks, then add 3-4 inches of sand, then 4-6 inches of soil. Rosemary and lavender WILL DIE if their roots are kept wet, so well-draining soil is a must. Same is true for sage, too.

Not passing m'self off as an expert at all, but I do have a considerable list of dead plants that succumbed to root rot - - which can occur with a lot less water in the soil than you might otherwise think.

One other thing. Planting lavender and rosemary, particularly, next to peppers (probably tomatoes, too, but I don't grow those) is an excellent idea. These two attract all kinds of pollinators, bees, butterflies, small wasps...and will pretty well guarantee that any blossom on your pepper plants will get a better shot at pollination than without the r and/or l.

Happy herbing!

[greeneyes]

Thanks. As luck would have it I do have them in the raised beds, and we dug out about 6 inches of soil, discarded the bottom 3 inches and filled it in with Mels Mix.

It’s almost impossible to over water. The down side is that the top inch will dry out in one day or less during growing season. So getting seeds to sprout takes a little extra effort.

I appreciate your advice. The lavender has done well, but the rosemary has a bit of a problem getting through the winter which I have always thought was the harsh winter.

Did you ever try to grow it indoors? I have had zero luck with that.

[greeneyes]

A new container system sounds interesting. Any more details you’d like to share?

[greeneyes]

MMMMHHHH. I don’t know whether to laugh or be insulted, but I am certainly not a registered or unregistered Democrat.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

We're still harvesting Roma tomatoes, paprika, poblano and some other hot peppers. There are two dozen carrots still in the garden, plus some beets.
I think we have another three weeks to get veggies, then wrap it up.

Still looking for someone to help me post pictures of Shaw Nature...

[tflabo]

Had some rain and cooler temps here in N Tx. Still hoping for a mild month so those blasted pepper plants will produce. They are fairly lush with lots of blooms but dang they have grown oh so slow all season. The basil on the other hand has been a trooper through the summer heat. Had a basil, tomato pannini for lunch. Had to use store bought tomatoes—mine were a total bust this season. Oh well___

[TEXOKIE]

Hi Greeney et al!

Checking in...

Because of the weather turning colder, I am wondering now at what point I should harvest the sweet potatoes. I understand I should do it BEFORE the frost, and am wondering if it is now cold enough to warrant that.

I was actually able to harvest ONE - count it - ONE T-squash!!!!! And for some strange reason it is actually growing another one, which may or may not make it to harvestability before the first freeze! As most who have read any of my posts know, this is a major accomplishment, since I had just about given up on ever being able to grow ANY squashes successfully! LOL!

A friend of mine was asking me about the asparagus I had planted some time ago. Because I am not able to easily operate the gate, I had left it to fend for itself, and at one point in the summer I had had to beat back the weeds which were threatening to overcome the little shoots. I truly had left it to itself, and had no idea if any of it survived. A couple of weeks ago, I checked on it and there were at least 3 plants still living! Bless its heart! Now we’ll see how it overwinters. I am very hopeful, because on the route that I use to take my walks, there are a couple of volunteer asparagi which are out in the open bordering a horse pasture.

Okra continues to thrive and is busily putting out last-minute okras! (and seed pods!)

The strawberries, parsley, oregano, and thyme, are still green and thriving, and placed in their pots on the south side of the house. Not sure if the strawberries and the parsley will overwinter. If they do, they do.

I had thought the tomatoes were done, and had stopped watering. But strangely enough, the Purple Cherokees are putting out last minute flowers, which I suspect may not survive our first frost, which could happen any day now.

Have not planted any fall plants, but have not totally given up on the idea. I might dilly dally around too long and be too late. Darlin was expressing an interest in some of the greens like watercress, kale, bok choy, etc, which are actually ones I was thinking of obtaining and trying.

Here is some info I thought some here might find interesting. It is from the inside front cover of the recent issue of the Backwood Home Magazine. It is too pricey for my wallet, but still would be obtainable if perhaps a family or group of good friends or a church or what have you decided to get it.

HOME FREEZE DRIER:
HarvestRight.com

They also have some (pricey but cool) geodesic greenhouses and shelters available.

[HopeandGlory]

LOL! . . . I think he’s giving you a hint that your headline says October 36 instead of October 3.

[tflabo]

Hey check your private e mail. I might can use my Flickr account to post pics.

[TEXOKIE]

LOL! to your volunteer melons! Please let us know if/when the mystery is solved!

[miss marmelstein]

Now I know why my lavender plants have died. The one in the raised beds are doing great!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

10-4

[Augie]

We've gotten close to six inches of rain at my place over the past couple days.

The foundation for the old smokehouse has been poured, and I came up with some windows to install after it arrives, so the potting shed project is progressing nicely. I've got enough extra window panes to make several cold frames, which is something that I've been wanting to do for awhile now.

The pond cleanout on the other hand is wrecked until I can get it pumped out again. Mrs. Augie told me last night to just give up and call the dirt guy but I'm too stubborn to do that. And too tight. I work for beer, dirt guy gets $100/hr. lol

This is what it looked like Tuesday evening:

And this is what it looked like yesterday afternoon: